2020 Photo Challenge #52

The Final Assignment 

Throughout the year we have explored many different techniques and ways in which to improve our photography, develop skills and be more creative.

• • Composition and Framing
  • Being Creative with Patterns
  • Being Creative with Textures
  • Being Creative with Lines
  • Being Creative with Light
  • Being Creative with the Depth of Field
  • Being Creative with Space
  • Colour Theory
  • What is the Point of View?
  • Seascapes / Landscapes
  • Black and White Photography
  • Shape and Form

The final assignment - Look through the images that you have used for this challenge throughout the year and select your favourite(s). Has focusing on a particular topic helped you become a more considered photographer? Challenged your skills? Expanded your creativity? Made you think more about what you photograph? How you compose your shots?

Two subjects have stood out for me this year. Using the depth of field and black and white photography. I have been aware of DOF for some time, but always cautious in changing the settings on my camera. Going forward I will do this more often.

I love black and white photography, but usually only convert colour images instead of deliberately setting my camera to B&W. What I have learned is that removing colour from a good image does not necessarily improve it. A black and white photo has to be seen without the colour, it needs to be an image which is strong without colour. Contrasts are very important as is the composition – patterns are better in a square format – landscapes in a wide format.

Bear in mind that whatever photo you set out to take you should remember the basics of composition which were set out in the first series of assignments. Choose your subject well, frame it well, remove any interferences, check the edges, decide on portrait or landscape, colour or monochrome and get the subject sharply in focus.

Taking just a little time to view the scene may be all you need to improve your photography.

If you would like to join me for one last time then please do. I would love to know whether this challenge has been useful.

Remember:

• • Create your own post with some information about how you composed the shot.
  • Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
  • Add the tag #2020PhotoChallenge so everyone can find your entry easily in the WP Reader
  • Get your post(s) in as soon as you can.

To everyone who has accompanied me on this journey, commented on my posts and joined in by linking your posts, I thank you all. The most enjoyable part of being a member of the blogging community is the way that we all interact with one another, encourage each other and enjoy a bit of banter and I have learned so much from your own contributions. As I said in the beginning I am not a “real” photographer, I use auto settings most of the time and I still take far too many inferior snaps. But we can learn from each other and I hope that through the various techniques I have introduced you to this year that I have demonstrated that there are many ways in which we can improve and change the way in which we all take photographs. I hope that this series has benefitted you as much as it has me.

In the end though, what and how we take photographs is a personal choice and comes down to whatever excites us and makes us happy. Here’s to much more happy photographing during 2021!

If you want to go back to any of the topics covered this year then please click on the links above. There is some helpful information and tips on each subject and I know that I will be referring back to much of this as I go forward with my photography. I already have a few ideas about what I want to do.