weekly Ian's 52 for 2015: Week 16 - Experiment
- Thread starter Harlequin565
- Start date
Bruja
Los Cojones del Perro
- Messages
- 3,883
- Name
- Just call me Mad Madam Mim
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Love the way you explain your thought processes and do a show and tell.
Elegant - yes it's a little soft but it doesn't detract at all from the elegant simplicity of the picture so fret ye not sir
Watery - this one is giving me a crick in the neck and I can see why you have chosen it but I must have an OCD gene somewhere that is saying to me that is so wrong, so I'm sorry
, I like it the 'right way round as it's not abstracty (is that a word?) enough rotated.
Elegant - yes it's a little soft but it doesn't detract at all from the elegant simplicity of the picture so fret ye not sir
Watery - this one is giving me a crick in the neck and I can see why you have chosen it but I must have an OCD gene somewhere that is saying to me that is so wrong, so I'm sorry
, I like it the 'right way round as it's not abstracty (is that a word?) enough rotated.
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
I didn't think of that! I had a fair few of height options too so I missed that completely.
I must have an OCD gene somewhere that is saying to me that is so wrong, so I'm sorry
Great new word and I think it actually defines what I thought might be missing. Not abstracty enough.
Thanks again for all time taken to give comments. It's appreciated!
SarahLee
TPer Emerita
- Messages
- 13,060
- Name
- Sarah
- Edit My Images
- No
Well done Ian.A really strong thread so far and I've really enjoyed reading your thinking behind the shots and why you've chosen the ones that you have.
Beautiful image for 'watery' and definitely one worthy of a wall print.
Like Jill I think I prefer it the 'right way' up, but it works in both orientations and that certainly doesn't take away from it being a stunner!
- Messages
- 4,182
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi Ian - serious catch up time from me!
Scenic... well you have some lovely shots in your contact sheet. Top row #4 & 5, middle row #1, 2 & 6, bottom row #2 are my faves. I like your selected shot in the main pictures thread, but the machinery shot intrigues me more! I agree your processing is certainly "full", shall we say, but for B&W I don't mind that as much. It seems HDR doesn't count as a negative if you've converted to B&W Agree it'd be good to see more of the machinery and less of the texture of the field, but that's maybe more to do with lighting than the processing?
Companions - brilliant idea! My favourite without seeing your chosen shot was actually the one to the right of that. Filling the frame more generally works for me (but not always) and the only issue there is the big reflection of your tripod/table! Difficult with convex lenses as a subject as it's almost impossible to hide them. Shooting through a big black screen with a hole cut out for the lens is one of the few non-PP possibilities, or shooting with a very acute angled light but then that causes other problems. I really like your chosen shot but a part of me would still prefer the next one along
Elegant - nice take but I'm not 100% convinced by the framing/crop. It's very nearly there for me, but I'd also wanting to see more, especially of the bottom! Maybe a 100% central position would help?
Watery - of your final four, I do like the top right one... it's amazing how much more interesting that looks in B&W! I guess that's one of the "safe options" with a less than perfect sky: convert to mono! However, I really like what you've done with the selected shot and think you've chosen really well. Really interesting idea, slighty abstract and definitely stronger as an image than being the "right way up"! Well done
Scenic... well you have some lovely shots in your contact sheet. Top row #4 & 5, middle row #1, 2 & 6, bottom row #2 are my faves. I like your selected shot in the main pictures thread, but the machinery shot intrigues me more! I agree your processing is certainly "full", shall we say, but for B&W I don't mind that as much. It seems HDR doesn't count as a negative if you've converted to B&W
Agree it'd be good to see more of the machinery and less of the texture of the field, but that's maybe more to do with lighting than the processing?Companions - brilliant idea! My favourite without seeing your chosen shot was actually the one to the right of that. Filling the frame more generally works for me (but not always) and the only issue there is the big reflection of your tripod/table! Difficult with convex lenses as a subject as it's almost impossible to hide them. Shooting through a big black screen with a hole cut out for the lens is one of the few non-PP possibilities, or shooting with a very acute angled light but then that causes other problems. I really like your chosen shot but a part of me would still prefer the next one along
Elegant - nice take but I'm not 100% convinced by the framing/crop. It's very nearly there for me, but I'd also wanting to see more, especially of the bottom! Maybe a 100% central position would help?
Watery - of your final four, I do like the top right one... it's amazing how much more interesting that looks in B&W! I guess that's one of the "safe options" with a less than perfect sky: convert to mono! However, I really like what you've done with the selected shot and think you've chosen really well. Really interesting idea, slighty abstract and definitely stronger as an image than being the "right way up"! Well done
- Messages
- 478
- Name
- Phil
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi Ian, a great idea spinning the image like that. Turning an adequate image into something engaging and beautiful. Would never have thought to spin an image like that, I will now lol.
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
Thanks all for your comments - (especially the detailed feedback Paul - it's appreciated!). Seems the rotation is a bit Marmite and I'm not sold on it myself.
I'm not normally so heavy on the PP. I'm wondering if it's the flatness of the scenery outside in this grey Winter light that's the problem. Not even seen a decent sunset that I can recall for a while. Something to bear in mind as I move forward.
I'm not normally so heavy on the PP. I'm wondering if it's the flatness of the scenery outside in this grey Winter light that's the problem. Not even seen a decent sunset that I can recall for a while. Something to bear in mind as I move forward.
D
Deleted member 59779
Guest
Love the contact sheet. Actually for me i prefer No2. like the moodiness of the clouds, no doubt holding their watery contents in.
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
Week 7 - Bold
I've not looked at anyone else's shots this week yet, so I'm hoping I'm not the only one who found this incredibly difficult. Internet research, and dictionary work didn't help either and I spent a good few days walking around looking for bright contrasting colours. So in a way, it's not been a complete waste of effort. I knew what I wanted to do when I saw the theme. Bright Bold Colours. I just couldn't see anything other than Winter drab.
Until my wife put her boots on...
So now I had a subject. How to shoot it? More research this time, and searching for creative photos of shoes (i.e. non-product shots) resulted in some scary stuff. This week I learned (and can't now un-learn) there are ladies who sell "very used" shoes on eBay to gentlemen. Their photography is... well... unusual... to say the least...
So with my model unavailable - my wife has just had a hip revision and is still in a lot of pain and not up to contorting her legs - I spent a few hours proving to myself that I'll never be a product photographer.
Week 7 - Contact Sheet by Harlequin565, on Flickr
So they wouldn't stand up on their own. I tried propping them up with the mop, leaning them on stairs and even hand holding them and taking multiple shots to clone out my hands later.The only shot that worked was when they fell over. Super.
Week 7 - Bold by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I have no lights, so other than on-camera flash, I'm reliant on room lights. Also, at this time of year, if I don't get the shot done on the weekend, I'm shooting at night due to working 8-5. The exposure's been pushed up, curves pushed up too. In fact I think I went too slider happy with this and pushed everything up. I didn't want a product shot, but the reflection of the overhead lights off the leather has spoiled the effect I was after. In all honesty, I could probably tart this up a bit in Photoshop but these days if I can't do it in Lightroom I'm not bothered unless it's an exceptional photo. The subject doesn't inspire me either. Hey ho.
Tough theme #3 of 7. Glad it's over.
I think I'm actually getting more from commenting on other photos at the moment. There are some really inspirational photographers in this years 52. I'm spending time trying to "look" at photos and see the creativity in there. It's just a shame I can't get round more in the week. My apologies if I haven't even got to your thread yet! This week isn't looking like it's getting any slacker (I started writing this at 7am - it's now nearly nine). Maybe next week I'll do a "Paul" and get round everyone
I've not looked at anyone else's shots this week yet, so I'm hoping I'm not the only one who found this incredibly difficult. Internet research, and dictionary work didn't help either and I spent a good few days walking around looking for bright contrasting colours. So in a way, it's not been a complete waste of effort. I knew what I wanted to do when I saw the theme. Bright Bold Colours. I just couldn't see anything other than Winter drab.
Until my wife put her boots on...
So now I had a subject. How to shoot it? More research this time, and searching for creative photos of shoes (i.e. non-product shots) resulted in some scary stuff. This week I learned (and can't now un-learn) there are ladies who sell "very used" shoes on eBay to gentlemen. Their photography is... well... unusual... to say the least...
So with my model unavailable - my wife has just had a hip revision and is still in a lot of pain and not up to contorting her legs - I spent a few hours proving to myself that I'll never be a product photographer.
Week 7 - Contact Sheet by Harlequin565, on Flickr
So they wouldn't stand up on their own. I tried propping them up with the mop, leaning them on stairs and even hand holding them and taking multiple shots to clone out my hands later.The only shot that worked was when they fell over. Super.
Week 7 - Bold by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I have no lights, so other than on-camera flash, I'm reliant on room lights. Also, at this time of year, if I don't get the shot done on the weekend, I'm shooting at night due to working 8-5. The exposure's been pushed up, curves pushed up too. In fact I think I went too slider happy with this and pushed everything up. I didn't want a product shot, but the reflection of the overhead lights off the leather has spoiled the effect I was after. In all honesty, I could probably tart this up a bit in Photoshop but these days if I can't do it in Lightroom I'm not bothered unless it's an exceptional photo. The subject doesn't inspire me either. Hey ho.
Tough theme #3 of 7. Glad it's over.
I think I'm actually getting more from commenting on other photos at the moment. There are some really inspirational photographers in this years 52. I'm spending time trying to "look" at photos and see the creativity in there. It's just a shame I can't get round more in the week. My apologies if I haven't even got to your thread yet! This week isn't looking like it's getting any slacker (I started writing this at 7am - it's now nearly nine). Maybe next week I'll do a "Paul" and get round everyone
- Messages
- 29,465
- Name
- Bat-Frog
- Edit My Images
- No
Thos boots certainly fitting the Bold theme Ian, good choice.
Blimey, no one's going to miss the missus in the dark in those
I know what you mean about getting the shot on the weekend.
Whilst it's still dark when I'm getting home ( work 8-5 with a 40 minute commute either end), I have to do the same thing
Blimey, no one's going to miss the missus in the dark in those
I know what you mean about getting the shot on the weekend.
Whilst it's still dark when I'm getting home ( work 8-5 with a 40 minute commute either end), I have to do the same thing
- Messages
- 704
- Name
- Sara
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Great idea for a theme. Hope your wife recovers quickly and can model them for you very soon. Very bold indeed!
- Messages
- 7,548
- Name
- susie
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Love those boots Ian, an excellent choice for the theme ....and the contact sheet makes your thread so interesting to read, I often look at the 'props' I use and think to myself if anyone could see this
I agree about everyone else's photos too....everyone has such great ideas.
By the way ....Watery was a smasher too, I loved the sideways slant on it ....it's good to be different
I agree about everyone else's photos too....everyone has such great ideas.
By the way ....Watery was a smasher too, I loved the sideways slant on it ....it's good to be different
- Messages
- 1,344
- Name
- Philip
- Edit My Images
- No
Certainly bold Ian, nice bright image
Phil
Phil
- Messages
- 916
- Name
- Hazel
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Definitely a bold subject Ian. A shame you couldn't have got them with say natural daylight but I understand why. I think you could have lots more fun in the future with these and go in with a macro lens for more abstract details, I look forward to seeing more!
- Messages
- 19,461
- Name
- Andy
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I like your narrative and agree about learning from other's submissions.
Bold, indeed, wonderful colours and well, cracking boots.
Hightlights on the boots stand out and I can't help feeling there was a better composition, even though you tried loads.
Cheers.
Bold, indeed, wonderful colours and well, cracking boots.
Hightlights on the boots stand out and I can't help feeling there was a better composition, even though you tried loads.
Cheers.
- Messages
- 1,158
- Name
- Lorraine
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi Ian, I hope your wife makes a speedy recovery.
Bold - can't argue with your choice for the theme, and I like the way you've composed the shot. I have the same roblem - I'm not geared up for indoor shots, so I know how difficult it is, but I think you've done well.
Bold - can't argue with your choice for the theme, and I like the way you've composed the shot. I have the same roblem - I'm not geared up for indoor shots, so I know how difficult it is, but I think you've done well.
- Messages
- 2,908
- Name
- Summer
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I think they look fine lying flat also very bold! I'm not 100% sure but I think a very fine coating of face powder or talc 'might' have taken the shine down enough to stop the reflection, or maybe pointing the flash at the ceiling? I will try it myself and report back
also very bold! I'm not 100% sure but I think a very fine coating of face powder or talc 'might' have taken the shine down enough to stop the reflection, or maybe pointing the flash at the ceiling? I will try it myself and report back 
- Messages
- 8,398
- Name
- Lynne
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi Ian
must say , I like your back story & contact sheet for your chosen image
Companions....I feel your pain with that theme ! But your chosen subjects work well......I like the texture of the bg & the sharpness of the lenses The one that draws me though is the 3rd row down 4th image across...kinda like the crop & layout of that one & for some reason I keep thinking about "Wall E" when I look at the 4 top right images
Elegant.....Works for me , a bit soft maybe but it kinda suits the subject , well placed in the frame , like the crop , hmmmm....yup
Watery just plays havoc with my eye's...sorry
Bold....actually laughed out loud re your ebay comments I went through the same thing when I tried to shot shoes...for love nor money could I get a composition that looked even vaguely right ! I love the colors on the boots , you've given your own crit re the highlights....shooting in natural light is the way to go I reckon - & I suffer the same problem re working hours(8-6.30 is a good day !) & having to get the shots done at the weekends....but it keeps me in cameras so gotta do it
must say , I like your back story & contact sheet for your chosen image
Companions....I feel your pain with that theme ! But your chosen subjects work well......I like the texture of the bg & the sharpness of the lenses
The one that draws me though is the 3rd row down 4th image across...kinda like the crop & layout of that one & for some reason I keep thinking about "Wall E" when I look at the 4 top right imagesElegant.....Works for me , a bit soft maybe but it kinda suits the subject , well placed in the frame , like the crop , hmmmm....yup
Watery just plays havoc with my eye's...sorry
Bold....actually laughed out loud re your ebay comments
I went through the same thing when I tried to shot shoes...for love nor money could I get a composition that looked even vaguely right ! I love the colors on the boots , you've given your own crit re the highlights....shooting in natural light is the way to go I reckon - & I suffer the same problem re working hours(8-6.30 is a good day !) & having to get the shots done at the weekends....but it keeps me in cameras so gotta do it
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
Thanks everyone.
I think they're going back on eBay. Bit of a rash purchase I think.
Thanks. It'll be another year at least the consultant reckons. Hey ho...
What a brill idea. I'd probably be shot at dawn for doing it, but it's a good idea nonetheless.
Damn. So many people in the same boat and shooting decent photos. I need to up my game.
Thankyou everyone for your comments. It's really appreciated despite my lack or responses. This week...
Blimey, no one's going to miss the missus in the dark in those
I think they're going back on eBay. Bit of a rash purchase I think.
Thanks. It'll be another year at least the consultant reckons. Hey ho...
I think they look fine lying flat
What a brill idea. I'd probably be shot at dawn for doing it, but it's a good idea nonetheless.
Bold....actually laughed out loud re your ebay comments
Damn. So many people in the same boat and shooting decent photos. I need to up my game.
Thankyou everyone for your comments. It's really appreciated despite my lack or responses. This week...
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
Week 8 - Relax
A rush job again this week. Isn't that ironic...?
It's a good reason to be honest. I've just been given the nod from the local college to teach Photoshop and Digital Photography (10 week beginners class) in the summer term. It's a dream (part-time) job to be honest and now requires a truckload of work to write handouts and presentations... So many screen shots.... My entire weekend was written off just organising schemes of work and drafting a course synopsis. I'm currently teaching Beginners Computing which is hugely rewarding but something photography based was what I always wanted to do. So come May I'll be earning money from Photography!!! What that means for my 52, I'm not sure. Once the course materials are written I'll be fine, but the next 8 weeks are going to be taken up with a lot of writing in the evening. I think I'm going to try and get through it with some nice photos which aren't going to be great but will keep my hand in.
Aaanyway... Relax...
Maggie and Oscar are our cats. They are quite the stressed out couple, and Oscar in particular is a cantankerous bugger. Maggie is permanently terrified of him and has had a tough life. Today I went down in my lunch hour to shoot them.
Week 7 Contact by Harlequin565, on Flickr
Cat shots. Yay.
But there is something to be learned from this. From the 40 shots in the contact sheet, I've kept 6 I think with only one going on to Flickr. It's been really good practise on self-critique. Which shot actually fits the bill & why? Questioning my choices and thinking about the shots has really been useful this week.
Maggie is a bit neurotic. When she was a kitten, she was dead friendly and lovely. Then she got pregnant and had all sorts of problems. One of the kittens died inside her (wouldn't come out), one was stillborn and one made it. She had to have a C-section at the vets which was ludicrously expensive and she never really recovered. Ever since then she scampers away from Oscar and is permanently terrified of anyone strange in the house. To see her relax is really unusual and generally only of an evening when Oscar is outside and we're all relaxing by the fire. She'll only come to me these days and have a tickle, but mostly keeps herself to herself. To see her relax is quite unusual.
Week 07 - Relax by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I love the framing, the pose and the lighting. I think that little Fuji 35mm is simply a stunning lens and ISO up to 6400 is a breeze for this camera. I deliberately didn't go f1.4 because I like the leeway of focus that f2 gives me. There's no cropping and just a tweak of contrast. I did try to desaturate the reds & blues as well as a B&W conversion but it looked cooked and to be honest, I just like the original. Those are our cushions and our wallpaper. I like it just as it is.
Tomorrow I'll hit the rest of the threads. Truly I will.
A rush job again this week. Isn't that ironic...?
It's a good reason to be honest. I've just been given the nod from the local college to teach Photoshop and Digital Photography (10 week beginners class) in the summer term. It's a dream (part-time) job to be honest and now requires a truckload of work to write handouts and presentations... So many screen shots.... My entire weekend was written off just organising schemes of work and drafting a course synopsis. I'm currently teaching Beginners Computing which is hugely rewarding but something photography based was what I always wanted to do. So come May I'll be earning money from Photography!!! What that means for my 52, I'm not sure. Once the course materials are written I'll be fine, but the next 8 weeks are going to be taken up with a lot of writing in the evening. I think I'm going to try and get through it with some nice photos which aren't going to be great but will keep my hand in.
Aaanyway... Relax...
Maggie and Oscar are our cats. They are quite the stressed out couple, and Oscar in particular is a cantankerous bugger. Maggie is permanently terrified of him and has had a tough life. Today I went down in my lunch hour to shoot them.
Week 7 Contact by Harlequin565, on Flickr
Cat shots. Yay.
But there is something to be learned from this. From the 40 shots in the contact sheet, I've kept 6 I think with only one going on to Flickr. It's been really good practise on self-critique. Which shot actually fits the bill & why? Questioning my choices and thinking about the shots has really been useful this week.
Maggie is a bit neurotic. When she was a kitten, she was dead friendly and lovely. Then she got pregnant and had all sorts of problems. One of the kittens died inside her (wouldn't come out), one was stillborn and one made it. She had to have a C-section at the vets which was ludicrously expensive and she never really recovered. Ever since then she scampers away from Oscar and is permanently terrified of anyone strange in the house. To see her relax is really unusual and generally only of an evening when Oscar is outside and we're all relaxing by the fire. She'll only come to me these days and have a tickle, but mostly keeps herself to herself. To see her relax is quite unusual.
Week 07 - Relax by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I love the framing, the pose and the lighting. I think that little Fuji 35mm is simply a stunning lens and ISO up to 6400 is a breeze for this camera. I deliberately didn't go f1.4 because I like the leeway of focus that f2 gives me. There's no cropping and just a tweak of contrast. I did try to desaturate the reds & blues as well as a B&W conversion but it looked cooked and to be honest, I just like the original. Those are our cushions and our wallpaper. I like it just as it is.
Tomorrow I'll hit the rest of the threads. Truly I will.
- Messages
- 4,345
- Name
- Martin
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Relaxed indeed. Good choice with the DoF.
- Messages
- 4,345
- Name
- Martin
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Relaxed indeed. Good choice with the DoF.
Oops, duplicate post.
Oops, duplicate post.
- Messages
- 6,502
- Name
- Peter
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Elegant - I like this. The simplistic nature of only including part of the subject makes it very strong. The lighting and off centre composition also adds to the image. Nice one.
Watery - I’m not sure the sidewards approach works for me but I do like the top left of the final four. The processing gives it a retro feel which works nicely
Bold - Blimey those are bright. That said you haven't over saturated the boots. I like the background surface as well.
Relax - I must admit to not being a cat person but this is a nice image of the family pet. There’s good sharpness in the eye and the shallowness of the focus beyond that real concentrates the viewer to the face of the cat.
Watery - I’m not sure the sidewards approach works for me but I do like the top left of the final four. The processing gives it a retro feel which works nicely
Bold - Blimey those are bright. That said you haven't over saturated the boots. I like the background surface as well.
Relax - I must admit to not being a cat person but this is a nice image of the family pet. There’s good sharpness in the eye and the shallowness of the focus beyond that real concentrates the viewer to the face of the cat.
- Messages
- 1,344
- Name
- Philip
- Edit My Images
- No
Nice one Ian, cats always look relaxed.
Phil
Phil
Bruja
Los Cojones del Perro
- Messages
- 3,883
- Name
- Just call me Mad Madam Mim
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I know what you mean about capturing cats in a relaxed mood. Our cat is either wide awake or fast asleep (or eating ) I really like this picture and its DOF
I was going to say it's always nice to see a relaxed pussy but then thought better of it
) I really like this picture and its DOF I was going to say it's always nice to see a relaxed pussy but then thought better of it
- Messages
- 2,480
- Name
- Steve
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi Ian
Its Friday and my Brain is frazzled so if my comments don't make sense Ian, please forgive my singular brain cell. And thinking OMG it Friday and I haven't even sorted Relax yet
Bit like @Bruja Jills comments really .... There's an on going theme in the last two shots Puss in Boots? I spose back in the day we'd have called them Kinky Boots!
Back tracking to Watery
This cocked my Landscape head up OK your choice for me is the one I would have picked form the contact sheet, I keep cocking my head to one side (sorry) to view it though, Clever idea!
Nice reflection and I love the branches sticking out of the water its a nice focal point and anchor and is a sharp contrast against the rest of the image. Nice silhouetting of the trees against the sky.... Its fairly abstract in a way and that's interesting and disconcerting at the same time (for me).
Nice work and a good take on the Image Ian.
Bold .... Personally I love those Kinky boots!!! I think there Fab! I think you have hit the nail on the head with that shot, it really works for me .... browsing through the contact sheet I think the selected picture is bang on. The lighting on anything reflective is a pain (so I recently found out myself) There is an old theatre trick of spraying hair spray on items that are highly reflective to matts them down a bit but at the risk of having your Wife wrap her boots round your earhole, metaphorically speaking for spoiling them! I guess the only option that might have worked a little better would have been Natural light.
I think the angle the boots are set at works well, and the colours are cracking. Beat those highlights and its a winner (but I know how hard that is).
Nice Shot!
Relax ....Maggie I think that's a excellent shot, Pin Sharp where it needs to be, really well framed, and nice clean colours, love that little highlight running up Maggie's leading ear, and great light hitting her whiskers.
Relaxed really works here Nice Shot Ian
Hope that your Wife recovers soon! My Brothers just had a hip replacement. So order of the day for both is some sensible physio and a careful recovery.
Cheers
Steve
Its Friday and my Brain is frazzled so if my comments don't make sense Ian, please forgive my singular brain cell. And thinking OMG it Friday and I haven't even sorted Relax yet
Bit like @Bruja Jills comments really .... There's an on going theme in the last two shots Puss in Boots?
I spose back in the day we'd have called them Kinky Boots!Back tracking to Watery
This cocked my Landscape head up
OK your choice for me is the one I would have picked form the contact sheet, I keep cocking my head to one side (sorry) to view it though, Clever idea!Nice reflection and I love the branches sticking out of the water its a nice focal point and anchor and is a sharp contrast against the rest of the image. Nice silhouetting of the trees against the sky.... Its fairly abstract in a way and that's interesting and disconcerting at the same time (for me
).Nice work and a good take on the Image Ian.
Bold .... Personally I love those Kinky boots!!! I think there Fab! I think you have hit the nail on the head with that shot, it really works for me .... browsing through the contact sheet I think the selected picture is bang on. The lighting on anything reflective is a pain (so I recently found out myself) There is an old theatre trick of spraying hair spray on items that are highly reflective to matts them down a bit but at the risk of having your Wife wrap her boots round your earhole, metaphorically speaking for spoiling them! I guess the only option that might have worked a little better would have been Natural light.
I think the angle the boots are set at works well, and the colours are cracking. Beat those highlights and its a winner (but I know how hard that is
).Nice Shot!
Relax ....Maggie I think that's a excellent shot, Pin Sharp where it needs to be, really well framed, and nice clean colours, love that little highlight running up Maggie's leading ear, and great light hitting her whiskers.
Relaxed really works here Nice Shot Ian
Hope that your Wife recovers soon! My Brothers just had a hip replacement. So order of the day for both is some sensible physio and a careful recovery.
Cheers
Steve
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
Congrats on your teaching Job Ian
Thanks. Am really looking forward to it and can't wait for May!
It's really useful to hear that a lot of folks didn't like the rotation. Thanks for the comments on my shots.
I was going to say it's always nice to see a relaxed pussy but then thought better of it
Jill... Look what you started...
Hi Ian
Bit like @Bruja Jills comments really .... There's an on going theme in the last two shots Puss in Boots?
Hope that your Wife recovers soon! My Brothers just had a hip replacement. So order of the day for both is some sensible physio and a careful recovery.
Thanks Steve. It's actually a replacement of the replacement because the surgeon cocked up the first op. She's forty something so spending the last 3 years on crutches has not been pleasant. Still a way to go unfortunately. Hope your brother's recovery is swift and problem free!
Thanks to everyone else for your comments. It's appreciated.
OP
- Messages
- 8,331
- Name
- Ian
- Edit My Images
- No
Week 9 - Vertical
I cycle past these trees every day on my consitutional, so this morning I got out early and was rewarded with some lovely light. The huge mistake this time though was leaving the camera on auto ISO. Shooting on a tripod meant shutter speeds weren't important, so I ended up with unnecessarily noisy images. Oh well - you live & learn...
Week 9 Contact Sheet by Harlequin565, on Flickr
Still not sure about the sky shots. I quite like them as abstracts but they didn't fit the theme so they were the first to be discarded. Then it was a case of deleting everything with my shadow in them. The sun was low this morning, so I had to use the timer and "run away" from the camera to get my shadow out of shot. I also discarded the images that didn't have that lovely strong light. I ended up with two photos I really liked and did B&W conversions with a little dodging and burning to highlight areas of the images.
I quite like both of them to be honest. And couldn't decide which was going to be my winner...
Version 1
Week 9 - Vertical I by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I prefer this one, even though I think that v2 below is the better shot. I deliberately put the tripod in the tree shadow on this to avoid having to clone it out later. It's got not focal point though, and feels a bit "messy". Maybe "busy" and "cluttered" too.
Version 2
Week 9 - Vertical II by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I think this is the stronger shot. More on-theme, more striking, stronger leading lines, less busy and a shoehorned subject in the tree on the left hand edge. In fact, after writing this, I think I prefer it to version 1. Spent a bit of time on pp on this using Photoshop rather than the Nik plugin on Lightroom. I think I prefer the more "realistic" result and as I'm supposed to be teaching Photoshop soon, I better start using it again!!
I cycle past these trees every day on my consitutional, so this morning I got out early and was rewarded with some lovely light. The huge mistake this time though was leaving the camera on auto ISO. Shooting on a tripod meant shutter speeds weren't important, so I ended up with unnecessarily noisy images. Oh well - you live & learn...
Week 9 Contact Sheet by Harlequin565, on Flickr
Still not sure about the sky shots. I quite like them as abstracts but they didn't fit the theme so they were the first to be discarded. Then it was a case of deleting everything with my shadow in them. The sun was low this morning, so I had to use the timer and "run away" from the camera to get my shadow out of shot. I also discarded the images that didn't have that lovely strong light. I ended up with two photos I really liked and did B&W conversions with a little dodging and burning to highlight areas of the images.
I quite like both of them to be honest. And couldn't decide which was going to be my winner...
Version 1
Week 9 - Vertical I by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I prefer this one, even though I think that v2 below is the better shot. I deliberately put the tripod in the tree shadow on this to avoid having to clone it out later. It's got not focal point though, and feels a bit "messy". Maybe "busy" and "cluttered" too.
Version 2
Week 9 - Vertical II by Harlequin565, on Flickr
I think this is the stronger shot. More on-theme, more striking, stronger leading lines, less busy and a shoehorned subject in the tree on the left hand edge. In fact, after writing this, I think I prefer it to version 1. Spent a bit of time on pp on this using Photoshop rather than the Nik plugin on Lightroom. I think I prefer the more "realistic" result and as I'm supposed to be teaching Photoshop soon, I better start using it again!!