Through the Lens - DP101 Assignment 3

Since I've been trying to photograph something everyday, I have had a little bit of a head start on the latest assignment from Through the Lens - Digital Photography 101. The theme for Assignment 3 is Better Composition. It is something I've been working at and wasn't quite sure what the rule of thumb was other than the Rule of Thirds. Now, I have more options available as seen hereafter with eight photography tips. Besides this blog, these photos have either been added to my Photoblog and Flickr accounts or they already reside there. Enjoy!

#1 - Rule of Thirds

This photo was taken at about 1:30 a.m. during an approaching lightning storm. I was hoping for streak lightning in the background but wasn't so lucky. I did, however, get plenty of sheet lightning providing adequate background lighting for the subject. The original was about a 106 second exposure, though still quite dark. The contrast and colors were tweaked in PS.

#2 - No Background Clutter (and Rule of Thirds)

The picture of the deer was taken in June while on vacation to Durango, Colorado. I didn't get any closer for fear of a hoof attack!

#3 - Viewpoint Angle

This is another photo that was taken in June for the Grand Opening of the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Missouri (free plug?) Dirk (in pic) and I are members of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). They'd like me to be in the Color Guard, but then who would take the pictures?

#4 - Fill Frame

Meet the granite girl I affectionately refer to as Rebekaha. She is the same subject as photo #1. Rebekaha is part of a large headstone about a mile from my house. This has to be the neatest grave marker in town. It stands about 8 feet tall which requires a step ladder to get an angle as seen in this pic.

#5 - Lines

After sleeping in this morning (teachers get to do that during the summer), I awoke to find a fog still hovering outside. Not wanting to miss this weather opportunity, I skipped breakfast and headed out to get some fog photos. Well, they weren't so great, but I did find several vacant spider webs covered with fog dew inviting me to capture their image for this assignment!

#6 - Details

Flowers weren't in bloom outside my home when I took this picture, but I couldn't pass it up for this part of the assignment. It was taken at the Flower & Garden Show in March. Check out the details of the stamen and pistil on this flower. A picture of the flower including its stem would not have been as striking as the flower alone.

#7- Know the Subject

The Church of Saint Luke (Episcopal) in Excelsior Springs, Missouri is the reason I slept in. Another night shot taken after midnight with a 4 minute exposure time. The street lights provided the lighting I needed. Other than cropping, this image has remained unaltered, although I must say, it looks awesome in b/w.

#8 - Breaking the Rules (Panning Blur)

A visit to a skate park in Kansas City today allowed me to complete the assignment. It wasn't necessarily my intention to copy delineated's idea of a skateboarder. It was the only thing I could think of at that moment. I would imagine that trains, cars, bugs, birds, pets, airplanes, runaway shopping carts, and more could be used as a subject of panning blur. By the way, I did try the camera toss. It was scary thinking that my concentration on tossing it just right would cause me to lose focus on catching the darned camera. I managed to eek out one somewhat decent picture after about three attempts. I may try it again if I can rig up an apparatus that will simulate the effects of a toss but without the possibility of camera wreckage!

All in all, I had a great time with this assignment and am looking forward to the next one. While waiting for Hallie to post it (in about 2.5 weeks), I shall continue taking photos using what I've learned from this and past lessons. Thanks, Hallie!