Photography reboot

Time to pick up photography again! I have reactivated the OCA course I enrolled on. I have a new camera on it's way, a new bag and a new lens too! All systems go!

Deferred

I have opted to defer my course. I will continue once my wife's health is under control and I have more time to spend on the course.

Severe disruption to my studies

Not long after I started this course my wife was diagnosed with a chronic illness, lupus.  Side effects from the medication for lupus as well as the illness itself are debilitating and as brave as my wife is it has become physically impossible for her to continue at her usual pace.  In addition to caring for my wife I will be significantly increasing my contribution towards raising our one year old twin daughters.  I thought long and hard about whether it was feasible for me to continue with my studies given the time I will be dedicating to caring for my wife and daughters as well as to my job.  I decided that with discipline and a very strong focus I would be able to carry on with the course.

On Saturday we encountered a further setback.  My wife was taken to the hospital by ambulance and underwent an emergency operation.  Recovery from this operation will take a minimum of six weeks.  During that time my wife will be unable to carry our children or even have them in her lap.

Strawberries for Mummy

At this point I am wondering what else life can throw at me.  It is becoming increasingly hard to get enough sleep, to focus on my work, and to remain optimistic.  I intend to continue with the course dedicating what time I can to it.  However, juggling responsibilities to my employer and to my family is already proving to be challenging.  The rate at which I undertake activities and learning for this course will clearly be severely impacted.

Student profile complete and emailed to my tutor

My first 'action' as an OCA student is complete :)  I was tasked with completing a student profile document and sending this to my tutor, Peter Jarvis.  This document should give my tutor some background on me as a person and my experience in photography as well as what I want to get out of the course.  Chomping at the bit to get started.

The Art of Photography: Course material arrived

After a mix up with the couriers my course material has arrived. It was very nicely packaged and I am looking forward to getting stuck in!

I am a student again!

I just received conformation of my enrolment on The Art of Photography course at the Open College of the Arts.  Each course takes about a year and after 8 of them you receive a BA Hons. degree in Photography.  It has been a LONG time since I have studied anything.  I hope I can keep up with it.  I am waiting for the course material so I can get stuck in.