Color Challenge - Monday Red - Photography - Playing with Artsy Effects

in colorchallenge •  7 years ago 

 It has been quite a while since I last did this, so I thought I'd add an entry for the "Monday Red" theme in @kalemandra's ongoing photography #colorchallenge. 

Flower
Macro shot of a red flower, then run through one of my "art" filters

Steemit has a lot of photography and creative challenges, and these can be a great way to participate and become more engaged with the community, especially if you are a newcomer.

This morning, I was reading a post by @oldtimer, which featured some lovely photos for the current "10 Days of Reflections" challenge created by @ilovedietcoke

One point he made about challenges-- as a fairly "senior" contributor on Steemit-- was this:    

"I would like to participate in this contest, but for my status here on Steemit I don't think that it would be right.  People will get the impression that I just want an easy and quick buck for the next ten days."

It doesn't HAVE to be Quick and Easy!

I wanted to address that point for a moment, because I sort of share that sentiment, at least in part.

Part I: Whereas it is certainly a common approach, there's no rule that says you have to make a photo challenge post simply a single photo with a caption, and that's it.

apple
Extreme close-up of a red apple; then "solarized" slightly to highlight contrasts

If you have built your Steemit identity around longer posts with more "meat on their bones," why not just expand the challenges to reflect your style of contribution?

For example, this is a "Monday Red" post, and it has four photos, not one... and each photo has been stylized and manipulated in some fashion to create a more "artsy" look.

As you can also see, I am adding a good bit of extra information-- not just "a caption.

Flower
Close-up of a red flower in our garden, with extreme contrast added to emphasize the veins in the petals

Challenge Within a Challenge

Although I don't participate in challenges all that often, one of the things I like to do is create a challenge within a challenge-- and that's Part II here.

Geranium
A red geranium flower, run through a "dream" filter to give it a very soft and fuzzy look

I have done a week of color challenge posts in the past, but added to the challenge by also making myself choose a particular topic. Once I did the challenge using ONLY photographs of beach glass I had found. You could also do the challenge using only the colors of painted front doors-- that one might be really difficult!

My point here is that "quick and easy" is not a rule, only how we choose to interpret a challenge... or not.

Above all, remember to have fun!

If you like "color challenge," or you'd like to learn more, you might also check out the official @colorchallenge account, which features more information and often has resteems of current entries. 

How about YOU? Are you a regular participant in photography or creative challenges on Steemit? Are you a newcomer, or an "old timer" on Steemit? Do challenges seem like you are taking "the easy way out" when posting? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation! 

created by @zord189

(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Posted 20180115 15:56 PST   

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Very nice photos and I found the close up of the apple facinating.

Adding some thoughts and insights to the challenge does take it to another level for writers such as yourself!

Thanks @kus-knee!

Yes, it was interesting how that faint net on apple skin turned out when the "sharpen" tool accentuated it and added yellow to where it was simply "paler." I don't know if "apple skin" would be a good Mundane Art challenge, but it can be really unusual. Maybe "fruit skin?"

I have to say I started doing colourchallenges on here months ago. I have backed off the last month, nearly 100%.

I actually really enjoyed doing them nearly every day for about 90 days, something very relaxing to them for me.

I only do them now and then; I usually have plenty of other stuff I want to write about. But they are fun to do when I don't have a lot of time and the creative juices are not flowing so well...

I am new commer here and i participated in couple of photograpgy challenge. Yes for beginners it's an easy job to send photo with caption. I joined this community to imorove my writing skill, which is not good at all . for improving my skill i do a lof comments beside writing blogs. Hopefully it will work for me.

I think you are going about it quite well @kamchore, and your English is not bad at all. I have seen a number of your comments here, and you are doing precisely the right thing in engaging people in their posts. Of course, getting seen and getting a good following takes some time, so just be patient!

Thanks @denmarkguy for your precious words of encouragement. yes it takes some time and i know Patience is virtue. Once again thanks for encouragement

Dropped by to say hi and catch up on some votes for you.

Have a good night man.

Good to see you too, Barry-- thanks for the visit!

its Beautiful Colorchallange, like red honey

Thank you!

Upvote me back yaa

nice pictures sir

Hi! I'm new here. Really need help. Please vote My articles. I vote for yours. They are very good. Thank You!