25.09.2020, 19:37   #1

Hobbyfotografin

I'm running out of photo subjects.

Hello dear friends,
Due to the current lack of photo subjects during this unusual time, I’m sharing fewer photos and visiting the forum less often.

But I still love admiring your beautiful photos!

Warm regards, Ulrike. 🙂

*Note from the administration:
Title changed to give a clearer idea of the content and let readers know what to expect.
26.09.2020, 13:13   #2
Profilfoto
Ben H.

Hi Ulrike,

I believe special times call for special measures. My first step is to tackle my photo hard drive and sort through, weed out, and edit the many pictures I’ve taken on trips (a hostage of modern photography...). From now on, I’ll share one photo each day. A reminder of better times, with the hope that they’ll return. I became a father just before the pandemic, and it’s heartbreaking to think my daughter has to grow up without the freedom to travel.

Let’s hope for the best. In the meantime, we should all enjoy each other’s “old” photos.

Best, Ben
26.09.2020, 20:04   #3

Hobbyfotografin

Hello Ben,
and a big congratulations on the birth of your child! We're all definitely hoping for better times ahead! Yes, we also have plenty of older vacation photos, but I’m happy to share the most recent ones myself.
Sending warm regards back to you from Ulrike. 🙂
23.11.2020, 14:04   #4

Profifotograf

Showing the photos is one thing, but the other part is actually taking them. As a city dweller without a car, I have my challenges—putting aside COVID for a moment—because on my own, I just can’t get beyond city parks and crowded little walking woods.
For the types of photography I prefer, that’s honestly a real drawback. Of course, I keep trying to focus on “local” photography, capturing what’s around my home, but I have to admit, I lack that creative spark. Photographing everyday scenes in an interesting way is something I just can’t do.
So here I am, waiting for someone to take me out again, into the “real” nature... 😉
23.11.2020, 19:50   #5

Hobbyfotograf

That sounds, "Korbi," like you’re on the verge of a bit of a depressive phase. 🤔
I get where you’re coming from, but inspiration doesn’t just come knocking—you have to go out and find it. Maybe get yourself a dog or a cat, then you’ll have your subject right at home—just kidding. 🙂
But honestly, I think a lot of people are feeling that way right now. Even in our photo club, things have changed; we’re trying to share ideas with each other over the computer.
Maybe there’s a club like that near you, or I’d say there definitely is one somewhere that would be happy to welcome a new member.
Believe me, new people bring fresh ideas and inspiration.
23.11.2020, 20:30   #6

Profifotograf

No worries, I’ve got way too much going on for that 😛
A dog would be too much for me; I’ve actually thought about getting a small aquarium 🙂
Actually, I should look into that. I’ve never checked if there are any local clubs around here. But there probably are, it’s not exactly a small town.
Meeting new people is always great. I definitely notice the difference when I’m out with friends instead of alone. Right now, I’m hoping we get some serious snow again soon—then I’ll head out with open eyes and try to get creative 😉
24.11.2020, 17:41   #7

Amateur photographer

I feel the same way as you do, Korbi, just the other way around 😉 My favorite genre is street photography, which is a bit challenging in a small town in the Black Forest. But what I've learned is that when I go out with "open eyes," I can still find plenty of interesting subjects there. I'm really looking forward to the day when Corona is over and visiting a city doesn’t come with that uneasy feeling.
Maybe we could swap places sometime—you come to the great outdoors, and I’ll head to the city 😉
01.04.2021, 18:43   #8

Hobbyfotografin

At the moment, I’m just not enjoying photography at all. What I’ve started doing, though, is going through all the photos on my hard drive and giving them a proper edit. There are countless photos just sitting there, saved but untouched, because before the pandemic I never had the time to go through them. That’s because until June last year, I was traveling a lot for work, and then with my retirement and the pandemic, everything came to a complete halt. Traveling was such a great time for me—I got to see so many places and had every free moment to myself for photography. Now that I’m at home, it just doesn’t work the same way. I take my best photos when I’m out alone or with like-minded people. But if your partner isn’t interested, joint outings aren’t really great for photography... way too exhausting 😉
So I’m waiting and hoping for the pandemic to end so I can get back out there, visit lots of interesting places, and enjoy peaceful, focused photography again.
01.04.2021, 22:18   #9

Profifotograf

Lately, I’ve been heading to the nearby forest almost every day. It’s a managed forest and pretty busy, but it’s something. I’m constantly trying out a few things there, and I’m slowly making progress. However, over time, the motivation fades because there’s so little light filtering through the trees. Apart from two or three spots, it’s a choice between properly lit shots or blurry ones. Right now, I really feel like going somewhere without a forest, where it’s not so dark all the time...
Honestly, photography is almost the only thing I’m working on these days.

Gabi, don’t overdo it—better to do less, but do it well. I’m noticing that I’m losing interest in post-processing, especially when I keep coming back with the same kinds of shots. In general, when I have lots of similar photos, I quickly get bored and end up editing half-heartedly on the side.
02.04.2021, 01:28   #10

Hobbyfotograf

Hello Korbinian, unfortunately, I’m not familiar with your gear!
Tripod, flash, wireless flash trigger, macro lens, macro close-up lens, mini tripod (mount the flash on a stand; the stand has a thread so you can screw it onto the tripod rail).
A strong flashlight, spare battery, color gels (transparent school notebook covers in various colors).
Cut the film, clear tape, or get creative with oversized, wide rubber bands!
You want Pringles: Yes – the milky plastic lid works as a diffuser for the flashlight.
The can is silver inside; cut an opening for the system flash so it fits perfectly, and cut the bottom. The result is a pinpoint light.
This way, you’ll have enough light for the immediate surroundings!
Long exposure: use the flashlight to “paint” within the frame during the exposure.
For a decayed log with mushrooms, light it from the front side and below. This will bring out the texture with highlights and shadows.

Don’t forget a waterproof, sturdy surface—like a heavy-duty trash bag.
Stream, water, wet stones, !! only stones covered with moss are non-slip!!
02.04.2021, 08:22   #11

Profifotograf

I usually try to get close to running field mice and birds taking off with the telephoto lens, so they’re quite far away. But thanks a lot, Josef. I’m missing some gear for that, but I’ll give it a shot as best as I can!
02.04.2021, 09:41   #12

Hobbyfotografin

@Korbinian Ring Korbinian, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head—I’ve done a lot of editing, but not always well. I really need to spend more time exploring all the features of the program to see what’s possible and what works. So far, I haven’t managed to straighten the horizon properly. With Darktable, I had the option for lens correction—which I miss here in Photoshop. But I’ll figure it out eventually. With the warmer weather coming, I’m hoping to get back into photography more actively. We’ll see... but I definitely plan to work on my “quirks.”
06.04.2021, 20:08   #13

Amateur photographer

So far in 2021, my photography has mostly been limited to various challenges organized by the photo club. I did put together a small series over two weekends when I photographed "Easter wells" around our area. Overall, though, I've taken fewer photos in 2021 compared to the same time in 2020.
09.04.2021, 18:26   #14
Profilfoto
Holger Förster

10.04.2021, 10:02   #15
Profilfoto
Holger Förster

Here’s a creative idea for those who enjoy a bit of DIY: let’s build a pinhole camera!
Start with a camera body cap and drill a hole about 5mm in diameter right in the center (precision isn’t critical here). Next, take a very thin piece of metal or some aluminum foil. Carefully make a tiny hole about 0.2mm in diameter in it—use a drill or a pin—and smooth out any rough edges with your thumbnail. The hole should be perfectly round with smooth edges, and the foil or metal should lie flat. Attach this piece behind the body cap so that the tiny hole is exactly centered. Then, simply mount the cap onto your camera body (without a lens), and voilà—you’ve got a digital pinhole camera.

Getting the exposure right will take some trial and error; as a starting point, try an aperture of around f/200 and a focal length of about 50mm (full-frame equivalent). Naturally, you won’t see anything through the viewfinder (f/200 is very small!), but many cameras will display a faint image in Live View. As with many experiments, the key is to keep trying!

The smaller the hole, the sharper the photo and the smaller the aperture—and vice versa. You can change the focal length by adjusting the distance between the pinhole and the sensor, but keep in mind: the longer the focal length, the darker the image (light intensity decreases with the square of the distance).

Because of the long exposure times, you’ll need a tripod or something similar. Moving subjects will appear blurred, which can create a beautifully romantic effect with things like flowing water.

You can shoot outdoors in nature, portraits (possibly with a headrest), and tabletop setups work great too—pretty much anything goes!

Here’s an example: Experiments (general) by Holger Förster - Photoclub - Fotocommunity Alternative and Fotoforum
The kind of soft blur and “glow” around the subject that this creates is very difficult to replicate digitally, so the effort is definitely worth it. If you like, you can convert your photo to black and white or sepia and add some grain in Photoshop to give it a truly vintage feel.

Have fun!
23.01.2026, 12:37   #16

Hobbyfotograf

Hello from Buxthu,

No subjects to shoot?

I've noticed that since I started using my camera more actively, the way I look around has changed.

Even when I’m out without my camera, I find myself looking up and down a lot. That’s when I spot plenty of things worth photographing.

So, in a way, I have two pairs of eyes now—one as a person and one through the lens.

There’s always something to discover, even simple household items at home.

Best, Jürgen
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