Jr Photog Proficiency Tests

Photo by Sabrina Larson

These photos were taken during a proficiency test.  For this particular photo, I asked Sabrina to take a portrait with no other instruction. She could use any subject she wanted, any place, any lighting, etc.  Sabrina decided to take me out to the theatre building and have me lean on the railing. She had to pose me, set her camera, and she had three tries to expose properly.

Photo by Sabrina Larson.

For this photo, I decided to just test to make sure they could actually take a headshot. I wanted to make sure that they took something away from the headshot lesson you gave. Clearly they did, except for the plain background choice, but I didn't worry about that because the exposure and composition were correct.

What I got out of these proficiency tests was just what I did and didn't know MYSELF! I had to go look up the Sunny 16 rule before I could even expect them to know it! I know it now, of course, but I didn't that day. I also realized again that I have no idea how to use flash. At all. I'm horrible at using the flash. I don't know what any of the settings mean. I can change the power, but that's about the extent of it. The 7D's still confuse me. I don't understand the focus at all on that dang camera. So it looks like I need a little training on the gear myself.  It made me realize that I really, really do love photography, though! It kills me to be in front of the camera, but I looove teaching other people. I love watching other people get it right. It's so awesome. :)