Camera Labs

Let’s get "On Assignment" up and going! There have only been 20-votes cast for the June poll. I know there are more than 20 people on this forum. You don't have to have submitted anything to get a vote

And let’s get some more submissions going. I know people get busy during the summer but June was a great idea and could have lead to a lot of fun. Let’s get some good ones for July. I know not everyone is 100% happy with where they may live but do something that represents your country or city or something

_________________
Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

I already voted - even for you

_________________
Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

The whole forum is quiet at the moment, even though sometimes I don't have a shot good enough to enter, I always vote.


Cheers

_________________
Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

Well June's was a very vague assignment, so limited entries are not really a surprise.

This forum has always tended to bias towards photography information rather than the end result. There are times when waves of people post pictures and then disappear - a very small core of continually active posters maintain the very slow progress. If you're after assignments then there are plenty of other forums available, with lots of continually changing subjects - the flip side is an occasionally aggressive atmosphere, which is the +ive for this forum.

The very nature of Cameralabs is one of information - once people get what they want, they soon disappear. It would be interesting to see the trends of members here.

People in the forum generally aren't fans of giving constructive critique - it's difficult to do after all - so you generally end up with a contributor posting an image or series, followed by the usual "nice shot" or "really like it". I have posted several images on here and other forums simultaneously. After 1 month on here I'll get 1 comment, whereas on other forums I'll have 50-60 comments, +ive and -ive feedback, 1 argument and b!tchslap on average.

Perhaps to improve things the moderators could look into a critique corner, or something like that, which may help people who are actually posting photographs rather than just taking information. That might help build a little more loyalty or buy in.

Personally speaking I don't live in my home country so I'm not hopping on a plane to get a picture for the July assignment, even though at 120 degrees in the shade and the Olympics coming along that would be a tempting proposition.

What a great core team it is!
No put from me on this months assignment. Just happened to have a snap in May (thought sure I had it too..; )

Local photo club has a monthly assignment. I think they are a great educational/exercise tool and a lot of fun for those into it. I'll be in here from time to time- voting for my snap so I get at least one and, others too.

_________________
Photo Taker for ~30 years.
Books: The Art of Photography- Barnbaum, Photographically Speaking- duChemin.
@Clifford Rourke on Twitter, Clifford Rourke on Google Plus

How 2 the signature below?
In your profile signature, click on BBCode ( linked under options ) and read up!
___________________

Visit MrCliff on Flickr
___________________

I agree with some of your comments Phil, there are styles of photography for whatever reason some don't like. For the styles I don't like I don't make any negative comment.

Some critique I've read is about what the person would do with lighting composition, without knowing the circumstances and access to the shot. Unless your a pro with doodles of time, most shooters are trying to get the best shot in a given circumstance. We all know how to use a CPL, although it helps its not always practical to use with certain sun positions. I've had my CPL for over a year and used it once.

I have to say it looks like new members are getting feedback to their questions so that's positive.

For the assignments, they are certainly different each month and perhaps it puts some out of their comfort zone. I was surprised at the comments from this months assignment, I thought most would find something about their country that they appreciate or is life so bad. Mail from family said rain and 13c one day in Liverpool, here we complain it's cold at 20c in the middle of winter.

I was born Liverpool UK and still have an attachment to it from family, friends and how my life was when I lived there. Now living in Oz I equally love the country I live in and like in most countries, different parts of the country means different things to the locals.

I've had family staying so hopefully I get get a shot to enter this month as they are going home tomorrow.


Cheers

_________________
Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

I have paid little attention to the On Asssignment section, having virtually forgotten it existed. I reckon I should visit there more often.

As for critiquing images, I generally do not feel right in doing so, as I do not post images.

_________________
Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

Regarding critiquing, I agree with 4xxxx on this one. If I'm not a fan of the style, unless the photog wants to be bombarded with a slew of negative comments not directed at them in particular, I won't comment. That being said however, if there is something that I feel could have easily been avoided (an overexposure, a crooked horizon, motion blur, etc), why not comment on it? It can only help the photographer improve in the future, can't it?

_________________
-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

sorry for bad theme

_________________
I'm new to DSLR's, so please be patient and take my opinions with reserve. Thank you : ) Yes, i am Canon man.
Google + My picasa photos My 500px album
Canon 60D + 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS, Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS II, Canon 430EXII, polarizing filter 72mm,
Canon AT-1, 50mm FD F1.8
Canon A430,

I don't think it's a bad theme, just about anything goes with this topic so plenty of opportunities for all.


Cheers

_________________
Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

I loved the theme!!

_________________
Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

It is not a bad theme! It is, however, very challenging. A beautiful landscape shot comes to mind, for example, but one submission has already used that idea, and I am not in an area that lends itself to landscape images. A cityscape shot is certainly possible, but I am not sure the nearest available city evokes any nationalist feeling in me. It would be easier for me to select a Texas theme than a USA theme, and as Texas was independent from 1836-1845, and I have ancestors who were Texians in that time period, that might work.

_________________
Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

I think it's a great theme especially with the Olympics around the corner and the possibilities with respect to national holidays or historical architecture.. Lots of possibilities. As soon as I read the brief I had lots of ideas but one was stronger I even didn't quite get the shot I wanted as the snow hadn't arrived and I was off out of the country...

So from me it's an open good theme

_________________
Canon 550D, Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, Canon EFS 10-22mm USM, Canon EF35mm F2.

Got some of the gear but really still no idea...

I have also noticed the forum has become quieter of late and have been wondering the reasons.

Have people moved to social media?

What can we do to keep the forum unique and compelling? Maybe I should promote the assignment on the fornt page...

All suggestions welcome!

Gordon

Wish I could help with suggestions, I noticed the drop of activity since the last autumn season in the northern hemisphere.

Cheers

_________________
Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.