Oh.My.Wow.: Photography

I have awesome housemates. Seriously, the freakin best. When I'm having a rough time they're just so god-damned lovely, and completely without judgement of my sometimes questionable actions.

A couple of weeks ago I was having a particularly rough time. Then, one day, a lovely package arrived with my name on it. "I don't remember purchasing anything!?" I thought to myself. Turns out, it was a book that Angie had bought for me. So. Lovely. I'd spoken to her earlier (or maybe she'd read my blog?? I'm not sure.) about wanting to take photography more seriously, so she'd seen this book online and thought I might enjoy it.

And I do. So, I thought I'd pick ten of my favourite projects out of the book and share them with you. I'll be posting my results as I work my way through them, please feel free to come along for the ride! If you complete any I'd love to see how they turn out.

1. Do your homework

Spend time in a good bookstore or library and look through the work of some of the great photographers from different photographic traditions. Awareness of the work of others is of huge importance to your own personal development and you should make this a regular part of your life. It's important to not only look at their photographs but also consider carefully what each photographer has to say about their work and the photographic process. Choose favourite photographs from each book and try to assess why you like them, what the strength of each picture might be , and how the photographer achieved the end result.

2. Write a list of basic equipment

Establish a prioritised shopping list of equipment that you don't already own that would make up your preferred basic set up. Prioritise according to your own individual needs so that you would be in a position to shoot your own work.

3. Create a low-budget still life

A cheaper way to create big-budget photoshoots is to use toy figures. Set up a realistic scenario with toy figures and buildings and take a series of shots that explore the ambiguity of scale. Try to make the situation look as real as possible.

4.Traditional still life

Using a great painting by an old master as a reference source, arrange a table of fruit and food taking great care with every element of the process. Carefully choose the table covering, the backdrop, the arrangement of the produce and the lighting. Experiment with different lighting, use window lighting as part of a multiple light source shoot. Use reflector boards.

5. Photograph a local sporting event

Research a local sporting event and find a good vantage point to caputre the moment of victory - crossing the line or landing the winning blow - a pure photographic delight that captures the essence of the sport and the ceremony. Remember that defeat can be as emotive as victory and it is always worth looking at the emotions and pain of coming second or even last. Don't forget about the spectators.

6. Create and interesting self portrait

Trying to shoot a picture of yourself is extremely testing and one of the classic first tasks that photography students are asked to do at college, and for a good reason. Good luck!

7. Shoot an informal series of portraits

Take a person you know out for the day to one of their favourite places - somewhere where they feel comfortable and happy. Bring a couple of additional pieces of clothing so that they can make minor changes to the way they look, and try to shoot an informal series of portraits of your friend during the day that will form a small portfolio of images.

8. Explore the early morning light

Whether perched in your tent on the top of a mountain or smack in the middle of a major city, set an alarm clock for "unearthly" in order to be out with your camera, taking pictures as the sun comes up. See how the cold, pre-dawn light slowly shifts into radiant glow. Try to capture this moment and explore the other differences around youthat early morning brings.

(via here)

9. Adding depth

Demonstrate how an object in the foreground of a landscape photograph adds depth and a greater sense of scale to your image. Experiment with objects in the foreground and also "paths" which start in the foreground and lead you into the main area of interest.

10. Shoot a photo essay

Set yourself a mini-assignment on a subject that you feel will allow you to tell a story. Don't worry too much about finding something newsworthy at this stage, just concentrate on a situation that is photogenic and has enough different elements to build a story. You might want to photograph the activities of something very simple like the local dogs home, concentrating on the staff, the arrival of new dogs, the medical side of things, the emotional highs and lows, a happy family collecting a new pet, feeding time and closure at the end of the day.

If you want to grab the whole book for yourself you can do so here.

It sure has been super crazy busy over here at the moment! My severe lack of patience has led me to taking on 14 days straight at work so that I can afford to buy my brilliant new camera sooner (I'm getting this one!). That way I'll have no time to spend the momeny in between, so I'll get to the end of next week and be rolling in dosh! Or at least that's the plan, we'll see how it all pans out.

So anyway, I'll be keeping up with the blogging as much as possible but it may be slightly quieter over here than usual. Rest assured I'll be back in full swing very shortly.

In the meantime, a couple of days ago I had a 2 hour break between shifts at work so I decided to take the camera out for a bit of a walk to see what pretty things are in the area. The shots came out quite nicely if I don't say so myself!

Enjoy...