17.4.10

C&C Assignment IV : Light and Abstract

Last assignment of the workshop.   I had great fun participating in this and it taught me a lot about me as a photographer and pushed me to experiment with my camera in ways that I hadn't before.  Hopefully some of the skills that I've learnt will carry through into the future.  A big thanks to Camilla and Carolyn who organised the workshop and to all the other participants for regularly stopping by and commenting on my assignments.

This week's challenge was light and abstract in nature.  With a limit of 6-7 photos we were to play with light, abstraction, reflection, close-ups and landscape.  I live in central Berlin where five story apartments line the streets and nature is more often bought at a florist than found outside.  Friedrichshain Volkspark is just around the corner and for this week I was interested in playing with the connection and contrast between man-made and nature at the park.  It was actually easier than I thought.  People and landscaped elements of the park kept popping up in all of my pictures, inspite of attempts to blur them out, or omit them from view.







A last word about things that I've learnt.  I've grown more confident moving away from automatic settings to playing regularly with the aperture and f/stop.  I still haven't quite learnt how much I can push it before I get terrible camera shake, but I'm quickly learning.  Next step - full manual mode.  Throughout the assignments I've really tried to concentrate on colour and white balance.  I still have a great deal to learn, but the beginning 'egg' assignment was good preparation.  I find people difficult to photograph and I think I need more practice with this to create portrait shots that are not just "happy snaps".


20 comments:

Linda said...

I do like your images, the tress and the lake are my favourites. I am going to try to work on using full manual mode too on my camera, its a bit scarey but I am sure we can master it!

http://leafgreenknits.wordpress.com/

Jane said...

It is so nice to read what all of us have learned, amazing progress you made. Your photos are wonderful and yes I know the feeling of taking photography from snapshot till beauty and I still have such a long way to go.

I hope to meet you again at the next workshop. Have a wonderful weekend.

Susan {Florali} said...

Your reflections are lovely. And the plant in the bricks truly speaks to connection between man and nature.

Lisa said...

great photos! found your comment on Earth Mama's blog. I LOVE photography and have to check out this workshop!
happy weekend
lisa

maccandace said...

Your close-ups are amazingly beautiful! I love your reflection shots, especially the last one. And your landscapes, very nice! I used to shoot all manual with my film camera but I haven't done so yet with my digital, for some unexplained reason. I've enjoyed your photography very much and I'll check back.

Erin Wallace said...

I really adore the photo of the plant sticking out of the brick wall. All so good!

Nijola said...

Beautiful moments captured my pictures:)
Nice:)

gonzomama said...

i really like your water shots, beautiful tones. such a beautiful looking park!

Christina said...

these are such beautiful shots. i love # 3. all such wonderful tones.

Neuroknitter said...

Wonderful imagery! The reflections are lovely! Good job!!

Once Upon A Parent said...

Gosh those are great shots. I love the water ones the best.

Annie

Kim Klassen said...

oh my goodness... what an amazing "home" you have.... these are all sooo INCREDIBLE... i love each and every morsel...

so happy to have found you thru this journey...

hugs to you...♥ kim

t does wool said...

beautiful ending to this fun photo workshop.
beautiful images.
the reflective shots are superb.
so glad to have met you.

Yvonne said...

Love your flower shots and the diptych! This workshop has been great & it was lovely to meet you and to look at everything you came up with!

Earth Mama said...

What a lovely last reflection shot. I love it with all of the windy ripples flowing throught it! and that close up on the left of the dyptic is great!

:)Lisa

simplyussix said...

I love the reflection shots and the mossy pond. Nature is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your photos & blog. It was a pleasure to meet you.

carolyn said...

Gosh Clare this is such a lovely post-- truly. I loved reading about your progress with your camera and that C&C helped a little w it. Each one of the images you chose to show is quite stunning. I love how you caught the runner; the reflections are superb (u must lov them). And the diptych close-up makes me not want to divert my eyes from it. So good to meet you and your work.

Tina said...

I like your reflections they are great. The runner is brilliant and the plant growing out the wall is my favourite.

lucy said...

i love your closeup shots of those little furry plants! and capturing the runner in mid-stride! very cool. thanks for sharing your wonderful images with us!

life in yonder said...

I too love your reflections shots! The trees where you live are beautiful. And in you photo they look fairy taleish.