kindergarten
Ever notice how most parents of first-generation Asian Americans all have this notion that their children were born with prodigious talent and would someday grow up to become world-famous concert pianists? My parents were definitely no exception. My sister and I both started playing the piano at a very young age, but it wasn’t until after I left home for college did I really learn to enjoy the art. I suppose it was because growing up I was forced to practice every day after school and instead of spending the weekends watching Saturday morning cartoons or playing in the park with friends, I was at my piano lessons with Mrs. Pfinning. As a small kid, I remember feeling even smaller every time I walked into her grand old country-style house. She had a quaint studio room especially dedicated for her lessons complete with a grand piano, an electric organ, a music stand for her violinists and an extravagant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Off to the corner was a large, comfy, velvet armchair where I would sit to wait for my sister to finish her lessons before it would be my turn. Next to the armchair was a magazine stand filled with random children’s books and books on inspiration. One of my favorites was this little book entitled, All I Really Need to Know, I learned in Kindergarten.
I suppose in a way, I believe that it’s true… you learn the basics on life and human interaction in kindergarten to help you succeed in this world. According to the author, what you learn in kindergarten can be summarized into 16 major points and that is all you need to know on how to live, how to be and what to do in life. Fortunately, for us in the photography world, there are only three basic concepts to learn before you graduate from kindergarten, and they are ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Just from these three concepts, we can derive exposure, depth of field, equivalency, and the metering system to finally arrive at the Sunny 16 Rule. And with that, you will be ready to head out and explore the world, fully-armed with camera in hand!
The magazine I always read while waiting my turn at the piano (my sister went first) was Highlights — Goofus and Gallant, the Timbertoes, and hidden picture searches. Those were my life lessons.