June 2011 photography assignment - Breaking the rules

[Bambi]

Anyone got any ideas for the level 1 and level 2 assignments?

Here's one idea though I'm not sure whether it's level one or 2.
Creative use of hard light.

anyone think that's good or have additional suggestions?

A tough one, but what about creative sef-portrait ala these examples here:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/18-stunning-self-portraits

I was wondering about photos that break the rules: like not using the ROT, having blown out highlights or any of the other rules

+1 for "A tough one, but what about creative sef-portrait ala these examples here:"
i think that should be level 2.

Any other ideas for regular assignment? I like Breaking the rules? anyone else?
Thx - Marko

I agree with Marko on the level 2 being more appropriate for the creative self portrait and breaking the rules could be fun and creative for the regular assignment!

[Marko]

Ok members the regular assignment is breaking the rules.

Some traditional rules that people can choose to break:
- Rule of thirds
- Tonal quality rules (good detail from white to black)
- overexposure/underexposure
- Compositional rules.

It would be nice if the shots still "work" but feel free to break that rule as well, lol.

OK then who will post first?

[fortinphoto]

This was an already strong backlit image ... but I found it lacked some punch or a center element. I decided to make it even more abstact by removing color and cranking the constrast.

http://fortinphoto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/yapb_cache/20110525_20110525_dsc_0438_edit1.cprlhwngu5kosog4k 8kcog8kc.ae6egtt2xvk0sowk84g4ock8k.th.png

Here is the original shot ...

http://fortinphoto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/20110525-20110525-DSC_0437-300x199.jpg

[in00bz]

is that enough? 12443

[Marko]

Nice start here fortinphoto and in00bz - both rulebreakers!

[Crashcat]

12508

[Bambi]

I like the creativity of these shots so far. Here's one I took yesterday. I tagged along with the NS Photo Guild to a greenhouse. Turns out the person who owns it does sculpture and they are everywhere. This one was on a hill of native flowers and plants. I took a few and didn't like them at all. I then wandered into the woods and when I came out I saw this. It breaks the rule of thirds- everything is pretty centred but I don't think it could have been shot any other way.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5119/5823091242_bded5d9afc_b.jpg

[Marko]

Nice one crashcat!
Bambi - I REALLY dig this shot - nicely seen and captured!

[Bambi]

thanks Marko. Here's some use of underexposure:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5194/5840891760_8d6909ede3_z.jpg

[Iguanasan]

Well, no rule of thirds in this one. The subject is very low in the frame.

12543

[Wicked Dark]

Most of my wildflower photos are natural in setting and colors, but this sheep laurel shot was really fun to play with and distort all out of reality. I don't see too many processed like this.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/5831818739_0fbf0a5980_z.jpg

[mbrager]

As a rule, the forum prizes focus and sharpness, especially in animal shots. None of these are particularly sharp, hence the broken rule, and posting in this thread.
In spite of using a 120-400 mm Sigma lens on a monopd, I could not get close enough for some of my targets yesterday. But I managed to capture 5 birds I'd never seen before in Calgary. The pelicans were a particular surprise, suddenly rising on the horizon, flying silently overhead in large numbers (maybe 40), and just as suddenly disappearing.
These were all shot at or near the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

1. Harlequin Duck
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/5847298578_2da2775e6e_z.jpg

2. Double Crested Cormorants
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/5846738375_814bd02616_z.jpg

3. Eastern Kingbird
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5847297058_ba70d2b977_z.jpg

4. American White Pelicans
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5312/5847296382_b0733aab9e_z.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/5846736397_e3fe9e7729_z.jpg


5. Unidentifiable (maybe a Least Flycatcher)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/5846735707_287538ef8a_z.jpg

[F8&Bthere]

I'm pretty sure this breaks some rule or another- either subject amputation (can you amputate a whole body, or would this be reverse amptuation?) and/or leading the eye out of the frame...
12560

[Iguanasan]

I don't know what rule it breaks but I like it! :)

[jude01]

here's my attempt,
first one=
highlights are blown out, background dark and u cant see its face and no clear eye or eye highlight, but I like this one, thought the little poof was a kool " hairdo"
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l189/selenaxrt123/Selena%20Rhodes%20Scofield%20Photography/duckpoof.jpg

second one=
My old camera started to glitch out and this is what i got one day, colors are all weird and the highlights are so bright kinda looks like its on fire. my hand has hovered over the delete button so many times with this one but for some reason i never could get rid of it.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l189/selenaxrt123/Selena%20Rhodes%20Scofield%20Photography/sunflower.jpg

[cindiaugustine]

12626
This one breaks the rule and then some...the focus is in odd spots, it's a mish-mash with no central subject, and no rule of thirds. But, I like it!