Blondie606's Photo52 2011-Wk 52 Glass & Nature,Challenge Complete

[weirdfish]

No2 is fantastic. Great focus, composition & DOF, with detail captured in the log as well as the bird. A really great photo. Although the get up & go may be lacking, it'll be back soon, especially if you can take shots like this one.

 

[blondie606]

Many thanks for the replies guy's much appreciated

Dawn....thanks for filling in the blanks on the names....never knew what the flower was & always forget the bird name . Had a great time in SA last year , only a 5 day trip based at Elandela Lodge which was fantastic,highly recommend it.
& thanks also for your encouragement ,think I overdosed on togging at Mallory for 2 1/2 days then got bogged down sorting the piccies from it along with the police puppy shots & various others. Cleared the decks now so hopefully will get back into the swing with the coming weeks theme I've just upgraded my flickr account so will add some more shots from KNP & the reserve I was on over the coming few days .
If it's a VW camper van I work for VW so if you need any help getting stuff just shout

Can't wait for Kenya ,takes me a year to save up so really hope I can get some good shots using what I've learnt from here & you & all the others on this forum & thread

Thanks for the praise & I daresay I will be bending your ear at some point , been looking at your flickr stuff & really impressed with the close ups of the fly & the fungi.....maybe next season I'll ask to join you when you go shooting them again (the fungi that is , not the fly )

Cheers
Lynne x

 

[LauraJ23]

Hi Lynne, 2 cracking photos for tropical. Well done

 

[posiview]

Hi, Lynne, you Hornbill is great - nice colors, nice depth/bokeh and I like textures in the wood.

Cheers and enjoy Kenya!

 

[drodd]

Dawn....thanks for filling in the blanks on the names....never knew what the flower was & always forget the bird name . Had a great time in SA last year , only a 5 day trip based at Elandela Lodge which was fantastic,highly recommend it.
& thanks also for your encouragement ,think I overdosed on togging at Mallory for 2 1/2 days then got bogged down sorting the piccies from it along with the police puppy shots & various others. Cleared the decks now so hopefully will get back into the swing with the coming weeks theme I've just upgraded my flickr account so will add some more shots from KNP & the reserve I was on over the coming few days .
If it's a VW camper van I work for VW so if you need any help getting stuff just shout

Can't wait for Kenya ,takes me a year to save up so really hope I can get some good shots using what I've learnt from here & you & all the others on this forum & thread

Thanks for the praise & I daresay I will be bending your ear at some point , been looking at your flickr stuff & really impressed with the close ups of the fly & the fungi.....maybe next season I'll ask to join you when you go shooting them again (the fungi that is , not the fly )

Cheers
Lynne x

Hiya Lynne,

You are welcome .... that flower name was bugging me and then Eureka! it came to me .... what a relief

I know what you mean about overdosing on togging ... all the sorting through photos after can be very draining. I still have many photos to go through, but all in good time. Glad you are back on track now I look forward to seeing your KNP shots.

Thanks .... but the camper van is a Ford Transit conversion .... and fortunately it is now fixed and ready to go on our next trip I have two big holidays planned for this year ....i.e., 2 weeks touring the west coast islands of Scotland ... and then a 2 week tour of the Cornwall area (seeing as I have already been to John O'Groats, I now have to see Land's End ).

I bet you can't wait for Kenya and well done to you for saving up for the jollies. Just don't forget the camera ... as I am already looking forward to seeing the photos With everything you have learned and the progress you have made with this project you are going to get some great shots.

You are welcome to contact me any time and thanks for the comments on the photos on Flickr.

Indeed we will have to meet up some time for a fungi hunt (but indeed no shooting the flies ).

Take care

Cheers

Dawn x

 

[ecniv]

I like the idea on the first paradox. You could use a mask to wipe out the background on both replacing with white...

The second paradox is really well thought out. Congrats!

The two tropical pics are great too!

 

[debrito]

as every one has said no one is going to beat them love the composition on the bird

 

[Marts]

I really like your second pic for Tropical. Looks a friendly chap and certainly matches the theme. Well shot.

I had thoughts about going to tropical world myself for this theme- the kids didn't want to though cos it is only a few weeks since we went

 

[blondie606]

I like the idea on the first paradox. You could use a mask to wipe out the background on both replacing with white...

The second paradox is really well thought out. Congrats!

The two tropical pics are great too!

Hi ya , thanks for commenting & glad you like them .I have no idea about masks.....:shrug:

as every one has said no one is going to beat them love the composition on the bird

Cheers , appreciate you popping in

Hiya Lynne,

You are welcome .... that flower name was bugging me and then Eureka! it came to me .... what a relief

I know what you mean about overdosing on togging ... all the sorting through photos after can be very draining. I still have many photos to go through, but all in good time. Glad you are back on track now I look forward to seeing your KNP shots.

Thanks .... but the camper van is a Ford Transit conversion .... and fortunately it is now fixed and ready to go on our next trip I have two big holidays planned for this year ....i.e., 2 weeks touring the west coast islands of Scotland ... and then a 2 week tour of the Cornwall area (seeing as I have already been to John O'Groats, I now have to see Land's End ).

I bet you can't wait for Kenya and well done to you for saving up for the jollies. Just don't forget the camera ... as I am already looking forward to seeing the photos With everything you have learned and the progress you have made with this project you are going to get some great shots.

You are welcome to contact me any time and thanks for the comments on the photos on Flickr.

Indeed we will have to meet up some time for a fungi hunt (but indeed no shooting the flies ).

Take care

Cheers

Dawn x

Thanks again Dawn , yours & all support is much appreciated Good to hear your camper is sorted ready for you to enjoy your breaks ...Cornwall is great , can't wait to see the shots you come back with

I really like your second pic for Tropical. Looks a friendly chap and certainly matches the theme. Well shot.

I had thoughts about going to tropical world myself for this theme- the kids didn't want to though cos it is only a few weeks since we went

Thanks Martin...to be honest I found Tropical wordl a bit of a let down this time , very few flutterbys I fouy get a chance try a visit to Tropical Butterfly House at Anston...great for butterflys & a kiddies type animal area..great fun

 

[blondie606]

Power....nearly fell off me chair when I saw this weeks theme ...likey like likey

This weekend & the next 4 are gonna be taken up a)getting the new bike run in ready for a jaunt to the North West 200 & b) togging at the Anglesey Endurance race so little time for togging for this project.
For me ,POWER has only one meaning......MOTORBIKES

1st shot for Power is a favorite of mine from 2007 TT & to me shows the power of the Mountain against man & his powerful machine ....

Taken on my 1st Fuji bridge type camera when I had even less idea about photography than I do now , but it's one of 2 shots that got me hooked Shot in jPeg & has been opened more times than I care to remember so large loss of quality (wasn't much to begin with!)


This shot was from Mallory 16th April 2011 & is possibly my fave

I was going to apologise for posting 2 shots but I'm not going to as ,believe me , I could have posted about 3 hundred

 

[Sterling Archer]

I love those shots, especially the close up. I looked through your Flickr account a while back and there's some awesome bike shots on there!

 

[David Gethin]

This shot was from Mallory 16th April 2011 & is possibly my fave...

Lynne

I grew up in Hinckley which is home to Triumph and near to Mallory Park. That said I have only ever been on a bike once, riding pillion on a very fast Yamaha. The most exhilarating hour of my life and one where I was thankful to get back in one piece.

I have massive respect for road racers, the margin for error is almost negligible. Although tehcnically the second is the better shot, the first is much more evocative. A re-shoot of this shot with your improved technique and equipment would really reward you.

The subject lends itself perfectly to this week's theme.

David

 

[TinaC]

Lynne

I grew up in Hinckley which is home to Triumph and near to Mallory Park. That said I have only ever been on a bike once, riding pillion on a very fast Yamaha. The most exhilarating hour of my life and one where I was thankful to get back in one piece.

I have massive respect for road racers, the margin for error is almost negligible. Although tehcnically the second is the better shot, the first is much more evocative. A re-shoot of this shot with your improved technique and equipment would really reward you.

The subject lends itself perfectly to this week's theme.

David

I can only echo David's critique Enjoy yourself

 

[Marts]

No2 of your Power images is brill. Worthy of being in MCN in my humble opinion. I took at look at the exif data just out of pure curiosity cos you seem to have got everything spot on and I am keen to learn.
I understand why you posted the first shot too, if for you ,this togging of Power started there. Thanks for sharing that memory with us

Ta for the heads up about the Butterfly Centre at Anston ,have looked at the website and it looks far better than Tropical World. An outing is on the cards

 

[drodd]

Hiya Lynne,

Well done on getting your Power shots posted so quick. Both very fitting for the theme.

Really like the second image, well done

Cheers

Dawn

 

[blondie606]

I love those shots, especially the close up. I looked through your Flickr account a while back and there's some awesome bike shots on there!

Thanks for the compliments Mark ,I do like my motorbike racing

Lynne

I grew up in Hinckley which is home to Triumph and near to Mallory Park. That said I have only ever been on a bike once, riding pillion on a very fast Yamaha. The most exhilarating hour of my life and one where I was thankful to get back in one piece.

I have massive respect for road racers, the margin for error is almost negligible. Although tehcnically the second is the better shot, the first is much more evocative. A re-shoot of this shot with your improved technique and equipment would really reward you.

The subject lends itself perfectly to this week's theme.

David

Hi David, Real Road racing rules , the guys n gals who do it are gods to me , they seem to lack the area of fear in their brains that us mere mortals have in bucketloads !
A reshoot of the 1st picture is on the cards but will have to wait till next year as no TT for me in 2011

I can only echo David's critique Enjoy yourself

Cheers Tina

No2 of your Power images is brill. Worthy of being in MCN in my humble opinion. I took at look at the exif data just out of pure curiosity cos you seem to have got everything spot on and I am keen to learn.
I understand why you posted the first shot too, if for you ,this togging of Power started there. Thanks for sharing that memory with us

Ta for the heads up about the Butterfly Centre at Anston ,have looked at the website and it looks far better than Tropical World. An outing is on the cards

Many thanks Martin ,sometimes I manage to surprise myself & get a shot that is street ahead of the rest I've taken & this is one of those .Good to know that others like it too , makes me feel really good

I need to get back to the Butterfly centre , gonna have to wait till June though me thinks .You should enjoy it , normally a few others togs there , all with a friendly smile & advice if needed ( I'm sure some of them practically live there ! )

Hiya Lynne,

Well done on getting your Power shots posted so quick. Both very fitting for the theme.

Really like the second image, well done

Cheers

Dawn

Thanks Dawn Think I'm almost over my overload , bikes run in now so this weekend I should be able to get my behind into gear & come up with a new shot for whatever wonderful theme Sarah decides to throw/torture us with

 

[posiview]

Sheesh, I can't begin to imagine how it feels to ride a motor bike that fast...

#2 is a nice crisp, composed photograph.

Cheers.

 

[LauraJ23]

Hiya Lynne, really like your 2nd photo, I like the composition, never done motor sport but it sure seems like fun.

 

[SamuelSlade007]

post away lynne... that second shot was excellant!!

love the angle you caught the rider at.. right place at the right time?

 

[captures.in.time]

Hi Lynne

Sorry i've not been around commenting for a while!

I have to say im not blown away by your first power shot but the second is FAB!!!! A really perfect capture... pin sharp focus. I've never tried taking anything such high speed as car or bike racing... I'd like to give it a go... and yours is the sort of shot i'd try to emulate!

Well done... and sorry to here you have been uninspired the last few weeks. I've been a bit like that too... I think the last few themes before power were/ are hard!!!! For me it's been more a lack of time than anything... It always happens in the summer

Promise will try and keep up with your thread.

Mark

 

[Barrysprout]

I think the first power shot (although a good shot) doesn't portray power as well as the second because the bike is small in the frame.
Second shot is really nice. Well captured

 

[blondie606]

Thanks for all the comments guys n gals , been a great source of comfort whilst I've been feeling poorly Combining bike racing with photography is my idea of heaven , every now n then I'm in the right place at the right with the camera focused & grab a great shot !

DIVIDED....think I'm finally feeling a bit better , soon as I saw the theme I had an idea . I was heading to Leeds area to play at being a model for a tog friend & knew the place would suit my idea .

The world & many people within it are Divided by Religion so I give you a really pretty little Church....


Divided 1 by llj666, on Flickr

I'm sure someone will point out that the sky is bland/blown but it's how the sky was colorwise & I didn't want to pp it .The path does slope downwards slightly so used the bench as the guide for getting it straight .

Must be feeling a touch morbid today becuase my 2nd thought was that death can leave a family divided....until they are re-united......


Divided 2 by llj666, on Flickr


Quite hard to get this one straight as the headstone was collapsing n leaning so did the best I could in PSE whilst trying to crop out the other stones on each side

 

[drodd]

Hiya Lynne,

Wow! Spot on there babes ..... you have hit the theme well and I am well impressed.

I am glad to see you have already pointed out the bits & bobs about the challenges you faces regards the levels etc. Shows you are learning and have a keen eye when it comes to composing your photos (which is always a challenge when the horizonals and verticals don't play ball).

Just something I have discovered with horizontals/verticals not aligning is .... if they are off .... don't frame them (think it has something to do with optical illusion). If you put a straight border/frame around an off alignment photo it emphasizes it even more as the eye has something to level it to (if that makes sense)

Also, another thing to bear in mind is look at what is the dominant, is it the horizontal or the vertical? And can something be 'chopped' to bring it into alignment, as in the headstone shot. The headstone is more dominant than the base, so you could have perhaps got away with straightening the headstone at the detriment of the base being a bit skew.

I think I would like to see the church a bit more sharp to bring out some of the lovely stone detail.

But otherwise I think you have done a great job here

Cheers

Dawn

 

[LauraJ23]

Hi Lynne, good thinking there on the religion part. That is a lovely church and I like your photograph of it as well. Exposure looks fine as does the composition, I don't think the sky affects the image. Your gravestone image certainly fits well.

 

[Marts]

Hi Lynne,
Sorry to hear you've not been well. nothing serious I hope.
Thats a nice little Church and nicely composed in the frame. Good that you added about the sky colour (or lack of) and the sloping path. I have had crit myself for things where you think, "if thats how it was, thats how it was".
I understand too about the gravestone too as I recently did some some shots of some very old sinking graves.
Both well shot and well compensated . great ideas for the theme. Quick off the mark too

 

[blondie606]

Hiya Lynne,

Wow! Spot on there babes ..... you have hit the theme well and I am well impressed.

I am glad to see you have already pointed out the bits & bobs about the challenges you faces regards the levels etc. Shows you are learning and have a keen eye when it comes to composing your photos (which is always a challenge when the horizonals and verticals don't play ball).

Just something I have discovered with horizontals/verticals not aligning is .... if they are off .... don't frame them (think it has something to do with optical illusion). If you put a straight border/frame around an off alignment photo it emphasizes it even more as the eye has something to level it to (if that makes sense)

Also, another thing to bear in mind is look at what is the dominant, is it the horizontal or the vertical? And can something be 'chopped' to bring it into alignment, as in the headstone shot. The headstone is more dominant than the base, so you could have perhaps got away with straightening the headstone at the detriment of the base being a bit skew.

I think I would like to see the church a bit more sharp to bring out some of the lovely stone detail.

But otherwise I think you have done a great job here

Cheers

Dawn

Cheers Dawn .....simple it may be but I still don't get this horizontal/vertical thing Can see what you mean about the frame though...def didn;'t look that wonky without one !
Tried a 2nd blast of sharpening but felt it looked a bit OTT ... oh well , live n learn & try again next week . Unless I get fidgety & re-post it

Hi Lynne, good thinking there on the religion part. That is a lovely church and I like your photograph of it as well. Exposure looks fine as does the composition, I don't think the sky affects the image. Your gravestone image certainly fits well.

Thanks Michael , been trying to take on board the exposure stuff & am def thinking more about this compostion lark....gives me headache though

 

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne,
Sorry to hear you've not been well. nothing serious I hope.
Thats a nice little Church and nicely composed in the frame. Good that you added about the sky colour (or lack of) and the sloping path. I have had crit myself for things where you think, "if thats how it was, thats how it was".
I understand too about the gravestone too as I recently did some some shots of some very old sinking graves.
Both well shot and well compensated . great ideas for the theme. Quick off the mark too

Thanks Martin , been hunting for place like that for weeks !

Think there's some sort of virus/bug going round down here , just been soooo tired n lacking any get up n go for about a week but think I'm almost over it....either that or it's old age catching up with me

 

[PatrickO]

Hi Lynne, that's a really appealing image. You've wonderfully caught the atmosphere of a pretty little country church. That sort of overcast light can be difficult to get a good shot, so you did well there. The exposure, composition, framing all spot on. I wouldn't worry too much about the sky - sometimes there's dramatic sky and sometimes there isn't - that's real life.

Great shot Cheers, Patrick

 

[debrito]

Yes i agree with martin and yourself about the sky "that's how it was" well shot

 

[TinaC]

Hi Lynne

I totally agree with your subject choice for divided (another to strike off my list )

The sky in the church shot isn't as bad as that in your tombstone. I agree about the straightening and so will leave that. Your shots seem sharp and well exposed to me

 

[Webby962]

Don't forget, photo rules can be broken. With tomb stones, having them well off the vertical works well too. But if you do that, make sure it looks like you meant to do that

great take on a theme. Very brave to highlight religion as a great divider.

Rgds


Adie

 

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne, that's a really appealing image. You've wonderfully caught the atmosphere of a pretty little country church. That sort of overcast light can be difficult to get a good shot, so you did well there. The exposure, composition, framing all spot on. I wouldn't worry too much about the sky - sometimes there's dramatic sky and sometimes there isn't - that's real life.

Great shot Cheers, Patrick

Thanks Patrick , good to know that all my practice is sort of begining to pay off...though composition still gives me a headache

Yes i agree with martin and yourself about the sky "that's how it was" well shot

Thanks Paul , my tog friend mentioned that I could "do something with the sky " in pp...he really didn't get that I wanted to leave it as it was what I saw....added to which I'm hopeless with PP

Hi Lynne

I totally agree with your subject choice for divided (another to strike off my list )

The sky in the church shot isn't as bad as that in your tombstone. I agree about the straightening and so will leave that. Your shots seem sharp and well exposed to me

Cheers Tina , didn't actually notice the sky in the tombstone shot but now you mentionit...must try harder next time :bonk:

Don't forget, photo rules can be broken. With tomb stones, having them well off the vertical works well too. But if you do that, make sure it looks like you meant to do that

great take on a theme. Very brave to highlight religion as a great divider.

Rgds


Adie

Thanks Adie...will try to remember that for next time....not sure if brave or dumb but it is very true

 

[posiview]

Hi, Lynne, I guess we'd all like perfect exposure thought out but sometimes it isn't possible, for whatever reason. As an aside, there looks to be a lot of detail in the sky, should you have the time of inclination to PP in future.

Not an easy one to do with the path sloping.

Well framed as well. Did you get any looking up the path with the chair in the foreground?

#2, I'm drawn to this. Nice colours/contrast in the tomestone; and bluebells in the forground. I've photographed a few grave stones and they are hard to get right, in regards to the balance. Sometimes it's good to excentuate the lopsidness of them as opposed to trying to get them level.

Cheers.

 

[Mentalblock]

Hi Lynne,

I'm playing catchup on commenting now I've got my own 52 up to date.

It's all been said really, but here we go.......

Your 1st Paradox doesn't do much for me, but WOW, the reshoot is bang on and a great idea. I think Paradox knocked a lot of wind out of a lot of 52ers sails, it certainly did for me. But you should be well pleased with the reshoot and I hope it's given you a boost to battle through.

Tropical - a great shot of the bird. I didn't read everyones comments so missed it's name!

Power - After recently tracking you down in flickr and looking at some of your sets, I got the impression you may like your bikes. I understand your thought behind the first power and I can see why you like it, but unlike the second, it's not saying power to me. The second one is a good sharp capture.

Divided - There is certainly no bigger divide than life and death, so it really suits the theme. It's a shame the sky lacks interest, but hey, we live in the UK so we just got to get used to that!

Lets hope tomorrows theme isn't another Paradox, or I fear a dubble dip depression!

 

[whitedeer]

Hi Lynne!

catching up on mine and others this evening

divided - great lateral thinking, nice composition, really is a pretty church, i agree shame about the sky, but it doesnt detract from a great pic, but it IS so pretty that were near me, think a nice sky would have me rushing back for same pic, more than once praps :0)

love love the bird pic for tropical, what a cracker he is (and the pic too!)

a bike shot for power is a great call, and nicely done too

second shot on paradox for me, truly must have been a messy one that!

 

[blondie606]

Hi, Lynne, I guess we'd all like perfect exposure thought out but sometimes it isn't possible, for whatever reason. As an aside, there looks to be a lot of detail in the sky, should you have the time of inclination to PP in future.

Not an easy one to do with the path sloping.

Well framed as well. Did you get any looking up the path with the chair in the foreground?

#2, I'm drawn to this. Nice colours/contrast in the tomestone; and bluebells in the forground. I've photographed a few grave stones and they are hard to get right, in regards to the balance. Sometimes it's good to excentuate the lopsidness of them as opposed to trying to get them level.

Cheers.

Thanks Andy , still trying to get to grips with correct exposure...I will get there one day ! Not sure what you mean about the "chair in the foeground " ? It's cemented into position so short of a large shovel & big hammer no chance of moving it I'd like to know what you mean if you can explain it (slowly) to me as I'm intending to go back & do some more at some point , hopefully when the sky is looking more summery !

Hi Lynne,

I'm playing catchup on commenting now I've got my own 52 up to date.

It's all been said really, but here we go.......

Your 1st Paradox doesn't do much for me, but WOW, the reshoot is bang on and a great idea. I think Paradox knocked a lot of wind out of a lot of 52ers sails, it certainly did for me. But you should be well pleased with the reshoot and I hope it's given you a boost to battle through.

Tropical - a great shot of the bird. I didn't read everyones comments so missed it's name!

Power - After recently tracking you down in flickr and looking at some of your sets, I got the impression you may like your bikes. I understand your thought behind the first power and I can see why you like it, but unlike the second, it's not saying power to me. The second one is a good sharp capture.

Divided - There is certainly no bigger divide than life and death, so it really suits the theme. It's a shame the sky lacks interest, but hey, we live in the UK so we just got to get used to that!

Lets hope tomorrows theme isn't another Paradox, or I fear a dubble dip depression!

Many thanks Neil for all your positive comments , much appreciated Paradox certainly stumped me but think I'm back on track now .

Hi Lynne!

catching up on mine and others this evening

divided - great lateral thinking, nice composition, really is a pretty church, i agree shame about the sky, but it doesnt detract from a great pic, but it IS so pretty that were near me, think a nice sky would have me rushing back for same pic, more than once praps :0)

love love the bird pic for tropical, what a cracker he is (and the pic too!)

a bike shot for power is a great call, and nicely done too

second shot on paradox for me, truly must have been a messy one that!

Cheers Fleur , yup, a re-visit to the church is on the cards at some point

The paradox shot was fun & a trifle messy but really please with the result

 

[PatrickO]

Hi Lynne, I had a play with the sky using Elements. Here's what I came up with. Not sure it's any great improvement on the original, but shows there's some detail in the sky if you want it.

Just PM me if you want me to delete so it's not cluttering your thread.

 

[blondie606]

Cheers Patrick

I'm owed a training day on Photoshop Elements , just trying to find time to fit it in !

In the meantime if you'd like to share how you did the sky I'd be really pleased

 

[kennysarmy]

Pretty church - maybe the crop is just a bit too tight for my taste...
The sky is what it was - don't mind that at all....

Sorry Patrick I think your version looks very PP'd and does nt look real...

I think the only way to cope with this scene would have been to bracket off two shots and merge in photoshop or similar....

 

[posiview]

Thanks Andy , still trying to get to grips with correct exposure...I will get there one day ! Not sure what you mean about the "chair in the foeground " ? It's cemented into position so short of a large shovel & big hammer no chance of moving it I'd like to know what you mean if you can explain it (slowly) to me as I'm intending to go back & do some more at some point , hopefully when the sky is looking more summery !

Hi, yeah, what I mean was, if you stand on path you may be able to get the bench (in situ !), as foreground interest. It may be a bit cloth thought, unless there's one further down the path...

Cheers.