503 Photography

Dear Jessica,

I debated on whether or not to write this post, but I just have to clear my soul. This class has challenged me in so many ways and taught the basics that will forever change my photography for the better.

I thought I was all done when I printed and read lesson 6. Wow. Just wow!! Your words moved me to tears. Seriously. The big ugly, I-hope-no-one-is-looking cry. In hindsight, guess I was crying, not only because this class is almost over, but because this is truly the beginning for me. I'm constantly doubting myself and my abilities. The next step scares me, but your words encourage me to move forward.

You wrote,"I don't want to get to a point in life, where I look back and feel like I robbed my best years of being an artist because of my own insecurities" God bless you because you put into words my greatest fears. I don't want to look back and have regret. You spoke to a part of my soul that I thought I silenced a long time ago.

This class and your words have inspired me to constantly improve and to one day become the one thing I've dreamed of........an amazing photographer. An artist. A better version of me.

So thank you so much for sharing your words, your art, and your wisdom. I will be forever changed for the better. Thank you.

Yvonne
California

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Dear Jessica,

I will not be able to thank you enough for getting me to where I am today. I can't believe what you have taught me and how I can actually use it to get the results I want. It has been so empowering! Thank you for the pushing me and giving me the confidence I needed. You should be so proud of how you are using the gifts you have been given to their fullest! Don't change that!

Livie
Michigan

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Dear Jessica,

Where to start in saying thank you...the knowledge that you have shared through this workshop has been such a gift to me. When your workshop was recommended to me I was skeptical--I had never taken an online class and thought, of all things, a photography class online would probably not be that great because I am such a visual learner. Nonetheless, I figured it was only six weeks and I had nothing to lose because I literally only knew how to turn on my camera and take a photo in auto mode.

Now, six weeks later, I can't believe that I have learned so much and can even understand the owner's manual for my camera (which before might as well have been written in a foreign language)! WOW! Although I always had an interest in taking photos and loved having photos, it seemed beyond my ability to actually grasp the technical aspects of using an DSLR camera. All those people I would see lugging around big, heavy, expensive equipment always seemed so intimidating.

You have the gift of a true teacher--someone who can take very complicated terms and present them in simple language that is easy for every level of student to comprehend. Now I am no longer intimidated by photography and am inspired to continue to learn as much as I can. I bought a new lens this week and finally made the move to upgrade my aging Mac so I can't wait to put my new tools to use! Yeah!

Finally, and most important, you have helped me to re-discover a piece of the old me. The person I was before my husband and I bought a time-consuming fixer upper house and had two kids--the person who had hobbies. It has been so refreshing to do something creative again, even if it has meant staying up late to finish homework and download it on a work night. I now realize how much I have missed making time for myself and my own interests. And the great thing about photography is that it can also include my kids sometimes because I love capturing memories of them.

So I extend a great big hug to you and offer my greatest appreciation and gratitude! I hope to stay in touch.

Sincerest thanks,

Dava
Virginia

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Dear Jessica,

I just want to tell you how much I have enjoyed the workshop and, like the others, would like to tell you what a gifted teacher you are! I have taken other workshops and none have had the interaction I have received in this workshop. I appreciate the amount of time it must take to critique and to answer all of our questions. I fully understand it is no easy undertaking! I feel I learned a lot about my camera and the art of photography that books and manuals just don't explain well enough.

Best wishes to you and best of luck in future endeavors.

Lindsey
Tennessee

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Dear Jessica,

I wanted to take these last few minutes of time on the forum to thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for all of yourself that you so generously gave to all of us. This workshop has been a truly wonderful, exciting, challenging, eye-opening and above all inspiring experience for me.

You have done an AMAZING job with it. Your lessons are super informative, and OH SO EASY to understand! I want you to know that you have forever changed the way I take pictures. I know that might seem like a small thing, but to me that seems so wondrous! You have literally changed something in me forever. I'm not trying to sound dramatic, but its true.

For the rest of my life, every time I take a picture, I will be thinking of all the things you taught me. THANK YOU!

I stumbled upon your workshop out of the blue. I'd never even considered an on-line workshop before and now I cant wait to take another one! Please, please let me know if you develop a follow-up for this one.

May God bless you in all your future endeavors, and fill your life with goodness, for you and yours......you have touched all our lives....thank you.......

Lenora
Mexico

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Dear Jessica,

Words cannot express my gratitude to you for offering such an amazing experience. I am so lucky to have found this workshop and so forever grateful to you for all you have taught me.

I have been walking around with this camera (that's not exactly true, it's usually in my bag) for almost two years not knowing exactly what to do with it. It has been easier to use my point and shoot most of the time. Like one of the other students said earlier, I was just in a PANIC every time I would try to use it other than in Auto mode. I just couldn't ever get over the hump. I would tell my husband it was like trying to learn to do something new and trying to learn it in "Chinese". Now I have a newfound confidence in my camera and in myself. And, It has been a really long time since I have done something like this for myself, just because.

Before I found this workshop I was always afraid to pick up my camera and take "bad" pictures, therefore it just stayed in the bag most of the time. You have taught me not to worry if I take bad pictures. Now I know how to critique them myself, learn from my mistakes and what to do to make them better. For that, I am truly thankful.

I know you have heard this again and again, but I wanted to tell you myself, you are an amazing teacher!!! You have such an easy way of taking such a difficult subject and putting it in terms that every one of us can learn from. I will miss my time with you.

HUGS and KISSES,

Robbye
Illinois

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Dear Jessica,

I can't believe the course is over! It went so quickly! I have been soo blessed by it all. I knew this course was for me from the moment I came across your website and it has been incredible rewarding in every way!

Waiting for every lesson in expectancy of what is next and then feeling as you were talking straight to me while reading through the pages. Wow! You truly have a gift.

I felt very encouraged by your words, your passion, your art. Thank you so much for making this course available to us!

I have learned so much, I have improved a lot in my photos, and I'm already hungry for more! That's a good sign, eh?

Please keep me in your mailing list, if there's any other course in the future!! :)

May God continue to enrich you with his love to keep pouring it into the world!

Veronica
England

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Dear Jessica,

I have loved this workshop and am soooo glad I took part in it. I was worried that I might have trouble understanding some of it because I tend to learn easier if it is hands on, but things I was fuzzy on totally clicked for me.!(I just need to practice, practice, practice!)

You really have a way with teaching and I appreciate your comments and critiques of my photos. I really enjoyed the Photoshop lesson as well and am so glad you did that video!! I will be referring to that a lot, as I try to master layers!! Like others, I am sad that this is over, but am excited to use what I have learned!

I wish you best in all that you do!!

Thanks again!!

Erin
South Dakota

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What I learned ...

- Nailing your FOCUS is so important.

- What my hand held shutter speed is: 160 with my (D3) 125 with my (D700).. big difference in the weight of the cameras.

- Not to be afraid of my ISO - Nikon are known for low noise & to watch my shutter speed and not let it get to low and if so up my ISO.

- Metering Modes - Only used Matrix before class - I have two other choices besides Matrix - use them experiment with them.

- How to shoot with strong back light.

- WB - Awesome! Before this class I only used Auto. What a difference using the others makes!

- And most of all - everyone has a bad shot so let it go and learn from it - learn where I made my mistake, study my work and I will learn the most!!

WOW, again thanks Jessica! See how much I learned!!

Sherrie
Texas