Goucher Convocation 2011

"Professor Jill Zimmerman sits on stage awaiting the start of the annual Convocation ceremony in Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College Thursday, May 5, 2011."

Yesterday was Convocation, Goucher’s annual recognition of students earning honors in academics, leadership, service, and athletics. 

I was a bit surprised at how neutral I felt about the whole ceremony, given that Seniors are such a big part of it. It’s probably because it was such a long program, and all I could think about as I sat there was how much end of semester work I could have been getting done.

It does mark the beginning of commencement season, though, so I wanted to post a record of it. The seal of Goucher made for a nice backdrop, so I played around with it while students received their awards. 

Dr. Jane Goodall.

"Dr. Jane Goodall fields a question from a member of the audience in Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College Wednesday, October 13, 2010. Goodall spoke as Goucher's Fall 2010 Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Visiting Professor."

Shooting in Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher is never easy. The lights aren’t bright enough and that red curtain is a difficult backdrop to work with.

I’ve covered enough events in the auditorium that I know how to work around it, but when Dr. Jane Goodall spoke last Wednesday, it was more difficult than ever. She has sensitive eyes, so in addition to prohibiting flash photography, they didn’t turn the stage spotlights all the way up.

Because it was so dark, I couldn’t shoot at a high enough speed to get bright enough images that weren’t also blurry. To compensate for the darkness, I awaited the quick moments when she was paused in thought. When those moments happened, I shot like crazy.

This was one of those pensive, telling moments.