Monthly Photo Assignment

[MarkBarbieri]

Didn't someone used to do a monthly photo assignment thread? Am I misremembering? Is it gone or have I just been missing them?

It seems like almost every photo site has something like it. I think they are a good way to learn new techniques and subjects.

For those wondering what the heck I'm rambling about now, I'll try to explain.
The topic for the month can be almost anything. Some examples I've seen include things like patterns, clouds, bugs, the color red, or dignity. You then post one or more pictures that match the theme. The theme gives you inspiration on what to shoot and everyone elses shots give you ideas.

 

[Lizziejane]

Mark, I love this idea! As a complete beginner, I find I'm often at a loss for ideas of things to shoot. A monthly assignment would force me to think outside the box. I would also like the idea if it doesn't have to be Disney related.

 

[DVC Jen]

i love the idea as well. I also agree with LizzieJane that it would be best if it the assignments were something generic enough that everyone regardless of where they lived could participate.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I found them. It was Handicap18 that was doing them. The last one I saw was Photo Assignment January '07: Winter.

What's up Handicap18? Where's February, March, and April?

 

[ktulu]

I was wondering about this myself today. I used the 'pictures from your neck of the woods' or whatever thread as the 'assignment' for the month. I still have a few trips I want to make around here, I just need the time. Anyone have any spare time they can loan me?

Okay, so what's the assignment!

 

[Lizziejane]

Okay, so what's the assignment!

I hope it's not the ocean. I'd have to drive 2000 miles!!!

 

[ktulu]

I hope it's not the ocean. I'd have to drive 2000 miles!!!

I never thought of that!

I'd take a picture of the local lake and then photoshop it

Actually I'll be heading to Houston in a couple weeks, I could get a picture of the Gulf of Mexico then, but it's still a drive from where my in-laws live.

 

[deletedpenguin]

I'm down to do this. A monthly assignment?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Let's do it!

We've been kind of doing a mini version of this this week on the Canon S3 First Shots thread. It's been fun. We're all trying to learn to use the features on the camera and thanks to LPZ Stitch who's inspired us we've been taking shots of water drips and candles in glass, etc.

So what are we going to do - any ideas?

 

[photo_chick]

We do this on another site I am on. It has really been helping me personally get away from being lazy and just taking random snapshots of my kids, and more back to thinking about what I am doing when I have the camera in my hands.

 

[donaldduck1967]

This sounds like a good idea.

 

[jann1033]

ok i'm in now who is going to do it want to start a list of things and prepost them like the contest so we can take things with that in mind or just someone decide and post it?...either way is fine with me but it would be good to be general enough that everyone can do it no matter what the equipment..can't think what handicap used, i think like winter or water or things like that...rather than lighting or dof that everyone can't really control with their camera if that makes any sense

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Count me in!!

Some subject suggestions just off the top of my head:

1 Moving water.
2 Still water.
3 A single tree.
4 (Macro) yellow flowers. (replaceable, of course, with any color).
5 Food.
6 A beetle. (us northerners might have to wait a little on this one!)
7 A bee or wasp. (this one, too!)
8 An Ant or ants. (and, this one!)
9 A leaf. (maybe even this one!)
10 Clouds.
11 A reflection.
12 A moving vehicle.
13 A stationary vehicle.
14 A church.
15 Outdoor sculpture.

 

[tinksdad]

Count me in!!

Some subject suggestions just off the top of my head:

1 Moving water.
2 Still water.
3 A single tree.
4 (Macro) yellow flowers. (replaceable, of course, with any color).
5 Food.
6 A beetle. (us northerners might have to wait a little on this one!)
7 A bee or wasp. (this one, too!)
8 An Ant or ants. (and, this one!)
9 A leaf. (maybe even this one!)
10 Clouds.
11 A reflection.
12 A moving vehicle.
13 A stationary vehicle.
14 A church.
15 Outdoor sculpture.

Nice list!! This kind of "forced" shooting helps all, since it gets us motivated!!

Let's incorporate some of the rules of composition and framing with the subject.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Heck I need the practice so i'm in. I want to learrrrrrrrrrrrrn.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Nice list!! This kind of "forced" shooting helps all, since it gets us motivated!!

Let's incorporate some of the rules of composition and framing with the subject.

This reminds me of something we do over on the Wizards of the Coast boards, called the Master DM Competitions (it's for Dungeons & Dragons).

We develop a subject (like: detail a dragon's lair) and then each contestant submits an entry that meets the requirements. In addition to the basic requirements, the entrant must pick three out of ten extra "themes" such as:

1) the dragon is a coward, its lair reflects this.
2) the dragon has a four-legged guard-animal.
etc....

We could have subject: "A Cloud"

"Themes" (need a better description of this).
1.) using only manual settings on your camera.
2.) must be taken at a certain time of day (e.g. noon-ish)
etc....

Giving a choice of "Themes" might encourage people to stretch a little and investigate features or techniques they normally wouldn't do ... learning a little (or a lot!) and, hopefully, getting better!

Only, instead of judging like we do on the MDMCs we'll just make open comments on the thread ... anyone is welcome to make any comment (provided it's not a mean-spirited attack -- that's just not Disney!)....

So, who wants to start?

 

[0bli0]

i do a few weekly challenges on other boards. it gets me shooting more and with more variety. monthly is great, but it is a flurry of particpiation at the beginnig of the month then tapers off after 2 weeks. we could do fortnightly challenges and that way different people could come up with the challenges if the 'official person' isn't around.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Where's Handicap18? I'd prefer to hear from him before we run off and start something new. I think it would be better to have one monthly (or fortnightly) topic rather than having competing threads.

 

[deletedpenguin]

Ya, if we can combine threads, and allow for different cameras etc., I'm down.

 

[mabas9395]

i do a few weekly challenges on other boards. it gets me shooting more and with more variety. monthly is great, but it is a flurry of particpiation at the beginnig of the month then tapers off after 2 weeks. we could do fortnightly challenges and that way different people could come up with the challenges if the 'official person' isn't around.

You got to admire a guy that can fit 'fortnightly' into a post and use it well!