This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums (26 Jul – 1 Aug ’09)

Weekly Assignment

We finished the Machinery assignment this week in the forums. Some machines we like, other machines we can’t live without, and some we probably curse regularly. But there were some wonderful photos of machines this week nonetheless. Our winner was Jamfke‘s time machine. This shot was nice and clear, captured excellent details of the machinery, and it had some really lovely colours. It’s also proof that you don’t need to have a DSLR to make great shots. Our first runner up was MakaniMike‘s Green Machine Wheel. This shot showed a nice interaction between the hard metal of machinery and the soft greens of nature. The sense of abandonment in the photo was enhanced further by the colours. And last, but not least was asterismos‘s favourite machine, the sewing machine. This shot shows how a DIY macro lens can work well to get up close to the details. This photo had a nice shallow depth of field, but it was also clear what the subject was.

We also started the Trucks assignment this week. As always, a quick overview of the rules. First, your image must be taken between 22 July – 5 August 2009. Next, your post must include the words “Assignment: Trucks” and the date that the photo was taken. Finally, your EXIF should still be intact and it’s helpful if you can post some of the main points such as camera, shutter speed, aperture, lens, and ISO. Next week’s assignment is “Album Cover”. The goal is to shoot a photo for an album cover so make sure to leave room for the album / band name before you start shooting.

Hot Threads

• Oh my aching back, what am I doing wrong?: Just like any physical activity, there is a risk of injury and strain, especially if you’re carrying around heavy equipment. What suggestions do you have for holding heavy gear and which muscles would you work on strengthening to avoid some of the aches and pains?
• Reviewing photos on the road: If you’re travelling you may not want to carry around a full size laptop. That may be even more true if you’re just going out for a single day shoot. But then how do you actually review your shots when you’re on the road? There are several options out there, but how do you figure out which one is right for you? Come read about some of the options and the pros and cons of them.
• 50mm Prime only challenge thread: One of the most popular lenses that people get is the 50mm prime lens. Probably because the f/1.8 version is excellent value for money. Come look at this thread and join in to show off some of the many ways you can use a 50mm prime.
• What Would You Do: Come join in the fun in our weekly post-processing threads where you get the chance to edit the photo of another forum member. You don’t have to be a pro, you just have to want to learn.