Highschool Hi!

I’ve always said that I’d love to go back to highschool, to take those missed opportunities and relive the better moments I fondly remember. Yesterday I had the chance. Unfortunately, I wasn’t seventeen, a hair over ninety-five pounds and my pom-poms and past friends were non-existent. I did, however, take a class with a bunch of students who were and thanks to the resurgence of 80’s fashion, it felt a little like how I remembered it. A little. The building itself is incredible, large and modern, looking more like a community college than a highschool.

Through the teacher, a professional photographer who happens to be in our ward, I was able to beg my way into visiting every so often. Everyday if I wanted, but mommy duties and church calling stuff has to come first. Work before play, right? I sat through three classes; beginning to the select few who made it to third year and came home with assignments from all three. Boy, do I have homework to catch up on, a full semesters worth!

I was amazed by the lab. A full photo studio and enough Mac’s to power a small techno army. Wacom tablets (Intuos3, a cool $300.00 a piece.) sat at every station. Professional Epson photo printers (2) able to print a 24” wide picture and a mess of other, smaller yet equally professional printers. Walls were lined with the students work, some of it jaw-dropping good. A cache of cameras and lenses, enough to give me a bad case of the give-me’s and the need of a bath towel to wipe off all that drool. Do these kids realize what they get to play with? Do they know how much this stuff costs? Do they know what kind of opportunity they have to learn? Do they know how lucky they are to have it?

Given a small introduction to the class and free rein, I wandered down the aisles, peering over the students shoulders while they worked. Most were cool with it though I think I made some nervous, which if the places were switched around, I’d be one of them. I also tagged along with teacher, watching her answer questions and solve photo-editing problems. The first years’ were working on their Animal assignment so I got to see an wide variety of four-legged and winged creatures undergoing the razzle-dazzle treatment of editing and the different artistic tastes of students.

I talked with the blond kid on the back wall, left hand side with the grey hoody. He asked how old I was. (He was a very brave boy.) I asked, “How old do you think I am?” hoping that those pesky, kinky, wire-like grey hairs were well hidden. He was smart and replied with a vague answer, “Not very.” I fessed up and revealed my true, horrifying age, the fact that I have an almost eighth-grade son and two more in elementary school made his eyes go wide. “That’s cool.” “Brandon” had taken a picture of a man riding his horse along the trail at Celebration Park; it was very nice. We had something in common, taking pictures at the park.

The class was for the most part self-sufficient. They arrived by the bell, teacher took a quick roll, and they went to work without another word, I was impressed. I’ll probably stop in Wednesday morning and bring a few of my own pictures to play with. Never used a tablet before; never used a Mac before. It should be fun. I did learn a few tricks with catch lights, window lighting and converting my .NEF’s to work in PS3 without the spendy Nikon software.

A funny thing happened as I was leaving. The common area, crowded with students milling about during lunch and giving me sideway glances as I weaved my way through their social circles, I happened to catch the eye of the principal who chased me down. This would have scared the ever-living tar out of me had it not been somebody I knew. I’m a good girl. I really am. Really!

Go Sparts….. I mean, Wildcats!

Labels: Photography