Azure's 52 of 2011 - 7of 52 - DELICATE

Thanku Alex!

1 of 52

Luxury Accommodation!

The Manor! I asked at reception if I could wonder around the hotel - bless them, they said "Of course" - I spotted the bell on the desk and whilst they continued with their work I snapped away.


DSC02125b by Azureizmoi, on Flickr

This is one of the most beautiful Jacobean Manor Houses in the UK - I was brought up here as a kid and have very fond memories of family occasions, the "Round Table Parties" and when my brother fell in the goldfish pond when we were 4years old.

I found a little waterfall there... I took so many pics - if I'm able, I think I will go back there tomorrow.

I know the pic's not quite straight and I do admit to being very embarrassed and self-conscious standing in Reception taking photos in front of people... for me, this was very big and brave!


All C&C welcome - no tripod, shaky hands so had to keep on auto as it's very dark in there. I am trying not to use auto any more tho.

Thank you for looking and listening. :)
 
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Look's very salubrious!

Nice warm colours.

I'd prefer a tighter crop the get rid of the woman in the background and a bit off the bottom.

On second thoughts, having looked at it again, I quite like the woman in the back, kind of adds to the story...

Hope you enjoyed your stay...
 
I like this image - it has a good story to it. The people in the background add to the setting.
I really like the DOF - pin sharp in the foreground, and just enough blur of the background to de-emphasise it but still be able to make out the setting.
I like all those beautiful colours: brown, gold and honey.
Cheers, Patrick
 
Hi, I have to agree with Patrick as that pretty much sums up what I was thinking. I like the reflection in the bell too.

Good luck with the rest of the 52.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
This looks like a very posh place! I also like the DOF and the reflections on the bell - well captured :)
 
I like this, a whole story in a single image! I like the detail on the bell, including the dent. As the others have said the background is nicely blurred leaving one wondering...

Don't knock yourself on using auto, you got the shot, you read the exif, you learn. No sweat!
 
Hiya,

I like that image, especially as it is something I am considering featuring in my next pic. Although I may have to change my mind now as I have let the cat out of the bag :lol:.

Have 3 geets and one of them needs new strings.

Love the DOF you have here and the reflection is fab.

Good luck with the next theme.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Thank you Dawn, appreciate your comments. I actually really enjoyed doing this one... tho the original plan was to be climbing some scaffolding.

Ha, there'll be something no doubt later on in the year :D
 
Azure said:
Thank you Dawn, appreciate your comments. I actually really enjoyed doing this one... tho the original plan was to be climbing some scaffolding.

Ha, there'll be something no doubt later on in the year :D
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Scaffolding???
 
Ha! Yep, a "new" idea which involved scaffolding and some solar panels - reNEWable energy which is being fitted at the school I work in... scaffold was a tad on the slippery side, so no go!!!!!! :nono:
 
Azure said:
Ha! Yep, a "new" idea which involved scaffolding and some solar panels - reNEWable energy which is being fitted at the school I work in... scaffold was a tad on the slippery side, so no go!!!!!! :nono:
Click to expand...

WOW, that would have been brave, but probs better you didn't attempt it.

So have you thought about what you are doing for week 3?
 
Just seen your 52 for the first time and Loving your images... The new strings one especially... LOVE the DOF effect... so sharp to nothing!

I have struggled with my first two due to weather time etc... hopefully will improve for next week... The one thing I've realised though for doing a 52 and indoor stuff is I need a decent flash and learn how to use it!
 
billybob99 said:
Love the dof on this and the warm glow, only crit would be that you've cut off the reflections of the loose ends otherwise very good
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Hi Andrew - yep, totally agree with you - I did have quite a few with the whole reflections but deleted most of them (since I joined this forum I've actually started deleting photos, which is pretty massive for me - hahaha! I fixed my tripod too. There's a whole one here but who only knows what was going on with that reflection through the string and the end of the guitar just snuck in too. :shrug:


DSC02947.ARW by Azureizmoi, on Flickr

Going to do some more with daylight today instead of using the "builder's" light so may put a reshot one up. No chance of getting outside - sheesh, can you believe the weather we have here... :thumbsdown: my river is BIG!

Thanks for the C&C Andrew. :thumbs:
 
markelliot said:
Just seen your 52 for the first time and Loving your images... The new strings one especially... LOVE the DOF effect... so sharp to nothing!

I have struggled with my first two due to weather time etc... hopefully will improve for next week... The one thing I've realised though for doing a 52 and indoor stuff is I need a decent flash and learn how to use it!
Click to expand...

Thank you Mark and... pleased to meet you :)

I rarely ever use flash - it seems so harsh. I was looking on the www yesterday for a softbox.... maaaaaaan, who knew there were so many :gag::thinking: There's some cheap and cheeerfuls that fit on the top of the camera (light diffusers... or something like that) which may do the trick. For now tho, I just use whatever lamps or lighting I can find and no flash - gonna ask around at some stage about the flash guns, they seem to be the way to go.

Thank you for your comments, very kind.
 
oooooooooooh.... I've got black card... tho not sure what to put across the front.... flash wipes, do you mean like baby wipes????

When I first joined here I found a thread that showed how to make this but for the life of me can't find the thread now - tho there are a lot "DIY" diffuser threads using milk cartons and roll film holders

cool, will have a looksee around - will make a cuppa T and use the carton :p (any excuse for a cuppa Earl Grey T ;) )

Andrew - pics of your diffuser, send me pics please! :)
 
FABULOUS.....:clap:




aaaaaaaaaaaand... <drum roll> the Silver Blue Peter badge is awarded to N.Devon Andrew! :)

Gonna go and try - have black card and baby wipes. Thank you so much.
 
I love the DOF in week 1 and the reflection in week 2, but I prefer the composition of your second week 2 post.

Week 3 is a problem though, which one to pick.
There is something about the first picture, but I cannot put my finger on it :D
The second picture I just cannot get over :D:D
 
I really like the second composition of the week 2 picture, the angle makes the shot a little bit more interesting.

Hmmm i'm not sure which picture i'd pick for week 3 but probably the first one, just because the colours fascinate me but i like both shots :thumbs:
 
Hiya,

You have nailed this weeks theme (pardon the pun) :D

I like both images, although the second image would benefit from a bit of a lighten and a straighten, otherwise I think it is great and that tree is fantastic.

The first image has a nice DOF but I think the lighting needs work as it is reflecting off the nails which in effect is affecting the designs. I think using a different light source and a different angle may avoid this.

Otherwise there are both lovely images, well done.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
BTW you need to change the title of your original post to week 3 so folk can see which week you have added.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Nailed it...lol..err kind of..;)

With your second one, the tree looks like it's sat on top of the second fence rail (?) but maybe that's what you intended??

Cheers.
 
Well done mate on what seemed an easy theme but really all 3 have got me going :D 2 good shots like the 2nd well done :thumbs:
 
I love both these images... But for me I'm not really into alternative themes... And while stile is not really all that out the box... When I think style I'm still thinking fashion and design... Both are great images... I'd go for the first.
 
Just had a chance to look at your pictures.... I love the new strings picture. It's so clear and I love the lighting on it. It really pushes the boundary of the theme.

Now for style.....I LOVE LOVE LOVE the nails. It's out the box and just really captures the theme perfectly!! The black and white nails for me please.... They would match my shoes perfectly!!!!

The Stile picture doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. I like the double use of the word but I feel the tree behind detracts from the stile in the angle you have taken it.... Perhaps taking the picture from more round to the left would stop the tree being dead in the centre of the picture and make it in the right side, giving the stile more of the focus it deserves.....hope this makes sense??!!

Can't wait to see your work for the new theme of open!!
 
Looks like I'm in a minority but I far prefer the second stile shot for your week 3.

While the nail photograph is interesting in terms of subject matter and colour, it doesn't quite work for me. I'm finding it just a little too busy and I'm struggling to find a focal point. Maybe a much closer shot of one of of the nail style would have worked better with the others oof in the background. You've already shown that you can do really good close-ups with the guitar in week 2.

The tree is far easier on the eye for me.
I like the central composition and the way that the tree is framed by the stile. Love the sharpness throughout and the quality of the light too.
I think it would have benefited from a slightly different angle, so that the stile was either straight or at a more deliberate angle and the overhanging branches didn't intrude so much, but on the whole I find it a really appealing and tranquil image :thumbs:
 
The first "style" pic has great colours and lighting, but doesn't appeal to me - not sure why - maybe there's just to much different colour and pattern so it's hard to focus on any one part.

The "stile" shot I really like. Beautiful sky. Really nice composition. Makes me thinks of wonderful long walks on cold, bright, frosty days. The overhanging branch is a bit distracting and I feel the whole pic need straghtening.
 
Mentalblock said:
I love the DOF in week 1 and the reflection in week 2, but I prefer the composition of your second week 2 post.

Week 3 is a problem though, which one to pick.
There is something about the first picture, but I cannot put my finger on it :
The second picture I just cannot get over
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Thanku Neil - ahhhhaha :p Nice to meet ya, glad you popped by. Gonna be hard for me only to post one shot when ideas start flying around my head... I know I'm gonna end up posting loads!!!!! Ho hum.

luckless said:
I really like the second composition of the week 2 picture, the angle makes the shot a little bit more interesting.

Hmmm i'm not sure which picture i'd pick for week 3 but probably the first one, just because the colours fascinate me but i like both shots :thumbs:
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Thank luckless - I love colour, glad you did too. I tend to overdo the colour - but heh, it's good to add a bit of colour in your life. Please do come by again when you can.

drodd said:
Hiya,

You have nailed this weeks theme (pardon the pun) :D

I like both images, although the second image would benefit from a bit of a lighten and a straighten, otherwise I think it is great and that tree is fantastic.

The first image has a nice DOF but I think the lighting needs work as it is reflecting off the nails which in effect is affecting the designs. I think using a different light source and a different angle may avoid this.

Otherwise there are both lovely images, well done.

Cheers

Dawn
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Thanks Dawn - yep, the tree was difficult, I was lying on the ground (brrrr) which was on a hill and the tree was leaning to the left also. I still don't know what one should go for to line something up :help: advice welcomed for that problem - the horizon or the vertical midline?... I chose the vertical on the tree and tried to centre it - and took soooo many different shots (most of which had my foot in, which I didn't realise til I got home later and saw my trainer on the screen ! :bang: Usually, that's my trademark, accidental this time tho.

Oh, I did climb the scaffold in the end and took shots of the solar panels reNEWable energy (tsk tsk said my boss!)





posiview said:
Nailed it...lol..err kind of..;)

With your second one, the tree looks like it's sat on top of the second fence rail (?) but maybe that's what you intended??

Cheers.
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hey Andy - ha, ya know, I hadn't even noticed that :bang: it does too, doesn't it! I shall take note of that next time - all helpful - it's good to have that feedback! Thanku :) I don't think too much about the shot, I need to do a bit more thinking when I take them.


Mr G said:
Well done mate on what seemed an easy theme but really all 3 have got me going :D 2 good shots like the 2nd well done :thumbs:
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Thanks James - thanks for coming by and do come visit here again - I hope to get a little more adventurous in future weeks, I think my week 4 is gonna be a tad boring but... we'll see, have a couple more days and some time over the weekend :)

markelliot said:
I love both these images... But for me I'm not really into alternative themes... And while stile is not really all that out the box... When I think style I'm still thinking fashion and design... Both are great images... I'd go for the first.
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Cool Mark - ahhhhh, I could see "nails" being part of your style theme on Laura's dressing table. Glad you came by. Thankee.

billybob99 said:
Week 3 no1 the nails for me
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Hi Andrew - I took loads of the nails too but there were people in the room who were watching me take them so I got a little panicky and tried to rush it in the end. Doing this project tho is making me go out and talk to folk, so that's kinda good.

laura-elliot said:
Just had a chance to look at your pictures.... I love the new strings picture. It's so clear and I love the lighting on it. It really pushes the boundary of the theme.

Now for style.....I LOVE LOVE LOVE the nails. It's out the box and just really captures the theme perfectly!! The black and white nails for me please.... They would match my shoes perfectly!!!!

The Stile picture doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. I like the double use of the word but I feel the tree behind detracts from the stile in the angle you have taken it.... Perhaps taking the picture from more round to the left would stop the tree being dead in the centre of the picture and make it in the right side, giving the stile more of the focus it deserves.....hope this makes sense??!!

Can't wait to see your work for the new theme of open!!
Click to expand...

Hi Laura - yep, those B&W nails would match your shoes beautifully. Oh.. oh.. oh... I love your shoes! :) Thanks for your comments - hoping tomorrow to be able to look thru all your 52's too. (more shoes girlie, more shoes! stay far far far away from Tango openers in those shooooz!)



SarahLee said:
Looks like I'm in a minority but I far prefer the second stile shot for your week 3.

While the nail photograph is interesting in terms of subject matter and colour, it doesn't quite work for me. I'm finding it just a little too busy and I'm struggling to find a focal point. Maybe a much closer shot of one of of the nail style would have worked better with the others oof in the background. You've already shown that you can do really good close-ups with the guitar in week 2.

The tree is far easier on the eye for me.
I like the central composition and the way that the tree is framed by the stile. Love the sharpness throughout and the quality of the light too.
I think it would have benefited from a slightly different angle, so that the stile was either straight or at a more deliberate angle and the overhanging branches didn't intrude so much, but on the whole I find it a really appealing and tranquil image
Click to expand...

Hey Sarah, I'm glad you like the tree - ahh, if you could see it for real, the frost all around and the sun splitting the trees - it was so peaceful... I can see me going back and visiting that tree often - super stunning and not another person anywhere even close. Perfect. Thank you.

PatrickO said:
The first "style" pic has great colours and lighting, but doesn't appeal to me - not sure why - maybe there's just to much different colour and pattern so it's hard to focus on any one part.

The "stile" shot I really like. Beautiful sky. Really nice composition. Makes me thinks of wonderful long walks on cold, bright, frosty days. The overhanging branch is a bit distracting and I feel the whole pic need straghtening.
Click to expand...

Hi Patrick... yep, I get what you say completely. I took a pic the other side of the stile (well, actually took blooming loads of pics t'other side of it) - the tree was is just gorgeous - it has a style of it's own for sure.

I just havta show you a pic of it...


DSC00980a by Azureizmoi, on Flickr

Thanks so much everyone for all your comments and assistance - it really does help getting your feedback. Merci muchly. x
 
My biggest failure is to post one photo... I'm rubbish at that! Every photo has a story so, posting one, is just like one page of my book, that's why this is my personal challenge.

Must learn to focus on just one thing :)

anyhoo - the first one is the preface, the 2nd is the index... the third photo is for the OPEN THEME



Open book

DSC01724.ARW by Azureizmoi, on Flickr


Open mind

open mind by Azureizmoi, on Flickr




Open heart


Open Heart by Azureizmoi, on Flickr
 
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