Suggestions for Short Photography Assignments?

[winterlim]

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for daytime 'street' assignments which I can do to brush up some skills.

I am a full time photographer now, mostly shooting indoor portraits and have a number wedding shoots under my belt. I would however like to brush up my skills (i.e. a full day outing once a week) and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

I have thought of taking an online photography course (betterphoto.com or nyip.com), which will provide some proper guidelines on what to shoot based on a structured and proper course guideline, but in the meantime while considering that, want to do some shooting on my own. Any suggestions?

[birdfromboat]

I just started a photo class. Our first assignment, that I have not yet completed, is to collect 15 unique photos from one standing position, one foot in the same place at all times. I am thinking local museum- people and objects, or busy shopping mall, zoo, or if I can contact a local neighbor maybe using his farm equipment boneyard. Standing by a freeway and shooting 15 pan shots doesn't cut it.

[davosgirl]

How about shooting the alphabet in nature?? For instance, find one natural occurrence of each letter. Like for the letter A could be a sawhorse leg or a car tire for the letter O or here is a picture that I did where the Shelter support could represent the letter Z.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q140/rdnkgrl_robinhood/kevencami.gif
There are any multitude of places and/or items that you can shoot. But it has to be a 'natural' occurrence you cant cross to sticks and call it the letter T.
It's something fun and it really makes you look at your surroundings in a completely different light.

Valerie

[ryant35]

Here is my photo project to brush up on skills & to fight off boredom.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=551251

[ryant35]

I also use this site: http://www.dpchallenge.com/

They have weekly contests for free members & paid members with themes and guidelines. The competition is pretty good. You also have to take the photograph during the week of the contest and then a week of voting follows.

[winterlim]

thanks guys for the suggestions!! all of them look like really great ideas to keep me occupied over several sessions!!

Please keep them coming!!!!

[ryant35]

Here's what I did tonight to fight off the boredom.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=7057616#post7057616

[Picture North Carolina]

A quick five, each a separate day/project:

Windows and Doors.
Textures.
Lines and shapes.
Movement & motion.
Things that are old (i.e., not people but aging, decaying, decomposing, or deteriorating buildings, places and things.)

[winterlim]

sounds great guys.. love the ideas. some are simple, some a little more challenging. there are loads of examples around, but sadly in terms of scenery, where i come from.. lacks the beauty of 4 seasons. will have to find the beauty in everything here:D

[SouthernJumper]

The alphabet idea is great!

[davosgirl]

The alphabet idea is great!

I thought so. I did that last spring to fight the boredom and it was so much fun. I took my two teenage boys with me and they got into as well. It really makes you look at everything around you in a completely different light. Lot of fun for sure.

Valerie

[Ursie]

This is a great post. I love hearing what people are suggesting. I'll have to try some of these things myself. A photography group I belong to has a monthly challenge. The winner of the months challenge picks the topic for the next months challenge. This month is 'triangles' last month was 'garbage'.

[winterlim]

does anyone have any books which offer a coursework or assignment at the end of each chapter that is worth buying? I am currently going thru' Langford's Basic & Langford's Advanced Photography. The book is pretty comprehensive, almost text book like. i don't mind looking at other recommendations as well.

[davosgirl]

does anyone have any books which offer a coursework or assignment at the end of each chapter that is worth buying? I am currently going thru' Langford's Basic & Langford's Advanced Photography. The book is pretty comprehensive, almost text book like. i don't mind looking at other recommendations as well.

There are many good books by Scott Kelby that super easy to follow and spell things out with clarity. He has done many many books for the Adobe Suite and working with Macs. All of his books have assignment sections at the end of each chapter. I am not sure what he has specifically for photography but I would definitely look him up

Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 by Scott Kelby
The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby
The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally

These are a few that came to mind. He also has a wide array of books spelling programs like Photoshop, Elements, Lightroom, and Layers

Check him out. I hope this helps

Valerie

[Picture North Carolina]

winterlim, don't know where you live but if you want a challenging assignment, here's one: as I write this half of the U.S. is under a record-setting cold snap.

Go out today or this weekend and photograph "cold." (And yes, snow and ice is cheating - too obvious, too easy. Sorry. ;) )

[JeffreyO]

In addition to the books listed above, if you like macro or close up, these books have tons of ideas:
-Understanding close-up photography : creative close encounters with or without a macro Lens
-Digital macro photography

Also keep a list and write down any idea that pops into your head. You WILL forget if you don't. I have enough to last a few months right now. Someday I'll be in your situation and asking the same question. :)

[Wilt]

Since you are mostly a 'people photographer', you could buy Light Science & Magic, and recreate all of the lighting principles which are presented for still life/ product photography!

Alternatively, you could choose to shoot photographic abstractions, like 'form', 'texture', 'contrast', etc.

Or you could choose portraiture related skills...posing, hair lights, background lighting, facial lighting, etc.