blakesters 52 for 2013 Week 19 "Vertical (x3)" Page 18 Post 517

[Kerioak]

Much prefer the second version, as my eye is not drawn to the patchy background and they stand out better. The best of these composition wise is the first "see no evil" as you have the whole wrist joint showing

[blakester]

Originally Posted by alsjazzera

they are both great pics not sure which background i prefer they both have there merits excellent start

Thanks Allan, I am with you on that, I like both for differing reasons.

Originally Posted by The goblin

Oooo that appeases my OCD

Now how have you lit this? I need to steal more tips (again) this year!

No worries Marsha, it was a simple fix.
Lighting-wise, I tried a clamshell set-up. The head and hands were sat on a small table, I set my one and only flash high front of the head and had a reflector low front to throw some light back. The flash and camera on manual, camera set to low iso, exp 100 and f8. I was using my 105mm lens. I had the blinkies activated on camera and adjusted flash power accordingly. I had a flash diffuser on, power ended around 1/64 or 1/32 I think.

Originally Posted by pstewy

Great take on the theme can't wait to see more.

Cheers pstewy

Originally Posted by Kerioak

Much prefer the second version, as my eye is not drawn to the patchy background and they stand out better. The best of these composition wise is the first "see no evil" as you have the whole wrist joint showing

Thanks Christine, a mixture of compositions and backgrounds from both would work better I can see. Cheers

[Solo man]

Great idea...I like it.

[blakester]

Originally Posted by Solo man

Great idea...I like it.

Cheers Lee

[blondie606]

Hi matey....

brilliant start to your project Iain ( not that I expected anything else)...you imagination always amazes me . Like botht the versions , can't nail a favorite....& I agree with andy , the facial expression does seem to change with each placement of the hands....how's that work then

Roll on week 2 & see you in...oooh , 24 days....woohoo

[blakester]

Originally Posted by blondie606

Hi matey....

brilliant start to your project Iain ( not that I expected anything else)...you imagination always amazes me . Like botht the versions , can't nail a favorite....& I agree with andy , the facial expression does seem to change with each placement of the hands....how's that work then

Roll on week 2 & see you in...oooh , 24 days....woohoo

Cheers Lynne
Sometimes ideas just hit me then other times my mind is blank.
I am happy with this week though and the props I bought for it can be used again along the way.
The facial expression no idea how they change as Freddie Mercury once sung "it's a kinda magic"

Yes I am really looking forward to the meet. Happy days!

[The goblin]

I must remember the clamshell lighting! It works a treat Next question, what are the blinkies? How many times did i comment on your thread last year?

I'm still trying to negotiate days away from home for the meet!

[blakester]

Originally Posted by The goblin

I must remember the clamshell lighting! It works a treat Next question, what are the blinkies? How many times did i comment on your thread last year?

I'm still trying to negotiate days away from home for the meet!

Hi Marsha,
The blinkies are the flashing areas which show where an image is over exposed or blown highlights. I don't know about canon cameras but on Nikon I can enable it when viewing images. Your histogram should show you the same thing.

I used that as a reference because the head was bright white and could be easily blown by the flash. Not sure if this is the best/correct way to do it but it worked for me.

I only just signed up for the meet but it would be lovely to meet up with you again. Having met most of the others going on the meet, I can say they are a lovely bunch of people and I am really looking forward to it.

Your commenting on my thread is most welcome

[The goblin]

Ah yes, I put them on that when we were at the studio, but they wink at me a lot so they're off again

I am hoping to make the meet, albeit for one day/ night, but we'll see. I always feel guilty having too much time away, a weekend away means not seeing the hubby for properly for nearly two weeks!

[blakester]

Originally Posted by The goblin

Ah yes, I put them on that when we were at the studio, but they wink at me a lot so they're off again

I am hoping to make the meet, albeit for one day/ night, but we'll see. I always feel guilty having too much time away, a weekend away means not seeing the hubby for properly for nearly two weeks!

It's always a compromise with these things Marsha isn't it?
Understandable not seeing Mr Goblin two weeks properly is going to be an issue but here's hoping you can arrange something even if it is for a day/night

[philthejuggler]

Hi Iain - love your sin shot - I think I prefer the original colour balance as opposed to the black - it just wants a little cloning of the spots! Really good idea though - makes a strong tryptych - interesting to see it as a horizontal tryptych as well.

Phil

[blakester]

Originally Posted by philthejuggler

Hi Iain - love your sin shot - I think I prefer the original colour balance as opposed to the black - it just wants a little cloning of the spots! Really good idea though - makes a strong tryptych - interesting to see it as a horizontal tryptych as well.

Phil

Thanks Phil, I am a little undecided on which one I prefer.
I haven't quite mastered cloning in pp yet, I always seem to leave traces when I do.
I never tried a horizontal triptych as I thought it would be too wide. I had intended to shoot the mannequin in portrait orientation but the "hear no evil" frame was too wide
Nice to see you again, I remember you from the 52 in 2010 we did

[michael23]

Hi Iain, a great start to the year, the 2nd version with the black bg is better. Nice lighting and composition through out.

[blakester]

Originally Posted by michael23

Hi Iain, a great start to the year, the 2nd version with the black bg is better. Nice lighting and composition through out.

Thanks Michael, I think the black bg is edging the vote

[Dacmirc]

I like how you've done this well thought out in my opinion great start!

[superpippo]

Hi Iain

Good start to the new year.

I thought that #1 set is fine with the light b/g but it looks a bit marked in places. #2 is very good and the b/g is clean and saturated. My only very minor crit is that the head on the top one is slightly larger than the other 2 and the exposure on top of the head and the hands looks very sligthly different to the other 2.

Excellent idea and well executed.

[HWest]

I like the first one, I think. I find the slightly grimy background contrasts well with the clean white of the face which in turn highlights the rich warmth of the wood. The black background, on the other hand, although neater seems somewhat more clinical.

Either way, I'd be happy with either.

[blakester]

Originally Posted by Dacmirc

I like how you've done this well thought out in my opinion great start!

Thanks Lee , I am pleased with it, mainly because it turned out as I envisaged. So often I get an idea for the 52and for varying reasons itdoesntwork out.

Originally Posted by superpippo

Hi Iain

Good start to the new year.

I thought that #1 set is fine with the light b/g but it looks a bit marked in places. #2 is very good and the b/g is clean and saturated. My only very minor crit is that the head on the top one is slightly larger than the other 2 and the exposure on top of the head and the hands looks very sligthly different to the other 2.

Excellent idea and well executed.

Thanks Alan I was happy with #1 but could see what others had said about the background.
Not sure why there is a size difference the head was placed in the same place for all three and taken with my 105mm lens so its not even a zoom issue.

Originally Posted by HWest

I like the first one, I think. I find the slightly grimy background contrasts well with the clean white of the face which in turn highlights the rich warmth of the wood. The black background, on the other hand, although neater seems somewhat more clinical.

Either way, I'd be happy with either.

Cheers Tony
I can see what you mean about both backgrounds.
Glad you like them, much appreciated.

[mich66]

torn on which I prefer.. leaning slightly towards the back background but either way a clever take on the theme and very nicely done!

[Mad Hatter]

Excellent Iain, nothing much I can add to the existing comments. A really good take on the subject.

[blakester]

Originally Posted by mich66

torn on which I prefer.. leaning slightly towards the back background but either way a clever take on the theme and very nicely done!

Thanks Michelle,
The black background seems to be the one that people prefer between the two. I myself am still undecided

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Excellent Iain, nothing much I can add to the existing comments. A really good take on the subject.

Thanks Dave,
Much appreciated. I will get round to comment on others threads when time is not at such a premium.

[The goblin]

Look what's finally found it's way onto the wall:



Excuse the poor phone shot!

[blakester]

Originally Posted by The goblin

Look what's finally found it's way onto the wall:



Excuse the poor phone shot!

Fame at last, well in the Goblin household at least

Thanks again Marsha for your kind words on the subject of the pebble feet series I am glad you like them enough to hang them on your wall.

[blakester]

Week 2 - Season
My thinking behind the image below is closed season at the seaside. This was captured on a visit to Clacton Pier today. Submitted quite early as I will have no other opportunities for photography for the rest of the week.

C&C welcome as always.


2 - Season by iain blake, on Flickr

[NickD]

Great idea, and a lovely shot. The processing really works for me.

[blakester]

Originally Posted by NickD

Great idea, and a lovely shot. The processing really works for me.

Thanks Nick, I was going for a kind of grungy look, evrything looking a bit dark out of season.

[Mad Hatter]

Fine use of colours against the wooden floor and certainly in theme. Good example.

[blakester]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Fine use of colours against the wooden floor and certainly in theme. Good example.

Cheers Dave, much appreciated

[pikestar]

For me you nailed the grungy look you were going for really live the way you processed it

[philthejuggler]

I really like this picture Iain - you've captured the desolation of the closed season and I like the processing of the colours.

Phil