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”.
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!
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.
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!
@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!! ;-)
@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.
@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!
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?
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! :)
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!
@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.
@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
@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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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!
My world in February is usually b&w! lol
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!
Would indoor plants qualify for Forms in Nature?
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.
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!
Welcome aboard! I'll add your names to the tag list!
@motherjane I will add you to the tag list!
I will add your names to the tag list Sarah and Lynda- welcome aboard!
Thanks
I will add your names in- thanks for joining!
@valpetersen I have you on the list already- a new post will be coming out shortly and you'll see it there.
Glad you're joining in Judy! I'll add your name to the tag list.
@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!