View Full Version : Photo Challenge Thread
So, I've been thinking we should have a photo challenge for a while now. We have talked about doing one on and off for a little while, and I thought I'd get this started. ;)
What is the point of this thread? To encourage people to express themselves through photography, it is as simple as that. Everyone is welcome to join! :)
I think a few simple rules should be kept though, to keep this interesting. No heavy duty photo editing, so no heavy cropping (yikes!), HDR, or super saturated photos, unless that is how your camera makes them by default, lets try to keep a natural, out of the camera look to our photos (JPEG Shooting preferable). Photos submitted can be in colour or black and white, black and white photos must be taken as such, in camera, not in post processing. Photos must be taken during the month in which the given challenge is active. To make this clear, the December challenge will be to photograph something that represents your favorite winter activity, so the photo will have to be taken sometime during the month of December. I think the best way to make this possible is to run the challenge from the midway point of the month into the midway point of the next month, when a new challenge would start.
Will there be a winner each month, yes! Each month will be judged by the winner of the past month. The host of the given month will not submit a photo for judgement, but rather just as an example. How should photos be judged? I think we have to keep it simple, does the image cover the given topic, without a description? This is about getting the message through, not just pure image quality, the photo that is best able to do so in the eyes of the judge should be the winner. So, judges should not just consider composition, although that will be considered, or noise levels, or whether or not the subject is perfectly focused, although those things will be considered if the judge feels they get in the way of the story being told through the image. The judge cannot just present the winner, they must explain why they think the image in question is the winner. I think that makes this fair enough for everyone. What does the winner win? A little pride and honor among their peers, thats about it. Oh and the winner gets to pick the next subject. :lol: :p
So if you all think this is a good idea, we could get started on the 15th of December. I'd love to hear peoples thoughts on this, and I'm more than willing to make some adjustments to rules, although I like the idea of keeping it simple.
I think it's a great idea! I'm in!
Of course I'm still trying to get myself here (http://forums.applenova.com/showpost.php?p=526189&postcount=39). :( I guess I haven't made it a priority yet.
SpecMode
2009-12-04, 21:17
This sounds like a lot of fun - count me in!
Great idea.
I am not sure about the technicalities of some of the rules. E.g., if you shoot RAW you are, in some ways, shooting in B&W and in colour? Do I have to set my camera to its B&W setting from RAW to enter a B&W photo? I never do that, even if I think from the moment I take the shot that the final result will be put out in B&W.
Anyway, I agree with the spirit of the rules. Maybe respecting the spirit, rather than the strict technicalities, can be taken into account in the judging.
Chinney, that is generally the idea. In some ways, the spirit of the rules is to shoot jpgs rather than RAW, because the idea is to avoid post processing the images. In some ways that makes us think about how we take the shot more, no second chances to fix it up in pp.
If you want any clarification on rules, please ask and I'll expand on them.
I like us being limited to JPEG instead of RAW. It'll force us to get exposure and such through the camera settings instead of just close and the PP.
That was my idea as well. As I noted, the purpose of this is not to produce the perfect image, but rather the image that best represents the topic of choice. The idea is to use the image to tell people something, not have the technically best photo.
GSpotter
2009-12-05, 03:33
I think it's a great idea! I'm in!
Of course I'm still trying to get myself here (http://forums.applenova.com/showpost.php?p=526189&postcount=39). :( I guess I haven't made it a priority yet.Cool, at least you're still thinking about it... ;) I wouldn't mind resurrecting that game, too...
julesstoop
2009-12-05, 07:50
Chinney, that is generally the idea. In some ways, the spirit of the rules is to shoot jpgs rather than RAW, because the idea is to avoid post processing the images. In some ways that makes us think about how we take the shot more, no second chances to fix it up in pp.
I like the initiative, but:
Just about every professional photographer shoots in RAW and does some post processing. I would consider the RAW coming out of a camera as the equivalent of the old celluloid negative, and the RAW-converter + (in my case some) Photoshop as the digital dark room. I.m.h.o. mastering those tools is just as important a part of becoming a good photographer as is the actual shooting. Even the first step: getting a better overall result that the automatic jpeg setting in your camera can be an interesting challenge.
So, I'm sorry to say so, but for these reasons I don't agree with the restrictions at all.
Well that's why I referred to the spirit of the rules, rather than the technicalities. I interpreted the spirit of the rules as what I would call "naturalistic" representation, rather than what I would call the "stylized" or "surrealistic" approach. Looking through a lot of popular photography these days, I would say that the stylized or surrealistic approach is dominant, so it is nice to have a contest where we emphasize something else. That said, there is nothing in shooting RAW that is incompatible with a naturalistic approach.
(I would add, finally, that surrealistic, highly processed photos can be very nice in their own right. While maybe the easy availability of the technology means that there is a bit too much of it these days for my taste, it is also true that processing can allow for further creativity and can take the final representation in whole new and very beautiful directions. There are no hard and fast rules as to what is "true" photography.)
SpecMode
2009-12-05, 10:16
Sounds like using a minimum of post-processing is the ultimate goal for this challenge, then. I'm still game - even shooting RAW, it'll still make me think about the shot without the computer in mind.
Perhaps, for a future - or concurrent - challenge, we can take an opposite approach: take an otherwise awful (or otherwise unremarkable) shot and make it look as good as possible, posting before-and-after comparisons. That'll give the Photoshop junkies their day in the spotlight. :)
julesstoop
2009-12-05, 10:51
My point is that even extensive use of photoshop can still lead to a much better "naturalistic" result. So there is no way to tell if a good picture, which doesn't look processed or surreal, has been extensively retouched or processed.
For this fact I interpreted the 'rules' as a means to make sure people only enter with completely unprocessed pictures. Which is something I don't agree with for reasons I stated earlier.
In my book a better way would to just have themes, like 'portraits', 'architecture', 'the number three', etc... Some of these themes would lend themselves better to a naturalistic approach, and some to more artistic freedom. In the end we get to decide what's the nicest picture.
I understand why people want to shoot RAW, I shoot RAW 100% of the time myself. The reason I am thinking we should stick to jpeg images is to keep the playing field level, not everyone has cameras, the time, or even the programs to process RAW files. The idea of the challenge is to create a level playing field for everyone, not just experienced photographers, and photoshop pros. If we don't do that, I can see three or four people winning nine times out of ten.
I'm okay with basic RAW processing, just keep it to basic editing, as I noted, no HDR, no massive saturating, etc. Keep shadow and highlight recovery to a minimum. This is not just about creating the technically best looking photo, the idea is to challenge yourself, get out of the box.
Sounds fair enough, Crazy man. :p
Yes, I am crazy, and I enjoy every minute of it. ;)
julesstoop
2009-12-05, 16:18
Fair enough, but I still believe you should never discourage people to reach a certain level of proficiency and - notwithstanding your noble intent - these guidelines still feel like a hamper to me in that respect.
Those are good points, and sure not being able to do a lot editing of RAW images is restrictive, and somewhat of a hindrance to those who enjoy post processing, myself included. I have a few ideas on this matter, but I think at the start lets keep the focus on the photographing itself. Lets just give it a try for the first month or two and see how things go.
Lets be clear, I'm not saying you cannot shoot RAW and make adjustments, I'm just trying to avoid extremes, like HDR and people taking poorly exposed images and pulling them out through PP, which would give an undue advantage to photographers who use those methods over those who do not. In some ways I am encouraging people to be better photographers. People are free to sharpen images as needed, and basic editing.
Here is an example of what I want to avoid, when I say basic editing only.
Original Shot
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/photos/732482753_8oiCa-L.jpg
Edited Photo
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/Photography/Bird-Photography/RWD1616/730264657_rppik-L.jpg
Just a reminder that the challenge starts tomorrow. :)
I'll post an entry
...once I take one
:)
Oh good, because we don't take drawings. ;)
So here is my example shot for December.
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/photos/742708936_bFobo-XL.jpg
Here's my entry. Taken with my Rebel XT, 100mm Macro, available lighting, RAW, tripod. No PP, just exported from Aperture for PNG Web. I rather like the meaning personally. :)
http://turtle2472.com/an/IMG_8847.png
julesstoop
2009-12-17, 13:36
Two of my favorite winter activities combined: walking around taking pictures (I love the light) and food (I've always got this huge appetite when winter sets in):
http://gallery.me.com/julesstoop/100072/_MG_7210/web.jpg
Notice, I didn't post the version with the halos shopped to oblivion :)
Nice, to be honest, sometimes I purposefully try to get flare in my shots. ;) I like it in this one.
Here's my entry. Taken with my Rebel XT, 100mm Macro, available lighting, RAW, tripod. No PP, just exported from Aperture for PNG Web. I rather like the meaning personally. :)
http://turtle2472.com/an/IMG_8847.png
Favorite winter activity? Parents-to-be? I am trying to find the connection. :p
Only three entries???
I haven't had time to take mine yet. I have until Jan. 15, unless I am mistaken. It would be nice to have a few or more from other than our regulars in the photo field.
I'll probably post a photo, but expect it to be boring and unprofessional-looking. Some of you guys set the bar pretty high! :p
I haven't had time to take mine yet. I have until Jan. 15, unless I am mistaken. It would be nice to have a few or more from other than our regulars in the photo field.
You are correct, started December 15, ends January 15 (12AM PST).
I'll probably post a photo, but expect it to be boring and unprofessional-looking. Some of you guys set the bar pretty high!
Professional quality not required Brad. :)
I haven't had time to take mine yet. I have until Jan. 15, unless I am mistaken. It would be nice to have a few or more from other than our regulars in the photo field.
i left my transfer cable back at school and won't be getting back till after the 15th. hopefully one of my friends has an SD card reader or something.
Favorite winter activity? Parents-to-be? I am trying to find the connection. :p
Well I sure did! :D
When I first saw turtle's entry, the day it was posted, I agreed with Chinney, but it works just fine if you think about it. :) If the first two entries are any indication of what we are going to see (not 3, mine is just the example, someone has to judge the first round), then we are in for a good month.
Just a reminder that there are 5 days left in the challenge, don't forget to post your entires!
Oh well, I'm completely predictable and boring, but at least I'm honest:
http://i47.tinypic.com/2hdaahf.jpg
And here's the only thing I've consistently stuck to actually doing this winter:
http://i47.tinypic.com/2z6f7zo.jpg
Family snowshoeing outing this past weekend at the Arboretum here in Ottawa. The photo is of my 13-year old daughter.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4272031915_7f4e5de4d1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18678497@N03/4272031915/sizes/l/)
I like cross-country skiing even more, but I don't have a pic of that from this month.
One day left! I hope we get a few more entries! :(
Dorian Gray
2010-01-14, 19:37
Here's my entry:
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7407/decorationsa.jpg
It was taken on Christmas Eve in a flat in Timişoara, Romania. It shows one of my favourite winter activities: putting up the Christmas decorations!
GSpotter
2010-01-15, 17:37
Playing with my dog in the snow
http://homepage.mac.com/vwurst/applenova/20100102-_D2H0194.jpg
(RAW-File opened in ACR, cropped and saved as JPG without further processing)
A few more hours to go, closing at 12:00AM PST. Looks like choosing a winner will be tough!
NosferaDrew
2010-01-16, 02:24
http://i47.tinypic.com/2z6f7zo.jpg
Bold.
You have my respect. :)
Thanks to all who entered, I hope we get more people in this months challenge! Even with only 6 entries this was tough, I like all these images, but I did have to pick the one I liked best
so here goes, from last to first.
6.Dorian:
This photo brings back memories of putting up, or down, the Christmas tree. I think the colours and light are great, but I marked this down because it seems busy, if you have focused on the decorations, or just the man with the tree, I think it might have been better.
5.Brad: I love your honesty about this shot, not boring at all! I think working on my computer is my second favorate winter activity to going for a walk in the snow, when we have some. I like the way you composed this shot, for the most part, looking up at your work, knowing that you enjoy listening to some tunes as you sit back and type away on your MBP. Its hard to say, but I think a slightly, and I mean slightly, wider composition might have put this higher up.
4.GSpotter:
It must be great to go for a walk in the snow with your dog, I can see that your dog had a great time! I love the exposure and the emotion on the dogs face, and the snow as it was kicked up. In some ways I think a tighter composition would have helped me like this image more, or if the dog was more to the left of the frame.
3.Turtle 2472: This would be a great photo to send to a company that sellls stock photos, seriously. I like the overall feel of the image, simply because I can feel the emotion that comes from the decoration, and what it means. At the same time I marked it on the lower side, because I felt that it could have used a little bit more depth of field.
2.julesstoop: I like this photo as well, even the lens flare that is in the corner gives it character. I like the light, the composition and the mood of the people is understood. I almost put this one in first place, but Chinney's photo just edged it out of 1st place
1.Chinney: The moment I saw this photo I remembered how much fun it was to go snowshoeing. The composition, the colours and just the feeling I get from this photo makes it stand out to me.
Chinney, the door is open for you to pick our topic for the January 15 - February 15 Challenge: Enjoy!
Wow. I would not have expected to win, but I'll take it just the same. Thanks PB.
As for the topic, I've thought of a few potential ones for our thread over the past month. I've settled for what might seem to be a bit of an odd topic, but one that might just work, and that might be a bit of fun:
Abstract (or, in other words, "What the heck is that?")
I'd like to see some pictures that are not clearly representational of anything, but appeal simply from the point of view of texture, patterns, colour, shading, depth of field and/or general visual interest. It could be the opportunity for close-ups/macros, but it does not have to be (mine will not be, because my little Sigma does not have a macro lens). You can do a few Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture adjustments if you want to do so, but nothing too heavy again, given the original guidelines that PB put out. Also, I want to emphasize that all photos are welcome. You do not need to have a professional camera to take an abstract shot. Finally, I'd like to have some fun guessing what the heck the shots actually are. :)
Here is an example, from a shot I took last year (and is not actually an entry for the contest). This one is not completely abstract, but within the parameters of what I have in mind for the contest this month:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4283695774_3293ee103b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18678497@N03/4283695774/sizes/l/)
Oh good, I was going crazy trying to think of what I would photograph. This will be tough, I am really bad with abstract. :lol:
Me too. I'll see what I can figure out, it should be interesting to say the least!
Though his image looks like the ceiling of a shopping mall.
Dorian Gray
2010-01-18, 14:09
Well done, Chinney. A good win and a good choice of topic for this month.
Dorian: must try harder. :p
BuonRotto
2010-01-18, 20:49
http://gallery.me.com/jdabrowski/100118/iPhone%20Pictures%20030/web.jpg?ver=12638657430001
This is one of those happy accidents with my iPhone camera.
I played around with a few ideas, and this is what I came up with. RAW file, brought into Lightroom, no adjustments. If anyone wants to know what I did, PM me. :lol:
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/photos/768110135_gKS8o-L.jpg
Cool pics.
I must say that it is hard to say exactly what Rotto's is, but I would put it into the general category of 'moving camera and bright lights'. The effect is almost etched though.
As for PB, I have no idea, other than I think that it is liquid. Maybe looking down into one of those 'harvest gold' 1970s sinks, full of hot water?
Nope, its tile on a wall! It is a 10 second exposure, at F22, and I just turned the camera slowly from vertical to horizontal.
Cool. In any event, a message to all potential contestants:
"Enter early. Enter often."
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4344575845_57cb6550fd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18678497@N03/4344575845/sizes/l/)
Here's my 'symbolic' entry. 'Symbolic' because the judge, by definition, is disqualified.
I sure hope we get more entries. Perhaps I chose too out-there a theme for this month's contest. In any event, what's done is done. Enter your ABSTRACT photos 'Novans! All entries considered. Top prize is pride!
I think it would be best to start a new thread, for the new challenges, that might prevent possible confusion.
Yes...and maybe with the month's theme in the title.
Yup. Each thread would have the theme in the title and the rules. Which most likely need clarification anyway.
dmegatool
2010-02-09, 23:34
Would be great if the titles could contains a prefix to simplify the search. Like if you want to see all Photos Challenges Threads.
Like "PCT : Some cool theme"
Opps, I still need to get one of these shots done before the deadline. :o
Don't forget to post your photos, if you want to enter. Just a few more days. This month's contest closes at midnight, NA Pacific time, on the 15th of Feb.
GSpotter
2010-02-12, 17:02
I was a bit busy recently and almost forgot about this challenge. Here's my quick & dirty entry:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4351596133_c713271d3d_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iphotograph/4351596133/)
Dorian Gray
2010-02-14, 18:44
We need more entries! CoachKrzyzewski, turtle2472, Brad, dmegatool, NosferaDrew, julesstoop, others? Pull your finger out! :)
Here's mine. It's not hugely abstract, but hopefully within the scope of this month's competition:
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/1790/facesa.jpg
julesstoop
2010-02-14, 20:47
Well. I haven't been into abstract lately, but here's my entry:
http://gallery.me.com/julesstoop/100032/abtract_01_2010/web.jpg
I'm going to play. School work has really been keeping me busy. I'm not used to full time job + full time student. My post will be before tomorrow at midnight NYC.
We need more entries! CoachKrzyzewski, turtle2472, Brad, dmegatool, NosferaDrew, julesstoop, others? Pull your finger out! :)
I actually had a perfect setup for an "abstract" photo last week but missed it. As I was walking into the office, there was a patch of dirt by the entrance that had these big 1-2 cm long ice crystals growing right out of the dirt itself. Had I been able to get in close for a photo, it would've literally been other-worldy, but alas I had to rush inside for a meeting and by the next time I came out and checked on the patch of dirt, all had melted and evaporated away.
been busy as hell with school and lost my usb cord for my camera :( ordered a usb SD card thingy from amazon.
Yeah, that is one of the great things about the new iMacs and MacBooks that have an SD card slot built in. I never download photos directly from my camera, I always stick my CF cards in a reader, its so much faster.
BuonRotto
2010-02-15, 18:27
My printer as SD and CF slots for our desktop. I use a CF card for my DSLR, so I'm hoping someone comes out with a CF card reader for the iPad. :D
Dorian Gray
2010-02-15, 19:20
As I was walking into the office, there was a patch of dirt by the entrance that had these big 1-2 cm long ice crystals growing right out of the dirt itself. Had I been able to get in close for a photo, it would've literally been other-worldy, but alas I had to rush inside for a meeting and by the next time I came out and checked on the patch of dirt, all had melted and evaporated away.
Sounds like this (http://www.unphotographable.com/archives.html) might be your kind of website. :D
Oh, what the hell.
http://nmpeterson.com/misc/an-abstract.jpg
I made it!
http://turtle2472.com/an/IMG_1146.png
I'm so not used to life with a full time job and full time school. Time management is something I thought I was good at...
Managing full time school and full time work, is a job. ;)
Thanks for the entries. Just two hours left, Pacific time, which by coincidence I am actually on as the contest concludes.
Enjoying the west Chinney?
Sorry that I have not given my decision until now. Other things are happening here in Vancouver, where we are visiting. Yes we are enjoying B.C. PB! Vancouver is really shining today. But I'll post more about my impressions of the Olympics - and about Vancouver during the Olympics - in the other thread.
In the end, we actually had many more entries than I would have expected a week ago. More arrived over the last few days of the contest. Making a decision was tough. After some consideration, I'm going to award this week's prize to Dorian. While he suggests that his is not strictly-speaking abstract, it is still within the parameters of what I had in mind. I.e., the photo does not appeal from the point of view of being representational (even if you can figure out what it is, if you look closely), but appeals from the point of view of texture, patterns, colour, shading, depth of field effects and general visual interest. I quite like the juxtaposition of all those elements in the photo, and especially the texture overlay on the photo (those streaks on the glass), and the way half of it gives the impression of being in colour and half in black and white. Really quite an interesting and appealing photograph.
Some other really cool shots there too. I'd love to know what some of them are and how you took them. Turtle, Noel, Gspotter, and 'Rotto's are especially mysterious: care to fill us in? PB already revealed his. I'll just say that my own first "example" shot is indeed the interior ceiling of a big building - not a shopping centre as Turtle guessed, but actually the interior (about 15m high) of the National Gallery in Ottawa, taken simply by placing the camera facing up on a table, with time delay, when we were visiting at night. The second photo - my actual entry - is a photo of the front of an aluminum-doored refridgerator, taken at a slight angle that caused the light hitting it from various incandescent sources to create vertical wave patterns on the front of the doors due to slight irregularities in the aluminum.
In any event, over to you Dorian....for the selection of this month's theme...and to create a new thread to do it, if you like, as discussed above.
Mine was a macro shot of a paper lamp (from IKEA) on my desk.
http://www.nmpeterson.com/misc/an-abstract-reveal.jpg
Congrats, Dorian!
BuonRotto
2010-02-17, 09:34
Congrats, Dorian!
Mine was me taking a picture of tree branches outside, into the sun with my iPhone, and swinging my iPhone around while it captured.
Yeah, congrats Dorian. :)
Mine was a lemon with no PP macro style. If I had set up my lighting better it would have been sharper. Maybe I'll shoot it again with the extras just for fun. :)
Dorian Gray
2010-02-17, 13:29
Thanks Chinney!
My photo was taken from inside a phone booth, which supplied the graffitied glass. The girl's smiling face on the right is from an advertisement on the outside of an adjacent bus stop shelter. The face initially attracted my attention, after which I saw the phone booth and decided to shoot from inside it. I waited a few seconds until some passing cars added some colour from their taillights, then shot at f/4 with my 50 mm lens (75 mm angle-of-view on my camera). I would have liked better focus on the glass and a little more depth of field (maybe f/5.6 or f/8), but there wasn't much light and it all looked fine through my D60's squinty viewfinder!
Chinney's photo of the National Gallery interior was better than any of our attempts, in my opinion, but I didn't want to say that earlier for fear of influencing the judge. :D
I shall follow the suggestions about starting a new thread for the next theme. I might need a little time to think of a topic, though.
GSpotter
2010-02-17, 14:05
Good choice, Chinney and congrats Dorian! Well deserved.
My shot was a 500€ bill, taken with a 85mm/1.4 at full aperture and a closeup lens to minimize depth of field.
I just bought a (used) car last weekend, so I had a stack of bills lying on my table when I was looking for a subject for my contes entry...).
Dorian Gray
2010-02-17, 17:57
Thanks GSpotter and others. I've never seen a €500 note, and didn't even know they existed! I suppose that's the largest one in circulation?
I've started a new thread for the next contest, as suggested by people above. Click here (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?p=677319).
The new topic is easy, I think (which doesn't mean it will be easy to win, of course!). I'd rather not sink this competition in only its third month. :lol:
GSpotter
2010-02-18, 13:40
Thanks GSpotter and others. I've never seen a €500 note, and didn't even know they existed! I suppose that's the largest one in circulation?Yes. Until last weekend, I haven't seen one myself.
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