January 1, 2013

Photography Challenge 2013


As promised, am back with my photography challenge for 2013. I have kept topics quite general in order to give me some freedom to decide. I have also included few links with each topic to guide me through each topic. In case any of you want to join in the challenge, please do so.

The rules are simple. It is a fortnightly challenge (two weeks). The deadline for each challenge are indicated in the parentheses followed by the topic, a small description and few useful links.

Challenge 1 (January 14, 2013): Travel photography - Travel photography involves documentation of a place, its culture, its people, its custom, landmarks etc. You can be a local or a tourist in that place. My intention is to capture essence of London. How about you?  Tips

Challenge 2 (January 28, 2013): Night time photography - As name suggest, night time photography involves  taking pictures during night time. It usually plays with capturing the night time lights. Few examples can be found here.  Tips

Challenge 3 (February 11, 2013): Black and white photography - The classic black and white photography. Great for portraits, textures, simpler images. Few examples and tips.

Challenge 4 (February 25, 2013): Weather - Snow or rain, wind or sun, lighting or rainbow. Take your pick.    Few cool pictures are here. Some very cool pictures are here. And of course, few tips

Challenge 5 (March 11, 2013): Transportation - Its a big part of every Londoner's life. It has been a big part of my life for past year. Trains, tubes, buses, and good old feet. How about you? How much do you travel on daily basis?  Some tips and examples.

Challenge 6 (March 25, 2013): Abstract Photography - Now here is the real teaser. Abstract photography uses patterns and colours to capture the audience's attention. You are only limited by your imagination here. Use it wisely. Here are few tips and some examples.

Challenge 7 (April 8, 2013): Still life Photography - Now this is something I have been wanting to work on for a while. Simply put it is a composition consisting of inanimate objects. The advantage of still photography is that you can compose the objects as per your choice and aesthetics. Here are few tips: tips 1tips 2. Few cool examples can be found here.

Challenge 8 (April 22, 2013): Texture Photography - It is a specific type of abstract photography. Few great tips are here: tips 1, tips 2

Challenge 9 (May 6, 2013): Urban decay Photography - Have you passed the remains of an old church, a building in middle of a busy street? Or an alley way that has that decaying quality. We are all taught to walk away from such places quickly, look the other way. This topic deals with photographing such places.  But remember: Safety first. You can instead photograph a rusting instrument/tool, an old doll etc in safety of your home (or your garage?). Tips

Challenge 10 (May 20, 2013): Skyline Photography - Living in big cities has an advantage, one of them is the city skyline. I have always wanted to capture the skyline of London but haven't been able to do so successfully so far. This will give me a chance to fulfill that. Here are few tips, some examples. Also places to capture London skyline. Just to help me out with the challenge.

Challenge 11 (June 3, 2013): Architectural Photography - This is one type of photography I don't indulge in often. However, living in the heart of London and not trying it out will be such a shame. So I have put this in my list. Here are few tips for architectural photography: Tips 1, Tips 2

Challenge 12 (June 17, 2013): Street Photography - Believe it or not, this is my favourite genre of photography. It used to be fun doing so in American continent. I made quiet a few friends while doing so. However, I haven't tried it in Europe so far. I have been scared quite a lot by my friends enough. So for this topic I am hoping to catch some street performers and take their picture. Hopefully that will work out. Here are few tips for street photography: Tips 1, Tips 2.

Challenge 13 (July 1, 2013): Wildlife Photography - Oh well, in my case it would mean a visit to local zoo, of course. I have heard quite a lot about how great the local zoos are so it will be fun to explore it for this topic. Here are few tips for taking wildlife pictures: Tips 1, Tips 2

Challenge 14 (July 15, 2013): Environmental Portrait - Yet another category that I love. I actually prefer taking portraits of people in their environment (if you don't know what I am talking about, you might want to read this: What is an environmental portrait?) instead of filling the frame with the portrait. Although I would need to look up for people to take portrait but hopefully I will be able to figure out something. Here are few tips: Tips 1, Tips 2.

Challenge 15 (July 29, 2013): Reflections -  Mirrors, water surfaces, metal surfaces, glass windows and doors, any surface that reflects can be used for this one. The reflection can be used to create a self-portrait or simply giving an extra dimension to the landscape, street photography etc. What you choose to do with it is up to you. Here are few more tips.

Challenge 16 (August 12, 2013): HDR Photography - I have tried this before however, I am no expert so I don't promise good result. For those of you wondering about what the heck I mean by this, here is the link for you: What is HDR photography?. Few tips for beginners: Tips 1, Tips 2. I will come up with an alternative topic for this one, just in case it doesn't work out as planned.

Challenge 17 (August 26, 2013): The golden hour - The dusk and dawns are supposed to be the best times to take a picture. Find out why and how here. Few more tips can be found here.

Challenge 18 (September 9, 2013): Shallow depth of field - This is way out of my league. And that's why I want to try this out. My shallow depth of field (blurred backgrounds) usually turn out to be a fiasco. Let's see how this one goes. Here are few examples and tips

Challenge 19 (September 23, 2013): Macro photography - Another way-out-of-league topic. I am going way beyond my comfort zone. Few tips for those who are as scared as me.

Challenge 20 (October 7, 2013): Landscape Photography - I have done quiet a few landscapes in my time however challenge for this one would be to find a place to get the picture. As you know, I live in London. It will take some research to get a perfect landscape spot here. Few tips for beginners can be found here.

Challenge 21 (October 21, 2013): Food photography - I have never done this. This is beyond zone of comfort. This is in the zone uncomfortable. It actually lies in middle of that zone. I guess I will need these tips more than any one else.

Challenge 22 (November 4, 2013): Lights - November 3rd is Diwali. This topic is placed here to honour the festival of light. Hopefully I will be able to get some nice shot for this one.

Challenge 23 (November 18, 2013): A day in my life - I have been wanting to do this one for a while now. I have a set of pictures in mind although I don't know how feasible it will be for me to take these pictures. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Challenge 24 (December 2, 2013): Miscellaneous - Guess this is what people call a wild card.

Challenge 25 (December 16, 2013): Christmas decoration (festival) - Of course, there has to be a Christmas topic in December.

Challenge 26 (December 30, 2013): December - And finally a collage/picture to summarize the month of December. What's so important about December, you ask? Well it's my birth-month silly. Of course, it is important. At  least to me.

Hope you join me. If not, then wish me luck!

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