The April contest theme will be announced soon. If you have ideas for a theme,

[alfredo]

post them. Right now I am leaning toward Lead Room.

Here's a good explanation of this composition rule.

http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/11794/what-is-lead-room

[Scuba]

1. How about your favorite Alfredo - nature walk!

[alfredo]

2. In black and white? Spring foliage in black and white was my first thought, but

having people look at composition instead of a specific subject could be an interesting challenge.

[Solly Mack]

3. Birds?

Nah. I really like lead/nose room.

[alfredo]

5. I'm going to need a bit of guidance running a contest, s I will be picking your

Brain, and probably Mira's.

What is the best time to announce the theme? I was thinking the first would be a good time, then ten days later I will take submissions.

I never thought I'd actually win, so I never paid attention to the nuts and bolts of running a contest.

[Solly Mack]

8. The first is as good as time as any. But maybe start submissions on the 14th?

You'll need 6-7 days for the contest (3 days prelims, 3 days final, and announcing the winner)

So even if you start prelims on the 18th you'll still be done with the contest by the 25th. That gives you a few days wiggle room.

I personally like having 2 weekends to get a photo. More free time on the weekend for some of us.

But you're the host and it is your call. It's a perk.

[alfredo]

10. OK I will announce the theme and dates today. Thanks for the help.

Who do I contact to get permission to run the contest in GD? Pinning, who does that?

[Solly Mack]

11. You don't have to make contact. Permission is an on-going thing.

Go to the "About this Group" link at the top of the main Photo Group page.

Scan down the names of host. Your name is there. You are a host now. Which means you should have a button on the bottom left hand side of your post which says 'superpowers'.

When you click that button you will get options. One of which is pinning a thread.

[alfredo]

12. Thank you. I feel so empowered.

[Solly Mack]

14. Smarty pants :P

[alfredo]

15. Ha!

I've posted and pinned the theme.

I figured the black and white flower and foliage theme will challenge those who never explored black and white.

[Solly Mack]

16. I think you're going to get some fine entries.

I'm going to start working on mine today.

[alfredo]

17. Great. I can't wait to see how some of the top shelf photographers handle this theme.

I hope it also serves as an intro into the wonderful world of black and white for some of the newer converts to photography.

[Solly Mack]

18. Just so I'm clear...a question.

Can the subject be just flowers or just foliage or any combination thereof?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I really like lead room too.

[alfredo]

6. I got the feeling that will be the theme, though my heart

says black and white flowers and foliage.

[ohheckyeah]

7. I like the black and white flowers and foliage them. n/t

[groundloop]

9. I clicked on the link explaining lead room and got a laugh about a different broken 'rule'

When photographing propeller airplanes in flight you ALWAYS want to shoot at a low enough shutter speed to give a generous blur to the prop so as to convey a sense of motion (obviously if the prop is stopped for real the plane's gonna' be landing VERY soon). The guy did a good job explaining 'lead room' but failed on the moving prop. (I'd never heard of "lead room" but had just been taught something along the lines of never have the subject moving out of the frame - basically the same thing I guess).



There's a sense of motion that has been removed because there doesn't appear to be anywhere for the plane to go!
[img][/img]


(Sorry, couldn't help myself. I've been shooting planes and airshows for many years and to me that just stands out like a sore thumb.)


Anyway Alfredo, I say go with whatever you're feeling for the theme. You're king for a month, enjoy your time on the throne.

[alfredo]

13. I might throw a curve with the black and white flowers and foliage.

[Mira]

19. sorry i've been awol - he following is not an april fool's joke

in trying to get the damn cat off the ledge i fell and broke my left wrist.
good news: im righthanded and it needs no surgery, the alignment is good
bad news: it broke clean through.

(actually i tripped on a too high curb and broke the wrist against a store window as I braced myself going down)

Alfredo: I'll be happy to assist. Solly has been great so far, of course, but the first time hosting is trying emotionally as well as it's hard work and one has to be vigilant.

I like both themes.

Don't feel too sorry for me, i'll go take another pain pill now and veg out.

[Solly Mack]

20. Mira! Stop that! I'm so sorry!

That's twice now!

Hope you have something for the pain. Please take care of yourself!

[alfredo]

21. Damn! My wife broke her wrist, needed surgery, and is

In physical therapy now. Keep the swelling down, arm elevated, and listen to your physical therapy.

In three months you will be much healthier.

[mnhtnbb]

22. Oh, no!

Hope you can get comfortable with it with minimal pain meds.

What a PITA!

Did the kitty come down from the ledge to see if you were ok?