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

[SarahLee]

Absolutely fascinating words this week. My career of choice was very nearly psychology before I stumbled into accountancy, so they're very meaningful for me.

The concept for your shot this week is absolutely brilliant
The bubbles are well focused and nice and sharp.
Composition is spot on.
The red background compliments the eggcups perfectly.
The two bubbles either end are almost identical in size and frame the smaller centre bubble . . . was that luck or extreme skill with the bubble blowing?

This was definitely not an easy shot in any way. I don't think I would have had the patience to persevere with it, and you've done brilliantly.

All of that should add up to an absolutely perfect shot, but there's something about it that's just not sitting right with me.
I'm not sure what it is, but 99% of me absolutely loves this shot. I just can't put my finger on that 1% that doesn't feel quite right . . . sorry

 

[Kdot]

Speaking as someone who just 'threw a few Aero bars into a basket', I think this is inspired, with words of wisdom to back it up. What more could one ask...?

 

[Tracer]

A fun picture. I like the way the green dots look like eyes, and give the egg cups different expressions -- the right hand one looks about to walk off. You could have fun making up conversations for them....

 

[Toothie]

Love the chair on out of context, really is bizzar
bubbles is fantastic, lovely composition and spot on for lighting imo

 

[jgs001]

Excellent work Jill, and superb words indeed this week. We are getting a lot of insight into the world around us through your writing. Love the shot, well done for persevering with it...

 

[Spartacus]

Oh how we suffer for your art...

It's such a shame that sometimes we put in the most effort and it just don't work as well as it should. I would never have the patience to try a shot like this so off comes my hat...

Not sure why it's not working for me this week, but you have produced some of the most brilliant shots for these 52s that a average one just gives the rest of us hope...

I'm sure your going to come back next week with a cracking shot...

 

[Dark Star]

I'm amazed at the symmetry you've achieved with the bubble sizes wonderful!

Simple shot to view but a b****r to set up I can see!!

Nice theme fitting shot! Light box? Or natural light? Is that a window i see reflected?

And the words are really fascinating - love that bubble idea and its one I do recognise

 

[corky]

very well done...I coudn't get the bubbles to sit on anything without bursting.....what washing up liquid do you use

 

[Bruja]

any excuse eh! Of course

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. Try it and see what reactions you get

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 . I think the composition let's it down a little. Not quite sure why. I still like it though.I don't know why either ,different background, all the bubbles egg sized like the middle one, plain egg cups, stagger the row on a diagonal .......

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: There's always next time and I find it's a good remedy for just about anything

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

 

[Bruja]

Absolutely fascinating words this week. My career of choice was very nearly psychology before I stumbled into accountancy, so they're very meaningful for me.

The concept for your shot this week is absolutely brilliant
The bubbles are well focused and nice and sharp.
Composition is spot on.
The red background compliments the eggcups perfectly.
The two bubbles either end are almost identical in size and frame the smaller centre bubble . . . was that luck or extreme skill with the bubble blowing? By the end it was definitely skill

This was definitely not an easy shot in any way. I don't think I would have had the patience to persevere with it, and you've done brilliantly. Thanks Sarah

All of that should add up to an absolutely perfect shot, but there's something about it that's just not sitting right with me.
I'm not sure what it is, but 99% of me absolutely loves this shot. I just can't put my finger on that 1% that doesn't feel quite right . . . sorry Don't apologise, I feel the same way. See the previous reply for some reasons/alternatives (and no I'm not doing a ********* reshoot

Speaking as someone who just 'threw a few Aero bars into a basket', I think this is inspired, with words of wisdom to back it up. What more could one ask...? Aaaaw, thanks Kdot

A fun picture. I like the way the green dots look like eyes, and give the egg cups different expressions -- the right hand one looks about to walk off. You could have fun making up conversations for them....

Thanks Tracer (what are you on ), conversations with eggcups, just as well you joined us .......

 

[Bruja]

Love the chair on out of context, really is bizzare And they timed the Exhibition just right for me too
bubbles is fantastic, lovely composition and spot on for lighting imo Phew, at last someone who likes it more than me

Excellent work Jill, and superb words indeed this week. We are getting a lot of insight into the world around us through your writing. Love the shot, well done for persevering with it...

Thanks John

Oh how we suffer for your art... Hahahaha, and what kind of amusement am I going to provide this week with Low Down

It's such a shame that sometimes we put in the most effort and it just don't work as well as it should. I would never have the patience to try a shot like this so off comes my hat... Thanks Marcus

Not sure why it's not working for me this week, but you have produced some of the most brilliant shots for these 52s that a average one just gives the rest of us hope... Flattery will get you anywhere

I'm sure your going to come back next week with a cracking shot...

 

[Bruja]

I'm amazed at the symmetry you've achieved with the bubble sizes wonderful! I was quite the expert by the end.

Simple shot to view but a b****r to set up I can see!! And to process, cloning out all the drops and bits of burst bubbles

Nice theme fitting shot! Light box? Or natural light? Is that a window i see reflected? Natural light.

And the words are really fascinating - love that bubble idea and its one I do recognise Thanks John

very well done...I coudn't get the bubbles to sit on anything without bursting.....what washing up liquid do you use

Thanks Jon. It's Fairy, but the trick in this case was to fill the egg cups with the mixture and wet the rims with it too as like sticks to like and trying to get a bubble on something dry is a real :bang::bang::bang:. So wet the surface next time.(See, I musn't have slept through chemistry at school )

 

[Bruja]

Yet another challenge to get me on the floor, face down

It's getting up again that's the problem though

It's interesting that both words, low and down, can be used to describe our mood. And some people may relate that to being depressed, but we can feel low or down without the cause being depression as depression can often be confused with sadness. But it is normal to feel sad sometimes as sad things do happen to us and it can be a mistake to bottle it up or shake it off. Acknowledging sadness makes us human after all, but it's also easy to confuse it with self-pity and self-pity is my mortal enemy .

I very rarely feel sad though so a strange thing happened to me this week. I really fancied watching an old film, rather than one that MrB would choose, and I watched Shirley Valentine for the umpteenth time.

When I first saw it I was about 32 and I'd only had one holiday 'abroad' so I really fancied going to Greece. That year my then husband and I went to Kos and I loved it so much and I even had a dress similar to the one she wears in the film when she sits at a table at the water's edge drinking wine, as that had been her dream.

Well, it got to that part of the film and I started to feel really sad and started to cry. Not because of the story but because it reminded me that I too used to have dreams, that when I went to Kos that first time my body worked just fine and my illness was still a couple or so years away. I was crying for the things I can't do now, and haven't been able to do for some time no matter how strong my will is. I was sad

I'm now though and actually feel better for it because I can remind myself of all the things that I've done that I doubt I would have done if I hadn't got this blasted disease and it's a very long list which includes meeting and marrying MrB and taking up photography and meeting you lot on-line , so, having all of that is definitely worth the price of a little sadness from time to time

LOW DOWN

And, just to amuse Spartacus, the lesson learned this week was don't get sand in your crevices

 

[Dark Star]

Words: Top stuff as ever Jill - thoughtful, sad and inciteful - and I must say they sometimes invoke the 'there but for the grace of God...' sentiment in me (despite being a fully paid up atheist ). Always a good read!

Image: Yes very nice - love the layers and textures and the somewhat 'muted' colours too! Somehow the image invokes the word 'inevitable' - that tide will always wash that shore and those pebbles will get wet time and time again

Hmmm I'm rambling sorry

A great post!

 

[karmagarda]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I always look forward to your post every week . I think out of all the 52 threads I could see yours being a full blog as opposed to just 52 photos! Also, you gave me an idea for a blog post last week and I never wrote it. I should really get around to that.

Anyway, to the photo. Bang on! I LOVE the way the horizon is smack on level, but the sea comes in at an angle and confuses me. And the timing to get the breaking wave is awesome.

Ps: Oh yeah, mind the crevices

 

[SarahLee]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I always look forward to your post every week . I think out of all the 52 threads I could see yours being a full blog as opposed to just 52 photos!

Not being lazy, but that's exactly what I wanted to say.
Thought provoking as always. I hadn't made the connection between "low" and "down" equating to sadness this week.

And it's a simply stunning image from you!
The motion in the surf is just beautiful.
I don't know whether it's your words putting thoughts in my mind, but those muted colours really do have a sadness to them and as John said a sense of inevitability about the tide coming in.

Now about that yellow buoy just below the horizon. . .
At first I didn't like it and was going to suggest that you cloned it out. I felt like that splash of yellow was invading the muted tones in the image.

But looking again and combining it with your words it's making me think of that Stevie Smith poem “Not Waving but Drowning”

OK maybe my brain's going into overdrive and I'm overanalysing things, and I haven't even had a glass of wine tonight
But it really has brought that poem to mind and I can't get it out of my head, and for that reason I love the inclusion of the buoy and it gets a big from me.

Just added a clicky link to that poem for anyone who hasn't read it. For me there's just something really haunting about the last two lines, which that image brings to mind.

 

[Tracer]

Beautiful picture!

 

[Shorty]

Wow - like others have said, once again, great words.
And a great picture too!
So calm, on theme, and great textures, my eyes keep darting all over the place[in a good way] and every bit of that pic is fab

 

[jgs001]

Very well done as usual Jill, both the words and the image. Nothing I can add that hasn't already been said... you going to do a book with your entries Jill ?

 

[Spartacus]

That is absolutely breath taking ...really beautiful...

I love this so much Jill...

Your doing some superb photography on these 52s...

Ps your right that sand it does get everywhere...

 

[Kiwi Jaz]

Great shot. love the detail of all the stones and sand. Personally I would rather not have the buoy in the shot but all the same I love the shot and enjoyed the story as usual!

 

[Bruja]

Wow, thank you everyone, I'm overwhelmed by your responses to what I thought was an OK picture. Jgs001, I'm doing a Blurb photobook but still thinking about whether or not to put the words in.

Capturing the wave at it's highest point was easy, I just used continuous shooting and picked the best one

And thanks Marcus, I had to come back from my average shot last week, I just didn't think this was it

 

[jeangenie]

Time to catch up with you, Jill.

Bubbles: Yet again, you've reminded me of long-forgotten psychology with the piece on inter-person spaces. It's the reason strangers herded together, eg on a crowded tube train, look anywhere but at their fellow travellers. I've a horrible feeling I'm going to be mentally measuring how far away somebody is now to check I'm not invading 'their' bubble.

On to the photo: You must have the patience of Job to attempt this, Jill. Getting 2 bubbles together and in focus would be one too many for me. Three is superb.

I love the nice cheery egg cups, too, but there's something niggling a little. I just don't know what it can be, unless the red background is a bit too bright and detracting from the 3 stars - the bubbles. Not sure. :shrug:

Low down: Oooh, I love taking this sort of shot and you've got all my favourite elements in it: sparkling blue water, great action in the wave, lovely creamy bubbles on the sand and beautiful, wet pebbles in the foreground. I love the fact that you've got just a little of the spray from the wave above the horizon (which is straight as a dye!) A gorgeous photo.

It's strange how the past can suddenly creep up on you and recreate emotions from long ago. I always find this time of year sad - for many reasons and have to give myself a good talking to from time to time. I'm glad the sadness gave way to positive thoughts and all the amazing things you've achieved. Have a from me.

Jean

 

[Bruja]

Well, what a topic! Gloom and Doom is the last thing I want to think of thank you very much :razz:

I wasn't really in the mood for trawling around looking for abandonment or beggars. Photographing something about the Crisis here in Spain was both boring and pointless as it's all in Spanish

I had one idea that I thought would be really simple to do and I couldn't do it :bang: It was to take a picture of the weather forecast on my laptop showing some drizzle one day next week

Then finally, yesterday, I had a brainwave - well I say brainwave but it was more an idea of how I could shoehorn yet another picture to fit the theme with what I've got to say.

Instead of just concentrating on doom and gloom I thought about how it's open to interpretation. It's a bit like how some people find the potential of a situation to be fraught with difficulties and some find it to be full of opportunities. It depends on your perspective.

And many of us assume that it's just a personality thing that we were born with and that's partly true. But the major impact on the development of our perspective is learned behaviour. How we see our parents deal with situations, what we experience as children, in general, how we are socialised.

And that means that no-one is naturally pessimistic or naturally optimistic, and if you see doom and gloom everywhere you look you can change the way you think. Because, like all behaviour, it's a continuous line from pessimistic to optimistic and to be at either end of this line is too extreme. We are more emotionally balanced if we are somewhere in between the two.

So, look at the picture and decide what you see.

DOOM AND GLOOM

Mines half full

And I knew I'd get JD in here somehow

 

[Spartacus]

Not sure it's Doom & Gloom...

More like Joy & Hangover...

But yes it fits in with the theme...nice one...

 

[SarahLee]

Nice simple image and the contrast against the white background is working really well.

Is that "No.7" written on the bottom of the glass?
If that's No.7 I wouldn't have thought you'd be feeling doom and gloom (or much of anything else for that matter)

And mine's always half full too

 

[Kdot]

That's very well lit and exposed. Great take on the subject, and wise words (as ever) to accompany it. Well done.

 

[karmagarda]

All I can say is I hope that drink didn't go to waste :nono:

I like it, well done on this one!

 

[kennysarmy]

Low Down - great seascape capture.
Doom & Gloom - does nt scream doom & gloom I'm afraid - but it was another TOUGH weeks word....the photo itself however is clean, well lit and by just putting it slightly to one side of centre makes it visually more appealing...

 

[jeangenie]

More of 'an interesting and clever take on the theme' than 'another shoehorn job', Jill.

To answer the question (half-full/half-empty), I would say it depends on whether I was the person who has already drunk half of the JD and expect to finish it (slightly tipsy optimist!) or whether it's somebody else's drink and I don't get a look in (Doom and Gloom)

Either way, it's a well lit and well-presented shot and photographically the liquid is at just the right level.

Cheers btw, I think the Mods should give you a JD smilie all to yourself! - or to share with Daysleeper!

Jean

 

[Daysleeper40]

Low Down - Very nice... but the perfectionist in me wants to clone out the bouy on the right. I can't help it!! Really really like the foreground interest in this one and the timing with the wave is spot on

Doom & Gloom - well JD is involved so my glass is definately half full thankyou very much. Interesting take on the theme... one I wish I'd thought of to be honest - it would have given me a great excuse to drink some JD

 

[jgs001]

very good Jill... it's half full... Or rather it was when you shot it... ...

 

[Toothie]

well i was thinking you were talking about the issues of alcohol and addiction but half full glass works well too

 

[corky]

I think most people are having a hard time this week with the theme. Have to say a "Jack" in front of me would not be Doom & gloom, but I think its a terrific photo anyway

 

[Tracer]

I enjoy the different, quirky takes that different people can find on a given theme, using their imagination and creativity - well done on this one!

Your lighting is beautiful - I bet it wasn't easy. Personally I would prefer to see the glass centred, but I realise that you had just drunk half the glass so wouldn't have been able to see straight...

 

[Bruja]

Not sure it's Doom & Gloom...

More like Joy & Hangover...

But yes it fits in with the theme...nice one...

Thanks Marcus

That's very well lit and exposed. Great take on the subject, and wise words (as ever) to accompany it. Well done.

Thanks Kdot, glad you like it

All I can say is I hope that drink didn't go to waste :nono:

I like it, well done on this one!

It was still morning so it was only coke

 

[Bruja]

Nice simple image and the contrast against the white background is working really well.

Is that "No.7" written on the bottom of the glass? Yes
If that's No.7 I wouldn't have thought you'd be feeling doom and gloom (or much of anything else for that matter)

And mine's always half full too Glad to hear it, and glad you like it.

Low Down - great seascape capture. Thanks
Doom & Gloom - does nt scream doom & gloom I'm afraid (I know ) - but it was another TOUGH weeks word....the photo itself however is clean, well lit and by just putting it slightly to one side of centre makes it visually more appealing... At least some good came out of it

 

[Bruja]

More of 'an interesting and clever take on the theme' than 'another shoehorn job', Jill.You're very kind

To answer the question (half-full/half-empty), I would say it depends on whether I was the person who has already drunk half of the JD and expect to finish it (slightly tipsy optimist!) or whether it's somebody else's drink and I don't get a look in (Doom and Gloom) My thoughts exactly

Either way, it's a well lit and well-presented shot and photographically the liquid is at just the right level. Thanks Jean

Cheers btw, I think the Mods should give you a JD smilie all to yourself! - or to share with Daysleeper! We'd definitely have to share, and with YV as well

Jean

Low Down - Very nice... but the perfectionist in me wants to clone out the bouy on the right. I can't help it!! Really really like the foreground interest in this one and the timing with the wave is spot on Thanks Fi. I've got one with the buoy cloned out and it does look cleaner.

Doom & Gloom - well JD is involved so my glass is definately half full thankyou very much. Interesting take on the theme... one I wish I'd thought of to be honest - it would have given me a great excuse to drink some JD Glad you like it.

 

[Bruja]

very good Jill... it's half full... Or rather it was when you shot it... ...

Thanks John, hic

well i was thinking you were talking about the issues of alcohol and addiction but half full glass works well too

Cheers Ruth

I think most people are having a hard time this week with the theme. Have to say a "Jack" in front of me would not be Doom & gloom, but I think its a terrific photo anyway

Thanks Jon, but it might be the next day if you had too many

I enjoy the different, quirky takes that different people can find on a given theme, using their imagination and creativity - well done on this one!

Your lighting is beautiful - I bet it wasn't easy. Personally I would prefer to see the glass centred, but I realise that you had just drunk half the glass so wouldn't have been able to see straight...

It's just daylight coming from the side with a white sheet draped over a contraption MrB made. Any other way and I got way too many reflections on the glass. Glad you like it.

 

[Bruja]

Well I haven't communicated with you much at all this week. It's a combination of a wonky internet connection and me be so, so tired

Not ill I hasten to add, but the extreme fatigue you can get with MS that feels like permanent jet lag. I've started having osteopathy with a really kind osteopath/physiotherapist who is very gentle with me and we are working to reduce my fatigue, which means that in the short time I'm likely to be more tired.

The tiredness is partly to do with the way the brain is affected by the disease and partly because some of my muscles are spastic and some are almost non existent.This means my body has to use more energy to get me around and that even something simple like standing up still and straight means my legs and feet are always making tiny little movements to help me keep my balance otherwise I just fall over.

It also means my posture is poor as my core muscles are weak and therefore when I'm sitting I either prop myself up using my arms (very tiring) or lean back if it's a comfy chair (bad for posture). The problem from a treatment point of view is I need to be treated gently as too much pressure on a muscle will just make it go into spasm so I'm really lucky I've found someone who understands all that.

Anyway, on to the theme ........

I had the perfect picture for this from last year - a candid of a father cradling his baby close to his face and they were gazing into each other's eyes. But in the spirit of the challenge I went out and took something else. Fortunately this is less than 2Km away otherwise it was going to be yet another still life taken in the house

So, sorry for not commenting on your pictures this week my friends. I won't be on line next week either cos I'm off to Morrocco this Sunday for a week's holiday

COMMUNICATION