ongoing by Tim Bray

Urban Colors · Assignment for Dailyshoot 116 on 2010/03/11: “"Rules" can be stifling if taken to extremes. Break the rules today with focus, composition, etc, and see what happens.” ... [1 comment]

Invisible Flash · Suppose you want to use Flash on your website. I think this is a bad idea, but I accept that some are going to ignore my wise advice and do it anyhow. If you do this and you’re not careful, you can make it absolutely impossible for some people to see your show ... [9 comments]

Theory and Practice · Assignment for Dailyshoot 114 on 2010/03/09: “Most of us enjoy some symmetry in our lives. Look around for it today and make a symmetrical photo. (via @melhutch) ” ...

Blue Pacific Looking Up · Assignment for Dailyshoot 113 on 2010/03/08: “Take care of the Monday blues by picking up your camera. Make a photograph dominated by the color blue.” ...

Hungry Hands · Assignment for Dailyshoot 110 on 2010/03/05: “Food engages all the senses. Make a photograph of food that causes our mouth to water or pucker. Get the viewer engaged.” ...

System 9 · I own too much stuff and have begun to hate my possessions. I love a few things still, notably not including any computer technology, some of which can be admired for a brief period before it is superseded, and I enjoy helping that process along. The things I love include a few pictures, some books, but mostly hand-made artifacts that produce music: chief among these would be my cello (although that relationship has become complex), my djembé, and my record player. I know it’s a “record player” because I bought it from the man at recordplayer.com; please follow that link before moving on ... [18 comments]

Vertical Shadow Slices · Assignment for Dailyshoot 109 on 2010/03/04: “Striped patterns have a natural pattern that catches the eye. Find some stripes today and make a photo.” ...

Tree Trunk · Assignment for Dailyshoot 108 on 2010/03/03: “Weathered objects have a lot of character: cracked, rusted, bleached, etc. Give us your best weathered shot today.” ... [2 comments]

Clarity Control · One of the more heavily used controls in Lightroom’s “Develop” module is labeled “Clarity”. Here’s a nifty little illustration of its powers ... [4 comments]

How To Get There · This is just a fan letter about the maps-and-directions software that I guess has been in GPS products for years and is now on every Internet-capable phone ... [9 comments]

Grainy Rainbow · Assignment for Dailyshoot 107 on 2010/03/02: “Find out what those buttons and dials on your camera do. Play today! Try a new setting and make a photo. (via @dibytes) ” ...

Those Olympics · It started a couple weeks early for me with a gentle welcoming invocation by an elder of the Musqueam Nation. It’s done, finally. What happens on the morning after? Maybe we can all wear less red ... [5 comments]

Short-form Fragments · Week ending Sunday 2010/02/28 ...

Pick-up Game · Assignment for Dailyshoot 105 on 2010/02/28: “Sunday challenge: Make a photo that invokes or communicates happiness to the viewer. Make 'em feel it, not just see it!” ... [1 comment]

Skyline With Illuminations · Assignment for Dailyshoot 104 on 2010/02/27: “The horizon can be a strong composition element. Make a photograph that emphasizes the horizon today.” ... [1 comment]

Noracle · Today I resigned from Sun/Oracle — the official integration date here in Canada is March 1st, so I won’t ever have actually been an Oracle employee. I’m not currently looking for another job. I’ll write some looking-back and looking-forward stories when I’ve got a little perspective. I can’t say enough good things about the people at Sun — and outsiders with whom I worked — over the past few years. Thanks for enriching my life! [Update: Contact info] ... [17 comments]

Within the Rhythm · Assignment for Dailyshoot 102 on 2010/02/25: “Negative space can be just as important to a composition as your primary subject. Explore negative space in a photograph.” ...

Boob Tubes · Assignment for Dailyshoot 101 on 2010/02/24: “There is often a conflict between traditional and contemporary. Make a photo that shows this tension. (@melhutch) ” ... [1 comment]

Off By One · Assignment for Dailyshoot 100 on 2010/02/23: “Monochrome photos don't have to be the result of processing or desaturation. Find a monochrome composition and shoot it. ” ... [2 comments]