post your suggestions for future assignment themes here

[Andy]

make it simple, i'm just one guy :bash

:andy

[dkapp]

Strangers in new places.

One thing I love about photography is getting out of the house, meeting new people and seeing new places.

I think it would be fun to have a contest where you go to a new place, or meet someone new. Share the photo, and tell the story.

What do you think?

Dave

[Andy]

http://www.pbase.com/stfchallenge/challenge_64

a contest i recently hosted.

[ginger_55]

Andy, if the one you posted on pbase, I think it was, had to do with getting out and meeting and photographing your neighbors, I think that is a great idea.

My husband could walk the dogs, as he does anyway, and I could get off the couch, or the computer, to go with him, actually meet "neighbors" and take their pictures. And other dogs, too.

Etc. I think that is a great idea.

ginger jones

[Thwack]

- unusual food (not the normal lettuce, apples, cans of soup stuff...emphasis on UNUSUAL)

- flying things

- texture

- things smaller than 1" (time to practice macro shots...might have to pluck the petals off some flowers to get the target under 1")

- insects (kind of creepy but I bet we'd get some cool entries!)

[Thwack]

- abrasive (but not your drunken inlaws) :D

- while on the water (picture must be taken while on the water...boat, kayak, wading, floating, swimming...)

- fishing-related

- something you made

- lunch

- cloud(s)

- pets

- dangling

- patterns

- behind the scenes

- emotion (posed pics excluded...capture an actual emotion in progress)

[Thwack]

- scenes from a flea market (or antique show, garage sale [boot sale for the UK folks I think])

- watercraft

- people in uniform

- crowd scene

[AltPro]

make it simple, i'm just one guy :bash

:andy
"Hands &/or Feet"
Simple and straight forward. A persons hands &/or feet tell the story of their life. In a much different way than the lines and creases etched into their faces-- yet still very telling...



"Paparazzi"
Photograph someone, or a group of "someones" unaware.

ginette

[wxwax]

Andy, it's great to see that you're getting involved. :thumb I look forward to some sensible, intelligent subject matter going forward. :nod

I'll repeat a suggestion that fell on deaf ears before.

Seems like we have at least a couple of goals in creating and participating in the photo challenges.

One, of course, is to enjoy the opportunity to make good photos and to share them with others.

Another, I think, is to improve our skills as photographers. It is towards that end that I make the following suggestion. Mix into the challenges, the standard lessons of photography courses. That way we can have fun, and learn as well.

For example, make one challenge about composition, using the rule of thirds (I'd suggest the Golden Mean but that makes my head hurt!) Make another challenge about using light to emphasize the subject. Learn how to use depth of field. Things like that. (I've never taken any photography courses, so I'm not the best guy to say what's in a typical syllabus.)

Perhaps others don't share my sense that the challenges can be used as a learning opportunity. If so, fair enough. On the other hand, many members may see this as a golden opportunity to learn basic photography skills in the fun environment of the challenges. I sure hope so!

[AltPro]

Sid:

I think that you may have hit on a good idea. Build some foundation work into the challenge. Seems few of us can hurt from re-emphasizing some of the basics, or the opportunity to gain new knowledge from one or a group who may know just a bit more on the subject, or offer a twist. It never hurts to look back at what we learned and try and build on it.

My nickles worth.

ginette

[wxwax]

Ginette, I always admired your wisdom. Now I know why. :evil

[AltPro]

Ginette, I always admired your wisdom. Now I know why. :evilRight, Sid...

[DoctorIt]

Andy, it's great to see that you're getting involved. :thumb I look forward to some sensible, intelligent subject matter going forward. :nod

I'll repeat a suggestion that fell on deaf ears before.

Seems like we have at least a couple of goals in creating and participating in the photo challenges.

One, of course, is to enjoy the opportunity to make good photos and to share them with others.

Another, I think, is to improve our skills as photographers. It is towards that end that I make the following suggestion. Mix into the challenges, the standard lessons of photography courses. That way we can have fun, and learn as well.

For example, make one challenge about composition, using the rule of thirds (I'd suggest the Golden Mean but that makes my head hurt!) Make another challenge about using light to emphasize the subject. Learn how to use depth of field. Things like that. (I've never taken any photography courses, so I'm not the best guy to say what's in a typical syllabus.)

Perhaps others don't share my sense that the challenges can be used as a learning opportunity. If so, fair enough. On the other hand, many members may see this as a golden opportunity to learn basic photography skills in the fun environment of the challenges. I sure hope so!Thats another vote for "agree with waxy"

Now that I have a battery grip on my camera, I think I'm all badass and too often forget about basics that I never mastered in the first place.
:D

[SavannahMan]

Did someone already suggest roadkill?

[AltPro]

Did someone already suggest roadkill?
EW!!!
Could be interesting tho'

[DoctorIt]

So this isn't a suggestion for a specific topic, but something came to mind as I was spending 2 hours on one image in photoshop the other day...

Is anyone interested in a "non-manipulated" photo contest?

Let me make it totally clear, I'm not against the wonders of photoshop, but sometimes, I feel like I spend less time out in the street or in the woods composing a good quality shot and more time making decent shots better with x number of fill layers and toning and this and that.

This is more inline with Waxy's suggestion earlier about having topics that force us to rely and fall back on very fundamental principles.

We already have a weekly photoshop challenge too, so its not like an 'as-shot' challenge would take away anyone's chance to be creative in PS as well.

Anyone agree? comments?

[DoctorIt]

If you are wondering where I got the "non-manipulated" idea:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/manipulation

notice things like desaturation to b/w are ok... with stipulations. Maybe we could add just that to our submissions: manipulated or not.

[AltPro]

So this isn't a suggestion for a specific topic, but something came to mind as I was spending 2 hours on one image in photoshop the other day...

Is anyone interested in a "non-manipulated" photo contest?

Let me make it totally clear, I'm not against the wonders of photoshop, but sometimes, I feel like I spend less time out in the street or in the woods composing a good quality shot and more time making decent shots better with x number of fill layers and toning and this and that.

This is more inline with Waxy's suggestion earlier about having topics that force us to rely and fall back on very fundamental principles.

We already have a weekly photoshop challenge too, so its not like an 'as-shot' challenge would take away anyone's chance to be creative in PS as well.

Anyone agree? comments?
Erik,

I think that would be a GREAT idea, except that you have to remember that there are some "Tweeks" that ought to be allowed.

IF you were developing a print in the darkroom, you would have control over the color saturation, contrast, density, lightness, (dodge, burn- these would be pushing the envelope beyond "basic" darkroom tools) and such.
This does not translate into the use of numerous layers, filters etc that are used to manipulate.
Most of my basic photos are "naked." In other words I only adjust the levels, warm the colors, and adjust the contrast then post. Altho' of late I have found myself cropping more than I would like... (The photos I pull from my Nikon Coolpix 5700 tend to be cooler than I prefer, so I warm the color a little-- very little, usually less than 6)
I agree that it would be very helpful to all of us to see if we could actually use the photo as it comes out of the camera, which would mean that we;


Crop in the field before shooting the subject
Took depth of field into consideration while in the field.
Focused with care.
Really observed and used the available lighting.
Chose the correct F-stop and Shutter speed.
And in general used what came out of the camera, with only "basic darkroom" tools.
Perhaps we should show the "original full negative" and the "print," with each submission.
I am all for relearning the basics, as I've said before. There is a lot to be gained. Just my thoughts on your idea.
ginette

[DoctorIt]

Erik,

I think that would be a GREAT idea, except that you have to remember that there are some "Tweeks" that ought to be allowed.
Of course... this is exactly what my second post addresses. The photo.net guidelines allow for this kind of "tweaking". It reads almost word for word what you just wrote. Click on that link I posted, you'll find its really quite good and exactly what we're agreeing on.

:D

[AltPro]

Of course... this is exactly what my second post addresses. The photo.net guidelines allow for this kind of "tweaking". It reads almost word for word what you just wrote. Click on that link I posted, you'll find its really quite good and exactly what we're agreeing on.

:D Erik;
Done... Yup you're right!
I saved it!!!

[wxwax]

I think it's worth a try. AS long as we can work the contrast, levels and saturation, I think it makes for a good challenge. One catch - the number of people who heavily photoshop their images is fairly small, I suspect.

[AltPro]

I think it's worth a try. AS long as we can work the contrast, levels and saturation, I think it makes for a good challenge. One catch - the number of people who heavily photoshop their images is fairly small, I suspect.
Sid...
I'm not so sure about that... I think there are quite a few "frequent PhotoShoppers," among those who regularly participate in the challenges. Some more heavy handed than others...
I love PhotoShop... But was taught that the goal in using it was that you couldn't tell it had been used. Look through the challenges, and see if you can detect the manipulations.

ginette

[DoctorIt]

I think Waxy is close to right. Maybe what spurred me on was seeing quite a few submissions that made heavy use of Cletus' concurrent photoshop challenge. For example, this toning one has inspired what I consider some heavy use of layers.

Again, really, reiterate reiterate: I LOVE PS and highly appreciate how much I can learn about using it here on this forum. Photography is art, and PS is just another tool to bring it where the artist wants it.

[ginger_55]

I loved the idea of pathways, because it was an interpretation of an idea that you could photoshop or not. I have been using the shenanigans assignments back and forth, but my most successful, to me, and most obviously photoshopped thing would not work on pathways, even by the broadest interpretation.

Maybe you could have the theme, with rules under the theme. But some of us really do need to learn, hope to learn, I do. I can shoot a straight photograph, have been doing it for years, do the rules of thirds naturally. But if compositon is a problem area for some, then we could do the theme with the underlying composition rules or suggestions worked in.

Uh, I disagree that a photograph should always look natural, sometimes I think it should, or one might want it, to look anything but, and sometimes, one might want to just make a "natural" photograph "pop". One I put in the challenge, for the moment, it just didn't pop, it was bothering me as I really like the idea of the photograph, so I did layer upon layer, and it suddenly felt right, that is where I left it. I would almost defy anyone to pick it out, as it looks the least photoshopped of the photos I have up there, IMO.

Others look photoshopped, I wanted them to.

OK, I don't know anything about masking, would love to. I have no idea what the word levels means. And I can't read a histogram. I am buying one more book, but it really helps me to learn this stuff, and I don't see that it is wrong, or is the same as an assignment like pathways where you can photoshop or not.

I have been wondering about the last black and white ones, would love to know how they were made.

I have not made any suggestions, maybe I should, but I still would like learning to be incorporated, if wanted, into the results. If the rule were blk and white only, there are different ways to get there. I would like to know all of them, and I suppose that is Cletus thing, but I hate the idea of not using what I have learned as the more I use it, the more it is a part of my knowledge base.

Oh, I did say at one point that I would like to meet my neighbors, I just would say that I have changed my mind. I have had enough problems with this last assignment, and one of the scariest things was the people. I have often been around a group of people who definitely do not want their pictures taken. I think I am stealing their souls or something. It is very embarrassing for me, and scary for them. If I have taken their pictures, it has been with an extremely long lens and secretly, otherwise I have promised them that I would not put them in a picture. But I am tired of asking people. It makes my stomach knot up. If my family were here, I would take their pictures, but I would be dependent on strangers pictures, I have discovered that they terrify me. My being almost deaf probably is a factor there.

Sorry for the rant.

ginger

[AltPro]

Ginger...
I think you have misinterpreted what we are saying, and you may want to go back, to the very beginning of the thread to follow it all. None of us is against PhotoShop. Least of all me... I have been using it since Photoshop 4 was out, and have a true love and respect for what it can do.

We are discussing the possibility of another Challenge. One that would primarily focus on the basics-- methods to build up and improve our general photography talents and skills. So you see, this was not intended to be an "instead of" but rather an "in addition to..."

Photoshop is a very potent tool. When used well it can enhance a photo, change it in thousands of ways both subtle or obvious... But there are times when manipulations actually destroy a photographic image, and turn it into less, rather than more. The line can be gray at first, but then quickly crossed. Nothing would please me more than to be a part of a forum on Photoshop Skills as well. You stated that you know nothing about Levels... You should look at Levels. Adjusting the levels is adjusting the balance of light (whites) to darks (blacks) within any give photo.
Adjusting the levels is one of the first things you should do, with a photo. (After of course saving the photo as a PSD file, which is the MOST important.) If you look at the Levels Graph of a couple of photos, you will probably notice that on some of the photos, the graph will bunch at either the light, or dark end with none of the graph reaching the opposite end. You want to adjust the slider so that the triangle almost touches the graph. Of course this is just a generality, and there really is much more to it, but if you start with Saving as a PSD File, then adjusting the levels, you are moving in the right direction, right from the start.

Here's a fun one I did...
"Frog Day at the Beach"
http://ThroughTheLensLtd.smugmug.com/photos/4567246-L.jpg
How much is Photoshopped? How much is not? Did it help, or hurt? Only the viewer can form that opinion.

Anyway, I hold my viewpoint that along with Sid and Erik, I agree that it would be a good thing to have a challenge for "non-manipulated" photos as well.

I remain,
ginette

[DoctorIt]

As usual, Ginette, the kind ambassador does a nice job of clearing things up. I thought about responding to some of Ginger's "rant" but you did it so much better.

Thanks!

[AltPro]

As usual, Ginette, the kind ambassador does a nice job of clearing things up. I thought about responding to some of Ginger's "rant" but you did it so much better.
Thanks!
Aww Shucks Erik...
Kind Ambassador?
You think?
My family might get a chuckle out of that one!
But Thank you... I did try...
ginette

[wxwax]

I find that I concentrate so much on composition that I tend to minimize the importance of light and color. I would like more assignments that force me to concentrate on these fundamentals.

One area where I think I'm especially weak is color. I would very much like to have to focus on color as a subject for a couple of weeks. Could make for some interesting shots. I guess my mind goes, not to a single vivid color, but to a kaleidoscope of colors. I've seen beautiful work like this, and recognize that I'm not even close to having that in my repertoire.

As I walk down a street looking for shots, I always look for shapes and composition, and I must miss hundreds of other opportunities as a result.

[SeeMoon]

Here are my suggestions for next challenges;

Water; rain, rivers, sea..I think it is difficult and a real challenge,
Black & white portraits,
Motion/ movement; I really was inspired by the picture of John R: "saying goodbye"!
People at work.

[ginger_55]

Suggestion for new assignment: Freedom

ginger

[rutt]

Available light portraits
Twilight or dawn
Impossible colors
high & low
Surprise
Degree of difficulty
Action

[SavannahMan]

How about

High Speed
In Water
Prisoners Rioting
Night Portraits
Celebration
Animals in Action
Self nudes first thing in the morning
Still Life with Atypical Fruit
Sunlight (as the central focus)
Things in Savannah, GA.

[wxwax]

How about

Self nudes


:eek1

How about

Things in Savannah, GA.
:wxwax

[pathfinder]

Andy - Since photography IS "writing with light", maybe we should have some contest subjects determined by lighting rather than subject eg; front lighting, flat lighting, harsh lighting, side lighting, back lighting, colored lighting, sillouhettes, etc. This takes the emphasis off the subject and onto the art of using light to create an image. Any value in trying something like this?

We all say that lighting is the most important thing, but most of us forget it when it come to peering through a viewfinder - myself included. That is why having the emphasis on lighting style rather than subject might be educational. That is what was trying to demonstrate with my lawn ornaments.

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3492047-M.jpg

[SavannahMan]

:eek1


:wxwax
C'mon there. My own mother doesn't take me seriously. lmao. The prisoners rioting didn't raise your eyebrow(s)?

[pathfinder]

C'mon there. My own mother doesn't take me seriously. lmao. The prisoners rioting didn't raise your eyebrow(s)?
http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gifhttp://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gifhttp://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gifhttp://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif

I about laughed myself sick!

[ginger_55]

I vote the subject be

Savannah Man

Loved his suggestions, I don't know about seeing him nude first thing in the morning, but would love to watch him in the water with his camera.

We could maybe even get him in jail for inciting a prison riot. I am sure there are many other things on his lists I would enjoy photographing Savannahman doing.

ginger

[DoctorIt]

How about


Prisoners Rioting

Somethin' you're not telling us???

[wxwax]

C'mon there. My own mother doesn't take me seriously. lmao. The prisoners rioting didn't raise your eyebrow(s)?

I think the attempt at humor in my response may have been too subtle. :freaky

[SavannahMan]

Sorry Waxy, lol. My humor is often mistaken with bad results. Just makin' sure! The prison riot might be possible, we're gearing up for G8 here. We're the media center. Yay! Unfortunately I'm going to be in Atl for a class that week, so no protester pictures unfortunately. (sob)
I would love to pose in the water ginger, but who would take the picture? I'm open for being the subject, but I only have two rooms at my place available. The rest of you have to stay downtown with the Secret service, National Guard, reporters, and angry activists!

[AltPro]

Andy - Since photography IS "writing with light", maybe we should have some contest subjects determined by lighting rather than subject eg; front lighting, flat lighting, harsh lighting, side lighting, back lighting, colored lighting, sillouhettes, etc. This takes the emphasis off the subject and onto the art of using light to create an image. Any value in trying something like this?

PathFinder,
I think what you are suggesting is right along with what I was going to suggest as well...


the Quality of Light
An assignment using the quality of light makes "Lighting" the focus of the subject, rather than the actual subject itself. It opens up a myriad of photographic opportunities.
Photography literally means, "writing with light," and light is the basic component of any photograph, but it is very interesting when light becomes the subject itself.
Pools of light make interesting photos on their own. Light dappled through the trees, hard lighting, soft lighting, spotlighting, rim or back lighting, silhouettes, front lighting, natural, artificial, or flash... the list goes on.
Oy vey... I'm agreeing, but probably saying too much.
ginette

[wxwax]

I like Pathfinder's suggestions a lot. Gets to the fundamentals of good photography. Ginette, I see what you mean. I guess the Bright Light assignment covered an aspect of what you're talking about?

[wxwax]

Sorry Waxy, lol. My humor is often mistaken with bad results. Just makin' sure! The prison riot might be possible, we're gearing up for G8 here. We're the media center. Yay! Unfortunately I'm going to be in Atl for a class that week, so no protester pictures unfortunately. (sob)
I would love to pose in the water ginger, but who would take the picture? I'm open for being the subject, but I only have two rooms at my place available. The rest of you have to stay downtown with the Secret service, National Guard, reporters, and angry activists!


:feelgood Maybe I can buy you a beverage while you're here?

[SavannahMan]

:feelgood Maybe I can buy you a beverage while you're here?Only if by "beverage" you mean vodka martini! :slosh

[AltPro]

I like Pathfinder's suggestions a lot. Gets to the fundamentals of good photography. Ginette, I see what you mean. I guess the Bright Light assignment covered an aspect of what you're talking about?
Yes & no, Sid.

Bright Light was, at least for me, more about controlling the bright light so that there was still depth in the shadow, and the highlights were not blown away. OF course that wasn't what most of us really did, but I think that was the "real" focus of the assignment.
The quality of light is using the light to actually create the photo. The light sets the mood, ambience-- the overall feel of the photo.
The light is what gives a photo depth, or makes it look flat. Learning to mold that quality so that you get a beautiful photo rather than a drab one, is what I am talking about.
For example...Most of us recognize that a sunset is beautiful, but if we turn our back on the sunset, and use the lighting from that sunset to light our subject... The "Golden moments." The photos and portraits taken at this time can be really beautiful. Of course that means we've studied the shot, composed and focused... and then, taken the photo.
Here are two that sort of show the difference, same day, same child, only a couple of feet difference in the yard. The First one taken before sunset and the second one taken using warm cast of the winter sunset as the lighting source. Both unadjusted for you to see the difference. Not the best example, but two I had at quick reach.

http://throughthelensltd.smugmug.com/photos/4770031-M.jpg

http://throughthelensltd.smugmug.com/photos/4769966-M.jpg
09 November 2003
ginette

[gubbs]

Street entertainers and musicians

[ginger_55]

With the talk of the size of pictures submitted from Smugmug, portraits desired as a Large, I thought that "portraits" would be a good topic for a challenge.

ginger

[DavidTO]

Patches
Intersections
Moods

[gus]

In the dark ......

[lynnma]

I think the attempt at humor in my response may have been too subtle. :freakyno.. it was'nt :D

[lynnma]

I love the back light side light (lighting) idea of Pathfinders. :D

[damonff]

I second Gubbs...

Street entertainers and musicians

[damonff]

Well put Ginette.

[ginger_55]

I have other things that I want to know, but that infrared is driving me nuts, and I can't find it in other sources, not that i understand. Do I need a filter, or can I do it with photoshop?

Also cutting something out and putting in in another place or photo.

Either as assignments, or as Cletus things.

ginger

[Sandy]

Rare (finds, things, objects), anything rare. all of the techniques can then be applied for effects. This subject came me quite suddenly today. What do you think?

[Andy]

just want you all to know that coming up soon, we *will* for sure have a "minimal-photoshop-usage" challenge. meaning, just the basics will be allowed.

your benevolent host is listening

[mercphoto]

I have other things that I want to know, but that infrared is driving me nuts, and I can't find it in other sources, not that i understand. Do I need a filter, or can I do it with photoshop?
I don't think infrared photography is possible with a visible-light digital camera. You'd need a CCD that was sensitive to a different spectrum of light, just like infrared film is. Can anyone correct me?

In the least, it can't be done with Photoshop, as the imager isn't going to record infrared light to begin with. If it ain't there in the image in the first place, PS can't retrieve it.

[DoctorIt]

just want you all to know that coming up soon, we *will* for sure have a "minimal-photoshop-usage" challenge. meaning, just the basics will be allowed.

your benevolent host is listeningcool, thanks andy!

[Andy]

you can try with any camera. you need an ir filter, like a hoya r72 to start. if your camera isn't one that supports ir (like the sony f7x7 or f828) then you need to shoot in manual ir, which means long exposures (tripod) and trial and error.

also, here's a good thread on "pseudo-ir" via photoshop (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=9047885)

[ginger_55]

just want you all to know that coming up soon, we *will* for sure have a "minimal-photoshop-usage" challenge. meaning, just the basics will be allowed.

your benevolent host is listening
_____________________________

May the best camera win, lol.

Nevermind, ginger

(big difference in pop between my canon elph and my 300 rebel, at least according to my just "off the street" relatives, smile.)

Hey, we could have a workshop on "basics", you know, "manual", on Shenanigans. There is a reason I am going to have to learn manual, it is coming up, but I can't remember why, just will do it. But to use it to the best it can be, well, there is a workshop there, I know there is.

[mercphoto]

you can try with any camera. you need an ir filter, like a hoya r72 to start. if your camera isn't one that supports ir (like the sony f7x7 or f828) then you need to shoot in manual ir, which means long exposures (tripod) and trial and error.p (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=9047885)
Hang on. Doesn't make sense to me. The R72 filters out non-IR light, basically. Hoya even says the filter should be used with IR film. The filter doesn't make non-IR film take IR images, because non-IR film isn't very sensitive to IR light. Ditto with our digital imagers.

So, while this might be tricking things a bit, it isn't really IR photography.

[Andy]

Hang on. Doesn't make sense to me. The R72 filters out non-IR light, basically. Hoya even says the filter should be used with IR film. The filter doesn't make non-IR film take IR images, because non-IR film isn't very sensitive to IR light. Ditto with our digital imagers.

So, while this might be tricking things a bit, it isn't really IR photography.

take a look at daniella's ir stuff

right here (http://www.pbase.com/zylen/infrared_with_dimage_7)

[ginger_55]

[QUOTE=andy]you can try with any camera. you need an ir filter, like a hoya r72 to start. if your camera isn't one that supports ir (like the sony f7x7 or f828) then you need to shoot in manual ir, which means long exposures (tripod) and trial and error.

also, here's a good thread on "pseudo-ir" via photoshop (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=9047885)[/QUOT

_________________________________

Thanks, Andy. I just copied that "pseudo-ir" post. Also copied your Harbor shots. You sure get a lot of accolades there, but where you find the time?
I have a question, you might want to answer me off the list, or on, I don't care. I have been a member of dpreview for months. I have a Canon Rebel, so that is usually where I have gone, before that the Canon elph, or just Canon. Will have to visit your stuff on Sony. But where are the contests?
I have not seen them mentioned. Are they under a forum, or where? I would like to look at the winners,etc. ginger

[ginger_55]

I bought a magazine, from UK, actually that is where it originates, I bought it at Barnes and Noble outside of Charleston, SC. It has an article on "How to create infrared effects in photoshop 7". The actual article is called "Faking it".
The magazine is called "Better Digital Photography". It was supposed to have a CD in it, but that was missing. Might not have worked here anyway? There were several subjects in the mag that I really wanted info on. The cover price is $7.95. Anyway, faking IR is in the magazines, thought I would let you know.
ginger

[Wolf]

take a look at daniella's ir stuff

right here (http://www.pbase.com/zylen/infrared_with_dimage_7)
Very nice images!! Thanks Andy for the link, you da man!!

[ginger_55]

Very nice images!! Thanks Andy for the link, you da man!!
_____________________________

Of course, he is da man!

Now, Danielle, she is the one who did the Joshua Tree. I have been loving her stuff on dpreview for a long time. I have not been there much, as I am on dog lists, hard of hearing lists, I play tennis and try to have some kind of a life, like time to take pictures. But when deciding on a camera and afterwards,and before, I haunted dpreview. Danielle, well she does beautiful work, and that Joshua Tree, well I just wish I had one, but it wouldn't look like hers does on my camera.

Thanks for the link to her site, Andy. I just had not picked up on it before.
ginger (you still da man!)

[mercphoto]

take a look at daniella's ir stuff

right here (http://www.pbase.com/zylen/infrared_with_dimage_7)
I'm not saying the results aren't pretty, or don't have the appearance of an IR image. I'm saying its not true infrared photography. The images aren't really from the IR spectrum of light, they are just modified to APPEAR that way. I'm arguing from a purist standpoint here.

With visible-light film or CCD you cannot capture a true IR image, period. It won't register those wavelengths. Its physics.

[Wolf]

What did I miss? Using Photoshop 6, followed directions on link. I think I goofed somewhere.

[Andy]

I'm not saying the results aren't pretty, or don't have the appearance of an IR image. I'm saying its not true infrared photography. The images aren't really from the IR spectrum of light, they are just modified to APPEAR that way. I'm arguing from a purist standpoint here.

With visible-light film or CCD you cannot capture a true IR image, period. It won't register those wavelengths. Its physics.

taken with a factory issued sony f828, hoya r72 aboard and nd8 filter. this shot was taken at 345in the afternoon on bright sunny winter's day.
http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/2267949-M.jpg

taken with a factory issued sony f828, hoya r720 aboard, and nd8 filter. this shot was taken at noon on a bright sunny day in the caribbean. ir really makes the skin look creamy ;-)
http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/2575593-M.jpg

taken with an ir-modified (*) sony f828, maxmax 1000nm filter aboard. i love how infrared makes the clouds so dramatic and the water black as night.
http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/3381410-M.jpg

taken in midafternoon with ir-modified(*) sony f828, maxmax xdp filter aboard. i love how ir makes the foliage white ;-)
http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/4859339-M.jpg

taken with ir-modified (*) sony f828, maxmax xdp filter aboard. i also applied selective luminosity toning in post for this shot:
http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/4624392-M.jpg

(*) my review of this camera is here (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=8288344)

so yeah, you can shoot ir with a ccd based camera :thumb . real and true ir.

[Wolf]

What did I miss? Using Photoshop 6, followed directions on link. I think I goofed somewhere.
Ok, is it that bad? Do I have B.O.? Am I that bad that nobody wants to respond? Yikes...

[Andy]

Ok, is it that bad? Do I have B.O.? Am I that bad that nobody wants to respond? Yikes...

i've never tried the technique. i'll review your work later this evening, ok?

[ginger_55]

What did I miss? Using Photoshop 6, followed directions on link. I think I goofed somewhere.
Wolf, this is ginger, I worked all afternoon on the fake infrared. I never got it just right. This is a picture of my daughter.

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5241544-M.jpg

I picked it because it is one of the few photos I have with lots of trees, it was near DC while I was visiting her there.

Are you upset about the blue? Did you use the monochrome, click on the monochrome box everywhere there is one. Tell me what your technical problem is, and I can tell you what I did, that is all I can do. Andy has a special camera, or something we don't have. But he will come back and say something. I want to start this as a thread.

The Tutorial Andy told us about did not seem complete to me. I was also using the magazine I bought, a book, not the book much though, and I was guessing and improvising. This is the first picture I did. It was as good as any.

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5241540-M.jpg

I actually took that this afternoon. It was already starting to rain, I just could not get any action from the dogs at all. So I used this to experiment.
I would like to know how Andy got the selective color in his photos.

ginger

[ginger_55]

Southern Winter Road

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5242663-M.jpg

I think it worked best, but I am concerned because the "greys" are kind of strange. I used curves, that brightened the parts I wanted brighter, but it did strange things to the greys, I think. ginger

[Wolf]

Thanks for sharing the shots Ginger. I have a couple of other ones also, gonna post in a bit. They came out similar to the ones you posted as well. I must have messed up something in curves on the first post. But, I want to be able to get the same type of feel to the shots that Daniella's examples have. Or at least close, ya know!! Thanks again. Back in a few with those other shots.

[Andy]

Southern Winter Road


I think it worked best, but I am concerned because the "greys" are kind of strange. I used curves, that brightened the parts I wanted brighter, but it did strange things to the greys, I think. ginger

good on you, ginger and wolf, for trying! however, i think, the best thing to do if you reeaaaaaly want to take great infrared is to buy a used sony f7x7 off of ebay, and get an ir filter, and a couple nd filters... and have at it ;-) nothing beats the real thing!

[wxwax]

What did I miss? Using Photoshop 6, followed directions on link. I think I goofed somewhere.

I followed his directions, didn't get much of an IR effect, so I fiddled with different settings in Channel Mixer, got this (I left the steps in color.)

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/5251586-M.jpg

[AltPro]

Andy:
I used to do IR work with my medium and Large Format cameras, but until seeing your work, had really kind of thought that IR work wasn't done with Digital... Again, I have been proven wrong. I know nothing about the Sony f7x7 that you mentioned... In fact really know nil about Sony digitals, period. Would love some of your insight.

Here is my first attempt at using the Photoshop tip that you offered. Only had time to spend about 15 minutes this first time, but I can see that it might be better used with practice.

Any comments or improvement tips would be much appreciated. Am always striving to make headway...

ginette

http://ThroughTheLensLtd.smugmug.com/photos/5252273-L.jpg
Used the early sunrise image as in the quality of light thread
http://ThroughTheLensLtd.smugmug.com/photos/5243597-L.jpg

[Wolf]

Another try!

[Wolf]

And another. I'll be honest, I didn't do the final desaturation on this one.

[Wolf]

One more...

[Wolf]

I tweaked this one a bit. Hmmm.... I think I might like it?

[wxwax]

Yeah, I think so. :nod It's really nice, Wolf, the reflection works.

[Wolf]

Yeah, I think so. :nod It's really nice, Wolf, the reflection works.
Thanks!!

[ginger_55]

I tweaked this one a bit. Hmmm.... I think I might like it?
_______________________

I like it, I like all of yours, better than mine anyway. Not like Danielle's. But then again, my photography is not as stunning as Danielle's. She did the Joshua Tree. Just went out and threw a filter on for the heck of it and came back with the Joshua Tree. Put her way far away from me. So I am not going to go "after" Danielle, so to speak. Don't know how much work that would take, and I am doing enough now.

I think you are getting better on the fake, IR, and I like the steps that someone left in color, too. I am sorry if this has been here awhile, and I have not answered. I kind of put the IR stuff away for the moment.
ginger

[Wolf]

_______________________

I like it, I like all of yours, better than mine anyway. Not like Danielle's. But then again, my photography is not as stunning as Danielle's. She did the Joshua Tree. Just went out and threw a filter on for the heck of it and came back with the Joshua Tree. Put her way far away from me. So I am not going to go "after" Danielle, so to speak. Don't know how much work that would take, and I am doing enough now.

I think you are getting better on the fake, IR, and I like the steps that someone left in color, too. I am sorry if this has been here awhile, and I have not answered. I kind of put the IR stuff away for the moment.
ginger
Thanks a lot Ginger! I appreciate your comments and your time.

[ginger_55]

Found this little book, Sierra Club's Photography and the Art of Seeing, has some subject headings that would make good assignments, imo. There are some headings on "light", but since I suspect we will be doing that next, I am not going to write them down. One thing I like about these suggestions is that they are not so broad as to encompass just about everything. Narrows the subjects down a bit. g

Colour and emotion
colour and time
colour as a thing in itself
colour and composition
dynamic simplicity
frames and windows
To amputate, or not, and how best...
appropriate colour
Symbolism as related to colours, etc.
Reflections
hues used as symbols (ex. seasons of the year, etc.)
Using lens flare as a plus
Distortion, as in bldgs used as a plus (not corrected in ps)
Side lighting
Perspective

THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPH, hehehehehe

[wxwax]

Wow, tough stuff Ginger. Excellent suggestions, but they skeer me! Color and time? Yikes! Lessee, light for day and dark for night... yup, that's about the limit of my range.

[ginger_55]

Wow, tough stuff Ginger. Excellent suggestions, but they skeer me! Color and time? Yikes! Lessee, light for day and dark for night... yup, that's about the limit of my range.
"Time" scared me, too, until the author used autumn leaves as an example, smile.

He is Freeman Patterson, I would like a couple of his books, this one is not supposed to be one of his better ones, but good for "inspirations" and suggestions. He has one coming out, and another one I would like. Pretty cheap.

ginger

[dragon300zx]

The "love of our life". This can be a very broad and fun topic for everyone. Doesn't have to be just people. Could be our Significant other, child, parents, friends, car, camera, special place, etc. But creating a photo that can make others feel how important that love is to you. Photo's with emotion are always the best.

[PerezDesignGroup]

Read the "Assignment" near the bottom of this webpage (http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/Photography_lessons/a_about/_Teaching_composition.html). Sounds like fun AND a significant composition experiment for all.

[wxwax]

Read the "Assignment" near the bottom of this webpage (http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/Photography_lessons/a_about/_Teaching_composition.html). Sounds like fun AND a significant composition experiment for all.
You're right, it sounds like a lot of fun. I sorta, kinda did that one day when I got my current camera, and was freed from the bondage of a tripod. Reading things like your link make me want to take a photography course.

[ginger_55]

Color

[AltPro]

Quiet places
In the Dark
Night Shots
Timed Exposures- Post of exposure times required
Age
Extremities Hands-Feet

[gubbs]

Has probably already been suggested, but I saw someone looking for help with a selective focus/dof assignment which would be interesting, what do you think??

[wxwax]

Has probably already been suggested, but I saw someone looking for help with a selective focus/dof assignment which would be interesting, what do you think??


:nod That would be a good one, I think. This weekend I played with trying to shoot someone distant and in a crowd, trying to use DOF to make them stand out. I think I need more practice. :evil I guess to make it work you'd at least need a camera with Aperture control.

[gubbs]

Again sorry if its already been suggested, How about something that involves portraits, maybe partners, friends or families?

[ginger_55]

Everything sounds good, or scary, to me. Depending upon my mood.

I was reading Sid's post, I think it was his, about wanting to think more about color. I would like that as a goal also, and a Challenge on it would certainly be an asset to my photography.

He says he concentrates on composition, I tell a "story". I enjoy doing essays using more than one photo for many subjects, so the "story" is what I look for.
I have said to myself, Ginger, color is a powerful thing in color photography.
Beautiful photographs with vivid, soft, or whatever, color have inspired me to go out and think color. I think color, photograph color (not very well, at least not as well as I would like, or as well as I do other things), then I see something, and I go for the "story" in the shot again, forgetting that color is what I am shooting.

I have concentrated on people in the past. I just did the Summer Storm and then Evening Colors (the rainbow), they were both color shots, and that was good, someone else might think I was photographing color, but I was really photographing an event, I could even make an essay out of the photographs I have of either evening.

I have a dream of someday going to a junkyard, no events, just squashed cars, and color. On the way I am sure I would find an event and use all my memory, I would really like a Challenge that focused completely on Color being the goal.

hehe, one reason I would like it to be a Challenge is that when I have shot just color, there is no one to show it to, I would like an audience as an incentive to focus on color as the goal, and then be able to show it.

ginger

I don't make trouble, trouble makes me

[AltPro]

Children interacting with their pets.
Facial Expressions.
Humor. ie shots that make us smile.

Night shots.
Age.
Textures.
Extremities, ie. hands, feet.
Point of Sale. ie, store fronts, counters, queues, signs, concepts...

Emotions, ie tears, crying, laughter, quietude, joy...
Long Exposure Shots.
Old & New together

ginette:dunno

[Andy]

thanks for the suggestions :wink

hands and feet?

check out the current stf challenge ;-) (http://www.pbase.com/stfchallenge/challenge_73_hands_and_feet)

i entered in the eligible gallery.



Children interacting with their pets.
Facial Expressions.
Humor. ie shots that make us smile.

Night shots.
Age.
Textures.
Extremities, ie. hands, feet.
Point of Sale. ie, store fronts, counters, queues, signs, concepts...

Emotions, ie tears, crying, laughter, quietude, joy...
Long Exposure Shots.
Old & New together

ginette:dunno

[AltPro]

thanks for the suggestions :wink

hands and feet?

check out the current stf challenge ;-) (http://www.pbase.com/stfchallenge/challenge_73_hands_and_feet)

i entered in the eligible gallery. Andy, I enjoyed the Sony Hands & Feet Gallery... Really liked your image, "the Shine." Great movement.:clap

I have been pushing for a hands and feet challenge for a while... Eventually it will come to pass. The last few challenges have been broader based challenges... without the need of creeping things, or at least the creeping things were not the greater focus of the study.

Glad you liked some of the suggestions... Hope they will help.

FYI: I honestly appreciated the value of a non-photoshop challenge. While I really thrive on "darkroom and photoshop tricks and techniques," there is great value in being able to capture the image within the camera. Using the view finder to crop & compose, the meter and the eye to determine f-stop, and aperature.

I really have enjoyed the challenges, only wish that I had more time to participate of late.

:bow Thanks for all your effort, it's greaty appreciated! :bow
ginette

[wxwax]

I have a dream of someday going to a junkyard, no events, just squashed cars, and color.
What a great idea, Ginger. I'll have to try that someday.

[tmlphoto]

What does everyone think about an "exhibition" thread for each challenge, where old pics that fit the challenge can be viewed to provide inspiration and allow us to showcase some of our old good shots ( that has to be the worst, longest runon sentence, oh well....)
Thoughts??? :dunno :scratch

[Stan]

What does everyone think about an "exhibition" thread for each challenge, where old pics that fit the challenge can be viewed to provide inspiration and allow us to showcase some of our old good shots ( that has to be the worst, longest runon sentence, oh well....)
Thoughts??? :dunno :scratch

I understood it :) and like the idea. Andy gives some good fodder for the challenge. Not read the whole thread but what about Shadows

[wxwax]

What does everyone think about an "exhibition" thread for each challenge, where old pics that fit the challenge can be viewed to provide inspiration and allow us to showcase some of our old good shots ( that has to be the worst, longest runon sentence, oh well....)
Thoughts??? :dunno :scratch

Interesting idea. Some folks already show old shots in the Comments/Critique threads.

[lynnesite]

Children interacting with their pets.
Facial Expressions.
Humor. ie shots that make us smile.

Night shots.
Age.
Textures.
Extremities, ie. hands, feet.
Point of Sale. ie, store fronts, counters, queues, signs, concepts...

Emotions, ie tears, crying, laughter, quietude, joy...
Long Exposure Shots.
Old & New together

ginette:dunno

I love your ideas, particularly textures and emotion.

What about "negative space"? I enjoy finding that, does anyone else?
Here's an example from last night:http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/photos/6996902-M.jpg

[AltPro]

I love your ideas, particularly textures and emotion.
What about "negative space"? I enjoy finding that, does anyone else?
Yes Lynnesite,


Negative Space could be interesting...
Also like


Shadows as a concept...
as well as


the Abstract Form
ginette

[Stan]

Lynnesite, even the pictures not of your horse are beautiful :D

How about, for something different, Cryptic Song Titles

[lynnesite]

Lynnesite, even the pictures not of your horse are beautiful :D

How about, for something different, Cryptic Song Titles

Boy, imagine the critque thread length on THAT one, Stan! (thanks re the non-horse)

Ginette, all good ideas, you're full of them!

Lynne

[AltPro]

I have another suggestion....



Subliminal Messages.
ginette

[Joe_76]

Hi there - my first post at Dgrin, I normally live over at STF (Dpreview.com). (Username is chelsea_joe over there). Anyhow, I was reading a post by Andy over at STF and he mentioned dgrin, so I thought I would check it out...! I like it.

Anyway, regarding possible photo challenge assigments, I thought Album covers would be a good idea. I'm not talking about a full scale repro of Sgt Peppers :rofl but something that captures the essence of the album. Maybe too similar to the current challenge (song titles) to be done soon, but add it too the list!!

Looking forward to being here!!

Joe

[lynnma]

Hi there - my first post at Dgrin, I normally live over at STF (Dpreview.com). (Username is chelsea_joe over there). Anyhow, I was reading a post by Andy over at STF and he mentioned dgrin, so I thought I would check it out...! I like it.

Anyway, regarding possible photo challenge assigments, I thought Album covers would be a good idea. I'm not talking about a full scale repro of Sgt Peppers :rofl but something that captures the essence of the album. Maybe too similar to the current challenge (song titles) to be done soon, but add it too the list!!

Looking forward to being here!!

Joe:wave Hey!! Hi Joe... nice of you to drop in.. we are a friendly bunch (unless you deprive some of these guys of beer) and we love new blood.

Look forward to seeing your stuff in the challenges.
Lynn

[AltPro]

Ideas for future Challenges.



Subliminal Messages
Emotions
Before & Afters
Shadows
Quiet times
Inside Images Only
Hands & Feet
ginette

[the fist]

To begin-- I must say that this website is exactly what I've been looking for...Baldy has done an excellent job with these discussion forums and was turned on to this site through my rather obsessive involvement on advrider.com-- It seems that this site is just as addicting and I thank eveyone for their contributions.

Moving on -- I would like to suggest a future assignment...

As an active camper and outdoorsman, I have tried to capture the magic and mystery of a campfire... My camera is rather lack lustre and often take lots of pictures using lots of settings until I find the right shot.... I'm sure there are ideal settings for low-light, campfire gatherings that I would very much like to explore. I have primarily shot candid photos of friends and family but would like to open this unique setting to objects and things besides people.

Any thoughts ?

Here's an example...

[Andy]

done! the current challenge "after sundown" is perfect for a campfire shot! in fact, it could be a winner.

go for it :D

To begin-- I must say that this website is exactly what I've been looking for...Baldy has done an excellent job with these discussion forums and was turned on to this site through my rather obsessive involvement on advrider.com-- It seems that this site is just as addicting and I thank eveyone for their contributions.

Moving on -- I would like to suggest a future assignment...

As an active camper and outdoorsman, I have tried to capture the magic and mystery of a campfire... My camera is rather lack lustre and often take lots of pictures using lots of settings until I find the right shot.... I'm sure there are ideal settings for low-light, campfire gatherings that I would very much like to explore. I have primarily shot candid photos of friends and family but would like to open this unique setting to objects and things besides people.

Any thoughts ?

Here's an example...

[judyfuess]

how about ... "more than meets the eye" .. thought you could get some interesting pictures here.

[AltPro]

Some photo assignments that might hold appeal...




Cliche's
Emotions
Tight Spaces
Faces

Hands & Feet
Monochromes
Close-ups
Table Top Work... ie. Small set ups
Shadows
Textures
Repetitions... ie things that are repeated, over and over

ginette

[AltPro]

Homonyms
Cliche's
ginette

[jwear]

Homonyms
Cliche's


ginette







[QUOTE =JWEAR] IT'S NOT BAD ENOUGH we have to learn to type, all the dials and buttons on the camera now we have to buy a dictionary but if you get the challenge I have a shot.[qutoe/]:clap

[AltPro]

Ok...Ok...
Here's an example:
Homonyms

The following words are some common English Homonyms, meaning they sound the same, but they have different meanings. These words actually cause misunderstanding when the wrong one is used. Some of these words have several independent meanings for the same spelling of the same sound making them even more confusing.




here - hear
know - no
are - our
to - two - too
pain - pane
plane - plain
buy - by - bye
through - threw
week - weak
read - red
weight - wait
Cliche':
1 : a trite phrase or expression; also : the idea expressed by it
2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation
3 : something (as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace


Many hands make light work.
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.
There's no place like home.
Here today, gone tomorrow
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

[wxwax]

Homonyms
ginette



C'mon, Altie, keep it together. This is a family web site.


































:evil :rofl

[jwear]

Ok...Ok...
Here's an example:






Homonyms













The following words are some common English Homonyms, meaning they sound the same, but they have different meanings. These words actually cause misunderstanding when the wrong one is used. Some of these words have several independent meanings for the same spelling of the same sound making them even more confusing.











here - hear
know - no
are - our
to - two - too
pain - pane
plane - plain
buy - by - bye
through - threw
week - weak
read - red
weight - wait
Cliche':
1 : a trite phrase or expression; also : the idea expressed by it
2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation
3 : something (as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace


Many hands make light work.
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.
There's no place like home.
Here today, gone tomorrow
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.






I KNOW, I WAS JOKING. TRUELY ONE OR THE OTHER BUT BOTH :scratch MINE WOULD BEE BE THE RIGHT HAND WRITING DOES THAT FILL THE BILL IF IT COMES TO PASS TODAY MY SON AND I CAME UP WITH ANOTHER ! JWEAR