The Theme Thread!
Discussion
OK, as discussed on the other thread, let's see what people can come up with on a certain subject, there seemed to be enough interest (he says hopefully).
(What the worst that can happen...? Apart from nobody posting!)
So the idea is that people go off, produce a photograph relating to the subject, post up the shot they're most pleased with and everybody admires it.
As for "rules", I don't think there should be many other than within the rules of the forum, nothing offensive, nothing illegal, one pic per member, keep it friendly and the criticism constructive. A good image is a good image whether it's taken this week or 50 years ago, straight off the camera or pleasingly manipulated. I'm just interested in seeing the results and maybe picking up some tips.
For the subject, one of the suggestions was "cars", but I think if I said "cars" all we'd get is pictures of cars, which is fine because we're all on here, but I think it would be good to see how different people interpret something a bit wider.
So... to get your creative juices flowing, my suggestion for the theme of the month would be....
"Speed"
(This is just me getting the ball rolling, if anyone has other ideas, please post them up. This seems like a good idea at the moment, I'd hate for it to die a death if I'm missing the mark.)
(What the worst that can happen...? Apart from nobody posting!)
So the idea is that people go off, produce a photograph relating to the subject, post up the shot they're most pleased with and everybody admires it.
As for "rules", I don't think there should be many other than within the rules of the forum, nothing offensive, nothing illegal, one pic per member, keep it friendly and the criticism constructive. A good image is a good image whether it's taken this week or 50 years ago, straight off the camera or pleasingly manipulated. I'm just interested in seeing the results and maybe picking up some tips.
For the subject, one of the suggestions was "cars", but I think if I said "cars" all we'd get is pictures of cars, which is fine because we're all on here, but I think it would be good to see how different people interpret something a bit wider.
So... to get your creative juices flowing, my suggestion for the theme of the month would be....
"Speed"
(This is just me getting the ball rolling, if anyone has other ideas, please post them up. This seems like a good idea at the moment, I'd hate for it to die a death if I'm missing the mark.)
I'd really like to join in with this.
Just got my first 'serious camera' - a 300D. I know it's not the weapon of choice on PH but it's actually my first ever SLR, and I can't see the point in spending top dollar on a hobby you don't even know if you're going to enjoy yet (and are not skilled enough yet to exploit, or even know your own preferences), so no apologies for that.
Have taken about 500ish shots so far (lots of them have been the same shot with different settings), and got about 10 that I like lol. So can I suggest another 'rule'? That we precis our experience when posting the pic, and that criticism and feedback is appropriate to that experience?
I'm thinking that if a pic was posted anonymously, then it could variously be described as quite good (for me) or crap (for say Luca or Trackdemon). Equally, if I put up a pic and you gave me the sort of advice that you might give someone with a lot of experience, then a) I wouldn't know what the hell you were talking about and b) it would be too much to learn at once.
I know this is an enthusiasts' forum and so is not perhaps the place for people who are sub-novice (I'm just starting to keep a little notebook of what settings to try under different conditions)
but I'd love to join in and learn some stuff from you chaps.
Just got my first 'serious camera' - a 300D. I know it's not the weapon of choice on PH but it's actually my first ever SLR, and I can't see the point in spending top dollar on a hobby you don't even know if you're going to enjoy yet (and are not skilled enough yet to exploit, or even know your own preferences), so no apologies for that.
Have taken about 500ish shots so far (lots of them have been the same shot with different settings), and got about 10 that I like lol. So can I suggest another 'rule'? That we precis our experience when posting the pic, and that criticism and feedback is appropriate to that experience?
I'm thinking that if a pic was posted anonymously, then it could variously be described as quite good (for me) or crap (for say Luca or Trackdemon). Equally, if I put up a pic and you gave me the sort of advice that you might give someone with a lot of experience, then a) I wouldn't know what the hell you were talking about and b) it would be too much to learn at once.
I know this is an enthusiasts' forum and so is not perhaps the place for people who are sub-novice (I'm just starting to keep a little notebook of what settings to try under different conditions)
but I'd love to join in and learn some stuff from you chaps. Don't worry rude-girl! My pics are shocking but everyone has been very kind and helpful in their comments 
P.S. just because many of us have Nikons, doesn't take away from the Cannons - I certainly wish I'd taken into account the cost of respective IS (image stabiliser) lenses when choosing bodies
Try and track down a book called 'understanding exposure' I have got it and haven't turned off 'manual' since - it really is a 'must' IMO.
Hmmm... Speed
P.S. just because many of us have Nikons, doesn't take away from the Cannons - I certainly wish I'd taken into account the cost of respective IS (image stabiliser) lenses when choosing bodies
Try and track down a book called 'understanding exposure' I have got it and haven't turned off 'manual' since - it really is a 'must' IMO.
Hmmm... Speed
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
any competition here
not a competition, a discussion... rude girl... good point, well made.
Everyone is at a different level so relevant comment would be good.
Also, it's not your equipment, it's what you do with it. One of the mags recently had some pics from some guy taken on a two quid Russian camera he got off ebay. If anyone is looking for brand snobbery, get over to the dpreview forums!
HankScorpio said:
Also, it's not your equipment, it's what you do with it.
Reminds me of a notice in a photographic shop:
A keen photographer takes prints of some of his favourite pictures round to friends (a couple) who had invited him for dinner. Before eating they admire his pictures and the host's wife comments: "You must have some very good cameras and lenses!".
After dinner they all complement the hostess on the fantastic food that she had prepared. The photographer added: "Of course, you must have some very good pots and pans!".
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
Don't be fooled. You could take a photo that wins any competition here with it.
That's a very good point and I'm glad somebody made it. It's easy to get obsessed with the minutiae of technology, pixels, fps etc and forget about the photography. Pictures first, what took them second.
Sorry chaps, I was just rambling! I only gave the explanation so that the thread didn't turn in to an 'ooh for only £300 more you could have got...' etc.
I'm really chuffed with what I've got - I'm in complete 'new toy' mode, can't put it down!!
Right then, the theme's 'speed'. I'll go and do some thinking.
I'm really chuffed with what I've got - I'm in complete 'new toy' mode, can't put it down!!
Right then, the theme's 'speed'. I'll go and do some thinking.
docevi1 said:
Do the photos need to be taken this month, or can we enter ones that we've taken previously?
why don't we say "this month", that way it's our approach to the subject rather than matching an image we have already to the title.
I think I agree, that way we can take it as a bit of a challenge. We could also post previous photos even if only for interests sake!
Paul.B
Nice to see people interested!
Paul.B has started another thread with the appropriate title (thx Paul )
Do we keep everything nice and simple in the same thread or have one for submissions, one for discussion? Maybe see how it goes as one thread *may* get busy.
So as this is evolving, the guidlines we have so far are:
Pic is taken in the month of the thread
Pic is an open interpretation of the specified subject.
Digital manipulation is fine.
Post the pic, any relevant shooting info and optionally, experience level.
Can I also suggest that pics are resized to 700 px wide before posting (to avoid auto resize and keep the page size reasonable) with perhaps a link to a hi res if desired...?
Paul.B has started another thread with the appropriate title (thx Paul
) Do we keep everything nice and simple in the same thread or have one for submissions, one for discussion? Maybe see how it goes as one thread *may* get busy.
So as this is evolving, the guidlines we have so far are:
Pic is taken in the month of the thread
Pic is an open interpretation of the specified subject.
Digital manipulation is fine.
Post the pic, any relevant shooting info and optionally, experience level.
Can I also suggest that pics are resized to 700 px wide before posting (to avoid auto resize and keep the page size reasonable) with perhaps a link to a hi res if desired...?
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