Shoot, shoot and shoot even more. This is what a photographer should do in order to become a true professional. Photography is one of those fields where a person's work reflects his experience. This is why it is important to get as much experience as possible in working with different conditions and in all sorts of lighting conditions.
The learning process for any photographer, whether he is a professional or whether he is someone who is just doing it as a pastime, never really ends. It is a life long commitment to the art of photography that makes a student out of even the most experienced professionals. This is part of the charm for many people who opt to shoot pictures.
The whole learning process takes time and cannot be hurried. So, just relax, enjoy and meanwhile shoot as many photographs as possible. There are many steps along the way that have to be taken in order to become a photographer.
First and foremost of these steps is to understand and study the tools you would be working with. The camera and the lighting equipment are the first items that come to mind. How these work and their maintenance is important as it will be the base for your journey through photography. Then it is a matter of simply taking photographs.
The possibilities that are presented to a person behind a camera are countless. This is definitely a form of art where artistry brings out the best work. Being dedicated and committed to the art form is important. Giving it up after a few months will not get you anywhere. Even as a hobby this commitment will be the one thing that helps you to progress towards becoming a good photographer.
Never be afraid to experiment. This is one field where allsorts of experiments have paid off in the long run netting some of the most memorable photographs to their creators. Widen your horizons, go beyond your own garden and venture out into the world and you will find an amazing moments everywhere you go.
Another lesson that is important to learn early on is to take your camera with you everywhere you go. You never know when an unexpected photo opportunity presents itself. IF you are able to make taking photographs a part of your life that will lead you onto becoming one of the greats in the field, even if it is only for your own amusement.
There are many rewards for a photographer personally apart from it being an avenue of revenue. The satisfaction that is gained through a beautifully executed photograph is like that of an artist who has painted a masterpiece. You will never get tired of looking at it. So, keep on shooting, shooting and shooting even more and you will learn in the best way possible to better yourself at this art form.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
How to Make Your Classroom Green
In support of growing environmental concerns, the federal government and many states are funding green schools.
Many of these eco-friendly schools are experimenting with everything from solar and wind energy sources, recycled building materials, and natural lighting to using green products and pesticides, implementing energy efficient technology and incorporating environmental issues in curriculum.
While it would be ideal if all schools could be green schools, it is difficult to find the time and money to reconstruct and convert currently existing schools.
Even if your school can't or won't invest in eco-friendly changes, you can still do your part and have a positive impact on your students, your school, and your community.
Just because you don't have a green school, does not mean you can't have a green classroom.
The following is a list of easy and immediate ways to make your classroom more eco-friendly:
1. Go Paperless Whenever possible, have your students turn in homework assignments online or through email. This will cut down on the use of paper, chemicals and electricity for Xeroxed worksheets all while incorporating technology into your classroom.
** Note: If you choose to assign homework on paper, request that your students use recycled paper. Upon completion, have your students recycle their paper assignments at the end of the quarter when all assignments have been graded and recorded into your grade book and after parent-teacher conferences.
Teacher Tip 1: When students ask if they can throw out old assignments, simply reply, "Yes, you may recycle it." It's a nice way to get your eco-friendly message across while answering their question. Designate a recycle bin in your class and even include "recycle monitor" as a classroom job.
Teacher Tip 2: Make sure your students use both sides of every sheet of paper. Old assignments are perfect for scrap paper.
2. Find new uses for existing products. As a child, your imagination ran wild allowing you to turn a simple empty box into a spaceship or even a cave. Why not channel your inner child's imagination and find new uses for existing products? (Granted, you will want to use your imagination for more practical uses than a spaceship or a cave). Whether you're using plastic grocery bags as trash can liners or reusing old t-shirts or awkwardly fitting clothes as pillow cases, rags, smocks, etc (called t-shirt reconstruction), the possibilities are endless!!
Fun Classroom Example: Add empty plastic milk jugs or empty boxes as part of your students' classroom supply lists. Cut the jugs or boxes in half and let your students decorate them. They can serve as "mailboxes" for returned homework assignments or for distributing special gifts or prizes. Your students will love sending and receiving mail!
3. Cut down the use of electricity. While it may seem difficult to do so considering we live in a technology driven society, it is not impossible!! Be on the look out for energy saving products and be mindful of leaving appliances on when you're not using them. Something as little as turning the lights off when you leave a room or using natural lighting in place lamp lighting can make a huge difference.
Fun Classroom Idea: If weather permits, have class outside!! You and your students will enjoy the fresh air and change of scenery. On sunny days, let that light shine in and turn off the indoor lights.
4. Incorporate environmental lessons into curriculum. Reinforce your actions with you words. Even if you aren't a science teacher, you can still make environmental issues applicable to your lessons. Whether it be writing your local Congressman about your environmental concerns or using recycled materials in art class, incorporating green-inspired lessons will spark student interest and creativity as well as help them better understand the importance of their eco-friendly efforts.
Teacher Tip: Have your students present their own ways to be green and implement their suggestions in the classroom! Assign captains to help monitor the progress of each student proposal. This will help your students reach goals and build leadership qualities.
These few, easy steps are meant to be a jumping off point for you and your students. As you become more comfortable with these simple classroom changes, you will find yourself thinking of more creative ways to be green. Who knows, maybe your habits could inspire a schoolwide eco-friendly initiative!
Many of these eco-friendly schools are experimenting with everything from solar and wind energy sources, recycled building materials, and natural lighting to using green products and pesticides, implementing energy efficient technology and incorporating environmental issues in curriculum.
While it would be ideal if all schools could be green schools, it is difficult to find the time and money to reconstruct and convert currently existing schools.
Even if your school can't or won't invest in eco-friendly changes, you can still do your part and have a positive impact on your students, your school, and your community.
Just because you don't have a green school, does not mean you can't have a green classroom.
The following is a list of easy and immediate ways to make your classroom more eco-friendly:
1. Go Paperless Whenever possible, have your students turn in homework assignments online or through email. This will cut down on the use of paper, chemicals and electricity for Xeroxed worksheets all while incorporating technology into your classroom.
** Note: If you choose to assign homework on paper, request that your students use recycled paper. Upon completion, have your students recycle their paper assignments at the end of the quarter when all assignments have been graded and recorded into your grade book and after parent-teacher conferences.
Teacher Tip 1: When students ask if they can throw out old assignments, simply reply, "Yes, you may recycle it." It's a nice way to get your eco-friendly message across while answering their question. Designate a recycle bin in your class and even include "recycle monitor" as a classroom job.
Teacher Tip 2: Make sure your students use both sides of every sheet of paper. Old assignments are perfect for scrap paper.
2. Find new uses for existing products. As a child, your imagination ran wild allowing you to turn a simple empty box into a spaceship or even a cave. Why not channel your inner child's imagination and find new uses for existing products? (Granted, you will want to use your imagination for more practical uses than a spaceship or a cave). Whether you're using plastic grocery bags as trash can liners or reusing old t-shirts or awkwardly fitting clothes as pillow cases, rags, smocks, etc (called t-shirt reconstruction), the possibilities are endless!!
Fun Classroom Example: Add empty plastic milk jugs or empty boxes as part of your students' classroom supply lists. Cut the jugs or boxes in half and let your students decorate them. They can serve as "mailboxes" for returned homework assignments or for distributing special gifts or prizes. Your students will love sending and receiving mail!
3. Cut down the use of electricity. While it may seem difficult to do so considering we live in a technology driven society, it is not impossible!! Be on the look out for energy saving products and be mindful of leaving appliances on when you're not using them. Something as little as turning the lights off when you leave a room or using natural lighting in place lamp lighting can make a huge difference.
Fun Classroom Idea: If weather permits, have class outside!! You and your students will enjoy the fresh air and change of scenery. On sunny days, let that light shine in and turn off the indoor lights.
4. Incorporate environmental lessons into curriculum. Reinforce your actions with you words. Even if you aren't a science teacher, you can still make environmental issues applicable to your lessons. Whether it be writing your local Congressman about your environmental concerns or using recycled materials in art class, incorporating green-inspired lessons will spark student interest and creativity as well as help them better understand the importance of their eco-friendly efforts.
Teacher Tip: Have your students present their own ways to be green and implement their suggestions in the classroom! Assign captains to help monitor the progress of each student proposal. This will help your students reach goals and build leadership qualities.
These few, easy steps are meant to be a jumping off point for you and your students. As you become more comfortable with these simple classroom changes, you will find yourself thinking of more creative ways to be green. Who knows, maybe your habits could inspire a schoolwide eco-friendly initiative!
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