Do you ever...?

Question

.... give yourself assignments? Perhaps to shoot only the color red or yellow? Perhaps to only use one lens? Perhaps to limit yourself to no more than 72 exposures in one day?

Answer 1

No, never went thus far when I learned photography. What for? I'd rather recommend another way of seeing things which consists in limiting yourself to the use of a wide angle lens so as to fully probe the possibilities it offers; technically as artistically. The systematic use of a polarizing filter during a one-day experiment provides its share of interesting, not to say surprising, results.

Answer 2

Short answer, yes. All of the time. I have a list of 'self assignments' that I add to (and subtract from) and shoot when I have the time or opportunity.

Besides things like you mentioned, which I do, a lot of it is highly experimental. Also, because I shoot essays a fair amount, I will give myself assignments to capture or make a statement through an image. Here's the emotion, here's the relationship that triggers it, how do you create the image that evokes it?

Statement images are the hardest because correct exposure, composition and other technical matters aren't the message. It's a case of the normal photographic concerns being able to enhance or detract from what you are trying to express, but can't create it.

It's the area where I get to explore, get out of my photographic comfort zone, invent techniques, and generally let all the 'shoulds' go and move into the land of 'What if?'

Admittedly, most of the highly experimental stuff fails. The image I am trying for is not the one I get. That is very cool. Somewhere I remember the failures and often see a situation (or make one) where the failed results are the approach that works for what is in front of me.


Vance

Answer 3

The closest I have ever come to that would be to capture a specific subject.

One recent example would be that, in recent months, my neighborhood has played host to some ENORMOUS black, bumblebees with amber wings. Other than them looking interesting, I dismissed them from my mind, since I have no particular fear of bees.

But one day, it occured to me that I ought to have some photos of these. My digital camera had a macro feature that I had rarely used, so, I decided that I would be sure to capture images of these bees. I went out to my garden and set myself up on a chair, near some of my more spectacular flowers. There were plenty of these bees working so, I didn't have long to wait.

I only needed a couple of dozen shots and managed to catch several bees, in the air and on the flowers. I have about three or four, nearly perfectly framed shots with the bee almost filling the frame, amber wings, veined and glistening, bulbous black eyes and antennae, dusty with pollen.

I couln't have been happier with the results.

I do understand your question, however, about projects that teach specific disciplines. As a designer and illustrator, I sometimes set myself projects that limit my color pallet, or subject matter. It's kind of like "polishing" up the fine detail on metalware, or glasswork, while cleaning house.

Answer 4

Several times lately I have limited myself to a 50mm lens on my film camera. I have thought about limiting myself to taking only 36 exposures on my next short trip. It won't be this time, though. We are taking the grandkids on their first trip to Washington DC, leaving tomorrow. It is hard to impose a photo limit when snapping the grands!

Answer 5

everytime i shot i have an assignment (unless fooling around)...........clients give me "assignments" or briefs.

for my own stuff i always have the image in my mind before i even set up the lights and tripod.....

its a bit like this, if you dont know what you want how can what you get be any good? if you dont know what your aiming for how can you hit it?

excellent question many thanks,,,,,,,if only people did limit themselves they woud end up with less shots/better quality (due to the thought behind the image)/and less crap

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Answer 6

From time to time, if I find myself bored or lacking inspiration. I find it a good way to get through "photographer's block" for lack of a better term.

Answer 7

http://www.dpchallenge.com give assignments out for photographers, and I really have learned a lot from it.

After you post the pictures, people critique them for you and help you with problems specific to photography.

Answer 8

Yes.