PhotoChallenge.org

Welcome to the third theme in the 2010 Challenge! For the next four weeks, we will be shooting one photo each week, with the theme of SIGNS. This is a theme that everyone should have no trouble finding subject matter for. In fact, you may have the opposite problem — narrowing down your choice to just one sign per week! Of course, you can shoot as many signs as you want, but please only submit one per week for the 2010 Challenge.

"Ghost Sign Wall" by lewsviews

Since you only need one photo each week for the 2010 Challenge, take your time to find a sign that you really like, and think about how to make an image of that sign interesting. You might try capturing the image at different times of day, or painting the sign with a flashlight at night. Try shooting at a different angle, looking up  or looking down. Get creative!

"66 Motel" by Curtis Gregory Perry

You could also use this challenge as an opportunity to explore some rural areas or smaller towns, perhaps looking for vintage signs that are aging in an interesting way.

"Underground (night version)" Natalia Romay

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (09, 10, 11, 12). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

Now get out there and have fun!

Well folks, it looks like we might just settle into a nice rhythm this year. I know for Jeremy and I, we won’t be so frantic, rushing to get a new challenge every day. This shifting of gears has really become a blessing for us both.

The 2010 Challenge launched quite well earlier this month. For the past four weeks we’ve been submitting one shot a week, focusing on the idea of “resolution”. I, for one, have been quite satisfied with the labor and creativity you all have been putting into each week’s submission. There’s been some duplication, but even that has taken a bit of a personalized spin each time. So, keep up the good work!

"Sossusvlei Landscape", by geoftheref

For the next four weeks, we’d like to see you take some time each week to plan out your shot. The theme is now Natural Landscape. What does that mean? Well, Wikipedia says, “A natural landscape is one that is unaffected by human activity.” That means we need to find a location that appears to have NOT been touched by human hands. Now, I know that won’t be completely possibly for every photog, but I really want you to give it your best effort. Seriously, only you’ll know how hard you worked on finding the best location.

Photographically, that also means that we’re looking for you to compose something that’s significantly larger than yourself. These samples in this post should help to get you thinking.

"Kauai Landscape Study", by ingridz

Now, just because you find the best location doesn’t mean that you’ll choose the best time to shoot. Take into consideration that your main light source is the sun, and it’s always changing. So, choose the right time of the day as well.

Let’s not forget the guidelines, Ok? You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (05, 06, 07, etc). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

• Jan 24-30, “2010Challenge05″
• Jan 31-Feb 6, “2010Challenge06″
• Feb 7-13, “2010Challenge07″
• Feb 14-20, “2010Challenge08″

I’ve found a few decent articles to teach you a bit more, if you feel so inclined…

• Landscape Photography Tips, at NationalGeographic.com (these guys know what they’re talking about)
• 11 Surefire Landscape Photography Tips, Darren is one of the best photo-bloggers!
• Why you Need a Telephoto Zoom Lens for Landscape Photography, this one’s just a motivator to get a new lens!

So, you’re all set then! Let’s see what you’ve got in your area. I can’t wait!

"Hard landscape", by jipol

In case you missed it, we announced the 2010 Challenge, back in 2009!

*******Update*******

Just to clarify, this post was simply a cheesy method of getting the 2010 Challenge back at the top. I didn’t want new folks seeing a reference to the 2009 Challenge, first. Sorry if my use of the term “bump” confused anyone. We are still shooting the theme “Resolution”, for the first 4 weeks of the year. And, YES, the first week was January 1st and 2nd.

It’s almost a new year, and that means it’s time for a new yearly challenge!

In 2009, we were challenged to shoot one photo every day, on a theme that changed every day. This was quite a challenge. A lot of people participated during the year, some for the whole year, and some as they could during the year. We recognize that shooting and posting every day is not for everyone, so for 2010 we will be doing something that will be a little easier for everybody to keep up with.

"November 27: Cello Lesson", by sarahbest

Some of you may remember that in 2008, the yearly challenge was to shoot a photo per week documenting your community. A photo per week is quite a bit easier to manage than a photo per day.

So, for 2010, we will be combining the ideas from the 2008 and 2009 challenges. During 2010, the yearly challenge will be to shoot one photo per week, on a theme that will change every four weeks! This will give us a schedule that is much easier to keep up with, but will still provide a variable theme to keep things interesting. The first four weeks will begin on January 1, 2010, and extend through January 23, 2010. The theme for the four weeks following will be announced on the first day of the next four weeks, January 24. You can post your weekly shot any time during the week. When posting, please add your photo to the photochallenge.org pool on flickr, and tag the photos with “2010challenge” and “2010challengeXX”, where XX is the week in a two digit format (01, 02, 03, etc). Of course, you are welcome to join in at any time, and if you miss posting during one week, just make it up the following week. This is about having fun and challenging yourself to become a better photographer, so the rules are guidelines. You won’t be punished or banned from the group if you miss a week or make up a shot.

"Boston Waterfront - Charles River "Evening Jog"", by David Paul Ohmer

Since the first week of 2010 is so short, you will only have a couple of days to get your first weeks shot of the theme. Are you ready? The theme for the first four weeks of the 2010 Challenge is RESOLUTION. What are you resolved to do in 2010? What do you see others around you resolved to do? For the first four weeks of 2010, let’s see one photo per week of a resolution!

You may be wondering what will happen with the monthly challenges. Don’t worry, they are not going away. We will take a break in January so that everybody can get into the swing of the 2010 challenge. The monthly themes will start in February, and every other month after that.

"Relax and travel...", by Ferran.

Also, we are happy to announce one more change for 2010. Steve Troletti will be joining the volunteer staff of photochallenge.org! Steve has been an active participant in the challenges, and will be helping out as a moderator in the flickr pool. Some of you have probably noticed that there are some photos being added to the pool that are obviously not part of the challenges. Steve will help make sure that photos in the photochallenge.org pool are photos that were submitted for the challenge, and that the photos were tagged correctly. Welcome aboard, Steve!

"The Halls of Stanford", by Akash k

One more thing. If you need a reminder as to what the theme is or when the theme will change, just look at the 2010 Challenge Themes page. Now get ready for a challenge!