weekly Blondies 2012 52 wk52 BUSY - Finished !

Hi Lynne,

What can say bang on theme. I do love our flag and definitely instills pride. it's a shame it's a bit dog-eraed but that's no reflection on your photography. I like the 2nd image the best as it fills the frame. Nick
 
blondie606 said:
that flipping halo is well annoying...didn't spot it on my screen till you mentioned it ...my pp skills are sadly lacking :'(
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What PP did you do? Also what software do you use? Maybe we can give tips to help you out? The more I learn about CS5 the more I realise how powerful it is and how much I have to learn!!!
 
Delta Skies said:
I do like #2 but as said the halos are a bit distracting
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Thanks Peter...me & pp just don't go well together...yet !

sturisoma said:
your pride shots are brilliant, both of them, well done :clap:
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Cheers :thumbs:


Blank_Canvas said:
Hi Lynne,

What can say bang on theme. I do love our flag and definitely instills pride. it's a shame it's a bit dog-eraed but that's no reflection on your photography. I like the 2nd image the best as it fills the frame. Nick
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Thanks Nick :)

0zerocool0 said:
number one is great shot maybe a closer crop i like the harsh red makes for a differant look
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Cheers Ozero...quite like the overcooked red myself :thumbs:

The goblin said:
What PP did you do? Also what software do you use? Maybe we can give tips to help you out? The more I learn about CS5 the more I realise how powerful it is and how much I have to learn!!!
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Thanks Marsha....I use PS10(quite badly most of the time !)....couldn't tell you what I did but vaguely recall selcting the flag with the marching ants & try n lift the colors a bit...need to figure out the feathering bit me thinks :thinking:
 
Apologies I haven't been in sooner to comment on last weeks theme Lynne but better late than never eh? ;)

#2 for pride gets my vote Lynnne.
#1 is just a little too saturated for my taste.

#2 fills the frame well and is quite a powerful image, I like your processing on this too.
 
Short.......on ideas thats for sure :lol:

Took a whizz to the Botannical Gardens today as couldn't face doing another indoor shot....in between the really heavy rain it merely drizzled :bang:...sun came out for about 15 mins in 2 hours !

Have one more idea for this theme but it'll be tomorrow eve before I get round to shooting it...gotta do a pile of ironing tonight :'(

So....I give you...a short tree....


Small 2 by llj666, on Flickr


Got a little befuddled as kept thinking Small instead of Short however a quick google revealed the following :

Definition of Short :
Synonyms: adjective. brief - low - curt - little - small
& a Synonym is : A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language.....so , theTree maybe small but can also be termed Short :-)

self crit...wish I'd managed to get the little flower in focus as well but from the angle I was at it would've bought all the backgound into focus as well which I didn't want
 
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Hi again Lynne :wave:
Your short image says more small to me but hey its down to interpretation.
I do like these shallow depth of field photographs, this is no exception.
Lovely colour tones and detail in there. The flower being in focus too would have nailed it for me.
Did you have enough room to move around and get the flower on the same focal plane as the tree? That way you could have had it in focus as well as the tree whilst the background stayed oof? Iain
 
blakester said:
Hi again Lynne :wave:
Your short image says more small to me but hey its down to interpretation.
I do like these shallow depth of field photographs, this is no exception.
Lovely colour tones and detail in there. The flower being in focus too would have nailed it for me.
Did you have enough room to move around and get the flower on the same focal plane as the tree? That way you could have had it in focus as well as the tree whilst the background stayed oof? Iain
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Hi Iain....I must admit to getting in a muddle with short & small...hey ho :D


I did get one from another angle...wide path in the BG this time & not quite as happy with the focus but here goes :


Small 2 by llj666, on Flickr
 
I like that one too Lynne. With the little flower in focus it balances the foreground interest.
I like the layered feel to it, compositionally very good IMHO. Iain
 
blakester said:
I like that one too Lynne. With the little flower in focus it balances the foreground interest.
I like the layered feel to it, compositionally very good IMHO. Iain
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Cheers Iain...I see what you mean about it being better balanced with the little flower in focus ....cheers for mentioning it :thumbs:

Delta Skies said:
Don't be hard on yourself Lynne. I think you've done well with the shot.

Short - I have to say I prefer #2 out of these. As said above the addition of the small flower adds to it.
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Thanks Peter...slow but eventually I'll get to grips with pp :thumbs:

Best bit for me is the hugh set of branches that were hanging over the righthandside of the path in the 2nd image....it appears I've done a half decent job of cloning them out as neither of you mentioned them....progress at last :D
 
Hi, Lynne, missed your Pride...:thinking:

With #1, I'm liking the detail and movement in the flag. The red doesn't really bother me. I'd like to see inch and half to two inches off the top. It would really push it against the LH side but the space on the left and top doesn't feel right to me. I do like the cloudy BG.

#2, nice flapping movement and again I do like the muted BG. Bit close though.

Short...:( not your strongest....sorry. Just feel the BG, even thought it's nice an OOF, is too distracting....both have light vertical lines from either the path or the wall. Of the 2, I prefer #1.

I'm sure you're next Short will trump these. Cheers and had to be harsh on Short because I've seen what you can do...:thumbs:
 
posiview said:
Hi, Lynne, missed your Pride...:thinking:

With #1, I'm liking the detail and movement in the flag. The red doesn't really bother me. I'd like to see inch and half to two inches off the top. It would really push it against the LH side but the space on the left and top doesn't feel right to me. I do like the cloudy BG.

#2, nice flapping movement and again I do like the muted BG. Bit close though.

Short...:( not your strongest....sorry. Just feel the BG, even thought it's nice an OOF, is too distracting....both have light vertical lines from either the path or the wall. Of the 2, I prefer #1.

I'm sure you're next Short will trump these. Cheers and had to be harsh on Short because I've seen what you can do...:thumbs:
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Cheers Mister...looking again at Pride #1 I'm inclned to agree....needs a crop :thumbs:
As for Short....hmmmm...BG distractions can't be avoided at that particular spot so :p....as for what I can do....I wouldn't be so sure :shake:
 
Right...I'm posting these as a sort of 2nd attempt at Short.....more of a learning curve in pp....2 images joined using layer's in PSE10...1st time I've tried this & whilst not perfect by a long stretch I'm pleasantly surprised that I managed it...actually I'm fair gobsmacked :eek:
The photo's aren't the best I know.....had approx 2 mins to " borrow " both guy's from their work & grab the shots...in an office with pants lighting , no time to set up up properley & hand held so forgive the poor quality . Also not too up on doing B&W conversions .
I'm gonna regret posting these I just know it :bonk:

#1...Short hair ....I forgot to Merge the images..this was my 1st attempt..


Short Hair 2 by llj666, on Flickr

#2 short hair .....remembered to merge this time & flatten down...dunno if it makes much difference though :shrug:


Short hair 1 by llj666, on Flickr

Big big thanks to Alan & Mike for helping me out :-)
 
Hi Lynne. I really like your short tree shots, I agree that if the little flower had been in focus in number one it would have helped. I also agree that the second attempt is a little fussy with the background. Maybe if it's a path in the background you could have some hold a piece of black card or something else up to help tidy it up a little:thinking:

Your short hair shots are better than you give yourself credit for, especially for the first one the eyes are nice and sharp:thumbs: It's the PP on the first one that lets it down. The black background is the issue as your model is wearing a black top so he gets a bit lost against it. The edge around his hair looks rough where it's been edited and his forehead looks a bit flat! I think it would look better against a lighter background like in number two.

Looking on my phone I can't see much wrong with the second shot against the lighter background. I think for a first attempt at this and the B&W conversion you've done well:thumbs:
 
Hi Blondie...

Out of your first 2 short shots, I can't decide which one I prefer!! like them both, good focus on the tree, colours are good:)

Short hair shots, prefer the second shot, the white backround looks better....as for B&W conversion looks good to me....I do like B&W:)
 
Hi, Lynne, practice with PP is paying off.

Issues with #1 have been mentioned, but #2 is much, much better :clap:

I had a quick edit and took a tad of the top and closed the central gap as well, can't make up my mind which I prefer....:thinking:
 
Hadn't thought of short hair, 10/10 for all the effort you put into this theme :thumbs:
 
The goblin said:
Hi Lynne. I really like your short tree shots, I agree that if the little flower had been in focus in number one it would have helped. I also agree that the second attempt is a little fussy with the background. Maybe if it's a path in the background you could have some hold a piece of black card or something else up to help tidy it up a little:thinking:

Your short hair shots are better than you give yourself credit for, especially for the first one the eyes are nice and sharp:thumbs: It's the PP on the first one that lets it down. The black background is the issue as your model is wearing a black top so he gets a bit lost against it. The edge around his hair looks rough where it's been edited and his forehead looks a bit flat! I think it would look better against a lighter background like in number two.

Looking on my phone I can't see much wrong with the second shot against the lighter background. I think for a first attempt at this and the B&W conversion you've done well:thumbs:
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Thanks for the feedback Marsha...I rechecked the original RAW file & his forehead really was that flat..think it may have been the angle I took it at , agree about the bits round his hair though...still ,1st attempt not too bad...PP does get me sooo frustrated though :bonk:

Couldn't & still can't figure out how to put a lighter background on #1...need to get me some training !

Glad you think #2 is an improvement...reasonably happy with it...keeping the RAW's so I can try again once I've had some coaching :thumbs:
 
kirkers1978 said:
Hi Blondie...

Out of your first 2 short shots, I can't decide which one I prefer!! like them both, good focus on the tree, colours are good:)

Short hair shots, prefer the second shot, the white backround looks better....as for B&W conversion looks good to me....I do like B&W:)
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Thanks Neil...glad you like :thumbs:

posiview said:
Hi, Lynne, practice with PP is paying off.

Issues with #1 have been mentioned, but #2 is much, much better :clap:

I had a quick edit and took a tad of the top and closed the central gap as well, can't make up my mind which I prefer....:thinking:
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problem is I can never remember what I did so struggle to re-do it...wanted to put a 3rd image in between the 2 of the back or front of his face but that one had me totally stumed...could'nt get the spacing right:'(

michael23 said:
Hi Lynne, I prefer your 2nd attempts for short, out of the 2 pics, I prefer number 2, black and white has worked well and I prefer the bg.
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Cheers Michael :)

gramps said:
Hadn't thought of short hair, 10/10 for all the effort you put into this theme :thumbs:
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Thanks Gramps.....much as I wanna create some stunning/imaginative images using PP , think I'll stick with boring & plain from now on....going greyer by the minute :lol:
 
Hi Lynne, you've been busy this week!!:)

I like the second tree pic - the flower really helps to balance it out. The DOF is spot on and a good idea.

short hair - I prefer the 2nd shot in this as well, I think the white background looks better than the black for this one!

Editing is a nightmare, and something I need to improve on! I need an expert who can explain everything in idiot mode to me!!:lol::lol:
 
hi I prefer the 1st set for short hair but the white line around the head is distracting, as others said the white bg looks better, but the 1st shot is better - maybe cos his hair is shorter :lol:

I know how hard this pp stuff is so kudos for staying with it - I'm far too lazy :p
 
Hi Lynne
Pride, I think you have a good theme and have already done a self crit on problems with the shot. If only blue skies would return.
I love the composition of Short. As said, #2 with the flower adds that little bit extra. Short or small is not worth getting hung up about unless the next theme is small lol
 
Nice PSE10 skills Lynne, much better then my attempt the other week. still trying to master it but oh so much to do and so little time.....
 
Told you i was catching up, pride the second one for me the colour is more natural and i like the movement in the flag.

Short like the short hair interperetation and the second one i think is the better, there's a nice gleam in the eye and it really works well in b and w
 
*Sarah* said:
Hi Lynne, you've been busy this week!!:)

I like the second tree pic - the flower really helps to balance it out. The DOF is spot on and a good idea.

short hair - I prefer the 2nd shot in this as well, I think the white background looks better than the black for this one!

Editing is a nightmare, and something I need to improve on! I need an expert who can explain everything in idiot mode to me!!:lol::lol:
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Thanks Sarah.....Idiot mode for me as well :lol: Can't seem to learn properly from u-tube vid's & books...much better when someone's with me showing me what to do.


The goblin said:
YouTube! I live on YouTube when I'm on photoshop! There are loads of videos about changing backgrounds in Photoshop, not sure about PSE though.

Maybe when I'm up Barnsley way next we should meet up to exchange what little PP knowledge we have!!
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Marsha...I may just take you up on that....luckily I'm not putting PSE anything on my netbook ,just Picassa for the basics :)

sturisoma said:
hi I prefer the 1st set for short hair but the white line around the head is distracting, as others said the white bg looks better, but the 1st shot is better - maybe cos his hair is shorter :lol:

I know how hard this pp stuff is so kudos for staying with it - I'm far too lazy :p
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Being lazy has it's advantages...least you don't end up having tantrums cos it just won't work :lol:

fazer said:
Hi Lynne
Pride, I think you have a good theme and have already done a self crit on problems with the shot. If only blue skies would return.
I love the composition of Short. As said, #2 with the flower adds that little bit extra. Short or small is not worth getting hung up about unless the next theme is small lol
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Thanks Fazer ...appreciate you popping in :thumbs:

Blank_Canvas said:
Nice PSE10 skills Lynne, much better then my attempt the other week. still trying to master it but oh so much to do and so little time.....
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Cheers Nick....beginners luck me thinks :lol:

lizzy23 said:
Told you i was catching up, pride the second one for me the colour is more natural and i like the movement in the flag.

Short like the short hair interperetation and the second one i think is the better, there's a nice gleam in the eye and it really works well in b and w
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Thanks Liz....:thumbs:
 
Flight....what a weekend for this theme...monsoon going off outside , horrid wind...can hear birds in the tree's but not seen one venture out yet :lol:
Was meant to be at Donington for the GT Cup today...cancelled due to the weather :bang: Great , no lie in for me & now nothing to do !

I know....I'll take the plane up for a spin .....
Cockpit check 1st ....everything in working order....


Cockpit by llj666, on Flickr

up up & awayyyyy....:D


Up in the Air by llj666, on Flickr


My flight of fancy for the weekend :lol:

Reality....quick goggle & off to South Yorkshire Aviation Museum....at least it was dry inside & cheap to get in..bonus ! Lots of planes n engines & things , unfortunately , very cramped for taking photo's as lots of stuff in a small place & carp lighting . Still ,gave me a chance to practice composition & using exposure compensation & on board flash & differing WB . Considering the shots were hand held at ISO800 I'm pretty pleased with the montage below ( baring the odd one that I couldn't get to fit in the frame properley :bonk:


Flight by llj666, on Flickr


& just because it's my thread Im gonna post a 4th Image...taken on my trip to Hamerton Zoo earlier this month....:


DSC_2739 by llj666, on Flickr

Didn't dare post an older image on it's own....didn't want a telling off from Andy :D
 
Hi Lynne,

LOL good humour :lol:

'Flight' - lovely montage and nice work in PSE10 again, still have no idea how to do this and really should take the time to learn. I especially like the exhaust outlets in monochrome.

Bang on theme and really good effort. Nice work !

Nick
 
Blank_Canvas said:
Hi Lynne,

LOL good humour :lol:

'Flight' - lovely montage and nice work in PSE10 again, still have no idea how to do this and really should take the time to learn. I especially like the exhaust outlets in monochrome.

Bang on theme and really good effort. Nice work !

Nick
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Cheers Nick......can't figure out montages in PSE10....used Picasa....much easier :thumbs:
 
Brilliant montage Lynne, it's something I'll have to have a go at sometime!!

I wouldn't worry about the owl being an old photo, if I'd taken such a good shot I'd have put it in as well!!:)
 
Blimey Lynne where do you find all the time? Cant remember the last time I flew FSX.
Very good montage maybe spoilt slightly by the Flight sim. Cant you ask Cheesy to give you a spin and get a real cockpit view? Very good take on the theme.
The owl is a brilliant addition.
 
I like the second Short picture and really like the montage of Flight. Good work.
 
Hi Lynne.

Short I think your second tree one is lovely. Of the two short hair ones, the second is best, and a great idea. The first one looks cut out and pasted a bit. BTW, merging the layers won't make any difference to how they look; it's just a way of reducing the clutter in the layers palette once you know you'll deffinately not need to keep the layers separate anymore. The image gets flattened (layers merged) anyway when you export it as a jpeg :)

Flight, wow! The only one I'd reject there is the flight sim screen, as I think shots of computer screens a) are cheating (:)), and b) very rarely work! The other shots are superb, and it's almost impossible to choose between them. If forced id go for your montage because I like the story told.
 
Like the Aviation Museum group and love the owl ... very well captured.
 
Hi Blondie....as all have said, montage, really good. will have to try that myself..

like ya owl shot aswell, focus is spot on:)
 
Owl, cracker. Great composition and I'm really liking the light and detail in the wings :clap:

South Yorkshire Aviation Museum, might have to nip over there sometime. The montage is nice, but I can't help thinking there are a few too many in there.

Sad as it is, it's the top centre exhaust pipes that I really like.

Cheers.
 
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