Photo Challenge

Starting a new hobby tends to make one fairly self absorbed.  You go through a time when it’s all you want to talk about, hear about, read about, and you can’t really understand why others don’t share your enthusiasm. This time round it is my new obsession with photography and taking in as much knowledge as I can, as fast as I can.

All that enthusiasm needs an outlet, and if that burden all lands on your spouse you quickly find that you need to shift gears, start talking to other people about your newfound addiction, and try to get back to (at least) equal air time for your spouses endeavors.  In my case, Mollie is working on her writing and working toward recording a CD this year which is a fairly overwhelming project on which both of us need to remain focussed for it to be a success, so that deserves more than equal time.

In addition to my new photo hobby, I’ve also been regretting the fact that I’ve been ignoring this blog for some months and looking for a reason to get back into it, so I thought the solution might be to combine the two.

In talking to many of my friends and family who are recent entrants into the world of photography, I frequently hear the complaint that they want to learn but don’t know what to take pictures of or how to focus their learning.  The word “photography” encompasses such a wide variety of things that this is extremely difficult until you figure out what you want to do with it.

So I’ve started a Photo Challenge for my family and friends and will be posting the results here.  They know who they are and if you feel like I should include you then go ahead and contact me.  Here’s the rules of the game.

• On a two week cycle, I’ll post a theme for our photo’s and we all need to go out and take pictures relevant to that theme.  Some interpretation of the theme may be required, and I don’t propose to give any more info.  You have to interpret it for yourselves.  This is about creativity as much as skill, so get creative!
• At the end of the two weeks, I’ll do a post with all the pics submitted in the order I receive them.  There will be an official deadline for each challenge.
• I’m only posting one submission per person.  If two are submitted I’ll take the most recent one up to the deadline.  After that, thanks for sharing the cool photo, but it won’t count.
• I’m handling this through email for the time being, and I’ll provide additional details via email.  If it get’s larger I may have to start a Flickr groups or something like that.
• Everyone who submits a photo and makes it into the post should comment and pick their favourite from the group but you can’t pick your own.  You have to pick your favourite from the others.
• The winner with the most votes gets to pick an upcoming theme.

I’m hoping this turns out to be as fun as I think and as little work as I hope so that I can spend more time with my camera than my computer even thought I’ll be posting more often and, most importantly, Mollie can get to concentrate instead my listening to my ramblings.

Now let’s get out there and shoot!