Weekly Photo Challenge: State of Mind

I haven’t taken a class — not a real one with homework, at least — in oh, about 30 years.  So, you can imagine my state of mind this weekend as I attempted to satisfy the requirements of a non-credit photography class.  That’s right — a person who didn’t know an ISO from a White Balance is attempting to improve her picture-taking just a wee bit. In over my head?  Possibly. At the least feeling a bit frazzled and frustrated.

So, here’s one assignment I worked on this weekend: Take a variety of pictures to demonstrate line, shape, form, texture, and luminance.  Here’s what I’ve gotten so far.

Line

Lines in an old rush chairseat

Lines converge in an old rush chair seat.

Shape

The shape of a weathered, old buoy.

The shape of a weathered, old buoy.

Form

Always recognizable -- the form of a conch shell

Always recognizable — the form of a conch shell

Texture

A weathered birdhouse ready for new residents.

A weathered birdhouse ready for new residents.

Luminance

Bathroom towels welcoming the sun.

Bathroom towels welcoming the sun.

Not bad for a start.  But oh, how I wish I knew PhotoShop!  Maybe next semester.

For more entries in the Weekly Photo Challenge: State of Mind, click here.

31 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: State of Mind

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      There absolutely is a lot to learn. I’ve tried using Manual only, but it’s not easy. I take a picture, look at it, adjust the light, etc. But it takes time. I’m hoping I get better soon, because I just may revert to using Automatic!! Thanks for your comment.

      1. anotherday2paradise

        One day when I really have some spare time, I’ll get down to reading the thick manual which came with our camera. At the moment, I haven’t the faintest idea which of the multitude of packing boxes it’s in. 🙂

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I’ve thought about taking a follow-up course led by my current instructor on PhotoShop. But sometimes I get so buried in keeping the current photos organized, I’m not sure how I would find time for one more wrinkle in the whole photography thing. I’m pondering what to do next! Thanks for joining the discussion!

  1. Pingback: WPC: State of Mind (From The Eye) | Chris Breebaart Photography / What's (in) the picture?

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Somehow I think I’ll be learning a long, long time. Photography can be fairly complicated, and I’m used to using the Green A button!!! But practice should make — well, a bit better. Probably never perfect.

  2. Dawn

    These are good. What would you change if you knew photoshop? Do you have it on your computer? You can play with it without knowing much. I always save the edited photos by labeling them as edited so that I keep the original. But these are good as is. I don’t know how to white balance either, I know what ISO is, but not how to change it on my camera. So I sympathize with you!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Dawn, I’m not sure what I would change with PhotoShop, because I know so little about it. But my instructor is teaching the course next term. It’s tempting to take it. Of course, I have to shell out for the software. Thinking about it.

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