This is different from the “chances” I normally take, like only putting butter on my Eggos instead of peanut butter.  This is a potential-to-fall-on-my-ass-and-be-laffed-at-chance.

It’s a creative chance.

I am taking a digital photography and Photoshop course with my Dad.  Dad, who took a 2-year Photographic Arts diploma from Algonquin College before I was ever a zygote.  Dad, whose photography portfolio I used to sneak into my bedroom and wonder if I would ever possess an iota of his creative, artistic talents.  Dad, who I have always been cautious to show my pictures to because his are always so good, even when they’re just plain old snapshots.

I’ve never learned how to properly frame a shot, expose, light, or make nice.  I’ve always had a point and shoot compact camera, and until the digital age, barely took ANY pictures because the film always came back looking awful.  In the digital age, I still barely took pictures.  I used excuses like “The delay on the auto-focus takes too long” and such.

Last April (yes, 13 months ago…), my ever-lovin’ husband bought me a dSLR for my college graduation.  I wanted one simply because I could take pictures quickly, no delay from the auto-focus!  Yes, that is a reason to spend $800.  We broke my family’s Canon-only rule and went for a Nikon D40x, with an 18-55mm zoom lens.  Aka, the Kit.

And for a year, I took pictures on Automatic.  I tried to switch to manual, not use flash, blah blah blah… but the pictures were all dark and grainy.  You wanna know why?  Cuz I didn’t know how to use my freakin’ $800 camera!  And I made excuses!  ”The manual doesn’t explain HOW to take a picture, just where the buttons are.”  ”The digital photography books don’t specifically address MY camera, so I can’t learn from them.”  And so on…

SO when dear ol’ Dad turned the big 5-0 and bought a snazzy new Canon dSLR, I saw the dawning of a new era!  He had to take a digital photography course!  I could take it with him!

And now, here I am, up to my earballs in photography assignments, drowning in techniques that I haven’t learned, and terrified that my creative pursuits will fall short.  I don’t want to be as good as him (tho it would be nice).  I just want people to say “Oh, you must take after your father!”