experimenting with artificial light - a first for me

I took this photo of Rose after assisting her all afternoon on a fashion shoot.  She had the backdrop set up, so I asked if I could use it and take her photo using her camera.  We used the window light and a spotlight above her head, and she was laying down on her very cool and kitschy wood slice coffee table.  In Lightroom, I turned it on it's side, and used a pre-set to give it that cool blue, desaturated effect.  It turned out to be much more dramatic than I originally thought it might, but I'm happy with the end result.  It looks kinda futuristic, which is awesome.  She's a gorgeous model!  So much fun when I get to do stuff like this.

Can Photography Be Self-Taught?

I sure hope so.  I learn by doing, making mistakes, trying again.

Lynda.com has some great workshops for beginners.  I wanted to learn some more photography fundamentals, and found a great course that took only a few hours to complete.  I learned Photoshop tips I've used a few times since.

But the best thing I've ever done for myself to improve my skills is ask a photographer friend if I can shadow her at her studio.  I watch over her shoulder, ask questions, practice shooting with her as a model.

She happens to be a gorgeous model.

I'm starting to see the world around me differently.  I'm so excited by the world of photography and all the things I've learned so far.