Assignment: Collections Sept. 23 - Oct. 7

[Saralonde]

This week we're checking Collections. Most of us have something we collect: seashells, coins, antique what-cha-macallits, etc. Find a way to display and shoot them in a way that makes them interesting. Keep in mind what you have learned about lighting, shooting from different angles, depth of field. Does your collection look better in color or black and white? Would adding a human element make it more compelling? Perhaps an unusual environment will make it stand out. See if you can infuse some personality into your grouping.

Not the best example, but...


As always, rules:
Please note the change in closing time.

Just a note to new posters: DO NOT start a new thread for your post. Please just hit the reply button at the bottom of any current post and put your image there.

1. Your original image you submit should be taken between the 23rd of September and the 7th of October. Each week as an assignment closes on the Wednesday, it will be AUTOMATICALLY deemed *CLOSED* after 8am GMT ( 3am EST) and any posts after that time will not be eligible for the assignment competition. Don't wait until the last minute to post!

2. Your post must include "Assignment: Collections" (to show your permission to count it for the contest) and the date the picture was taken (to show that it is a valid entry).

3. EXIF data should be intact. It helps if you can include the main points (including camera, lens, date taken, ISO, shutter speed and aperture) in the text of your message.

4. Only one entry per member (if you can't restrain yourself until the end of the first week you can post two or three separate pictures but your entry should be in a separate post and the only marked with the text above). It must be an original image taken by you.

5. Remember the cross-site image size limit (800px on the longest side).

6. If the image does not exist in post at the end of the contest, it is disqualified. If you modify anything on flickr and re-save the image then the link is broken and the message needs edited to link the picture again before it will be included in the contest.
For everyone, please do not repeat other people's photos by quoting them until the contest is over. If you want to comment on or discuss an entry you can use a link to it (or just delete the picture from the quoted text).

7. If you are looking for the winners of the mini-contest, please check the front page of the DPS blog Saturday late afternoon (EST) and here.

Next week we are going to look at Bokeh. Bokeh is the term used for the out of focus areas of an image you get with a shallow depth of field.

For some background reading, check these sites:

Bokeh basic definition (Wikipedia)
Understanding Boke (Luminous Landscape)
DSLR Bokeh Tutorial
Pocket Camera Bokeh Tutorial
Shaped Bokeh

[GwenieThePooh]

My Mug Collections and Me



EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D50
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 44 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Flash: Auto, Fired, Return detected
Date and Time (Digitized): 2009:09:29 11:19:28-07:00

[alphasco]

My camera collection
(not for assignment -- just for enjoyment and nostalgia)

This montage represents the heart of my camera collection, specifically the cameras I have owned and/or worked with during almost 60 years in photography. The total collection consists of around 25 cameras.
Best viewed by clicking on image to get to Flickr, click on "All sizes," and view larger image.



The first two at the top were my parents' that they let me use on school outings when I was about 9 or 10 years old. The third one from the top was given to me by my uncle who encouraged my interest in photography. Except for the first two for which the dates indicate when my parents obtained the cameras, the dates near the other cameras are for when I started using that particular camera. (This montage is a scanned version of a Word document created for the cover of a booklet for a presentation made to photo students.)

The overlay represents the "Golden Rectangle" and "Golden Spiral" sometimes used in image composition.

[Keikyu]

Mums Triptych


I was back home visiting my parents last week, and decided to shoot my parents' collection of mums on the front porch. They always have quite a collection of seasonal flowers on display for the neighborhood!

Yellow Mum:
Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 105 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Taken on September 23, 2009
Orange Mum:
Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 105 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Taken on September 23, 2009
Red Mum:
Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.077 sec (1/13)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 105 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Taken on September 23, 2009

[mdhanafi68]

Camera: Canon EOS 1000D
Exposure: 0.25 sec (1/4)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

a very old lamp, collection of my brothers. simply love the colors..

[savetheduck]

Willow Tree



EXIF
Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.0166 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Date and Time: 2009-09-30 09:52:24

[sdhondatuner]

This is a shot of my "Suzie B" collection.



Taken: 09-28-2009
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: Sigma 70-300 mm
Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 220 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Flash: No Flash

[karwash]

Although I have all sorts of 'stuff' at home (most in multiple sizes and colours) nothing really qualifies as a 'collection'. Rummaging through the 'stuff' I found a collection of knitting needles:



I thought they had a nice colour contrast, they drop shadows from an overhead halogen lamp (ghetto light) and I opted for a very small DOF. I hope that qualifies as a 'collection' of techniques

Date picture taken: September 28, 2009
EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 80 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
More EXIF on flickr (click picture to view)

[WildRain]

American Experience



Canon A1000-IS, iso400, f/2.7 @ 0.3s, 6.2mm focal length, taken Sept 28,2009

[LenDog]

Assignment: Collections.



Date Taken: 26 Sep 09
Camera: Sony DSLR-A330
Lens Focal Length: 22mm
Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
F Number: F4.0
ISO: 200
Flash: No Flash Fired