ABANDONED

Hearing the word “abandoned,” we might think of a house, or a boat, an old factory or a truck sitting in a field behind a barn - something unwanted and left behind, left to fall into a state of disuse. But abandoned can also be a state of mind - abandoned hopes and dreams, forsaken, deserted. Left without needed protection, care, or support. Animals can be abandoned. So, unfortunately, can children.

For this assignment, a successful image will express “abandoned”, literally, metaphorically or conceptually, and consider that your title may provide context for the viewer.

(POWERFUL) BLACK AND WHITE

Shapes, Line, Texture and Color are the main elements in a photo with impact. When Color is removed one or more of the other elements will need to be strong to hold the viewer’s attention. So, by creating an impactful B&W you’ll improve your abilities to emphasize these other elements of a photograph, and to identify ways to grab attention and create mood without color. And perhaps you’ll learn how different B&W conversion methods can affect tonal relationships. For this month’s challenge, choose your own subject and composition emphasizing shapes, lines and/or textures to create up to two Powerful Black and White images. 

Remember: NO COLOR –  NO Selective Color, such as a red colored rose in a BW background;  NO Monochromatic tints such as sepia;  NO Duotones, or other forms of Color grading 

Examples/Resources

• Here are links to two of Eileen Rafferty’s information rich presentations on B&W:
• Seeing in Black and White: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Hh8S-Z68s
• B&W Post Processing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOKGaEJGofs
• Here are links to info on B&W conversions:
• Lightroom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARuNPggm04Y
• Lightroom Profile feature ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7eVq75tTfI
• Silver Efex Pro full functioning demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqiIMGQDCSM&list=PLllFqBuTM0WK-PERneZyERf8TNE628OVn&index=15
• Intermediate/advanced level video on B&W conversion methods in Photoshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSS1LU3yTDY

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The Built Environment is the human-made environment that provides the setting for human activity, including homes, buildings, zoning, streets, sidewalks, open spaces, transportation options, and more. In other words "the human-made space in which people live, work and recreate on a day-to-day basis." The objective of this theme is to depict an aspect of the human-made environment.  Examples of a built environment include, but are not limited to, architecture, transportation infrastructure, parks and green spaces.  The links below discuss tips for photographing urban landscapes but are applicable to suburban and rural locales as well.

Examples/References:

• https://digital-photography-school.com/8-tips-urban-landscape-photography/
• https://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/city-urban-photography/

LONG EXPOSURE

Long-exposure photography captures one element that conventional photography does not: an extended period of time. Long-exposure photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. When a scene includes both stationary and moving subjects (for example, a fixed street and moving cars or a camera within a car showing a fixed dashboard and moving scenery), a slow shutter speed can cause interesting effects, such as light trails. For this assignment, while there is no fixed definition of what constitutes "long", the intent is to create a photo that somehow shows the effect of passing time, be it smoother waters or light trails or motion.

Examples/References

• 8 Tips for Long Exposure Photography https://digital-photography-school.com/8-tips-for-long-exposure-photography/
• Step-by-step Guide to Long Exposure Photography https://digital-photography-school.com/step-by-step-guide-to-long-exposure-photography/
• Your Guide to Shooting Great Long Exposures https://medium.com/phlearn/your-guide-to-shooting-great-long-exposures-93557f7a42f5

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Night photography has the ability to take a scene and cast it in an unusual light. For this theme, the image will be shot outdoors after the sun has set, between dusk and dawn, using only natural light from the moon or stars, or artificial light from building or streetlights or cars. NO intentionally added light such as flash or light painting may be used.

Examples/References:

• MDPA Speaker: National Parks at Night, Lance Keimig  https://youtu.be/nM4LWZIBWwQ
• Digital Photography School https://digital-photography-school.com/ultimate-guide-night-photography/