This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums (9-15 Aug ‘09)

Weekly Assignment

This week we completed the Album Cover assignment. In picking the winners this week, we kept a few things in mind. First, we looked at how well the photo fit a CD cover (square shots). Next, we looked at how well text would fit on there or if the text had been used effectively. There were cases where poor typography brought down the quality of an otherwise good image. With those thoughts in mind, our winner this week was schmelly’s “Beach Birds”. The colours seemed almost hyper-real, but the overall image was funny and clever and worked well given that the birds looked like they really were singing. Our first runner up was Gobra’s “Ravioli Tails”. Although the image really didn’t seem to have much to do with music, we kept coming back to it. With the way the girl is looking out of the frame it creates an engaging image and it had an excellent use of text. And last, but not least, wasPamSav’s “Another Place”. The cover was simple and effective and she was inspired by U2’s album “No Line on the Horizon”. Congrats to this week’s winners, and everyone else, keep trying! We love seeing such great entries in the competition.

We also started our Mixing Elements assignment. For this assignment, your photo needs to show two or more of the basic elements of earth, air, fire, or water (not just one). In order to be eligible for the mini-contest, your photo needs to have been taken between 5 – 18 August 2009, the EXIF should be intact, and it’s helpful if you can include the main points. In addition, your post must include the words “Assignment: Mixing Elements” and the date that the photo was taken. Next week’s assignment is “Two for One”. We want to see two images of the same subject with one key setting changed (e.g. shutter speed, aperture, focal length, etc). How does it effect your image? Do you like one better than the other? You may be surprised with how much one little change can make in your image.

Hot Threads

• Removal of Barbed Wire: Sometimes post-processing threads really stand out. And this is one of those. In this thread, Usuqa shows us how he removed barbed wire from a picture of horses though a lot of cloning.
• Canon 50mm f/1.2, f/1.4 or f/1.8: Threads about the various 50mm lenses out there have been popular this week. One forum user has been having problems using his 50mm f/1.2 while another is trying to make a decision about whether to get a 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8. Whether you’re an avid nifty fifty user or you’re just trying to make a decision about one, these threads may be useful to you.
• Portraits for families who are in the service: Regardless of politics, this is another opportunity for photographers to get out and donate some of their time. This thread links to a group that gets photographers to take free family portraits during the month of September of families who have a loved one overseas. If you’re interested come check out the thread.
• What picture are you most proud of?: If there was only one photo that you took that you could show people, what would it be? What is the image that you are most proud of? Come share it in this thread and see the other photos that members of DPS are also proud of.
• What Would You Do: Another weekend means it’s time for another week of our post-processing thread where you get to edit a photo from another forum member. Whether you’re new to post-processing or you can create an image that looks right out of a camera, you’re welcome to join in this thread to practice your post-processing skills.