NEW Photography & styling challenge – All white theme
As you know I have been running the Donna Hay Styling and Photography Challenge for almost a year now and it is time for a bit of a change. While the challenge is great, replicating an existing image and the styling that goes along with it, proved to be harder then I thought it would be. A lot of people wanted to participate but found the costs too high, or the recipe not to their liking etc. To make it easier for everyone to participate, have fun and not spend a fortune on props as of now the challenge is going to be a bit more open and a bit more creative! I will set a theme for each month and give you some inspirational images of the kind of mood I’m looking for.
It is then up to you to interpret the theme, create your own styling and recipe and have fun! To kick start the new challenge I didn’t pick an easy theme but I have recently done an all white photoshoot (images you see in this post) and thought it would be a cool theme to kick it of, giving me a bit more time to think about future themes. 
I have also created a pintrest board with a few more examples of predominantly white photos.
To kick it off, here are the RULES
THEME FOR SEPTEMBER; ALL WHITE THEME
- Create a setting which shows of white as the dominant color. You can use one or two colors as a ‘side’ to highlight the white, but the main color in your shot should be white! Check out the examples in this inspiration board here. ( I will add more examples during the month)
- Use whatever props you have at your disposal
- Pick whatever recipe you think will work with this theme
- Post before the deadline of September 30th
- Enter you link through the Linky Tool shown below and make sure to link back to this post in your blog entry
- If you do not have a blog you can still enter your photo for the challenge, as long as you make sure we can view your photo online somewhere
- Once you have entered please send me an email at
Junglefrog with the name of your blog, your own name, the link to your post and your entry photo in the size of 500 px wide max. - Entries must be made specifically for this challenge
I hope this challenge will be a little easier to participate in. To give you just a few tips before starting read the below!
- An all white setting will throw of the automatic reading of the light of your camera, most likely resulting in an underexposed image
- I would suggest try and shoot this on manual setting to get the best result
- If you’re not comfortable with the manual setting try aperture priority but use your exposure compensation button to play around with (you will probably need to go into the + area)
- Use a tripod to make it easier for yourself and have a hand free to hold a reflector where needed
- Watch your shadows as they can be tricky with white
- Watch your histogram while shooting to make sure you’re whites do not burn out. Histogram is the graphic display of the light and dark tones in your photo. The bright colors are on the right of the histogram, while the darker tones will be on the left of the histogram.
O and the results of the last Donna Hay Challenge will follow shortly! Stay tuned!
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
So this is what yiu had in mind when you said something “different”. Great. I like this theme.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 2nd, 2012 at 17:08
Thanks Aparna! Hope you will join this month too. I think it will be a fun challenge!
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Gorgeous clicks and event/idea! I can’t wait to see the results.
Cheers,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 2nd, 2012 at 17:07
Thanks Rosa!
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I have no complaints about the old challenges, but this looks like it will be fun too!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 2nd, 2012 at 17:04
Thanks so much Liz. Hope you will join in this challenge too!
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Mmm, interesting! If i can find the time this month i would love to participate to gain knowledge about styling and photography. This sounds like a fun way to do it. And i like the freedom in this challenge, being able to adapt it to my own taste and linking. It’s probably hard enough anyway…
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 2nd, 2012 at 17:04
Hope you can manage to enter Klaartje! it’s always a good thing to challenge yourself and fun too!
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I love it Simone. It’s great, I think a lot of people will be delighted as now there will be no excuses to join the challenge, but on the other hand I would say it is even more difficult and challenge you on a whole different level.
And your tips, photos and pin board are great help.
I will do my best to participate. I can’t wait
Thank you Simone.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 09:51
Thanks so much Magda! And yes, it might actually be more difficult but then again I think it is now more open for people to give it their own interpretation and make it as easy or as difficult as they want it to be! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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I really like the idea, and am sorry I couldn’t take part in the Donan Hay replicated images although I wanted to but there was still something else to do… That might have been a great exercise.
However hope I can make it this time!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 10:05
Ah yes the time struggle…
I know how that feels though. I always try and cram so much into my day that it is a wonder I get anything done really. Would love it if you can participate!
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Simone, I will try to join the challenge. I like this theme.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 10:06
Thanks so much! I hope you will join!
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A great idea, Simone! Thanks for the tips, I guess i will join you when I am back home. A few more days in france and then your white challenge will help not to get so early in a seasonal depression
hugs, Sandy
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 10:48
Excellent idea Sandy! Can’t wait to see what you come up with. Hey, you could even give it a french theme to go with the white!
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I have a cookbook that every single photo is shot against a white theme. With all different kinds of white props. I tried it with a big failure. I hope I have time to try this challenge.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 17:38
Is that one about icecream or a different one? White is not exactly easy but it wouldn’t be a challenge if it was right?
Hope you do participate!
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Although I liked the challenge of getting close to a certain photo, this challenge is so much more doable for me. I wanted to participate to the other challenges but I always opted out because of time and props etc.
I already have the post written, need to take the picture….
Thanks for another great idea!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 17:39
O you’re quick Laura! Can’t wait to see the results! And yes the idea was to make it easier to enter.
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I really love the change to the challenge! Having a theme allows for a little more creativity, and is just as challenging in a different way. Hoping I’ll find the time to participate!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 17:40
Yes I think it’ll allow for a more creative approach and you can choose your own recipe or food so that makes it easier too
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 3rd, 2012 at 17:40
Yay! Glad you like the change in the challenge Katie! Hope you join!
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What a great modification to your already fantastic idea … great job
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 7th, 2012 at 10:17
Thanks so much CJ!
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Simone
I like the idea of a theme! Maybe you can get a group that will want to participate every month and even be a facebook private group. We do that with 5 Star Foodie Makeover. Who knows what will happen. White is my favorite color, but I’m not sure how I might photograph white. I would like to try this and I like the new freedom with this.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 7th, 2012 at 10:18
Just give it a go Angela..
Not sure if I should have a facebook group. Let’s first see how things go. I’ve got a facebook page for my blog so I’m thinking that should be enough.. But hey you never know!
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As much as I liked your Donna Hay Challenge, I think I like this challenge more
I am excited already. I have been trying to work on white on white and so far it didn’t come close to Good but now I am gonna give another try. LOVED your photos Simone!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 4th, 2012 at 06:29
I know you can do it Kankana….
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What a great challenge! I followed some of your Donna Hay Challenge posts but I think this one is a brilliant idea! I can not wait to see all the stunning photos at the end of the month
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 4th, 2012 at 06:29
I’m glad I changed the challenge a bit as it seems a lot of people like the new challenge!
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This would be so fun! If not this month, I’ll try to take part from the next time! But white, oh so tricky and interesting!!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 4th, 2012 at 06:27
Hope you can join! And there will always be a next month…!
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Very excited about this! I’ve already chosen my recipe and can’t wait to shoot it! Thanks for hosting such an interesting challenge
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 4th, 2012 at 06:25
You’re welcome Amy! So quick in thinking of your recipe and can’t wait to see what you make of it!
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My mind is already thinking of what I can do for my picture. Stay tuned! I will for sure share this on my FB page:-) Hugs, Terra
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 4th, 2012 at 06:19
That’s great Terra! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
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A wonderful theme… looking forward to joining!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 7th, 2012 at 16:51
Thanks so much Moya. Hope you will!
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White has always been so difficult for me. And I have long wanted to overcome my problems with shooting both all white and shooting glass. I need to work on this. I’ll try and do this! I may need advice, Simone!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 5th, 2012 at 23:22
You can ALWAYS ask me anything Jamie so just give a shout if you need help! You know where to find me!
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These are beautiful Simone.
I just read on a friends blog about your challenges here.. how fun!
I’m looking forward to reading more.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 10th, 2012 at 10:02
Thanks so much Laurie… Better yet… why not join in yourself?
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What a great lesson for me in shooting all white. I was either combatting shadows or too much exposure!
We have a group of gals called The Inspired Plate who do monthly food photo challenges too. I’m adding white on white next year to our list. Definitely good to be stretched like this.
It’s so good to get acquainted with your work Simone! Your not just a fab photographer, but an awesome chef as well! Cheers!
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 30th, 2012 at 23:48
O thanks so much Laurie! Love the sound of the Inspired plate as well..
And yes white on white is always a great challenge!
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Done my all-white post and entered it using Linky, but I can’t see it yet. If you haven’t got it, please let me know and I’ll re-enter it. Great challenge, btw.
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Simone (junglefrog) — September 30th, 2012 at 23:18
Thanks Aparna. Yep i got it! I just need to approve the entries before they are live so you should see it now! Looks awesome!
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I was about to post my entry and I erased the whole thing, including two recipes, so depressing! I don’t have the energy to write it again. So sad. Looking forward to next month!
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How in the world did I miss this one? It is very challenging but I would have loved to give it a try
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Simone (junglefrog) — October 1st, 2012 at 20:54
Not sure Grishma..
But the good news is, there will be a new challenge online in two days!
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