Spirit of Photography

Mentoring and Learning => Weekly Photography Assignments => Topic started by: keithsnell on March 19, 2011, 03:21:29 PM

Title: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: keithsnell on March 19, 2011, 03:21:29 PM
The assignment for the week of 21 - 27 March 2011 is "Signs of Spring."  I realize it might be a little early for Spring in some areas of the world, but I'm sure you can find some signs if you look hard enough.

(OK, I changed my mind on this, but will leave this post since it started the discussion thread below.)

Keith
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Lars on March 20, 2011, 04:06:05 AM
Keith

In my part of the world its better with an assignment "No signs of Spring"
Perhaps You can make this assignment a two weeks
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 06:09:24 AM
I have to say that my favorite part of spring won't be around for at least a month...  As long as we can do another Spring assignment I am fine with the first signs of spring but if not, then I agree that it is too soon.

Michèle
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 09:56:43 AM
Hmmm,

OK, how about some other ideas for an assignment for this week (or two) and then we'll do "signs of Spring" in a couple of weeks. 

Any ideas?

Keith
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 10:08:09 AM
Here are a few other ideas:

"illustrations."  Something along the lines of Norman Rockwell (but without an emphasis on his style), where your images are specifically constructed to illustrate a concept.

"Fragility." Constructing an image to emphasize the fragile nature of your subject

"Body Language."

"Minimalism."

"Famous lines."  An image designed to specifically illustrate a famous quote.

Do any of those sound interesting?  Any other ideas?

Keith
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 10:10:28 AM
I wish I had joined this website from the start because many of the assignments you have done a few years ago are very appealing to me.  

So is this one, it is simply a little too early for me...  I am open to everything.

Could we not repeat some that have already been done?

(Just if you want...) ::)
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 10:12:46 AM
I like all those ideas.  I really like fragility.  That can mean ohhh so many things.
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 10:15:02 AM
Sure, we could repeat some.  I've wondered when I should start repeating some of those assignments.  

Which ones appeal to you?

Keith
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 10:25:36 AM
The hardest one I did, I still believe was understanding the Focus Point assignment.

I still think Fragility is very cool.

Some of the past ones that I had not participated in and look very interesting would be:

Motion
Balance
Controlling Perspective
Simple beauty
Discord
Backlit
Complementary Colors/Harmonious Colors
Still Life
Abstract
Chaos
Macro
Long exposure
Bokeh (never got that quite right)
Framed

But all of them look good.  I don't see anything wrong in repeating stuff because maybe we see things differently.  (I re-did the water drop thing again last night but changed a deep pan of water with a shallow pan just to see how it would look...)  (Which, I posted...   :'()

And your other ideas are fab as well.  (I am not so keen on the Norman Rockwell but I would do anything as a challenge)

I feel like knocking down Spring was not so cool.  It's a great idea but I want to just wait a wee bit longer.  (I want the flower buds on the trees to start and not just muddy grass mixed with snow.)

Michèle
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 10:30:19 AM
I also had this idea of being the 3rd person or thing.

Like what would it be like being a chair with a (ummm) bum about to sit on me.  Or through the eyes of the dog about to get my food. 

I don't know how to explain what I mean except to say to see something at the angle of something else...  Like a sandwich about to be devoured.

I'm not being clear, I think.

Oh well, maybe you get my point.
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 10:34:45 AM
Thanks Michele (and Lars),

I suspected it might have been too early for a Spring assignment, so I'm glad you said something.  And thanks for listing the other assignments that you would be interested in repeating.  I'll update the assignment topic.

Keith
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 10:36:22 AM
To Dave,

 ;D
Title: Re: "Signs of Spring," Weekly Photography Assignment for 21 - 27 March 2011
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 10:47:57 AM
OK,  How about if we go with "Fragility" for this week's assignment, and then I will figure out how to best repeat some of the previous assignments.

I'll see if I can rename this topic to something like "potential assignment topics" and then post a new thread with the new assignment for next week.

Keith
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 10:53:00 AM
Sounds good to me. 

I have to say another thing I like about the assignments.  I like the surprise of what they are when I get onto the website.  It's a lot of fun, Keith, and I learn a lot from you.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 10:56:58 AM
Thank you.  I learn a lot when I participate in the assignments too.  If I didn't have the incentive of the assignments, I fear that I would let other activities take over all my time, and wouldn't make time for my photography.

Keith
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: prairiedust on March 20, 2011, 11:50:24 AM
Fragility sounds like a potent theme for an assignment.  My thoughts behind "signs of Spring" or "seasonal transitions" were more as a metaphor, mostly that of recovery. With patience darkness is always overcome by light,  coldness surrenders willingly to warmth... It helps give a context to tragedy and helps us keep hope.
But I love the concept of "fragility" as a theme for the next week.
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: Michele on March 20, 2011, 12:19:31 PM
I wouldn't mind an assignment on recovery, healing, transitions, or renewal either.  That sounds cool as well.  I took the assignment in the literal sense as it was written. 

I think fragility can fall within that category too. 

I have been following world events so closely lately that I think it is truly getting under my skin.  I finally heard from friends in Japan.  Their electricity was off until now too and, of course, I was not a priority as family members, etc.  But I feel guilty that I am relieved that they are ok.  It doesn't change the enormity of the situation over there and yet I feel relieved. 

As for the assignments, I think what I like about them too is the escape they give me. 

Anyways, my deep-thoughts friend, I would be into that too.

Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: wildshutter on March 20, 2011, 03:59:47 PM
Hey (Julie here under Lorin's log-in),

I came to the site looking for the update on the spring challenge. Lorin and I just came in from shooting for "signs of spring". I thought I was going crazy when I couldn't find it any longer :-) And of course, we even got shots we liked :-)

Personally, I like the more tangible assignments like shallow depth of field, portraits, birds, blue (or any color), single light source (or two light sources), etc. I think it builds my skill level more then the conceptual ideas.

Just my two cents worth.
Julie (and Lorin too :) )
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 04:08:19 PM
Thanks Julie (and Lorin),

Sorry about changing the topic on you.  (But glad you got some good images,)  I'd still love to see them!

I have to admit that I'm playing "catch up" after being gone for a couple of weeks (and occupied with preparing for the workshop for several weeks before that), so I haven't been able to put quite as much thought into the assignment topics.  I do appreciate all the feedback on what you all like (and don't like) for assignment topics.

I'll try to get back to more assignments that cover the "fundamentals" of photography and help to build our skills.

Keith
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: keithsnell on March 20, 2011, 04:10:08 PM
Hey (Julie here under Lorin's log-in),

I came to the site looking for the update on the spring challenge. Lorin and I just came in from shooting for "signs of spring". I thought I was going crazy when I couldn't find it any longer :-) And of course, we even got shots we liked :-)


Hi Julie,

The "Signs of Spring" album is still open, so how about submitting your images early?  I'd love to see them.

Keith
Title: Re: Potential Weekly Assignment Topics
Post by: marilyn on March 21, 2011, 12:15:34 AM
Fragility is definitely a thought-provoking topic that ties into the overwhelmingness of world events that have gotten under my skin too, Michele.  They certainly speak to the fragility of life and thus the importance of staying connected with family, friends, community.  You never know when it might get swept away.  And yet, there are signs of hope and renewal.....I got to visit with my parents and sisters for a few days last week at the beginning of our spring break and was reminded of my many blessings...