dan_yorkshire's 52 - Part 2 (Week 41 - Distant - Page 2)

[dan_yorkshire]

Link to Part 1

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=191019

 

[dan_yorkshire]

A week late for Art but a double entry from me

Art

Was unsure which DoF to use for this shot so opted to have the front and back OOF rather than focusing on the front pencil and have the rest OOF.

Relaxation

These aren't my feet, I dont paint my toes... honest!!

Big catchup from me this week with regards to comments.

Cheers

Dan

 

[Bruja]

Hi Dan

I can see what you are trying to do with Art and the idea is a really good one but I find the focus point distracting, probably because I'm so used to looking to the foreground for detail in these kind of shots. The vignetting also spoils it for me, sorry

Relaxation is a much better shot IMHO. Although, again, I find the DoF a bit shallow with the focus on the H of the tap. But definitely fits the theme

 

[SarahLee]

I'm not sure that I agree with Jill on art. In fact I actually like the focal point being in the middle of the selection . . . it's a bit different to the norm and draws my eye further into the shot.
The vignette is a little heavy for me though - I'm not opposed to having it there, but would like it toned down a touch.

What I do really like about it is the composition and the coloured squiggles at the end of each pencil - there's something polygraph-like about it.


Great idea for relaxation too . . . nothing much more relaxing than a bubble bath. It's a strong composition, although I think I would have preferred the feet (are you sure they're not yours ) to be in sharper focus.
For my taste it could do with a little more contrast too.

 

[Tracer]

I agree with Sarah on "Art" - like the composition and focus and would just like a bit less vignette.

Relaxation - I like the composition here, with the contrasts between straight and curvy, soft and hard, and I think you are right to focus on the taps. However it looks a bit dark and/or lacking in contrast - maybe you could redo the conversion and make it much higher key (and go easy on the vignette!)?

 

[clud17]

I think you have put together a nice image for Art, the focal point works for me and as ive nothing to compare it with i cant say different.
Relax works too, id be tempted to push the contrast a bit more but thats me and im a bit of a contrast junkie at the moment. Are you sure you don't paint your nails up on a weekend, put on a dress and call yourself Dannielle?
By the way are your tiles shades of grey? you look like you have the same ones as me and i need a couple of spares, have you got any

 

[karate-ka]

i like the art shot nice and colourfull, try cropping out the vignette just to see what difference it makes.

relaxing in the bath with your feet up can`t beat it. I would have focused on the feet and used a larger aperture.
thats only my opinion, if you like a photo it doesn`t matter what anyone else thinks.

Cheers
Ian

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Hi Dan

I can see what you are trying to do with Art and the idea is a really good one but I find the focus point distracting, probably because I'm so used to looking to the foreground for detail in these kind of shots. The vignetting also spoils it for me, sorry

Relaxation is a much better shot IMHO. Although, again, I find the DoF a bit shallow with the focus on the H of the tap. But definitely fits the theme

Cheers Jill, know what your saying about the DoF in the art shot but it threw the very pack pencils far to oof.

I'm not sure that I agree with Jill on art. In fact I actually like the focal point being in the middle of the selection . . . it's a bit different to the norm and draws my eye further into the shot.
The vignette is a little heavy for me though - I'm not opposed to having it there, but would like it toned down a touch.

What I do really like about it is the composition and the coloured squiggles at the end of each pencil - there's something polygraph-like about it.


Great idea for relaxation too . . . nothing much more relaxing than a bubble bath. It's a strong composition, although I think I would have preferred the feet (are you sure they're not yours ) to be in sharper focus.
For my taste it could do with a little more contrast too.

Defo not my toes Sarah!! Cheers for your comments

I agree with Sarah on "Art" - like the composition and focus and would just like a bit less vignette.

Relaxation - I like the composition here, with the contrasts between straight and curvy, soft and hard, and I think you are right to focus on the taps. However it looks a bit dark and/or lacking in contrast - maybe you could redo the conversion and make it much higher key (and go easy on the vignette!)?

Thanks, yeah I did go a bit overboard with the vignetting on both of last weeks entries. Need to learn to bump the contrast more on my shots although I am scared of overdoing it.

I think you have put together a nice image for Art, the focal point works for me and as ive nothing to compare it with i cant say different.
Relax works too, id be tempted to push the contrast a bit more but thats me and im a bit of a contrast junkie at the moment. Are you sure you don't paint your nails up on a weekend, put on a dress and call yourself Dannielle?
By the way are your tiles shades of grey? you look like you have the same ones as me and i need a couple of spares, have you got any

Haha, no the tiles are different shades of blue but I have converted to B&W. Shame as I have plenty spare....although I dont know whether you'd have gotten any anyway after the Danielle comment!!

i like the art shot nice and colourfull, try cropping out the vignette just to see what difference it makes.

relaxing in the bath with your feet up can`t beat it. I would have focused on the feet and used a larger aperture.
thats only my opinion, if you like a photo it doesn`t matter what anyone else thinks.

Cheers
Ian

Thanks for your comments Ian

Dan

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Having a bit of a stuggle at the mo with the 52. In the process of moving house and have been using my time elsewhere this week.

I thought of this old shot though as soon as the theme was announced.

It was taken on a recent trip to India. We left the beaches of Goa and visited a small village and school in rural Shianti. We took some small offerings of food and sweets for the children.

The children said Grace in their brillint Indian singing voices to say thankyou.

This was taken with my TZ5 P&S and have always thought how much better (sharper etc) this could have been had I had my DSLR with me.

Dan

 

[blakester]

from me on both images Dan. I particularly like your art image but agree with the comments about the vignette. I like the central point of focus, it draws (pun intended ) my eyes through the image. I think the image would pop even more if the paper was brilliant white as opposed to the grey hue to it, that may be the vignette though.
Relaxation works well too, its on theme just needs that wee contrast boost though. Iain

 

[ladysue]

Dan
I know it may not be technically brilliant and not a new pic but I love the "grace" photo. The children's faces are so sweet.Although the BW is OK I would like to see the colour version.

The relaxation photo made me smile. Are you sure they are not your painted toes?
Sue

 

[SarahLee]

Nothing wrong with that grace shot that I can see Dan.

OK it may not be SLR quality, but I don't think that particular shot needs to be - it catches the expressions of the children perfectly and for me that's what that shot is all about.

Well done for having something to put in for the week with everything else going on.

Best of luck with the house move and looking to forward to seeing you fully on the 52 again when you're settled in.

 

[Tracer]

This is a beautiful shot and the slight softness doesn't matter a scrap here. I like the mono conversion too. It has a timeless quality about it that makes me keep looking at it.

 

[philthejuggler]

This is a beautiful shot and the slight softness doesn't matter a scrap here. I like the mono conversion too. It has a timeless quality about it that makes me keep looking at it.

This comment absolutely nails my feelings for the shot too...

 

[jgs001]

Art, I agree with Sarah on that, the focus point works really well, and the little coloured squiggles fit nicely, less polygraph, more ecg though...

Relaxation, I think that's just fine as it is... the DOF works well, and the slight oof ness of the toes and lower contrast aids in the feeling of relaxation and a hot and steaming bath. I normally like more contrast, but in this one, I think you've got it just right.

Grace completely... spot on...

 

[jeangenie]

Catch up time for me, Dan.

Art: I've read other people's comments on this and it's interesting how they vary. For the record, I like the use of dof with the focus in the centre. I didn't even notice the vignetting because what fascinated me was the coloured squiggles. Each one dovetails seamlessly with its neighbour and the intensity of colour gives the impression of depth to the image. I like it - very artisic.

Relaxation: What could be more relaxing than a lazy bath. I'd like to see a few more bubbles - or a bit more light on them to make them shine - but otherwise it fits the bill prefectly and I hope your model was rewarded with a glass of wine to complete the relaxation!

Grace: Well done for keeping up in the middle of a house move. I'm struglling without that sort of pressure! The quality of this shot is in the children's faces not the sharpness or otherwise of the lens. It's a beautiful and special image and I'm sure it's one you'll treasure.

Good luck with the move.

Jean

 

[dan_yorkshire]

from me on both images Dan. I particularly like your art image but agree with the comments about the vignette. I like the central point of focus, it draws (pun intended ) my eyes through the image. I think the image would pop even more if the paper was brilliant white as opposed to the grey hue to it, that may be the vignette though.
Relaxation works well too, its on theme just needs that wee contrast boost though. Iain

Cheers Iain, much appreciated

Dan
I know it may not be technically brilliant and not a new pic but I love the "grace" photo. The children's faces are so sweet.Although the BW is OK I would like to see the colour version.

The relaxation photo made me smile. Are you sure they are not your painted toes?
Sue

Thanks Sue, I did a fair amount of cloning on the 'Grace' shot to the wall behind the children and found it much neater on the black and white shot.

Nothing wrong with that grace shot that I can see Dan.

OK it may not be SLR quality, but I don't think that particular shot needs to be - it catches the expressions of the children perfectly and for me that's what that shot is all about.

Well done for having something to put in for the week with everything else going on.

Best of luck with the house move and looking to forward to seeing you fully on the 52 again when you're settled in.

Sarah, glad you like the Grace shot, I've always liked the shot, this is the first time I have done any processing work on it though.

This is a beautiful shot and the slight softness doesn't matter a scrap here. I like the mono conversion too. It has a timeless quality about it that makes me keep looking at it.

Cheers mate.

This comment absolutely nails my feelings for the shot too...

Thanks Phil

Art, I agree with Sarah on that, the focus point works really well, and the little coloured squiggles fit nicely, less polygraph, more ecg though...

Relaxation, I think that's just fine as it is... the DOF works well, and the slight oof ness of the toes and lower contrast aids in the feeling of relaxation and a hot and steaming bath. I normally like more contrast, but in this one, I think you've got it just right.

Grace completely... spot on...

Much appreciated

Catch up time for me, Dan.

Art: I've read other people's comments on this and it's interesting how they vary. For the record, I like the use of dof with the focus in the centre. I didn't even notice the vignetting because what fascinated me was the coloured squiggles. Each one dovetails seamlessly with its neighbour and the intensity of colour gives the impression of depth to the image. I like it - very artisic.

Relaxation: What could be more relaxing than a lazy bath. I'd like to see a few more bubbles - or a bit more light on them to make them shine - but otherwise it fits the bill prefectly and I hope your model was rewarded with a glass of wine to complete the relaxation!

Grace: Well done for keeping up in the middle of a house move. I'm struglling without that sort of pressure! The quality of this shot is in the children's faces not the sharpness or otherwise of the lens. It's a beautiful and special image and I'm sure it's one you'll treasure.

Good luck with the move.

Jean

Thankyou for the catchup Jean, think your right about the Grace shot, that the quality is in the contents

Dan

 

[dan_yorkshire]

THIS SPACE IS RESERVED FOR THE ENDINGS SHOT.

I AM SHORTLY TO MOVE HOUSE AND WILL TAKE A TOPICAL PHOTO OF THE MOVE FOR THIS SHOT.

ENDING OF THE TIME IN OUR FIRST HOME

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Had a few ideas for this but still mega stressed out with the house move, have a date to move for a couple of weeks so then my time will be taken up with decorating :bonk: :bonk:

Had a nice chilled walk out today with my camera though with the aim of taking a shot of electricity pylons in a nearby field, although the sky was fairly dull is looked quite moody when processed slightly through photomatix.

Taken with the Sigma 10-20 which I've borrowed from friend and now want one myself.

Promise to do a catchup on the last two weeks when I get chance midweek.

Dan

 

[dlh]

A nice golden colour to the field Dan and the lines leading through the image work well. Sky is suitably moody. Is the pylon a little too central maybe? I like nonetheless.

 

[dan_yorkshire]

A nice golden colour to the field Dan and the lines leading through the image work well. Sky is suitably moody. Is the pylon a little too central maybe? I like nonetheless.

Know what you mean about the pylon maybe being too central, that was my only worry about the shot.

It has been cropped from a better composition as far as the pylon is concerned but there was messy hedges to the left and farm buildings to the right so decided to go against the 'rule of 3rds' and crop them out.

Cheers

 

[blakester]

Sometimes, rules just have to be broken Dan. I like this composition, it works. I like the golden colours in the field against the moody sky. You are doing well keeping up the 52 with all the other things going on, so double well done. Iain

 

[clud17]

nice shot Dan, you have used the photomatrix well without over cooking it and it has helped the sky. Great colour on the wheat field (is it wheat?) I like what you have done with the border too it sets the shot off nicely.

 

[philthejuggler]

I really like the shot - I like the rich colours in the wheat and although I usually prefer subjects off-centre I think the composition works well. An appealing image!

Phil

 

[holryn]

That's a great shot Dan. Maybe just a little to central as the others have said but not much. Lovely detail in the wheat.

 

[jeangenie]

Sometimes 'central' works - and this works for me.

I love the contrast between the ripening wheat and the moody summer storm clouds, and the pylon leads the eye across the scene. The processing is spot on, too.

Finding time to take photos when life is manic is good for the soul (in case you need an excuse! )

Jean

 

[dade_f]

electric: great shot, love the colour and the contrast

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Sometimes, rules just have to be broken Dan. I like this composition, it works. I like the golden colours in the field against the moody sky. You are doing well keeping up the 52 with all the other things going on, so double well done. Iain

Cheers mate, much appretiated

nice shot Dan, you have used the photomatrix well without over cooking it and it has helped the sky. Great colour on the wheat field (is it wheat?) I like what you have done with the border too it sets the shot off nicely.

Thanks, glad you like it. Just the feedback I wanted as was scared of overcooking the hdr.

I really like the shot - I like the rich colours in the wheat and although I usually prefer subjects off-centre I think the composition works well. An appealing image!

Phil

Thanks Phil

That's a great shot Dan. Maybe just a little to central as the others have said but not much. Lovely detail in the wheat.

Cheers, the hdr treatment brought out the details in the wheat, was a bit flat before I processed it.

Sometimes 'central' works - and this works for me.

I love the contrast between the ripening wheat and the moody summer storm clouds, and the pylon leads the eye across the scene. The processing is spot on, too.

Finding time to take photos when life is manic is good for the soul (in case you need an excuse! )

Jean

Thanks Jean, think I'll use that excuse to keep getting out with the camera.

electric: great shot, love the colour and the contrast

Cheers everyone.

Dan

 

[daddy day care]

Cracking shot.

I would have preffered the pylon more off centre but you've already explained that and it doesn't spoil the shot where it is.

The detail in the wheat and the sky is excellent and doesn't scream HDR. Very well handled

I have been lusting after a Sigma 10 to 20mm for a while now. This hasn't helped. I want one even more now

Andy

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Cracking shot.

I would have preffered the pylon more off centre but you've already explained that and it doesn't spoil the shot where it is.

The detail in the wheat and the sky is excellent and doesn't scream HDR. Very well handled

I have been lusting after a Sigma 10 to 20mm for a while now. This hasn't helped. I want one even more now

Andy

Cheers Andy That sigma is a cracking lens, used it as a wedding a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed with it.

 

[dan_yorkshire]

TRANSFORM... To change state... Ice back into water.


Not one for Macro photography and dont have a macro lens.

Used the Tamron 17-50 which isnt too bad at close focusing.

Shot in the dark with a torch lighting the ice cube, tricky to nail the focus.

Looking back I would have liked a larger DoF to get the front left of the melt in focus along with the three droplets.

Dan

 

[dlh]

I like the idea here. The lighting is very good and sets the ice cube off nicely. Agree the DoF should be larger to get those drops in focus too. Assuming you used a tripod you could always lock the focus with the light on before turning to the torch

 

[blakester]

I like transform Dan, you have handled the lighting well on this. I also like the composition and processing too. The dof you've mentioned so I won't go there but as Darren says, tripod, light on and lock the focus. i am sure it would be straightforward to revisit this if you so wish Iain

 

[Tracer]

Catching up gradually...

Electric: very pleasing composition and I love the textures in the wheat and the dramatic sky.

Transform: excellent idea, first-rate composition and lighting. A little more DOF would have been ideal but even so it works very well as it is.

 

[dade_f]

Transform: I like the concept, it works, shame the focus point is the middle of the pool of water, but you know this issue.
The 52's are all about trying new things and pushing yourself, you are doing just fine

 

[philthejuggler]

I like the idea here. The lighting is very good and sets the ice cube off nicely. Agree the DoF should be larger to get those drops in focus too. Assuming you used a tripod you could always lock the focus with the light on before turning to the torch

I'm seeing lots of interesting ideas and unusual shots this week - this is a good example!

Phil

 

[clud17]

looks like we had similar ideas this week. I love the mono idea and the reflection you have achieved. Are the 3 drips random or staged, they look a bit staged to me?

 

[SarahLee]

Love the last two weeks Dan. . . and you're putting me to shame by managing to keep up with this while moving house.

Electric is really well done. Very, very subtle . . . in fact it doesn't look like HDR at all, and the way it's brought out the texture in the wheat is gorgeous.
Pylon is a bit central for me, but it seems like there are split opinions on that and it's down to personal choice.

Transform is beautiful.
I love the soft smoky feel of the melting ice and the lighting and simplicity is perfect.
In fact, I actually quite like the narrow DoF too. For me the drops at the front don't need to be in sharp focus, because all of my attention is on the ice cube.

 

[jeangenie]

Transform is beautiful.
I love the soft smoky feel of the melting ice and the lighting and simplicity is perfect.
In fact, I actually quite like the narrow DoF too. For me the drops at the front don't need to be in sharp focus, because all of my attention is on the ice cube.

I'm not being lazy here, (honestly!) but Sarah has said exactly what I was thinking.

How is the house move going?

Jean

 

[holryn]

Think it's all been said Dan. Slightly larger DoF and focus on the cube.

The B&W and lighting work really well.