View Full Version : Ed's 52 (week 4)
I'm going to have a try at doing a 52 (I haven't got the time for a 365) with a bit of a difference.
This afternoon I noticed a post on a thread that inspired me to take a picture, so I am going to try to pick something from a post each week and try to use that as my inspiration.
Number 1
The quote I used today was this one (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=1126709&postcount=6) and the relevant bit was as follows: Technically perfect shot of a match.
Slightly underexposed, softish shot of a father running from a war zone carrying his injured child (ok, slightly extreme, but work with me here!).
I know which I'd wager would be the 'better' photograph. (end quote)
Now I realise that the first of the two scenarios is not in the same league emotionally as the second, but it got me to thinking how easy or difficult would it be to take a good shot of a match.
As some my kit was already set up in the dining room after my 'zippy' shot of yesterday I got straight onto the case and took the following picture. Okay, I realise it isn't perfect, but I think it's pretty good for something thought of, taken and posted in under an hour.
Took about 6 shots to get something I was happy with.
5D MkII, EF100 macro @ f32, MR-14ex ringflash set to 8-1 ratio as master, 580EXII slaved set to 1/125 power as a backlight.
Oh, the odd spots are ash!
As always, C & Cs welcome.
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m338/EdBray/Flaredup.jpg
jaffamuffin
11-01-2009, 16:20
Mmm . It's techincally alright, but does nothing for me :D :)
I did this a while ago with an A60, but I can't find the shots anywhere at the moment. I seem to have misplaced about 4 years of photos somewhere.
When I read that quote I thought of match as in 'football match'. I like the interpretation.
rossco1111
11-01-2009, 16:48
like it.
works for me - simple but effective :thumbs:
Graulges
11-01-2009, 18:56
Love the smoke!
jeangenie
11-01-2009, 21:40
I like it, too. :)
Good luck with your self-imposed source of material for the 52 - it's a fascinating idea - and this one has already shown up 2 different interpretations of 'match'.
Jean
That's a really good image, simple yet well executed and I bet quite tough too. Good result, good luck on the 52
i like the smoke too
how did you light the match?
SimonTALM
11-01-2009, 22:52
I like the idea and I like the photo, perfect timing. I think the idea works very well with the smoke
i like the smoke too
how did you light the match?
They were very long barbacue lighting matches. I used the first lit match to get the exposure of the flame.
Then used 3 other matches to try for the shot, 2 shots each match. Think this one was number 5 of the ones taken.
i lit the first match again from the gas cooker and then touched it to the head of the match to be photographed. As it flared i took it away and took two quick shots. Blew out both matches and set the next one up.
I set the matches up in a Bowens Twinclip (Brilliant piece of kit) clipped to a tripod, and stuck a sheet of black mounting card on a chair about 3ft behind the match. Shot straight on from about 12" with the camera on a tripod.
really works for me
great idea for a 52 as well :)
good start i tried doing a smoke picture ages ago but it didnt quite work
Thanks for all the kind comments. :thumbs:
The Matt
14-01-2009, 11:03
I really like this. I'm impressed as it must be so hard to get the exposure, the focus, positioning and the timing all spot on. Nice one.
Dark Star
14-01-2009, 11:19
Damn I thought I'd commented on this one Ed!
Its nicely done and you caught the flaring moment perfectly :) Very nice :clap:
I really like this :thumbs: and with a square crop of the smoke you'd have a great abstract too. 2 for the price of one :lol: I look forward to seeing the next one :clap:
Thanks to all for the comments, I have never been into still life much but am now really enjoying the challanges of playing with light again (previously only did it for commissions and it was a lot more difficult with film).
Digital has the benefit of being both a preview and a final image. It's amazing how much you miss and the larger screen on my 5D2 makes previewing the shot and setting the scene up easy. This image would have been a lot harder to get as good a result so quickly with film as I was able to take a number of shots to gauge the exposure, the lighting and the composition prior to taking the actual shots. I am thinking of using my old laptop to be able to shoot tethered to take this a step further.
I also now have some ideas for making a cheap, versatile knock together photo/light table which I will make in a few weeks when the weather warms up a bit and will photograph the steps in case anyone else fancies doing the same.
Finding some inspiration from the threads has been a little harder this week as there has not been a lot of discourse, mainly threads and posts of images.
jeangenie
16-01-2009, 07:31
Finding some inspiration from the threads has been a little harder this week as there has not been a lot of discourse, mainly threads and posts of images.
I wonder if this is because other people are doing what I'm doing - keeping away because I don't want to feel I've 'stolen' somebody's idea? I'm trying not to look at anybody else's until I've posted mine. I'm really struggling because my PS skills aren't up getting the finished shot I can see in my head.:bang: Still, that's what challenges are all about, I guess :shrug:
Good luck with yours - you've set yourself a really high standard with week 1.:)
Norseman
17-01-2009, 19:28
Excellent!
The smoke is so like the shape of a torso ...
Week 2
Nothing jumped out at me from the threads this week, so I used my fall back position of using the 52 theme of the week 'HISTORY', as I was rapidly running out of time I had to mock something quick up this evening, thanks Kirsty :thumbs:
Oh! and just for the record, the picture on the wall is also one of mine (taken on the Hasselblad and also processed and printed by myself)!
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m338/EdBray/History.jpg
I realise it's not the most inspiring shot i've taken lately, but a comment or two would be nice!
Missed the updated thread. Sorry Ed. I like it, lovely shot of some personal history. I think that having Kirsty with her head looking slight to the right as it is has worked really well, as it balances the picture in the frame. :thumbs:
Duckydoodle
19-01-2009, 10:43
Like the idea Ed. I toyed with the idea of taking a shot of my boys and their dad for my history theme but changed my mind. Children are so precious and our memories are so valuable. Lovely piece of history Ed :thumbs:
Nice shot for History. You need to frame the above photograph, then in 10 years take a photograph of her standing by THAT photo ;)
..Just me? :D
Dark Star
19-01-2009, 12:30
Missed this Ed :) (I try to comment on all the 52s :))
And another personal shot which is very nice too - and yet another different take :)
Good stuff - plenty of ideas being generated by this project :)
rossco1111
19-01-2009, 12:37
nice shot.
I would have preferred it if kirty was looking at the photo with a nostalgic look in her eye, or perhaps a wry smile :)
jeangenie
19-01-2009, 21:52
It's a lovely idea Ed, and you've caught a pensive, relaxed expression on Kirsty's face, contrasting with the look of concentration in the earlier one. It works for me as it is, and I think it would also work with a shallower dof, so that the 'past' was a little softened.
btw - I did get a quick look at this earlier but didn't have time to comment. Definitely wasn't ignoring you. :):)
Look forward to next week's image.
Jean
I love the match, I would never be able to do that!!! Not going to even attempt it :lol:
Another good tak eon the history theme - it's a good idea of jamlid's though :lol:
Thanks for the comments to my previous efforts.
I decided to use the theme I chose for the 'days ahead' challange for two reasons, 1) as I have not had a lot of time this week due to my visit to EuroDisney (I'm completely knackered, don't let anyone tell you a trip there is relaxing!) and 2) I'm not allowed to enter this week so I'll post mine here.
I was going to use this shot as I liked the contrast of textures between the lock, the stucco wall and the peeling paint of the door.
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m338/EdBray/Texture1-1.jpg
But have decided to use the shot I took just of the peeling paint on the door (I must get around to painting it sometime, been here fifteen years and it was bad when we arrived!)
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m338/EdBray/Texture2-1.jpg
SimonTALM
29-01-2009, 11:38
History - great idea, I'm not sure the "caught in the headlights" look is what you wanted to capture. I'm not sure the composition is as good as it could be and I'm sure that if you worked on this idea you could make a really stunning image and as jamlid says it's one you can build on for the future as well.
Week 04 - 2 brilliant close ups capturing the subject brilliantly with great processing love them both (but prefer the 2nd)
jeangenie
31-01-2009, 10:18
That flaking paint is just crying out for a paint scraper. How on earth can you resist???? :lol:
Excellent shots - especially #2. :clap:
Jean
Sorry Ed, just catching up now :(
I like your take on History and just have a couple of comments: the angle you shot at makes the wall picture look skewed to me and that is drawing my eyes away from Kirsty, and if she was slightly more sideways on?
But your next 2 pictures definitely float my boat. I love them, the detail, the textures, old vs new, fantastic :clap::clap::clap:
Thanks for the comments so far :thumbs: Not too many for the last image though which was a bit disappointing :'(
Too busy last week to take a specific image, do not want to fall too far behind so I have posted the last picture of our dog Tess taken a couple of days before she left us 3 weeks ago. i took pictures of her every couple of days as I suspected she was coming to the end of her life.
She was 15.5 years old which is a really good age for a Border Collie and was looking a little the worse for wear, mind if I get to 105 I'll be chuffed if I can still move.
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m338/EdBray/tessold.jpg
Dark Star
08-02-2009, 19:06
Ooops catch up time Ed - sorry I missed the flakey paint - and I like that kind of close up detail - especially in the 2nd shot! Very nice indeed :clap:
Your picture of Tess is very poignant and the eye contact is great and also quite sad knowing now it was the last photo of her :(
I'll try to keep up with all the 52ers more diligently :)
Keep 'em coming :D
Spartacus
08-02-2009, 19:21
Sorry to hear that you had to have the dog put down...I know that feeling and it's hard to let go a loved family member which she surely was...
I hate to criticise a shot that means a lot to you, but I'm sure your not just posting the shot for sympathy. I don't see a clear focus point, eye's nose, and it's such a tight crop the tip of the ear is missing.
Sorry if apologies if offened by my remarks.
Offended, why should I be? and no I am not looking for sympathy she has been gone a couple of weeks now and although the house seems strangely empty at times when I come home from work I have pretty much got used to it, although I do still step over where she used to sleep at the top of the stairs.
I do have some better shots, but that was genuinly the last one taken of her which I felt was more fitting.
Hopefully I will get my next one done in time to catch up fully and get back on track.
I always appreciate comments, good and bad, I would prefer to get a lot of bad comments than just be ignored or have people frightened to say something in case it upsets me. Keep them coming :thumbs:
Spartacus
08-02-2009, 19:43
Thank's Ed for not being offended...
I feel even worst now after seeing the lovely comment you made about my Opposites...
Cheers much appreciated from you.:thumbs:
What a sad shot at the end of what was undoubtedly a long and happy life. I agree that a focal point is needed but you've caught a lot of emotion in the eyes. :thumbs:
She looks sad, yet at the same time pleased (ears up)... a very poignant shot Ed, and a shame it was the last one of her. It's a shame the ear tip is missing, but apart from that I like it.
I missed the peely paint, a couple of good shots, the second one is my personal fave of the two.
Duckydoodle
10-02-2009, 18:44
Oooh I love the textures image. I want to peel that flaky paint. Great shot Ed :clap:
What a poignant and heart warming image of your dog. She looks so worn out made me feel quite emotional. Great shot Ed :clap:
Thanks all for the comments folks :thumbs:
Oooh I love the textures image. I want to peel that flaky paint. Great shot Ed :clap:
feel free to pop down, I am sure I can find a scraper somewhere :lol:
Sorry Ed I seemed to have missed this some how.
What a lovely shot of a gorgeous looking dog. Our whole family is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of our first dog six years ago, and I wish we had taken more photos of him!
Anyway it is nice and clear and focus is on the eyes (:lol: only learnt that this week) I think too you have caught her gentle nature.
well done :clap:
Ed, just catching up tbh am losing track of all the 52s
Your history shot, desn't do much for me tbh, i like the idea but find the composition a bit disjointed, as suggested maybe if she was looking at the pic.
i think the door shot is amazing stunning detail you have there :)
Sorry to hear about your dog, it is a sad time. The picture you have caught of her has a lovely expression imo.
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