Ever since my parents got me my first DSLR, I have been playing with all the settings. One of my favorite things to do is set the camera on a tripod or something solid so that the camera doesn't move at all and then set the shutter speed to a very 'slow' setting. Since the shutter is open for more than a couple seconds, the way the camera captures the light, given some other settings have been adjusted accordingly, makes for some fun pictures. While I have been fascinated by my camera and all the wonderful things it can do, I know that without light, it would be rendered useless, as would a lot of other things. Perhaps, everything. "Photography" itself, translated from Greek, means "drawing with light". In class, we've talked about painting with light. Since I've been dabbling with digital photography, I'm making connections between tools I use in taking and editing my pictures to the tools of lighting design. I've always been fascinated by lighting designs of theatrical productions. I've even been thinking about getting into taking production shots for shows. I know this class will help a lot with that. If I'm going to 'paint' with those lights, I will have to understand them at least a little. I will more than likely appreciate light more than I did before I came here to this class the next time I go out for a good photo session. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to go out and take some slow-shutter-speed pictures since I've been without a decent tripod and time. I do, however have some examples of how these pictures turn out. One is from Christmas last year and the other is a picture I took in New York City. Both involved slower shutter speeds and were very happy occasions, all made better with fun lights.