An Afternoon at BUHS

Each spring I am a guest teacher at BUHS in Julie Conley's photography class. I specifically focus my instruction on the art of portrait photography. What makes this class fun and interesting is that I use lighting equipment available from Lowe's or WalMart with the most expensive light no more than $7.95.

The students really get involved as it truly is a hands on class. Today for instance, we had seven students involved in creating a sample portrait (1-model, 2-reflector holders, 4-light holders and 1-camera operator). One of the students asked how I do outdoor photography? It wasn't raining. It wasn't too cold. So naturally we had a field trip to attempt some location portraiture. We used reflectors made from building insulation and a car windshield aluminum reflector drivers use in the summer to keep their car interiors cool. The images included with this blog were created with 60 watt light bulbs and/or reflectors that cost less than $1.25. The students will have assignments to create portraits of their own using the techniques demonstrated today.

I had a one class period break between my teaching assignments and took that opportunity to monitor a class. It's been a long time since I last observed a high school class in session. I'm having a difficult time coming up with words that described what I observed. Let me start with a list of adjectives: disrespectful, rude, sleeping, inattentive, disruptive and the list goes on. I was appalled and wondered what had happened since I was in high school. The teacher I observed saw to the needs of those students who appeared to be interested, asked the disruptive student to take their seat and attempted to keep interest in the class.

I wouldn't last long as a teacher. I think I may have responded with a bit of Bruce Willis, in your face, to the attitudes and behaviors I observed . Teachers need a raise, permission to administer corporal punishment, an ample supply of Ivory soap for language adjustment and incentives to be creative. I don't want to begin expanding my thoughts about the responsibility of parents in this mess.

What's happened to 'yes sir' and 'no mam'? Those days may be gone but I hope they come back soon!!