Fun but frustrating exersise

[leprechaun]

Got a book from the library, Creative Photography by Steve & Carla Sonhiem “52 fun exercises”.

One of the exercises was, Walk with a blind camera. This was an interesting and also a frustrating exercise, (Kind of like going back to the old film days) It require you to set your DSLR on full auto, mask off- cover the screen then go for a walk and take one photo every 5 minutes for one hour and Resist the urge to peek.

I thought I’d try this with my Nikon d3200, with a prime f1.8, 50 mm (about 70 mm with the sensor crop) which I seldom use. Just walking around the neighbourhood taking a shot at wherever I was at the 5 minute mark. I said frustrating and it was as I came across some interesting items but they were not at the 5 minute mark. It had turned cloudy with the threat of rain when I started.

Well it takes discipline to only take a photo every 5 minutes so it seemed to be a long hour.
It was a fun exercise with no specular photo’s. Next time I will try it (but not in blind) in manual mode to see what results I get. It is always good to get new ideas and get motivated.
I tried making a collage in Paintshop pro,, but no success so I made a contact sheet.
Hope someone else tries this little exercise.
Pat.

A contact sht.
Tiny pic not working again do I tried photobucket - very slow. Hope this is the correct code to post the photo

[Shadowman]

Nice, a similar exercise is to take 5 photos within 10 minutes and have each unrelated to the other. You have to think about the goal and force yourself to honor the theme.

[Wavelength]

Good idea. Will you stop at some point to capture an image until the next fifth minute or have to walk to complete the five minute and be satisfied with what is available in the premises?

[leprechaun]

I'll have to try your suggestion John,but I wont mask off the screen.

Nandakumar, I just kept walking and when the 5 minutes were up I shot what was there. The frustrating part was that you would see something interesting but didn't shoot it as it wasn't at the time slot. The object was keep dandering along.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Pat,

I obviously haven't read exactly what it says in the book, but I do wonder if you took the instructions a little too literally in respect of the 5 minute interval?

I understand the 'no-peeking' aspect; e.g. shoot as if film - without the instant feedback to correct exposure or framing errors, the long term aim being to encourage the reader to slow down and take more care composing and with meter readings and exposure compensation (if not shooting Manual), etc.

However, I can't see a photographic benefit in walking for 5 minutes then snapping whatever is in front of you and I wonder if the 'every 5 minutes' was again to encourage you to take your time while shooting and limit the number of shots to review as part of the exercise to 12, a manageable number, rather than be so prescriptive as to limit your choice and bar other, better scenes that crop up during the walk.

That said, your series does give me a feel for the suburban environment in (I assume) Winnipeg and while I might have varied the framing on some, the majority are good compositions.

Well done, Dave

[Mike Buckley]

What did you learn from the exercise that will likely lead to improved photography skills?

[Donald]

What did you learn from the exercise that will likely lead to improved photography skills?

And in the same vein - What did you think the purpose of the exercise was and do you think the goal was achieved?

[leprechaun]

Donald, Mike & Dave;What did I learn from this exersise
1, An hour can be a long time. Got some exersise. 2. Discovered that there were some interesting subjects that I pass daily that have possibilities and will will revisit.

I was not too enthalled with starting our with the camera on full auto as with the old film camers one had to set the type of film being used. And yes Dave the book did specify "one shot every 5 minutes".
I can't really say that I learned too much as I diberelety used a prime lens (50mm) and I wasn't pleased with the sharpeness on a few shots. One gets a bit spoiled using the zoom type lens.

Overall the exesise got me off my but and out taking photos, the exersise just seemed like a fun thing to do.
I will probably do it again but with full control of the camera.
Thanks for viewing and comenting.
Pat

[IzzieK]

I'd say this is an interesting project to undertake especially if at some point you need inspiration. The time limit is a bit limited though...but it looks like you've opened up a new way to motivate you to take pictures. Good job. You got the patience.