Community Training Course by Fleming Photographic
Words
Over the last five years I have had the pleassure of teaching photography to many young school kids from the Knysna community, they have come from Knysna High School, Knysna Secondary School, Percy Mdala High School, Heatherhill College and Oakhill Private School.
The procees of selection from the numerous candidates that apply is not a easy one, as we only have six openings per year, most of the successfull applicants have never used or even owned their own cameras.
The kids have worked together as a TEAM and this was highlighted on 18 August 2014 with a World Photo Day event, this project was put together by the team and was a great success.
I was aware that there was more to a camera than the auto setting, however I didn’t realize just how much more there was. When I started pen pals in 2013 I thought I could take a fairly decent photograph, boy was I wrong. Being part of the pen pals broadened my perspective in a myriad of ways. Pen pals taught me more than just how to work a camera, use lighting, direct models and composition. Pen pals taught me how to be comfortable in front of a camera, how to interact with a variety of people, how to visualize possibilities, how to view scenario’s in a more in-depth way and to be more aware of the things I come across every day.
In 2014 when I was asked to be a facilitator for the new group of pen pals I was more than ecstatic. I felt pretty comfortable having done the course the previous year, but when it started I realized I still had so much more to learn. Whilst helping the new group of pen pals, along with my co-facilitator, I grew more as a photographer. In 2014 due to my work with the Pen Pals and the opportunity provided by the Flemings, I was offered many photographic opportunities. These opportunities have allowed me to build a CV, interact with a couple well known charity groups such as Reach For A Dream and Rotary South Africa and provide3d opportunities for my gap year. The Pen Pal course and more importantly my mentors ( The Flemings) helped me grow as an individual, taught me how to see life in a different way and built both my patience and confidence. I would not be who I am today, if it were not for this opportunity.
Michaela Millar
Ian Fleming
Michaela Millar
Shere Joubert
Before Pen Pals, photography was nothing more than a passion and a hobby to me. Now that I know how to manipulate a camera to see what your eyes see, photography has become a lifestyle, a way of expressing myself and the best way to share my perspective of the world around me. The thing that fascinates me most about photography is the fact that without even saying a single word, I share an inspiring thought in one simple digital image. If you think wearing a pair of glasses changed the way you see… THINK AGAIN! Looking through the lens of a camera has changed my perspective in such a positive way that it can never be compared to any other form of self-happiness. You start noticing the small important things around you. You notice the most beautiful smiles and most importantly, you start paying attention to all the daily blessings around you.
Pen Pals has opened up a whole new world of opportunity and optimism for me. The most valued gift I have ever received is, without a doubt, the art of photography. The Fleming’s helped me on my path of developing my skills more than I can ever give thanks to. I have to admit, I truly believe they have tought me a unique view of photography that no online tutorial or “Photography for Dummies” journal could ever have. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a way of living! After I successfully completed my Pen Pals course, I received the most amazing privilege of being announced the first ever Olympus Protégé in South Africa. For a year after Pen Pals 2014, I was guided even more under the trusted wing of Warren Fleming. I had the chance to improve my skills. Being his personal assistant / second hand photographer, I received numerous opportunities to build an experienced portfolio covering various themes of photography. Pen Pals did not only teach me the art of photography, it taught me to see the beauty in everything, and for that, I am truly grateful!
Shere Joubert
Khanya Frans
The last two years of Pen Pals has been great, in my second year I was honored to be chosen as one of the facilitators. The experience is one I will remember forever, as I have learnt so much not only about photography but also about working within a group. I have learnt to push myself to always produce work that portrays quality. Photography is a skill that I will always have and will forever be grateful to the Flemings for the opportunity.
One has to be passionate and have the love for photography, and once you have these aspects you will surly produce great photographs. I wish the future Pen Pals all the best and I hope this course will continue for many more years as it helps changing the perspective that young people have about photography.
I want to thank the Fleming family for the two great years and for the time and effort they put into the course every year.
Khanya Frans.
Thiery
Wow what a year I had being a Pen Pal, I had never used a camera and here I am a advanced amateur photographer. The greatest part of the experience was being part of a team and this has taught me a lot about life.
I will always cherish the time that I spent doing this free photographic course.
Thiery.
Carmen Laurens
In 2013 Ian Fleming gave me the extraordinary opportunity to look at life through the camera lens with the Pen Pals. As I had never owned a camera of my own before this was a fairly new and exciting experience for me, but one I will never forget. My passion and enjoyment of the art grew with every passing day, as I did not capture mere moments but memories that now can last a lifetime.
The functionality of the camera was always something that had intrigued me, working alongside my fellow Pen Pals and under The Fleming’s wings I learnt just how broad the technical side of the camera was. Learning about Aperture, Shutter speed and ISO was amazing, especially seeing how much that knowledge improved my overall picture quality in both a creative and technical aspect.
I’ll always be forever grateful for the opportunity as I use the knowledge I learnt back then in my everyday life. My current life is very much in the public eye and more in front of the camera than behind it but with that said my love for capturing memories has yet to dwindle…
Being with Pen Pals has not only allowed me to discover the amazing world of photography, it’s also allowed me to discover a whole new part of myself and a whole new perspective on how I see the world.
And sometimes, just sometimes the most amazing photographs are right in front of you, you just need to know where to look.