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NW Houston Photo Club

Photography - the Art of Capturing Light

Notes from the Competition Chairperson

  • March Competition

    I am really eager to see what the club members will come up with for the "cropping" challenge. I kinda "fear" what may be submitted <grin>.

    If you come up with something really innovative that will require special accomodations at the competition, please let me know well in advance, e.g., an entire table just to display your photo 'cuz you've blown it up so large it will hog up all the usual space.

    Remember: original photo should be 4x6

    Final photo can be whatever size you want (within club regulations).

    Attach the 4x6 with a tab of tape (or something suitable) so it doesn't get misplaced during competition. The judges will be required to carefully study the original to determine if the guidelines, etc., were met, and they don't need to be wondering where the original is.

     

    And on that same note, we'll need judges. I'm sure it'll be fun. So p-l-e-a-s-e let me know if you want to judge in March.

    Critiquing should also be a real challenge.

    Posted Feb 18 2009, 11:50 AM by Cindi with no comments
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  • Saturday 2/21 Houston Zoo

    http://www.paulswen.com/new/ps1.html

    Check out this guy's photos. He's the one leading the event Saturday at the zoo.

    Posted Feb 16 2009, 08:01 AM by Cindi with no comments

  • January 20 - Night

    The 2009 competition assignments are now "official."
     
    Starting with the January 20 competition meeting, the challenge is to capture "night."
     
    Your challenge is to use the darkness as a background, i.e., fireworks. However, if it's a night setting but the darkness is not obvious the Competition Chairman may require the photographer prove it's night time. For example: if you chose to shoot a person sleeping on a park bench and the photo does not show some sort of sign of outside darkness. Or - if a time-keeping device is the subject, it must show it's 12:00 A.M. and not noon. A good example of night would be star gazing or a neon light in a store window.
     
    Here are a couple websites that might aid you in taking those fantastic night shots:
     
     
     
     
     
    February's challenge will be "Home Sweet Home." More on that subject later.
     
    Happy shooting!!
     
    Cindi Rogers
    Competition Chairman
     


     

    Posted Jan 08 2009, 09:03 PM by Alan with no comments
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  • Competetion for 2009

    Competition Assigned Categories/Challenges for NWHPC 2009  January – Night - Use the darkness as a background. EXAMPLES: Person sleeping on a park bench. NOTE: Chairman may require photographer to prove it's night time if photo does not show some sort of sign of outside darkness. If time-keeping device is the subject, it must show it's 12:00 A.M. and not noon. Examples: Star gazing; neon lights in a store's window.Aidshttp://www.picturecorrect.com/photographytips/photographyatnight.htm 
    http://www.picturecorrect.com/photographytips/professional_night_landscape_photography_lessons.htm
    http://photo.net/learn/astro/star-streak      February – Home Sweet Home – “Photography is very much about telling stories, and while you are using a visual medium to do so, you still need to be a good storyteller and have an eye for what appeals to people.” Examples: Old house depicting a “home” where a family currently/previously lived—the visual would jump out at you as a “Home Sweet Home” atmosphere (any doubts, please ask chairman for more detail); greetings at the door; soldier being greeted by family members; rocking chair on porch; something that signifies "This is home."  March – Cropping – “ When submitting a photo to a photography competition, it’s tempting to select a photo you’re particularly proud of, or one that shows off a vast amount of different things at once. That’s not necessarily the best strategy. Remember that what you’re trying to do is to a) stand out from the masses of other photos and b) tell a story. You should submit a photo of "before" and a photo of "after" cropping – you are required to submit two photos—perhaps a 4x6 of the “entire” photo in addition to your matted photo with the cropped image only.  (Only the finished product need be presentation quality. You may simply tape the “before” photo onto the mat.) March Outside the Box – Speed - Speed (not the drug itself or YOU on drugs [this includes NO photos of an egg in a frying pan—that would be stealing an idea from the commercial—just kidding—fried eggs are fine as long as they show signs of being on speed]) - the image must give the impression something is going fast.Aids http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/landscape-photography-article.html
    http://photo.net/learn/macro/index      April – Friends – Examples: Holding hands; helping; two dogs walking side-by-side (can be male or female or neutered); photo must contain at least two subjects expressing a relationship.  May – Back-lighting - "Light directed at the subject from behind the subject." June – Texture - "The visual and tactile quality of the surface of an object, revealed in a photograph by variances in tone, depth and shape. Lighting has the most influence over how well texture is captured in an image." Texture: whether an object is smooth or rough. A tactile sense is difficult to convey in a two-dimensional photograph; again, it's a function of lighting."Aids
    http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/landscape-photography-article.html
    http://photo.net/learn/macro/index     

    June Outside the Box – Objects – This is a NOUN. “A tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow; "it was full of rackets, balls and other objects."  “Something perceptible by one or more of the senses, especially by vision or touch; a material thing.” (This is more of a free-for-all challenge. “Anything goes.”)

    July – Abstract - "In the photographic sense, an image that is conceived apart from concrete reality, generally emphasizing lines, colors and geometrical forms and their relationship to one another." "Abstract photography is about capturing color, shape and pattern to create an intense visual experience for the viewer."  "In abstract photography, colors, textures and lines become the focus. It's a matter of looking at common items in a different way. Abstract photos can be made from almost anything—flowers, walls, the texture of tree bark, or the fur of your beloved cat." Aids http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/outdoor_photography.html
    http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/fine-art.html      August – Free - Wildlife; flag; wind blowing a shirt; prisoner getting out of jail (if the photo is of yourself exiting the jail, we’ll know YOU did not take the photo!).Aidshttp://photo.net/learn/nature/butterfly September – Pinnacle – “The highest point; A tall, sharp and craggy rock or mountain; to put something on a pinnacle. steep pyramidal or conical ornament to a spire, buttress or parapet. A tall pointed decorative feature.”  Example:  “Sharp as a tack.” J October – Opposites Attract - Man & woman; dog & cat; fork & spoon; angry & happy attitudes. October – Outside the Box – Warmth – Depending upon how you define the term, it could mean “Warm colors” or even “loving feelings.” 1) You might "Warm" your photo by enhancing; or 2) Projecting “warm feelings” or emotions using color or physical attributes. Examples: People on a cold day; fur. November – Same Object – Skyline – Houston—“The elements of composition are mass, form, tone, texture, line and color.” Everyone photographs the same object as we did in 2008. Specifically, the subject is downtown Houston skyline – photo can be at any angle, day or night, rain or shine. Photos do NOT need to be taken at the same time as everyone else. Only rule is that the photo must have been taken within one-year. Watch your composition!! Aids http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/water.html  December – No Competition REMEMBER: Any photo entered must have been taken within the last 12 months.  
    NOTES: All text in italics was exerpted from various websites for reference only. 
    EXAMPLES: These are meant for “ideas” only. Your photos do NOT have to be composed of the subjects used as an example. 
    FOR ANY ENTRY: If your photo might possibly be disputed as to how it satisfies the challenge, you should attach no more than a 5x7 card to your photo explaining “How, Why and/or Where.” Chairman reserves the right, at competition, to require any entry of dispute to have a card of explanation attached. This is not only for your benefit but also to assist the judges in determining proper scoring in the associated categories.

     

    Posted Dec 17 2008, 03:29 PM by admin with no comments
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