Learning Curve Assignment

kassie

On the advice of a nice moderator i'm posting this thread in the hope you more experienced photographers out there might like to help us newbies out, help us to become more confident in the pictures we take.

Similar to the "Assignment" thread, if someone could set us newbies a task say every fortnight or so (with some brief guidelines/tips optional) and we (the newbies) in turn post our images in reply to the assignment which are then open for C&C and for "How did you do that" questions.

Keep the assignments simple and straightforward. It should not a competation nor should it be about the interpertation of the theme, it's about how to take the photo - a Learning Curve!

The assignments can be set by anyone, i'm not asking for one individual to take on this role solely. Think of it as an online camera club where we get to socialise, "meet" new folks and enjoy our shared hobby together.

Whaddya say folks??

TTWNF

great.. i'm in as a newbie!

trooney

Go out and take some photos of strangers. Not just candid photos. Go out and interact with them. Give them some instructions and get them to do something that shows you have interacted with them.

OldGoat

Tough ask for noobs.

I find the best approach to strangers is just to walk up, explain that you are doing a photo assignment and ask if they wil let you take a shot.

In no order whatsoever:

Pick your spot. Somewhere with a constant flow of subjects. Check the background, an open space with a bit of a tree behing is nice. Try to keep your subject seperated from the background by a few meters is possible. Eliminate those pesky lamposts.
The Tall Ships in Dublin this weekend is a great opportunity with all the sailors around who are quite used to people asking if they can take photos.

Keep the light behind or to the side of you so your subject is lit. Have a look around to see if there is any surface bouncing a nice fill light available (white vans, white painted walls) and use it to your advantage.

Fill your frame by getting as close as you dare. Once the subject has given permission to shoot then take advantage and can step right up close to them.

Take more then one shot.

Focus on the eyes.

Talk with the subject, it puts them at their ease and prevents those wooden poses. It lets the subjects character come out when they are talking/laughing.

Go with a faster shutter speed if you can to freeze any movement.

Keep the apature in the low numbers to blur out the background.

After your first few shots check the images and make any adjustments to get a better exposure. Check for sharpness. Check for motion blur. Check your background.

Good luck.

trooney

I would agree it’s a bit of a baptism of fire alright.

All good advice above from ye olde goate. I would also suggest, and it might sound strange, but don't forget to breathe. In other words, if you are engaging with a stranger with getting a photo in mind, be calm and confident. Not cocky. Nobody likes cocky. Pick somebody who stands out a little, so you're ahead from the start with the subject, as it were. Don't be afraid to engage them. After a bit of a chat you'll have a better idea if they are open to having a photo taken and maybe how much you can egg them on for a bit of being posed. Little bit of cheery banter can go a long way.
There is no doubt that getting a good non-candid shot is most likely outside most people’s comfort zone. It’s certainly one for getting the adrenaline flowing a bit. But if you can get the gumption up enough, you can sometimes walk away with a great shot. Have posted the below examples previously, but I think they are good examples of what I'm trying to convey, in that they are somewhat more than just the subject having being asked to smile for a shot. Of course, the most important thing is that you are enjoying it. It’s not worth it if you're not. But getting into the thick of it can def be very enjoyable.

All the subjects below are/were total strangers that I was able to manipulate to my own end.

pullandbang

I think this is a fantastic but tough assignment for beginners and it will certainly improve your photography. Candids are relatively easy - long lens and skulk in doorways. However, having to interact with strangers is no mean feat but is a very rewarding experience. I know, I'm speaking from experience having done a whole year of it, the result of which was a book and will be my exhibit at peoples photography this weekend.

OldGoat has summed it up well and if you take his advice you won't go too far wrong. Try a bit of conversation beforehand - the weather, the Tall Ships, whatever and then ask can you take the shot. Take a few just in case and show them the result on your screen. Always nice too to offer to email them a copy if you want to swap e mail addresses.

dakar

Tough ask for some of us not-so-noobs too!

I'm not exactly the shy retiring type (I think that some of you can testify to that!) but I've very rarely engaged strangers with a view to taking pictures.

Might give this assignment a go...

kassie

talk about being thrown in at the deepend!!! I'm a shy type and tend to keep myself to myself when out and about.... BUT i will give it a shot. Thanks for getting the ball rolling trooney even if it is a toughy!!!

edited to add - would love to hear the story behind the upside down shot above!!

trooney

We were on a bus going back to the city from the Golden Gate bridge and at one of the stops along the way a bunch of drunken students boarded. One of the guys started chatting to me and the conversation somehow turned to the subject of whether he could hang upside down from the handrail while the bus was chugging along. I thought it didn't look to hard to do, so gave him some gentle encouragement over the next few minutes - making him aware, of course, that it was still his call. He was happy to prove his theory correct and happier for me to get a shot or two off. When we got back home and I got to see the shot proper I was happy to call it a keeper. A little bit of post pro and a flip to downside up, which, in my mind it was always going to be, as I'm fond of skewed points of view, and that was it.

Good luck with the assignment. Just relax and enjoy it. If you advance anywhere with the skill going forward you'll look back on the first time with fondness

OldGoat

Not quiet street but he was a stranger and he did ham it up for me when I asked.



Exposure 1/1000
F-Number f6.3
ISO 100
Focal Length 50 mm on a cropped sensor

PP: Had to push the black a bit as I was over exposed. A nudge of contrast, vibrance, clarity and saturation. Cropped to get the subject and waterline onto the 'Rule of Thirds' guidelines. Sharpen and resize for web.

kassie

haven't forgotten this... as terrified as i am about doing it, i am going to give it a go, just waiting for an opportunity and hopefully that will be this weekend! I live in the midlands, in the country so finding an accessible stranger is kinda troublesome LOL

has anyone else managed to get the stranger shot?

Lizheen

I live in the midlands too and can recommend the 5k races that every village holds these days as a great place to use your camera - especially for shots of strangers.