JANUARY – Open Theme
Ken has gifted us with an Open Theme for January so we can “strut our stuff.” Any image taken on or after December 1, 2016, is qualified. There are no restrictions on choice of subject or post-processing.
FEBRUARY - Be a Food Stylist
Food photography is a genre used to create attractive still life photographs of food. It is a specialization of commercial photography, the products of which are used in advertisements, magazines, packaging, menus and cookbooks. Professional food photography is a collaborative effort, usually involving an art director, a photographer, a food stylist, a prop stylist, and their assistants.
Considering all that, we might ask ourselves why we would want to photograph food? As photographers, one good reason is to creatively memorialize holiday celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, baby and wedding showers, even picnics and potlucks, and share the photos with the guest(s) of honor, family and friends. Food photography can be used to decorate a kitchen/breakfast area or to create cards and invitations; it also makes wonderful housewarming gifts.
For a long time, food photographs were shot laid out on a table setting and shot from an overhead perspective – from the point of view of the eater. Later, romantic lighting, shallower angles and more props came en vogue. (From Wikipedia)
One does not have to look far for mouth-watering inspiration. Magazines like Martha Stewart (online and hard-copy), Cooking Light, and a host of others that you can glance at while waiting in line at the grocery checkout counter are a wonderful source of inspiration.
Once you decide on the food you want to photograph, take some time to consider the props you may use, the surface, background, lighting and location. Planning ahead will make it easier to focus on the subject, composition, and angle. There are no restrictions on post-processing.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/10/food-styling-tips-for-home-cooks.html
http://digital-photography-school.com/food-photography-an-introduction/
http://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-photograph-food/ http://www.marthastewart.com/1509043/food-cooking
You may search “Food photography” on Google and Flickr to see examples of what does and does not work. There is a lot to be learned by studying images that, at least subjectively, do not work for you.
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MARCH – Patterns
Wikipedia: “A pattern . . . [is] a discernible regularity in the world or in a man-made design. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner.” Patterns are all around us – find one and photograph it in such a way that the viewer’s attention is caught and held. There are no restrictions on post-processing.
There are a few nice thoughts in this short article:
http://digital-photography-school.com/using-repetition-and-patterns-in-photography/
And for more inspiration than you would believe possible, do an image search on “patterns in photography”.
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APRIL - High Key or Low Key
It’s photographer’s choice to shoot “High Key” or “Low Key.” There are no restrictions on the subject. The effect is to be created in-camera – that means we are not to take an ordinary photo and make it high key or low key in post-processing. However, other post-processing edits and finishing touches are permitted.
High Key photography uses bright lighting to eliminate shadows, particularly harsh shadows. High Key is commonly seen in model photography, flowers and other subjects that are relatively feminine in nature. Product photography also works well in High Key. The bright mood of the image highlights the product for an ultra-clean look, suggesting the product is high quality or upscale in nature.
Low Key photography, on the other hand, maximizes the use of shadows and strong contrasts to convey a sense of drama or foreboding. The tone is darker and the controlling color is usually, but not always, black. Low Key images give special attention to contour lines by emphasizing them with highlights such as rim light.
Here are some examples of both:
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3559/20-outstanding-low-and-high-key-photographs/
http://www.lightstalking.com/16-radiant-examples-of-high-key-photography/
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MAY – Illustrate It
Choose a favorite quote or saying and illustrate it with a photograph. You may include the text of the quote on the image, such as would appear on a greeting card or poster, or include it in the description or title. There are no restrictions on post-processing.
Example: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
Your photo can be of any subject that illustrates simplicity in a sophisticated setting.
http://digitalsynopsis.com/inspiration/famous-quotes-illustrations-poster-minimalistic-designs/
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/simple.html
http://blog.befunky.com/create-picture-quotes/
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JUNE - Unfocused Photos
Since we usually strive for tack-sharp images, this theme invites a playful mindset to do something different. The objective is to have enough focus for the subject to be recognizable but out-of-focus enough to create a dreamy or mysterious mood. The effect must be created in-camera (i.e., no blurring filters), but post-processing is otherwise unrestricted.
Set your camera on manual focus and shoot photos that are deliberately and measurably out-of-focus. You may be surprised how different the world appears when the details are removed. This technique creates an impressionistic look, using soft shapes and tonal gradients. People make great subjects for unfocused images because the human form is easily recognized and offers context. However, choice of subject is limited only by your imagination.
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Look for distinct shapes and structures.
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Avoid having too many objects in the frame that might create confusion or chaos.
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The out-of-focus you see in the viewfinder or on the camera’s LCD screen may not be the same as the result so take multiple shots with different levels of focus.
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To avoid dull images, adjust your camera settings for available light and colors.
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Consider converting your photo to B&W (or shoot in monochrome) to create an entirely different mood.
Macro lenses, fast lenses and telephoto lenses offer the most flexibility with the widest range of focus. Shooting in Manual mode is always best for controlling the amount of focus you want.
http://digital-photography-school.com/out-of-focus-photos/ http://121clicks.com/inspirations/awesome-tips-and-examples-of-out-of-focus-in-photography
http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/getting-creative-with-out-of-focus-photography-tutorial/
https://www.pinterest.com/justinek1/photography-inspiration-focus/
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JULY – Human Portraits (or Candids) without Eyes
Take an interesting photo of a person or persons without showing their eyes. There are no restrictions on edits and post-processing.
First consider what you think makes a good people shot; what makes a portrait or candid compelling in your opinion.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/portrait-photography-tips/
Now try to find ways to achieve this WITHOUT including the person’s or persons’ eyes in the image. Here’s a short blog that may help you get started.
http://captureyour365.com/the-power-of-portraits-without-faces/
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AUGUST – Natural Light Shadows
Shadows can be used for contrast, to reveal form or shape, to reveal texture, to emphasize patterns, to create mood, to add depth to a scene. For this theme, a shadow or shadows should play the most important role in the photo. The shadow or shadows must be created in-camera using natural light, but they may be enhanced in post processing; there are no other processing restrictions.
Here are some links you may find interesting. Please note that not all examples use NATURAL light, which is an important factor of this theme.
http://www.lightstalking.com/photographing-shadows/
http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/shadows/importance_of_shadows.htm
https://photographylife.com/a-study-in-vision-light-and-shadows
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SEPTEMBER – Creative Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is one of the most powerful creative tools in photography. It controls exposure and can convey motion, freeze action, isolate subjects, and smooth water. Adding motion can turn a regular photo into one that is dynamic and full of energy.
For this theme, the shutter speed is to be set in-camera at the time of capture, and not created or altered in post-processing. Other than that, there are no restrictions on choice of subject or post-processing edits. Include the camera settings in the description of your photo or make sure you have your Flickr settings so that we can see them.
To freeze movement, the exact shutter speed needed depends on how fast your subject is moving. For a person walking, a shutter speed of about 1/250 should be enough. For sports or wildlife, you may need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000. Using a fast shutter speed reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, so you’ll need either to open the aperture or increase the ISO.
The difficulty with action shots is that the subject is moving and you have one opportunity to capture a given moment. Trying to adhere to “rules of composition” may result in a missed shot. Here are a few reasons why you might consider centering your subject:
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It’s easier for AF to focus on the subject when centered (nothing worse than a sharp background and blurry subject). The caveat to this is if you have your camera set to spot focus somewhere other than the center.
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Most manual focus screens have additional feedback at the center of the frame.
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Use continuous AF to track the action — especially when the subject is moving toward or away from you.
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Leave a bit of extra room around the main subject to allow cropping for better composition later.
These tutorials and links show some creative ways to achieve various effects using shutter speed.
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-shutter-speed.htm https://www.slrlounge.com/how-to-be-creative-with-slow-shutter-speed/
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OCTOBER - Centered Landscape
A landscape is usually an extensive expanse of a scene that can be seen from a single viewpoint. For this theme, “landscape” is to be interpreted as including urban, inland, or coastal scenes, including those which may be less “expansive” than usual. (It does not, however, include close-ups or macros.)
The caveat to this theme lies in the word “Centered.” Though perfect symmetry is not expected, the landscape should be as symmetrical as possible. Wikipedia says that “in everyday language [symmetry] refers to a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance” – that should do nicely here J, though the intention of the theme – finding scenes that are as nearly symmetrical as possible -- should be kept in mind. There are no restrictions on post-processing
Links on symmetry in general and symmetry in photography abound. We couldn’t find anything on “symmetrical landscapes” per se, whether rural or urban, but we did find a number of examples of landscapes that approached symmetry either horizontally or vertically. Hopefully members will approach this theme early and then share their work and experience in the group pool.
Link to 70 examples of "urban landscapes." (Here are the most "symmetrical": Eric (4) interrupted symmetry; Gianni D (8); Fred (13); Paolo Margari (20); Rick Harrison (25) with shift of pov; Ville Miettenen (32); Pedro Figueiredo (33); Victor Szalvay (37); MorBCN (53) - more of a stretch; Thomas Hawk (64); Barry Yanowitz (last one).
https://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/urban-city-photography-70-dramatic-examples--photo-4690
Many of these scenes would qualify for the MT, some as the author presents them and others with a slight shift of POV to present a more centered scene.
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/technique/landscape_photography-technique/telephoto-landscape-photography-74665
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NOVEMBER – Frame Within a Frame
Sometimes we print and then frame the prints. And every image we capture IS a frame. But for this theme you are to include something WITHIN your image that frames the main subject. Doing this can add context; help tell a story, add depth, lead the eye, add texture, and more. There are no restrictions on post-processing.
http://clickitupanotch.com/2013/11/photography-composition-framing/
http://photographyblogger.net/framing/
https://www.digitalphotomentor.com/create-strong-photographic-composition-using-framing/
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DECEMBER – Simplicity
By simplifying other elements of the image, create a composition in which the subject is the strong point, whether it occupies a large or only a very small portion of the image space. There are no restrictions on post-processing.
These two links present some how-to tips for simplifying a scene or subject:
http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_simplicity.html
http://sweetcsdesigns.com/composition-101-simplicity-in-your-shots/
Several members suggested minimalism as a theme and that is certainly appropriate here. Here are a couple of links to get you started if minimalism appeals to you. The first link includes tips; the second is all examples.
http://digital-photography-school.com/minimalist-photography-4-tips-to-keep-it-simple-with-a-maximum-impact/
https://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/less-is-more-50-examples-of-minimalist-photography--photo-3914
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