Sneak Preview #2
February 3, 2021
Tiffany Bumgardner
Back in January I gave you a sneak peek into the memoir I am writing which follows my decade as a photographer combine with wisdom and tips and tricks I have learned in the industry.
My first share was a basic out take from my thoughts more than anything personal so for the second sneak peek I wanted to bring you into my sneaky photographer side when I was learning. Enjoy an excerpt from chapter two on taking great chances and a bit about my second ever photography class.
It took me quite awhile to find my footing and eventually figure out how to continue my classes and education my way as well as work my photography around college. Not an easy task but I never gave up the dream of being a photographer. So when the spring enrollment period came around a photography class was offered on my campus. It was a foundations course, below the course I had taken in Pittsburg and yet I wanted it because I wanted the creative outlet.
The professor teaching this class had strict standards as most do if I am being honest. He was teaching theory, history, mixed in with the basics of using the camera and creating a good composition. I have to admit during that first class when he said he rarely give As and can remember just how many students he ever gave such a grade too I felt the challenge but I wanted to test that just the same.
I am competitive, I strive to always be the best I can be, and that first class really set me on a war path to be the best but in a sneaky way. I never mentioned my previous photography course work, or my more advanced knowledge of photoshop. I had the leg up but I wasn’t planning on advertising it, so when the first assignment came around I turned in not my best work but good work.
We had to photograph family members without them being posed, a self portrait, and two landscapes. Five images, such a small ask yet I wanted my work to be good but not great, indicative of skill but not mastery. A tiny challenge when you spent your summer working toward being the best photographer you could be and learning your camera in tough conditions.
I received three 98s, a 97, and a 92 on the images I selected to turn in. The critique on the images went a lot smoother than my first critique in Pittsburg with the professor, the students had different takes but it was still just as enlightening. I decided for a professor who doesn’t give As he graded easier than I anticipated so I amped up the game for round two.
Chapter Two: Take great chances... Glass Eyes: A Photographers Journey, Tiffany Bumgardner