Seasonal Feature
Spring Challenge 2011
How can one sum-up a classic spring day using a lens and digital or film media? Spring means different things to different people. For some, it's a bee on a daisy, while for others, its a reflection in a spring puddle. Yet for other photographers, spring is more about what people do and how their habits change as the weather gets warmer.
Whatever your own vision of spring, some creative photographers shown below
captured something that's quintessentially....SPRING. Enjoy!
Spring Challenge 2011
How can one sum-up a classic spring day using a lens and digital or film media? Spring means different things to different people. For some, it's a bee on a daisy, while for others, its a reflection in a spring puddle. Yet for other photographers, spring is more about what people do and how their habits change as the weather gets warmer.
Whatever your own vision of spring, some creative photographers shown below
captured something that's quintessentially....SPRING. Enjoy!
**This Spring Challenge is now CLOSED to new submissions.**
|
Submission by Lisa Stedman
Augusta, Maine
|
What's not to love about this stunning sunset picture?!! It has sharpness and detail, varying areas of brightness, a well-positioned horizon line and more. Lisa used a programmed "sunset" mode for this picture taken at Unity Pond in her home state of Maine.
When we first looked at the image, it was clear that it should become part of our Spring Challenge. The sunset has a quality that is somewhat unreal - almost ethereal in its feel and appearance. We asked Lisa if there had been any filtering or post-processing and she assured us that the colors seen were as experienced; Photoshop was not used to enhance the photo. Also notice the rocks popping out of the water in the immediate foreground and the reeds dotting the water a bit further in. These elements make the sunset picture far more interesting and well-composed than had they not been present. Congratulations Lisa on this awesome picture! |
 © 2011, Lisa Stedman Canon Powershot A1100 IS; f/4, 1/13, ISO 80 |
Submissions by Ian Ganderton
Dubai, UAE
|
 Scene in Dubai © 2011, Ian Ganderton |
We were very interested to receive these images from Ian Ganderton of the U.K., as they presented an entirely different idea of "springtime" than we had been expecting. We decided to publish all three of Ian's submissions, as they work well in a triptych fashion, with the two tall structures "book-ending" the middle picture. While the images are not symmetrical themselves (it's a good thing compositionally that they are not symmetrical), the symmetrical arrangement in a set of three IS a good thing. Spring takes many different forms and has many different faces around the world, and as you can see in these splendid images, it holds awe and inspiration for many, regardless of where one may find ones' self.
Martin travels a great deal and we are glad that he took along his camera for this particular trip!
Martin travels a great deal and we are glad that he took along his camera for this particular trip!
Submission by Martin Trevena
Melbourne, Australia
 © 2011, Martin Trevena Canon EOS 550D, 55mm focal length; f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 100 |
Martin photographed a highly colorful spring-like image here. The picture could serve as a classic example of short depth of field (sometimes also called "shallow" depth of field). Note how the petals and stamens in the immediate foreground are in perfect focus, while the rest of the subject matter quickly blurs to the point where the background is a mere mush of colored lights. That blurred background is also called "bokeh"; it's a Japanese term that relates to the beauty of a blurred background that includes a variety of colors, shades, shapes and randomness; all arranged in such a manner that they are an interesting compliment to the focal point, while not 'stealing the show'. As you will note in the caption under his photo, Martin used a very low f-stop number (f/5.6 which basically means that the hole in the lens - also called an 'aperture' - was very wide. This, combined with a close lens-to-subject proximity, provides the short depth of field effect. In framing this attractive picture, Martin was careful not to cut it in half vertically. He composed it properly by having a bit of a diagonal, but not in a symmetrical fashion. |
Submission by Lindsey Hatfield
Victoria, Australia
|
When Martin (featured above) told his good friend Lindsey about his picture being accepted into our Spring Challenge gallery, Lindsey sent his own excellent image which we are just as thrilled to publish!
Lindsey tells us that he and Martin purchased the same model of camera (Canon EOS 550D) just weeks apart and have since enjoyed rekindling their passion for photography. We here at FreePhotoCourse.com love hearing stories about how good friends share not only good times together, but also, share in making creative works of photo art! What makes this a fantastic example of spring photography is the tremendous detail at the focal point and the very desirable background bokeh blur. While our Florida-based readers may be familiar with their own version of a red puff style of bottle brush plant, the one featured to the right is native to Australia and is absolutely delightful in its contrast of yellow and red, and in the intricate plastic-looking brush-type loops. Great work Lindsey! |
 © 2011, Lindsey Hatfield Canon EOS 550D, 55mm focal length; f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 400 |
Submission by Inbal Tur-Shalom
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
 © 2011, Inbal Tur-Shalom Nikon D40x, 85mm focal length; f/11, 1/200, ISO 100 |
This is the second time we have published Inbal's excellent photo work. A few of her photos also made it into our Winter Challenge 2011. Inbal captured a quiet moment that moves in a totally different direction compared to most "spring" themed pictures.
When we first opened this image, what intrigued us most about it was the overall "feel" of the moment. She captured something that is very real and, somehow, peaceful. There are so many elements to consider that make this an exceptional photo! The old-school bicycles in the background, the chalk board sign outside the front door, the man's posture and the thick paper he is reading; they all combine to create an interesting story that the viewer intrinsically wants to explore. Add to all of this the sharply-angled sunlight, its acute angle casting interesting shadow shapes, and you have a beautiful piece of photo artwork. |
|
We chose this picture on the right, another one of Inbal's submissions, for its moment-in-time honesty. Again, not your usual spring-like image, but it reveals as much about the season as do the flowers and dew drops that we so often associate with it.
Look carefully and you'll notice various clues about the season. The blond girl's bare footed pose is just one such clue. There's a lot going on in this picture and it's a pleasure to pick it apart. Click on the picture and look at its expanded form - you'll see that there is much to keep your eyes busy! Inbal's exposure is perfect in this image. There is a wonderful range of contrast from black to white, including myriad grey tones in-between. It's a simple moment and an honest picture of it. Inbal hit another home-run with this picture and definitely gets our kudos for her keen sense of the interesting and her sharp photographer's eye. Keep up the great work Inbal! |
 © 2011, Inbal Tur-Shalom Nikon D40x, 135mm focal length; f/8, 1/200, ISO 100 |
Send us your "best of the best" and if it's good enough, we'll post it for the world to see!
If our Submissions Team decides to post your image it means something special is going on with your photography. You have the pride of knowing that your photography is at a higher level. Best of all, you can show your posted work to friends and family - you can also put-up a link to this page up on your Facebook, Flickr or other sharing site!
SHOW OFF YOUR KUDOS TO YOUR FRIENDS! Contributors with a photographic work that is accepted and posted in any of our Challenges, Themes or regular Contributor's Gallery will receive a special certificate by e-mail. In a way, it's a bit like winning a photo contest where your work can be seen by the world!
Please read our Contributor's Gallery Guidelines and Terms of Use before submitting or using this gallery.
SUBMISSIONS - Click HERE or send ONE of your best images to: submissions@freephotocourse.com
(By submitting a photo, you release all rights to www.FreePhotoCourse.comfor the purposes of storage, adjustment, display and transmission. Please name your image according to how you want your name to appear. ie. "David S." as opposed to "David Smith".)
LINKS TO OUR FEATURES:
HOME PHOTO TIPS INDEX FULL COURSE INDEX "HOW TO" INDEX PHOTO FORUM
SITE SEARCH CONTRIBUTOR'S GALLERY CAMERA & GEAR STORE FREE DIGITAL IMAGES
GREAT CITIES EXPOSED SERIES TOP PHOTOGRAPHER PROFILES PHOTOGRAPHY RESOURCES
© FreePhotoCourse.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction, storage, copying, publishing, manipulation, digitizing or selling of any of the text or photos on this website is strictly prohibited. Under no circumstances shall any part of the content on this website be plagiarized or referenced as the work of an author or photographer. Re-selling of any of the content on this site is strictly prohibited.
Browse, learn, purchase and explore with confidence.
Certified virus-free, malware-free, spyware-free, scam-free and spam-free.
Associate-Sponsor Disclosure Content Download & Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Contributor's Gallery Terms of Use Forum Terms of Use
Certified virus-free, malware-free, spyware-free, scam-free and spam-free.
Associate-Sponsor Disclosure Content Download & Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Contributor's Gallery Terms of Use Forum Terms of Use