Bruja´s 52 (Part 2) + Texture (phew, I made it to the end)

Salutory words of wisdom from you again, Jill. Your reasons for moving to Spain are probably the same ones that enable you to enjoy living there. and I certainly do.

The photo is totally spot on - exposure and lighting are great. The composition (2 separate itmes/people) is, imho, a difficult one, but you have pulled it off very well. :) :clap::clap::clap: Phew, before this 52 thingy I'd never done a staged still life and I've lost count of the number I've done now, so if nothing else it's stretching my repertoire in a way I would never have done without it.

Cheers.

Jean

:clap::clap: very wise words again Jill, and a spot on shot... as for 2 double expresso's how long is it before you're able to blink again ? Thanks John, I'd hate to disappoint my readers ;) and without the coffee I can't get my eyes open :lol:

What a gorgeous friend to have. And a lovely fresh start shot! :thumbs:

If it makes you feel any better Bruja[completely forgot your name :o!] Jill ;) I don't have any 'friends' in the true sense of the word, I have a couple of long distance friends - but because of the distance it means it's just phone contact most of the time.[Which is good enough, they're fab people to have in my life[oh and the fact they're both almost double my age, but that don't matter either!]
Have no fear though :hug: I agree with you, age is irrelevant, especially as you get older and you don't need to live close to someone to be good friends wiith them. One of my friends lives in Paris but that works really well because we have a great holiday arrangement. She comes here for a holiday and I go and stay with her for mine :D
 
What lovely and well thought out shot, yes we have had a few orange and glass shots on here for this weeks theme, but as always yours is clean and un cluttered and straight to the point.

You really nailed this one Jill and I'm so glad your back on the up. Thank you so much Marcus. Like I've said before, I've taught myself how do to this just because of this challenge.

and I have to say your insight to the world is spot on, you really are a inspiration to me and other on this forum...:thumbs: Aaaw, I'm glad, and :nuts: blushing.

:thumbs: from me regarding the photo, and wise words as well

Well I know how much you look forward to what I've got to say so I'd hate to let you down ;)

Great words again this week (as if I'd expect anything else from you) and they really ring true.

Beautiful clean shot. You've done really well to get so much detail in the orange and the orange works so well against the plain white background :thumbs:

Thanks Sarah. It's the first time I've used a white background and what a learning curve that was :eek:

And now I'm off to pack as I fly to the UK for the Convention tomorrow. Can't wait.
 
Very wise words. I feel another book coming on!
 
Passion eh!

Well I think I demonstrated that last weekend when I went all the way to York for the Inaugural TP Convention (well that or madness :D) and I came away as the proud owner of a new KATA bag too. I also reckon that, underneath, us photographers are a passionate bunch, especially if some of the conversations I overheard have anything to do with it. 'My buffer's bigger than yours' 'Yeah, but mine's faster' :eek:

And when I really thought about Passion I realised we can be passionate about many things. For example, in southern Spain they are passionate about Flamenco and many of the greatest flamenco artists come/came from Andalucia. We can be passionate for each other, for a particular sport (but hopefully not at the same time :lol:), about food and drink, about our beliefs, politics, ideas and ideals. We can be passionate about gardening, travelling, and, in my case, shopping.

This theme, in many ways, follows on from Fresh Start for me and also incorporates many of the thoughts I've had about previous topics like Opposites, Respect, Friendship, Emotion, Wealth etc. I talked about how MrB and I had to make many changes when our relationship changed and that made me think about where that spark 'Passion' comes from (or doesn't) in a relationship.

I think you need to Respect each other
I think you need to be Friends with each other
I think you need to Trust each other
I think you need to Like each other

A smattering of Lust doesn't go wrong either :naughty:

So, apart from MrB, my greatest passion is photography. So much so that I've been out nearly every day since I got back taking pictures of my village since I've lived here for 5 years and hadn't looked at what is on my doorstep. And MrB has developed a new passion too (apart from me :rules:), woodcarving. He started just a few months ago and this is his favourite so far.


PASSION

3993582268_d40cdc7bbc_o.jpg


It's a Hippocampus, a mythical beast that pulled Neptune's chariot.

And :woot: I've caught up, cos here's my water shot too ......


WATER

3992823147_78ed72d46c_o.jpg

and I promise not to mention it was taken in my pool this week cos it was 30C when I got back :lol:
 
Last edited:
:clap: love them both! Especially the water photo. The light/reflections/feet semi dipped work so well. :thumbs:
 
Wow!
Mr B's really got some talent there. That wood carving is fantastic and you've really done it justice with that crisp, clear well-lit shot :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm glad that you enjoyed the convention. Seems like it's given you a new spark for the photography on your doorstep! Maybe I'll manage to get there next year.

I'll pretend I didn't see the comment about 30 degrees :razz: (and I'll let you off since you picked a lovely theme for us ;))
That water shot is brilliant too. Great colours and I love the play of the light on the water.
 
Caaaathc up!

Fresh start: vibrant colourful tasty :) spot on! :) I can imagine how good that tastes on a hot morning!

Passion: Good words as ever and a great shot that does justice to an amazing and a truly beautiful piece of art! Mr B is one talented fellow!

Water: Thats straight from a magazine - it has a really professional quality - maybe the light and the textures! Vunderbar!!!:clap:
 
Wow!
Mr B's really got some talent there. That wood carving is fantastic and you've really done it justice with that crisp, clear well-lit shot :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm glad that you enjoyed the convention. Seems like it's given you a new spark for the photography on your doorstep! Maybe I'll manage to get there next year.

I'll pretend I didn't see the comment about 30 degrees :razz: (and I'll let you off since you picked a lovely theme for us ;))
That water shot is brilliant too. Great colours and I love the play of the light on the water.

Sarah's beaten me to it! I totally agree with every word. :)

How long did it take Reg to make that beautiful carving? I love the intricate detail. What type of wood did he use? btw - isn't there a part of the brain called the Hippocampus?

Jean
 
Jill... well... I can't add anything to what's already been written. I'm glad you enjoyed the meet, it sounds like a great time. Superb pair of shots... love the wood carving, both the image and the carving itself. As for the water shot... grrr.... ;)... excellent colours and love the way you've caught the ripples.
 
:clap: love them both! Especially the water photo. The light/reflections/feet semi dipped work so well. :thumbs:

Thanks KG, I enjoyed taking them, and I've caught up again :D

Wow!
Mr B's really got some talent there. That wood carving is fantastic and you've really done it justice with that crisp, clear well-lit shot :clap: :clap: :clap: I'm really pleased for him as this was only the 6th carving he's ever done.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the convention. Seems like it's given you a new spark for the photography on your doorstep! Maybe I'll manage to get there next year. I would definitely recommend it, and I'll post some of the village pictures soon ;)

I'll pretend I didn't see the comment about 30 degrees :razz: (and I'll let you off since you picked a lovely theme for us ;))
That water shot is brilliant too. Great colours and I love the play of the light on the water. Thanks Sarah, mind you don't want to know what was in the rest of the bag :eek:
 
Caaaathc up!

Fresh start: vibrant colourful tasty :) spot on! :) I can imagine how good that tastes on a hot morning!

Passion: Good words as ever and a great shot that does justice to an amazing and a truly beautiful piece of art! Mr B is one talented fellow!

Water: Thats straight from a magazine - it has a really professional quality - maybe the light and the textures! Vunderbar!!!:clap:

Wow, John, praise indeed :nuts:

Sarah's beaten me to it! I totally agree with every word. :) Thanks Jean

How long did it take Reg to make that beautiful carving? Well he only does a bit a day and it took him 3 weeks. I love the intricate detail. What type of wood did he use? It's oak. btw - isn't there a part of the brain called the Hippocampus? The hippocampus is a major component of the brains of humans and other mammals. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in long-term memory and spatial navigation.

Jean

Jill... well... I can't add anything to what's already been written. I'm glad you enjoyed the meet, it sounds like a great time. Superb pair of shots... love the wood carving, both the image and the carving itself. As for the water shot... grrr.... ;)... excellent colours and love the way you've caught the ripples.

Thanks again John, I suppose a fish pond wouldn't have the same artistic effect :lol: and it would be freezing too :lol:
 
Love the water shot. very good reflections and ripples
 
Passion...brilliant photo, but what an amazing carving that is...and yes that's a hobby I've tried....:lol: but I could never match that sort of thing, so well done Mr B...:clap:

Water...that lovely looking pool and the blues are looking great with your little toes nicely painted...:thumbs:

Another winner from you...;)
 
Passion is nicely shot by you and well done to Mr B. Very impressive.
The Water shot has a quality about it that makes me want to jump in. Nice work.
 
The wooden sculpter is a fantastic shot you have caught it really well :D

Water is lovely your feet really add to the picture and the lighting in the water is great :thumbs:
 
Love the water shot. very good reflections and ripples
Thanks Jon ;)

Passion...brilliant photo, but what an amazing carving that is...and yes that's a hobby I've tried....:lol: but I could never match that sort of thing, so well done Mr B...:clap:

Water...that lovely looking pool and the blues are looking great with your little toes nicely painted...:thumbs:

Another winner from you...;)

I know he's brilliant isn't he :love: and the Water shot is a la Hockney so I'm following in great footsteps (sorry, couldn't resist it :naughty:)

Passion is nicely shot by you and well done to Mr B. Very impressive.
The Water shot has a quality about it that makes me want to jump in. Nice work.
Thanks KJ but it's only 21C now and not heated so you'd get a bit of a shock :eek:

The wooden sculpter is a fantastic shot you have caught it really well :D

Water is lovely your feet really add to the picture and the lighting in the water is great :thumbs:

Thanks Ruth, and the lighting is called sunshine :lol::lol:
 
Catchy upy time:

Fresh Start - nice simple idea done very well. I'm all for perfection in shots like this so I don't like the smudginess on the glass but that's a personal thing.

Passion - Holy cow, that's some impressive carving! I'd love to have that kind of talant. You've done it justice too - like the black BG. :thumbs:

Water - I love that it immediately says holiday swimming pool... but I don't love the fact those aren't my feet! :razz:
 
This topic describes how I've felt for most of my life. As though I should fit in but I don't know how. Val MacDermid uses 'passing as normal' in some of her books, describing how a particular character feels and since I read it I've felt as though it could have been written for me.

I know I overanalyse things sometimes and should really just let it go but it seems to me, on the outside at least, that people just know how to behave. I know that's not true but it doesn't help :(.

I know those of you that have met me (well that's only Simon really) and all you kind people who comment on my pictures and my blog probably don't think that about me. And I do tell people that there is no such thing as normal, and even if there was would you want to be it, but ...........

It's like I said about Friendship, I don't know what the rules are and therefore put myself under pressure to 'do the right thing'. That's the result of my upbringing I know. My mother had very fixed ideas about what was acceptable behaviour and I know now they were badly skewed. My father too had very set ideas about how you should behave in public and even as an 18 year old he would show me up in public if he thought I wasn't 'paying my way' (even though I was, he'd just made an assumption!)

As a result of this I've grown up hypercritical of my own behaviour and therefore socially I'm never relaxed, regardless of what it looks like on the surface and the consequence of that is to ensure everyone is having a good time and putting my needs last. It would be nice just to let go now and again though.

None of this has got anything to do with my picture though (you're not going to see me letting go :eek:)

I've got 2 pictures for you this week. The first one is my favourite but as it's part of an Exhibition locally on recycling and therefore it's a set up so I decided I'd take a 2nd picture showing something more permanent in my local town.





OUT OF CONTEXT


4016277399_5d052ec0ca_o.jpg






4017041256_a401544217_o.jpg

It's an area close to the spanish supermarket and it's like Little Britain around there. There's GB Stores, a bed shop, an Insurance Broker, a health food shop, a couple of hairdressers, a clothes shop, a british run Art shop, ditto for a craft shop etc .......... All selling UK products or offering services in English. So I like the juxtaposition between the (obviously) spanish street and the cheap (UK) food shop and the hairdressers.
 
2 great photos there! took me a while to figure out the first one, but it's very clever, even it is for an exibition. The second one is quite comical! Along with "out of context" I think it really signifies how some people need to take home with them so that they can truely feel comfortable. Visit a foreign country to find it's been modeled like home, so you don't really see the "real" country. It's all rather odd when you think about it.

Love the words again. I'm not sure if you realise, but a lot of people think they way you do, but you unfortunately seem to amplify it somewhat, possibly as you pointed out due to your upbringing. I consider myself somewhat as an observer and I frequently will sit watching people and their behaviours, and what makes them tick.

... Jeez, I've started to ramble on a bit! You've given me a bit of inspiration for my blog though.

The pictures KG, get back to the pictures darn it! :D

I love both photos, but I prefer the 2nd. It less staged (even though I know it wasn't you who set up the first one!). So no 2 from me gets a :thumbs:

Now... off to me blog :lol:
 
Last edited:
Ooooh Jill. Fantastic words again from you this week.
I think I've said this before, but so many people feel the same way that you do . . . you just seem to have a real knack for expressing it in words (or maybe it's just real openness). Either way every week I feel like I can relate to what you're saying.

Two great shots there.

I absolutely love No.1 even if it is staged. An unusual piece of art that's definitely put an everyday object out of context (although I don't quite get the recycling link :shrug:)
And the photograph itself is excellent - You've captured some great contrast between all that white and the blue sky. :thumbs:

No.2 : I probably like slightly less as an image, but the message behind it speaks for itself and is more meaningful in that it isn't set-up.

Thank you for sharing again. I feel like I've had another little insight into your life in Spain.
 
As always, Jill, your words are very eloquent and I love the idea of 'passing as normal'. That's aspirational for me in much the same way as being a 'good enough' mother is/was. :)

Yet again, as KG and Sarah have said, you've tapped into so many people's innermost thoughts and emotions.

On to the pictures:

#1 I love the colours and the simple uncluttered composition. I don't care whether it was set up or occurred naturally :shrug::shrug::shrug: :bonk: I still like it.

#2 Bang on theme. :thumbs: If I was being picky, I'd ask you to move a little so that you're not at quite such an acute angle to the shops - I'd really like a better look at that hairdressers, and perhaps see a little more of the pavement for the Spanish touch. :lol:


I've never understood the desire to leave your home country and then take it with you in some form or other, and I could do without Marmite if I really, really had to. :lol:

Jean
 
I have to agree Jill... superb writing as ever...

of the pics I prefer the first, it's much simpler and cleaner... Not to detract from #2 at all, it's a great shot, and the shops are clearly OOC
 
2 great photos there! took me a while to figure out the first one, but it's very clever, even it is for an exibition. The second one is quite comical! Along with "out of context" I think it really signifies how some people need to take home with them so that they can truely feel comfortable. Visit a foreign country to find it's been modeled like home, so you don't really see the "real" country. It's all rather odd when you think about it. When we first arrived 5 years ago that area was nothing like it is now, but for some reason the Brits can't do without their 'home' comforts.

Love the words again. I'm not sure if you realise, but a lot of people think they way you do, but you unfortunately seem to amplify it somewhat, possibly as you pointed out due to your upbringing. I consider myself somewhat as an observer and I frequently will sit watching people and their behaviours, and what makes them tick. Me too, I'm an inveterate people watcher and learned to be very good at analysing body language so it has had it's advantages.

... Jeez, I've started to ramble on a bit! You've given me a bit of inspiration for my blog though.

The pictures KG, get back to the pictures darn it! :D

I love both photos, but I prefer the 2nd. It less staged (even though I know it wasn't you who set up the first one!). So no 2 from me gets a :thumbs:

Thanks KG, that's why I took it :D

Now... off to me blog :lol:
 
Ooooh Jill. Fantastic words again from you this week. Thanks Sarah
I think I've said this before, but so many people feel the same way that you do . . . you just seem to have a real knack for expressing it in words (or maybe it's just real openness). Either way every week I feel like I can relate to what you're saying. That's good. If it strikes a chord with just one person it's worth the telling.

Two great shots there. Thanks :thumbs:

I absolutely love No.1 even if it is staged. An unusual piece of art that's definitely put an everyday object out of context (although I don't quite get the recycling link :shrug:) I suppose it's using old stuff as decoration and it wasn't until I got home that I realised the shadow makes it look like a bed.
And the photograph itself is excellent - You've captured some great contrast between all that white and the blue sky. :thumbs:

No.2 : I probably like slightly less as an image, but the message behind it speaks for itself and is more meaningful in that it isn't set-up.

Thank you for sharing again. I feel like I've had another little insight into your life in Spain. Anytime Sarah, and I hope this challenge continues next year, although I'm not sure I'll have much left to say :D
 
As always, Jill, your words are very eloquent and I love the idea of 'passing as normal'. That's aspirational for me in much the same way as being a 'good enough' mother is/was. :) I don't think there's a 'good enough', you do the best you can with what you know at the time and therefore hindsight is usually negative :(

Yet again, as KG and Sarah have said, you've tapped into so many people's innermost thoughts and emotions. Me and my big mouth :lol:

On to the pictures:

#1 I love the colours and the simple uncluttered composition. I don't care whether it was set up or occurred naturally :shrug::shrug::shrug: :bonk: I still like it. Thanks Jean

#2 Bang on theme. :thumbs: If I was being picky, I'd ask you to move a little so that you're not at quite such an acute angle to the shops - I'd really like a better look at that hairdressers, and perhaps see a little more of the pavement for the Spanish touch. :lol: Me too but there were cars parked very close to each other as iit's a main road and that was the width of the pavement. I must get them to arrange the geography better for these challenges. Although they did put up a nice X for me a few months ago :D


I've never understood the desire to leave your home country and then take it with you in some form or other, and I could do without Marmite if I really, really had to. :lol: Me too, I hate the stuff :lol:

Jean

I have to agree Jill... superb writing as ever...

of the pics I prefer the first, it's much simpler and cleaner... Not to detract from #2 at all, it's a great shot, and the shops are clearly OOC

Thanks John, glad you still like the writing. Like I said, #1 is my favourite but #2 is real life.
 
It's hard to pick between the two, they are both very good examples of Out of Context. I'm going to go for 1 as it is just bizarre and you've composed the shot really well.
 
I like No1 for being out of context, not sure about no 2 though:clap:
 
Both good shots Jill, but if I had to choose it's got to be the first one...:clap::clap::clap:

It's sooooo Out of Context... but both are good and shows off your lovely weather your having...:p
 
Last edited:
Two good out of context shots Jill - the first for me though - simple, well framed. lovely sky and shadow :)

Well done :)

(yes and the words are always a good read ;))
 
I like the first out of context shot :) Made me smile
The second, I think I'm missing the point so I'll :coat:
 
I live in a bubble.
You live in a bubble.
Everyone lives in a bubble.


That bubble is called personal space and we carry ourselves within it from about 4 years old. How big the bubble is depends on a number of things: our age, our sex, our culture, who we are with, and how mentally healthy we are. We use our bubble to either let people in or to keep them out.

Psychologists say there are 4 of these personal spaces and we activate one of them depending on the situation we find ourself in. They are called intimate distance, personal distance, social distance and public distance, and they pretty much speak for themselves. The more intimate you are with someone the closer you'll allow them to be to you. If someone invades your bubble you will feel uncomfortable, often without knowing why. But if someone you are close to keeps their distance from you then you will also feel uncomfortable.

In the 70's researchers carried out a study in New York prisons and found that many convicted of violence against others who were unknown to them had much bigger spaces than the norm. The researchers suggested that these people regularly had their personal space invaded and this led to a build up of frustration and led, eventually to violence.

We can invade someone's bubble deliberately by stepping closer to them than the situation demands. Try it and see! Note both their reaction and yours. Does it make you uncomfortable, how do they behave physically, what body language do they show?

Intimate distance is from 0-18 inches, personal distance about 18" to 4', social distance about 4-12 feet and public distance is anything over 12 feet. Once you know that other people's reactions to you become clearer, but, be careful, stepping too far inside someone's bubble can make them feel intimidated, that you are being aggressive or threatening in some way. But staying to far away can make someone feel insecure, wrong footed or anxious.


BUBBLES



4039358923_f5ba32f307_o.jpg

Lessons learned this week:

1 Egg cups are very hard to find here. They prefer their eggs scrambled, fried or in a tortilla.

2 Bubble making kits are very hard to find here too.

3 Soapy water tastes awful and stings your eyes when the bubbles pop. :'(

4 Bubbles pop very quickly, especially when you want 3 of the buggers.

5 Didn't matter how close the camera was to me (not too close because of all the soapy water), a bubble would burst just as I was focussing the shot.

6 After trying many things only a JD and coke could get the taste out of my mouth.

7 Soap in the eyes stings for hours :(

8 I don't even like the shot much :razz:
 
6 After trying many things only a JD and coke could get the taste out of my mouth.

:lol: any excuse eh! :naughty:

Interesting about the different types of "space bubbles". It makes a lot of sense when you say but I never thought of it like that before.

The photo: I actually thought it was quite interesting. The fact you've put bubbles in egg cups was a stroke of genius as far as I'm concerned :thumbs:. I think the composition let's it down a little. Not quite sure why. I still like it though.
 
You have my total sympathy re bubbles bursting, stinging your eyes and generally not doing what you want them to... can't believe I didn't think of JD and coke to get rid of the taste :bonk::nuts:

I like the shot but can't help agreeing that a different composition could give it more interest.
 
Back
Top