October Photo Challenge

PASR members,

Can you believe it is going to be October soon? Time does fly!  For this month's photo challenge I have decided to use a creative exercise from the website: Clickin' Moms, http://www.clickinmoms.com.  The full exercise with pictures can be seen here:  http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/creating-depth-with-3-planes-photography-tutorial-by-sarah-wilkerson/.

October Photo Challenge:
Creating Depth with 3 planes:  Foreground, midground, and background

While one cannot imagine an image without these three elements: foreground, midground, and background, this exercise will help us learn how to create more of a distinction in the three.  This can add dimension, texture, and pleasing composition to your photos.  In a word: DRAMA

To create more drama, consider:
1.  Using a lower f/stop.  A very shallow depth of field separates the subject from the background.  This is commonly used in portraiture, but can be employed in all photography.  When focus is on the subject in the mid ground, you've separated out at least three layers of depth: the defocused element in the foreground, the primary subject in mid ground, and the bokeh or blur of the background.

Foreground greatly blurred; mid ground in focus; background bokeh

See the foreground greatly blurred, midground in focus, background slight blur= 3 planes of depth.
photo by jana o'flahery

2. Use a wide angle lens: A wide angle lens will exaggerate the planes within a frame.  The perspective distortion of a wide angle lens on a full frame causes elements in the foreground to appear disproportionately large relative to the elements in the background.  This will help exaggerate the three elements we are trying to emphasize.

Photo by Rey Berrones

3.  Incorporate a vanishing point.  Vanishing points= perspective and design composition.  The vanishing point helps define different planes:  larger or more apart lines =foreground; smaller or less parallel=background.  The vanishing point draws the eye in.  We see the beginning, and imagine the end.

4.  Foreground framing.  The frame establishes the foreground.  Try to frame the subject with elements in the foreground.  Use of natural objects such as trees, fences, doorways, and windows are a few examples of what one might use as a foreground frame.

Spider web and fence post=frame

Fence=frame

I love how the photographer used people and smoke to frame these children.  Very creative.
photo by: Dana Lander 

Rules:
1.  Submit no more than TWO photographs.
2.  The photos must be taken between the September and October meetings.  No ARCHIVES.
3.  Include info data: Shutter speed, ISO, and aperture and any post editing done to the photo.
4.  Photos may be printed, or on any kind of medium: CD or jump drive.  Can be matted, framed, or plain.

Have fun!  Experiment and learn.  Thanks to all of you who put in the time to do the challenges!  There is a payoff.  You will grow in your photography skills and your photos will stand out.

(photos by Rob McKelvy unless otherwise noted)

September photo challenge...

Holy Moly...am I ever late getting out this photo challenge.  I hope with this one everyone will participate.  There can be no excuses because it is "Photographer's Choice."  What ever you like taking pictures of is acceptable.  So get out there, and start snapping your favorite types of photos.  We cannot wait to see them.

Rules:
1.  Photo must be taken between the August and September meeting.  It cannot be from your archive.
2.  Only 2 photos may be presented during the photo challenge.
3.  Please include or have available the file information: Shutter speed, aperture, ISO
4.  Please explain any post processing you did to the photo.
5.  All formats are acceptable, prints, CD, thumb drive.

See you September 19 (I think that is the meeting day, although I have been know to be wrong on this.)

Get out and get clicking.