This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums (11-17 Oct ‘09)

Weekly Assignment

This week’s assignment was Bokeh. And it showed just how useful the out of focus parts of your photo can be in creating a pleasing composition. Our winner this week was djwl’s Blue Gerbera. The simplicity and monochromatic tones created a very pleasing image that was just simply beautiful. Our first runner up was bmjesus’s Morning Dew shot. We really liked the vivid colours and sparkling dew. The simple curves and effective use of similar tones created a very pleasing shot. And last, but not least was kgtyamar’s Squares and Bokehs. The use of opposing colours and shapes created a very interesting shot that was really very fun. The composition was nice and the shapes really played against each other well. Congrats to this week’s winners!

Whether you’re looking out or looking in, Windows are our next assignment. You may find windows that are architecturally interesting or they may just enhance the composition. But remember what you’ve learned in the past with lighting, composition, and settings and apply it when you’re shooting windows. As usual, a quick run down of the rules for the assignment. First, your photo must have been taken between 7 – 21 October 2009. Second, your post must include the date the photo was taken and the words “Assignment: Windows”. And finally, your EXIF should be intact and it’s useful if you can include the main points (camera, lens, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc). Next week’s assignment will be Scary or Spooky. Halloween is coming up so try to come up with something that will give us a bit of a fright. Good luck!

Hot Threads

• What do you do when (if) you misplace your passion?: It’s easy to say “we all get burned out” whether it’s photography, writing, art, or something else. But what do you do when you hit that point? Do you work through it? Do you wait until the passion comes back? What is it that makes you want to shoot again?
• Show me the benefits of RAW (with sample file): The argument is never ending in photography… RAW or JPG. But in this thread, wulf gives you the chance to edit one of his RAW files to show how you can make it better than the JPG that the camera captured. Come check it out and get the file in this thread.
• How to: Basic Photo that looks Professional: Since this thread was posted about a month ago it’s had over 1300 views. In this thread you’ll see one way that you can process a photo to create a high key slightly desaturated look that you may see in some professional photos.
• What Would You Do: Our weekly post-processing thread is back again this week with another forum member photo that you’re invited to try to post-process and show your results. Whether you’re new or old to the forums, post-processing or the challenge, you’re more than welcome to join in!