2010 Challenge, Weeks 33-36: MACRO

For the next four weeks of the 2010 Challenge, we will be concentrating on Macro shooting. This can be a challenging type of photography, but it can yield some fascinating imagery as well. Since only one photo each week is required for the 2010 challenge, you will have time to plan and experiment, and get just the right shot each week.

"Just add light" by ecstaticist

If you have a DSLR with a macro lens, you probably are already familiar with macro shooting. If you have a point and shoot, it probably has a macro mode, perhaps indicated with a flower icon, that will allow you to get in close for a macro shot.

"Flying Milk" by Chaval Brasil

If you do not have a macro lens for your DLSR, don’t worry! You can use the “Poor Man’s Macro” technique. Basically, take any old lens, flip it over, and shoot through it. This can provide extremely close up images with interesting effects, so give it a try!

"Hive" by Karl Randay {pixelherder}

Whatever you end up doing, please follow the guidelines of one photo per week. Even though you’ll probably shoot more than one shot each week, take some time to select the best photograph. If you’re not being forced to select one from many good photos, then you may not be challenging yourself enough. We trimmed the 2010 Challenge down to one shot a week, for the very reason of allowing you the freedom and time to plan and practice each week’s shot. Shoot many, but select just one.

You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (33, 34, 35, 36). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

August Challenge, 2010: Vehicles

We have had a month off since the last Monthly Challenge. Are you ready to shoot and post a photo each day? For the August Challenge, we will be shooting Vehicles! This will leave you a wide range of subject matter, from scooters to big rig trucks and everything in between.

"Red White Scooter" by moriza

You can shoot the entire vehicle, or focus on interesting details. Shoot a different vehicle every day, or shoot a new detail on the same vehicle. It’s up to you — just have fun!

"Austin" by 96dpi

When you post your daily photo, be sure to submit it to the Photochallenge.org Flickr Group Pool, and tag it with “augustchallenge2010″. Happy shooting!

"When You're Out There On The Road" by Thomas Hawk

2010 Challenge, Weeks 29-32: SYMMETRY

"My Most Treasured Gift", by -Gep-

Hey, you’ve lasted more than halfway through the year! Way to go!

This marks our eighth theme of the year, and for the next four weeks we’ll be shooting one photo a week with the theme of symmetry. Symmetry is an “imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance.” *

Basically it’s balance, almost mirrored balance. There are various artistic ways of interpreting the symmetry of a composition, but the most basic and simple to recreate will be a type of mirrored balance, represented in the photos I’ve included in this post.

"symmetry", by 3n

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you follow the guidelines of one photo per week, please. Even though you’ll probably shoot more than one shot each week, take some time to select the best photograph. If you’re not being forced to select one from many good photos, then you’re may not be challenging yourself enough. We trimmed the 2010 Challenge down to one shot a week, for the very reason of allowing you the freedom and time to plan and practice each week’s shot. Shoot many, but select just one.

"A little symmetry does some good.", by trevorscottcarpenter

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (29, 30, 31, 32). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

2010 Challenge, Weeks 25-28: COLOR THEORY

Welcome to the seventh theme in the 2010 Challenge! For the next four weeks, we will be shooting one photo each week, with the theme of COLOR THEORY. For this challenge, pay attention to how the colors affect the photograph. Perhaps the composition can be about the contrast of different colors. Or the frame could be filled with a single color. If you need some inspiration, check out this article on color theory to get you started.

"Blockout" by BrittneyBush

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you follow the guidelines of one photo per week, please. Even though you’ll probably shoot more than one shot each week, take some time to select the best photograph. If you’re not being forced to select one from many good photos, then you’re may not be challenging yourself enough. We trimmed the 2010 Challenge down to one shot a week, for the very reason of allowing you the freedom and time to plan and practice each week’s shot. Shoot many, but select just one.

"green, purple, orange, & pink" by lizjones112

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (25, 26, 27, 28). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

"Green, Plate 11" by Jeremy Brooks

June Challenge, 2010: Black & White

OK folks, we’re totally late in announcing this challenge. I think it’s one of the first times too.

"Gnarly tree", by trevorscottcarpenter

Sorry.

Don’t forget about the 2010 Challenge, while you’re at it. But this one is going to tap into some old skills, that many of you could use some work on. Each time I’ve challenged myself to shoot something narrow enough to make me think about each shot, I’ve grown.

"The B&W Horizon", by Wolfman-K

It’s this simple; photograph a black and white image. Take the time to consider your lighting and contrast. These two things can effect the quality of a black and white, more than anything.

"B&W Tree", by piston9

So, each day of the month, in June 2010, you need to photograph an black & white photograph. Then submit it to our PhotoChallenge.org Flickr Group’s pool. Make sure to tag it with “junechallenge2010″.

2010 Challenge, Weeks 21-24

Welcome to the sixth theme in the 2010 Challenge! For the next four weeks, we will be shooting one photo each week, with the theme of GADGETS. Our lives are so packed with doo-dads and thingy-ma-giggers that we use and even need. We probably don’t even need to venture out and find any gadgets, to get enough subjects for this challenge. Of course, I’d love to encourage you to get out though.

"My iPod Touch 8G with Macbook screen reflection", by Yes, i'm guccio

Maybe you could use this opportunity to push your post-processing abilities! Or how about experimenting with some off-camera flash!

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you follow the guidelines of one photo per week, please. Even though you’ll probably shoot more than one shot each week, take some time to select the best photograph. If you’re not being forced to select one from many good photos, then you’re may not be challenging yourself enough. We trimmed the 2010 Challenge down to one shot a week, for the very reason of allowing you the freedom and time to plan and practice each week’s shot. Shoot many, but select just one.

"USB lamp", by Marco Wessel

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (21, 22, 23, 24). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

"Do the mashed potato!", by theilr

2010 Challenge, Weeks 17-20

Welcome to the fifth theme in the 2010 Challenge! For the next four weeks, we will be shooting one photo each week, with the theme of FLOWERS. It’s springtime in many parts of the world, and the flowers are starting to bloom. Feel free to shoot flowers in the wild, flowers in a vase, flowers wherever you find them. Shoot the details of a single blossom, or a wide expanse of wildflowers in a field.

"Stapelia engleriana flower" by Martin_Heigan

I’m sure you’ll discover that you have found some beautiful photographs attempting this theme each week, but please only submit one per week for the 2010 Challenge.Seeing that we’re encouraging everyone to submit just one photo for each week of the 2010 Challenge, make sure the one you finally select is your best. If you’re not being forced to select one from many good photos, then you’re may not be challenging yourself enough. We trimmed the 2010 Challenge down to one shot a week, for the very reason of allowing you the freedom and time to plan and practice each week’s shot. Shoot many, but select just one.

"This Time The Dream's On Me" by code poet

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (17, 18, 19, 20). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

"Blooming ~ Gemer, Slovakia" by Martin Sojka

April Challenge, 2010: Entropy

I know, I know. We’ve shot Entropy several times in the past couple of years. But it’s just so much fun!

"A Warning of Entropy - 8/365", by Jer Kunz

This monthly challenge fits our every-other-month challenge. Yes, we’re facilitating the 2010 Challenge, which has you shooting one really great image each week. That challenge is designed to force you to think, plan, and create really wonderful art. The monthly challenges are more geared to force you to get out and shoot with a bit of discomfort. If you’re not frustrated at least once during a monthly challenge, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough!

"Entropy #23", by Wolfman-K

Honestly, I’ve seen some of the best effort made by most of you when we’re shooting broken down old stuff. Go back and take a look at the old posts; the April Challenge 2008, the recap, and Day #8 of the 2009 Challenge. Those posts should give you even more than what I’m writing here.

Entropy is basically things that are breaking down, devolution. Our world surrounds us with things that break down. Just look around.

"Entropy 19: Bricks", by hpebley3

So, each day of the month, in April 2010, you need to photograph an entropy-themed photograph. Then submit it to our PhotoChallenge.org Flickr Group’s pool. Make sure to tag it with “aprilchallenge2010″.

2010 Challenge, Weeks 13-16

Welcome to the fourth theme in the 2010 Challenge! For the next four weeks, we will be shooting one photo each week, with the theme of DOWN LOW. This theme is more about the composition than the subject. The simplest way to see this theme is that I want you to get down low on the ground. Don’t just shoot up into the sky or ceiling. You can do that standing up. No, I want to see whatever subject you choose from a very low point of view. In fact, I’d like us all to commit to shoot from below 12 inches (30 centimeters).

"Down low", by kennymatic

I’ve found that alternative views of some even mundane subjects can open up whole new artistic visions. I’d encourage you to not just seek out one photo, to fulfill the weekly shot, but take several opportunities to head out and shoot a variety of things, from that very low down angle. I’m sure you’ll discover that you have found some beautiful photographs attempting this theme each week, but please only submit one per week for the 2010 Challenge.

"Untitled", by M31.

Seeing that we’re encouraging everyone to submit just one photo for each week of the 2010 Challenge, make sure the one you finally select is your best. If you’re not being forced to select one from many good photos, then you’re may not be challenging yourself enough. We trimmed the 2010 Challenge down to one shot a week, for the very reason of allowing you the freedom and time to plan and practice each week’s shot. Shoot many, but select just one.

"436-730 Down Low", by JoelZimmer

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (13, 14, 15, 16). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

2010 Challenge, Weeks 9-12

Welcome to the third theme in the 2010 Challenge! For the next four weeks, we will be shooting one photo each week, with the theme of SIGNS. This is a theme that everyone should have no trouble finding subject matter for. In fact, you may have the opposite problem — narrowing down your choice to just one sign per week! Of course, you can shoot as many signs as you want, but please only submit one per week for the 2010 Challenge.

"Ghost Sign Wall" by lewsviews

Since you only need one photo each week for the 2010 Challenge, take your time to find a sign that you really like, and think about how to make an image of that sign interesting. You might try capturing the image at different times of day, or painting the sign with a flashlight at night. Try shooting at a different angle, looking up  or looking down. Get creative!

"66 Motel" by Curtis Gregory Perry

You could also use this challenge as an opportunity to explore some rural areas or smaller towns, perhaps looking for vintage signs that are aging in an interesting way.

"Underground (night version)" Natalia Romay

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (09, 10, 11, 12). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

Now get out there and have fun!