Project #4: The Votes are in!

The votes are in on our latest project, the winning submission for "Shadows and Silhouettes" was by Eric Pearson! Great job Eric, this is one of my favorite shots of yours!

Project #5: Self Portrait

I know voting isn't even done yet for project #4, but why not get started on another? :)

Another "simple" project where you can let creativity shine. This can be anything that expresses who you are. It can be anything from a picture of an object that really defines you as a person, to an actual self-portrait. Anything goes for this project!

!! All Submissions Due Friday November 5th !!

Submissions should be sent to fotodorks@gmail.com!

Happy Shooting!

The Polls are open!

The polls are open for project #4 "Shadows and Silhouettes"!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodorks/sets/72157624916353271/detail/
Vote using the poll you see to the right ---->

Voting ends 10/11/2010 @ 12:00 am

Project #4: Shadows and Silhouettes

This one is pretty self-explanatory, take a picture where the main subject is a shadow or silhouette. There is really nothing else to it, so get creative!

!! All Submissions Due Friday October 1st !! 
Submissions should be sent to fotodorks@gmail.com!

Happy Shooting!

Project #3: Strangers - Update

The default winner of Project #3 is Ron, since he was the only one to submit a photo. Hopefully we do better next Project. :)

Project #3 - Extended

I have decided to extend this project to the end of this week, since I have yet to receive any submissions. So take this opportunity to get out and shoot! Final submissions are due by the end of the day Friday the 20th.

Keep Your Skills Sharp

Just a little something to keep the skills sharp: http://www.flickr.com/groups/project_365/

Happy Shooting!

Got Photos?

If any of you dorks have any photos that don't fall into one of our projects, but you would like to share with the group, forward them over and I will post them on our Flickr photostream!

Project #2: The Votes are in!

The votes are in on our latest project, the winning submission for "Subject in 3 Parts" was by Eric Pearson!

Nice job Eric!

Subscribe to fotodorks!

You can now subscribe to fotodorks! Any updates to the blog will show up in your email. Just click the subscription link on the right side of this page.

The Polls are open!

The polls are open for project #2 "Subject in 3 Parts"!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodorks/sets/72157624383243362/detail/
Vote using the poll you see to the right ---->
Voting ends 07/13/2010 @ 12:00 AM.

Our gallery has moved...

Our gallery has moved from picasa to flickr. Flickr offers a lot more social networking integration and some lovely management tools. Take a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49579485@N07/sets/

Amazing Long-Term Project

An amazing project a father undertook. He documented his daughter growing up, taking shots of her from the point of view of an objective observer.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Alison/49837

and the redux

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Alison-Redux/111847

Project #3: Strangers

We are looking for candid shots of strangers. This is a hard one as I know it is outside of a lot of peoples comfort zones, but thats why I chose it. :) It doesn't matter what they are doing, it just needs to be a picture of someone you don't know.

The definition of stranger is a little flexible. The barista at the local Starbucks that you know on a first name basis, but never see outside of Starbucks would definitely count here, but if you dated that barista at one point, it wouldn't.

Things to know when shooting strangers:

1. Take the shot, then ask permission to use the image, offer them a print and be polite about it.
2. If someone does not want you to take their picture, don't, and get rid of any shots you did take of them.
3. People are very uncomfortable about strangers taking pictures of their children, if you want to do this, get the parent's permission BEFORE taking the shot. Since the parent isn't the subject, you should still be able to get a real candid shot of the child.

It may not be needed, but here is a sample model release form if you feel the need:

---

MODEL RELEASE

In exchange for consideration received, I hereby give permission to [ your name here ] to use my name and photographic likeness in all forms and media for advertising, trade, and any other lawful purposes.

Print Name:

Signature:

Date:

If Model is under 18:

I, [ parents name here ] , am the parent/legal guardian of the individual named above, I have read this release and approve of its terms.

Print Name:

Signature:

Date:

---

Since this will be outside of some of your comfort zones I am announcing this early and extending the length of this project. The project officially begins 07/09/2010, you have until the end of the day Monday 08/16/2010 to get your submissions in!

Happy Shooting!

Free Weekend Seminar: July 23rd - 25th

Here is info on a free weekend photography seminar (online) put on by David duChemin:

http://creativelive.com/courses/david_duchemin/

Check out David's offical page at: http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/

And check out his various books on Amazon.

Isolated by Light

Nice short article about using light to isolate your subject in the frame. I think I might feel a 48 hour project coming!

http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2010/06/isolated-by-light/

Nice Workflow Discussion

Nicely produced video on the workflow, from capture to archive. Obviously this is a pretty advanced setup, but he brings up some good points that anyone can take advantage of.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/06/workflow-and-backup-for-photo-video/

Medium Format Fun

A little fun for those that enjoy a true film camera. Holga makes terribly ugly, and terribly fun, all plastic medium format (120mm) camera. They are really cheap and take some interesting photos, take a look:

http://microsites.lomography.com/holga/

Another Member!

Everyone welcome Shannon Hale!

New Member

Everyone welcome new member Ron Howe to fotoDorks!

Photography Purists

Great post on Chase Jarvis' blog...

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/11/purists-beware/

Project #1: We have a winner!

Our first project was a success! We had good participation (for the small number of members we have) and hopefully we will continue this throughout our future projects.

Here is the winning image, submitted by Mark Wilkinson, for Project #1: Abandoned Spaces:

Click above for a larger version

Project #2: Subject in 3 Parts

It's simple. Pick a subject and take three unique pictures of it. It could be a person, a landscape scene, a particularly interesting object lying around in your backyard, or anything else you could think of. This project is really open for interpretation and creativity. Just to illustrate: You could take a picture of a row of houses along a street, then take a close up of one of those houses, then take a macro of the door knob of that house. Or you could simply take three pictures of a plant from three different angles, or at three different times of day.

There is only one stipulation, each picture must be different. You can change the zoom, exposure time, time of day, etc., but each needs to be unique and you cannot accomplish this with software alone. As always, feel free to adjust and enhance your photos with software, but these software enhancements cannot be the only difference.

This project officially begins today 06/07/2010, you have until Monday 07/05/2010 to get your submissions in!

Since this project requires three pictures, please combine these photos in your photo editor of choice. To keep it simple submit them in either horizontal or vertical orientation, with a little white space between each.

IF YOU NEED HELP GETTING YOUR SUBMISSION IN THE PROPER FORMAT, PLEASE EMAIL fotoDorks@gmail.com.

Unlike before, the image size restrictions are a little different. The 1024 pixel limit is still in effect, but it is PER IMAGE, not for the combination of the three.

Happy shooting!

The Polls are Open!

The polls are open!

Please visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/fotodorks/Project1AbandonedSpaces

Decide which picture you like best and vote using the poll you see to the right ---->

Voting ends 06/08/2010 @ 12:00 AM.

Meet-Up

This month has been a little hectic, but please keep an eye on the blog, I will be announcing the meet-up soon. We will likely not be able to get together in time to take any group shots for this project, but we can certainly get together anyway.

Stay tuned.

Project #1: Abandoned Spaces

Welcome to our first project!

Abandoned spaces can be defined as any physical space that has been deserted or left behind. This could include an abandoned building, parking lot, playground, car, bicycle... the list goes on.

We are basically looking to capture anything that can really convey a sense of abandonment, so be creative. If you need a little inspiration: http://www.marchandmeffre.com/

As with all projects going forward you will have a month to get your submission in. Only one photo per Dork please. This project begins on 05/01/2010, and ends on 06/01/2010.

All submissions must be no larger than 1024 pixels on either side. Please send your submissions to: fotodorks@gmail.com by 06/01/2010.

A group photo shoot will be scheduled for some time mid-month for anyone that is interested.

Good Luck!