365 Project...with a twist.

DrMoab

DrMoab

Explorer
If anyone of you know me personally, you know that I am a guy who hates fads. I hate them with a passion. If you do know me personally you probably think it's weird that I would go on this particular journey since it seems to be the popular thing to do these days.

I decided a month or so ago that I wanted to try this but I wanted to do it with a twist. That twist being, I want to publish it here. The reason being, I find most of you to be outstanding photographers but on top of just being outstanding photographers, you also share my interests in being outdoors, usually in a 4wd vehicle in the back country somewhere. Since I'm sure, over the next 365 days a lot of my photos will take place in the back country, in a 4wd vehicle that this would be a great place to do this.

There is also another twist. I really want your honest and harsh if needs be (although don't be nasty) feed back and criticism of my photos. Then in a year from now, when all 365 photos are done I plan on printing my own photo book, along with some comments and criticisms from you guys (with your permission of course)

I'm not sure I will post here every day. I live my life in a semi truck and don't always have access to the net but at least once a week I will post up what I have taken and hope to get some great feed back from you guys.

Be patient for the first little while. I'm having camera troubles and plan on sending my Nikon in for a good tune up and cleaning. The photos it takes are not as sharp as they should be. Doesn't seem to matter on the lens, it just isn't focusing like it should. Over the next year and especially for the first month or three, depending on how long Nikon takes there might be a few shots from my P&S. Hell there might even be a few iPhone shots if they work for me.

Today is my birthday. I figured it would be a great day to start such a project. The problem is that for my birthday the first gift I got was the body aches, a stuffy nose and a fever. I decided to walk through the hollow behind my house and see if I could come up with anything. I figured for the first day it wouldn't do to take a photo of my tissue pile. It was a pretty uninspiring day and this is pretty much all I came up with.

My criticism of my own photo...

I wish I would have closed it down a little. I can see the leaf slightly in front is a little out of focus. I shot this at F2.8 and I think F4 might have brought everything into focus and left the background nicely blurred. Your thoughts?
5280406779_41fbab7e1b_b.jpg


Flickr link http://www.flickr.com/photos/docmoab/5280406779/
 
Tucson T4R

Tucson T4R

Expedition Leader
Cool idea Ryan. I'm sure many in the community here will enjoy your journey and provide input.

I agree with your assessment on the leaf photo. F2.8 can have pretty thin DOF and stepping down a tad may have brought the front leaf into focus mor eif that was your goal. Personally only having the rear leaf crisply in focus doesn't bother me. Not sure what was just out of frame but if possible shifting the focal part of the image (the leaves) to either the left or right 1/3 of the frame could help. Sometime that isn't an option but look for it when you can.

I'm looking forward to the year ahead. :elkgrin:
 
Sexy6Chick

Sexy6Chick

Adventurer
I think it's a great idea. And from pictures of yours in the past I can't wait to see what you come up with and though I am no professional I'll give you my .02 on them. Good luck on the project, looking forward to the pictures to come :):smiley_drive:

Happy Birthday by the way :)
 
DrMoab

DrMoab

Explorer
Tucson T4R said:
Not sure what was just out of frame but if possible shifting the focal part of the image (the leaves) to either the left or right 1/3 of the frame could help.
Click to expand...

I actually had to crop that photo down quite a bit to get some obtrusive limbs out of the way. It would have been pretty hard to get it off center in anyway.
 
Tucson T4R

Tucson T4R

Expedition Leader
DrMoab said:
I actually had to crop that photo down quite a bit to get some obtrusive limbs out of the way. It would have been pretty hard to get it off center in anyway.
Click to expand...

Yep, only you were there looking through the view finder and know what reality was. I have a bunch that are centered and work for me. Just food for thought when the option is there. :sombrero:
 
DrMoab

DrMoab

Explorer
Someone once told me that rules were only in place so they could be broken.

Never has the case of that been stronger than in photography. :D
 
Lost Canadian

Lost Canadian

Expedition Leader
DrMoab said:
Does one ever really know "every" rule of photography?
Click to expand...

Listen to Michael. It's all about understanding first. There aren't any so called rules per say, but there is a plethora of reason and understanding out there as to why our brains accept and reject certain aesthetics. We need to first understand why we do something before we can saftely move forward beyond it. The difference between making art and making a mess boils down to our understanding and discipline. Only when we understand how colour, line, shape, tone, texture, and form impact the mind, can we be sure that we are purposefully creating something. Without that foundation of understanding however, pressing the shutter is tantamount to a crapshoot.
 
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DrMoab

DrMoab

Explorer
I would love to take some classes or even better participate in some workshops.

I have a pretty good understanding of the technical aspects of how a camera works. I understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and iso. I also have a good understanding of depth of field and the rest of the basics.

I think the areas I need to work on the most right now in the artistic side of things. Learning composition and what really pleases the eye is where I want to put the most effort in the next 365 days.
 
Michael Slade

Michael Slade

Untitled
DrMoab said:
I always listen to Michael....he is a teacher after all. :D
Click to expand...

Oh be careful...never EVER let someone's title lead you to believe they are an expert.

There are a LOT of fabulous resources here on ExPo who are very generous with their time. I have learned a lot by listening to them.

Your 365 idea is a good one. One of the reasons that I like these types of projects is that you commit to 'paying attention' on a very consistent basis for a very long period of time. You will be amazed by what you can teach yourself just by being aware of what you are doing, what you are trying to do, and the ways in which you are not quite getting there.

Don't fill your head with all of the crap that floats around regarding how to make a great photograph. Listen to your gut. I just started listing off a bunch of stuff to just have in the back of your head while you are out shooting...but then I deleted it. When you feel something in your gut, then you should start shooting. Until you feel it, just keep looking. You may not get a winner every day, but you will start to tune in to what can make a great photograph.

When your knowledge of the camera allows you to operate it without thinking about it then you will really start to use it as an extension of yourself.

Also remember that 99% of your photography will just be practice for the 1% that is when you are making art.
 
DrMoab

DrMoab

Explorer
Michael Slade said:
There are a LOT of fabulous resources here on ExPo who are very generous with their time. I have learned a lot by listening to them.


Also remember that 99% of your photography will just be practice for the 1% that is when you are making art.
Click to expand...

The biggest reason I decided to do this project here was because of what you just said. I could have done something like this on any one of hundreds of photography sites. I've always felt a connection here to the type and style of photography I see.

Not to mention most of you don't cone off as pixel peeping snobs.

That last quote I'm stealing. Funny how the more time you spend in this hobby the more that becomes prevalent.
 
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