Japanese Garden Redux
date: 06 March 2010 -- updated: 03 April 2009
The following are images I captured during a photography tutorial held at the Portland Japanese Garden. The tutorial was sponsored by the garden, and featured David M. Cobb as the lecturer. Mr. Cobb began with a presentation that was targeted to less experienced photographers, but there was still much to be learned by those of us who are comfortable with leading lines or the rule of thirds--namely, focus in on the subject and cut out distractions. I need to hear that lesson nearly every day. After the remarks we dispersed around the garden to try our hand, and Mr. Cobb roamed about to give pointers and advice. After we finished he inspected many of our images right on our cameras and critiqued them, which was also quite helpful. So, all in all, a profitable day.
I had hired a Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8, which is an amazing lens and a joy to shoot with. I also employed my 50 f/1.8 and the 18-70 f/3.5-4.5. Allergy season was in full force so I was drugged up pretty well, but the cherry blossoms were just about perfect.
Clearly I still have much to learn, both about shooting as well as processing, but becoming is always better than being, right?
