Assignment: Houston

Weekly Reading

Megapixels: How Much Is Enough?
Digital Photo Pro

Strobist Gel Pack Review
DIY Photography.net

Tips on Early Morning Photography
Digital Photography School

Vignettes 101
Digital Photography School

Gallery Inspiration 2010

Galleries have been a fun addition to the Flickr website.  Galleries allow you to create a set of photos from Flickr members on any topic that you choose.  This is a gallery I created with some Assignment: Houston entries.

Here is your challenge.  Set a photography goal and then create a gallery of photos that will motivate you for 2010.  What do you want to work on in the new year?  Whatever it is you can create a gallery for inspiration.  Want to be better at night photography? Create a night photography gallery of images to refer to as you begin your work. Macro is your thing? Collect the best examples on Flickr.  Maybe Santa is bringing you a new piece of gear. Create a gallery with that camera or lens and use it to push yourself to learn the limits of your new tool.  These galleries can be a visual reminder of your photography goal throughout the year.

Once you have gallery up come back and leave us a link.  Everyone is welcome to participate, not just Houstonians.  It will be fun to see what everyone will be working on for the new year.  

Spotlight: City Hall Christmas Tree

City Hall Christmas Tree by crazyyyh
Assignment: Holidays in Houston II

Weekend Planner 12.10.09 - 12.12.09

Remember this month's assignment is Holidays in Houston and everything happening this weekend is eligible.  Get out with your camera this weekend and get into the holiday spirit!

Mayor's Holiday Celebration - The official holiday kick off party for the city of Houston rescheduled from last Friday.  Music, lights, fireworks and the lighting of the tree.  Today.  Free.

Heritage Society Candlelight Tour - Sam Houston Park is transported back in time with the 47th annual Candlelight Tour.  Historic homes are decorated to represent different eras of Houston's past.  Pathways are lit by candles and there will be carolers, storytellers and crafts. Friday and Saturday. $

Campfire Christmas at George Ranch - Experience the beauty of the holidays with guided tours of the 1830s Jones Stock Farm and the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home decorated in the spirit of the season. Mingle with Civil War soldiers at the Ryon home and enjoy the taste of years gone by as Chef Nick Castelberg cooks up a delicious historic food selection at both sites. Wrap up the evening's festivities with singing and story-telling around the Oak Grove campfire with the George Ranch cowboys. Friday and Saturday. $

Christmas Boat Parade - The parade features more than 100 brightly decorated power and sailboats that will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay. Saturday. Free.

Lights in the Heights - The Woodland Heights neighborhood is one of the oldest and most historic in Houston and sponsors the annual "Lights in the Heights" celebration each December. Fourteen blocks of two parallel streets are lit by luminaria and closed to motor vehicles. The celebration features hot beverages, live music, carriage rides, and of course christmas lights. Saturday. Free.

East End X-Mas at the Orange Show - The annual holiday fiesta is full of “East End” flavor, from Mariachi music and tamale tastings to classic lowriders collecting toys for local kids. Please bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated. It’s the last blast of the year before The Orange Show closes for winter. Saturday. Free.

Weekend Planner 12.03.09 - 12.06.09

Holiday in the Park Festival & Parade - League City will have festivities all weekend including a carnival, movie in the park, children's parade, tree lighting ceremony and grand lighted parade.  Most of the activities take place on Saturday.  Thursday - Saturday.  Free.

Mayor's Holiday Celebration - The official holiday kick off party for the city of Houston.  Music, lights, fireworks and the lighting of the tree.  Friday.  Free.

Heights Mistletoe Madness - Heights residents, businesses, artists, musicians and organizations come together to celebrate the season. Stroll the streets, tour the Victorian homes. Hear live music, visit the art galleries, eat lunch in one of the restaurants and shop at the arts market. Saturday.  

Dickens on the Strand - Dickens on The Strand takes visitors back to the 19th Century. Hundreds of costumed vendors and performers will take over Galveston's Strand National Historic Landmark District with parades, entertainment on the festival’s stages, strolling carolers and street musicians.  There will also be food and crafts available for purchase. Saturday and Sunday. $12

#43 Holidays in Houston II

The last time we did Holidays in Houston it was December 2006 and it was assignment #8.  It seems like it was only yesterday, but obviously not.  I still can't believe the group has been around that long!

This is a pretty straight forward assignment.  Let's see Houston in its holiday best. Whether it is a day time display or night time lights, show us Houston and surrounding suburbs in their holiday dress. Since this assignment runs through December this includes Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve.

Photos must be of public places in Houston.  Your house, your relatives house and private decorations are not allowed.  Photos will be denied with no notification.

Make sure to check out our Candlelight Tour Photo Opportunity.  It is a perfect fit for this month's assignment.

As always remember that you can only submit three photos, they must be taken in the Houston area and they must be taken in December 2009.