Battery Life

Did you know....that using your flash uses approximately 3x more of your battery than operating without a flash?
I didn't!
That was just one of the things I learned in my Beginning Digital Photography Class tonight.
My teacher is Matt Valentine, a widely published photographer, who is a local Austin photographer.
He has a way of explaining things so that they make sense and don't just sound like stuffy photography talk.
He said that learning to operate a camera is much like learning to drive a car.
At first you are overwhelmed with all the mirrors you have to check, the dials you need to monitor, and the overall attention to detail at every angle....but with time you don't even realize that you are monitoring those aspects any longer.
Just like photography.
Another thing Mr. Valentine taught us was that in most situations we should just say, "No" to the flash.
Of course there are specific instances when the flash CAN and WILL assist, but in many cases it can actually do more harm to a picture.
Also, I can finally stick my tongue out to all the people who gave me a hard time for using a flash in the middle of a sunny day!
We learned today that this is one time when the flash can assist in ensuring your subject doesn't have shadows when the sun is beating down on them, it's called Fill Flash!
Okay, so maybe I didn't know this when I used my flash before, but I did know my pictures looked better when I used a flash those times.
I'm excited because he asked us where we thought our weaknesses were.
I said I have a hard time taking indoor photos because it always seems the lighting makes the pictures look funny another person said they had a hard time with night photography.
I really would love to master night photography.
I have a goal.
Before we move away from Austin, I want to get a night shot of the skyline.  Something that might be frame worthy.  I might even try to get a picture of the UT Tower *gags*, just for my hubby.
Bud if your reading this you'll know how loved you are.
Anyways...I feel bad that I had my first night of class and I don't have a single picture to post, but I do have an assignment to accomplish before next Monday's class.
I am supposed to try Fill Flash again...

Anyways...that's about all for me for now.
I hope everyone had a blessed Monday!