ASSIGNMENT I - Long Exposure (Suggestion to activate sleepy camera's)

sNarah

Allright guys, I was thinking this during the day after seeing all those 'no inspiration' treads... And don't shoot me, it's just an idea and to see if anyone would be interested and if it would be possible on this forum

My idea is... a weekly (or fortnight) 'assignment', as in, a subject is posted and than the rest of us photoboardies go out and take photo's for this task. So, people lacking creativity & inspiration will have a good reason to go and shoot something specific without having to think for a subject themselfs! It could also broaden the interest of some of us that generally stick to one genre.
Per subject some tips for shooting this specific subject -and therefore improving techniques- could be attached - e.g. specific technical tips (shutterspeed/aperture/...) or tips on composition (e.g. the 1/3 rule, or use windowlight for portraits), those kind of 'general' rules.

Other good reasons (I think that is) would be, that it might be interesting to see the different interpretation people have over a subject and maybe think 'oh yes, wish I would've done it that way' and hence: we have learned from eachother

Task could be (amongst many): "slow shutter speed", "portraits", "macro", "sports", and so on.

No competition, not to find out who is the "best", not too many rules, just a general 'subject' per agreed period. I'd say, subject to be posted somewhere near the weekend and lastst for a week, and whomever (pro's, amateurs & beginners!) feels like participating can, without that extra 'pressure' competitions bring along.

rymus

you mean something like a photo challenge for example?

Ricky91t

I agree with the OP somewhere in the main thread that doesn't involve voting but just a thread where we can post the images of the set theme,Would just be fun that way,The competitions(for me) look fun but i never seem to be able to find something for that fits in the image description

If we had somewhere like this either stickied or not that the "creator" could just suggest a theme for that week or fortnight and the posters just post,means the posters have some fun and inspiration and the lurkers get to look at some nice pics

sNarah

Ricky91t wrote: »

I agree with the OP somewhere in the main thread that doesn't involve voting but just a thread where we can post the images of the set theme,Would just be fun that way,The competitions(for me) look fun but i never seem to be able to find something for that fits in the image description

If we had somewhere like this either stickied or not that the "creator" could just suggest a theme for that week or fortnight and the posters just post,means the posters have some fun and inspiration and the lurkers get to look at some nice pics

That's exactly what I was trying to say, Hooray! :P No challenge, no pressure, just post whatever you think falls under the given task!

Irish Halo

rymus wrote: »

you mean something like a photo challenge for example?

I was thinking the same but there'd be no competition just a theme and actually I am warming to the idea, it is a bit half way between the photo challenges and the random photo thread.

Ricky91t

sNarah wrote: »

That's exactly what I was trying to say, Hooray! :P No challenge, no pressure, just post whatever you think falls under the given task!

Sorry i didn't get to read all of your post just wanted to make a quick contribution to the thread,I do remember this was suggested before and people pushed it out of coversation and said the photo challenges would be better!But i'd still rather this as photos cn be as simple as "frozen action" "high aperture" of anything

kjt

I like it, it was suggested a good while back (1/2yrs ago) and I think it was started for a little bit.

How about somebody(sNarah) suggest something for the first week. Then every week after that the first person to have posted their images, sets next weeks, or if they don't have an idea it goes to the next person. Seen as it's to get the creative juices going how about we don't limit it to just the one post. How about your allow posting up to three images, one of which has to have been taken within that week?

My 3.14 cent!

Pigwidgeon

sounds like a great idea to me seeing as i'm stuck in a rut!

sheesh

sugesst a topic already!:D

Ricky91t

Think we should wait for a mod,
To give this the go ahead,and make a sticky maybe?
Just to keep on the good side of them

Edit:sNarah,will you choose a topic?Might be able to shoot it over the weekend

sNarah

Ricky91t wrote: »

Think we should wait for a mod,
To give this the go ahead,and make a sticky maybe?
Just to keep on the good side of them

Edit:sNarah,will you choose a topic?Might be able to shoot it over the weekend

Okido! I was indeed waiting for a 'go ahead' from the mods, just in case.
As for now, here's some provisional rules for now!

- Photo's are to be related to the given task.

- Posts are to be within tread as per day of OP - Closing after 7 days (does that seem reasonable?).

- Multiple posts allowed of subject, since it is a practise exercise.

- Next task/subject to be choosen by first person to post a reply.

- No negative feedback allowed, remember, this is an exercise where there will be posts of a variety of level. Either constructive comments or none at all!

- Choosen subject/task has to have relevance towards the learning process, e.g. for better understanding and using the settings on everyones camera.

- And the most important one: Enjoy yourself whilst you're at it, don't be afraid of showing your photos and hopefully get some wonderful results!!!

Am thinking of the first assignment now, will come back later - and hopefully get some feedback... Mods Are we allowed the go ahead??

whyulittle

Of course we're allowed, we can post what we want (within reason!).

Ricky91t

whyulittle wrote: »

Of course we're allowed, we can post what we want (within reason!).

Yeah i know but was kinda waiting to see if they could help us out in anyway :pac:

elven

ach gwan, post the thread with the first topic and the rules and one of them lovely mods'll come along and stickify it for ya, i'm sure.

It'd be cool if you based the project on a great picture you've seen, to use as inspiration...

challengemaster

elven wrote: »

them lovely mods

I r in right forum? :pac:

Sounds like an interesting idea. I know I could use it! Inspiration of a rock here.

Thankfully, Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.

Covey

Ricky91t wrote: »

Yeah i know but was kinda waiting to see if they could help us out in anyway :pac:

Ah, the insecurities of 2nd Level, just a vague memory now;)

sNarah

Allrightie lads & girls,

Here is the first assignment!

This first one I would like to have people experiment with is LONG EXPOSURE because some fascinating things can come from it!
Here you can find some great examples - the one with the turning wheel got me inspired. Some of them have exxxxxtremely long expure, I wouldn't want to push it that far, but go out and expirement with light, water, lightrails and whatever else you can find!

And because I don't master this skill just yet, here you can find a tutorial with some tips on Long Expure & slow shutter speeds.

Have fun!!!

elven

Extra brownie points if you avoid car trails and waterfalls

Um, I don't mean that, really, there isn't a huge amount else to choose from.

GristlyEnd

Actually a good one would be daytime long exposures but then I have an IR filter that allows that. Hmmm....

sNarah

DarrenG wrote: »

Actually a good one would be daytime long exposures but then I have an IR filter that allows that. Hmmm....

There! Loads more to choose from then just car trails & waterfalls, but then again, will find something else just to get those brownie points! :rolleyes:

kjt

These are some of my latest along this topic. Hopefully I'll get out over the next week and take one more new shot.

sNarah

Good man! You're to come up with the next assignment next friday, go and let us be creative !!!

elven

Hah! Excellent shot of the runner in the forest.

I'd love a serious ND (and the patience to use a tripod) to do daytime long exposures in the city

Covey

I'm presuming perfectly sharp long exposures meet the theme as well ??

Burnt

sNarah

Covey wrote: »

I'm presuming perfectly sharp long exposures meet the theme as well ??

Yes! As long as a slow shutter speed & long exposure are being met, it's all valid! It would be nice to see what else can be achieved with this specific technique.

kjt

This is just a suggestion but what do people thing. At the end of the week somebody(maybe the person who picked the subject) pops the name of all the images posted into one thread. Then everybody that has an image posted has to give one comment on each image posted.

Eg

sNarah - Blurrrrry car
sNarah - Candles
kjt - Crossroads
kjt - Runner
elven - Cars go vrum vrum
Covey - Slow crowd

Everybody then copies this long list and coments on every image posted

sNarah - A cross process in photoshop could make the picture look funky
sNarah - Maybe try a crop the left side out
kjt - ****é image, get a life! (clearly you won't comment your own UNLESS your arrogant )
elven - Cool idea
Covey - Nice image, maybe try a longer exposure..

As said above, just an idea


elven if you want to borrow an nd let me know!

sNarah

Well, since I started this whole lot off in the first place, here's my first few attempts - won't be getting any brownie credits for it I'm afraid... Will try some more during the week.



5" - F10


4" - F4.5

AnCatDubh

Hmnnn....... let me see now.... off to check the moderator handbook....

Ok - If long exposure equates to illegal activity such as mooning on O'Connell street or skinny dipping in St. Stephens Green then the mods will have a *big* problem and ban users on thread - BUT we of course must see photographic evidence of the said offense first so be sure to post

Eh.... to be honest the community are self organising for the most part which is why the meet ups happen, the boards.ie photography book happens, the threads such as this happen. Community inspired and community driven. If anyone strays beyond the charter/manners threads then the moderation function kicks in - otherwise game on - let it rip.

There was some post as to the Mods helping out. Yes, in whatever way possible (that doesn't see any of us skinny dipping in St. Stephens Green of course <- speaking for myself, tis not a pretty picture ya know :eek: ) - just let us know what you need and within reason we'll try to facilitate but I think its probably gathered its legs at this stage and is likely to be community driven from here in.

Good idea for a thread sNarah. Looking forward to seeing the results.

kjt

AnCatDubh wrote: »

There was some post as to the Mods helping out. Yes, in whatever way possible (that doesn't see any of us skinny dipping in St. Stephens Green of course <- speaking for myself, tis not a pretty picture ya know :eek: ) - just let us know what you need and within reason we'll try to facilitate but I think its probably gathered its legs at this stage and is likely to be community driven from here in.

Maybe sticky this bad boy?

4sb

30 sec, f6.3

Best of mine to date that don't have light trails, car made or otherwise.

AnCatDubh

kjt wrote: »

Maybe sticky this bad boy?

Ah, that's an easy one. People however have complained at various stages for the amount of stickies running down their screen. I'm happy to do it, but perhaps I could gage the desire of the general users to increase the stickies with this thread by simply adding a thanks (thumbs up) to KJT's post above.

Other options would be to shift it into the challenges sub-forum perhaps - which isn't just for the monthly challenge and mini challenges. Anyhow i'm ok with whatever the community want.

Thanks.

sNarah

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Ah, that's an easy one. People however have complained at various stages for the amount of stickies running down their screen. I'm happy to do it, but perhaps I could gage the desire of the general users to increase the stickies with this thread by simply adding a thanks (thumbs up) to KJT's post above.

Other options would be to shift it into the challenges sub-forum perhaps - which isn't just for the monthly challenge and mini challenges. Anyhow i'm ok with whatever the community want.

Thanks.

Um, I say a 'no' to the thumbs up, sorry... I do agree with the other option.

Either have a poll if people would be interested -and would possibly participe- or make a subcategory in the challenge forum, BUT, with keeping the emphasis on the learning process and not the challenge aspect. Because that s the main reason for starting this in the first place: giving people idea's for photo's, learn from others work and helping them to evolve their work & techniques. And off course, to inspire creativity :P.

I do think there should be a different tread per subject/task in order to avoid confusion etc.

kgiller

Am i missing something, or is this supposed to be a way of getting people out and photographing, not just putting up old pics? Shouldnt this be a week long challenge where at the end of the week we post up what we came up with?

Covey

I suggest we keep this thread open to bed down the parameters an then open one for photos only and or photos and photo comments only.

Twill get cluttered and convoluted otherwise.

kjt

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Other options would be to shift it into the challenges sub-forum perhaps - which isn't just for the monthly challenge and mini challenges. Anyhow i'm ok with whatever the community want.

Thanks.

Sounds like a better option tbh

af_thefragile

Posted this before, but made some editions...
30" exposure shot:

bigger here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34683382@N04/3239488851/sizes/o/

But as a part of a challenge, i guess i should go out and take a new pic soon!

EOGON

GREAT PIC

GhostInTheRuins

af_thefragile wrote: »

Posted this before, but made some editions...
30" exposure shot:
bigger here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34683382@N04/3239488851/sizes/o/

But as a part of a challenge, i guess i should go out and take a new pic soon!

Did you use a cross screen filter there or did you add in the star effect in photoshop or something?

af_thefragile

GhostInTheRuins wrote: »

Did you use a cross screen filter there or did you add in the star effect in photoshop or something?

Nope, just had the uv filter on my lens (which i always do).
Apart from that the star effect came itself due to the long exposure i guess...

Arciphel

You get star effects like that when you use a small aperture (high f-number) on your lens when shooting. The number of points on the stars is due to the number of aperture blades in the diaphragm on the inside of the lens! Some people buy specific lenses for shooting at night so they get this effect.

You can read some more about that here, this guy talks about "sunstars" but the principle is the same.

Fajitas!

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Ok - If long exposure equates to illegal activity such as mooning on O'Connell street or skinny dipping in St. Stephens Green then the mods will have a *big* problem and ban users on thread - BUT we of course must see photographic evidence of the said offense first so be sure to post

<.<

What's it worth?

>.>

Irish Halo

kgiller wrote: »

Am i missing something, or is this supposed to be a way of getting people out and photographing, not just putting up old pics? Shouldnt this be a week long challenge where at the end of the week we post up what we came up with?

Yeah not necessarily all at the end of the week but new pictures only?

GhostInTheRuins

Arciphel wrote: »

You get star effects like that when you use a small aperture (high f-number) on your lens when shooting. The number of points on the stars is due to the number of aperture blades in the diaphragm on the inside of the lens! Some people buy specific lenses for shooting at night so they get this effect.

You can read some more about that here, this guy talks about "sunstars" but the principle is the same.

Didn't know that! Cheers

af_thefragile

Arciphel wrote: »

You get star effects like that when you use a small aperture (high f-number) on your lens when shooting. The number of points on the stars is due to the number of aperture blades in the diaphragm on the inside of the lens! Some people buy specific lenses for shooting at night so they get this effect.

You can read some more about that here, this guy talks about "sunstars" but the principle is the same.

cool link!
So my 18-55 kit lens has a 6 blade aperture!!

sNarah

Irish Halo wrote: »

Yeah not necessarily all at the end of the week but new pictures only?

Yes!

'New plan': open a new tread with the assignment somewhere (challenges subforum?) and then photo's taking during the week (as in, specificly taken for the exercise) can be posted there + techniques tips etc.

O Yes
O No

Calina

I was out yesterday, so sorry for the late reply. I see ACD was in though so I just want to reiterate the community is largely self organising, and there is nothing to stop people from throwing up suggestions like this. I've done it before - does anyone remember the salt and pepper challenge at all? I wasn't even a mod then.

There are other things we used to do as well, such as digital processing challenges - throw unprocessed files up on the web and let others have at them, for example.

I am now armed with a digital SLR again so may have a bash at this tomorrow if it's not raining.

Arciphel, thanks for the info - I wondered about that. I need to google photographic stuff more often I think.

sNarah, I'd be inclined to move this to the challenges subforum if there isn't any major objection. I'd like to see more people use the subfora if possible. That's what they are there for.

af_thefragile

I think we could just have a new thread in this forum as its not really a competition or anything... Just an... assignment...!
Or however you guys want it... I wouldn't mind.

.Longshanks.

For a newbie, this will become a great thread....brilliant chance to pick up loads and loads of ideas. Anyways here is my first ever attempt at a bulb shot, reversed in photoshop but otherwise straight out of the camera (after about 15 attempts)!

Exposure: 35
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 18 mm


larger

Hugh_C

Longshanks100 wrote: »

Anyways here is my first ever attempt at a bulb shot, reversed in photoshop but otherwise straight out of the camera (after about 15 attempts)!

brilliance

you switched off between letters?

Duchovny

A small test