Bored & depressed.

[cdifoto]

I need some reassurance that I don't totally suck a$$. Lately I've been feeling like I should just sell everything. It was reaffirmed when I went shooting in Gettysburg with a hot chick friend from over on POTN. She got over 100 EXCELLENT images. I took 10 and only kept 3. Something's wrong with me.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/candids/2006-06-16-0002.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/candids/2006-06-16-0007.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/candids/2006-06-16-0008.jpg

[Vich]

Well, you gotta channel some of that energy you get meeting up with her into some photographic voodoo. 10 captures? What's that all about? Besides, 3 out of 10 ain't too bad. Also remember, it's so much easier to admire someone else's work!

#1 looks a little dark but otherwise very well composed. Great subject.

#2's my fav. Really like how the curve of his head matches the cornice. It just looks so real. He's either someone who just fell asleep there or is truely in pain. I think I'd PP out the tree leaning into him. The angle works to counter that he's facing the edge of the photo, but it's too prominant so therefore distracting. Sore thumb, and all theat. Good eye, good angle, nice choice of FOV. Definately does something for me!

#3 I think your boredom carried over to your PP. lol. Actually; it conveys a lot of energy. Just seems a little overdone to me. Does make me wanna duck, so it's achieving it's goal I think. :)


Hey, I could post some of the mediocre, boring, and just plain uninspiring shots I took today. Maybe that'll cheer you up. New lens, just had ... to ... click .... argggg still nothing interesting ... oh well (click click)

I think I had 3 really good ones today, but that's out of 2.5 GB taken. Also; they're mainly good because of the subject and my new lens, nothing to do with skill or creativity on my part. Your stuff shows real artistic input. (getting a little cheerier yet).

Surely; you jest. Hell, I got my last lens because I thought mine was holding me back .... from getting great results like yours. No kidding.

[timmciglobal]

Don't force it, take some time off...

:)

Tim

[JTL]

I need some reassurance that I don't totally suck a$$. One great shot is worth a thousand mediocre ones...hey...but you know that already...

The first shot is timeless...it could have been from the Viet Nam era or from yesterday...that's why it's so good. It's a classic. It reminds of something from Life Magazine. I think it's great...

I swear, between you and Peter...what's with the doubts? You know you can shoot! :rolleyes:

[cdifoto]

Thanks Vich. I didn't really even PP much on the last one. Just the sepia/noise action. The blur is simultaneous zoom/slow shutter. She spent $200 on a lensbaby and I was just like "neener neener I can do that with my...uhh...$1200 lens." D'oh!

When I did the sepia I thought it could kinda pass for that surreal feeling of being in war.

[cdifoto]

One great shot is worth a thousand mediocre ones...hey...but you know that already...

The first shot is timeless...it could have been from the Viet Nam era or from yesterday...that's why it's so good. It's a classic. It reminds of something from Life Magazine. I think it's great...

I swear, between you and Peter...what's with the doubts? You know you can shoot! :rolleyes:

Thanks. I saw 'em standing there, then he looked up..and I was like "I hope I nail focus".

I didn't but you can't tell at that size so oh well.

I still feel lame. 10 friggin pics, 3 of which were dupes of that guy with his head down. Maybe I should use the excuse "she was hot".

[Vich]

Maybe I should use the excuse "she was hot".Figured as much. So then, you didn't at least get some shots of her getting all those great shots?

Don't worry, she'll call again. Then you'll be off your slump!

(BTW: If you sell it all, can I get first dibs on your f2.8? Can I can I?:D )

[JTL]

Maybe I should use the excuse "she was hot".Now...where are the pictures of her (and don't think I'm the only one thinking that...I'm just the first to ask!)? :D :D :D

See...that son-of-a-Vich already beat me to it!!! O.K....the second to ask...

[cdifoto]

Stupid thing is I didn't even get any of her...

[aparmley]

Stupid thing is I didn't even get any of her...

damn - an all time low. . . .

I know whats in order here T_tty-city!

LOL - I know what you mean Don. . . I've been there very recently. . . You just have to find out what motivates you. . . . Why did you pick up this hobby. . . its because of this hobby, after all, that you met the hot chick that was so hot apparently you couldn't focus on photography. . . so you gotta be doing something right - maybe it was that last SP ? LOL ;)

keep your head about you and get motivated - you've got lenses people would kill for - no go out there and use them - I mylsef would like to see less PP on the above images! But all are great captures.

Later.

[ReF]

holy crap don's back :eek: . what's more is that the other don bought an L,
and the 70-200 IS at that :eek: :eek: :eek:
what is this world coming to?

seriously, i thought you left this place for good; i was just about to say wuttup to ya at potn

anyway if that chick is really that hot and it's your first time out with her that could explain why you were too busy to do any shooting. maybe the problem isn't you (definately aint your gear), maybe it's what you're shooting. what inspires you? what do you really want to shoot?

parm, you never fail to crack me up

oh crap, i just scrolled down and saw that parm already said what i was try to say

You just have to find out what motivates you

[24Peter]

Something's wrong with me.
Well no revelation there - but it doesn't mean you're not a great photographer! :o
Welcome back - and next time take more than 10 shots!

[24Peter]

I swear, between you and Peter...what's with the doubts? You know you can shoot! :rolleyes:
Hey - I'm cured. It's amazing what those little pills can do for one's self-esteem. :eek:

[cdifoto]

Hey - I'm cured. It's amazing what those little pills can do for one's self-esteem. :eek:

Share the wealth bro!

BTW I ain't givin' up totally yet. I just ordered a 10 foot wide backdrop support and a 10x20 white muslin the other day....

[ReF]

Share the wealth bro!

BTW I ain't givin' up totally yet. I just ordered a 10 foot wide backdrop support and a 10x20 white muslin the other day....

where are you getting all this moolah from - i thought you didn't work?

[cdifoto]

where are you getting all this moolah from - i thought you didn't work?

I just don't have a traditional job...


...although I'm gonna apply for one today to see if I can get some of this stuff faster. I'd love to just whip out the CC, order all my lights/varied backdrops, then pay for it when the bill comes. In the meantime I'm piecing it together little by little.


I also wanna get a new car. I have a POS minivan right now but drove my sister's Jetta the other day. I was so spoiled I didn't wanna get out... lmao.

[ReF]

I just don't have a traditional job...


...although I'm gonna apply for one today to see if I can get some of this stuff faster. I'd love to just whip out the CC, order all my lights/varied backdrops, then pay for it when the bill comes. In the meantime I'm piecing it together little by little.


I also wanna get a new car. I have a POS minivan right now but drove my sister's Jetta the other day. I was so spoiled I didn't wanna get out... lmao.

hey you don't take PM's any more?

[jamison55]

Wow, the whole family's back! Wait a minute, where's Christian...?

Keep pluggin', Don. I go through days where I just want to chuck everything into Lake Quinsigamond and go back to being a couch potato...but then I remember that I have contracts and would be sued if I stopped...

On those days a Rum & Vault Zero usually helps me get over myself.

On the other hand, only 10 shots for an entire day? What - were you shooting film?

[Vich]

I just don't have a traditional job...


...although I'm gonna apply for one today to see if I can get some of this stuff faster. I'd love to just whip out the CC, order all my lights/varied backdrops, then pay for it when the bill comes. In the meantime I'm piecing it together little by little.


I also wanna get a new car. I have a POS minivan right now but drove my sister's Jetta the other day. I was so spoiled I didn't wanna get out... lmao.Too bad you can't just do a single gig for someone in exchange for gear hua? I've had some musician friends that've done that - "lay this guitar track for me and you can have that used $1200 keyboard".

Seems like you got a combo hobby-profession with your stuff. Nice to have a creative outlet, esp one with an actual potential for earning extra (or even main source of) income! Not to mention a way to meet some hot chick online :cool: - or as in Peters case, 20 georgous babes a year filing through!

[JTL]

...or as in Peters case, 20 georgous babes a year filing through!A new one for the therapists': Peter Envy....:D :D :D

[Vich]

A new one for the therapists': Peter Envy....:D :D :D
JTL, you are just too funny! I'll tell ya, you ultra creative guys ....

Yeah, Peter's a regular Austin Powers.

[cdifoto]

Wow, the whole family's back! Wait a minute, where's Christian...?

Keep pluggin', Don. I go through days where I just want to chuck everything into Lake Quinsigamond and go back to being a couch potato...but then I remember that I have contracts and would be sued if I stopped...

On those days a Rum & Vault Zero usually helps me get over myself.

On the other hand, only 10 shots for an entire day? What - were you shooting film?

I'm poor so no "high dollar" drinks for me. Just cheap beer. I'm gonna switch to Bud Light though cuz the Miller was givin me headaches. One stinkin' beer even...and a headache. I want a hangover from hell if I'm gonna get a headache. wtf.

You'd think I was shooting film. I dunno why I didn't lift the camera more. I guess working in Gettysburg for awhile killed the excitement of it all.

[cdifoto]

Too bad you can't just do a single gig for someone in exchange for gear hua? I've had some musician friends that've done that - "lay this guitar track for me and you can have that used $1200 keyboard".

Seems like you got a combo hobby-profession with your stuff. Nice to have a creative outlet, esp one with an actual potential for earning extra (or even main source of) income! Not to mention a way to meet some hot chick online :cool: - or as in Peters case, 20 georgous babes a year filing through!

Yeah. I was tempted to go to the local lounge and be like "I'll shoot live bands in here for 3 months straight if you gimme a 1Ds Mark II."

I may still try it...

[Vich]

Yeah. I was tempted to go to the local lounge and be like "I'll shoot live bands in here for 3 months straight if you gimme a 1Ds Mark II."

I may still try it...
Don't forget to ask for free drinks and peanuts (gotta eat too)! :D

Jokes aside, that seems like selling yourself short. However a one night per week gig like that could be great practice and exposure to new pro-work. If you can get good band photos, in the dark and with odd lighting ... quite a challenge.

Just don't sell your soul for a camera that'll be obsolete in 3 years anyway.

And stay clear of those $400 weddings at the the reck-hall. :eek:

[cdifoto]

Don't forget to ask for free drinks and peanuts (gotta eat too)! :D

Jokes aside, that seems like selling yourself short. However a one night per week gig like that could be great practice and exposure to new pro-work. If you can get good band photos, in the dark and with odd lighting ... quite a challenge.

Just don't sell your soul for a camera that'll be obsolete in 3 years anyway.

And stay clear of those $400 weddings at the the reck-hall. :eek:

Beer, peanuts, and a 1Ds. What more does a growing boy need? :D

It only happens on Thursdays as far as I'm aware, so 3 months would actually only be 12 times. :eek: ;)


Definitely no more rec-hall wedding crap. I'm still gonna work cheap for now...but my lowest package is $750 for 4 hours and a decent number of prints. No more of this toiling at the computer for 12 hours trying to correct white balance from ghetto lighting crap...

[Vich]

Beer, peanuts, and a 1Ds. What more does a growing boy need? :D

It only happens on Thursdays as far as I'm aware, so 3 months would actually only be 12 times. :eek: ;)


Definitely no more rec-hall wedding crap. I'm still gonna work cheap for now...but my lowest package is $750 for 4 hours and a decent number of prints. No more of this toiling at the computer for 12 hours trying to correct white balance from ghetto lighting crap...
And what does that 1Ds cost? That's likely more than the band gets paid. So don't get too discouraged if they don't bite. Still; the exposure could pay off as long as you got paid adequately. Not quite like working the pits at the race track, where the only human contact you get are people contractually restricted from buying from you.

[cwphoto]

Wow, the whole family's back! Wait a minute, where's Christian...?

I'm here, but I'm depressed that we lost to Brazil so I'm not very talkative at the moment...:(

[JTL]

I'm here, but I'm depressed that we lost to Brazil so I'm not very talkative at the moment...:(Lost what to brazil? :p

[coldrain]

Lost a football match against Brazil, JTL :P
Yes, football... with a ball (you know, round thing...) and feet.

I do not get you, cdi... you lack inspiration, you lack ideas, you seem too down to look around and see (looking is of course the most important part of photography, you need to constantly learn to look).
Yet now again you want more expensive hardware, and the hardware really will not improve anything.

What you need is inspiration, and then lots of practice (with looking/seeing mostly). Go outside, sit on a bench in a park with your 70-200, and start observing people (not just the hot girls). Who knows, maybe a hot girl will observe you :p

[cwphoto]

Lost a football match against Brazil, JTL :P
Yes, football... with a ball (you know, round thing...) and feet.

Whadaya reckon Coldy - can we beat Croatia to advance to the play-offs?:confused:

[Ray Schnoor]

I'm here, but I'm depressed that we lost to Brazil so I'm not very talkative at the moment...:(
I thought the "Real" World Cup for Australia wasn't until next year. I'm sure that you won't be losing to Brazil then.

Ray.

[coldrain]

Whadaya reckon Coldy - can we beat Croatia to advance to the play-offs?:confused:
Well, you have the best coach :p....
And if you play like ozzies (rough and hard working) you definely can beat them. I know I want you to win :D

[cwphoto]

I thought the "Real" World Cup for Australia wasn't until next year. I'm sure that you won't be losing to Brazil then.

Ray.

Touche'.;)

There are actually two "Real" World Cups up for grabs next year, and judging by very recent form we are primed to win both.

[cdifoto]

I do not get you, cdi... you lack inspiration, you lack ideas, you seem too down to look around and see (looking is of course the most important part of photography, you need to constantly learn to look).
Yet now again you want more expensive hardware, and the hardware really will not improve anything.

What you need is inspiration, and then lots of practice (with looking/seeing mostly). Go outside, sit on a bench in a park with your 70-200, and start observing people (not just the hot girls). Who knows, maybe a hot girl will observe you :p

I bought that "hardware" so I can do portraits since I'll be in the yellow pages next month as a "portrait and wedding photographer". Has nothing to do with inspiration for shooting random crap.

[coldrain]

I meant the wish for a 1Ds mk II.

[cdifoto]

I meant the wish for a 1Ds mk II.

OK give me some credit...

...who in here would NOT want a 1Ds MKII? :rolleyes:

Sure I'd love to have one and wish for one...but you don't see me always talking about how I need one to be a better photographer. I've only mentioned having a 1Ds II in passing a couple times because of the rather sh*tty autofocus of my XTs. It's better since service but even so, a spot on 1 series would be better.

I don't see why you even felt the desire for a better body was a valid point to bring up....


A wish is a wish is a wish.

[Vich]

I bought that "hardware" so I can do portraits since I'll be in the yellow pages next month as a "portrait and wedding photographer". Has nothing to do with inspiration for shooting random crap.
Hey, congrads on the big leap! A yellow pages ad ain't cheap. Looks like you'll be getting lots of "practice" quick.

Don't recall, didn't you have 2 XP bodies? You'll definately need a backup body if you're "going pro" for wedding shoots. Heck, even an amature shouldn't be doing someone's wedding with a single (falable) body. A 30D is probably more within reason until business picks up and word is it's AF (and spot metering) is nice.

[cdifoto]

Hey, congrads on the big leap! A yellow pages ad ain't cheap. Looks like you'll be getting lots of "practice" quick.

Don't recall, didn't you have 2 XP bodies? You'll definately need a backup body if you're "going pro" for wedding shoots. Heck, even an amature shouldn't be doing someone's wedding with a single (falable) body. A 30D is probably more within reason until business picks up and word is it's AF (and spot metering) is nice.

Thanks Vich. Yeah it's a big jump but hey I gotta do somethin' and word of mouth just doesn't seem to work when you don't really know anyone to begin with. I figure put myself out there 100%. If I flop, then it just wasn't meant to be. My ad is just a basic couple lines...not a big graphics ad so the price wasn't too bad.

Yeah I have 2 XT bodies right now. I'll have to get some paid gigs under my belt before I can justify new bodies, no matter how big of a leap it ends up being. When I talk about any upgrade in bodies, I'm definitely talking about the purchase of 2 right out of the gate. No sense having just a single body of any kind at this point. I'm pretty set with my lensing save for a specialized task (long fast prime, short fast prime, ultrawide, or what-have-you). I can see another 580EX coming up the line soon for the sake of backup but that'd be about it.

Seems like since the repairs, it's pretty much just AI Servo that's not so spectacular. One-shot is generally ok. Not great, but I can use it.

[Vich]

Thanks Vich. Yeah it's a big jump but hey I gotta do somethin' and word of mouth just doesn't seem to work when you don't really know anyone to begin with. I figure put myself out there 100%. If I flop, then it just wasn't meant to be. My ad is just a basic couple lines...not a big graphics ad so the price wasn't too bad.

Just a suggestion - advertising pays in spades but it seems to take a couple of months. My brother has a many-client business, landscaping (as opposed to mine where I have 1 or 2 in three years). He's got great word-of-mouth because he specializes in Hollywood stars homes, but in the slow season he does fliers. Never fails, 6 weeks after "covering a neighborhood", phone rings off the hook and he picks and chooses. Other friends, real estate, say direct advertising pays. Refrigerator magnets, stuff like that.

Photography's surely different and more err - classy, but any way you can get your name out there without appearing tacky will help chances of success, IMHO.

I'm no marketing guy - just that good-ole free advice.

[aparmley]

Some Excercises for you and for all of us! I'm going to get started on this List soon - I keep procrastinating though.


Go to one spot and make 100 photos within 100 feet.

Go to one spot on 10 (100) different days and make 10 (100) photos.

Go to 10 (100) spots and try to make the same photo.

Pick one object, and make 10 or 100 photos of it.

Pick one cooperative subject and make 10 good photos of them, each as different as possible from each other. For example: high key, low key, ultrawide angle, long tele with wide aperture, motion blurred,

Pick ten photos that you really like, perhaps from photo history books, or magazines, or advertisements, or seen on the web. Try to replicate them as well as you can. Reshoot a few to get closer to the example.

On a day, from first light to the afterglow after sunset, make one photo every minute, or every five minutes, wherever you might find yourself.

Pick a technique you never or rarely use, and make a set of photos with it. An example might be second curtain sync, if your camera is capable.

If you always shoot color, make a set of B&W photos or vice versa.

If you tend to use natural lighting make a set of photos with flash or some kind of artificial arranged lighting; or vice versa.

Pick a type of photography you don't usually do, and spend an hour or a day doing it. For example, a portraitist might shoot landscapes or a sports photographer might shoot closeup / macro pictures.

Take your least used lens and make ten to 100 photos with it.

Go out in bad weather and make the best pictures you can.

Pick one compositional idea, and make a dozen photos using it. Examples might be "rule of thirds", or "diagonal contrast".

Go to a random location and then make as many "reasonable" and different pictures as you can in three minutes or ten or thirty minutes. For example, ahead of time you might pick a random transit stop and a random direction and a random amount of time between five and 15 minutes to walk. Or a random direction to drive, a random number of miles or minutes, and then random direction and time to walk from there.

If you use lots of lenses, go to an interesting spot or photo shoot and use one prime lens the whole time. If you only use one lens or a very limited set, then borrow or rent a different set and go on a photo shoot or expedition.

For a week, pick one color each day and make pictures based on that color.

Shoot the weekly assignment.

Pick your 17 best photos and reshoot them trying to improve on them.

Pick your 23 worst photos and reshoot them improving on them.

Pick your 13 best photos and show them to 13 people, photographers and photo-naive people. Keep copious notes on all the comments. Then reshoot them to try to make pictures that achieve the maximum satisfaction for the maximum number of people. Go back and get their commens on the reshoots.

Pick three to seven friends and people you love. Shoot a commissioned photo for each, and a non-commissioned photo of your own design and choosing for each. Print them nicely and maybe even frame them and give it to them.

Ask people at random passing by a location and get ten of them to let you make a picture of them, as best as you can, accounting for their personalities, as differently as you can, and using all the techniques in your skill set and a few you want to learn.


Vich - Perhaps some good themes for a Photo assignment?

[cdifoto]

Just a suggestion - advertising pays in spades but it seems to take a couple of months. My brother has a many-client business, landscaping (as opposed to mine where I have 1 or 2 in three years). He's got great word-of-mouth because he specializes in Hollywood stars homes, but in the slow season he does fliers. Never fails, 6 weeks after "covering a neighborhood", phone rings off the hook and he picks and chooses. Other friends, real estate, say direct advertising pays. Refrigerator magnets, stuff like that.

Photography's surely different and more err - classy, but any way you can get your name out there without appearing tacky will help chances of success, IMHO.

I'm no marketing guy - just that good-ole free advice.

Yeah I would prefer word of mouth but in the meantime I don't actually know people. I've unfortunately been a hermit most of my life...even in high school, so networking hasn't been my forte. Once I get a start I'm sure it'll really flow. It's that initial push I need right now. I can't really count the race track experience since most of those people were...well let's just say cheap.

[Vich]

Some Excercises for you and for all of us! I'm going to get started on this List soon - I keep procrastinating though.

Vich - Perhaps some good themes for a Photo assignment?
Yeah, some that don't have 10 photos (yeow).

- Photo same stranger with:
1. Conventional candid
2. Formal pose
3. Oddest tasteful angle
4. Pose with prop.

Could be fun for the subject too, if not a little wierd.

- Photo of same tree portraying 3 themes - you make themes but 3 examples are:
1. Solitude
2. Strength
3. Beautiful

You mean stuff like that?

I'd think strict and seeming arbitrary restrictions would demand more creativity.


Hey, not too much interest in the current "assignments", maybe y'all'll find this more inticing.

Yeah I would prefer word of mouth but in the meantime I don't actually know people. I've unfortunately been a hermit most of my life...even in high school, so networking hasn't been my forte. Once I get a start I'm sure it'll really flow. It's that initial push I need right now. I can't really count the race track experience since most of those people were...well let's just say cheap.
Lots of hermits doing good business out there! You've demonstrated a willingness to give new things a shot and that's a big barrier for most. Besides, there's an awful lot more "hermits" out there (as you call them) then you'de imagine. Type A and type B personalities and all that - nothing at all wrong with being a little shy on the uptake with people.

[24Peter]

...but in the meantime I don't actually know people. I've unfortunately been a hermit most of my life...
All I can say Don is, I'm glad you're back - I love your honesty. ;)

[aparmley]

Yeah, some that don't have 10 photos (yeow).

- Photo same stranger with:
1. Conventional candid
2. Formal pose
3. Oddest tasteful angle
4. Pose with prop.

Could be fun for the subject too, if not a little wierd.

- Photo of same tree portraying 3 themes - you make themes but 3 examples are:
1. Solitude
2. Strength
3. Beautiful

You mean stuff like that?

I'd think strict and seeming arbitrary restrictions would demand more creativity.


Hey, not too much interest in the current "assignments", maybe y'all'll find this more inticing.


Well - to be honest I thought if we could get a thread going for 1 excercise and have people link to all of their results kinda like Pete does. . . . ???? I don't know??

[DonSchap]

Some Excercises for you and for all of us! I'm going to get started on this List soon - I keep procrastinating though.


Go to one spot and make 100 photos within 100 feet.

Go to one spot on 10 (100) different days and make 10 (100) photos.

Go to 10 (100) spots and try to make the same photo.

Pick one object, and make 10 or 100 photos of it.

Pick one cooperative subject and make 10 good photos of them, each as different as possible from each other. For example: high key, low key, ultrawide angle, long tele with wide aperture, motion blurred,

Pick ten photos that you really like, perhaps from photo history books, or magazines, or advertisements, or seen on the web. Try to replicate them as well as you can. Reshoot a few to get closer to the example.

On a day, from first light to the afterglow after sunset, make one photo every minute, or every five minutes, wherever you might find yourself.

Pick a technique you never or rarely use, and make a set of photos with it. An example might be second curtain sync, if your camera is capable.

If you always shoot color, make a set of B&W photos or vice versa.

If you tend to use natural lighting make a set of photos with flash or some kind of artificial arranged lighting; or vice versa.

Pick a type of photography you don't usually do, and spend an hour or a day doing it. For example, a portraitist might shoot landscapes or a sports photographer might shoot closeup / macro pictures.

Take your least used lens and make ten to 100 photos with it.

Go out in bad weather and make the best pictures you can.

Pick one compositional idea, and make a dozen photos using it. Examples might be "rule of thirds", or "diagonal contrast".

Go to a random location and then make as many "reasonable" and different pictures as you can in three minutes or ten or thirty minutes. For example, ahead of time you might pick a random transit stop and a random direction and a random amount of time between five and 15 minutes to walk. Or a random direction to drive, a random number of miles or minutes, and then random direction and time to walk from there.

If you use lots of lenses, go to an interesting spot or photo shoot and use one prime lens the whole time. If you only use one lens or a very limited set, then borrow or rent a different set and go on a photo shoot or expedition.

For a week, pick one color each day and make pictures based on that color.

Shoot the weekly assignment.

Pick your 17 best photos and reshoot them trying to improve on them.

Pick your 23 worst photos and reshoot them improving on them.

Pick your 13 best photos and show them to 13 people, photographers and photo-naive people. Keep copious notes on all the comments. Then reshoot them to try to make pictures that achieve the maximum satisfaction for the maximum number of people. Go back and get their commens on the reshoots.

Pick three to seven friends and people you love. Shoot a commissioned photo for each, and a non-commissioned photo of your own design and choosing for each. Print them nicely and maybe even frame them and give it to them.

Ask people at random passing by a location and get ten of them to let you make a picture of them, as best as you can, accounting for their personalities, as differently as you can, and using all the techniques in your skill set and a few you want to learn.


Vich - Perhaps some good themes for a Photo assignment?

Andy - This was a rather nifty list. Gets a guy off his dead truck and out doing something worthwhile. I can see a lot of value to these exercises... and then, a few that seem a little tedious. But, the idea seems sound. :D Like, "Reverse Pyschology" for photographers. Face your fears and all that.

[noyjimi]

Nice shots cdi - I like the 3rd one best. How about cloning out that larger dark speck on the right side, though?

Andy, that is quite a workout list LOL. It's like the 23-athlon for photographers. :D Great ideas.

[cdifoto]

Nice shots cdi - I like the 3rd one best. How about cloning out that larger dark speck on the right side, though?


Thanks....but what dark speck?

[Vich]

Well - to be honest I thought if we could get a thread going for 1 excercise and have people link to all of their results kinda like Pete does. . . . ???? I don't know??Lets do it!

So, does he link to an album, post links, or post stuff inline? I seem to recall some album links.

We could start at #1 or take a vote on 1 thru 10. You wanna take it? 100 photos might be just a wee bit excessive.

[cdifoto]

Lets do it!

So, does he link to an album, post links, or post stuff inline? I seem to recall some album links.

We could start at #1 or take a vote on 1 thru 10. You wanna take it? 100 photos might be just a wee bit excessive.

He posts some teasers and links to the full gallery.

[noyjimi]

Thanks....but what dark speck?

On the 3rd pic, the dark streak on the right side. It's part of the zoom blur, I believe - just stands out from the rest of the blur.

[cdifoto]

On the 3rd pic, the dark streak on the right side. It's part of the zoom blur, I believe - just stands out from the rest of the blur.

Ohhh the telephone pole's cross-bar. Gotcha. I was debating whether to leave it or remove it. Out of lazyness I left it...

[24Peter]

He posts some teasers and links to the full gallery.
Oh - you mean like this?
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21060
I can't leave the room for a minute without you guys talking about me. :eek: Speaking of which, where's Jamie?

[Vich]

Some Excercises for you and for all of us! I'm going to get started on this List soon - I keep procrastinating though.


Go to one spot and make 100 photos within 100 feet.

Go to one spot on 10 (100) different days and make 10 (100) photos.

Go to 10 (100) spots and try to make the same photo.

Pick one object, and make 10 or 100 photos of it.

Pick one cooperative subject and make 10 good photos of them, each as different as possible from each other. For example: high key, low key, ultrawide angle, long tele with wide aperture, motion blurred,

Pick ten photos that you really like, perhaps from photo history books, or magazines, or advertisements, or seen on the web. Try to replicate them as well as you can. Reshoot a few to get closer to the example.

On a day, from first light to the afterglow after sunset, make one photo every minute, or every five minutes, wherever you might find yourself.

Pick a technique you never or rarely use, and make a set of photos with it. An example might be second curtain sync, if your camera is capable.

If you always shoot color, make a set of B&W photos or vice versa.

If you tend to use natural lighting make a set of photos with flash or some kind of artificial arranged lighting; or vice versa.

Pick a type of photography you don't usually do, and spend an hour or a day doing it. For example, a portraitist might shoot landscapes or a sports photographer might shoot closeup / macro pictures.

Take your least used lens and make ten to 100 photos with it.

Go out in bad weather and make the best pictures you can.

Pick one compositional idea, and make a dozen photos using it. Examples might be "rule of thirds", or "diagonal contrast".

Go to a random location and then make as many "reasonable" and different pictures as you can in three minutes or ten or thirty minutes. For example, ahead of time you might pick a random transit stop and a random direction and a random amount of time between five and 15 minutes to walk. Or a random direction to drive, a random number of miles or minutes, and then random direction and time to walk from there.

If you use lots of lenses, go to an interesting spot or photo shoot and use one prime lens the whole time. If you only use one lens or a very limited set, then borrow or rent a different set and go on a photo shoot or expedition.

For a week, pick one color each day and make pictures based on that color.

Shoot the weekly assignment.

Pick your 17 best photos and reshoot them trying to improve on them.

Pick your 23 worst photos and reshoot them improving on them.

Pick your 13 best photos and show them to 13 people, photographers and photo-naive people. Keep copious notes on all the comments. Then reshoot them to try to make pictures that achieve the maximum satisfaction for the maximum number of people. Go back and get their commens on the reshoots.

Pick three to seven friends and people you love. Shoot a commissioned photo for each, and a non-commissioned photo of your own design and choosing for each. Print them nicely and maybe even frame them and give it to them.

Ask people at random passing by a location and get ten of them to let you make a picture of them, as best as you can, accounting for their personalities, as differently as you can, and using all the techniques in your skill set and a few you want to learn.


Vich - Perhaps some good themes for a Photo assignment?
Well, I did it.

See new thread here (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?p=133557#post133557). Post in that thread if any format changes are desired.

Ummm, sorry, I don't have a sample to kick it off. Andy?