2008 - A year in Colours - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

12/13/2007 05:48:47 AM · #1

Hi guys,

I've been toying with this idea for a while and thought it best to write it out and then see if it floats.

I'm thinking of setting out to do 12 self imposed Colour side Challenges in 2008 - one per month.

I really love trying to commit (definitely not always succeeding) in doing a photo a day - and I LOVE being in the side challenges.

As a part of my personal growth plan, I'm thinking of doing the following (not set in stone, just an outline to start):

2008 - A year in Colours

January - Green (might limit it to limes and light greens - still a work in progress)
February - Red
March - Brown
April - Pink
May - White (gives me a chance at Black & Whites for a month - my passion!)
June - Orange
July - Grey
August - Silver
September - Black (Black and Whites again)
October - Aqua & Blues
November - maybe Metallic colours (see below)
December - Green (I know - but it IS my favourite colour for this decade)

Now I KNOW Metallics are NOT a colour - but you see I have an issue with Yellow & Purple (separately) and can't commit a month to either of them, sort of leaving me a bit short - so I've added Silver and then a month of metalliciky colours instead (any other suggestions would be welcomed).

Anyway - wanted to know if anyone felt inclined to do a similar project for next year - I could see it working for all sorts of topics - for me choosing colours means I can pretty much ensure that it's a free study all the time - GRIN!

Oh and there'll be no rules (for me except REALLY work at taking and adding a photo per day) - I might take an Orange photo in January, but add it to my June folder for instance.

Am I making any sense - or does it just work in my head - SMILE?

Looking forward to hearing from anyone else...

Lisa

ErikV

Nikon D7000

12/13/2007 12:01:18 PM · #2

Sounds like a fun idea. The plan to be able to take a photo one month and then post it during the appropriate color month would certainly add a bit of flexibility, and in particular make it easier for later months.

If you want others to join in (which would be great), I have a few suggestions:

1. For those of us in the northern hemisphere (in particular the more northern parts), January and December are among the worst months for green (whereas July/August would be the worst for you). Would suggest green for April and/or October.

2. Regarding yellow, perhaps you could add that to the orange month for those of us who are not yellow-challenged. Or for those men who are pink-challenged, perhaps yellow could be an option during the pink month.

3. Might not want silver and gray during back to back months.

Hope this helps.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/13/2007 12:07:23 PM · #3

I actually had a similar notion a couple of days ago. When I was putting together my calendar for this year, I looked at what I shot on an 'orange' theme earlier this year and thought that as a series, with a different colour each month it might make an interesting collection with a collage of each colour.

I wrote about shooting to colour themes when I took this picture.

bauerfan71

Canon EOS-50D

12/13/2007 12:22:27 PM · #4

I LOVE this idea. I also agree that greens are a major pain to shoot in December and January.. would love to see that in the spring months for the Northern Hemi as well.. but I'm game no matter what colors (or patterns, for that matter.. polka-dots, anyone?) you come up.

Count me in!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/13/2007 01:10:50 PM · #5

Originally posted by iamwoman:

I'm thinking of setting out to do 12 self imposed Colour side Challenges in 2008 - one per month.

I really love trying to commit (definitely not always succeeding) in doing a photo a day - and I LOVE being in the side challenges.

I'd also consider maybe throwing out the photo a day plan and aim for something more geared towards quality than just quantity. How about 12 pictures you like for a particular colour each month ? That way you don't beat yourself over the head with a 'I must take a photo today' rod, but you'll still be striving towards meeting the goal of x pictures you like on a theme, in the month. Just a thought. It's your personal goal, you get to set the boundaries :)

Also, with respect to your issues shooting either yellows or purples - if you have difficulties shooting those colours, perhaps you should try focusing on them in particular - often its those areas that we avoid through fears or dislike that have the most potential for growth in our vision.

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 13:12:04.

bauerfan71

Canon EOS-50D

12/13/2007 01:14:13 PM · #6

It's getting better all the time... I think the level of the photography would be greatly improved by the change to 12 or so shots over the month. I think each photographer's monthly profile could really take on a more cohesive theme that way.

EstimatedEyes

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8

12/13/2007 02:22:14 PM · #7

Interesting idea for a side challenge that I'd participate in, but no way I could come close to putting up a pic a day. For me, spending the month looking for green ... or purple or blue or metallic or whatever ... would be the challenge, and my goal would simply be to come up with 1 or 2 quality images each month. Maybe post several along the way for comment, feedback, ideas and suggestions or not, depending on what I come up with during the month. And of course commenting on and encouraging others over the course of the year.

12/13/2007 09:18:42 PM · #8

Thanks guys,

Did wonder about the green in January for the northern hemisphere people - GRIN!

Actually I wasn't really expecting anyone to do it exactly the same as me, more like a group of 'like minded' folk with their own take on a smiliar theme playing alongside each other - SMILE!

I'm still contemplating it.

I know the 12 photos per colour is more realistic even for me - but find that I REALLY enjoy pushing myself further - even if I don't reach it - SMILE!

I'll keep thinking about it - see if anyone else has a better or brighter suggestion!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/13/2007 09:31:38 PM · #9

Originally posted by iamwoman:

I know the 12 photos per colour is more realistic even for me - but find that I REALLY enjoy pushing myself further - even if I don't reach it - SMILE!

I just think the 12 good photos in a month is a harder goal than 1 a day :)

sherpet

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

12/13/2007 09:36:09 PM · #10

I am IN definately IN thats for sure, as it is a SUPER DOOPER IDEA.....

Thanks heaps
love shez

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

12/13/2007 10:04:08 PM · #11

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by iamwoman:

I know the 12 photos per colour is more realistic even for me - but find that I REALLY enjoy pushing myself further - even if I don't reach it - SMILE!

I just think the 12 good photos in a month is a harder goal than 1 a day :)

Gorden - I completely agree - but I'm also trying with this thing to 'exercise' my photographic muscle if you will. To ensure that it's a 'daily' part of my life - not something I just 'pick up'.

Agree though - If I found 12 brilliant photos a month I'd be exstatic - SMILE!

ErikV

Nikon D7000

12/13/2007 10:11:28 PM · #12

Given that this is to be a year long event, I would suggest some loose guidelines regarding how many photos to submit per month. Let people choose between daily submissions, 12 per month of good quality, 1-2 per month of great quality, or whatever else they might prefer. Otherwise people will be hesitant to join, and you won't get the critical mass of people that it will take to sustain this sort of an undertaking.

12/13/2007 10:49:46 PM · #13

Nice advice Eriv - I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew - GRIN!

I'll have to rethink the idea, get it more solid in my head and then re-post.

I was sort of thinking by posting that I'd find others who had similiar (read better) ideas and amongst us we could formulate a plan. I'm not for arranging as such - especially when there's still so much Christmas shopping I haven't done - SMILE!

pamelasue