Play: What a lovely idea - it's fascinating watching a young child starting to learn to play the piano, and I can still remember the thrill of my hands growing large enough to stretch a full octave! So with that trip down memory lane, for the the sepia treatment is great, and I definitely prefer the edited-out jumper version.
Chemistry: One of the good things about the 52 is that you have to try new things and we've both scored a first with a tryptych this week.
I prefer the version with the unlit match less exposed, and it's mean of me to have a niggle on your first tryptych, but it is only very, very tiny - it would have been nice to have just a touch more of the wooden part of the matches showing to emphasise the changes taking place in the wood. But It's a good take on the theme and you've done it justice.
Jean
Chemistry - I prefer your second attempt with the unlit match less bright. Your tryptich works well, showing all it needs to show with clarity.
Candid - I love this and it is by far my favourite of the ones you have posted for the candid theme. The pastel creams, greys and browns all go well together and seem to complement and highlight the darker browns of the gent's attire. The little splash of colour from the red bag lifts the image nicely for me.
I did wonder about cloning out the lamp but quickly realised that it should stay put because I think it adds to the image. Its position is balanced with the gent and it's facing him almost as if to say, 'Penny for them...'
And then after the visual effect, there comes that very question: What is he thinking? Reflective? Happy? Sad?
All in all a great image.
Hi Phil, catching up a bit, Chemistry is spot on the theme and very well executed - and your Candid one is a great shot - I like it a lot. The wall gives it some character and you're left thinking "wonder what he was looking at"
I like candid, the guy at the seaside, got a lump in my throat as you can see the deep thoughts of his childhood, reminissing about it all, but look at the picture at a glance he looks lonely bless him.
Great capture.
Hi Phil, I am playing catch up.
Chemistry - I love the triptych, especially version 2. I like each of the images individually and together they really tell a "chemistry" story.
Candid - The guy at the seaside is excellent. Very "candid" and actually rather moving. It may be my screen, but I probably would have preferred it slightly brighter. However, the subdued tones are probably what makes the photo.
Jenny
:Nice shot Phill, i particularly like the bag by his feet for some reason. Great dof on the sea and nice lines leading in
I really love the shot of the man at the seaside! Fantastic shot Phil
I think it's the bag that makes it for me (not that it isn't a good shot, because it is!) - you just want to know what's in his bag, why has he got it with him and what is he up to?
Love it
Chemistry - you have done a very good job here. It was worth doing the second version. Very effective.
I like all your candid shots, particularly the solitary man looking out to sea, and the smoker. I see you used flash for that last one - did he spot you?
I like all of these Phil.
Old man by the sea is definitely the most poignant of the set. As has been said, the bag really adds to it, not just because it's interesting but that splash of red really stands out against the other subdued colours.
My favourite has to be the smoker though.
A personal preference thing, but I far prefer posed shots to candid and this has more of a "posed" feel to it even if it wasn't.
The background works brilliantly against the blues in his suit and I love the way that you've caught him perfectly in profile.
There's that splash of red again in the matchbook in his hand - I love it. A really nice little detail and hint of colour against all that blue
Playing catchup after being out of the loop for a couple of weeks...
And I really like Chemistry. It's a great series of shots. Well shot!
Out of the candids, I think my favourite is the elderly chap on crutches. It's plaintive and sad and "communicates" better than the others. Just my opinion though
Ian.
1D MKIII, 24-105L @ 47mm, 1/400 sec f/5.6 @ ISO 400 with the 580EXII providing fill (-2/3 stop IIRC).
The only suggestion I'd make is to crop out a smidgeon of sky, but a brilliant shot. It's a good, colourful shot and fits the theme for this week and last - perfectly.
Candid:
#1 This is my favourite - it's got the melencholy feel of Blackpool on a Sunday afternoon out of season. I'd love to know what he's thinking about, and for me that's what a good shot should do - rouse curiosity, and make the viewer think. Excellent!
#2 Another 'character' - and it's a good job she didn't notice you - she might have clobbered you with that bad she's clutching.
#3 This one doesn't have so much impact compared with #1 (only my opinion, though!) but it has the same sad feeling.
#4 Another first class candid. I love the colours in this - the sky/sea and his jacket and shirt all work really well together.
Produce: Congratulations on your new toy!
Jean
very well put together as a triptych.
A lovely image Phil, sharp, good strong colours... now with all that kit... how on earth did you manage to get a candid
Catch up time
Thats definately a mechanic doing something mechanical , I'm not too keen on the HDR though but thats just personal taste.
Love the composition and dof on the child playing the piano.
Matches are popular for chemistry
The first candid shot stands out for me, that extra splash of colour from the red bag makes the shot.
I wondered how much fruit I would see this week, great colours and the angle looking down the stall works well.
