Help needed for college entry

i dunno - go out for a days golfisting, (my last post on this thread was sent from the 13th fairway) ... then on to Slimbert's for this 30th Birthday madness party - we left after his 13th can of Boddies and a bottle of Apple "Sourz"........... and all hell has broken loose........

Let's hope

a) Cam get's his stuff and get's it in on time.
b) That Arkady can (in his own words) "Man-up" - admit he was wrong and apologise that in this instance he called it wrong... It takes a big man to stand up and say stuff that was said (maybe more so face to face, than behind a keyboard and monitor) but it takes a much bigger man to raise his hand and say "Oops! sorry."
 
fabs said:
Guys, you were asked not to drag it all up again, please don't make us have to clean the thread again.
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C'mon Lynton, we know what Rob is like, a good egg, as someone said already, with great unfluffed advice and opinions 99.9 % of the time.

Punishment is suspension, so let's just forget about it and carry on as before. I'm sure Darren and his family can forgive him for his 00.01% mistake!
The point I'm trying to make is that it's great to have an 'Arkady' type on any forum, but not let us screw him when we have considered he has made a mistake. Just my humble opinion of course.

I respect the Mods decision to suspend, and hope Darren, Helen and Cameron and Rob will put this behind them, even if it's a case of agreeing to dis-agree.

As the Mods are having to intervene/watch this post carefully and as most help/advice has been given to Cameron perhaps it's a good time to close?

Not that I'm telling anyone how to do their jobs! I've never run a forum before. Just would like to see a bit of love and peace restored. :thumbs:
 
Camasaki said:
I have just received the project information to get into my college photography course and I need to produce a project (in 6 days) which includes my own work PLUS:

1) Find a photographer that inspires me and write about their work.

2) I need to visit a photography exhibition and write a report about it.
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The remit is nice and broad, especially in the first point - you could choose me (although I strongly suggest you don't) and make an argument as to what you do or do not appreciate about their work, so that's pretty much in the bag considering what you have all around you.

P.S. don't forget to spell check your report and make sure your grandma is OK!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

As to the second, to be honest, I think you are somewhat better being a little restricted - looking for things local not only gives you the ability to get there but could well set you apart from the sheep who flock to London et al - thinking outside of the box demonstrates the ingrained creativity a great photographer has.....work with the options you have within your limits (geographical and economic etc) and you will find a way to fulfil that portion of the course requirement. Our library constantly has exhibitions, some are good and many are mediocre....what they are looking for is a critique with your reasoning for the opinion you hold, NOT a pseudo fanzine for the tog, so a lesser known (or unknown) actually gives you FAR more opportunity to sell yourself than taking the National Express down to London!!!

All the best to you, and please let us all know how your application goes!

p.s. Don't forget to spell chack and make sure your grandma is OK!!!!! ;)
 
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~Sam~ said:
The remit is nice and broad, especially in the first point - you could choose me (although I strongly suggest you don't) and make an argument as to what you do or do not appreciate about their work, so that's pretty much in the bag considering what you have all around you.

P.S. don't forget to spell check your report and make sure your grandma is OK!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

As to the second, to be honest, I think you are somewhat better being a little restricted - looking for things local not only gives you the ability to get there but could well set you apart from the sheep who flock to London et al - thinking outside of the box demonstrates the ingrained creativity a great photographer has.....work with the options you have within your limits (geographical and economic etc) and you will find a way to fulfil that portion of the course requirement. Our library constantly has exhibitions, some are good and many are mediocre....what they are looking for is a critique with your reasoning for the opinion you hold, NOT a pseudo fanzine for the tog, so a lesser known (or unknown) actually gives you FAR more opportunity to sell yourself than taking the National Express down to London!!!

All the best to you, and please let us all know how your application goes!

p.s. Don't forget to spell chack and make sure your grandma is OK!!!!! ;)
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Some good points there Sam, thanks.

Cameron has chosen to look at his favourite photographers, Christine and Michel Denis-Huot, who take pictures of African wildlife. He's particularly looking at their big cat pictures. The aspect of his life which he is going to document using their style is his pet cats. He's currently outside with a D200 and AF 80-200 f2.8 lens, taking hundreds of pictures of our moggies, who are being very obliging, by modeling for him and playing with each other. They're complete posers!!! He's trying different settings, etc. Hopefully, he'll get enough really good pictures to fulfill that part of the brief.
 
~Sam~ said:
P.S. don't forget to spell check your report and make sure your grandma is OK!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
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Sorry, I'm confused about the grandma comment? And I personally always advice my kids against spell check. It's a really bad influence, and causes countless bloopers with spelling, as sometimes you spell a word wrong, but it is still a word - the wrong one - and so it's not picked up by spell check. We always read through everything word for word instead. Takes a bit longer, but it's a more thorough check of your work, and puts the kids' English skills to work, rather than relying on the computer programme to improve their spelling. I respect what you're saying though. It is important to check your work. I'm an ex-teacher, so I don't let anything go without it being the best work they can do - poor kids!

~Sam~ said:
All the best to you, and please let us all know how your application goes!
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Thanks on Cam's behalf - he's very busy with his project (!) - and we will let you all know how it goes.
 
Mrs Cowasaki said:
Sorry, I'm confused about the grandma comment? And I personally always advice my kids against spell check. It's a really bad influence, and causes countless bloopers with spelling, as sometimes you spell a word wrong, but it is still a word - the wrong one - and so it's not picked up by spell check. We always read through everything word for word instead. Takes a bit longer, but it's a more thorough check of your work, and puts the kids' English skills to work, rather than relying on the computer programme to improve their spelling. I respect what you're saying though. It is important to check your work. I'm an ex-teacher, so I don't let anything go without it being the best work they can do - poor kids!



Thanks on Cam's behalf - he's very busy with his project (!) - and we will let you all know how it goes.
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I think you'll find the spell check was just his point - grandma instead of grammar ;)
 
littlemonster said:
I think you'll find the spell check was just his point - grandma instead of grammar ;)
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Ah yes, of course. You'll have to forgive me, I'm a bit slow today.

Also, I perhaps should have checked my own post too, as I've put "advice" rather than "advise"!!! Like I say, I'm a tad slow today - it's the heat. ;)
 
Mrs Cowasaki said:
Sorry, I'm confused about the grandma comment? And I personally always advice my kids against spell check. It's a really bad influence, and causes countless bloopers with spelling, as sometimes you spell a word wrong, but it is still a word - the wrong one - and so it's not picked up by spell check. We always read through everything word for word instead. Takes a bit longer, but it's a more thorough check of your work, and puts the kids' English skills to work, rather than relying on the computer programme to improve their spelling. I respect what you're saying though. It is important to check your work. I'm an ex-teacher, so I don't let anything go without it being the best work they can do - poor kids!
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Sorry, Mrs C, I was trying to say a spell check should be done (and almost referenced in the advice to go to the O.E.D. instead of relying on an online check, as advised in another thread but thought it would be a little long winded for my reply) and the grandma was, as said by another poster, a poor attempt at light hearted humour.

Had I known you are pretty much MY mother, I would have stated the post differently!!! :D:D (My mother was a teacher for many years and would string me up for 'merely' suggesting a quick check against spell check!! ) :thumbs:
 
~Sam~ said:
Sorry, Mrs C, I was trying to say a spell check should be done (and almost referenced in the advice to go to the O.E.D. instead of relying on an online check, as advised in another thread but thought it would be a little long winded for my reply) and the grandma was, as said by another poster, a poor attempt at light hearted humour.

Had I known you are pretty much MY mother, I would have stated the post differently!!! :D:D (My mother was a teacher for many years and would string me up for 'merely' suggesting a quick check against spell check!! ) :thumbs:
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Sorry I missed your humour - it was not a poor attempt - it was me being very slow!

Lol re me being like your mum! It's probably hell on the kids, but they appreciate it when it comes to help with GCSE coursework or exam revision. But don't worry, Cameron IS doing this project himself. We're giving him advice regarding his photography, we'll go to the exhibitions with him, and I'll advise him when he's done drafts of the written parts - but apart from that, it's all down to him to actually come up with the work. I've been cracking the whip, but then I've got to, as we only have a few days left.
 
Mrs Cowasaki said:
Sorry I missed your humour - it was not a poor attempt - it was me being very slow!

Lol re me being like your mum! It's probably hell on the kids, but they appreciate it when it comes to help with GCSE coursework or exam revision. But don't worry, Cameron IS doing this project himself. We're giving him advice regarding his photography, we'll go to the exhibitions with him, and I'll advise him when he's done drafts of the written parts - but apart from that, it's all down to him to actually come up with the work. I've been cracking the whip, but then I've got to, as we only have a few days left.
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You're not slow, I'm a little off track in the written word sometimes! :)

Looking at your response, you ARE my Mum......what a lucky lad you have there! :love:
 
Only just seen this thread but if Cam wants to do some wildlife photography, id be happy to give him a lift whenever i head to Leighton Moss or similar? Im assuming he is a Noinker? if so he would be able to use the 400 :)
 
Rovers_Andy said:
Only just seen this thread but if Cam wants to do some wildlife photography, id be happy to give him a lift whenever i head to Leighton Moss or similar? Im assuming he is a Noinker? if so he would be able to use the 400 :)
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That is very good of you! That lens is nearly as tall as he is though :lol:

We've been having some fun today, I sent him out with the 80-200 f2.8 on his camera and we were watching out of the window as the two kittens were rolling around play fighting. We were saying how great the pictures would be then Cameron came back saying it wasn't focusing. Only then did I remember that he has no focus motor!! So looks like I need to get him a D80/D90/D200 to replace his D40x if he gets in. We loaded the pictures he has taken into Lightroom and he has got quite a few good ones so looks like he might have a chunk of his project sorted.

Hmmmm thinking...... I could always buy a second hand D300 and give him my D200 :thinking:.........
 
Wetlands trust place at Martin Mere isn't to far away from Preston. They've always got some art or photo's displayed. It might be worth phoning to ask what they've got displayed, plus you've got wild birds to photograph.

Andy Rouse had an open air exhibition in Bath - stunning shots from great locations.
Edit: http://www.andyrouse.net/Default.aspx?id=492231 for links. Looks like his one is Bath is still on and he's got one in London also.
 
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Mod Comment: what an unhelpful comment in a thread that has already been cleaned once. Nothing to add, then dont post.
 
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Hmm, I guess irony doesn't translate well over the internet, eh? Apologies to anyone who inferred any malice from what I posted previously.
 
I expect I'll have an assignment like this given to me on Friday as I'm starting a National Diploma in Photography in September which will hopefully be good. Good luck with your assignment Cam, sounds like a really interesting one!
 
Where are you doing that diploma then Lauren? At a college of distance learning?
 
Ah full time learning on photography. I'd love to do that.
Do you start with film cameras? My local college does year 1 all in film with darkroom work.
 
Not sure, but we definitely are doing film work. They have a b&w darkroom and a colour darkroom as well. But yeah, hopefully the course wont interfere with my shooting for the music publication and the agency I'm with too much.
 
Cam, check AP for future exhibition dates - think they publish one each week :)...


...I go to France for a week and I miss all the juicy stuff...... :)
 
Well, today was Cam's deadline, and he got it in in plenty of time. He did have to ring the tutor at one point though, to ask her what time she wanted it handed in by, as our printer was printing his project SOOO slowly. She said "how many pages is it?" and then squealed "what?!!!" when he said "55"!

He's spent hours this week lying on his front outside, using his elblobs as a tripod, getting lots of pictures of the kitties. He's got some cracking shots - well we think so anyway. Hopefully he'll be posting a few of the best ones later this evening, or tomorrow if Cowasaki doesn't get time to show him how to do it. So maybe others might have comments to make, by way of constructive criticism - which is always welcome.

Fingers crossed now that he gets in. Apparently he'll know within two days, but that maybe two college days, so by the end of Tuesday next week. He's put that he's been so inspired by his chosen photographers, that photography is no longer just a hobby, but it's actually what he wants to do for a career, and that he wants to go onto a photography degree from college, so we're hoping they'll also take that into account. He did a great job and couldn't have done any more.

All the best with your project too Lauren! Let us know how it goes with you too.
 
Well done! I'm looking forward to seeing the pics.

I got my assignment today, it was pretty much just explain what depth of field, composition, shutter speed and aperture are, and then pick 6 photographers with 3 of them being 'famous' and write about why you like them really. So nothing as interesting as Cam's assignment.
 
These are six of the pictures that I picked for my project. I will be starting a flickr account later and will post some more there.

Thanks for everyone's support.

1
moo close-up.jpg



2
pearl thirds.jpg



3
pearl-sidney tree.jpg



4
sidney buttercup.jpg



5
sidney close up.jpg



6
sidney stalking.jpg
 
Sincere message, completely unrelated to my previous comments: photos of pets do not go down well with college tutors.
 
Cameron - overall not a bad set of pics............

1 the background is a little distracting.

2 is very nice. Nice shallow depth of field and the cat is looking into the space created in the picture. :thumbs:

4 & 5 nicely composed, almost the cats are posing but "We're cats, why should we look at the camera?"

6 - looks like something is about to get pounced on!

I think given the timescale and opportunities you've done pretty well.



@Lornholio - Care to elaborate as to why, as opposed to just a random comment? Just why don't photo's of pets go down well? OK they're not lions or tigers, or exotica, but if I were a college tutor I would see more potential in a well exposed pic of a domestic cat, with a nicely blurred background and good perspective / angle as surely this demonstrates better ability /knowledge / creativity / potential than an over/underexposed snap shot of a Lion at the zoo???? :shrug:
 
Lornholio said:
Sincere message, completely unrelated to my previous comments: photos of pets do not go down well with college tutors.
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It was the nearest thing which fulfilled the brief. He was to document an aspect of his life. It was either that or taking pictures of his Xbox!!! Not very interesting I'm sure you'll agree.

He wants to be a wildlife photographer, and loves the work of a couple who specialise in big cats - so substituting his moggies seemed like a great idea, and hopefully the college tutor will appreciate that fact.

No C&C on his pictures?
 
Thanks to Natalie and Lynton. We're impressed with his pictures, considering he's just a beginner.
 
If people consider that I was only showing Cameron what DOF actually is last week they are pretty good in my opinion (although I am biased :))
 
I won't comment on the shots themselves other than to say they're fine technically.

My comment is based on repeated comments by college lecturers. Shots of pets and homeless people were absolute no-no's for us. As an entry around a wildlife brief, sure I guess that'll work. But there's a chance the lecturer reviewing submissions will instantly think "Not another pet series..."
 
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