Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Nature & Reflection

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.https://youtu.be/E6PXeQVqZho

Two Challenges! #prtv_nature2 & #prtv_reflection3

A month worth of summer challenges with nature and reflections, nice job folks! We had some great pics this week but check out Toby's video for all the shots and learn a few tips. If you're up for a challenge it's up to you this time with a wildcard challenge, just tag those shots #PRTV_wildcard on Instagram.

Nature Top Pick:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnDyznXncy7/?tagged=prtv_nature2

Reflection Top Pick:

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BmuNILrHzwc/?tagged=prtv_reflection3[/embed]For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Bokeh 2

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL5VGByJFUo

The #PRTV_bokeh2 Challenge

Bokeh is a great tool for separating your subject from a background but you can also have a bit of fun with it as well. Congratulations to Toby's Top Picks and check out the video for all the honorable mentions.

Top Picks

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl3JCsXBjwE/?tagged=prtv_bokeh2[/embed][embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkxro2MAi2-/?tagged=prtv_bokeh2[/embed][embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BmNI0EUnhxw/?tagged=prtv_bokeh2[/embed]For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Fireworks

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEpQ2yLlZRs&feature=youtu.be

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_fireworks

Fireworks are fun to shoot and a challenge as well relying on a bit more knowhow to get them right in camera. Congrats to this week's top picks with some great shots for competition in this month-long challenge! Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_bokeh2Next up, your challenge gets a bit blurry with bokeh! Bokeh used creatively can be a tool to separate your subject from their background to make them stand out or add a bit of flair with bokeh balls. Try it this week and post those shots on Instagram with #PRTV_bokeh2!

Top Picks

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BlPCXbPhmy4/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk2RM-MhI26/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0DQfqnOV8/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk2cZm-HeQR/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Songtitle

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_songtitle

We get inspiration from many places when it comes to shooting and this week had a musical spin. Thanks to those that entered as you came up with some really clever ideas! Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_fireworksWe’re changing it up for this next challenge, you have one month to enter! Get all those firework shots out of your system, and you’ve got plenty of time to edit for once. What can you come up with? We’ll be checking out those shots July 25th!

Roy’s Features:

• A really cute idea for "Hungry Like a Wolf"!

• While you may be addicted to that soft lens at this point it did a nice job of putting all the focus on your main subject.

• The inspiration might be "Don't go Chasing Waterfalls" but I think this was a great one for a shot!

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Urbex

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: Urbex - #PRTV_urbex

A long called for challenge, urbex show’s what we left behind and a good look at something long gone. Your goal for this week and certainly a challenge!

Next Week's Challenge: Song Title - #PRTV_songtitle

We take inspiration while shooting from many places and next week your goal is to use a song title as an idea for a shoot. It should be an interesting challenge so get creative!

Top Picks

• Toby: I like that this one is light and airy showing the decay
• Roy: A really interesting shot showing the aging and abandoned setting

• Toby: A nicely balanced image, the editing really matches the content
• Roy: A piece of history left behind works well with those iconic posters. It's a shame in your caption the building is now demolished.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Walk

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_walk

Whether in the city or in the country this week’s goal was to get out for some photos either by a bit of street photography or nature. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting out and you all grabbed some neat shots this week.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_urbexAs I’m relatively near Detroit a popular one for the area is Urban Exploration (Urbex). This week get your explorer on and get some neat shots of some of the more abandoned parts of your area. This was a highly requested subject, so for those that asked, now it's your shot!

Toby’s Features:

• The Position of the horse - off center, framed by the background trees - perfect!

• Including the path leading the viewer to the SF city skyline works so very well

• A lovely scene!

Roy’s Features:

• A great macro shot and the lighting is just perfect for putting the focus on your subject.

• An interesting photo and I like that you had someone in frame to break the pattern

• It’s a nice sunset shot and I like that you cropped it close for the plants in this one.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – SOOC

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_sooc

Your challenge this week, if you dared, was to post one shot without ANY editing. Scary for some, but it’s a good challenge this week to really think about the exposure in your photos.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_walkIts summer time now so that means its a good time for a walk. This week your challenge is to go on a photo walk in your area and shoot a series of photos then post that one best photo that made your day. It's a good chance to practice your street photography or go for wildlife on a nature hike. 

Toby’s Features:

• I love it when participants try something new to complete a challenge!

• I can feel the chill and damp just looking at this photo

• Bright, crisp and lovely - what a shot!

Roy’s Features:

• I like that the exposure is a bit dark in this and that fade to black in the tunnel.

• Heather was clever with this one! Shooting a double exposure in camera counts this week.

• I’m a wildlife nut and I like this headshot, the biggest thing with birds for me is you need to nail that catchlight in the eyes.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Long Exposure

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_longexposure

When you need more light, you make it! With this week’s flash challenge it was your chance to show off those skills when you get away from all natural lighting.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_soocNo excuses for editing this go around as we want you to shoot straight out of the camera. Think of this week like going back to film so that means you’ve got to nail that exposure.

Toby’s Features:

• Creatively setup and captured!

• Love the black and white and smooth water vs tree trunks

• Lovely sunset tones!

Roy’s Features:

Long exposures let you capture the motion and energy of an area and I think this shot fits the challenge to a T.

A classic long exposure and it’s a neat shot with the water almost looking like a fog.

Pulling focus is one I didn’t think of when coming up with this challenge and it's a neat way to pull focus to a subject with a creative flair.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Flash 2

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_flash2

When you need more light, you make it! With this week’s flash challenge it was your chance to show off those skills when you get away from all natural lighting.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_longexposureNext week it’s time to shoot a bit longer. Slowing your shutter speed down just a bit can be a great tool for showing motion, a bit more for blurry waterfalls. At the longest times letting enough light in to catch a milky way and stars.

Roy’s Features:

• A clever idea and the black and white almost gives it a metallic effect with that more contrasted side lighting.

• Just a great portrait with nice even lighting that looks great!

• While I’d suggest a colored gel next time this is a nice go at balancing out a flash with the ambient lighting of a sunset.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Black or White

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_blackorwhite

With May 4th as the official star wars holiday did you go for the light or slip to the dark side? While the theme might be a bit silly it’s all about thinking about the color in your images and how it affects the photos. We’ve got a few neat shots this week and certainly, some that stand out for thinking outside the box.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_flash2Next week you need to flash your subject. It’s a lighting challenge so you need to add a bit of artificial lighting to your subject whether it’s from a cheap flashlight or an expensive strobe.

Toby’s Features:

Perfectly framed and thoughtfully composed - love the B&W treatment here

Black and white with a hint of golden color - nicely captured

The shadows on the walkway really complete this for me!

Roy’s Features:

Black and white lets you really push the look of an image and this architecture shot really fits the bill for this week’s challenge

Considering the challenge I'd have to say going for a high key shot of Yoda wasn't something I thought of this week but really fits the theme.

A bit of work in post but all the focus on this bird for an interesting shot

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Golden Hour 3

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_goldenhour3

With spring finally making an appearance it was a great time to get out for some of that golden hour light. While that does include sunsets it's nice to see so many of you thinking out of the box. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_blackorwhiteMay the 4th be with you! This week your challenge is a bit different in that you’ve got to capture something dark or something light. This is going to be a good challenge for flash photography!

Toby’s Features:

Gorgeous layers so warmly lit - I spent MANY summers at chincotaegue. Love it!

You balanced the flash so nicely with the warm setting sun - nicely done.

Lovely leopard lit but the last bits of light.

Roy’s Features:

A great job at balancing natural and golden light for a really nice shot

If a challenge is about light a golden sun flare I’d say fits the bill.

Wildlife gets super active at later times and catching them in a golden light like this makes for great photos.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Parks

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_parks

Happy Earth Day and National Parks Week! Spring is going strong and you guys got out for some really great photos! Parks are a great location to go shoot a variety of subjects but still close that it's not necessarily out of the way, bar going to Yosemite. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_goldenhour3Soft and warm light can make for great shots and that’s gonna be what you are looking for in the golden hour challenge. Remember that it's a focus on the light so your subject can be anything you'd like to try shooting. 

Toby’s Features:

Nicely captured some iconic elements of Yosemite NP

Simple composition nicely showcasing Canyonlands

Love the soft low contrast here that matches the feel of the sand and wood

Roy’s Features:

Wooded areas are great for playing with sun flares in your images due to the trees and this photo worked out nicely.

Got to love the tiny details you can find at a park, macro really does make a tiny area a giant one full of options

Parks are not just trees and this landscape shot is a great reminder. Remember when shooting big landscapes like this a foreground element can really balance an image

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Architecture 3

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_architecture3

Some really neat photos this week! Focusing on repeating patterns and light really worked out for this week’s challenge. There are only three top picks this week with Toby on tour but check the rest out at #PRTV_architecture3. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_parksWith spring starting, hit up a park! This week will be Earth Day and National Park Week with the National Park Foundation so it’s a great time to go shoot outside.

Roy’s Features:

An interesting take on an architecture black and white that really shows the shapes in the building.

It might be Trinity College but this shot from Marita almost seems Harry Potterish with this old architecture for a great photo.

A different take on a recognizable monument to most, giving the building a bit of breathing room worked well!

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.