Photography Task 21/06/2011 - 1/07/2011: Origami

**Marvo** · 06-21-2011 02:32 AM

So, it's time for a new photography task! First some meta stuff:

1: Do you like the current format, or should I extend the time on each event to 15 days, or perhaps more?
2: Should I make the tasks more focused?
3: Do you enjoy the whole thing over all?

On to the task.

The task of the next 10 days will be origami. At first, I was thinking of simply "Art", but found that one of the easiest way to do good photography of art, is by putting it into a context, so the bulk of the photo doesn't lie on the meaning of the art you're shooting. Origami has the best potential for this I think, since it's light, small, anybody can make it and it's more personal too, so you can perhaps attach a little story or something interesting like that.

A couple of tips:

Shoot indoors. It's easier and paper just fits better in a modern environment most of the time.
You don't have to fold complex structures, a paperplane or a boat are perfectly fine. Remember, the bulk of the photo shouldn't lie on the art you're shooting, but rather the context. Complex origami will probably yield some extra DV respect points though.

Here are two great pieces of inspiration, courtesy of Google:

Notice the first picture, the plane is a little crumbled, like it's been soaked, and it's on a worktable with wood chips and glass shards. The second picture plays with silhouettes, direct sun light and has a person in it.
Keep in mind that these are done by people who are really damn good at what they're doing, so don't let it intimidate you.

Good luck!

**Marvo** · 06-23-2011 05:14 PM

So here's something I snapped today. It looks decent, but it mostly just looks pretty because of the sharp contrasts. Posting it though, just to kick some life into this thread.

**Suena** · 06-27-2011 09:56 PM

This one is kind of hard for me. I'll tryy. Good one Marvo.

**Marvo** · 06-28-2011 12:57 AM

Well I would love to see some entries other than my own. I think the subject has potential, but it seems people don't like it

**Xox** · 06-28-2011 11:28 AM

I think it's a cool subject, but people probably can't be arsed to make origami and then take a pic.

**Suena** · 06-29-2011 04:14 AM

Fire Lotus

Had a lot more fun than I expected. Everyone should try it. Learned that origami isn't too hard with practice, mine wasn't all that great, but like I said, it was fun.

I picked the lotus because I remembered the visualization technique from Stephen LaBerge, so yay for lucid dreaming! =)

Spoiler for A couple more:

**Marvo** · 06-29-2011 07:57 PM

Awesome work cspicer

**Suena** · 06-29-2011 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Marvo

Awesome work cspicer

Thank you, I'm actually quite proud lol Ready to see some more! Two more days leftttt.

**Suena** · 07-09-2011 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Marvo

1: Do you like the current format, or should I extend the time on each event to 15 days, or perhaps more?
2: Should I make the tasks more focused?
3: Do you enjoy the whole thing over all?

So far I've been looking forward to the new task. Maybe try Photography Task of the Month, like they do for lucid dreaming. That gives more people a chance to see it and participate. A month's a long time, but you might get more people to post some. Just a thought. I don't know what you mean by more focused. Like, more personal or a more detailed task? That actually sounds cool.

**Marvo** · 07-09-2011 12:52 AM

Well yeah, so far the tasks have been kind of general. Origami was more specific, but I could say "take pictures of teapots", and people would only photograph that. I'm wondering if that's what I should do or what.

One task a month will allow for more people to post, yes, but it might also end up a bit boring, if we aren't more than 4 or 5 participants. I'll give it a shot for the next task and see how it turns out.

**Suena** · 07-09-2011 12:58 AM

Well, if you make it more specific, like the origami thing, it would take more time for ppl to do it. Also, maybe for the task every now and then, just set a mood for the pictures to be taken? Like... take a picture of something dark, or take a picture of something mysterious.

Or something along those lines. Excited to see what your brain comes up with.

**Spenner** · 07-09-2011 01:44 AM

It was a nice night, so I had a go

Origami pterodactyls are basically the only thing besides planes that I can make

I think it's interesting to put a paper bird (or dinosaur...) perched in a tree seeing as it's what paper is made from, and with real birds they are born on branches (a lot of the time) as well. So I fancied a toss at that idea.