Help Finding a Resource to Improve my Skills

[uachemeams4hm]

I was wondering if anyone knew of a book, site, or anything that would give you photo excercises for creativity and technique on a daily or weekly basis. Just trying to expand my work through practice. Sometimes we dont get out of our mold until forced to do so. Hoping this will break open a few new doors in my journey as a photographer. Thanks ahead of time for all your guys help.

[venchka]

Don't know. Wish I did. I would like something like that. Hopefully somebody will be along to help us out.

In the meantime, make up your own skill stretching projects. Think of random things. The more random the better.

Things like:

Use some gaffers tape or a big rubber band to lock one of your zoom lenses at a fixed focal length. Force yourself to learn how to work with that focal length. Use it until you know what it does. Then pick another one. Hint: Try getting out of focus areas with your widest focal length.

Do the same with the aperture scale. Pick one. Use it until you know what it does. Then pick another one. Hint: Wide open is too easy. Try getting out of focus areas at f/8.0. That may or may not be easy.

Pick a song. Any song. Try to come up with visuals that relate to the lyrics.

Good luck.

[dtscds]

I bought a book once upon a time called Learning to See Creatively. It had some exercises in it--one that I remember was to take a lens--preferably a prime but you could use a zoom that you set at one length and leave it there--and find an object some distance away. Start shooting it and after each shot move slightly closer to until you are right on it. This was supposed to help you learn what each focal length and lens would look like at different distances. By ingraining this into your brain then you would be better able to "see" the shot before you take it. (I suppose this is just a variation of what was already suggested, but without the gaffers tape.)
Anyway, I thought it had some useful ideas in it. Unfortunately, I never did any of the exercises. I guess that could be a big reason I don't see creatively!
If anyone is interested, I could dig that book back out and post a couple of his "assignments".

[J Eddington]

Photo Idea Index, bu Jim Krause, gives you lots of ideas and exercises. Here is a link to amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Photo-Idea-Ind.../dp/158180766X

[12stones]

There are plenty of flickr groups that do this exact thing. You might join a few...

[Teddington]

Adam, I just found this site recently (well, actually Janice found it I think) but they offer Tips for different types of photography, a Weekly Assignment and other interesting stuff.

http://digital-photography-school.co...1bT9_T3CgLkfGf

Don't let the school scare you. Most, if not all of it, is free.

[C!LLY]

I dont know about a book, but I do know that hp offers a free online photography class and there is a forum with lots of cc and they give you projects and scenarios. you might want to check it out too.

[keen99]

If creativity is what you are looking for, I highly recommand getting this book: "Photo Idea Index" http://www.amazon.com/Photo-Idea-Ind...510945&sr=1-19 It's an amazing book that really opens up your mind to think creatively. If you dont believe me, read up what other people are saying about it on Amazon.

[110240]

http://www.viddler.com/explore/ziser/videos/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/05...-new-home.html

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/rp-...portraits.html

http://flashflavor.com/blog/21

http://lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/index.html

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po_big.ph...=96872&page=14

http://www.professionalphotography10...ing_names.html

http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/search?q=extract

http://www.zackarias.com/

[ShaneKislack]

Light, Science, Magic. It's the only book you'll need.

[uachemeams4hm]

Thanks everyone.... Going to take me a while to sift through all this

[110240]

I just got a book called 'skin' from amazon, dont buy it its rubbish, there is way better information available - for free- on the internet.

[venchka]

Want inspiration? Want a book?

http://www.haskins.com/CbyKate/Kate_p01.html

http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Kate-Ot.../dp/0847828956

Don't blame me if you develop (pun intended) an obsession for big cameras, black & white film and lots of grain.

Enjoy!

[melonheadphoto]

Go a week at Texas School in May. www.tppa.org

[venchka]

After that, you may be ready to really be inspired and learn...

http://www.anseladams.com/index.asp?...TS&Category=24

Enjoy!