Blondie606's Photo52 2011-Wk 52 Glass & Nature,Challenge Complete

blondie606

blondie606

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Ok ,never done this sort of thing before so thought I'd give it a go. When I saw the title for this week's theme I almost bottled it it as struggle to think outside the box.The the idea's started coming but alas,I lack the skill & kit to execute them:bang:

I'll try & leave feedback for others,have seen some great pictures but have little technical knowledge so critique is not something I feel comfortable giving

So here goes,based on Paul Young's song..."wherever I lay my Hat (thats my home )" Home being accomodation :shrug:


DSC_4497_copy.jpg


Was supposed to be tidying the garden this morning but woke up & 1st thought was the hat & the song ! Taken with my Tamron 70-300 in manual (for a change).Spent 20 mins trying to find a map not drawn all over,45 mins spent taking the shots from different angles (including standing on a chair) & 1/2 hour trying to decide if any really worked ! Settled on this. Off to the garden now:lol:

Not sure if this is allowed but have been playing around with a toy hat following peoples comments about shallower DOF & getting the whole hat in.Not keen on the hat but

DSC_4528_copya.jpg
 
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Nothing quite like an 80's reference. I like the idea, although experimenting with composition - maybe a slightly lower angle and ensuring the whole hat was in shot -and a shallow depth of field might have helped.

Cheers
 
Thanks for that Guy's. Did have a couple with the whole hat in but it's so damm big that you wouldn't have really been able to see the map.
Thats also why I didn't go for a shallower DOF .Maybe I should have bought a dolls house size hat :shrug:
You've got me thinking though,gonna ask some colleagues with kids if they have such a thing & give it another go:)
 
Spooky said:
Nothing quite like an 80's reference. I like the idea, although experimenting with composition - maybe a slightly lower angle and ensuring the whole hat was in shot -and a shallow depth of field might have helped.

Cheers
Click to expand...

What Spooky has said pretty much sums up my thoughts on your shot also, love the idea and good luck for rest of your 52 :thumbs:
 
It's amazing how the brain takes a theme that first seems like a nightmare and produces wonderous things. For me part of the joy of the 52 is watching people learn and develop so next time if you have an idea that first seems impossible, try and shoot it the post the results. Even if the photo doesn't work tell everyone the idea you had and how you went about it. Perhaps more importantly saying what you like about the image and things that you would like to improve even if you don't know exactly how you would do it. Other 52ers may be able to help (remember you can always reshoot without waiting for a RESHOOT card).

So on that note, what do you like about this image, what do you think could be improved and what ideas did you dismiss because you couldn't think how to capture them?

You will find that by thinking about your own images in that critical way you will get better at thinking about others posts in the meantime just get out there and let other 52ers (and other posters) what you like about their image and what you don't like.
 
Thanks for the feedback peeps :thumbs:

Simon...boy do you ask some questions ! Was really stumped for idea's as don't like shooting buildings etc so wanted something different .Tried the USB port on my hard drive but couldn't get the lighting right ( as in I don't have any diffusers or off camera flashes & no idea really about lighting). Also tried a plug socket ,trying to pick out the red bits where the prongs go in but again lighting let me down .
Generally if it isn't an animal,plant or motorbike I'm stumped:thinking:

So woke up this morning & 1st thought in my mind was the hat closely followed by the song ( I think I need to get out more!) . I'd like to have got the whole hat in shot but it is big & I still wanted the map places to be visible .The whole hat shots I took just didn't seem to look right:shrug: Likewise shots from a lower level.
& just to be really picky I'd like to have got the badge on the hat a little clearer
So I'm pretty pleased overall BUT am hoping this week to borrow a kiddies toy size hat & see what I can do with that :)

One question from me which may seem rather basic to you....what exactly do you mean by shallower DOF on this picture ? Are you meaning to blur the map more ?

If so then then I'll try it with a smaller hat ,I felt that making the map blur out would look odd as it would appear to be just a hat ? Please advise as I want to learn & can always keep trying:help:

thanks again
 
A smaller depth of field basically means having a smaller area of the picture in focus, I notice you shot this at f/11, if you open up your aperture to around f/5.6 or larger (not sure what lenses you have) you will create this type of effect and it helps to draw the eye to a particular point in the overall image. Have some fun and experiment with different apertures and distances to the subject to see the variety of effects you can achieve.
 
Hiya Lynne,

I like your thought process for this theme, and a great song too.

I think the hat is just right, but agree with perhaps a lower angle to give it a bit more DOF.

Good luck with the rest of the 52.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Gonetae said:
A smaller depth of field basically means having a smaller area of the picture in focus, I notice you shot this at f/11, if you open up your aperture to around f/5.6 or larger (not sure what lenses you have) you will create this type of effect and it helps to draw the eye to a particular point in the overall image. Have some fun and experiment with different apertures and distances to the subject to see the variety of effects you can achieve.
Click to expand...

agree

Also a slightly lower angle would also help with the DOF, and throw the far top left of the mape into DOF, rather than looking downish as you have it now, so the DOF will have a chance to be more evident, hope that makes sense
 
Not sure if you're allowed to do this but added a 2nd experiment to my 1st post after taking on board some of the comments above. Borrowed a hat from bucking bronco & tried for a shallower DOF.
This 52 challenge has got me...spent most of the day at work thinking about this shot & what to do for the NEW theme :-0
 
Hiya Lynne,

I don't think there are any rules about uploading a re-shoot of a photo, I have done the same as I think it helps to take onboard and apply all the c&c from the first image.

I think you have done well and it is obvious to me that you have thought about all the replies and carefully excecuted this reshoot. I'm not too keen on the red hat, but can see why you had to use the scaled down version in order to get the hat and the DOF as suggested. In some way the hat reminds me of an over-sized drawing pin that one would use to mark the spot on a map :D

Well done and look forward to rest of your project.

Good luck with the next theme.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Great take on the theme Lynne. If I had to choose I think I like the first shot best - spot on for focus and composition.
 
blondie606 said:
Not sure if you're allowed to do this but added a 2nd experiment to my 1st post after taking on board some of the comments above. Borrowed a hat from bucking bronco & tried for a shallower DOF.
This 52 challenge has got me...spent most of the day at work thinking about this shot & what to do for the NEW theme :-0
Click to expand...

Hi , Lynne , you can do what you want with the challenge - as long as you post pictures. I know what you mean about this challenge, it becomes a bit obsessive:lol: As to leaving feedback for others, everyone's opinion is valid - just say what you like and don't like and most people will appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Great idea for the first theme. It's great the wide range of imaginative ideas people have. I like both versions of the pic. I think I would have added something else to the pic, maybe some keys or something.

Great start - looking forward to seeing week 2
 
Oh dear,had loads of idea's but again lack the skill n knowledge to execute them and end up with shot I saw in minds eye:bang:
The theme being new I went for this : New hair growth:lol:
Really wanted to get a half face on the left fo the pic & focus on the new bits but couldn't get the time I needed & work colleagues to pose as asked!


New_1a.jpg


I now have a list of about 20 things to shoot with "new" in mind,all I need is more time,willing models & bucket loads more talent:lol:

On the plus side I think I managed to get the focus about right,could've gone more close up but wanted to retain the fact is actually a face..
 
Hiya Lynne

Well done on your week 2, I like your thought process behind the theme and I don't recall seeing one of these images, but have seen one of a razor with new blade, perhaps we should introduce the two :D

I think you have got the focus right and the size of the image is fine too.

I've also noticed some of the comments and critique you have left on other posts and I think you are doing just fine at that. The more you do it the more comfortable you will be, it is all part of the learning experience.

As for your comfort zone ..... I think that will be cured by the end of the year ;)

I think you are doing a great job so far and I look forward to seeing how you progress through this project.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Week 1 is great and I couldn't agree more on the reasoning behind it, for me the DOF is spot on, any tighter and you'd lose more of the hat and also be picking on one location, as it is we're left wondering, colours also for me are just right.

As for week 2, great imagination and execution, focus is ideal it allows the hair to be the focal point without details like the ear ring taking over or being lost, can't wait to see your interpritation of the following weeks ahead, well done
 
Ok,was really stumped when I saw the theme,managed to find a couple of ideas but not sure if I can put them in to practice :bang:

I also need to give my remaining few brain cells a rest cos this challenge is taking over my life :D

So had a play with PSE7 for the 1st time this mornng using an old photo & trying out different "styles"
BAS Relief style :

Aaron_style.jpg


Will try harder & may manage to do something else for this weeks theme :lol:

Damm n blast this challenge ! Went for a drive & the 1st car I saw was an Aston Martin....now there's style :-) Unfortunately I couldn't get him to stop so I nipped down to the local Porshe dealer & found this truly beautiful example of the original 911( I think)
So, time enduring,German style :

DSC_4794a.jpg


& now I've got other ideas buzzing round in my head !
What I've learnt this week : never go into panic mode & post the 1st thing I think of ! Must think more outside the box . Doing another shot tomorrow again outside what I normally do & if it works will also post as I'm getting in to this now.Hope thats allowed
Cheers
 
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Interesting take on the theme, photoshop styles... I think it would have worked better with just the bike and rider though, currently the background is making the relief too "noisy" i think?
Really like the original as a shot in it's own right, too.
 
Love your Porsche, now that IS style :thumbs:

I find the highlights on the bonnet a bit distracting (are they what's termed specular highlights?) Is there any way a change of angle would eliminate them?
 
Photographing cars and (more importantly) lighting them is a tricky thing to do. For inspiration from one of the best automotive photographers, see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenwbrown/sets/72157594572725836/

Ken also sometimes divulges the secrets of his lighting too.

Regarding the Porsche above you either have to clone out the highlights in Photoshop, or you have to change the angle of the shot/the angle of the lights to avoid that happening (not easy given they look like the fluorescent ceiling lights).
 
Thanks for the feedback guy's .
Now what are specular highlights?

I took several shots at various angles (much to the amusement of the sales guy's!) but couldn't get rid of the light spots .There were several spotlights aimed at the car & also glass roof panels in the building which I think is what the reflection was from .

I only have PSE7 & am not smart enough yet to figure out cloning out stuff or even if PSE7 has that facility - hints & tips would be much appreciated :help:
I did have a go with the eraser tool but made a pigs ear (you could see what I'd done) so left it as is

Thats a great link David, some stunning shots there,thanks
 
Cheers David,never thought about B&W & not really ever done a conversion . However as you've planted the idea I had a go ,very badly edited as no real idea what I'm doing in PSE:bang:
Car_B_W_copy.jpg


Feel free to show me how it should look :)
 
Love the Porshe shot - certainly has style:) The B&W treatment works really well.
 
Edited version is a keeper, maybe not 100% but close enough for me and in B&W its fitting for the car. A great take on the subject, well done
 
Cheers Guy's . Must admit I think I prefer it in B&W myself but would never have thought about doing it so a big THANK YOU .

Now have an overwhelming need to go convert lots of shots & improve on my PSE skills :D

Can't wait for next weeks theme.....
 
Hi Lynne!

I love your Porsche shot! The highlights don't bother me to be honest, but I suppose it's a personal thing. I'll not spend too much time on the motorbike shot other than to say i'm not a bog fan of using "artistic" filters on photos, but you are only learning the software so i'll let you off on that one!

Your 1st hat shot is cool too, great take on the theme, as is week 2 (although it would have benefitted from a much more upclose shot, but not everyone has a macro lens :) )

Stick with it! One thing I will really congratulate you on is having the balls (not literally I hope! :p) to go into a car dealers and start togging....it takes some people a long time (me included) to go and start shooting in an environment like that! Well done! :thumbs:
 
antihero said:
Hi Lynne!

I love your Porsche shot! The highlights don't bother me to be honest, but I suppose it's a personal thing. I'll not spend too much time on the motorbike shot other than to say i'm not a bog fan of using "artistic" filters on photos, but you are only learning the software so i'll let you off on that one!

Your 1st hat shot is cool too, great take on the theme, as is week 2 (although it would have benefitted from a much more upclose shot, but not everyone has a macro lens :) )

Stick with it! One thing I will really congratulate you on is having the balls (not literally I hope! :p) to go into a car dealers and start togging....it takes some people a long time (me included) to go and start shooting in an environment like that! Well done! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks Anti :-) Macro lens is one on a very very long list of wants ! & if nothing else this challenge malarky has got me going to different places & having some very strange conversations with folk I've never met before .Best one so far has to be the local Asda store manager regarding the fish counter:D Roll on week 4 :clap:
 
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