Radial Zoom Blur

Assignment #23:  Zoom in or out while taking a picture.

If you hold your camera body reasonably steady and twist your zoom lens while shooting, you create the rather chaotic excitement of straight lines converging in the center of your sometimes-rather-abstract photo.

I imagine this can be done in post, but where's the fun in that?  Also, I'll acknowledge that these pictures may create a short-lived "wow" factor.  Still, it's something to try when you have a colorful subject that just isn't working out.

Patch Zoom
Fishers, Indiana

Pick Pic

Panning

Assignment #12: Track a moving subject with your camera.

I'm a big fan of these shots but I've learned that you don't generally just stumble upon them - you usually need to put yourself in the right place at the right time.

Pacific Pelican
Torrey Pines State Reserve, La Jolla, California

Spinning Wheel
Keeneland Racetrack, Lexington, Kentucky

Star Trails

Assignment #9: Create an image with star trails.

Are these shots a little gimmicky? Maybe, but they sure get a reaction when you share them, from photogs and non-photogs alike.

I suppose you could make one of these with a single very long exposure, but today, there's simply no need to run the risk of a single wayward headlight ruining an hour's work. It's so much easier to "stack" multiple exposures, a procedure that gives you various editing opportunities. You'll need an intervalometer (found on many DSLRs or available for purchase) and appropriate stacking software. I'm on Windows so I tried startrails.exe for the shots below. It's donationware so give it a try and send the guy a little money when you get something you like.

Turkey Run Star Trails
Looking north in Turkey Run State Park, near Marshall, Indiana

Miami Sky Lines
Looking straight up (no tripod - camera on its back on a picnic table) in Miami State Recreation Area, Miami and Wabash Counties, Indiana

Light Painting

Assignment #6:  Create an image with light painting.

It's as simple as "drawing" with a flashlight during a long exposure or as complicated as you want to make it.

Spirolight: Grasshoppers

Spirolight: Atom

Spirolight: Cuneiform

Freeze Motion

Assignment #4: Use a fast shutter speed to freeze an instant in time.

I like that the camera often captures motion in a way different from our eyes and, although I'm lacking appropriate pictures, I have a number of motion-related assignments on my list.  This one's easy as long as you can find some action to freeze.

Exchanging Fire
A well-armored swimming pool combatant in Greenwood, Indiana

Going In
Fishers High School, Fishers, Indiana

False Start
Keeneland Racetrack, Lexington, Kentucky