The Apple Challenge

Have you got around to joining Clubhouse? If so are you an addict? Maybe if you are already a member of the fastest growing social media you will have heard of something called The Apple Challenge? It was a photographic competition set up by us, .Cent Magazine and Hong Kong-based photographer Michael Lee. After all, a great image should now just engage the viewer but make them feel they are looking at a 3D image, not something two dimensional. Below he describes what it is for those uninitiated.

The “Apple Challenge” is an exercise to train creatives how to find their visual voice / DNA stylistic vision whatever you choose to call it, within photography, writing, design, etc. This title bears little significance as it often changes to accommodate the relevance of the subject matter, but its principal purpose remains constant. That is, to force creatives to think, explore, experiment, and play at a higher level than they ever thought possible. To break away images already present in our minds; to break from repetitive views of work we see on a daily basis and to bring an original vision to the fore. Easier said than done!

In this competition (the apple challenge) photographers were tasked to create hundreds of photographs of a simple object in a single session without breaks (washrooms and sustenance exempted); in this case an apple (hence the “Apple Challenge”).

They were limited to using 1 camera, 1 prime lens (no zooms), 1 light source, 1 nondescript background, no props, and no internet access, no post-production and no gimmicks. Plain and simple a light, a camera and action, all in one sitting.

At the beginning of this kind of exercise, any participant will always be inclined to draw inspiration, either partially or entirely, from their memory of images they admire and remember. These images will naturally influence how they shoot the apple, but said influence will gradually decline as they continue shooting until all memory is consumed and there are no more ideas …..

…. Or so it may seem. David Goggins, an ex-navy seal, popularised the 40% Rule, a concept which explains when one’s mind/body feels completely exhausted, it has only reached 40% of its full potential. He has helped athletes push beyond their personal limits to achieve results beyond their expectations.

This concept also applies to the Apple Challenge as photographers run out of ideas and appear to have reached their creative limit, often after 30 or 40 frames. By forcefully continuing to shoot, within the prescribed restrictions, they will slowly push past their limits. And by doing this develop new, original ideas that are uniquely their own without any external influence either past or present.

So with the above in mind via Clubhouse .Cent and Michael set up the challenge. Together two winners were chosen. Both who came with unusual dynamic images of apples that both judges felt were fresh, kept the DNA and visual voice of the creative but took their work further. There were Juliet Lofaro (left) and Jordan Grobe below. Massive congratulations to both winners.

Jordan Grobe

However as so many took part it was felt all should have the opportunity to be published in .Cent so below are all the other images from those that entered.

Image on Left Alison Grace Image on right Julie Fowells

Image on left Bartek Banaszak Image on right Eric Redcloud.

Image on left Maha Ahmed Image on right Lamb Taylor

Image Mike Pasarella on left Image on right Levi Cheff.

If you enjoyed reading the Apple Challenge then why not read Perception Art Here. Michael Lee is a car Photographer based in Hong King see his work Here