Looking for a subject

[janestarz]

I've just finished reading the third book of Scott Kelby's excellent photography tips. (I own books 1 & 3, so should anyone be looking for a present...). It's very inspiring.

I realise I won't get much better at photography if I just let the camera sit in my cupboard all year and only take it out at events. Already I'm running into restrictions and failed photographs because I don't know exactly how to handle difficult lighting conditions, changing my camera's settings, and adjusting for fog/light/darkness/action/orks/dust/sunrise/sunset/etc.

So I need to practice.
And to practice, I need to be inspired.

Other photographers have done a Project52. It's a more common theme if you perform a Google search. Some people paint a portrait each day. Others make sure they write a set number of words each week. Marit, Tineke, Sybren and Ork have done such a project earlier.

I'm not sure I can commit to making a themed photograph each week, but perhaps I can pick a theme from a list of themes every time I feel like doing a shoot. I've already got some techniques I would like to cover (like HDR, which I've tried before), but I'm sure you guys could help me find more interesting things to photograph.

Don't be limited by things either. Themes. Soap. Squares. Architecture. Lamp posts. Geometric Shapes. Letters on the street. Texture. Objects. Styles (do a Picasso! A Monet sunset!). Give me your best shot! What should I do?

(Incidentally, if someone's looking for a new P52, I'm game!)

Comments

[kenshinichinyo.livejournal.com]

A very selfish suggestion: I need some photo material for my website? ;)

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

Let's e-mail!

[querca-robur.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about doing something P12 like. P52 was fun in the beginning, but about 40 weeks in, motivation just left me. P12 would be a bit less pressure, maybe some more seasonality to be used etc. So if you come up with something worth doing a year long project about: Count me in!

[nathreee.livejournal.com]

I have a nice little camera so I would be game for a P52, though I'm an amateur who just points, clicks a few times and then tries to figure out which one is the best. I'm not up for artsy, difficult lighting, photoshooty things, but I'll make pictures of the little things in life. I want to explore macros.

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

Let's pick a date, get together, and do artsy things with camera's!

[aroka.livejournal.com]

A threesixtyfive or a P52 is a *lot* of work, but it also really pays of! I'd recommend it. By focusing yourself to make at least one creative photo every week, even when weeks are awfully busy, you keep working on your photography skills. This helped me a lot!

Also, don't pick themes from a list, but try to let others pick them for you. If you chose themes for yourself you'll invariably end up with themes that are "safe" or easy, or you already have an idea about. If somebody else picks, like with P52, you'll end up with themes that enforce you to think and be creative. This will really help with the learning experience.

Good luck!

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

I could make a list of possible subjects (both my own and those recommended to me), toss them in a randomiser and get an order.

But people aren't telling me what I should do, or suggesting topics or styles or subjects!

[aroka.livejournal.com]

Fair enough.

Before the end of this week (deadline: Sunday 12th, 23:59) I shall expect min. 1, max. 3 (new) photos from you, set in the theme "games". Resulting pictures will be graded.

Better? :)

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

Lots!

I'm inviting Twilightbanana and Nathreee to join in as well!

[aroka.livejournal.com]

Good! I'll be looking forward to the results then :)

[twilightbanana.livejournal.com]

I've got a camera here I'd like to use a bit more often...P52 sounds good :)

[https://me.yahoo.com/maladignia#6d2f0 (from livejournal.com)]

Something to throw in your randomizer:

candy
heat
blue
dust
grain
movement
buttons
sea
destruction

You could also throw in some weird band names.

~Brenda~

[anastaszia.livejournal.com]

Can I join? I'm not a great photographer but I would like to get better also. And practice makes better....

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

Sure! I'll add you to the mailing list we've got going ;-)

Did you see the first challenge? It's here (http://janestarz.livejournal.com/931991.html?thread=2582679#t2582679).

[ikhier.livejournal.com]

Would love to join, but am too busy, and am using my cam a bit more than before anyhow. Even having two or wait, no three, photoshoots in the pipeline.

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

You can always join the Flickr group and pick up on any challenge that you feel inspired by...

[ikhier.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that would be nice!