My fourth Course Lesson What A Day

This week marked the fourth lesson of my photography course, and let me tell you, there’s something genuinely rewarding about watching five adults gradually go from “Which dial does what?” to confidently switching between modes like they’ve been doing it for years. We met at the beautiful Forty Hall Estate in Enfield, and the weather couldn’t have been more on our side. Sunny, clear, and the gardens were in full bloom—bees buzzing, birds soaring, and even the occasional dog photobombing our shots.

The focus of this session (pun always intended) was the PASM modes. For some, it was the first time they’d stepped out of full Auto. For all of them, it was a chance to actually feel the difference between the modes, not just read about them.

We had a few lightbulb moments like seeing how shutter speed could freeze a bird mid-flight or how panning with a slower speed could give a real sense of motion. Nothing teaches like action, so naturally, I became the running subject leaping through the frame while they tested their settings. I may or may not have landed like a sack of bricks, but hey, it was for the art.

The shots they produced had promise. Honestly, real progress. One photo caught me mid explanation, hands in the air, fully animated (as always). I looked at it later and thought, Yeah, that’s what teaching photography feels like.

The best part? The environment itself helped teach. The estate was glowing in spring light. Lush gardens, open paths, and nature showing off at every turn. It made it easier to talk about aperture, shutter, and light, because it was all right there, waiting to be captured.

I’m really Looking forward to the next.