Photography Class

Back during the portfolio interview with the Lasalle lecturers, they told me that photography is a mandatory component. In fact, photography is a subject at Lasalle College.

Today, I had my first photography class with Phyllis.

I've been dying to learn professional photography and Phyllis couldn't have come at a better time! Back in Nanyang Poly, we were always told to 'capture our own images'. We were taught how to compose a shot, the fundamentals of design, but never were we once exposed to photography know-hows and know-whats.

In the era of independent learning, I have definitely tried to learn more about photography on my own. But more often than not, I find myself lost and confused. I simply had no direction whatsoever. Plus there were so many things to focus on that delving deeper into the topic on my own would be plain suicidal.

Frankly, why is the poly even teaching so much redundant stuff for? I've realised that there is no focus back in NYP. There's always a gazillion things to prioritize, sometimes to a point when everything seems equally important. In the end, you're back to square one, with a long list of things to prioritise.

As creatives, we shoud always 'have objectives and goals that we should periodically reflect upon'. But the problem back in NYP was, doing so many different things(website, interactive application, figure drawing, digital 3D modelling, scripting, etc) all at once steered me away from my personal objectives.

Once that happens, it's pretty clear that the course structure isn't working. I'm not saying it's a lousy syllabus, just that it's important to find something that works for you PERSONALLY.

Phyllis gave some really valuable advice today. It was genuine advice from the industry perspective. She advised us on the importance to observe, seek knowledge and keep our minds open. The very first thing she told us was, "In my class, I just want you to focus. All your troubles and worries, I want you to throw them out the moment you step into my class. I want you to have fun and learn. It's important that you focus."

Genuine and useful advice from the industry as above. Let's go back to my days in NYP:

Advice from the industry was always something to do with Malaysian, even Chinese designers. I remember they always told us, "competition among all the other students from everywhere else, blah blah blah"

"Companies would choose to employ Malaysian workers because they are in general cheaper and they're more willing to do the same job. After all, they cross the border and the salary gets doubled."

There was once, this guest speaker cited the same example, using Chinese designers. Fuck it.

I mean, what kind of advice is that? It's not even advice. They just like to nag about how cruel the industry is, how harsh it is to be working in this creative industry and all the shit we were going to get in the future. Truly motivating for student designers, I guess.

And all that shit about 'treating all of you as adults' has been heavily misused in NYP. However, today in class with Phyllis, I felt that I was finally treated like an adult. I wasn't told to do anything 'properly'; I wasn't nagged at; I needn't hear all the 'horror industry stories'.

Seriously, I felt really good during the lesson. She made me feel so motivated and enthused. It's a feeling I sorely missed. Today is the day I really felt my passion gushing back. I felt it burn within. I felt it running through my veins. I felt I could make a difference and I WILL make a difference some day.

Phyllis was saying that since it's photography, we'll need to get ourselves Single-Lens Reflex(SLR; but of course it's the digital age, so digital SLR, which shortens to DSLR) cameras in time to come. For your information, the most basic DSLR starter kit will set anyone back at around S$1K. Gasp!

There was a wave of commotion through the class since, you know, money is a touchy issue. You freaking want us to fork out a couple of K's for a camera?!

Then my favourite moment came. Phyllis said, "You shouldn't worry about the money issue. Take it as an investment. What you give, you will eventually get back. It's not karma or anything, it's just the way the world works,"

You have no idea how long I've waited for someone to say that! Okay, I've heard lecturers telling us this in NYP, but DO THEY MEAN IT? Say it like you mean it! And Phyllis DID mean what she said. For once, I felt that at least someone was concerned for our career and concerned for us as individuals too!

I'm loving art college at an extreme level. It's opening me up more and more each day. I feel less restrained, growing bolder. Hopefully I gain valuable experience from a whole new level. It's widening my perspectives! I feel I want to find out more about everything(except politics)! I feel free!

I've noticed that I'm more open in chatting people up too. There's just something very positive about Lasalle; the vibes in the air or something. I mean, I find myself just more comfortable with talking to strangers. Back in NYP, chatting people up came across as a gruelling task because of all the unnecessary 'what ifs'.

True, I had my worries, too, before the start of Lasalle semester. But as soon as semester started, I simply find myself wanting to talk to people. I'm yearning creative company. Haha!...

I remembered yesterday when I officially met some of my classmates. I had to holler a bit to get everyone's attention, then I introduced myself. We were all like gathering on the greenway, so it was a really informal setting. But still, all I heard after my introduction was SILENCE.

Since nobody really cared(or dared) to come talk to me, I kinda just went around to the little groups here and there to ask for introductions. There's something communicatively wrong going on. It makes me look like I'm trying too hard to get to know people.

Today during lunch with the classmates again, it was once again, silence. Nobody really wanted to talk, 'cept for me. I'm okay with silence, but in cases like this, I'm dying to find out more about each and every one!

This communication 'war' is a war I must fight! They say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. NOT IN THIS CASE.

Jana said that her lecturer once told her, art college is all about communicating.

I definitely agree with that and I definitely have no problem communicating.