Thursday, April 19, 2012

See the Light!

I just completed my 6 week photography class at the The Light Factory last night and I miss it already!  I have to admit, I had no idea what that building was between Fox and the Hound and Dixies even though I have walked by it many times.  The Light Factory’s mission is to promote the power of image {in Charlotte and beyond} by informing, challenging, and stimulating audiences through photography, film, and other light-based media to see their world through a different lens.  I'm now a witness of this mission!

I am now also now, one of many, fan members of Emilie Knight!  She was my instructor through this 6 week journey through {Seeing the Light}. I can't say enough about the admiration I have for Emilie.  She was the perfect balance of technical and art.  Emilie has a compassion for photography that radiates through her teachings, work and everyday life.  She "lights" up a room when she speaks about how photography has grown over the years and the many techniques she has learned and adapted to given digital technology. 

As Emilie gave us a farewell speech at the end of our last class, she referenced the 3 H's - {Head, Hands and Heart}.  Use your HEAD when shooting... pull that knowledge from within and anything you imagine, you can create with what you have learned.  Use your HANDS when shooting... the very tools that manipulate your camera.  Play with those settings until you have an image you want.  Lastly but most important, use your HEART when shooting... whether you are shooting a pet, family, event, etc., remember what you want to accomplish and shoot from the heart.  No one can duplicate that!  {THANK YOU} you Emilie for giving back your amazing knowledge and experiences to me and other students alike.   Our art and hearts are all better for having taken your class! 

This is my favorite image from class.  Before taking this class, I couldn't imagine that I would be able to capture the beauty of Charlotte's Night Lights!  I can't wait to see how my images improve with the knowledge I've gained from this experience - watch out! 



{Thank You}