a lifelong pursuit
Editorial By Susan O'Connor, photo by Susan O'Connor

I am one of those lifelong students. You’ve seen them, ambling along to class, never happier than when pursuing new knowledge. I believe they are called “non-traditional” students.

I remember looking at that demographic of students — anyone over 30 — curiously when I was in college, wondering why they were even there. What had happened in their lives? It didn’t seem the normal evolution of things. Hadn’t they learned enough yet, with the gray hair and all?

It’s funny, but my daughter said something in a similar vein recently about one of my high school classmates who has returned to college and shares many of her classes this semester at Williams Baptist. Jessica said, shaking her head, “The old ones ask too many questions, and they seem nervous. The professor puts straightforward instructions about assignments on the board — that even a child would understand — and then they ask 20 questions.”

In my last semester at Arkansas State I began to feel melancholy about it all ending, so I enrolled in graduate school. It was the perfect antidote. It seems I’ve always had an educational project in the works.

Recently, I started a photography class at BetterPhoto.com on the advice of Courtney Fitzwater, a local photographer extraordinaire, in my opinion. Though my career in journalism has taught me a great deal about capturing the moment, I yearn to grow as an artist in the field.

The site offers dozens of classes for every skill level, including a variety of Photoshop classes, all at a reasonable tuition. I’m just working on assignment number three, but I’ve already learned so much!

The other class members live all over the world, with portfolios that reflect each unique lifestyle. One is from Hawaii, and her shots are resplendent interpretations of surf and tropics. Another, from Ireland, also has work that is interesting and admirable. Hers are city shots, much like many of mine.

Before the class started, I had already decided to write about the experience, come what may. The instructors are well-known photographers (mine are the husband and wife team Susan and Neil Silverman), and in the introductory questionnaire, we were asked whether we wanted their critiques to be brutal, blatantly truthful, and so forth – five levels of evaluation. I asked for brutal. If I’m going to take the class, then give it to me straight. But, I must admit, I was a little nervous about my first evaluation.

I had taken the photos on a 10-degree morning on South Main in downtown Memphis and I was satisfied with them, but not completely. The perfectionist in me never allows me to be completely satisfied with my work.

So, as the critique hit my e-mail inbox, I bravely double clicked and hoped for the best. I was shocked. They had good things to say about my work! I was even awarded the “Photo of the Week” for the class! Needless to say, I am pumped. There is actually nothing like working at something, putting your self out there and reaping a positive result.

What will be next? Probably another photography class. There is so much to learn! It is addictive.