last day reflections

I learned an incredible amount during this class. Before now I had never even used an SLR camera so aperature, ISO, focus, shutter speed; that was all brand new and I was totally lost at the beginning. It was a slow learning curve but I think that I got to a good spot with these ideas by the end of the class. I learned all about the invention of photography and what it actually is! I never would have known that it is light's impression on silver that creates silver. I learned about that math formula or center of the picture/golden rule. What a darkroom was, how to use an enlarger, pinhole cameras (that was crazy), how to develop film, how much fun film is! Then I also learned what photoshop really was, for I had never used it before! I learned how to make double exposures digitally, I learned about some really cool photographers that I love now! But, what I think the most important thing I learned in this class is the fact that photography is a real medium of art.
I don't think I really learned a lot about myself through this class. I know I have learned a lot this year, and possibly this class just gave it the extra little push. I thought I would learn what I like (as art) and I didn't really succeed with that. I know that I like conceptual art and I was always so inspired when I saw someone's photo that really meant something to them and to the world. The problem I found was that I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to say but when I did I had an even harder time expressing it. So I guess I learned that I still have a lot to learn and that I'm going to love it when I have learned.
I wish we had talked more about our photos in class and gotten like feedback or something. I actually don't know if feedback is the right word because I don't really care what others think of my work, but maybe some constructive criticism to promote more asthetic photography. I don't know. I wish we could have taken more film or contrarily gone deeper into photoshop and done some crazy manipulation things (I guess I would just take digital arts for that, but nonetheless I feel like that could be fun for this class too).
My struggle in this class was usually to either find the time to take the pictures, or oppositely stop taking pictures and do my other homework. My inspiration for this class came at spotty intervals and So it brought a lot of disappointment and mental breakdown feelings. But that was not to worry because when the inspiration did come, it was excellent!
What did I conquer? I conquered this medium I guess. I'm not really sure what this means but if I had to guess I would say that I conquered the beginner level of my favorite new game. Photography is really becoming one of my favorite things. I'm so glad I took this class, I'm taking it again, and I plan to continue until I can't.