I also learned how to create HDR photos, so that one is able to make a photo look like so much more than it was on the day that they took the shot.
I have faced the difficulty of not understanding how the camera specifically works, so that instead of getting the great shots that my colleagues are, I am still dabbling with the camera in order to figure out the correct lighting and exposure, shutter speed and aperature. That has been sometimes frustrating, but I've been praying the past couple of days for the Lord to remind me that it's not all technical understanding, but looking to just eye the great photo, and that HE is the one who brings understanding :)
I was actually just reading this morning about how Solomon created the temple for God to dwell in while they were in Jerusalem, and it was great. It was so very technical, yet the Lord had given Solomon the understanding he needed in order to complete the work He needed to be done.
To overcome this difficulty of not understanding the technical side, I've honestly been spending a lot more time with the Lord, and being patient in Him in order to let Him help me to understand. The Lord has also been opening my eyes to the interns around me, and how much more amazing they are-- instead of just a person to compete against in order to get the best photos. They are great people, and I've been learning great things about each one the further along this internship goes, since we spend 24 hours together.
I did receve a formal orientation during the first week of my internship. It was actually very simple. The place here is much more relaxed, since they run on South African time, so we started with the Oceans Research orientation so that we were abe to understand that there were actually 4 different internships happening at the same time; oceans reserach, oceans aware, archeology, and underwater photography. The oceans research interns help with the four different projects that biology graduate students have been working on (which includes a lot of shark data collecting). The oceans aware interns have been training this past week in order to go out to schools next week, talk to children about how to be aware of the animals in the water, and teach them techniques to help the ocean life. The archeology interns have been helping on projects that include digging to find oceanic life from thousands of years ago. Finally, the underwater photography interns are training and learning how to take photos in multiple ways, as well as learn how to market and sell pieces.
The rest of the orientation consisted of going through two different contracts that we have to Fiona, in order to sign off on who owned the photos and what the rules were for being in the internship. Afterwards, Fiona Ayerst gave us a tutorial on how to shoot the moon- which includes underexposing your camera as much as possible and leaving the shutter speed on a lower level so that you can get as much light as possible in the photo.
The moon tutorial is only an example of how I get specific on-the-job training related to the tasks I have been assigned to. We've also been given specific on-the-job training for understanding how to create HDR photos with a program called photomatix. Every day, we start out with a tutorial on how to work with the equipment, or what to look for to create good photos with the client we would be working for on that day, and I love it because it's so specific to what we are doing that day. I will continue to receive this ongoing training every day, and there will be feedback throughout the internship. Just two days ago, Lui actually made us choose five of our best animal photos from one of our clients and criqitiqued them, with all the other interns adding helpful tips as well. It's nice because the other interns give feedback that is helpful as well throughout the internship.
I feel that the training we've been given is really good. It is thorough and down to the point each time that we have a tutorial or a training for exactly what is going to be happening that day. I feel that the orientation was a bit too relaxed, because we were unable to get the paperwork done, and instead went white shark cage diving instead. I know the rest of the paperwork will be covered in the next week though. I do feel adequately euipped to perform my duties because I am able to ask questions throughout the day's process. If I have any questions about how to work the techniques of the camera, I am able to ask someone immediately before, after, or during a shoot in order to get better photos. This has helped me extremely. I feel as though I am prepared to perform my duties not because I know everything, but because I know I am able to ask and get all the answers in order to know everything.
At the moment, since my career goals are limitless, I do not see any reason to request additional training which may contribute. This is because they are already giving me so many trainings that are contributing to my professional development in the long term. Just yesterday, we were actually given a briefing with a new client. We will be working with him in order to create a contract and pricing, as well as take the photographs and develop them. This professional helps me, so that I realize photography is not a fun thing that immediately gives money, but one needs to work to get a name for themselves by doing the possibly mundane shots of buildings, restaurants, and local shops to keep stable before getting into the fancy stuff. This really is helpful because I totally forgot that photography could be a career, not just a hobby- and that it's important to dramatically realize it's more difficult to keep stable, and one needs to be flexible. I would say that the underwater photography training is especially helpful, because many photographers are not equipped to go underwater and that will make me more valuable in the photography business if I do plan to make this into a career!
Cheers for another week,
Sinikka