I’ve made several references lately to the fact that I’m currently taking Digital Photography I through Emory University’s Center for Lifelong Learning. I had to miss the July 27 class because I was in Milwaukee on business. Since I had to take several work-related items that don’t go with me on vacations, there was no room to pack my dSLR. Instead, I switched purses so that I could take my compact zoom.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to camera shopping and all of my point-and-shoots allow for at least partial creative control. In other words, I had the capability to practice some of what I’ve been learning. Unfortunately, the only actual opportunity came when we visited the Harley-Davidson Museum.

But it was enough.

As recently as six or eight weeks ago, I’d have despaired when I saw the lighting conditions. It was very well designed for the museum. It was very poorly designed for casual photography: the combination of low lights, black walls and chrome was a recipe for disaster.

Instead, while we were waiting for the rest of the group, I pulled up the camera’s menus. In the past I’d have put it on shutter-priority and prayed I could keep my hands steady during the time it took for normal exposure. I did put it on shutter-priority, but this time I also kicked the ISO up to 800 and took most of the shots slightly underexposed.

I was pleased when I downloaded the pictures onto my laptop. I still had to discard quite a few shots for camera shake, but the ratio wasn’t as high as it would have been earlier this year. My hands aren’t any steadier; in fact, since I tend to get nervous on business outings (and since I was tired from being in training all day) they were probably shakier than usual. The difference was that, this time, I knew more ways to compensate.

I enthused about getting my money’s worth on the very first night of class and, in protected posts, have since talked about how much I’m enjoying what I’m learning. It’s pretty basic stuff that would make most photographers laugh, but my retort is that everyone started somewhere.

More importantly, I’m having fun in a way I haven’t in a long time. So I’m reaping benefits in different ways too. I’m certainly motivated to stay with the class instead of letting a single “miss” lead into a pattern that ends with me dropping out.

Photo: 2010-07-29-011, uploaded by airnos