My Journey: Photography to Computer Science

My Journey: Photography to Computer Science

           I have always believed that academic performance works hand in hand with the liking for the major that a person takes. Growing up, I observed some of my friends struggle with certain subjects in school solely based on the dislike for such subjects. Back then, I had not viewed it as a big deal until when I found myself in this similar situation. My parents have been firm believers in the ability of a child to perform based on the pressure placed on them to perform in a particular manner. I have, however,, felt that the pressure is unwarranted, especially since I had the passion for studying Photography. In pursuit of my love, I joined the Academics of Art University to study photography, which I later changed due to my parent’s continuous call to pursue computer science. So I complied, and I transferred to De Anza College.

De Anza was welcoming for me, and my parents thought it was a good start for me and that I would concentrate even better. I knew that success lay in my hands, and so I thought to myself that I should give myself a chance. So, I enrolled and begun attending my classes with high expectations that I would not struggle with computer science, but will eventually pass my examinations. The introduction parts were simple, and I thought I loved the course. On my first chapter quiz, I scored everything. However, the deeper we went into the syllabus, the more confusing everything got. I began struggling, and this made me so sad because my parents had high expectations for me. I started doubting myself when it came to computer science, and I was always frustrated in and out of class. The course, however, rekindled my passions for photography, and I began missing it a little more. Whenever I got the chance to go through the textbook that we used for the course work, my focus shifted more to the images and the photography that was all over the books.  This sent me back to the time when all I could think of was photography, and I realized that I missed it a lot. The memories became fresh once more in my mind, and all I could think of was the most prolonged duration I had loved photography.

My passion for photography goes way back when I was ten years old. Whenever I came across a high-quality camera when taking family photos, I was always drawn to the ability of the devices, capturing a moment in the best way possible. I remember bothering my parents at an early age of 15 to buy me a camera which my father promised one summer. After I was given the results from the academic year and had performed as I had promised, he bought me the camera. From that moment, I made a point of learning all the theoretical and practical skills needed to take the best photos and videos. My parents and family friends acted as subjects to my hobby, especially my grandmother. Hence, when choosing a college major, it was evident that my first option was studying photography to become a professional.

When I was pursuing photography, it was evident that I knew the majority of the introductory courses. In the years leading to me joining college, I had taken most basic photography courses from the internet. As an author explains about his learning process, “The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street. As many of these, as I could, I converted into teachers” (Douglass 1). As in the same way as Fredrick Douglass, who gave bread to the young white boys in the community to teach him English, I had made a point of teaching myself the different skills essential in basic photography. I put even more effort into photography, and I could see aspects of photography in everything. After getting into school, I realized that all of the beginning lessons were somewhat a repetition of the information I had learned from the internet. Nonetheless, I was committed to learning photography to understand the information offered early and be guided by lecturers through the process. During my leisure, I could walk around the school compound, taking photographs around the garden area,, and I enjoyed myself. Since the phone was not useful in that the battery would die on me, I bought myself a camera, and it would retain enough energy to see me through three hours. Taking the class of photography, I was focused on schoolwork, which translated into my social life. Photography was a natural for me since I could connect with it on a personal level.

While taking the photography course, I was always keen on my assignments and course work as well as a social representation. As a photography major, I made sure I attended all classes on time and finished the appointment beforehand. Completing my assignments early helped me do extensive research and also gave me the chance to consult the professor.  This proved to be useful since my performance in the class was improving. Based on the practical aspect of the course, I made a point of going to the tutors with my camera to get extra training and practice on different equipment provided by the school and doing it on a practical level game the chance to master my skills. As such, the more I practiced, the better I became at photography, and this made me love it even more. Moreover, the tutors had proposed that I joined several clubs that allowed me to be occupied and practiced the skills gained in class. When I was not in school, I was often shooting at different locations, thus allowing me to gain enormous knowledge of the field. Apart from the discipline in school work, I had an organized and well-structured social life. I was organized and integrated with my peers on several occasions, thus ensuring I learned and engaged in social matters.

However, my parents were not comfortable with me taking the course, thus forcing me to change into the computer science major and transfer to Deanza College. Even after giving myself a chance and opportunity to pursue computer science, I have come to see it as a struggle, and the deeper we get into the syllabus, the harder it is becoming for me. As Alexie explains, “Despite all the books I read, I am still surprised I became a writer. I was going to be a pediatrician. These days, I write novels, short stories, and poems” (2). In that, the preferred area of study lay in the main subjects of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, to mention but a few. It is not a good thing to disappoint parents, but I believe that a person should be allowed to pursue a course in which he or she is passionate. The same areas of study were presented as the first options from my parents. Taking a major signified being able to concentrate on the subjects that they saw best to make a career. According to my parents, the photography courses were not adding knowledge to whatever I knew. In the same way, they did not consider it a severe course but a hobby; hence they were adamant about me shifting to the CS major. However, I knew what I desired to learn; thus, I was heart-broken by their adamance to change the course. However, the reaction I had made them second guess their decision.

After moving to De Anza for the CS major, I struggled to concentrate both on my academic and social success. In college, I struggled to make friends in the different classes I was taking as I could not relate with the other students. The majority of the people I went to class with were passionate about coding and computer concepts, which did not interest me. Moreover, I have been struggling with concentrating on the academic ideas presented. Although I enjoy using a computer to edit my videos and pictures, writing codes, and other forms of CS-related aspects have been challenging to grasp. Overall, the course has been derailing and challenging to succeed in, as I am not passionate about it.  Even so, I continue to learn and practice photography in my free time. Keeping in touch with my friends from AAU has been a significant advantage as it allows me to gain insights on different techniques.

I have always been passionate about practicing photography as a professional. Creating images and moments that capture a feeling and emotion is a significant part of who I am and will continue to define me. Despite my parents’ desire to practice computer science as a future career, I continue to be adamant about learning more about the aspects of photography. During my free time, I have continued to take online courses and practice the art of making good photographs as it is not only refreshing but also intriguing. Based on my reaction to the Computer Science course, my parents have come to the understanding that what I desire to do is photography, and I keep learning different skills in the field and getting better.

Works Cited

Alexie, Sherman. The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me. 1998.

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. 1845.