SHOOT CAMP CPLS SHINE

One thing's for sure. We are having another Shoot CAMP! And these shooters are proof that classroom instruction and hands-on learning are a winning combo! 

Sgt. Shea Boom, Gen. Justin and I (Sgt. Sarah B.) are coming up with a plan to initiate Operation Encore. Not only will we address new recruits ready for Basic Training (Shoot Camp Lv. 1), but also our recent graduates for Advanced Training (Shoot Camp Lv. 2). 

Please keep up with the blog and our twitter (@shootcamp) for updates on the advancement of Operation Encore. 

DEBRIEFING - CPL JOBE

"Just wanted to thank y'all for Shoot Camp.  It was an awesome day -- it has been a long time since I took a day just for myself.  I feel armed with a ton of knowledge and can't wait to shoot, shoot, shoot.

So, for a review . . .
1.  Loved the venue, music,  materials, t-shirt, theme, etc.  Very professional!
2.  The PowerPoint was great.  Especially liked the example shots with details listed.  Made it much easier for me to wrap my brain around the concepts. 
3.  Having the opportunity to shoot models was great.  It was nice to be able to hear instructions then shoot for myself.  Maybe more of this in smaller groups?
4.  The question/answer time was so valuable -- can y'all just come home with me and answer all me questions at any time??? :)
 
I will love to come to a Shoot Camp II."

DEBRIEFING - CPL BELICKIS

"I just wanted to that you all for a wonderful experience this past weekend.  I have really learned a lot from you and have already put some of my new knowledge to use.  I am so impressed with how much more I am liking my pictures and how much less I think about how I could alter them using photoshop.  Thank you so much."

POST SHOOT CAMP IMAGES

After Shoot CAMP, our recruits (who started out as Privates and are now all Corporals), sent in images they took using only manual settings.

Now, instead of just using their great creativity for their photos, they are thinking of a lot more when they pick up their weapons. Now, instead of knowing what a good photo should look like, they also know what their aperture should be, their shutter speed and their ISO.

They are thinking about white balance and the rule of thirds and they are paying attention to their backgrounds and the composition of their subject in relationship to all of these things.

That's a lot to think about just to get to this:

Great work, CORPORALS!!!

SHOOT CAMP GETS RESULTS

Saturday morning around.. no. AT 0900, 30 of us photographers gathered in an undisclosed location in downtown Nashville at what we'll call LEVEL ZERO.

We sat down with the knowledge that no one knew anything (even if they did).
And then, like spounges, we left no man behind as we learned about aperture, shutter speeds and ISO.
But we didn't stop there.

The rule of thirds, the rules of white balance and the rules of engagement followed.
And by the time our targets arrived (oh yes, crying babies and all), we were prepared.

A couple of things about SHOOT CAMP.

1. Our curriculum was based on what our recruits wanted to learn via questionnaire.
2. We had a snazzy mixed CD.
3. We chose models based on what our recruits actually shoot (like their kids).
4. There was some saluting... but mostly shooting.

Here are a few photos from our SHOOT CAMP Privates- now Corporals. They have made us proud.

SHOOT CAMP

We can't wait to tell you about our inaugural SHOOT CAMP!
And we will have tons more coming from our crew:

STAY TUNED!

MAJ. MICHAELA - BIO

MAJ. MICHAELA (assisting and documenting during SHOOT CAMP)

MICHAELA M. POWELL

Michaela picked up a camera in 4th grade and starting taking photos of her cat in a beanbag chair. -- I never got in too much trouble for doing it, but my mom would grab the camera for school functions and soon realize that all her film was used up.  In high school took an intro to photography class because she needed credit, fell in love. She set up a dark room in the basement closet and printed all the time.

In December 2009, she graduated from the university of Nebraska with a BFA with an emphasis in photography and graphic design.

Currently, Michaela is living in Tyler, TX.  Everyday she drives through tall pine trees and curvy roads to get to her destination– Pine Cove, where she puts her skills to use as a graphic designer and incorporates photography into her position.

Hard Facts: 

Favorite Quote:
If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, its as thought I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as thought I had forgotten to wake up- Richard Avedon

Hippie at heart.

If she could ride her bike for a living, she would.

You may win her over with coffee, Indian food, and ice cream.
 

Letterpress intern during the spring of 2010 at the oldest working letterpress shop in the country- Hatch Show Print in Nashville, TN.  

Weapons of choice: 

Canon 30D
16-35mm f/2.8
50mm f/1.4
Natural light