weekly blakester's 52 for 2012, Week 52 "Busy (Beach Party)" Post 1215 FINISHED

[blakester]

Hi Iain, another fantastic week for you with three excellent shots. I keep going between #1 & #2 and can't decide between them, I would be very pleased with both/either!!

Reshoot - time. I think its 1:55 as well!! A good idea and again well taken!

Thanks Sarah, I too like them both but think #2 is my preference because of the focus.
Time yes I admit 1:55 as opposed to 10:10 haha

 

[jgs001]

Time, I really like it, but agree about the dark line
Body, nicely spotted, and I agree with your thinking about those in the background. Very colourful too and offset by the dark walls behind.
Liquid, very clever and fits the bill well. Although I think I prefer the second shot, but do like the wider view.
Time - Reshoot, yep it works, good definition, like it.

 

[blakester]

Time, I really like it, but agree about the dark line
Body, nicely spotted, and I agree with your thinking about those in the background. Very colourful too and offset by the dark walls behind.
Liquid, very clever and fits the bill well. Although I think I prefer the second shot, but do like the wider view.
Time - Reshoot, yep it works, good definition, like it.

Thanks for looking in John

 

[Delta Skies]

Liquid – Fabulous shot. Well done. I like the idea of rotating it by 90 degrees as well. I like the sharpness of #2 but the wider view of #1 – Sounds like another reshoot

Reshoot Time – Another fabulous one. I love the focussing on this one plus the colours of the greens and browns really make the image pop. Well done.

 

[blakester]

Liquid – Fabulous shot. Well done. I like the idea of rotating it by 90 degrees as well. I like the sharpness of #2 but the wider view of #1 – Sounds like another reshoot

Reshoot Time – Another fabulous one. I love the focussing on this one plus the colours of the greens and browns really make the image pop. Well done.

Thanks Peter
I will revisit my idea for liquid at some stage.

Cheers for the comments on time too, I enjoyed taking this one as it was with my new lens 105 macro, I just love the effect on the dof with this.

 

[Allan.H]

nice sharp image for time you must be happy about the lens would love a macro maybe one day

 

[The goblin]

Yet another cracking shot for your time reshoot I have the Canon macro, love it but it's infuriating too, I need to do a macro course.

 

[blakester]

nice sharp image for time you must be happy about the lens would love a macro maybe one day

Thanks Allan, yes i am very happy with the lens. it will take a bit of getting used to though.

Yet another cracking shot for your time reshoot I have the Canon macro, love it but it's infuriating too, I need to do a macro course.

Thanks Marsha, yes they are tricky to use macro lenses. They give such a shallow dof it's difficult to pick a focus point.

 

[LauraJ23]

Lovely shot Iain, the colours are making the dandelion jump out nicely. Great work.

 

[blakester]

Lovely shot Iain, the colours are making the dandelion jump out nicely. Great work.

Cheers Michael,
I had this idea for the original time but decided against it in favour of the egg timer. I should have just gone with my first idea

 

[posiview]

Oh, yeah, reshoot is a cracker. So much detail, 105mm?, well exposed and nicely lit. Lovely detail and colours.



Now, with you skill level, crit is must, however minor...

The slight gap in the seeds at 11 o'clock and I thinks I'd rather the green elements in the BG weren't there, even though they are integral to the storyline.

Good show, Iain.

 

[blakester]

Oh, yeah, reshoot is a cracker. So much detail, 105mm?, well exposed and nicely lit. Lovely detail and colours.



Now, with you skill level, crit is must, however minor...

The slight gap in the seeds at 11 o'clock and I thinks I'd rather the green elements in the BG weren't there, even though they are integral to the storyline.

Good show, Iain.

Cheers Andy
Yes, 105mm lens, takes a bit of getting used to.

Yes, the gap at 11 o'clock I had to live with as I had picked all the dandelions in the garden and plucked them this was as good as it got, surprisingly fiddly to try and make it even

 

[Arlandria]

Iain

Nice idea. Very sharp centre and great colours. Lovely light feel to it.

Think I would go for 1.55

This!

 

[blondie606]

Hi Iain

Time reshoot....1:55 for sure I'm quite partial to dandelion seed heads & this is a great shot of one , nice n sharp , great detail & subtle greens I've tried really hard to find something to crit but can't

Liquid...saw your 1st shot but didn't get round to commenting....brilliant idea & well shot , the emphasis is on the water so right on theme & great idea to turn the image on it's side ( though that did confuse me at 1st )

The reshoot with your hand more in focus , to me , is way better , you still get the connection with the theme but it's a much easier image to look at as it's all in focus , if that makes sense ?

As always you keep posting up superb images mister

 

[blakester]

Hi Iain

Time reshoot....1:55 for sure I'm quite partial to dandelion seed heads & this is a great shot of one , nice n sharp , great detail & subtle greens I've tried really hard to find something to crit but can't

Liquid...saw your 1st shot but didn't get round to commenting....brilliant idea & well shot , the emphasis is on the water so right on theme & great idea to turn the image on it's side ( though that did confuse me at 1st )

The reshoot with your hand more in focus , to me , is way better , you still get the connection with the theme but it's a much easier image to look at as it's all in focus , if that makes sense ?

As always you keep posting up superb images mister

Thanks Lynne, ok I concede its 1:55, it was supposed to be 10:10 as thats apparently the best time to show when photographing watches, clocks etc.

I do prefer the second edit for liquid too. I am pleased with the focus on that one.

Thanks for your kind comments Lynne

 

[blakester]

This is a bit late, but it took me all week to come up with something for the theme of up and even then I am not entirely convinced.

Work has been a particular distraction this week.

As I said, not being entirely sure about this one but I post it anyway with thoughts of a reshoot if there is another drawn. I chalk this week up to get an image in and move along to the next. C&C welcome as always but not expected due to the above.


Week 36 - Up by iain blake, on Flickr

 

[blakester]

From posting last weeks late, I now post this weeks early

This may be something of a place filler, I was out with my camera today for a wander and came across these two creatures. There seemed to be a bit of a web power struggle going on. I felt it loosely fitted the theme, so I thought I'd post it early. If I come up with something else I will have a rethink but for now here it is. C&C welcome but again not expected as this may be something of a temporary edition.


Week 37 - Duo by iain blake, on Flickr

 

[The goblin]

Hi Iain,

Up, a little late but I'll let you off I like this, I'm guessing up as in reaching up for the sunlight or looking up the flower? Either way it fits the theme for me I love the detail in the back of the flowers and the vibrant yellow against the bright white sky

Duo, ok this looks a little shoe horned into the theme! Ok a duo of spiders but more a duel
It's still a good shot though, love the DOF and the framing with the background. The spiders look like they're floating in mid air, but the few little strands of the web visible just help fix them in place

 

[Dark Knight]

Hey Iain

Now before I even start I know this is going to be a monster to catch up on... so here goes..

Contrast - Damn that's a good idea, love the way you have presented it with the shadow cyclist on top, you have a great mind for coming up with shots that alway deliver... you b****r

Mineral alternative - Colour version for me !!! like the stone that has been used in two parts of the spiral, also liking the background, it really helps the stones stand out - great shot !!!

Dark - Now... is that you dressed up in a frog suit

Ok... rather a good cheat, I presume this wasn't done at home, where ever it was done the lighting is just great, the detail in the leaf and the sharp outline of your costume is excellent

Mineral alternative - I really like that, the cloud fills that part of the sky nicely which imo helps the shot, good pp, love the idea

Time - A nice sharp shot of the glass, but for me I would have liked a shot that showed the sands of time falling, possibly wider would have caught it ?? - anyway back on track a nice shallow dof focusing on the narrow neck of the timer, still a very effective image

Body - Damn that's literal, I'm glad you don't work in a morgue

I really like that, great colours, the people in the background is a great touch, and the lighting on the body is real well handled with all them lovely dark bricks in the back ground

Wider Shot - Damn... didn't realise it was that big

You guys that are in or close to london really are lucky with what you have on your doorstep

Liquid - Now that is excellent, nothing else I can add to that

Liquid retake - Boy... I'm torn between the two, the first to me has a lot of impact with the water line movement etc, but the detail in this one - impressed

Re-shoot - Excellent sharpness and colours, great dark background, has a very fluffy feel to it... Nice one

Up - A very original idea... amazed where you found such tall flowers :nuts:

I like it, great colours and clear background

Duo - Nice shot, I was going to take some spider shots today when the sun died down a bit, as for some reason there seems to be load in the garden today !!!

Phew... thats another up to date

 

[superpippo]

Hi Iain

Up - fits the theme well for me. Lovely colour and detail and angle - transluscent and glowing.

Duo - hard to know what duo means but this seems to fit. Again nice colours and detail but maybe a slightly tighter crop Not sure without experimenting with it.

 

[blakester]

Hey Iain

Now before I even start I know this is going to be a monster to catch up on... so here goes..

Contrast - Damn that's a good idea, love the way you have presented it with the shadow cyclist on top, you have a great mind for coming up with shots that alway deliver... you b****r

Mineral alternative - Colour version for me !!! like the stone that has been used in two parts of the spiral, also liking the background, it really helps the stones stand out - great shot !!!

Dark - Now... is that you dressed up in a frog suit

Ok... rather a good cheat, I presume this wasn't done at home, where ever it was done the lighting is just great, the detail in the leaf and the sharp outline of your costume is excellent

Mineral alternative - I really like that, the cloud fills that part of the sky nicely which imo helps the shot, good pp, love the idea

Time - A nice sharp shot of the glass, but for me I would have liked a shot that showed the sands of time falling, possibly wider would have caught it ?? - anyway back on track a nice shallow dof focusing on the narrow neck of the timer, still a very effective image

Body - Damn that's literal, I'm glad you don't work in a morgue

I really like that, great colours, the people in the background is a great touch, and the lighting on the body is real well handled with all them lovely dark bricks in the back ground

Wider Shot - Damn... didn't realise it was that big

You guys that are in or close to london really are lucky with what you have on your doorstep

Liquid - Now that is excellent, nothing else I can add to that

Liquid retake - Boy... I'm torn between the two, the first to me has a lot of impact with the water line movement etc, but the detail in this one - impressed

Re-shoot - Excellent sharpness and colours, great dark background, has a very fluffy feel to it... Nice one

Up - A very original idea... amazed where you found such tall flowers

I like it, great colours and clear background

Duo - Nice shot, I was going to take some spider shots today when the sun died down a bit, as for some reason there seems to be load in the garden today !!!

Phew... thats another up to date

Wow, thanks for the mega comment catch up
To reply to a few of your comments, it would have to be some size of leaf if that was me in a frog costume
I agree about liquid, I like the composition of the first but the detail of the second, definitely one for me to revisit.

Hi Iain

Up - fits the theme well for me. Lovely colour and detail and angle - transluscent and glowing.

Duo - hard to know what duo means but this seems to fit. Again nice colours and detail but maybe a slightly tighter crop Not sure without experimenting with it.

Thanks Alan
Duo, i just took this to mean two. I have taken the theme quiye literally by my interpretation

Hi Iain,

Up, a little late but I'll let you off I like this, I'm guessing up as in reaching up for the sunlight or looking up the flower? Either way it fits the theme for me I love the detail in the back of the flowers and the vibrant yellow against the bright white sky

Duo, ok this looks a little shoe horned into the theme! Ok a duo of spiders but more a duel
It's still a good shot though, love the DOF and the framing with the background. The spiders look like they're floating in mid air, but the few little strands of the web visible just help fix them in place

Thanks Marsha, yes a little late Your interpretation is how I was thinking in regards to the theme.
Duo, I took as two but i can see how my image could be interpretated differently. I think its another of those themes which on the face of it should be quite easy but is another case entirely.
It was difficult to capture all the detail and the web is a little lost. Having managed to get a little of it was a bonus.

 

[posiview]

Hi, Iain, 105 is addictive, isn't it

Up, I am a fan of hi key and the screams it... I like the perspective and you have 3, which is good and the translucent yellow is good. I've photographed hi key a few time and rarely got it right, they were either under exposed and worse still, over exposed and by doing so removed a lot of detail. There's a few hot spots, but overall I like it.

Duo, 'Two people or two things in close association' so on theme. It's not to you usual high standard, as you elude to. It's a place stopper so I await a further submission.

Cheers.

 

[Dark Knight]

.....
To reply to a few of your comments, it would have to be some size of leaf if that was me in a frog costume .....

I know... but now I have thought of it, the image of you in one is stuck in my mind

 

[Allan.H]

really like the flowers wish I could get some shots I am not sure of which are as good

nothing wrong with the theme for duo DUO certainly means two but maybe a tighter crop would be better

 

[jgs001]

Up, really liking this, the details are great, and the colours superb, reckon that would look great on a wall.

Duo works and fits the theme, the background really sets of the spiders nicely. I feel there a bit small in the frame though... but they're sharp and detailed.

 

[sturisoma]

ahhh loving up, great shot

duo - well it's two of anything huh? The word two is derived from duo or something like that - anyhow, not too sure about the shot, the spiders seem a bit lost in the BG to me - I guess a closer crop would lose the web strands tho

 

[Delta Skies]

Up – Nice use of the yellow against the bright white background. I like how you’ve taken the shot from behind the flowers.

Duo – Nice use of the oof background. Nice capture of the spiders as well

 

[blakester]

Hi, Iain, 105 is addictive, isn't it

Up, I am a fan of hi key and the screams it... I like the perspective and you have 3, which is good and the translucent yellow is good. I've photographed hi key a few time and rarely got it right, they were either under exposed and worse still, over exposed and by doing so removed a lot of detail. There's a few hot spots, but overall I like it.

Duo, 'Two people or two things in close association' so on theme. It's not to you usual high standard, as you elude to. It's a place stopper so I await a further submission.

Cheers.

Hi Andy, thanks for your comments.
Yes the 105 is addictive, it does take a bit of getting used to, with such shallow dof. For my up shot I used spot metering on the underside of the flowers, I concentrated on the darker stem to keep the detail, sacrificing a little on the lighter petals, hence the hotspots.

really like the flowers wish I could get some shots I am not sure of which are as good

nothing wrong with the theme for duo DUO certainly means two but maybe a tighter crop would be better

Thanks Allan, I am happy with the flowers its just I am treading water at the moment with the 52 an not giving it my full attention.

A tighter crop on the spiders loses what little I had of the web so its the lesser of two evils having a wider shot.

Up, really liking this, the details are great, and the colours superb, reckon that would look great on a wall.

Duo works and fits the theme, the background really sets of the spiders nicely. I feel there a bit small in the frame though... but they're sharp and detailed.

Thanks John, I am not sure it would stand u to scrutiny being printed large and hung on a wall

ahhh loving up, great shot

duo - well it's two of anything huh? The word two is derived from duo or something like that - anyhow, not too sure about the shot, the spiders seem a bit lost in the BG to me - I guess a closer crop would lose the web strands tho

Thanks Summer, glad you like the flowers

Up – Nice use of the yellow against the bright white background. I like how you’ve taken the shot from behind the flowers.

Duo – Nice use of the oof background. Nice capture of the spiders as well

Thanks to you too Peter

 

[LauraJ23]

Liking the up shot, nice angle and I am liking the colours of the flowers. Duo, like it, the spiders stand out nicely from the bg.

 

[blondie606]

Hi Iain

Love your UP image....great yellows , lovely angle...High key working well... ...mine always end up blown !


Duo.....I HATE SPIDERS ! Liking the DOF , the BG colors & the little bit of web...still hate spiders though

Even though you say these are possibly placeholders whislt you tread water they are still darn fine images mister


ps....I'm sure you'll have seen...

TP 52'S END OF PROJECT MEET

 

[Southdowns]

Hi Iain. I'm really sorry, but I'm not going to find time to catch up on the backlog I've left myself for commenting, so will start with up

I think you have it spot on with this one, and don't understand why you're not happy with it? I honestly can't find a single fault; perfectly on theme, perfectly lit and exposed, wonderful colours, spot on DoF, and great composition!

Duo, a great image, technically perfect. From anyone else I'd think it couldn't be bettered, but for you, I'd just say it's maybe not quite as imaginative as I'm used to from you?

 

[blakester]

First up, apologies to everyone for not posting on others threads lately and not replying to comments on my thread too. I have been popping in from time to time but for very short periods. It is unlikely to get much better this coming month, I am on a 4 week residential course away from home, coming back weekends. Time is very precious at the moment.

Liking the up shot, nice angle and I am liking the colours of the flowers. Duo, like it, the spiders stand out nicely from the bg.

Thanks Michael, I fancied a slightly different take on the subject of the flowers, and the detail underneath presented an opportunity. The spiders are more a grab shot if I am honest but they ticked the box for the weeks theme.

Hi Iain

Love your UP image....great yellows , lovely angle...High key working well... ...mine always end up blown !


Duo.....I HATE SPIDERS ! Liking the DOF , the BG colors & the little bit of web...still hate spiders though

Even though you say these are possibly placeholders whislt you tread water they are still darn fine images mister


ps....I'm sure you'll have seen...

TP 52'S END OF PROJECT MEET

Thanks Lynne, time is at a premium at the moment so these went from placeholders to submissions

Even though these were supposed to be temporary and the subjects don't quite grab me, I still try to present the image as best as I can. I am happy technically with them not so much artistically but hey ho sometimes its best just to post and move along eh?

I have noted the end of 52 meet but in my typical style my decision to come along will probably be lastminutedotcom

Hi Iain. I'm really sorry, but I'm not going to find time to catch up on the backlog I've left myself for commenting, so will start with up

I think you have it spot on with this one, and don't understand why you're not happy with it? I honestly can't find a single fault; perfectly on theme, perfectly lit and exposed, wonderful colours, spot on DoF, and great composition!

Duo, a great image, technically perfect. From anyone else I'd think it couldn't be bettered, but for you, I'd just say it's maybe not quite as imaginative as I'm used to from you?

Thanks Mark, certainly no apology to me required, I have exactly had a lot to say for myself on here for a while

I do like UP, its just that as a subject, it doesn't really grab me. Duo, as I said to Lynne just above, it fits the theme so I can move along

 

[Bilko]

First up, apologies to everyone for not posting on others threads lately and not replying to comments on my thread too. I have been popping in from time to time but for very short periods. It is unlikely to get much better this coming month, I am on a 4 week residential course away from home, coming back weekends. Time is very precious at the moment.

Hello Iain, I'm in the same boat at the minute and struggling badly, but I'm not away from home. So I'd say you've a better excuse than me.

Thank you for staying with the challenge and posting superb photographs.

 

[blakester]

Hello Iain, I'm in the same boat at the minute and struggling badly, but I'm not away from home. So I'd say you've a better excuse than me.

Thank you for staying with the challenge and posting superb photographs.

Hi Robert, yes it is a bit of a struggle at times but I am going to try and stay with it. I am going to cut myself a bit of slack and try and catch up as and when.
Thanks for your kind comments

 

[blakester]

Late again with last weeks theme of flow
I am afraid I have had to resort to my default option again. It does get me back up to date but is a bit too familiar, apologies for that.
My thought process behind this was "ebb & flow" of the tide. I visited Southend/Shoeburyness today, when I got there the tide was way out. I decided to walk out to meet the tide and get my photograph :shake: I didn't quite reach the water when i noticed it was coming back in, so decided to turn around and head all the way back. I eventually took the photograph near enough at the high tide mark. I could've saved myself a walk through the mud
C&C welcome as always but not expected for a few reasons (a) Its late and (b) Its my default option again!!


38 - Flow by iain blake, on Flickr

 

[posiview]

Hi, Iain, it's hard not to like these

I like the colours and composition. Wasn't sure about the harsh shadows but actually they add depth. The bubbles on the top really emphasis Flow.

Minor crit, just the shell top right.

Cheers and are eelpout joining the TP meet??

 

[blakester]

Hi, Iain, it's hard not to like these

I like the colours and composition. Wasn't sure about the harsh shadows but actually they add depth. The bubbles on the top really emphasis Flow.

Minor crit, just the shell top right.

Cheers and are eelpout joining the TP meet??

Thanks Andy, these series of photographs don't really warrant any critique if I am honest, as there isn't any real photographic skill involved. Its more of a concept than startling photography. i am still treading water with the 52 but will complete it.

I am considering the TP meet but am likely to be lastminutedotcom on a decision I am afraid. eelpout??

 

[Nathalie]

Iain,

Duo - I think this is good. I love the clean background, the green and black. Did you try more of a close-up or, if you have the resolution for it, a tighter crop? The spiders are a little small in the frame for me.

Flow - Yes, it is familiar, but sometimes we have to resort to default options. I do it too, sometimes (flowers and cats). And besides, it is still on theme, the colours are great, there's lots of detail. I like it.

Don't worry about commenting on other peoples' photos. Focus on getting your own shots done and catch up with commenting when you can.

 

[blakester]

Iain,

Duo - I think this is good. I love the clean background, the green and black. Did you try more of a close-up or, if you have the resolution for it, a tighter crop? The spiders are a little small in the frame for me.

Flow - Yes, it is familiar, but sometimes we have to resort to default options. I do it too, sometimes (flowers and cats). And besides, it is still on theme, the colours are great, there's lots of detail. I like it.

Don't worry about commenting on other peoples' photos. Focus on getting your own shots done and catch up with commenting when you can.

Thanks Nathalie

Duo, I do have the resolution for a closer crop but it does lose what little web is showing. it was a conscious decision to opt for the larger frame as the spiders aren't wholly in mid air IYSWIM

Flow, I have to apologise for this is as it is a bit of a lazy option for me. In my defence, it was taken in the week (ish) the theme was posted so its not from my back catalogue.

I will try and comment on others threads too but I am away again on my course tomorrow afternoon and time is at a premium

 

[Lynton]

I like flow....... I know its the Blakester default option, but it works.....

by the way "13 ft square" is on the nursery wall........(to all other TP'ers I bought a 20" x 20" canvas of one of blakesters, "feet" pics - his first ever customer!!) .....

Will send you an "in situ" pic soon