daddy day care's Photo 52 2011 week 4 "open"

D

daddy day care

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,199
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
Yes
I must be either completely mad or a glutton for punishment.

This will be my second 52 week challenge so I know how hard it will get :)

My first shot of the year is from my local stretch of the Caldon Canal in Stoke On Trent. I wish boat owners would moor in more picturesque locations :lol:


week 1 Accomodation by Andy Miszkiel, on Flickr

Self-crit - lots of clutter to detract away from the narrow boat which is a pity. I did try and crop out the towpath at the bottom right but it spoiled the composition. I do like the lighting and reflection which is why I took this shot in the first place.

Andy
 
Last edited:
As you say, lots of clutter which does spool the picture. However the narrow boat and reflection is good. A nice backgroud and get rid of the chairs and you would have a great photo.
 
Thanks Ian.

Unfortunately any set dressing was out of the question :lol:

There were only 4 boats along the stretch that I walk this afternoon. 3 of them had tarpaulins over them :bang:

Andy
 
Yeh! The owners must get upset if you remove their stuff and move it down the canal. :D
 
Last edited:
really like the reflection on the water
down right rude of the owners not to put the barge in a better place
 
I can't believe that I'm falling behind already :lol:

Week 2 - new.

This was taken using my new lastolite black velvet background. This thing eats light but is a right pain to fold back up again.


rueben 2 by Andy Miszkiel, on Flickr

Andy
 
Good photo, but I don't really think a black t-shirt works with the black background, as there is very little differentiation between them.

Good shadows, and I like the focussing on the eyes:-)
 
Thanks Dan,

the dark clothing was a deliberate choice for this session. The emphasis is all on the face then. It is a matter of getting enough detail in the clothing so that it doesn't look like a floating head though :lol:

Andy
 
Another one from the same session but it was taken last Sunday so is still in the right time frame :D

Left as colour as I really like this shot. I suspect it may be a bit of a marmite one though. On my calibrated screen there is subtle variation with the blacks and dark hair / clothing. I'm not sure that will come across on an uncalibrated screen though.


week 3 style by Andy Miszkiel, on Flickr

I will try and find time to comment on other peoples shots next week when I'm off work.

Andy
 
Andy. Nice relaxed pose, like the hint of colour on the eyes and lips. But 2 things do stick out for me. 1) her right cheek is too white (bright)... and 2) her head seems to be at an angle where her face/hair seems to have disappeared (though hidden by extreme shadow).
 
Hi Andy

Glad to see you're 52-ing again. Good luck. :thumbs:

Week 1: The colours make this. It looks like a watercolour that could have been painted yesterday or years ago - timeless. I love it, and the clutter adds to the atmosphere. :clap:

Week 2: Fabulous expression on your little lad's face - I love it. There's just enough shadow on his left to bring out the expression. That black velvet's amazing, and the dark tee-shirt works really well imho. A light colour would have distracted from that fantastic expression. I would have loved it even more if he'd been turned slightly to his left, rather than straight on, but it's just a small nitpick and you should both be well pleased with this. :clap:

Week 3: This is definitely Stylish! I love the way you've let her hair blend slightly into the background, with all the light falling onto her face. You've got good catchlights in her eyes and just enough colour in eyes and lips. Well judged! My only small niggle is the rings on her right hand are a bit distracting. Like week 2, I like the dark top against the black background. :)

Jean
 
Andy, You must be nuts doing this again :lol:
Although I understand why, after 18 months I felt like I needed a change but I am feeling the pull of it. Kind of missing having a weekly theme to think about already.

Week 1 : I think you've already nailed this with your own self crit - but I have to agree that the light is beautiful and the reflection absolutely makes it.
As Jean said it has a timeless water colour feel to it.

Week 2 : That background really is working well to absorb the lighting. Beautiful pose and expression and although your white b/g high-key shots are always technically perfect I really do prefer the black.

Week 3 : This lappie monitor hasn't been formally calibrated - but it's the machine I use for editing and of all my screens this one is the closest to being where it should be.
From here, the definition between the hair, clothes and foreground is spot on - really good distinction between all the elements which can't have been easy to achieve with all those dark tones.
My only criticism with this one is that I would have liked to have seen a little more light on the left side of her face.
 
Hi Andy,

Love the picture for accommodation, clear, crisp and a great way to capture the theme.

For new.... I think you are pushing the boundaries of the theme, however i love the picture. In this instance I think you were right to use dark clothing because as you wanted, the focus really is then on the face. The facial expression just really makes you smile too!!

Style.... Not sure how this fits the theme!! On this occasion I don't feel the black background, foreground and clothing do work together....it looks a bit strange... As though the arms are floating in mid air!!! I really like the position of the model but I think just a wee but colour needs added to give the picture a more natural feel!...just my opinion though!!
 
Hello Andy, 3 cracking photos there, I think everyone has covered what I was thinking. I really like the use of the background you have, its really effective and certainly complements the people in there. Well Done
 
Three excellent images.

I've nothing to add to the crit already posted.

My favourites are the two portraits, both very good with lots of character and expression. The week 3 is just brilliant with subtle capture of detail in the dark areas, and wonderful eye contact.
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
Andy. Nice relaxed pose, like the hint of colour on the eyes and lips. But 2 things do stick out for me. 1) her right cheek is too white (bright)... and 2) her head seems to be at an angle where her face/hair seems to have disappeared (though hidden by extreme shadow).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comments. I think with this shot it will depend on your monitor set-up. It is very close to blowing her cheek and losing blacks on my monitor but not quite.

jeangenie said:
Hi Andy

Glad to see you're 52-ing again. Good luck. :thumbs:

Week 1: The colours make this. It looks like a watercolour that could have been painted yesterday or years ago - timeless. I love it, and the clutter adds to the atmosphere. :clap:

Week 2: Fabulous expression on your little lad's face - I love it. There's just enough shadow on his left to bring out the expression. That black velvet's amazing, and the dark tee-shirt works really well imho. A light colour would have distracted from that fantastic expression. I would have loved it even more if he'd been turned slightly to his left, rather than straight on, but it's just a small nitpick and you should both be well pleased with this. :clap:

Week 3: This is definitely Stylish! I love the way you've let her hair blend slightly into the background, with all the light falling onto her face. You've got good catchlights in her eyes and just enough colour in eyes and lips. Well judged! My only small niggle is the rings on her right hand are a bit distracting. Like week 2, I like the dark top against the black background. :)

Jean
Click to expand...

Thanks Jean.

He's not mine. I've got enough kids of my own :lol: This is my nephew and he was a real poser.

The rings are not as prominent on the black and white version. This set was always intended to be mono not colour but I just loved this shot.

SarahLee said:
Andy, You must be nuts doing this again :lol:
Although I understand why, after 18 months I felt like I needed a change but I am feeling the pull of it. Kind of missing having a weekly theme to think about already.

Week 1 : I think you've already nailed this with your own self crit - but I have to agree that the light is beautiful and the reflection absolutely makes it.
As Jean said it has a timeless water colour feel to it.

Week 2 : That background really is working well to absorb the lighting. Beautiful pose and expression and although your white b/g high-key shots are always technically perfect I really do prefer the black.

Week 3 : This lappie monitor hasn't been formally calibrated - but it's the machine I use for editing and of all my screens this one is the closest to being where it should be.
From here, the definition between the hair, clothes and foreground is spot on - really good distinction between all the elements which can't have been easy to achieve with all those dark tones.
My only criticism with this one is that I would have liked to have seen a little more light on the left side of her face.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sarah.

Yes I am completely barking :cuckoo:

I much prefer the black background portraits myself and this lastolite pop-up is stunning. I need to do something else though, I just seem to be doing one style at the moment.

laura-elliot said:
Hi Andy,

Love the picture for accommodation, clear, crisp and a great way to capture the theme.

For new.... I think you are pushing the boundaries of the theme, however i love the picture. In this instance I think you were right to use dark clothing because as you wanted, the focus really is then on the face. The facial expression just really makes you smile too!!

Style.... Not sure how this fits the theme!! On this occasion I don't feel the black background, foreground and clothing do work together....it looks a bit strange... As though the arms are floating in mid air!!! I really like the position of the model but I think just a wee but colour needs added to give the picture a more natural feel!...just my opinion though!!
Click to expand...

Thanks Laura,

I knew the shot for "style" would be a bit of a marmite one. Are you using a calibrated screen? Her arm should not be floating, it isn't on my screen :thinking:

Andy
 
michael23 said:
Hello Andy, 3 cracking photos there, I think everyone has covered what I was thinking. I really like the use of the background you have, its really effective and certainly complements the people in there. Well Done
Click to expand...

PatrickO said:
Three excellent images.

I've nothing to add to the crit already posted.

My favourites are the two portraits, both very good with lots of character and expression. The week 3 is just brilliant with subtle capture of detail in the dark areas, and wonderful eye contact.
Click to expand...

luckless said:
Three great shots - i particularly like the portraits :)
Click to expand...

Thank-you folks.

I never used to like portraits but now I realy enjoy taking them.

Andy
 
:thumbs:


I like the thinking behind this . " & i'll be doing that tomorrow night :naughty:"

Regards MD:thumbs:
 
Cheers Dave.

I was actually amazed at how few wine bottles had corks. Most in the supermarket were screw cap :shake:

Andy
 
Hi Andy. Your week two imge neds the levels tweaking imho this took one min " hope you dont mind..."


daddy_day_care_copy.jpg



Regards MD:thumbs:
 
I really like the idea for week 4. The shot is well composed and works well, relaly well done :thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top