meaghan o'keefe

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In the spring of 2025, I took a course in the Fundamentals of Digital Photography at Harvard Extension School, taught by Leonie Marinovich and Teaching Fellow Alice Walsh. It was an incredibly enriching experience—not only did I learn the technical and creative foundations of photography, but I also grew alongside a supportive group of classmates.

The course transformed the way I see the world. It made me notice light, moments, and everyday details in a whole new way. In fact, one of the most valuable lessons I took away was just how essential light is in photography.

One of my favorite parts of the course was our weekly “quests.” Each week, we were given a single, random word—like juxtaposition, texture, or hands, unappreciated beauty, something hidden, shapes, Bokeh—and asked to interpret it through our lens. These creative prompts pushed me to think abstractly, observe more deeply, and tell visual stories in unexpected ways.

Several assignments brought both challenge and excitement. Still Life had us explore the Dutch vanitas tradition, prompting thoughtful reflection on symbolism, composition, and atmosphere. Discovering Light revealed the many expressive possibilities of lighting—through high-key and low-key setups, as well as front, back, side, top, diffused, and concentrated light. We even experimented with texture and light painting to elevate our still life work.

Another memorable assignment, Channel Your Inner Eggleston, was inspired by the eccentric and visionary photographer William Eggleston. We were asked to slow down and see the ordinary in extraordinary ways—paying particular attention to color. This exercise shifted my perception, encouraging me to engage with my environment differently and discover beauty in overlooked details.

A key area of learning was depth of field and aperture. This required a steady, deliberate approach—and often the use of a tripod. I learned how aperture affects not only exposure but also focus and storytelling. It pushed me to slow down and carefully consider what should be sharp and what should gently fade away. Working this way deepened my appreciation for stillness, precision, and the emotional impact of selective focus.

I also spent time exploring shutter speed, which is used to either blur motion or freeze it in time. This took a lot of trial and error—and practice. But over time, I began to observe the flow of water, the rush of passing cars, and other moving subjects in a completely new light. I started to understand how motion could be used as a creative tool—not just something to capture, but something to shape.

With a background in graphic design, I’m used to working through intuition, observation, and careful composition. I found myself approaching photography with the same mindset. Though I’m still learning and exploring, photography has become a way for me to slow down and notice—capturing one considered frame at a time.

Aenean luctus quis ante id volutpat. Quisque sed elementum mi, nec porttitor dui. Donec sollicitudin finibus diam auctor sagittis. Nullam lacinia mollis urna, nec porta nibh. Vivamus ac faucibus nulla. Nulla facilisi. Fusce tincidunt ipsum aliquet, lacinia augue vitae, bibendum lectus. Suspendisse egestas sapien libero, eu efficitur lorem consectetur.

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Harvard Extension School
Spring 2025
Assignment 12, Photography Series
Crane Beach, Ipswich MA, USA 

Photography Series Inspiration:

Nature inspires me to see my surroundings with a new perspective...

Watching the waves... rolling toward the shore—swirling and moving with calm today...

Today’s little curiosities found along the way...

Ventured off the beach, into the dunes and onto the trails that lead me around magical places...

Found plovers scatter along the shoreline together…

Looking around—I wonder what’s out there—above, below and, beyond...

“A photo is a secret of a secret, the more it tells you the less you know〞—Diane Arbus