February is Almost Here- It's Time for a Flash of Red!

January 27th, 2020
Flash of Red February 2020 Introduction

A new year and a new decade are underway and soon our annual foray into the world of black and white photography will return! This year we’ll look at four different genres and draw inspiration from the work of great photographers in each of them. The general breakdown will go like this:

February 1-8 Forms in Nature
February 9-15 Fun with Architecture (And a little Flash of Red)
February 16-22 A Glimpse of Your Everyday (Still Life)
February 23-29 High Key, Low Key (The choice is yours.)

Why call this “Flash of Red”? Because you have the option on February 14th to insert the color red into your black and white photo. This is purely optional but it does look pretty cool when your monthly calendar is done! If you’ve never done any work with selective coloring there’ll be links which show you how to do that when the time to use it gets closer. Again, the “flash” is OPTIONAL!

In the past we’ve read through a few books on black and white photography too but due to time constraints this year I’ll be offering a few ideas of books you can purchase on your own should you desire to read more on the subject. I’ll also offer some short and sweet video and article options via the internet each week to help with your “assignments”.

https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Black-White-Photographers-Monochrome-ebook/dp/B0798X7Y98
https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Black-White-Photography-Techniques/dp/1681984962 (has a section on iPhone photography)
https://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Photography-monochrome-post-digital/dp/1781573360
https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Black-White-Photography-Walmsley/dp/1781450870

Last year we had over 85 participants! If you’d like to receive a weekly reminder of what’s on the program each week leave me a note below and I’ll start a tag list. I’m looking forward to this year’s adventure in Black and White and hopefully you are too!

This year’s tag will be FOR2020

Ann LeFevre
@Olivetreeann
January 27th, 2020
yay! I always enjoy this, thanks Ann
January 27th, 2020
Yay!!!!!! Thank you so much for spearheading this again. Can’t promise to follow the prompts but I will definitely participate and watch others with interest.
January 27th, 2020
Sounds like fun. I might try it but don't know if I'll be able to keep it up every day.
January 27th, 2020
looking forward to the simplicity (of sorts) of this challenge
January 27th, 2020
Looking forward to this! Thank you, Ann!
January 27th, 2020
I'd like to try this (with no promises for every day participation).
January 27th, 2020
Yay! I’m in!
January 27th, 2020
Sure why not. I'll try it.
January 27th, 2020
yes please love this month
January 27th, 2020
Thanks Ann for guiding us again. Count on me, even if I probably mix up the prompts a bit.
January 27th, 2020
Me too
January 27th, 2020
Yay. I was wondering about FOR the other day. Please could you add me to the list. Thanks
January 27th, 2020
Count me in! :D
January 27th, 2020
Fabulous Ann. One of my all time favourites. I was wondering if you were going to be hosting Flash of Red this year.
January 27th, 2020
You're a star Ann, for organizing this every year!
January 27th, 2020
I enjoyed it last year, plan to participate again.

THANKS!
January 27th, 2020
I would like to try..
January 27th, 2020
I’m definitely going to do this. Thanks for organizing it.
January 27th, 2020
do you want to do this one @narayani?
January 27th, 2020
Didn't quite (at all!) understand it last year - but I've got the idea now - so count me in please :-)
January 27th, 2020
@anniesue yes I’ll give it a go (not sure about my ability to insert any red bits though!)
January 27th, 2020
@narayani Don't worry about that- we have instructions but you don't have to do it- it's just for fun.

@kali66 @northy @mittens @francoise @louannwarren @spanishliz @mzzhope @bruni @30pics4jackiesdiamond @mona65 @etienne @nickspicsnz @4rky @salza @overalvandaan @lsquared @momamo @shutterbug49 @anniesue

Great!! So glad to see everyone's up for it. I'm trying to keep the weekly prompts more generic this year (as in genre) and as always the over riding motto here is "Your project, your rules" so adjust accordingly when the theme of the week does not work for you!
January 27th, 2020
Thank you for taking this on again
January 27th, 2020
@narayani I would have though there'd be an app. Anyway - it's only one day out of 29 so nobody will miss it! Or you could just fill the frame with a BIG flash of red!! ;-)
January 27th, 2020
@anniesue probably- there’s apps for everything!
January 27th, 2020
Yay I'm In, I always love it!
My world in February is usually b&w! lol
January 28th, 2020
@anniesue @narayani There is an app called Color Splash that will do it and probably many more apps as well. Could also do it with most apps that support masking and layers.
January 28th, 2020
My little Fuji camera has a setting that allows for selective pops of colour, including red. It's quite useful.
January 28th, 2020
Count me in. Always a great learning experience!
January 28th, 2020
@amyk Thanks Amy!
January 28th, 2020
of course! :-)
January 28th, 2020
This has always been a lot of fun.
January 28th, 2020
thanks Ann! Yay!
January 28th, 2020
@shutterbug49 thank you!
January 28th, 2020
yes please, really going to find the second week a challenge as it is out of my usual, so I'm in outdoor boots and all!
January 28th, 2020
I surprised myself by managing to do the full month last year so I’ll give it another go👍
January 28th, 2020
Yes please, looking forward to joining in again.
January 28th, 2020
Thank you Ann. I'm in.
January 28th, 2020
Thanks so much Ann, I'm looking forward to going again this year! :)
January 28th, 2020
@shutterbug49 thank you!
January 28th, 2020
Count me in!
January 28th, 2020
@summerfield @milaniet @brigette @koalagardens @merrelyn @susie1205 @helenhall @novab @taffy

I'm very excited to see you all joining in!

@koalagardens architecture does not have to be limited to buildings. Architectural details and creative ways of defining architecture is fine with me! (For example, your home can be considered architecture- the picture taking is not limited to cities, and a bee hive or bird's nest is just as much as an architectural form as any office building- so I think you'll be able to do it!
January 28th, 2020
Thanks Ann, please count me in!
January 28th, 2020
@rumpelstiltskin Will do Lynn!
January 29th, 2020
Thank you Ann! I love this challenge and look forward to it every year!!!

Would indoor plants qualify for Forms in Nature?
January 29th, 2020
I’m so glad to join again.
January 29th, 2020
I tried this last year and really enjoyed it. Count me in.
January 29th, 2020
Count me in. Lat years was my first and I really had a blast.
January 29th, 2020
This has been such a good challenge for me. I'm definitely going to do it again. I need to keep learning how to see in B&W. I can't guarantee I will stick to the themes all week, but will try to work them in part of the time. Forms in Nature first, huh?
January 29th, 2020
I'd like to be in on this too. I think it will teach me a lot.
January 29th, 2020
@cristinaledesma33 @pandorasecho @chejja @space319 @mcsiegle @tinley23

Glad to hear you're all joining in!

Yes Cristina, I believe you will be able to find creative ways to use your indoor plants for that week.
January 29th, 2020
I think I'll give this a shot. I have never tried B&W photography so it will be a learning curve. Also, have no idea on how to do selective coloring… so I guess I will be learning all month long lol. Thanks Ann! :)
January 29th, 2020
@bokehdot

That's great Michelle! If you're into Kindle, the first book listed above is one I wrote based on my experiences here. You might enjoy it as a way to get your feet wet. Also, the week of our "flash" I post a link to some step by step instructions for doing selective coloring. It's not as hard as it sounds and you will be able to do it right on 365 since you're an Ace member and have access to Picmonkey. So, not to worry!
January 29th, 2020
@olivetreeann Great! Thank you so much Ann!
January 30th, 2020
Please include me once again! I love this challenge.
January 30th, 2020
@farmreporter Will do Wendy!
January 31st, 2020
I always enjoy this challenge. I can’t commit to weekly themes, but will plod along with whatever I can get.
January 31st, 2020
I will give this a try. Thanks for coordinating - wow!
January 31st, 2020
@ethelperry @raineydaymi
Welcome aboard! I'll add your names to the tag list!
February 1st, 2020
I’ll give it a shot! I’ve never done a challenge before or much B&W but it should be fun.
February 1st, 2020
Yes please and thank you Ann.
February 1st, 2020
@beckyk365 So glad you're joining in Becky Jo- this will stretch you but the rewards are worth it!

@motherjane I will add you to the tag list!
February 1st, 2020
Count me in
February 1st, 2020
Love this one every year - yes please! 😁
February 1st, 2020
@samae @lyndamcg
I will add your names to the tag list Sarah and Lynda- welcome aboard!
February 2nd, 2020
If you could add me that would be great
Thanks
February 2nd, 2020
Please include me in your tag list. Thanks, Bob
February 2nd, 2020
@adi314 @bob65
I will add your names in- thanks for joining!
February 4th, 2020
I'll give it a shot :)
February 4th, 2020
@shawnas365 Glad you're joining in Shawna! I'll add you to the tag list.
February 6th, 2020
Please include me in your weekly reminders, if it is not too late! :-)
February 6th, 2020
please add me in too - I've made a start, but only just found the tag list!
February 6th, 2020
@bjywamer Will do Barb- it's never too late to start!

@valpetersen I have you on the list already- a new post will be coming out shortly and you'll see it there.
February 6th, 2020
I'm in although late to the fray, will try to catch up. Thanks Ann
February 7th, 2020
@golftragic Glad you're joining in Marnie!
February 8th, 2020
Trying this out as well. Good idea to learn to see things in a different way without colour.
February 8th, 2020
@cornelialourens I'm glad you're enjoying the challenge Cornelia. I have found that my work with black and white actually helps me to see color better and vice versa.
February 9th, 2020
@olivetreeann Can't miss a good party.
February 17th, 2020
I was only doing Theme-blackwhite. Just saw this and will also plan on working in your weekly theme too. Thanks for spearheading.
February 18th, 2020
@jnorthington
Glad you're joining in Judy! I'll add your name to the tag list.
February 28th, 2020
@olivetreeann I didn’t realize there were weekly themes. 😬 I finished my FOR2020 a day early and posted a pic of it in your week 4 thread. Is there another place we post the whole month so we can see them all together? I had a great time doing it...my first FOR. Thanks for coordinating it!! Sandy
February 28th, 2020
I'd like to be a part too. Where can I see the weekly themes?
February 28th, 2020
@yogiw Thanks Sandy- not a problem! I saw your calendar on the other thread but I'll be putting together a final discussion where people can put their calendars up like you did. Stay tuned...

@judyc57 Hi Judy- all the weekly themes were posted this past February. They change from year to year. You could certainly do them in a different month on your own if you wanted to. This year's themes were:
Week 1- Forms in Nature
Week 2- Fun with Architecture
Week 3- Still Life
Week 4- High Key/Low Key

You can find the full postings under the pull down menu "Discuss" and "Themes and Competitions". You'll have to scroll through the pages to find them but they'll be in there. There are links to articles and videos each week that can be helpful if you've never tried the prompt before. I will add your name to this year's list so that next year when I get Flash of Red 2021 started you'll get notified. Thanks for your interest!
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