Course Pack

My OCA course pack arrived today and I have spent some time skimming through it.

[Before I forget where I've seen it - Reference format: Michael Freeman, Complete Guide to photography, HarperCollin, UK, 1995]

There are 67 projects and 5 assignments involving many, many photographs. I daren' t count them. :-)

When I consider that I have already committed myself to two other courses during the lifetime of this course, it looks like I have got my work cut out. Not to worry. Bring it on.

I have also received the course book: The Photograph: A Visual and Cultural History ( Oxford History of Art) by Graham Clark. This means that I am now the proud,  but surprised, owner of two copies of this book. My existing copy will remain on the shelf, whilst I write in the course copy. Where's my marker pen? I enjoy writing and making notes in reference books. It gives me a sense of ownership and engagement.

It was no surprise to learn that I am required to keep and submit a learning journal but I am looking at the instructions on how to set up a Google account and register with Blogger with a quiet reluctance. Although it isn't compulsory, I am being encouraged to blog. This is all well and good but the blog, which will be assessed, is to consist of weekly reflections. This is too limiting for me. I am more than happy to summarize my activities on a weekly basis and include them in a journal, as well as on here, but I do not want this blog to be limited. It's a personal photographic home -  a powerhouse for years to come. I am also more than happy for my tutor to drop in here but it is likely to contain stuff outside the scope of the OCA course and there will be times when I am talking to myself on a daily basis. I could set up another blog but how many blogs does a person need or want? I could also submit a paper based journal but that goes against the grain. I need to clear my head a little and decide what I want to do. A second official blog elsewhere seems, perhaps, to be the only answer.  I haven't made contact with the tutor yet - I am sure a discussion will resolve matters.