Hi.

I'd like to hear from all kinds of photographers (totally beginning, intermediate, pro & teachers): what kind of educational experiences have been most interesting, productive and useful for you when learning photography?

I am planning to approach my university photography professor in the next week or two, and express my interest in the possibility of working as his assistant for the Beginning Photography class next semester. I want the teaching experience of introducing and teaching photography to beginners.

I have been putting off my "sales pitch" and discussion with him about all this because I want to have everything perfect before I go in and stuff this up.

To all the high schoolers out there..... to the beginners ..... to the 2001 college freshman about to take their first photo classes next year -

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN WHEN STARTING PHOTOGRAPHY?????? What is the most important? What things do you find the most interesting?????

Do you think the technical is more important than the creative?

(The class is run thru the Fine Art School and emphasizes creative inspiration nad ideas rather than technique, print quality etc.)

Is is that important to know the correlation between the f-stop and the shutter, if you are no good at "seeing" photographic wise? (I personally really enjoy the technical aspects - but don't want to drown my students in it.)

Would it be more interesting to practise making photographs after you have learnt the history and evolution of it?

Do you think photo history is important at all (again I love it, but don't know if studying the masters is all that interesting to those that don't know how to develop their own film....)

And to any teachers and professors out there: what can I say that would make you want my asssistance (either paid or unpaid)?

Thank you all for your time - I appreciate your feedback :)