Page 17 - NyghtVision Magazine Volume 4 #2

ou would think that in our educational experience one would

learn how to assess a problem, or a life situation, or even how

to mentally prepare for a class, with but one exception, I was

Ynot exposed to these skills.

learned. In doing so, I became more interested in the structure of the Method, it's uniquely
practical approach, and how useful it was in assessing the photographic experience. As is
my tendency, I enjoy learning and trying to create, I began to consider what other methods
of thinking I had been taught, and I could recall only one - public speaking.

In high school we were offered the opportunity to take a public speaking course, and
having an image of myself as a wit and performer, I signed for the course. Not surprisingly,
there were only six of us in the class. We learned several types of speaking styles, and learned
a method to research and organize the material, outline the speech, sequence the delivery,
engage the audience, hold their attention, judge their reaction, and to adjust our presenta-
tion if needed. That is it, a single experience of being taught a method for thinking through
an issue or problem. This vein of thought led me to consider how the Method, as useful as it
was in photography, might be adapted to other life situations.

The purpose of the Boot Camp class is to teach the technical skills that create a quality
image, and, just as importantly, to teach the Method. The Method is a series of steps that
teaches one to emotionally connect to the subject, or how to be “ in the moment ”. This is
important because art generates an emotional response from the viewer. Therefore, one can
generate the most impact if the emotion of, and/or around, the subject is understood, inter-

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