My High School Photography Class Really Helped Me Later In Life

Developing a new self through an "Easy A" Class

By Jay,when I writePublished 3 years ago • 3 min read

I uh submitted this one in 2018

I'll be honest and tell you that I enrolled in my high school's AP photography class my senior year because I was promised an "easy A" and I already had two other AP classes messing with my almost perfect NO ATTENDANCE school days. Yeah, it was an "AP" photography class, but it seemed like anyone could get in there, and at the very least it meant I would look more well rounded on my college apps + I could turn in pictures for my AP test (I think I got a 2 or I didn't check...maybe psych was a 2? Too long ago to remember).

I mean, I also craved something that had to do with cameras and art since my school didn't have a film class or anything I could get into (I tried creating a film club, but that was dropped soon after). So, I went with that thinking at least I'd have a class I could put my camera to use with if i bothered showing up to class.

In the first week I was pretty much promised an A by the teacher. He told us we'd have to work hard, and I considered dropping it, but then I realized I wouldn't have to try hard even if I did attempt. Take a picture, maybe add a filter or cut out a person and put some chicken wings around them...simple. I had an app for that.

The Good Things About The Class

The class actually introduced me to some decent people and we went on field trips that made me excited. We goofed off a lot in that class (when I did manage to find the room),but I also ended up learning some things that made me less afraid of touching my camera. I never thought I'd use the "manual"' mode or try to perfect my own craft.

I had a camera to make films, but I was mainly into screenwriting and just knew I'd be forced to use it in college.

Forced my sister to help me with my last project to submit to the uh collegeboard. We had so much fun

So, how did this class exaclty change my lens? How did my life change from it? Well...

Freshman year of college I was known to walk around with my camera.

I grew attached to it in high school because of that class and it introducing me to a kid that would take pictures for high school events.

Sometimes, I tagged along 'cause it seemed like a lot of fun ('twas actually intense).

In college, I started taking pictures for strangers that lead to interesting conversations, friends that I had just met, and most importantly...animals and trees.

See, I was always into things that were "fast" and took less patience.

I made simple meals that would be done in five minutes, I ran and tested my speed often, I even read as if the ink on the pages would suddenly turn invisible so I had to hurry up and read the page before they did.

But, taking pictures of wild life made me stop and really take in my environment and try to get the best picture possible. I did this in that class too for my end of the year AP test thingy, and for fun, but it really helped me in college. I needed something (besides running--I did that often too) that made me feel good and at peace. It was just me and the camera.

I love how that class made me more attentive and patient.

Hey, ask to take pictures of people's dogs. I found myself silent most days because of either sadness or needing time to myself, till I saw a dog and their owner, and knew I needed a pic of the cutie. The people were always so kind and funny. They'd make the day less gray.

I used to keep tabs of their names/the convos I had with their owner's, but they're sadly long gone

All of that practice on my photography skills gave me the confidence to join my friend's team. He designed clothes and needed a photographer. I had so much fun being apart of something artsy since I mainly wasn't sure college was for me even though I was a film major. I felt like the art was being drained from me rather than me letting it flow out naturally, except for when I took pictures.

No, I didn't become a genius, or go on to win awards for my outstanding images that helped the world, but I did become more attentive and patient. I strenthened bonds (though they don't exist now) that I needed at the time, got more confident, and had a better time with myself and my new environment (I wasn't really happy about my college choices at the time).

So, yeah...sometimes an "easy A" class gives you more than just a good grade to show to a college.Sometimes, it gives you new skills you didn't think you'd use, and a way to look at the world through your new lens.