Ruthanne and I hosted a photography workshop this weekend called The Shoot Shop, for people who want to learn how to use their digital SLR cameras. We had been planning this since the first of the year and it was finally time to do it. I was nervous about teaching in front of a group of people, but after it was over I was ready to do it again. Our students were great and it was fun to be able to teach them how to get the most out of their cameras. Here are three reasons why I think it was a smashing success:
1. People showed up!
When we first came up with this idea we were all excited. We made plans and had big ideas and then we got ready to launch and it hit us, what if nobody wants to come? So let me tell you it was great fun when our class started filling up, and then finally seeing those real live bodies Saturday made it a real workshop and not just one where Ruthanne and I talked to stuffed animals and pretended real people showed up.
(We totally would have done that if we had to.)
2. I talked out loud and survived!
I actually didn’t get that nervous. I didn’t have to look at my notes as much as I thought I would either. I was talking about something I enjoyed doing so it felt, surprisingly, kind of easy.
3. We taught people how to use their cameras!
We really did. Because when they first got their some of them really didn’t know much at all, but by the end of the day they were changing ISO properly, adjusting aperture and shutter speed and they were genuinely excited to have this knowledge. I’ve even seen them posting their photos on Facebook so not only did they learn, they are practicing what they learned! Doing homework! It’s like a teacher’s dream.
I’m actually looking forward to doing it again– just one more reason it was successful.
