My Large Format photography instructor at Scottsdale Community College, Rod Klukas, was fond of saying that “Three is Divine” when talking about the number of subjects within a photo. That means that the following photograph, taken at Tumacacori National Monument must be divine:
“5 over 3” by Michael J. Hoogendyk
Except for the fact that there are many more objects in the photograph than three – five holes, a large beam, the three pots, along with the cracks, shading and sandy texture of the wall.
Personally, I’m not too happy about the fact that three pots are distorted (the left one stretched to the left and down; and the right one stretched to the right and down). I also am upset that I cut off the left-most hole at the top. But, I did show you a photo with three pots.
Continuing with the theme of “three” – I have three kids: Carly, Zac and Kimberly. Now THAT’s divine!
If there is one thing that should be taught in school it is how to learn. How to read, question, research and make decisions based on scientific fact. Students should have inquisitive minds and understand how to follow their interests. If that process is taught, there is no limit to what knowledge a student can develop. Given limitless knowledge, who knows what an individual can accomplish.
Learning, and as an extension, teaching, should never stop. One should understand that schooling can and should continue for your whole life. And having accumulated knowledge at various levels, that knowledge should be taught.
I once took the same semester-long photography class (Large Format Photography) over and over at a local Junior College for about fifteen times. Many in the class were doing the same thing. Every semester you learned new techniques, were exposed to more expert photographers, and gained more expertise. Over time the class became almost a club. Some members came and stayed. Others came and went.
Below are some digital (non large format) photos I took during the class – mainly with the camera that came with an early cell phone.
Rod Klukas (dark shirt with back to camera) was the instructor.Walt Muller (since deceased) was one of the students.In addition to lecture, field trips, sharing of photographs and talks by various professional photographers, there was in-class practice.Some of these classes I took were in the late 1990s and early 2000s. And many of the students became friends and are still friends today. Joyce Bealer on far left. Jeff Ivens in black shirt.The blurry white thing is a “Dark Cloth” which Rod is either flipping on or flipping off. Frank Ayala is paying more attention to me than to Rod.N is for “Near focus”. F is for “Far focus”. Rick Polhamus in plaid shirt. Marilyn Ticknor (R) with back to camera.
Eventually I began taking images of archaeological features using my large format camera. Rod taught us that you will take better photographs if you study your subject matter. So, I started studying archaeology and am still studying that subject matter today. Maybe someday I will know enough about it that I can teach others.
This is a Petroglyph in Agua Fria National Monument. It is thought to be a representation of the 1054 AD super nova.A prehistoric fortified hill top site in Agua Fria National Monument.
It doesn’t matter what the subject is. Keep studying. Keep learning. Expand your knowledge. Then teach others. Rod did.
arizonamike 