Chris's Photo52 2010 - Weeks 22 & 23 Post #200, Page 7

[jgs001]

The poem and image works well together.

I like the shot for chopped although it doesn't say chopped without the explanation for me.

 

[Yv]

Ahhh, I wondered who it was that snuck off with the crowbar while I wasn't looking, NOW I know However as a shot I like the simple lines and tones

 

[chris321]

Where's that crowbar gone?

Crowbar?!

Where's that crowbar gone?

Ahhh, I wondered who it was that snuck off with the crowbar while I wasn't looking, NOW I know

Arrgghhhhhhhhh my brain is melting, what is all this talk of crowbars?! I don't understand! I this some photographic term I haven't heard of? Does my photo look like a crowbar?! Crowbar crowbar crowbar grrrrrr :bang:

 

[chris321]

Forgot to add, thanks for the nice, non-crowbar related comments :nuts:

 

[dlh]

Crowbar = used when struggling to fit the image into the theme

 

[RobC]

I like this, honestly can't say why though !!
I had no idea what I was looking at, but for whatever reason I found the image really pleasing to my eye, spent a good minute or so just staring at it. Funny how you 'just like' some things without really knowing why .......

 

[chris321]

Crowbar = used when struggling to fit the image into the theme

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, now it makes sense!!! :bang:

I like this, honestly can't say why though !!
I had no idea what I was looking at, but for whatever reason I found the image really pleasing to my eye, spent a good minute or so just staring at it. Funny how you 'just like' some things without really knowing why .......

Haha, it's the corner of a stack of envelopes, about 1-2cm high!

 

[chris321]

Week 4 - "Street" a.k.a. the one I've been dreading



This is Nick, Durham's one-man-band. And the photo is a disaster.

Where do I start......nerves I suppose! I've never been able to do the street photography thing, the idea of pointing a camera at someonw I don't know scares the hell out of me for no reason I can really work out!

Hence why in this photo, Nick is out of focus (as the centre focal point was selected and I forgot to change it), he's not isolated from the background because I didn't make the aperture big enough (although this is actually a good thing because if I had then he'd have been even MORE out of focus). And just as I was about to take the shot the sun came out, ruined the exposure, and I just gave up.

I've played with it for literally about 10 seconds in photoshop, but to be honest I think there are enough issues that I could spend the rest of the year tweaking it and I still wouldn't be happy.

The most annoying thing is it good have been a really good shot. I'm determined to get better at this street photo thing though!

 

[The23rdman]

At least you got out there and had a go, mate. Compositionally it's pretty good though. Would have been nice if you'd had a bit of blur going on in the background.

 

[Briony]

Well done.

I was challenged by a policeman while trying to take a photo so kinda lost my nerve this week, then posted one of my street in the country and got no replies or coments whatsoever so took them off as they must have been bad !!! so I am debating wether to carry on with this or not:shrug:

 

[Rob Bartley]

Chris. At least you got out and tried. I have had all sorts of ideas but haven't had the a:bottle, b:skill or c:time to try. It is almost a great shot, sounds like the nerves got the better of you.

Well done.

I was challenged by a policeman while trying to take a photo so kinda lost my nerve this week, then posted one of my street in the country and got no replies or coments whatsoever so took them off as they must have been bad !!! so I am debating wether to carry on with this or not:shrug:

Briony, please don't give up! To be honest I don't check as much as I should and I'm sure it is the case for many other 52's as well. I'm sure you would have gotten plenty of comments sooner or later.

Cheers, Rob

 

[chris321]

At least you got out there and had a go, mate. Compositionally it's pretty good though. Would have been nice if you'd had a bit of blur going on in the background.

Thanks, I know what you mean about the background. It was literally a case of whipping out my camera, taking a few shots, and putting it away again!

Well done.

I was challenged by a policeman while trying to take a photo so kinda lost my nerve this week, then posted one of my street in the country and got no replies or coments whatsoever so took them off as they must have been bad !!! so I am debating wether to carry on with this or not:shrug:

Don't worry about the policemen, they're just doing their jobs! The reason for my self-consciousness is it's in Durham, a tiny city full of people I know, on a bridge connecting one of the most student-full living areas to the town centre! Don't give up, there are so many 52s going on it's almost impossible to give everyone C&C! Keep going!

Chris. At least you got out and tried. I have had all sorts of ideas but haven't had the a:bottle, b:skill or c:time to try. It is almost a great shot, sounds like the nerves got the better of you

Cheers, I hate trying to do street photography, I always come back dissapointed! But I'm seeing it as a challenge for the future!

Chris

 

[coohullin]

Chris,

I know exactly what you went through......well done on getting a shot at all!
Although I do think you are being a little hard on yourself.

Roll on next week eh?

Carl

 

[chris321]

Chris,

I know exactly what you went through......well done on getting a shot at all!
Although I do think you are being a little hard on yourself.

Roll on next week eh?

Carl

Maybe, but I just had this amazing shot planned out in my head and it's so frustrating not being able to pull it off just because I feel a bit silly with a big camera :bang:

Too right, next week will be better

 

[foggy4ever]

Can't believe I've not commented on your thread yet.

Week 1 Electrifying start to your first theme, love the energy and colour.

Week 2 Nice use of three shots, didn't get my week 4 idea from you honest

Week 3 As already mentioned..... well use of the crow bar, just fits in . Like the lighting and mono convertion.

Week 4 I know how you feel trying street candids, I took my gear to York before Christmas and felt a little nervous at first but as it was busy and full of tourists it went ok although I didn't really blend in with D300 + 70-200(hood attached). Only negative I can add is the scaffolding looks a little out of place and thats only a small negative.

 

[Squawk]

Heh, it would seem we share a common enemy with street togging.

I love the composition on this, and the fact that you got a few things wrong is, for me, the point of the 52. It's a learning experience. You get stuff wrong, so what, you know about it for next time. The cool thing is that the image is almost there, the hard work is done (composition and framing), now its the refinements.

For what it's worth I really like the image, get the technical stuff sorted and its a winner. I had all the same problems.

 

[Tracer]

Don't beat yourself up about it - it is not bad at all, and very promising. I struggled with all the same problems and made the same mistakes. It has been a good learning experience, though!

 

[chris321]

Can't believe I've not commented on your thread yet.

Week 1 Electrifying start to your first theme, love the energy and colour.

Week 2 Nice use of three shots, didn't get my week 4 idea from you honest

Week 3 As already mentioned..... well use of the crow bar, just fits in . Like the lighting and mono convertion.

Week 4 I know how you feel trying street candids, I took my gear to York before Christmas and felt a little nervous at first but as it was busy and full of tourists it went ok although I didn't really blend in with D300 + 70-200(hood attached). Only negative I can add is the scaffolding looks a little out of place and thats only a small negative.

Thanks for taking the time to find all of my shots (I know it can be a bit of a minefield finding your way around 52s!). I know what you mean, I was self-conscious enough with a 450D and kit lens, now I'm trotting round with a 50D and 70-200 it's even worse! If I'd got the aperture right, I'd have been able to throw the quite nasty background out of focus, but you live and learn eh?!

Heh, it would seem we share a common enemy with street togging.

I love the composition on this, and the fact that you got a few things wrong is, for me, the point of the 52. It's a learning experience. You get stuff wrong, so what, you know about it for next time. The cool thing is that the image is almost there, the hard work is done (composition and framing), now its the refinements.

For what it's worth I really like the image, get the technical stuff sorted and its a winner. I had all the same problems.

Thanks, that's a good way of looking at it! I guess if I didn't make any mistakes at all I wouldn't be doing a 52, I'd have my own busiess and I'd be driving round in a Ferrari . Thanks for commenting, as I said, this is definitely something I want to work on in the future!

Don't beat yourself up about it - it is not bad at all, and very promising. I struggled with all the same problems and made the same mistakes. It has been a good learning experience, though!

I think a lot of people groaned when the title came up this week! But it's all about pushing ourselves I guess and getting out of the comfort zone!

Thanks to everyone for looking/commenting

Chris

 

[Ambermile]

Interesting, he seems to have picked a bad spot there! Your pic, on the other hand, is great and makes me feel sorry for the man right from the start. Not sure on the vignetty-type thing but I like it nonetheless.

Arthur

 

[Scarecrow]

That's a nice shot Chris, but I know what you are saying in your original comments - it's good, but you know there is a really good shot there if you had done a few things differently.

 

[chris321]

Interesting, he seems to have picked a bad spot there! Your pic, on the other hand, is great and makes me feel sorry for the man right from the start. Not sure on the vignetty-type thing but I like it nonetheless.

Arthur

Bad spot? If you mean because it looks a bit empty it's because I fired off a whole load of shots and this was the only one without people walking in front of me

The bridge is always packed, it's the only way into town from the area where most of the students in Durham live!

That's a nice shot Chris, but I know what you are saying in your original comments - it's good, but you know there is a really good shot there if you had done a few things differently.

I know, when I'm a bit more comfortable with photographing people I'll go for round 2!

Chris

 

[Ambermile]

Bad spot? If you mean because it looks a bit empty it's because I fired off a whole load of shots and this was the only one without people walking in front of me

The bridge is always packed, it's the only way into town from the area where most of the students in Durham live!

Ah - then I take it back then, but it does still make him look a bit lonely...

Arthur

 

[dlh]

Some of us didn't get as far as you Chris and just stayed in the safety of our own homes so well done for facing the fear and getting out there. Your composition is spot on, but you've highlighted the problems already. Next time throw the camera into aperture priority mode in case the sun comes out again to save you fiddling with settings.

 

[louise-knight]

well done for getting out and trying it though! I was seriously nervous about street, I don't know what's worse.. pointing your camera at a stranger, or pointing the camera at yourself in the street for a self portrait and have strangers give you strange looks because of it..!!

I know you probably don't care for pointers here as you've mentioned what you don't like about the image, but I think it would've looked great from an infront perspective

 

[Ricky T]

Nice 4 shots so far.
Dont beat your self up about the 'street' i thought it was good.
DONT GIVE UP, i hope no one gives up.
This is my first time at owt like this but it's what i needed, something to tell me what to do, and most important a deadline.

 

[Darkmage]

Chris, nice candid shot. I too would be pretty nervous about pointing my lens at people. I tried to do that in London yesterday however everyone was in a rush as usual so couldn't pick any victims to test my nerve on!

 

[SarahLee]

Hi Chris.

Missed your week 3 sorry . . .

it was sort of inspired by a photo I saw on here a few days ago, it was of a building but the horizontal B&W stripes made my eyes go funny, but gave me this idea!

. . . but yes, I saw that building shot too and I love how you've recreated that feel with the stack of envelopes.
OK it's a little off theme, but I like it a lot anyway

Street : well no crowbar here. You've really gone out and grabbed this week's theme. A HUGE well done for getting out and doing it.
TBH street photography really doesn't appeal to me, so I'm not qualified to offer any real C&C, but you know exactly where this could be improved and if you're determined to do more street stuff I hope this gives you the confidence to get out there more.

 

[chris321]

Ah - then I take it back then, but it does still make him look a bit lonely...

Arthur

Nah, I had to wait for ages! There are always people around, often chatting to him, so it's another case of the camera not quite telling the truth

Some of us didn't get as far as you Chris and just stayed in the safety of our own homes so well done for facing the fear and getting out there. Your composition is spot on, but you've highlighted the problems already. Next time throw the camera into aperture priority mode in case the sun comes out again to save you fiddling with settings.

Thanks, it was is aperture priority, just the aperture was set incorrectly!

well done for getting out and trying it though! I was seriously nervous about street, I don't know what's worse.. pointing your camera at a stranger, or pointing the camera at yourself in the street for a self portrait and have strangers give you strange looks because of it..!!

I know you probably don't care for pointers here as you've mentioned what you don't like about the image, but I think it would've looked great from an infront perspective

I know, I saw yours, I don't think I'd have the guts to stand in the middle of a street posing for a camera! Definitely easier to take a quick shot of someone else! Pointers are always good, thanks a lot

Nice 4 shots so far.
Dont beat your self up about the 'street' i thought it was good.
DONT GIVE UP, i hope no one gives up.
This is my first time at owt like this but it's what i needed, something to tell me what to do, and most important a deadline.

Haha, you couldn't make me give up if you tried! It was tough going last week, but I'm chuffed I managed to get a shot at all, and it's all part of the learning process!

Chris, nice candid shot. I too would be pretty nervous about pointing my lens at people. I tried to do that in London yesterday however everyone was in a rush as usual so couldn't pick any victims to test my nerve on!

Ah, trust me it's better to have people rushing around you than have them slowly sauntering around, they can't notice you if they're rushing!

Hi Chris.

Missed your week 3 sorry . . .



. . . but yes, I saw that building shot too and I love how you've recreated that feel with the stack of envelopes.
OK it's a little off theme, but I like it a lot anyway

Street : well no crowbar here. You've really gone out and grabbed this week's theme. A HUGE well done for getting out and doing it.
TBH street photography really doesn't appeal to me, so I'm not qualified to offer any real C&C, but you know exactly where this could be improved and if you're determined to do more street stuff I hope this gives you the confidence to get out there more.

Thanks so much, it's something I'd like to be good at eventually!

Chris

 

[jgs001]

The composition works nicely Chris, and I think you've covered everything already. BTW, well done on getting out there and shooting this sort of shot...

 

[chris321]

The composition works nicely Chris, and I think you've covered everything already. BTW, well done on getting out there and shooting this sort of shot...

Thanks a lot

Chris

 

[chris321]

Week 5 - "Speed"



I have to confess, this one is a bit of a cheat! It wasn't taken this week, it was taken a few months ago at Durham's "Lumiere" festival.

But I only got around to processing it this week, so it still counts. I was planning on doing something similar for this weeks entry, but I was in Scotland over the weekend, and it turns out that 'speed' isn't a word they know in the highlands.

I'm feeling a bit disapointed, I started off my 52 really well, but I feel the standard is starting to slip.

Determined to get back on it next week! Thanks you SO much for everyone taking the time to comment, it's really giving me motivation to keep going and try not to disapoint!

Chris

 

[dade_f]

I like the lighting in the arches, I would have preferred more light trails, guess traffic was slow

 

[mowse73]

Hi chris. Thats a good shot, i agree it would be better with more light trails but you can only capture what was there. I suggest you put up some diversion signs around town directing all the cars to that spot

 

[L'Cham]

Great angle to show off the colour in the bridge. You can never get the traffic when you want it.

 

[RobC]

Nice composition, great light trails and the arches are very impressive. I'm always in awe of these light trail shots (I can't do them for toffee). As others have said though, a few more cars would have been handy.

 

[chris321]

I like the lighting in the arches, I would have preferred more light trails, guess traffic was slow

Hi chris. Thats a good shot, i agree it would be better with more light trails but you can only capture what was there. I suggest you put up some diversion signs around town directing all the cars to that spot

Great angle to show off the colour in the bridge. You can never get the traffic when you want it.

Thanks! Yep, it was a quiet evening, freezing too, and I don't think the girlfriend would have appreciated being told that she was going to have to hang in there while I waited for a few more cars to show up

Nice composition, great light trails and the arches are very impressive. I'm always in awe of these light trail shots (I can't do them for toffee). As others have said though, a few more cars would have been handy.

Give it a go! I've never got any really good ones, this is o.k, but without carrying a tripod around your options are a bit limited! Footbridges are a great place for them, you get a good view, and also there's usually a nice flat handrail you can set the camera on. Frame the shot, set the timer to 2 seconds, press the shutter release, let go, and wait for the exposure to finish before moving, breathing near it etc

 

[jgs001]

I like it Chris, good colours under the arches... shame there wasn't more traffic about.

 

[SarahLee]

Beautiful Chris.
Nothing at all to be disappointed with IMO. It may not have been taken with the theme in mind, but it WAS processed this week and it definitely fits the theme.

Love the composition, love the blue glow under the arches and the quality of the light in the shot. Just a shame that there weren't a few more cars to give some stronger light trails - it would have been a stunner!

 

[SpidersEye]

I quite like that; nicce composition and the lighting's great, especially with the blue arches

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Nice kight trails shot, I too have entered light trails but yours had much more going on in it making the light trails one of many things catching the eye.

Really like the blue under the arches, great shot

Dan