Photo Challenge #00: Introduction
Becoming a better photographer through participating in challenges. I like the idea and know it from (when I used) Instagram. My current mobile phone is an older model HTC that often 'freaks out' when trying to do simple things and on which I can't uninstall certain apps that all have permission to collect my data and personal information which means I don't use it to connect to the internet (as it's no-one's business but my own who I text or call, as far as I'm concerned). That means no Instagram for me since my old smartphone broke and I started using this one. New smartphone will possibly probably mean a return to IG (however even with a new smartphone I'm still undecided about returning to IG). As for now, the BBC.com article directs me to their own challenge and the 12 by 12 website (and Flickr group). Colour me intrigued.
I'm not the kind of person to copy / paste everything in life (or art!) which means I'll probably follow / use some of the 12 by 12 Challenges, some of the BBC challenges and add other challenges ,'rules' and ideas to suit my own preferences. That said:
First challenge: Finding a route I've never photographed along. Stop every 100 steps or so to take a photo. As I've explained in previous posts, I don't like taking photos of strangers. This means I plan to photograph locations, structures, natural features and perhaps some animals, however not people. I'll go for a nosey around town today and decide where to go. I've got a few ideas already...
Seeing I'm talking about challenges, I hope adding challenges to my photography will also help me to... Take photos I actually like and want to share online with others. As my camera (a Nikon D100, also see Wikipedia article) comes equipped with a few scratches and spots on the lens, I use Photoshop to get rid of most of the spots and stripes on my photos. I also occasionally use Photoshop to change the colours of a photo a bit, however apart from edits like that (ones I consider basic), I'm not a fan of changing or digitally enhancing my photos. The world is amazing as it is, I don't need to edit it on a screen to make nature or the environment any prettier or more interesting / intriguing. I'll be taking my smartphone with me as well - As it has an 'undamaged' camera lens, it should cut down on editing time...
To... Find new exercises and challenges, not just the above one. (As explained) I plan to use some of the 12 by 12 challenges / exercises, some of the BBC.com challenges / exercises, some from other (to be decided) sources like Instagram and some of my own choosing. Today's post serves as the introduction to and explanation about the Photo Challenges as well as the post where I share the first challenge. As such, I've decided to label it #00 (introduction) and unofficially #01A as well. Post #01B should be the one where I actually share the photos related to the above challenge to stop every 100 or so steps. Whether I'll continue labelling posts #A and #B is of later concern...
To... Actually upload the photos, sharing them and trying to turn sharing them into a semi-regular thing. Perhaps sharing a photo or series of photos once or twice a week might be a good start... Challenging myself is never a bad thing and combining my love for the outdoors with my enjoyment of exercise and zest for photography should only encourage me to stick to this newest challenge. As part of the outdoorsy part of my exercise routine (stretching, dancing like there's no tomorrow / no-one watching and muscle training tends to happen indoors with curtains firmly closed!) I like walking and biking, trying for a slightly different route every day. This helps me find new places I want to take photos of and helps keep exercising fun and interesting. Challenging myself to post more photos and think of or find new challenges, well, I can only hope it makes both exercising and photography even more fun, interesting, engaging and challenging. Bring it on!
When looking for a way to challenge yourself photographically it can pay to scan the online photographic community in search of ideas, or events you can join. One that is currently under way is the 12 by 12 challenge, a set of month-long photography challenges that aim to help develop your skills.
Each month, a photographer will set you a task, and the first of these this year was set by Vanessa Winship, who asked the group to: "Take a route you're familiar with but have never photographed along and photograph someone or something every 100 or so steps."
Source: Photo challenge: 12 by 12 | BBC.com
I'm not the kind of person to copy / paste everything in life (or art!) which means I'll probably follow / use some of the 12 by 12 Challenges, some of the BBC challenges and add other challenges ,'rules' and ideas to suit my own preferences. That said:
First challenge: Finding a route I've never photographed along. Stop every 100 steps or so to take a photo. As I've explained in previous posts, I don't like taking photos of strangers. This means I plan to photograph locations, structures, natural features and perhaps some animals, however not people. I'll go for a nosey around town today and decide where to go. I've got a few ideas already...
Seeing I'm talking about challenges, I hope adding challenges to my photography will also help me to... Take photos I actually like and want to share online with others. As my camera (a Nikon D100, also see Wikipedia article) comes equipped with a few scratches and spots on the lens, I use Photoshop to get rid of most of the spots and stripes on my photos. I also occasionally use Photoshop to change the colours of a photo a bit, however apart from edits like that (ones I consider basic), I'm not a fan of changing or digitally enhancing my photos. The world is amazing as it is, I don't need to edit it on a screen to make nature or the environment any prettier or more interesting / intriguing. I'll be taking my smartphone with me as well - As it has an 'undamaged' camera lens, it should cut down on editing time...
To... Find new exercises and challenges, not just the above one. (As explained) I plan to use some of the 12 by 12 challenges / exercises, some of the BBC.com challenges / exercises, some from other (to be decided) sources like Instagram and some of my own choosing. Today's post serves as the introduction to and explanation about the Photo Challenges as well as the post where I share the first challenge. As such, I've decided to label it #00 (introduction) and unofficially #01A as well. Post #01B should be the one where I actually share the photos related to the above challenge to stop every 100 or so steps. Whether I'll continue labelling posts #A and #B is of later concern...
To... Actually upload the photos, sharing them and trying to turn sharing them into a semi-regular thing. Perhaps sharing a photo or series of photos once or twice a week might be a good start... Challenging myself is never a bad thing and combining my love for the outdoors with my enjoyment of exercise and zest for photography should only encourage me to stick to this newest challenge. As part of the outdoorsy part of my exercise routine (stretching, dancing like there's no tomorrow / no-one watching and muscle training tends to happen indoors with curtains firmly closed!) I like walking and biking, trying for a slightly different route every day. This helps me find new places I want to take photos of and helps keep exercising fun and interesting. Challenging myself to post more photos and think of or find new challenges, well, I can only hope it makes both exercising and photography even more fun, interesting, engaging and challenging. Bring it on!
