This month’s themes were pulled from an AI query to Gemini for “Photography Theme Ideas“. Many we’ve already covered like Leading Lines, Perspective, & Shadows. But these two themes sounded the most interesting to me because we’ve never had similar themes before.
It turns out 10 Shots-1 Spot is pretty challenging especially in certain locations. Funny thing is the AI suggestion was actually 20 Shots from 1 Spot but I cut the number down to our usual photo sharing limit. The concept of 10 Shot-1 Spot was unclear to many of us. I guess my explanation of “take 10 distinct photos without moving from one spot” had a variety of interpretations.
Regardless, one aspect of 10 Shot-1 Spot and last month’s Fishing theme is it makes the photographer slow down and take their time to study their composition(s). With the advent of digital photography, we/I tend to snap away, not necessarily thinking about the compostion for any length of time. Of course, following compostional rules, but not really studying the different angles or elements options that may be included or excluded from the frame. Hopefully, most of us will practice slowing down for future themes, and/or share photos they have already taken that fit the theme upon clarification.
Portable Object is reminicent of the Travelocity Gnome campaign, where the gnome was photographed traveling to different locations around the world. Only Heather embraced this theme and her photos are fun & humorous. Most of us shared Open-theme photos or 10 Shot/1Spot images. Here are the photos that were shared:

Barbara – Barbara had some great photos from Shelter Island – a great one of a person feeding a pelican on the roof, and some of the USS Lincoln arriving in San Diego.

Barb Donovan – Barb embrace the 10 shot-1spot idea and shared some wonderful images from Hospital (Pothole) Beach, La Jolla at sunrise. Her photos from essentially one spot are a great example of different compositions from one location. Also, since she shot at sunrise, the changing light reflecting off the rocks and water creates distinct images from one spot.

Cathy – Cathy picked a hard location for 10 Shot-1 Spot mainly because my clarification of the theme was confusing. But she shared some great shots from Shelter Island Marina. She also shared a vibrant landscape of lupines that was post-processed with a canvas texture overlay. At first I found the canvas texture a distraction from the wonderful relationship of the lilac flowers & sky. But upon further reflection, I understand her intent for her “Field of Dreams” titled photo.

Gary – Gary’s repeated trips to Sedona and Antelope Canyon with his camera continues to expand his portfolio of the region. I’ve been unable to travel much recently so I am envious of such subjects and locations, being primarily a landscape photographer. Returning to the same locations allows a photographer to improve on their technique and explore similar landscapes under different light & conditions. Gary somewhat explored the 10 Shot-1 Spot idea by exploring the ruins and remnants of a old homestead. Not from one spot, but following a trail of someone’s existance in almost an archeological/anthropological perspective.

Heather – Heather shared some fabulous, humorous Portable Object photographs the were inspired. Her images are a great example of how a thematic idea can be interpreted and only limited by ones imagination.

Norm – Norm took the 10 Shots-1 Spot idea to the extreme. With his 360º panoramic images, sometime a hundred shots, or in this case 114 shots, are taken from one spot. The technical expertise to compose and process 114 bracketed images into a single HDR 360º panoramic amazes me. It really is a special kind of photography and photographer. Norm only shared one shot, constructed from 114 photos. So if you are as fascinated as I am with this kind of photography, go to his website normolsonphoto.com.

Sharon – Sharon loves exploring her house, backyard, and neighborhood with her camera. Sometimes the world flies by overhead – she captured some great moments of the amazing Blue Angels performing their acrobatics above her house & library.

Jim – Jim worked on the 10 Shot-1 Spot theme and discovered how challenging it can be depending on the venue. He had some luck during an overnight trip to Julian, specifically a visit to the 1870 Eagle Gold Mine. The tour through the mine was fun and the history is fascinating. But from a photographer’s perspective, all the relics from the time it was a working mine was most interesting. Jim walked into the working garage, picked a spot inside the doorway and took 10 photos. He shared color and b&w images of the 10 photos – most of his favorites being the b&w versions. Staying the night in Pine Hills, adjacent to Julian at 4000ft, he used his SeeStar S30pro smart telescope to take two galactic images. Andromeda is a galaxy most beginner astrophotographers photograph. 210-20sec images taken in 90mins were processed in Stacking Wizard & AstroWizard. His second astrophoto was the Triangulum Galaxy. Again for about 90mins, 200-20sec images processed the same way.

We had another great Photography Interest Group meeting via Zoom from 2-4:10pm August 19th. Seven participants shared photos, many fitting this month’s themes – “Perfectly Imperfect”: share a favorite photo with an intangible quality that breaks some photography rule, like placing the subject in the middle of the frame, or cutting off the top of someone’s head.
Most of us shared photos from the other themes – ICM (in-camera movement), panning, and motion. These types of images usually are long exposures using a neutral density filter or shot in low light to achieve a slower shutter speed.
As a result of the recent World Cup fan celebrations, I thought “emotions” would be a great theme. Some wonderful and poignant photos were shared. Heather embraces this theme cause her style of photography often captures people interacting with emotion. Sharon had a photo of a unhoused person but did not want to post it here. It did capture a poignant vulnerable moment very worthy of the emotions theme.
Here are the photos shared this month:

Barbara – Even though Barbara has been struggling a bit with settings on her new camera. She always manages to share photos that drive our discussions. Learning how to us a new camera brand is an issue for many of us. Different terminology, menus, button placement can take a while to get used to. But that hasn’t stopped her from taking her new Nikon ZF on her walks and continuing to make photos.

Barb Donovan – Barb shared photos fitting the emotions, motion, and “perfectly imperfect” interpreted as “mistakes”. Many of these wonderful photos were from the San Diego Fair or recent travels. She’s got a real instinct for figuring out where to setup. At the offloading of the sky cars at the SD Fair for example.

Cathy – Cathy is a member of the San Diego Poly Photos group and is very active with her camera. Much of what she does for that group is often shared with our group. It’s educational and enlightening to hear some of the feedback she gets from professional judges regarding many of the photos she share with us – critiques on technique, composition, and post-processing. We aren’t nearly as focused on compositional rules or technical perfection but more on creative expression.

Gary – Gary shared a great story about this family photos that was relatable & greatly appreciated by the group. His mountain goat image also came with a great backstory and that’s what our photo sharing is all about.
Gary also photographed the huge surf but had a technical issue with his camera that was difficult to remedy in post. Creatively, I want to know how you can simulate a photo taken by moonlight in the middle of the day using just a CPL filter.

Heather – Heather has an amazing eye for photographing people and their emotions. This, along with recent World Cup fan reactions, prompted the Emotions theme for this month. As predicted, she represented the category really well.
Her other notable images were of one from Idaho of skijoring, a fast-paced winter sport where a horse and rider tow a skier or snowboarder through a timed obstacle course of jumps, gates, and rings, and of a pride parade in Spain.

Sharon – Sharon shared two photos of an unhoused person that she requested I not post online. Although shot in public and probably fine to post, she wanted to respect the person’s vulnerable moment. We totally respect that. Street photography often captures people at fragile or embarrassing moments. A photographer faces two distinct choices: whether to take the picture and whether to share it later. In our small group, sharing such photos can be educational & promote discussion. But we filter what we post online, like that photo & photos of our grandkids.
The other photo she shared was something rarely (never?) seen by everyone in the meeting – a shed lizard skin. I have no recollection of ever seeing a shed lizard skin. I’ve seen plenty of lizards but never a skin.

Jim – Comic-Con is a San Diego institution and photographing people around the convention center can make for great street photography. Jim braved the chaos for the 1st time this year and shared a few moments.
One of Jim’s favorite things about photography, is the camera’s ability to freeze and blur time. In-camera movement, panning, and slow-shutter photography are perennial favorite styles. Panning is challenging but when done properly, but can result in unique images depicting motion. Photographing a non-moving subject amongst the fast moving is another fascinating & challenging style. Jim did not share any Emotions images unless Comic-con portraits count but photos with motion blur might be Perfectly Imperfect. Jim was photographing on the beach in Oceanside when Bruce, the Oceanside Trenchcoat Guy, happened by. It made for some great moments, supporting the idea of always having your camera when you are out.