June Project Challenge.

Well the new month is on us and Angela, as our previous Project winner has settled on a project that reflects a challenge but will allow you all some degree of creativity as well.  As the winner of May's Project, she will also be judging the project entries for this month. 

PROJECT:  Shoot a macro (or close-up) . . . but of a bug.  Not just any bug, anywhere.  Shoot one that's NOT on a flower. 

We ARE going to allow close-ups, but as photographers I think we should learn the difference between the two terms.  To help those unfamiliar with the term, Macro, by definition, is photography at 1x magnification and above. Anything less would be defined as "close-ups" rather than "macro".   To further confuse the term, Nikon stubbornly insists on the word "Micro" so a macro lens and a micro lens are the exact same thing.  While the Project chosen was macro, not everyone will be able to develop full 1x magnification or life-size since different people are using different equipment.  Life-size means that the subject you are photographing appears at least the exact same size on film as it does in real life, if not larger. Therefore if a fly is 15mm long, then the image of the fly on film will also be 15mm long.  If you CAN do that, then DO IT!  If not . . . get the BEST close-up you can get! 

Bugs means insects, arachnids (spiders), millipedes . . . any creepy crawling things that a four year old might call a bug.  We're not getting technical on what is and is not a bug.

Now, clearly, we'll be on the honor system here.  As with the flowers, you may already have good 'bug' shots.  Opportunities to stretch our legs and learn are limited unless you get out there and shoot.  Remember these rules:

• Shoot a shot FOR the project . . . (Don't upload one that was taken before the project was announced, even if perfect for it . . . honor system here.)
• Photo MUST have IPC as a tag.
• Photo MUST be uploaded to IPC Group by a Member who TOOK it!
• Intense means what it says:
  If your image is 12:01 on the first day of the following month it's out.
• If a moderator disallows your image . . . check it out (or ask), something was wrong.
• The project should reflect a challenge . . . something NOT too easy.   The 'winner' as chosen by Angela, will be able to pick the project for the following month but if it's not challenging enough we will suggest ways to make it tougher until we have an agreed on, 'perfect challenge'. 
• Winner will not only select the next month's theme, they will judge it!  Again, we're on the honor system here.  I'm assuming the judging will be on the quality of the work, not on the "this is my friend" basis. 
• The contest runs to the last minute of the last day of the calendar month Gather time.  No exceptions.

Count on a delay seeing your images.  The group is moderated by myself and G-Photog to be sure all images fit the guidelines, so they will have to be approved first.  Critiques should be helpful without being hurtful . . . honest . . . and, please . . . no comments like "Good shot.  10.  I like it."  from our group members.  They're ok for some places, but I'd hope IPC members were also challenging themselves on critiques.  Learning properly how to give a good critique can also improve both your self-confidence and your own work.

So far I think you guys have been doing awesome and the feedback has been very encouraging to Gayle and I.  People having fun and learning is the goal here! So get out there and have fun!