2010 Image Assignments

[EPNet Admin]

Below is the schedule for image assignments for 2010.

To participate in the image assignments you must be a pro or general member, please go to this page for more information:
http://www.equinephotographers.org/join.php

You are invited to try a 30 day free trial as a general member, please fill out the registration form here:
http://www.equinephotographers.org/general.php
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January: Cropping Before and After
Upload Deadline Feb 1
For this assignment you may use existing work, the goal is to illustrate the impact that good cropping has on a final image. No photoshopping other than curves, levels, color adjustment and sharpening allowed. B&W and sepia allowed. Post your image straight out of the camera and then the final cropped version to the album provided.
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February: Black and White
Upload Deadline March 1
Images submitted for this assignment must be either black and white or sepia, no selective coloring allowed. You may use existing work for this assignment.
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March: Create a Business Card
Upload Deadline April 1
Please refer to these threads:
viewtopic.php?t=3671
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5670
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Fun Assignment for March 20: The Equinox in Black and White
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April: Portrait: Horse and Human
Upload Deadline May 1
You must shoot for this assignment.
http://www.equinephotographers.org/4um/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=10040

All photos must be taken between March 1 and May 1.
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Fun Assignment: May Day
Upload Deadline May 10
This assignment is to illustrate SPRING in your part of the world. For members in the southern hemisphere please join us by illustrating what your part of the world looks like in May!
All photos must be taken April 30- May 6. One photo per photographer. All photos must be uploaded by May 10 and the album will be opened on May 11 for ratings and comments.
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May: Creative Use of Light
Upload Deadline June 1
You must shoot for this assignment! Illustrate a creative use of light: early morning or late day, back lighting, rim lighting, etc. No artificial lighting.

All photos must be taken between April 1 and June 1.
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June: The Equine Headstudy
Upload Deadline July 1
You must shoot for this assignment!
Please refer to this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=3577&start=0

Photos for this assignment must be taken between May 1 and July 1
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June 21: Summer Solstice Shoot Open to all!
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July: Photojournalism/Editorial
Upload Deadline August 1
Annual Horses in Need Documentary Project
View the 2009 Projects here: viewforum.php?f=74
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August: Equine Landscapes and Scenics
Upload Deadline September 1
Scenic - shoot a scenic "postcard" type image that includes horse(s). The image should include an interesting background. Some ideas are sunsets, snow scenes, mountains, stormy skies, beach, foliage, fence lines. Major considerations for this assignment are composition and using depth of field to your advantage. No major Photoshopping allowed.

Photos for this assignment must be taken between July 1 and September 1
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September: Fine Art
Upload Deadline October 1
Create a fine art piece. Use of existing work OK
Please refer to this thread:
http://www.equinephotographers.org/4um/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=4159
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FunShoot : Labor Day weekend: End of Summer Light
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October: Humor
Upload Deadline November 1
Anything goes as long as it's horse related. Use of existing work OK.
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October Fun Shoot : Autumn Colors
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November: Black Background
Upload Deadline December 1
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December: Photoshop
Upload Deadline January 1
Use of existing work allowed, use this assignment to showcase your photoshop skills!

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EPNet Image Assignment Information, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

• Limit two photos per person unless otherwise stated in the assignment guidelines please! If more than two photos are uploaded the first two will be kept and the rest will be deleted. No repeat photos from earlier assignments allowed.

• Each assignment is open to pro and general members at all stages of skills and experience.

• If you participate in an assignment by uploading work you will be asked to leave comments and critiques for a minimum of 6 images in the album. Not only can you learn from the critique left on your work, you will learn even more by critiquing and commenting constructively on the work of others. Art and photography are highly subjective and the more feedback that is given and received the more we can learn!

• By choosing to participate in the assignment you must be willing and open to accept the critiques that are posted.

• We encourage all participants to put their experience and critique level in their profile. This is optional but will help us in evaluating and critiquing your work. Please click "Profile" at the top of this page and scroll down to the Profile Information section.

• The use of image editing software(i.e. Photoshop) is allowed in all assignment types, but may detract from scoring if too obvious, artistic, or obscures the intent of the assignment.

• Members may refer to the below criteria as a general guide along with their own impressions and experiences in marketing and editing to rate and comment:

Composition
Presentation
Exposure
Focus
Creativity

As well as considering specifics of equine photography such as:

• Moment of capture- point of stride, showing emotion, etc
• Equine behavior - showing appropriate mood such as ears forward or back, inappropriate resistance or working with rider.
• Ethical and safety issues- wearing of helmet, unsafe tack or environment, etc
• Editing - use of selection process by entrant for highest quality image such as is typcial for presentation of suitable "selects" to potential clients for sales and also selection to meet the guidelines outlined in the assignment request

• The top 10-20% rated images will be invited to display in the Image Showcase open to guests and members.

Image Upload Instructions
#1 Prepare your image for upload
#2 Click on the "Photo Albums" link at the top of the page
#3 Navigate to the "Image Assignment" album
gallery/menu.php
#4 Click "Upload Pic" and follow the instructions
#5 The EPNet mentors will review and comment on your submission

Upload Information:

The maximum allowed file size in the albums is 512 kb and the max dimensions are 600 width x 600 height (pixel size).

Photoshop Basics
Here are basic instructions for resizing and preparing your image in Photoshop.

1. Go to File then Open and open your image
2. Check the color profile. sRGB looks best on monitors. Go to Image > Mode > Convert to Profile. Convert to sRGB if necessary.
3. Choose Image Menu > Image Size
4. When the Image Size window opens, set resolution to 72 then change the largest pixel dimension to 600 (or size of your choice). Make sure the "Constrain Proportions" box is checked. Click on the OK button.
5. Many images need sharpening when they are reduced in size, you may sharpen your image using the Filter menu > Sharpen > Select appropriate sharpening command and adjust to your liking. Try Unsharp Mask with Amount 300%, Radius 0.2, Threshold 0 for values.
6. Save the image: File menu > Save, Save As, or Save for the Web as a .jpg.