Thanks Alan, a border did cross my mind, I'll listen to my thoughts next time!Hi Marsha
Family eh
Very wintry and quite wet looking. Think #2 has better potential if cropped more.
#3 has nice comp and good focus but not keen on the way that the shot has no framing/stop point at the right
Hi Iain, I actually cropped #1 to get the path more symmetrical:bonk:Hi Marsha
As Andy says, all three bang on theme
#1 I too like the low perspective taken here, the little fella is a bit oof as you say but still clearly recognisable. maybe just a tad too central in the frame but not something you could have much control over eh?
#2 has, as Alan mentioned a crop potential, maybe to concentrate the viewers eye have the bird more dominant in the frame?
#3 liking the colours captured here, maybe even go with a colour boost to accentuate them? A little too much space on the rhs IMHO but alternatively, the negative space works. A drop shadow applied to the image would help as a stop to the rhs because as it is, the frame seems to fade out with no end IYSWIM.
Good work
Not long until the new theme is announced. Iain
Cheers Allan.I have to say 3 for me I think the framing is determined on what background you view it on on a black BG it works for me
Cheers DK.I'm liking 1 (imagined without the bird) and 3,
1) the salty path and low pov really are very seasonal - 3) love the colours, hint of snow and how the background gently blends into nothingness
Thanks Dan.i like the second shot actually - like the way youve caught the little guy 'chilling' in the snow (excuse the poor pun!)
I don't normally feed the birds there, it was just a handful of crumbs so hopefully he's ok and opting for the fat balls in the garden instead!Just a thought, might not be a good idea to put bird food out in the same area you put salt as salt can kill some birds and they might pick it up by mistake instead of the food.
Lovely colours and composition in the hebe plant
Hi Iain, I actually cropped #1 to get the path more symmetrical:bonk:
#2 is cropped already, not by much so I could go closer!
#3 I hate you, I spent an hour trying to figure out drop shadows last night! I've done one but I rhinitis too much, I need to figure out the best settings!
For drop shadows, I use picasa. It has a preset in one of the editing options which is simple to use. I just fiddle around with the sliders until I get something I like.
Hi Iain, I've added an edited version with a drop shadow and increased saturation to the original post, I was a bit more awake so things seemed easier today!
Oh and I don't know how to quote a quote (IYSWIM) but that bit I wrote about rhinitis has been edited, the misfortune of typing on your phone with a child in your lap!!!
Your edited version of #3 Marsha, is spot on for me now.
I think it is more grounded now IYSWIM.
I do liek your second blackbird in the snow Marsha - the white top and the white interspersed with the blades of grass work brilliantly with the black of the bird
And even on a big screen the apples a real cracker!
I'd line up the top of the vase to horizontal - and I'm happy to live with the hot spot from the flash - the rest of the shot is soooo good it doesn;t manage to pull it down.
The apple is a nice touch - putting it well and truly on theme!
Hi Brian. I'm not sure how I would lose the flash reflection as it's needed to freeze the action in a glass vase! Any ideas welcome if you have anyWOW - I this, its SO dynamic!
The simplicity of the composition means that the story is very clear and the water looks brilliant frozen like that. It's sharp and clean with good colours. The flash spot isn't too distracting but it is something I feel you should aim to lose if you ever do another similar shot.
Perhaps if I were being hyper critical the vase could be more vertical, but it's pretty close, I had to scroll up & down to see it. (putting the rim & base on the edge of my screen)
Thanks, I'm inspired to have a go at this myself now.
Who ME !!!! as ifAre you accusing me of running late? How very dare you
Thank you Michelle.Great take on the theme.. Suits the subject perfectly!.. Like the effect of the flash on the water, looks like ice.. Nice bit of red in the dark tones too
Hi Sam, I used a large black sheet that I got on eBay. I had it under the vase then falling away and held up about a meter behind the vase. I've got a picture of the setup, will post it later.Really good photo, what did you use as a background?
Hi Iain, these weeks are coming around thick and fastHi Marsha
Gravity works well, you've really caught a sense of movement in this.
Clear, sharp and I particularly like the lighting. The reflection of the flash isn't distracting for me, it adds to the movement in the frame as it is vertical and draws the viewers eye down towards the apple.
I can't offer any suggestions as to how it could be avoided Marsha, because as you say the flash is required to freeze the motion.
A good week for you, not long until this weeks theme is posted so we can do it all over again Iain
Cheers Allan.excellent can't add anything to what has already been said
It's really very simple PP on this, you just need to understand the basics of layers & masks.Who ME !!!! as if
Looks like you learn't very well, that's a great effort Marsha
You have lost me on the processing side, I really must spend some time in PSE, I may come to you for tips
Many thanks Martin.Nice shot, great use of the theme, the splash is excellent.
Hi Hun
now thats a belter....well done for sticking with the learning curve, it was it...lovely lighting which has frozen the splash , enough detail in the apple & a fab black bg
I like "gravity" a lot, but I only see the full details in the image when my brightness is set at 100%, so maybe a slight boost in exp/brightness is needed. But good job
siblingchris said:Don't know if it was supposed to but this one made me laugh, cheers
Ah, the old 'invisible bar of chocolate' trick
Nice photograph, and it's always good when kids pose