Teach yourself technology skills?

OK, so the crappy picture featured first in Alan Weintraut's slide show this morning was mine. When I saw it up on the projector I groaned a little. Why me?

But the truth is I'm not good photographer. It's definitely my journalistic blind spot. I have professional experience writing, editing and designing but not taking photographs. I have vague ideas of what the terms shutter speed, f stop and aperture mean, but it's mostly a hazy memory from J school.

Dylan Smith said journalists have to be willing to constantly learn new skills, and sometimes that means simply playing around with something until you teach yourself. I plan to somehow teach myself to become a better photographer. I also need to teach myself how to create a website.

What are some of your "teach yourself" goals?

Elaine Broussard
Belle Chasse High School
Belle Chasse, La.