DPS Assignment: Shallow Depth of Field

This week's assignment really had me craving a new camera. Shallow depth of field basically means that only one part of the overall image is in focus while the rest is not. Using shallow depth of field will draw a person's attention to the part of the photo that's in focus. DSLR cameras have special lenses specifically made for these shots, which is why I say I was wishing for a new camera. The group is going a little abstract with next week's assignment, "Wisdom." I'm going to have to really tap into my creativity for that one.

Don't forget to check out the other DPS submissions!

DPS Assignment - Vivid

I missed the previous DPS weekly assignment, which was "Portrait of a Person." I wish I would have gone to that agricultural show a week ago because I could have submitted one of the shots from that collection. Well, the newest assignment was "Vivid." Photos were to have a nice, bright color that would draw attention to the subject in the photo or be the subject of the photo. Either way, the color was the important key.

Usually, Lenin handles the responsibility of walking Trouble in the morning and at night; but for the past week or so, I've taken the hound out for his nightly walks. We have the same routine: leave the house, turn right, to the lamp post, and back home. Each night I passed that bright lamp post thinking it would make a great subject for this assignment, so tonight I finally took my camera out with us on our walk. Now Trouble has been taking his sweet time lately, sniffing every blade of grass his nose comes near. But of course since I took my camera with me, he was all over place. After I few tries, I got the shot I wanted.

Don't forget to check out what the other DPS students submitted for this week's assignment. Next assignment is "Shallow Depth of Field."

Soccer is in my blood

Soccer was always such a huge part of my life. It helps define who I am. See Exhibit A:

Photo courtesy of Loly Pix Photography

It really is. If there exists a soccer gene, I inherited it from my father. I probably started kicking the ball around the age of 4, maybe even before then but I'm basing this on a picture I have seen of me and my brother running around with a ball. I played on my first team, Domino's Pizza, when I was 5. As a child I experimented with many other activities like cheerleading (eek!), softball, fake ice skating on the slippery kitchen floor...but soccer was always a constant. I have to thank my dad for passing on his love and passion for the game. All of those games and tournament trips really made my childhood special and I hope I can give that to my children one day. (Thanks Dad!) Maybe my kids won't like soccer, but I at least hope they have sports in their lives.

With my recent slacking and the time change throwing me off, I completely forgot the deadline for the weekly DPS, which this week was "Self Portrait." I didn't get to post my submission in time, but I still participated. The assignment explained that the self portrait did not have to necessarily be a full length self portrait or even a shot revealing your face. I chose to incorporate the soccer theme for this assignment. Yeah, I may not play soccer as often as I used to (that's what happens when you become a working adult) and I may only catch a game on TV here and there, but it will always be a part of me.

My Self Portrait

A few other shots I took at a park in Miami Lakes that Lenin and I sometimes kick the ball around at; who knows, maybe with this crummy time change we may get back into it.

DPS Weekly Assignment - Rhythm

This week's DPS assignment was Rhythm. I struggled a little at first with this topic since I didn't really get what the difference was from rhythm and just having motion the photo. I waited until some of the other online "students" posted their rhythm shots, and slowly but surely I came to understand what exactly rhythm was (or at least I think I do). My interpretation was that rhythm is not just things in your photo being in motion, but it was your photo having a flow to it. Your eyes should be able to move through the image smoothly, giving it a kind of motion.

My submission was a shot of a basket I found in my house. I know, I know... I was too lazy to venture out of the house this week. But I think the photo exhibits some rhythm. Not only is the weaving in the basket moving sideways, the pattern also draws your eyes up to the center of the basket which would be the top part of the photo.



Don't forget to check out the other submissions for this week!

DPS Weekly Assignment - Balance

"Balance" was the topic of this week's Digital Photography School assignment. I found this assignment a bit more difficult than the previous "Rule of Thirds" one. I never really aimed for balance in pictures I have taken, or at least made a conscious effort to get balance. I ventured out to the Main Street area in Miami Lakes, and got this shot at Shula's Hotel. I could be wrong but I think it exhibits balance. The two contrasting objects (aqua, squatting catcher vs. white, standing batter) seem to share equal space in the photo.

Make sure to check out the other participants' interpretations of balance!

DPS Weekly Assignment - Rule of Thirds

In my effort to practice my photography skills, I've been looking into forums and blogs that offer little contests. This is my first week participating in Digital Photography School's weekly assignments; the theme, "Rule of Thirds." Hopefully, I can keep up with them and submit photos each week. For my subject, I chose the cutest thing I could think of....my bassett hound Trouble. My husband bought Trouble for me when he was just a puppy, and now almost 4 years later he has become our first son. Bassett hounds have to be the most lovable dogs, and as much of a pain as he can be sometimes it's photos like these that keep him around.

Don't forget to check out what the other photographers submitted. I don't think mine is the best, but it's definitely one of the cutest!