Photography and Digital Photography School

12-14 March 2007
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – My father, 2d Lt Severance, is a police officer at the Grand Prairie Police Department, and knew I was interested in photography. He introduced me to Mr. Joseph E. Fyffe, who was going to teach a photography school at the police training center at Grand Prairie this month. Mr. Fyffe then invited me to attend the course. I was so happy! I could hardly wait. Then the day arrived, and I was the youngest one there. Mr. Fyffe is a retired police officer from Indiana and used to be a pilot. He has written three books, one of them on crime scene photography, and they are all used to teach across the United States.

I never imagined how much there is to know about photography. I learned about characteristics of light. We see an object because incident light falls on it and is reflected from it. Ambient light is directionless because it is reflected from many surfaces. When light strikes a surface, it can be reflected from it, absorbed by it or transmitted through it. Most of the time, all three are there, and they photograph differently.

Mr. Fyffe also showed us some mistakes that happen in photography, and was clear about what is illegal to use in the justice system. He also taught us how to adjust the exposure on the camera and how to work automatic, digital and film cameras. We took lots of photos; my favorite is the flag at the top of this article.

I learned a lot about photography, because I want to be a better photographer for my Crusader Composite Squadron.
 

Photo caption:  "C/Amn Robert Severance IV receives his course certificate from the course instructor, Mr. Joseph E. Fyffe."

Article and photos submitted by C/Amn Robert Severance IV