This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums (6-12 Jun ’10)

Weekly Assignment

This week we took the time to photograph the memorials of those that have gone before us in our Cemeteries assignment. Cemeteries can be peaceful, creepy, and even famous. They may be famous for the people buried within them or for things that have taken place there. But the interesting thing is that more often than not, they are a place filled with stories, both those you create for yourself and those created and lived by others. Our winner this week was Evn1ngStar‘s “IR Cemetery”. It has an almost surreal look about it because although the stones are the typical look we would expect in a cemetery, the trees and grass are totally different. This is the result of an infrared photograph. Overall, we really liked how surreal it looked, and the stones really stood out against the background in a way that might not have been possible with a colour shot. Our first runner up was Steves Shots‘s “Rest in Peace”. The tones, perspective, and lines all lead you to the main subject of the photo, creating an interesting look at the details that all come together to form a good shot. And last, but not least was Penary‘s “National Cemetery”. The rows upon rows of military graves along is just heart-tugging for the sheer number of people who have been casualties of war. This shot has great lines, and the fog in the distance along with the colour of the flags really sets it apart. Well done everyone!

This week we also started a more technical assignment which focuses on the use of the Dutch Angle Shot. A Dutch angle shot is one that utilizes camera tilt in order to portray psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being filmed. The horizon is at an angle to the bottom of the frame, and while many shots are static shots utilizing an obscure angle, it can also be used in moving shots by pivoting, panning, or tracking along the established diagonal axis for the shot. You’re not limited in your subject or your choice of colour or post-processing, so make sure to use the technique to the best of your ability. It can be tricky, but if you do it right, you’ll be surprised with how effectively it can convey a mood. As always, a quick reminder of the rules. First, your photo must have been taken between 2 – 16 June 2010. Second, your post must include the words “Assignment: Dutch Angle Shot” and the date the photo was taken or it will not be considered in the mini-contest. Finally, your EXIF should be intact, and it’s useful if you can include some of the main points, such as shutter speed, ISO, aperture, camera, lens, etc. Next week’s assignment will be Low Angle. We want you to get down low, lie down even. Think about how your subject will look if you’re shooting close to the ground, and see if you can come up with an interesting new viewpoint.

Hot Threads

• Need Motivation: If you’re not faced with a deadline to finish post-processing your photos for a client, you might be faced with a problem of trying to motivate yourself to go through all 200 shots you took when you walked through the park, or 400 shots from that great show you went to, or 150 shots from your walk to work. So how do you motivate yourself to do something with those shots so they don’t just sit on your computer. Come share your advice over in the forums.
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• What Would You Do: Come join us over in our weekly post-processing challenge where you get the chance to edit another forum member’s photograph. Whether you’re new to post-processing, or you could photoshop in an old hat, you’re welcome in the thread. The goal is to show people a new way to look at their photography while helping both you and the other person to learn.