Hallo, Hi, Oi, Bonjour Shutterbugs,
Welcome to August.
Over the past few months, we have seen many types of pictures and some random clicks on a variety of topics. The photo expert team, thanks all those who took the time and provided great pictures. We look forward to your pictures this month…(theme to be written below… this is a test… please continue to read.
This is a photo contest. We want to showcase your best photos using a OnePlus device. The theme for this entire month is to focus (pun intended) on your photo skills (e.g. leading lines, depth of field, compositions, framing, lights etc). Skills will help capture the beauty of the moment when looking at landscapes and water. Landscape (nature and city skyline, if you are unable to be in nature) surrounds us. Water runs through our everyday lives all over the world. The trick is to capture these parts of our lives to showcase its beauty, strength, flexibility etc.
Therefore, the theme for August is:
Landscape and Water Scenery.
Landscape scenery is what surrounds us. These scenes may includes a field, forest, mountains, waterfalls, lake with mountains etc. Combining lanscape and water is great. However, if you don’t have water with landscape then use the skills to capture the landscape around you. See below for a few examples.
Yes, the landscape idea brings nature to mind. However for everyone who may not be able to be in nature, landscape views of the city skyline or city with nature will be accepted. Please think about the picture and what you are capturing. Have a look at the following picture for inspirations.
Please keep in mind NO water drops on plants. These may be nice pictures; they are not the goal for this month. Therefore, those pictures will not be considered as valid entries. As this contest starts, the theme is Landscapes and Water for the entire month of August. Based on the submissions, the team reserves the right to update the theme for the last week.
Tips to help guide your pictures.
- Let’s first review what is a picture?
- In the past, we had a definition in the intro of the monthly photo themes defining what is a photo. There are soo many possibility. Each one of us and invited guest will define this question in their own words over the next couple of month. To begin, here are a couple (see the similarities?):
- “A picture captures memories or a moment or a place that draws out the beauty or specific aspect of the subject while giving the observers emotions and feelings and impressions of being there.”
- “It shows something in an appealing was as a whole, leads the eye to the essence, distracts from the unnecessary but necessary accessory… Makes you wonder, recognize or realize … Memory /longing / desire/ shocking stories for the masses…”
- Photo skills
- Here I will highlight a few concepts and key points. These are not an exhaustive review of each item.
Lights:
- Lights will play a big role on transcribing a “mood” or feeling. It also helps to provide colour and highlight details in the scenes.
- You will often hear “golden hour” when the sun is setting or raising. This is a special time were the light is very specific and gives a special glow. It may enhance the look and colour of your subject.
- Low light or evening / night pictures may allow you to have a slower shutter speed and capture the night sky, stars, auroras, lightening etc.
- While taking pictures in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest peak, may bleach out some pictures as the brightness is too high.
- Often pictures are taken with the sun in the photographer’s back but sometimes taking the picture directly into the sunlight may give a certain look and flares to give a particular feeling.
Framing and Rules of Thirds
- Framing allows you to use nearby objects to ‘frame’ in your pictures. Sometimes these can enhance or complete the view or give a certain aspects like looking through a window… For example, a tree on the side or branch on top which helps then guide the viewer from the edge towards the centre or other focal point.
- Rule of thirds also helps put the main subjects in certain areas of the pictures. It helps guides the eye to the main area and “distracts from the unnecessary” (bouncer71). It also allows the photographer to convey the direction of movement (e.g. boat or horse or car “moves into the empty space”). It also allows you to place the item or subject in the appropriate place.
- Subject should be placed in the middle or on the x or y axis or at the intersection of the x and y axis. Please see the grid below.
Leading Lines
- Leading lines help direct the observer’s eye to the main area of the pictures.
- There are many items that can be used as leading lines. For examples, a path, a curve border along a road or field, set of trees on both sides focusing a path in the middle.
Depth of Field
- Gives a feel of 3D view and ability of being there. This can be achieved by having different layers of the scenes like mountains in the background, lake below in the valley, and field in front. Give it a try to see how you can give a multidimensional effect in your scenery (without using postprocessing to achieve). It helps to give another view of what you see around you.
Looking forward to seeing landscape and water in your area. Please remember to build on your skills and give your best shots. If you have questions, please ask in this thread or as a PM to me
Contest Rules
- 1 winner per week, 4 winners per month who all will receive the OnePlus buds.
- 3 pictures max. per post, 4 posts max. in the whole month
- All pictures must follow the weekly changing conditions!!!
- All pictures have to be taken within the current month, maximum is the last week of July!!!!
- State the specific device/ editing software/ hardware (extra lenses)
- OnePlus reserves the right to request original photo files before fulfilling prizes if plagiarism is suspected. The photos that can not be verified are disqualified.
- Copyright infringement is strictly prohibited. Users who post pictures that were copied from the internet, or were not taken with an OnePlus device, get a code of conduct warning, plus a reply-ban for the contest for the actual plus the following two months.