Posted by Barbara Graham on February 20, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Last week Ron Bielefeld invited me to come down to Viera and shoot with him and (my words) learn from him. We did that on Friday, and there are no words to fully describe what that day meant to me, but I'm going to try here.
Ron offered me the use of his 400 mm prime fixed lens with my T2i in the morning, and then in the afternoon I used his 7D and the same lens I used in the morning. He then spent the entire day teaching me verbally and by example.
I started out the day literally almost too afraid to press the button. I started the day paralyzed. I ended the day so incredibly free, with so much more understanding and comprehension than I had when the day started. Light bulbs came on, cobwebs got swept away, cloudy skies cleared, however you want to put it. I was elated.
I shot birds in flight. That should pretty much tell you what kind of day it was. It was amazing.
I need equipment, I need time, I need practice. But without Friday there would have been no reason for me to pursue those things the way that I will pursue them now.
Ron -- thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Posted by Richard Ditch on February 20, 2011 at 3:51 PM
That's a very nice compliment to Ron.
Posted by Ron Dudley on February 20, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Yahoo! Good for you both!
Posted by Mia McPherson on February 20, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Outstanding Barbara, way to go Ron!
Posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 20, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Wow Barbara, I really don't know what to say except thank you and you are very welcome. Just remember, don't think too much, or try too hard when you are out shooting. Relax, have fun, and let the images come to you. Well done on Friday you captured a lot of great images!
Posted by Brian Gatlin on February 20, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Sounds like a great day, Barbara, you got to shoot with one of the best. Ron is one of the most helpful folks around (and one of the most talented too)--if he was interested I'm sure he could sell workshop days like that for a lot of money, this is just one more example of his generosity.
Posted by Walt Sterneman on February 21, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Wow! What a great thing to do Ron. My congratulations.
Barbara, it is wonderful that you took advantage of such a generous offer. Just from your writings and questions it can be seen that you have a very open mind and I am sure your day did quite a bit for you. Congratulations to you as well. And, oh BTW, thanks for sharing this. Makes one feel pretty good about the people on here.
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 21, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Ron is a very generous and friendly guy (and has been helpful to me in regards to Photoshop stuff). Given your experience I might have to take him up on his offer to shoot @ Viera w/him! Hmm... Ron wanna let me borrow the 500 + TC?
Posted by Kirk Greene on February 21, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Good stuff. We all need someone to help lift us up and clear the fog. It gets fun when everything starts to click!!
Discussion
8 repliesRon offered me the use of his 400 mm prime fixed lens with my T2i in the morning, and then in the afternoon I used his 7D and the same lens I used in the morning. He then spent the entire day teaching me verbally and by example.
I started out the day literally almost too afraid to press the button. I started the day paralyzed. I ended the day so incredibly free, with so much more understanding and comprehension than I had when the day started. Light bulbs came on, cobwebs got swept away, cloudy skies cleared, however you want to put it. I was elated.
I shot birds in flight. That should pretty much tell you what kind of day it was. It was amazing.
I need equipment, I need time, I need practice. But without Friday there would have been no reason for me to pursue those things the way that I will pursue them now.
Ron -- thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Barbara, it is wonderful that you took advantage of such a generous offer. Just from your writings and questions it can be seen that you have a very open mind and I am sure your day did quite a bit for you. Congratulations to you as well. And, oh BTW, thanks for sharing this. Makes one feel pretty good about the people on here.