daddy day cares Photo52 for 2010 part 1 weeks 1 to 26

really like your isolation image - the one with the cloud edit. Not so keen on the tight crop as I think it looses a bit of the isolated feeling.
 


Not overly happy again this week.

This is the kind of image I had in my head. The biggest issue I had was that my Snap-on ratchet may be superb quality but that doesn't stop it getting scratched through use :( The scratches show beyong belief. I also had trouble controlling the reflections.

I would say that this week has been a fail :thumbsdown: for me.

clickable if you really want to.

Need to find my mojo again for week 23.

Andy
 
Twas a horrible week this week Andy. I'm sure that is a quality tool, but I'll have to take your word for it I'm afraid. the scratches show it's been used, and that's as it should be. It does seem a little dark to me, but that could just be my lappy I'm using.
 
I feel your pain Andy, seeing your other shots I know you can do better than you have submitted from your own admission you know it - SO GET OUT THERE AND GET A "QUALITY" SHOT :)
 
Thanks folks. I am sure that I am capable of better but I am really struggling for inspiration now. I want to reshoot "quality" but can't think what to do and I am struggling with "post" as well.

I just feel like giving up at the moment.

Andy
 
Reflective metal is pretty difficult to take a photo of and you've done an OK job but a larger light source reflected in the 'head' part could probably have helped. Have a look at this page on Strobist. He does a much better job of explaining it than I can.
 
Thanks Neil.

The effect I was trying to achieve was to have the ratchet spotlit against a black background with a nice reflection. I obviously don't want easy :lol:

That is why I used a snoot on a single flash gun and some picture glass over the black material. I think if I used a bigger light source then it would have washed out the black background and lost the spotlit effect I was after.

I used the highest shutter speed I could get the gun to sync at in order to lose as much ambient light as possible and keep the BG black. This varied between 1/200 and 1/160 I think (without checking any exif data)

I'm more confused now than ever :thinking: I think I need to do more reading (and find a ratchet that isn't well used :lol: )

Andy
 
Its not as bad as you think and credit for finding a quality item that is different from all the rest of us. The flare and blown highlight does distract a bit. Neat job on the border too, this works well with the colours of the image.
 
Quality was one of the hardest topics so far, imo, so don't beat yourself up, Andy. What's great is that you're experimenting and pushing your knowledge and skills to higher levels - that's Quality. :)

I think lots of us are feeling 'mid-year' blues and I know some weeks I've just not put my heart into it.

I haven't had chance to read all the other comments or the strobist link, but scratches are a fact of life - even if it was brand new there'd be some scratches - but it's a bit of a shock when you see them in a photograph. :)

I hope Post is a better theme for you - I still haven't done mine. :D

Jean
 
Thanks for the kind comments folks (even if they aren't deserved :lol: )

I haven't had the best of weeks so I am struggling a bit with this.

I am on nights until Monday but I think I will reshoot quality next week and see how it turns out.

"post" will be late. I have an idea but it will take time to set up if I am to do it justice.

I will try and comment on other peoples quality shots before too many "post" shots appear. Then again, I've decided on my image so I guess I can't really be influenced too much :lol:

Andy
 
Andy, your quality image is bang on theme, Snap-on is certainly a quality brand. You may have been able to manage the reflections more if the ratchet head was in the bottom left hand corner with the handle pointing towards top right hand corner. The scratches add to the image, its a well used tool.
Keep going with the 52 though, I am sure we have all felt a lack of inspiration at times. I know I have. You'll soon get your mojo back when a good theme is drawn. All the best, Iain
 
Thanks Iain.

I am going to try a reshoot next week. I will have a look at your suggestion for the positioning. I also have a set of sockets with a lot less scratches than the ratchet so I will try these.

Andy
 
I'm finally starting to get round other folk's images....

Stop - I like them both though the first one fits the theme better. I like the bright colours and the atmosphere you have captured - it must have been a fun day out.

Isolation - good composition and I like the muted colours. Definitely says 'isolation' to me.

Quality - it doesn't shout obvious quality but I like this as image, clean and unfussy, and the OOF reflection makes the shot.
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

It has been a tough couple of weeks. I have struggled to find the motivation.

I have now revisited "quality"

This time I went to Dunelm Mill and got 3 metres of black PVC and 3 metres of white PVC. This is loads better than the stuff that came with my light tent.

I also had the book "light, science and magic" for Fathers day :thumbs: I have been reading up on the family of angles and realised that I have more chance of putting the flash outside of this zone If I chose a longer lens instead of the wide macro that I used the first time.

3rd change was to use a shoot through umbrella instead of the snoot. I thought this would light up too much around the subject but it hasn't. I used 160th second as this was the highest speed the flash would sync at. This killed most of the ambient light and kept a nice black background.

The only PP was a slight tweek in black levels (down not up :) ) the border and a bit of contrast.



I also shot an alternative



Both focused manually with the room lights on to get the words in focus then room lights off to reduce ambient light spill.

I will work on the remaining themes soon and get back to commenting on other peoples when I have caught up. I do have shots in mind for the remaining three so shouldn't be too long now (hopefully)

Andy
 
Last edited:
Sorry Sarah. There was a slight technical hitch ;)

You posted as I was uploading the correct (processed) images as opposed to the straight from camera ones I uploaded by mistake :lol:

Andy
 
I was hoping to post a shot from yesterday of a milepost on the canal towpath. Unfortunately British Waterways have tidied the area up and spoilt my shot.

I have just deleted a rant about it because I have looked at one I took when the post theme was announced and it will be OK when I've processed it. It was taken with my TZ6 which I tend to carry with me when I walk the dog. A freshly composed shot with the D90 and a suitable lens may have been better but this one should be OK.

I need to attend a funeral today so will try and post the image for "post" later on.

Andy
 
Last edited:
As already mentioned this was taken with my Panasonic TZ6 that I use as a walkabout camera.



Clicky to big version as usual.

Let me know what you think.

Just "metal" and "grunge" to sort out now :thumbs:

Andy
 
Andy I really like your post- so much interesting stuff on it with the paint and the graffiti and all surrounded by greenery. Because I have never heard of the place it could be an illustration from a fairy tale.
Sue
 
Thanks Sue.

I am glad you like it.

What do you think about the reshoot for quality?

Andy
 
Andy, your alternative image for reshoot on quality gets my vote. It has strong composition, you've controlled the lighting and reflections well too. It is a sharp well exposed image that could easily be used a product shot.

Post is an interesting image, there is a lot of detail in there to hold the viewers eye. Your processing works well too. My only (minor) crit would be the sky, it doesn't detract any from the image but a little detail would have made the image.

All round good job Andy :thumbs: keep going you're nearly there with the catch-up. Iain
 
Thank-you very much Iain.

I am really pleased with the reshot images for "quality" I have pretty much given up on the light tent and am now using much bigger backgrounds. This open arrangement gives me more freedom with the lighting. I need to try a white BG image next. That will get me thinking about lighting :lol:

I agree about the sky on "post" I did go to reshoot on the D90 yesterday but British Waterways had been gardening. My first thought when I found this subject was that it would be good in black and white. The problem is a massive lack of tonal range when converted. All the green looks rubbish in B&W.

Andy
 
ooh I like post! is it made of metal? maybe you can re-edit two times for 'metal' and 'grunge'.. did those two themes really come up together? fun fun! great contrast, nice subject, I love all the scrummy textures on there :)
 
Thanks Louise.

Yes, it is metal :lol: I wasn't happy with this when I looked at the camera screen but when I put it on the computer monitor and tweeked it a bit I liked it.

I already have ideas for "metal" and "grunge" just need to get out and shoot them. Hopefully "metal" will be done tonight. "grunge" will be done when my prop arrives from ebay ;)

Andy
 
Here is this week 24's theme late as usual - heavy metal



Things I have learnt:

1. I am better at still life than portraits

2. I need to study lighting more - I went for one light in a reflective brolly as I wanted it hard and edgy. Not quite sure I pulled it off :shrug:

3. A half width roll of paper may fit into a 12 foot square room but it's useless for full length portraits.

4. Even by opening the conservatory doors and standing in the garden I still don't have much room for full length portraits.

5. I need a studio and studio lights

Let me know what you think please.

Andy
 
Andy, your quality reshoot is much better :thumbs:

Post, amazing post, that fits so many themes in one hit... excellent image of it too

Metal, rock on... I think the lighting works quite well as is, fits the feel... perhaps needed a teeny bit more on his face, just to lift the left eye
 
Thanks John.

I wasn't sure about the background in "metal" The original idea was to go out on an industrial estate and take the shot against some roller doors or similar. Only problem was that moody teenager didn't want to play :lol: I still need to learn a lot about lighting, especially portraits.

Andy
 
daddy day care said:
Sorry Sarah. There was a slight technical hitch ;)

You posted as I was uploading the correct (processed) images as opposed to the straight from camera ones I uploaded by mistake :lol:

Andy
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: :lol:
That's OK - it was closely followed by a technical hitch at this end. I think that was the last post I made before my broadband died again. Only got it back yesterday :(

Anyway . . . now that they're back . . .

:thumbs: Quality reshoot is a huge improvement.
I like the alternate shot too, but it's the first one for me. Good, crisp and clear and I like the reflection too.

Post : I think it's all been said already.
I'm with Sue on the fairytale feel to the place names, and I do like the way that it's just peering out of all those weeds.
Although it doesn't really detract that much, I also agree with Iain on wanting just a bit more detail in the sky.

Metal : I like this interpretation - and yes, we all want a studio and studio lights! :D
My only problem with this one is that I'm not entirely convinced by the pose. To me, it looks just a bit too contrived. I think I'd like to have seen something conveying a bit more movement and more relaxed & natural looking (if that makes sense)

Given the space and lighting you were working with though, it's come out very well. The lighting adds some nice atmosphere and the way that you've framed the shot you would never have known how short of room you were.

I'm absolutely useless at portraits and this is so much better than anything I could have created :thumbs:
 
Thank-you Sarah.

I am really happy with the reshoot for quality. You would never guess it was the same tool would you? I'm starting to like this still life lark.

I'm glad I carry a P&S with me when I walk the dog or "post" wouldn't have happened.

"metal" - I agree completely about the pose. He's not exactly a willing model. Why do you think he hasn't appeared in the 52 before? :lol: The other three can't play the guitar though.

Andy
 
Hi there :wave:

I love Post :love: all that detail in the paint.

Metal - I know very well the constraints of not having a studio set up :(

and you've managed well with the space you've got but the pose seems a little stiff to me. (and he seems very clean for heavy metal :lol:)

Now where's Grunge?

Jill
 
Andy,

Really liking the reshoots of quality. Very nice shots indeed! I'm probably liking the spanners more than the ratchet, but both very good :) Post is a really interesting shot, and Metal is too. Really like the lighting in this one, suits the shot.
 
I struggled to come up with an idea for this at first. However I got a last minute place on the lencarta lighting day last Saturday.

This is the beginning of me learning studio lighting:



Cassie was a fantastic model and very professional. She even guided us when taking the shots :lol:

More shots from this session on my flickr.

Andy
 
karmagarda said:
Andy,

Really liking the reshoots of quality. Very nice shots indeed! I'm probably liking the spanners more than the ratchet, but both very good :) Post is a really interesting shot, and Metal is too. Really like the lighting in this one, suits the shot.
Click to expand...

Thanks Conor. I was really pleased with the reshoot for quality. I can't decide between the spanners and the ratchet personally.

I'm glad you like the others. I am going to be trying hard in the coming weeks to get to grips with portraits. I don't see too many issues with lighting as I get more practice (not that you can believe that on my "metal" image :lol: ). Posing is the bit that I find really hard.

Andy
 
I like your grunge image a lot Andy, the processing really suits the subject, the vignette really highlights the pedal.
I like beginnings too, the explanation is needed but hey nowt wrong with that ;). You have done well with the lighting, the model's dark hair is seperated nicely from the background. Good composition too, a nice simple portrait executed well. Iain
 
Great idea for grunge, works well in a mono shot and with the tight composition.
Beginning, looks like you have got a good grip on the lighting if this is your starter any slight critique would be the fold in the backdrop to the right of the model.
 
Really like Grunge, a good different take on it too.

Well done on Begginings, looks great, and bet you had fun on the course... And learnt loads into the bargain too.
 
Thanks guys I really appreciate the positive comments.

I have more shots of Cassie on my flickr pages but this is my favourite.

I'm really pleased with the guitar pedal as well. PP was a cyanotype filter in silver efex pro. I played with the sliders to get the effect I liked then added a black border.

I need to get "art" sorted now and start a new thread. 6 months already :eek:

Andy
 
I've had a play on photoshop with another shot of Alex with his guitar.

Converted to black and white, noise added, texture layer, vignette and black border. I quite like it, not a complete winner but OK.



Texture was from a creative commons licenced photograph on flickr by SixRevisions.

What do you think. Does it say "heavy metal" more than the other one?

Andy
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top