Due to the overwhelming positive responses I’ve been receiving, along with the many requests for an extension on this contest, we’ve decided to run this contest for one additional month. At PhotographyBB, we firmly believe in a life long learning process, hence the decision to extend this contest! If you are not familiar with the contest yet, here’s how it goes:
Beginners are free to ask any photography or image processing related questions they have on their mind, and our more experienced members (“experts”) are free to add their responses to the questions. At the end of the new deadline (April 5th, 2010), we’ll be picking one beginner question, and one “expert” answer to receive a prize pack each! Here are the details and rules one more time:
Beginners: Ask Your Questions!
We want all of the great folks who are just getting started with photography, digital SLR cameras, and image processing to put on your thinking caps and ask any question you may have burning inside you. There are 3 categories for you to post your questions in, and they MUST follow a specific format (see the brief “Rules” section for details).
All questions must be submitted in the CORRECT category in the PhotographyBB Forums. If you are not yet a forum member, registration is extremely fast and free. Any questions submitted into the wrong category will be eliminated.
When posting a question, the SUBJECT line of your posting must be related to your question. For example, we will not accept subject lines that read, “I need help!”. An example of an appropriate subject line would be, “What is Manual Mode?” If your question is a long one (which is great) please title the subject line appropriately so the “experts” can have some idea what the posted question will be regarding.
Maximum of 5 questions per person.
Contest period runs from Feb 5th to March 5th, 2010.
Experts: Share Your Knowledge!
To all of our more experienced members and those of you who enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others, we haven’t forgotten you! We want you to post your answers to the beginners’ questions, and since we want to encourage your participation you may answer as many questions as you can. There are some rules for our expert submissions too, namely:
You may answer as many questions as you would like to, however, the most thorough and easy to understand responses will be most likely to win our “experts” prize package.
If a response to a question has already been posted, you are still free to add to the reply. Once we feel that the question has been answered appropriately and thoroughly, the thread will be locked.
That’s really all there is to it folks! Once again, we will have 2 prize packages, one for the beginners and one for the experts. The winner of the beginners contest will receive Scott Kelby’s “The Digital Photography Book” volumes 1 through 3. The winner of the experts contest will receive a copy of “VisionMongers” by David duChemin. Both groups will also receive our entire collection of Premium Photoshop Actions. There will be some additional prizes to be added, which we will reveal shortly! Check out the categories, have fun asking and answering questions, and in the process we’ll be helping the whole photography community!
The Olympics are on in full swing here in Vancouver, and so is the tight security which was promised before the games even arrived. Shown above here is just about the only shot that any amateur (or non-media) photographer can get for the time being. This shot was taken about an hour after the cauldron was lit by the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky.
The Olympic Cauldron is surrounded by the most hideous barricade, with only a few meters of chain link fence allowing photographers and visitors to get a glance, or if lucky, press their lens through the tiny holes in the fence for a view of the cauldron. Because of this, a group of photographers are requesting more visible access to this important symbol of the games, which it appears the IOC may take into consideration. As it stands, families cannot take any decent photos of themselves standing in front of the cauldron, so hopefully this will change before the games are out.
As for now, here is my shot of the cauldron. Sure to be one of many of the thousands shot from the exact same location, but I’m proud of it, proud to be here, and enjoying myself to the fullest!
The day has finally arrived! Olympic fever is sure to kick into high gear today, as we all get set to watch the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. I’ll be out with the camera snapping as much as I can, and if any of you have non-event related photo request please feel free to comment them and I’ll do my best. It looks like rain for the next little while, but I won’t be letting it stop me from testing the shutter button.
Shown above are the Olympic Rings shot from Stanley Park with the city as a nice backdrop. It’s a great place to walk around, not only for Olympic sights, but for plenty of photo-ops in general. The rings light a different colour every night, and some nights they light in multi-colour (which I have yet to capture!).
As the city of Vancouver leads up to the Olympics during this final week, I find myself getting strangely more excited about the games. Why wasn’t I excited before? To be completely honest, I was only ever interested in watching a few certain events, but there was also this looming awareness of the politics behind the Olympics; especially now that they were in my own backyard. Like most of us, I’ve been doing my own belt-tightening when it comes to frivolous spending. I’ve cut back on entertainment, going out to eat, and even buying photo-gear. However, when it comes to our tax dollars, our government’s standpoint is that the sky is the limit when it comes to spending, and blank cheques are plenty available in the name of Olympics. Sure, there are going to be *some* lasting benefits to these games, but none of which are going to have any sort of day-to-day impact on most of us.
Sails lit up at Canada Place
Hence, I decided that since the world is coming to Vancouver, I am going to be a part of it and make the most of it. What better way than to take as many photos as possible, and see the things that we normally don’t get to see. The city has never looked so alive and spectacular; there is literally something exciting to be seen in every corner. There are Olympic venues, decorations, free events, torch relays, and so much more going on in the city right now… it’s a photographer’s playground.
Olympic Rings at Sunset
So to all of you who carry a camera, and even those of you who don’t normally. Grab your gear, get out there, and take a moment to just have some fun shooting. Think hard about how you would like to capture the Olympics from your point of view, and tell your story through a lens. There are sights to see, people to meet, and memories to be made. We’re paying for the games to be here, so let’s do what we do best and take some brilliant photos to show the rest of the world who aren’t able to be here to see it for themselves. It’s true what they say: “The world is what you make of it”; for myself, I’m making it a colourful and photographic one!
I’d just like a quick show of hands as to who amongst you fine folks either live in Vancouver or plan on visiting Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games. I am assuming those of you visiting will be doing so with camera in hand, and those of you who live here will be shooting the festivities in one form or another? Do you have tickets to any events? What are your photographic goals for shooting the games? Personally, I won’t be attending any of the events, but I do plan to take as many photos as possible of all the tourists, celebrations, and venues that this year’s games will bring to the beautiful city of Vancouver. Additionally, if there is enough interest, I’d be happy to arrange a group photowalk in Downtown Vancouver during the Olympics.
In welcoming the world to Vancouver, many free and “street” events have been planned which are sure to show off both the spirit of Vancouver as well as the Olympic Games. One brilliant place to check out will be the Robson Square Outdoor (undercover) ice rink where you can skate below Robson Street while looking up at Vancouver’s Art Gallery or night sky. There’s also the 14 meter tall Olympic Rings in Coal Harbour which will serve as a stunning visual showpiece to mark the Games.
So the question of the day is, will you be in Vancouver for the Olympics, and if so, how will you be capturing your experience of the games?
We’re just about 2 weeks into 2010 now, and we’ve all had plenty of time to consider our new year’s resolution list. I’d like to know what your plans are (photography-wise) for 2010! Since it only seems fair, I’d like to start off by saying that I will be shooting more this year. Last year was an extremely busy work-year, leaving little time to shoot for myself; so this year that is something I’ll be changing. I’ll be bringing my camera gear out a lot more, in search of anything and everything to photograph. I may, however, leave my resolution to process photos more often until next year… Additionally, PhotographyBB will be bringing our magazine, blog, and forum readers much more this year in the forms of educational information, contests, and photo-community events. PhotographyBB Online Magazine will continue strong, and I hope you all continue to enjoy and benefit from the content.
Now it’s your turn… Are you an amateur who’s resolution it is to learn more this year? Shoot more, or expand your photography subject matter? Is there something in particular you plan to do with your photography for 2010? Starting a photography business or side-business? Or are you a professional photographer already, and if so, are you planning on doing anything more or different this year? One of the wonderful things about sharing our resolutions with each other is that we may all find a few suggestions from each other that may help you to learn something new or grow as a photographer this year. What are your plans, thoughts, and resolutions for 2010?
Happy 2010 folks! To kick off the New Year just right, we have a special announcement. Many of you participate in our bi-weekly photography assignments, but this month we are doing something exciting: Our first photography assignment of the year will also come with a special prize for our top photo entry. Best selling author and photographer David duChemin has generously donated a signed copy of his books, Within The Frame and VisionMongers, as a prize for the winner of this challenge.
David duChemin is successful as an author because he teaches us about Vision. He is successful as a photographer because his photographs perfectly demonstrate the age-old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and his photos do just that – they tell a story. Therefore, in keeping with the theme of David’s books, and the secret to his success, our theme for this photo contest is: A Thousand Words, A Single Frame
It will be your job to submit photos which tell a story in a single frame. Think carefully about your main subjects and how they relate to their surroundings. Consider everything we’ve learned thus far in our assignments and the magazine tutorials, and create for us a compelling photograph which really tells a story. As a special treat for our participants, David duChemin has graciously agreed to be the judge to select the winning photo! This contest/assignment is open from now until January 31st, 2010. Participants may submit a total of 2 photos for this contest, and all images must be submitted through our forums in this thread.
Put your thinking caps on, take your time, wait for the perfect moment, and have fun with this assignment. Remember, you may submit up to 2 entries in total before January 31st, 2010.
To submit a photo you must be a registered member of the PhotographyBB Forums. If you are not currently a member, please register here to submit your photos. Registration is completely free, and you’ll become part of the wonderful community of photo-enthusiasts we have in our membership. Entry into this contest grants PhotographyBB the rights to publish your image on our blog and in a future issue of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. The top 3 photos will be published and the photographer of the winning image will receive a signed copy of David duChemin’s Within the Frame and VisionMongers. Have fun, and happy photographing!
We are going to be running a very special feature in our upcoming Decemeber 2009 edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. Since it’s Christmastime where many places and cultures celebrate differently, we would like to showcase this in the upcoming edition of our magazine.
Theme: Christmas Around The World
We’re doing this one a little bit differently, there will be some submission requirements here as we will be making a selection of images from this challenge to be used in the Dec 2009 online magazine. Please only submit photos which you are volunteering to be potentially published in our online magazine (as with all of our assignments!).
Requirements:
Photo MUST be sized to (at least) 1024 pixels along it’s longest edge (We can use the largest size you have posted here).
If you would like to have your name published along with the image, please include your first and last name. (otherwise we’ll use your Flickr account name)
A title for your image
Include a brief paragraph description of where your photo was taken, including any of your comments on what the photo is all about. (ie. festivities, decorations, traditions, food, etc…)
Four simple requirements! Also, if you are able to provide any EXIF data such as Shutter Speed / Aperture / IS0 / Camera model then that would be great too.
Since many folks like to travel to visit family around the holidays, I realize you may have photos from previous Christmas seasons (and locations) which you would like to share. For this “assignment”, we hope you are able to take new photos, but due to the limited time window (plus we want to see the world here too!), we WILL accept photos taken from previous Christmas seasons.
Over the past few days, we’ve been encouraging our members to take a special portrait shot this Dec 12th (or anytime during the holiday season). Here’s a trial run that the folks from Help Portrait did in Nashville. Whether you are a total beginner, or a seasoned pro, consider giving this a try. Take a peek at the video and see the impact that a simple photograph can really have. You just might change the way you look through your lens.
One of the most beloved traditions for many of us during the Christmas season has got to be “tree day” when we put up our Christmas trees, remember past Christmases gone by, and enjoy some quality time with those we care about. The choice of tree is always a personal one, and even more so are the ornaments with which we choose to decorate them. I certainly have some interesting ornaments which do say a lot about my personality (as noted from the above shot, I am obviously a die hard “Trekker”). Grab your camera and snap a few photos of your tree and/or favourite ornaments, and share them with our community here. Show us your personality by showing us your tree!
As the city of Vancouver leads up to the Olympics during this final week, I find myself getting strangely more excited about the games. Why wasn’t I excited before? To be completely honest, I was only ever interested in watching a few certain events, but there was also this looming awareness of the politics behind the Olympics; especially now that they were in my own backyard. Like most of us, I’ve been doing my own belt-tightening when it comes to frivolous spending. I’ve cut back on entertainment, going out to eat, and even buying photo-gear. However, when it comes to our tax dollars, our government’s standpoint is that the sky is the limit when it comes to spending, and blank cheques are plenty available in the name of Olympics. Sure, there are going to be *some* lasting benefits to these games, but none of which are going to have any sort of day-to-day impact on most of us.
I’d just like a quick show of hands as to who amongst you fine folks either live in Vancouver or plan on visiting Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games. I am assuming those of you visiting will be doing so with camera in hand, and those of you who live here will be shooting the festivities in one form or another? Do you have tickets to any events? What are your photographic goals for shooting the games? Personally, I won’t be attending any of the events, but I do plan to take as many photos as possible of all the tourists, celebrations, and venues that this year’s games will bring to the beautiful city of Vancouver. Additionally, if there is enough interest, I’d be happy to arrange a group photowalk in Downtown Vancouver during the Olympics.
We’re just about 2 weeks into 2010 now, and we’ve all had plenty of time to consider our new year’s resolution list. I’d like to know what your plans are (photography-wise) for 2010! Since it only seems fair, I’d like to start off by saying that I will be shooting more this year. Last year was an extremely busy work-year, leaving little time to shoot for myself; so this year that is something I’ll be changing. I’ll be bringing my camera gear out a lot more, in search of anything and everything to photograph. I may, however, leave my resolution to process photos more often until next year… Additionally, PhotographyBB will be bringing our magazine, blog, and forum readers much more this year in the forms of educational information, contests, and photo-community events. PhotographyBB Online Magazine will continue strong, and I hope you all continue to enjoy and benefit from the content.
