December 2011 photography assignment - Lights

[Marko]

Anyone got ideas for the regular and level 2 assignments?

thx!

Self portraits? or too personal?

How about ugly ducklings, take a photo of something normally overlooked in a way that makes it appealing.


How about ugly ducklings, take a photo of something normally overlooked in a way that makes it appealing.

oh I like that idea.

How about something holiday related/seasonal...or is that too cliched?

I like the 'ugly ducklings' idea - looking for beauty in everything - challenging and fun.

Ugly ducklings is a great one for the level 2 assignment and has my vote.

For the regular assignment so far we have the following ideas;
- Holiday theme
- Self portraits

I'll throw out another idea for the regular assignment. - Lights

So we could use a bit more support on any of the 3 possible themes for regular assignment or the suggestion of an additional theme....so what ideas you like? I'd like to make the choice by the end of today. Thanks!

'Lights' as a catagory offers wider possibilities I think, and gets my vote.


'Lights' as a catagory offers wider possibilities I think, and gets my vote.

ditto

My self portrait would fall under the ugly duckling category.

I vote lights

I did some light pictures last weekend. I guess I was too early. If this is chosen I guess it is an incentive to get out and do some more. So I guess what I am saying is I agree with lights for level 1 and ugly ducklings for level 2.

[Marko]

Hi members - The suggestion posts are merged and the regular assignment this month is Lights.

Ok then who will post first?

[asnow]

I guess I'm first. Mississauga City Hall

[Doug L]

Really like the composition and colour tone of shot #2. Very nice.

[Marko]

Nice start asnow! Yup lovely comp on shot 2!!

[theantiquetiger]

Asnow went grand, I went simplistic

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6461430259_43f8201f3b_b.jpg

[Iguanasan]

Well, there's not a lot of Christmas lights but the topic is "Lights" not "Christmas Lights" so I think this qualifies.

14208

[Marko]

Nice ones AT and Iggy - good comp in both images!

and u are correct iggy - Any shot with light counts!

[scorpio_e]

http://steelcityphotography.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v37/p707372427.jpg


Here is an edgy take on lights.

[Crashcat]

Lonely.

[Bambi]

these are terrific guys. I hope to have some up soon.

[kat]

Getting ready to put the lights up!


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6479538819_d75d73c87e_b.jpg

[theantiquetiger]

That is simply beautiful, Kat!!!

[Bambi]

wonderful Kat. here's one from me:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6479587677_d71b7bb5e7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/6479587677/)
china sun 中国日 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/6479587677/) by bambe1964 (http://www.flickr.com/people/bambe1964/), on Flickr

[Crashcat]

Broken Light:headslap:

[Andrew]

Nice portrait Kat.

[Marko]

Nice new additions everyone!

[AcadieLibre]

Some real nice photos of lights, nice to see it is not all about Christmas and some interesting takes.

[susan]

Not a lot of free time these past few days and then heading into the next several weeks, but I did make time to add a submission to the assignment "light". the Ballroom dancers photo was done first... I did not use the cell flash, (Cell flash was used to "spot light" the Elf's face) the reflector or the hired hand.. I did however use lights draped on the mirror + the reflected lights. For fun, I included my light sources diagram for the elf photo...PP was minimal... I hope to sneak in a few minutes to comment on the pieces submitted... right now, it is time to prepare for a wedding...

[aubintbay]

The little town I'm working in right now had their Christmas parade tonite which I missed of course......completely forgot it!:sad:
After the parade though a few people gathered around the christmas tree in the mall parking lot for a bonfire. Took a bunch of pics of that and this was the best. Shot this from 250/300 feet away. ISO 4000.

[mbrager]

Even though we don't celebrate Christmas, it's hard not to be intrigued by the lighting displays on every second or third house in our neighborhood. So out I went last night to take some pictures. Lessons learned: 1. Put the camera on the tripod with the remote shutter release before you leave the house 1a. Take a flashlight. 2. Use a zoom lens because the compositions are very difficult to line up and avoid getting run over. 3. Ignore the barking dogs 4. Be friendly to people interested in what you are doing 5. Expect problems with time exposures and noise, so check your photos and reshoot before you move away 5a. Exposure compensation and manual focus are your friends 6. Gloves are a must in Calgary, but not all gloves work with a DSLR camera on a tripod 7. It's a very pleasant way to spend a few evening hours, including returning home to downloading and processing. I love the look of lights on a dark background. 8. There's much to enjoy during the season. Feel free to add to the list. Happy Holidays.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6488536603_cc84efcb18_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6488538009_a66a3775de_b.jpg

[susan]

Went to a Christmas walk in a small town about 1/2 hour from here. This little church held a Madrigal concert with horns, recorders and vocalists... whilst enjoying the sounds of the season, the wall caught my attention and how beautifully lit the art was -- bonus chandeliers made what my eye was seeing even prettier. Photo quality is not the best as I used a cell phone.

[susan]

[QUOTE=mbrager;117345]Even though we don't celebrate Christmas, it's hard not to be intrigued by the lighting displays on every second or third house in our neighborhood. So out I went last night to take some pictures. Lessons learned: 1. Put the camera on the tripod with the remote shutter release before you leave the house 1a. Take a flashlight. 2. Use a zoom lens because the compositions are very difficult to line up and avoid getting run over. 3. Ignore the barking dogs 4. Be friendly to people interested in what you are doing 5. Expect problems with time exposures and noise, so check your photos and reshoot before you move away 5a. Exposure compensation and manual focus are your friends 6. Gloves are a must in Calgary, but not all gloves work with a DSLR camera on a tripod 7. It's a very pleasant way to spend a few evening hours, including returning home to downloading and processing. I love the look of lights on a dark background. 8. There's much to enjoy during the season. Feel free to add to the list. Happy Holidays.

Totally enjoyed your writing of lessons learned. :-) Nice photos too!

[susan]

So many posts made already --- I like the diversity of submissions! Two that stood out the most to me were Scorpio e's Intensity :o.... Made me think of the red light district of New Orleans.... and Kat's little miss with the lights washing her face with a beautiful glo :angel: --- December is only a 3rd used up -- can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings!

[theantiquetiger]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6491055681_70f18de2e9_b.jpg

[susan]

Nice add, antiquetiger!

[Marko]

Cool new submissions!!

[Cape Bretoner]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3006/3099011921_7c0338f92d_z.jpg?zz=1

[Iguanasan]

My first entry...

14267

[JAS_Photo]

Great images every one! Well, what with working 12 or 14 hour days and doing some photography for the Club, I have not had the time to go out and take phots but caught this with my phone "retro camera" on the way home from shopping a few days ago.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6519553431_7ab360a6e3_o.jpg

[Richard]

14268 Here's one of Andrew in front of the Christmas tree lights, this one's lit with a interfit 455, I quite liked the mood so I decided not to fill in the shadows with a reflector.

[Marko]

Nice portrait and shot here Richard!

[susan]

14268 Here's one of Andrew in front of the Christmas tree lights, this one's lit with a interfit 455, I quite liked the mood so I decided not to fill in the shadows with a reflector.
This little boy reminds me of the boy in the movie Polar Express. I love the rosiness of his sweet little cheeks. :-)

[Iguanasan]

Boats on the Arm

14272

[susan]

Two words, Iggy. LOVE it!

[asnow]

Spotlight on Santa. I looked out the window and the sun was shining through the trees right on Santa. I guess he was saying he hoped that everybody had a merry christmas and got all the presents they wanted

[lindsayb]

Wish I had something I've taken this year, but how about one from last year? I've got a few days left of the month, maybe I'll have a new one yet. :) This was taken in the middle of a snowfall and there was this wonderful quiet all around me. It was cold, but I loved every minute of it.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1529/imgp8982.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/imgp8982.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[susan]

Lindsay - Love how you have the moon poking through the tree :-) Very nice!

[susan]

asnow - The lighting on Santa was the sun? That is cool!

[asnow]

Yes Susan, the lighting was the sun. It was actually much brighter than it shows (maybe 3:30 in the afternoon). I exposed for the lit santa and it darkened the surroundings to make it look like it was at dusk.

[Lungelarry]

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff304/lungelarry/DSC00143Medium.jpg

[lindsayb]

Thanks Susan. :) It was actually just a street lamp but I like the effect all the same.

So I came across an opportunity to do a current shot for this thread and took it:

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4286/imgp0917j.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/imgp0917j.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[susan]

I do too!
Now then, about this new submission. This image makes me think of this (you really want viewer's interpretations, right? LOL)
First. Romance. To me, candles easily link to romance.
Second. Since the candles evoke romance, the fact that you placed TWO in the photo and not a 'kinky' third - leads me even more of the feeling of romance... maybe in the spring a wee candle may appear? - however - 'candle right' may be playing 'hard to get' as it's flame is leaning away from 'candle left' - but - 'candle left's' flame is standing tall.

your candles are telling a very interesting story :-D

[celksy]

Larry, I really like the abstractness of your "lights on the water" shot! No, I love it!

As for the second shot: Susan, my take is that candle #2 is stepping back a little to take an admiring glance at #1. I think wee candles for sure.

[susan]

Larry, I really like the abstractness of your "lights on the water" shot! No, I love it!

As for the second shot: Susan, my take is that candle #2 is stepping back a little to take an admiring glance at #1. I think wee candles for sure.

I do too, celksy - I think 'candle left' will melt 'candle right' with it's warmth ;>

[Marko]

very creative everyone- sneaking in this one of baci

[Bambi]

lol Marko- it looks like your cat is an evil villain captured by Wonder Woman.
Here's one from me- Radio City Music hall. this was really hard to get sharp because lugging a tripod around Manhattan is really not an option and would be impossible on the crowded streets anyway. I anchored my camera on a post and took quite a few.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6609606093_fe7b3229fe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/6609606093/)
radio city (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/6609606093/) by bambe1964 (http://www.flickr.com/people/bambe1964/), on Flickr

[Mad Aussie]

very creative everyone- sneaking in this one of baci
http://www.photography.ca/Forums/attachments/f13/14390d1325365484-december-2011-photography-assignment-lights-dfp_3198-baci-lights.jpg

Someone pulled your cat inside out ... and he looks pissed about it too!!! :headslap:

[susan]

Oh. my. goodness. Marko. That cat! LOVE!!! Reminds me of Grandma Wrinkles from Real Housewives of New Jersey's first season - Dina Manzo's cat (http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/pictures/the-real-house-pets-of-the-real-housewives-20102510/10925).

Love the NYC lights - Makes me want to return to see them again during the holiday season. Lucky girl that you got to go!