Jack Carlson Photography

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Photography
  • Classes
  • DIY Challenge
  • Tips
  • Contact

DIY Photo Challenge #1

March 21, 2020

DIY Photo Challenge #1

Jack Carlson, Photography Instructor

jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com

Spring began Thursday. This bud’s for you.

Welcome to the first DIY Photo Challenge—the new concept that’s been designed to keep you at the top of your photo skills. Unlike class assignments, the DIY Photo Challenges have no specific due date or location so they’re perfect for those of you who are “sheltering in place” and/or “working from home.” If you would like to share the pictures with me, simply attach them to an email and send them to me. Be certain to specify the challenge number and whether you would like me to return comments about the images.  Enjoy time with your camera–it’s always enjoyable.

Image 1
The subject of this image will be a single bud or branch. It will be taken in the vertical perspective, so care must be used in selecting the subject. Remember to crop out distractions by either changing the focal length, opening the aperture or moving yourself.

Image 2
A group of buds will form the subject for this vertical image. If your choice of lens is wide-angle, avoid including too much area above or below the subjects since that will only reduce their size in the frame while increasing the distraction level.

Once you have taken both pictures:
Attach both images in jpeg format to an email and send to jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com.

New Rules:  1. Images may be from any place where you encounter single and/or multiple subjects. Subjects can be from different locations.  2. No post-capture editing, it’s the  same instructor.

Old Rules:   1. I know what some of you are thinking, but no dice: POST-PRODUCTION IS STILL NOT ALLOWED for the images you send. While this isn’t a structured class, the instructor remains the same, so why would this rule be eliminated?  2. Feel free to send questions/comments or a recipe for a simple cocoa cake in the note that accompanies your images.

Filed Under: DIY Photo Challenge, Uncategorized

Weekly Photo Tip

Wondering if you need a tripod? Don’t be lazy.

Magnus the Camera Clubhouse cat deciding whether to help re-pack Christmas decorations.

I had 2 shots remaining on the roll of Tri-X 120 black/white film. Magnus, the Carlson Camera Clubhouse Cat was hanging out on the table as I was about to dismantle the Christmas tree. What a perfect time for an impromptu portrait session. The camera’s built-in flash was just high enough so that the light output didn’t get directly into his eyes, but was reflected by the lights on the tree. The cat is actually much sharper in reality than he may appear to you in this scan of the print. A tripod could have helped here and I do own several of them but the clubhouse floor was covered with boxes so making a trip to get one of those 3-legged camera supports just didn’t seem worth the time and effort. 

As I’ve written countless times, a tripod is your friend. Please remember that when you’re about to be overcome by laziness.

The camera I used for the shot of Magnus

Read more tips

About Jack

A classically trained musician since childhood, Jack Carlson always had the “ear” of an artist. It was only a short step to develop the artist’s “eye” as well.

The portfolio of this certified photographer reveals images that emphasize mood and composition. Their purpose is to present a feeling in addition to portrayal of person, place or thing. Sometimes that feeling is nostalgia; other times it is serenity.

Each photograph tells a story.

Upcoming Classes

Feb 1
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

What’s happening in the Natural Light Class

Feb 2
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Intermediate Photography: Continue the Happiness

Mar 1
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Photographing in Natural Light starts at the CBG on Feb. 1

Apr 15
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Documenting Nature at the CBG –5 Saturdays– Starts April 15

View Calendar

ALL PHOTOS Copyright © 2012 - 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED · Website by With A Voice Like This