Flash of Red February Returns

[Ann H. LeFevre]

It's time to hone your black and white skills with Flash of Red February- the month where we dedicate ourselves to taking black and white shots until the 14th when with the help of some selective coloring we inject a little splash of color to the calendar view. Believe it or not, this is year #5 for this month-long challenge and it seems to grow in popularity every year. I'm always excited to see new faces take on the challenge and pleased when "alumni" return.

For those of you who'd like to add in some additional learning, this year the weekly themes will coincide with the book "12 Secrets to Master the Art of Black and White Photography" by James Carren. It's available in Kindle (2.99 US dollars), paperback (9.95) and Audible (3.95) on Amazon.com. It's an easy read (the only drawback being there are no pictures for reference- but not to worry, I'll try to put some of my own examples on the discussion thread for you) but you don't need to have the book to take part in the theme as I will recap the salient points of the reading for you each week.

So here is the general outline for the weeks to come:

Feb. 1-5 Intro, Deciding When to Shoot in Black and White, Tonal Differences and Being Technically Competent
Feb. 6-12 Paying Attention to Light, Texture
Feb. 13-19 Composition, Headshots
Feb. 14- Flash of Red
Feb. 20-28 Post-Processing, If You're Struggling, and Conclusion

Each week I'll draw out several options from the book as "assignments" for you to choose from. I always try to make it as flexible as possible so that whether you're new to black and white or have been doing it for a while, you can adjust the fun to your liking and skill.

New to selective coloring? Here are some step by step ways you can achieve it using 365 and Picmonkey:

http://365project.org/olivetreeann/themes-and-comp/2014-01-16
http://365project.org/olivetreeann/themes-and-comp/2014-01-17
http://365project.org/olivetreeann/themes-and-comp/2014-01-18
http://365project.org/olivetreeann/themes-and-comp/2014-01-19

A review and post of the first week's challenge is coming soon! I hope you'll join in!
Ann LeFevre
@Olivetreeann

[Ann H. LeFevre]

@northy @vera365 @carolineb7 @m2016 @ruthmouch @quietpurplehaze @salza @jocasta @domenicododaro @pamknowler @kali66 @emrob @radiogirl @homeschoolmom @meowtographer @hvansteenburgh @slash @nenewfiegirl @taffy @gigflower @jorlam @rachelwithey @annied @barneyone @sjodell @mandygravil @linnypinny @brigette @suesouthwood @cristinaledesma33 @tracys @mcsiegle @bizziebeeme @kiwinana @teachntravel @newbank @lyndamcg @thistle @claycameras @la_photographic @tabarlett @joysabin @skstein @nanderson @jld29 @Sioux @lilacphotography

Here you go everyone! I'm hoping to have the first installment up on Monday (to give you a few days advance before the 1st).

[Milanie]

Would you add me on?

[Ann H. LeFevre]

@milaniet Done!

[☠northy]

thank you so much for organizing this!

[Sally Ings]

Thanks Ann. Looking forward to doing this again.

[Lynda McG]

Could I participate too please - New to these challenges so may need a bit of guidance as to how I put my pics on!

[Mel]

@olivetreeann Excellent :) Thanks so much Ann, really looking forward to it.

[LTaylor]

thanks

[Islandgirl]

@olivetreeann Thanks Ann, I always enjoy Flash of Red February! :)

[Ingrid]

I had a go at this last year and would like to try again. Please add me. Thanks!!

[Susie]

Please add me, I need a bit of a kick, thanks

[Nancy]

Thank you Ann! :-)

[Carly]

Hi, can you add me please? :)

[Liana Bull]

Looking forward to the get go on this. 1st February also marks the start of my 5th year on 365.

PS: Just noticed that my tag is wrong - it should be @kiwinanna with two 'n's. Thanks for your planning and organisation for Flash of Red

[Sandy]

@olivetreeann thanks, Ann.

[Debs Stott]

Hi Ann, I just popped in to see what was going on and saw this post. Can you believe that I had forgotten about it. I might just join in, as a way to get me back onto the site. I do miss it. Will you add me to your list please.
How are you?

[Dixie Goode]

I'm in this year again. Love doing this one.

[Dixie Goode]

What is the exact tag again?

[Kathryn]

Can you add me to the notification list, please. I'm ready to spend some time with B&W again and would love to follow your tips for better photographs. @houser934

[JackieR]

I'd like to play too please

[Rachel Withey]

Thanks v much

[Daisy Miller]

I might try this. Thanks for organizing this.

[amyK]

I would like to participate. Thanks!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

@365projectltaylor @ingrid01 @susie1205 @cazink @dibzgreasley @pandorasecho @houser934 @30pics4jackiesdiamond @daisymiller @amyk

I'm tagging you here to let you know the first week summary is up:
http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/29246/flash-of-red-february-week-1

Next week you'll be added on to the master list after the post. Thanks for joining in!

@kiwinanna It's fixed on my master list now Liana. Sorry about that. With almost 100 tags I'm bound to make some typos!

@pandorasecho The tag is flashofred2017

[JackieR]

Thank you

[Ann H. LeFevre]

@30pics4jackiesdiamond You're welcome!

[Adi]

Can you please add me! Thanks

[Ann H. LeFevre]

@adi314 Will do!

[HelenM]

I'm very late to the party but would love to join this project if possible. Thanks to @helenhall for sharing the link

[Ann H. LeFevre]

@helenm2016 Glad you're joining us Helen!