About Eric Minbiole

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been absolutely fascinated with anything technical– electronics, computers, cameras, gadgets, etc. Growing up, I loved taking things apart to see what was inside. While I couldn’t always put things back together, I loved trying to figure out how things work. Because of my love for all things technical, I pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering, and currently work as a Software Engineer. I’ve been fascinated with photography ever since borrowing my parents 110 film camera when I was young. It’s been a great hobby ever since: I love experimenting with photos, and trying new things. I especially love technical and/or trick photography. (“Gimmicks!”, as my wife jokingly calls them 😉 ) While I’m comfortable with the technical side of how to shoot, I struggle more with the artistic side of what to shoot in the first place. This is one reason I quite enjoy this group: There are fun, interesting ideas each week. I joined PhotoChallenge as a participant in 2014, and am amazed at how much this group has helped me learn. Each week, I look forward to the fun, creative challenges that Steve, Trevor, Gary, and Jeremy put together. Most importantly, the weekly challenges give me the motivation to get out there and take photos each week. (Otherwise, I suspect my camera might be gathering dust on the shelf.) As well, interacting with the fantastic members of the group– discussing suggestions, techniques, what works, what doesn’t– has been an invaluable help. I am absolutely thrilled to join the PhotoChallenge team– I’ve learned so much from the group, and hope that I can give back a little bit. If you’d like to see some of my photos, please check out my flickr page.

2020 WEEK 20: Make Me Smile!

This week’s challenge is to photograph something happy, positive, or uplifting. Your goal is to make the viewer smile when they see your photo. Your subject can be most anything READ MORE →

2020 WEEK 16: Macro: Everyday Household Item

This week’s challenge is to take a macro photo of an Everyday Household Item. Anything that you’d commonly find in or around the home is fair game this week. Look READ MORE →

2020 WEEK 12: Tools and Work

This week’s challenge is to photograph tools, or anyone working with tools. The tool(s) themselves can be most anything you like: For example, tools used for woodworking, gardening, metalwork, cleaning, READ MORE →

2020 WEEK 9: Magic and Mystery

This week’s challenge is to take a photo that conveys a sense of Magic, Mystery, or Wonder. This is a great week to show off your creativity. You can take READ MORE →

2020 WEEK 5: Fill the Frame

This week’s challenge is to fill the frame with your subject. In particular, you want to get close enough to your subject such that it takes up the entire image READ MORE →

2020 WEEK 2: High Contrast Black and White

This week’s challenge is to take a high contrast black and white photo. In particular, the light areas should be rather bright, and the dark areas should be rather dark. READ MORE →

2019 WEEK 50: Fun and Games

Since we had a (great) technical challenge last week, we’ll move to something a bit more open ended (and perhaps a bit silly) this week: Fun and Games. You are READ MORE →

2019 WEEK 48: Electricity

This week’s challenge theme is Electricity. You can choose a more literal interpretation of the challenge (lights, batteries, appliances, gadgets, plugs, wires, etc), or a more figurative interpretation. The electricity READ MORE →

2019 WEEK 45: Camouflage

This week’s challenge is to show anything that appears camouflaged. Anything that blends in or tries to blend in with its surroundings would make for a good subject. This can READ MORE →

2019 WEEK 43: Balance

This week’s challenge is to take a photograph that conveys the idea of Balance. The choice of subject is completely up to you: You can use a more literal interpretation, READ MORE →