Weekend Photo Workshop

In college I had a photography class led by a poisonously artsy professor. He scathingly denounced photos featuring children, pets, or flowers, berating students for "not taking personal risks." While there are people like him who are only happy portraying urban angst, there are scadzillions more who want to have pictures of loved ones and favorite places to keep and cherish. This tape set is for them, and what a welcome addition it is. Firstly, it does not condescend to people who can't afford top-of-the line equipment. In fact, disposable cameras are featured along with "point-and-shoot" automatic 35mm cameras, and single lens reflex (SLR) cameras for virtually every shot demonstrated. The tone is positive and upbeat, and the series is loaded with useful tips and practical examples of what to do and what not to do, including video of real tourists at work taking waste-of-film shots. The program offers three major guidelines for improving every photo you make, followed by specific tips for photographing babies and children, youth and adults; photographing historic sites and scenic places; photographing sports and action scenes, and photographing pets and flowers. (Is that my former professor screaming?) Photographic composition is clearly explained and illustrated by repeatedly showing photos that are okay, better with some slight change of angle, and then dynamite with another refinement, or by the use of on-screen graphics to show how a photo is ideally divided into thirds. In sum, if your public library doesn't have any photography tapes, this is a must buy. But, even if you already have the Kodak Video Library (which is geared to SLRs), this is still a necessary purchase for its comprehensive, egalitarian and fun approach to photography. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)