Photoshop for six

One is from Puerto Rico, one from Mexico. Another makes the trip from Connecticut; one has recently returned from seven years in Kenya. One other hails from Scotland; I am uncertain of the last. These six students comprise the intensive Photoshop for photographers intermediate class offered by the International Center for Photography this past weekend and next. I am the teaching assistant. Given the different ways in which individuals approach the application, I feel like I'm learning as much as the students, especially given the instructor's methodical approach.

Before the first class began the instructor had everyone introduce themselves. Of them all, I was the only one without a digital camera. Later, during a break in the class, one student asked me why; class began before I could answer.

The instructor taught the material methodicall , emphasizing workflow throughout. I learned new ways of using the tools even as I demonstrated them. The class followed, some more readily than others.

After the first day I was exhausted. I was amazed that someone could lecture and demonstrate for seven hours straight. That night I went home and did nothing.

The next day followed much as the first, though by the afternoon the students were given free time to work on their own projects. I hung back and let the instructor field most of the questions, stepping in to answer technical ones. I didn't want to introduce my methods even if they ran complimentary to the instructor's. At times, I would see simpler solutions to a student's problem, but I checked with the instructor to see if he was covering that material. If not I let work in peace, patiently waiting in the corner for my name to be called.

Posted by eku at June 22, 2009 6:59 PM