real world speed challenge - are you up for it?

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

08/14/2006 08:07:15 PM · #1

ok, here's one for all of you who either shoot for a paper, or would like to see what it's like...

one of the papers i shoot for has a weekly column called "Best Of...". it features a different theme each week (Best of Water, Best of Berries, Best of Rainy Day Fun, etc.), and it will run five items, each with a photo.

sometimes, the writer gets in a pinch for photos, and calls me to help fill in the blanks. sometimes, the editor gets involved and calls me ahead of time.

this week, the editor called me and told me that she wanted me to take all the best of photos, because she really didn't think the writer would be able to pull it together. well, i did it, BUT, it wasn't as easy as it seems.

so, i thought maybe some of ya'll would like to try your hand at this type of challenge...

the challenge
*** will be announced weekly on sunday evening or monday morning ***

here are the rules
1) post here, but also pm me if you are interested in participating (i'll pm you with the details for unveiling your entries)
2) in your workshop folder, create a subfolder called "pj speed challenge" and hide it.
3) post up each of the five images you will shoot to this new folder
4) the deadline is 5pm eastern standard time usa on the thurs of that week

the rewards
1) comments, fun, and maybe some bragging rights
2) a beer on me, if you're even in town

submission guidelines
as these are feature photos, you have some leeway with editing. try to stick to advanced editing rules. images MUST be sized 640 x 512 HORIZONTAL. file size and dpi is up to you (i would suggest 72dpi with a target file size of about 100kb). submit ONLY FULL-COLOR photos (do NOT desat, two-tone, or do anything else). unless specified otherwise, title your images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

keep in mind, the photos run about business card size. just like with a dpc challenge, you've got to have an image that gets the point across relatively quickly.

note to registered users
if you want to play, you'll need to at least pony up the $5 for a one-month membership. the judging is going to be taking place in the comments section of the photos, and, for that, you will need a dpc portfolio.

note about the timing and the deadline
hey, this is just like the real world--it is what it is. for me, i only had about 4 hours to do the whole project, including edits. the bottom line is can you get the job done?

hope there are some takers ;-)

eta: revisions

Message edited by author 2006-08-25 05:34:39.

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

08/14/2006 08:31:38 PM · #2

I'd love to try this...except...Soccor started tonight, field hockey starts tomorrow and none of the other sports are going to start around here until after september gets (we don't have a football team at all)

08/14/2006 08:41:14 PM · #3

Originally posted by NathanW:

nathan, GO FOR IT! NOTHING has started down here either... like i said, this was NOT easy for me, but, all the same, i got it done and had some fun with it. just sit back, close your eyes, and open your imagination...

08/14/2006 10:18:56 PM · #4

Well I'd love to if I wasnt already buried in other work. But given that I really like a challenge I'll give it a shot. Since I'm just a freelancer at this point, If I dont get it done, you will never know I was doing it! :-) We will see if I can get it done, gonna be tough though as nothing has started here as of yet. School does start back thursday.

MattO

08/14/2006 10:24:40 PM · #5

Originally posted by MattO:

gonna be tough though as nothing has started here as of yet. School does start back thursday.

cool, matt! this really is an excercise in creative problem solving, as much as anything else. after all, how are you going to get the shots if school's not in and sports haven't started...don't answer, just do it!

08/14/2006 10:34:31 PM · #6

I'd love to do it too but I don't get my first opportunity to shoot football until Friday night.

AFter re-reading, I couldn't get it done. I would not have the opportunity to shoot anythign but golf between now and the deadline :(

Message edited by author 2006-08-14 22:36:31.

08/14/2006 10:39:47 PM · #7

It could be done with some minor effort ;)

08/14/2006 10:55:16 PM · #8

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

It could be done with some minor effort ;)

give it a shot!!

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

08/14/2006 11:37:30 PM · #9

Originally posted by skiprow:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
It could be done with some minor effort ;)

give it a shot!!

Unfortunately, time is not on my side this week. As much as I would love to do this, I have a lot of other things that I have to do :( I'm watching this thread though and I hope some good stuff comes out of it.

This might be a good opportunity for you to discuss 'feature art' :)

jdannels

Nikon D300s

08/14/2006 11:51:05 PM · #10

damn, I would love to do this, but I leave for vacation tommorrow and won't get back til friday sometime. cool idea though and thanks for setting it up skip.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/15/2006 08:52:44 AM · #11

ok, i may have jumped the gun a little bit, but it does seem like there is some interest in this type of 'challenge'. that being the case, i've revised my first post (please scroll to it and review; post any questions here or pm me.)

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

This might be a good opportunity for you to discuss 'feature art' :)

there are a number of different types of images shot for newspapers: spot news, action photos, portraits/headshots, event coverage, as well as feature photos. typically, feature art will help illustrate a story rather than tell the whole story; it serves as 'visual filler'. there are a couple different types of feature art. sometimes, it may be a collection of images that you grab to help illustrate another story; sometimes, it may be a specific assignment.

for example, if you were sent out to cover a basketball game, the editor is looking for you to come back with a handful of action photos like someone diving for a loose ball or driving the lane through a tangle of defenders' arms and legs. but, the editor is going to be even happier if you also come back with a couple interesting shots that help tell the rest of the story. for example, if you look up from the baseline and see some kids asleep in the stands, that could make interesting feature art. or if you see someone sitting/standing beside a 'no stopping/standing' sign. these images go along with the other story.

on the other hand, the challenge i'm proposing is to shoot for a specific assignment. my challenge was Best of Fall Sports
take 5 photos to represent any 5 of the following fall sports (1 sport per photo)
* football
* volleyball
* golf
* cross country
* cheering
* field hockey
* soccer

as john mentioned in an earlier post, this could be done with a little effort; it's just a matter of using your imagination, and having a commitment to getting the job done.

here is a bad example. basically, i just rounded up some available stuff, threw it on the ground, and shot it. it took about 30 minutes to collect, shoot, and process the images. and even though they might have done in a pinch, i wouldn't want my name associated with them...

so, what i did was this. i went to Dick's Sporting Goods. even though i would have liked to have shot stuff in the store, their corporate policy is not to allow in-store photography without prior written permission (which i didn't have time to do). so i bought about $200 worth of stuff, went to a field, and shot each piece somewhat uniquely. while there, i was trying to figure out what to do with the shoes. i held them up to see what they bottoms looked like, and was struck by the tread. since i had all my other shots, i hustled home, put the shoes on a piece of glass and shot them. then, in photoshop, i grabbed some of the blue sky from the volleyball shot and dropped that in behind the shoes. after some quick processing, i had my 5 shots to the editor and was able to return all the stuff i bought.

here are the shots i submitted

so, if ya'll an interested, let me know, and i'll post up a challenge for next week.

LKMote

Canon EOS-7D

08/15/2006 09:13:53 PM · #12

I read this the other day. I was trying to figure out how to get all the shots you were looking for as I live far from most sporting venues. I would have never thought of those shots. Thanks for sharing.

I am interested in doing this. It will all depend on if I have enough time to get the pictures needed due to my work schedule, but I am willing to give it a try.

jtf6agent

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/15/2006 09:34:28 PM · #13

Count me in Skip and thanks for the heads up.

08/15/2006 09:40:11 PM · #14

coolio, lori! this is starting to shape up.

here are a couple more examples.

Best of Water

Best of Berries

08/15/2006 10:03:22 PM · #15

So next week will be the first assignment? And it will be due next Thursday night? Looking forward to some fun here Skip.

MattO

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/15/2006 11:02:08 PM · #16

Skip,

You might want to start off with something a little more simple. I like the idea you are working towards here because it teaches us how to create a photo that supports/accompanies a story (not at all like challenges).

Maybe pick a topic like HEAT or Back to School.

Feature stories at my paper usually have at least 4-5 days notice to the writers and photographers. The assignments USUALLY hit the photographer's board with a few days advanced warning.

Have the 'students' here shoot two photos to accompany a story on your chosen topic. After this first test is successful, give another assignment of two topics and 4-5 days to shoot it. As an added 'bonus' to the assignment, have everyone look for spot news and shoot it when they find it. The photographer also needs to provide a byline to go with the photos... the who, what, when, where, how, why stuff in one to two sentences.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

08/16/2006 06:47:19 AM · #17

I have always found shooting for a paper much easier than shooting for a challenge. There's a much shorter time limit (typically I'm given 24 hours at max) unless its a large event and I just assume I'm shooting for it. With the shorter time limit my brain works differently - its kinda like cramming for a test. :)

I'll bite. And since Thursday isn't here yet, I'll find some sports.

Another way to think of this is as a directed scavenger hunt. Since I much prefer field work to studio work, this should be fun. :)

Thanks for doing it Skip!

lahulfman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/16/2006 07:07:26 AM · #18

i'm interested to see how i can fit this into my schedule... so count me in.

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

08/16/2006 07:49:52 AM · #19

i'm in

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/16/2006 08:02:26 AM · #20

I would like to try this assignment also. I'm a little confused on whether or not the best of fall sports is our first topic or not? I see some references to it, but no post that says that IS our topic.

Should I try that one or wait for a new topic?

08/16/2006 12:46:28 PM · #21

Originally posted by jpochard:

I got a PM from Skiprow explaining that our first assignment would come sunday night or monday morning and be due on Thursday. SO get ready for week one coming up!

MattO

08/20/2006 12:44:19 PM · #22

Real-world Speed Challenge #1: Best of Labor Day

Take 5 photos that illustrate things to do over labor day weekend. Here are some suggestions, but do NOT limit yourself: Grilling, Sports, Swimming, Shopping, Relaxing. Each image must be of a different subject (ie, do not take 5 different views of a grill).

Keep in mind, a since a publication would be running this column BEFORE the weekend, they wouldn't be able to wait for the weekend to get 'actual' Labor Day photos, would they? There is nothing wrong with posed shots--the point is to get the idea across. For example, a shopping basket full of back-to-school supplies is something that can be set up relatively easily--and that is something that would probably be easier to shoot that trying to get a candid grab of a shopper.

The keys are to be creative while keeping it simple. You want to get the job done without making it (too) difficult on yourself.

Just remember to keep the images hidden until you hear from me on Thursday. If you have any questions, post them here, or PM me. Good Luck!

Here are the participants that I've been in contact with. If you want on the list (or off), just let me know.

NathanW

MattO

jdannels

LKMote

jtf6agent

dahkota

lahulfman

jpochard

cryingdragon

Nikolai1024

rev: updated participant list

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 15:26:38.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/20/2006 01:53:23 PM · #23

Add me to your list :)

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

08/20/2006 01:54:42 PM · #24

Put me into this one. I think I can do it this time.