My 3 little stars 2017

I always have mixed feelings when one of my Photography Classes comes to an end, a little sad that I won’t be connecting with my students any longer or seeing how their photography improves with each passing week but thrilled they’re empowered with a new skill, have more confidence in their photography and excited about future work.

Three fabulous ladies signed up for the course, each one completely different from the other in terms of personality, background and the cameras they used, this class was a little different from the others I’ve given in the past because all the students were local! Even though the class can be taken 100% online, we decided to meet up about 4 times during the course to discuss any problems and outline the work for the following week, they really enjoyed this hands on approach and I enjoyed the face to face interaction with them all.

Shortly after the last assignment was submitted, I arranged for us all to go on a late afternoon photo-shoot together.  It was a great success and all 3 agreed that this was the highlight of the course – a mentored photoshoot to put into practice all they had learned over the past weeks.

Here is a short showcase of the work produced by my 3 little stars during the course:

Elandi – Elandi is a talented young beauty therapist who knew she loved taking photos and was keen to do some kind of photography course but didn’t know where to start. She completed the assignments using her Mom’s Canon EOS 1100D DSLR and 18-55mm zoom lens and plans on buying her own camera very soon. Elandi was off to a great start completing her first 2 assignments with ease until tragedy struck and her entire home and contents burned down during the recent terrifying Knysna fires. It took her a couple of weeks but soon she was back in the saddle hard at work taking photographs, as ebullient and cheeky as ever.

Immediately above and below this comment are examples of Elandi’s work. Elandi has a definite creative streak that is obvious in her images, she approaches each composition from her own unique angle, has an aesthetic eye and her photography shows real promise.

“Great instructor, very helpful and always encouraging. Loved the course. Its changed my whole outlook. Thank you Moira.” – Elandi’s course feedback

 

Joanne – Joanne was really excited to be part of the course as learning the fundamentals of photography and how to photograph in full manual mode had been on her bucket list for some time. She was keen to begin having fun with her camera and learning how to take better photos.  Joanne made us all very envious with her streamlined, lightweight EM-10 Mark II Olympus DSLR, she used two zoom lenses to complete her assignments; a 14-42mm and a 40-150mm.  Joanne aced all her assignments and even though the course is over she continues to photograph and practice a few times a week. That’s my girl, practise, practise, practise!

Immediately above and below this comment are examples of Joanne’s work.  Joanne’s confidence and love of colour comes through very strongly in her images, her determination to improve in leaps and bounds is definitely paying off. Like Elandi, she has a good eye.

“The course was brilliant, it has changed my whole approach to photography. I am not only enjoying my current camera more, taking better images but was so delighted to pick up my old camera which I had never used in Manual mode and could use it properly for the first time. I definitely recommend the course! “– Joanne’s course feedback

 

Tracey – Tracey received her very first instant camera when she was 16 years old and was hooked! Many years, a husband and 2 grown sons later she still loves taking photographs and used her Canon EOS 500D DSLR and 55 – 250mm zoom lens to complete the class.

Tracey and husband Wayne run a tour company called Local View Photography Tours & Shuttle Service and Tracey was hoping that the course would give her more confidence with her camera when taking visitors on tour. Another victim of the Knysna fires, Tracey lost a hard drive with 5 years worth of photographs due to the fire, this was an extra motivation for her to take the course and begin to build a new photographic collection of treasured images.

Shy and a little reserved, Tracey proclaimed herself the problem child of the group and was convinced she would be my worst student.  She loved her old point and shoot film camera, found digital very challenging and all the photography jargon awfully intimidating.

Tracey’s photographic skill improved steadily with each passing week and I am delighted  with her progress. Even though she was so nervous during our final photoshoot she produced some very fine images she can certainly be proud of.

Immediately above and below this comment are examples of Tracey’s work.  Despite Tracey’s determination to be the problem student, once she began to listen to her intuition and trust her own instincts she blossomed like a flower.  Her photographic style is unposed, relaxed and natural and she has an eye for beauty and a definite skill for homing in on and portraying the inner beauty of her subject.

“I would recommend budding and more seasoned photographers to do this course. you will have fun!!!” –  Tracey’s course feedback

 

This was the last course for 2017, if you are interested in joining one of our classes next year, please send me an enquiry on the website contact request form, you can access it on the tab at the top of the page under CONTACT or easier still just email me at moidutoi@icloud.com and I’ll reply as soon as I receive your message.

To my 3 little stars, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your photographic journey, may you grow from strength to strength.

Do your utmost to cherish every moment spent with loved ones,

Moira