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.

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.

F/4.5

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.

Low key B&W Allium flower

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.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

36 thoughts on “2020 Photo Challenge #52”

  2. Jude, you may not consider yourself a ‘real photographer’, but you recognise where you can improve your skills, and also recognise a good composition when you see it…so, good on you, girl

    1. Thanks Sue. I have enjoyed learning about the different techniques and skills this year and hope to put them into practice going forward. One thing I have managed to do is take less photos, on account of not going anywhere different!

  3. I reckon you are a real photographer. 🙂
    Changing aperture to alter the appearance of DOF was one of the earliest things I learned, and one of the few things I still bother with.
    Best wishes, Pete. x

    1. Thanks Pete. You are a sweetie! I tend to use a prime lens or the macro for a shallow depth of field and the wider lenses for landscapes so I haven’t really bothered changing the aperture. But I will keep trying.

  4. Is this really the last challenge? It’s been such a lot of fun and I’ve learnt a lot. Now, I still have last week to catch up with before I embark on this week’s, but it will happen. From another ‘Not a Real Photographer’.

    1. Well your photos are usually quite stunning so I reckon you are pretty good – and modest 🙂
      And there will be a new challenge next yea, but one that is less demanding, I think we have all had enough of demanding.

      1. I know! Getting up and organised is quite demanding enough. I’ll be onto last week’s challenge by tomorrow … or maybe Wednesday, or ….

  5. I’ve noticed the increasing use in blog posts and comments of the term “depth of field” to mean “shallow depth of field.” (I’m not saying you do that.) To my mind, “depth of field” has traditionally referred and still refers to that optical phenomenon in a generic and neutral way, and it therefore needs a qualifier like “shallow” or “great” if someone wants to single out one end of the spectrum of depths.

    1. It has always confused me until this year when I really read up on it. The higher the f number the more is in focus. It’s the higher number = less light that I couldn’t work out!

      1. Arithmetic to the rescue. Apertures are written in the form f/n, where f stands for the focal length of the lens and n is some number, for example f/4 or f/8. The slash in aperture designations is the same slash that we use in writing fractions. The greater the number on the bottom of a fraction, the greater the number we’re dividing by, and the smaller the result. As 1/8 of a pizza is less than 1/4 of the same pizza, so f/8 is a smaller aperture than f/4.

  6. You know I’m a charlatan but I do now have a real camera- Fuji S8600, if that means anything. It was bought secondhand after I got sand in my little Canon but it’s only had one outing so far. It’s like having a bag of sugar round my neck. Where’s the fun in that? But in theory I could attempt some of your challenges. Don’t stop now! 😦 😦

    2. Nice zoom on that camera. I used to have a Fujifilm bridge camera – gave it to my granddaughter but I bet she rarely uses it. All my Australian and New Zealand photos were done using it, good colour.

  7. I didn’t participate as much as I would’ve liked too though I have enjoyed viewing your photography Jude. All the best for 2021 and look forward to seeing more images from you.

    1. That’s OK, it was mainly something to challenge myself and I appreciate it when other people join in when they can. I am running a rather less challenging one next year and hope you can join me when you have the time.

  8. I’ll try to get into your challenges more next year Jude. I am not particularly inspired at present to get out and about, not that I can anyway being a “neuro prisoner”
    Thanks for making me think and trying new things. Maybe I could get a bit better.
    From another “not a real photographer” 🙂

    1. That’s OK Brian, I know you have had a tough year. Do what you can next year, no pressure from me xx

      1. More chill time n the garden will get the juices flowing but only in the early morning and late evening, the best time for both things I like doing 🙂

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