weekly Delta Skies 2014 TP52 - Week 51 Extravagant & Week 52 Support (that's 2014 done)

[overbez]

very nice Peter, nice colours and super detail, suitable DOF.

 

[beckyboy1]

Nice colours. I like the softness of the shot and lots of detail. Agree with Andy re the crop

 

[Phil-D]

Yep, its all been said Peter, great image

 

[Delta Skies]

very nice Peter, nice colours and super detail, suitable DOF.

Thanks Graham

Nice colours. I like the softness of the shot and lots of detail. Agree with Andy re the crop

Cheers Michael. I also agree with crop

Yep, its all been said Peter, great image

Thanks Phil

 

[Delta Skies]

@posiview and @beckyboy1 and anyone else

I'm just cropping that bottom petal off. While I'm at it what's your opinion about me cropping off the right toward the first petal thus putting the centre of the swirl almost on the left hand third? Your opinion would be gratefully received before I make the final cut.

 

[SRUK]

Hi Peter,

I'm playing catch-up tonight so I'm only going to comment on most recent images.

Swirl: Stunning! Lovely light and soft tones, I really like this. I can imagine seeing this on a canvas, well done mate no other crit from me.

 

[beckyboy1]

@posiview and @beckyboy1 and anyone else

I'm just cropping that bottom petal off. While I'm at it what's your opinion about me cropping off the right toward the first petal thus putting the centre of the swirl almost on the left hand third? Your opinion would be gratefully received before I make the final cut.

One can only but try and see. I've sort of scrolled and shifted the window to see and think it would certainly not harm it. I did try and look at a square crop but not sure that would work as well. Any way be interesting to see. You could always do both

 

[posiview]

One can only but try and see. I've sort of scrolled and shifted the window to see and think it would certainly not harm it. I did try and look at a square crop but not sure that would work as well. Any way be interesting to see. You could always do both

Yeah, square crop didn't look right to me.

I have a few crops, but could not get one I was happy with. I'd like to see your suggestion, though.

Cheers.

 

[cowboy]

I like the closeness to the flower so the texture is showing in the petals

 

[Delta Skies]

Hi Peter,

I'm playing catch-up tonight so I'm only going to comment on most recent images.

Swirl: Stunning! Lovely light and soft tones, I really like this. I can imagine seeing this on a canvas, well done mate no other crit from me.

Thanks Simon

 

[Delta Skies]

I like the closeness to the flower so the texture is showing in the petals

Thanks Mark

 

[Delta Skies]

One can only but try and see. I've sort of scrolled and shifted the window to see and think it would certainly not harm it. I did try and look at a square crop but not sure that would work as well. Any way be interesting to see. You could always do both

Yeah, square crop didn't look right to me.

I have a few crops, but could not get one I was happy with. I'd like to see your suggestion, though.

Cheers.

Thanks for the additional thoughts guys. Here we go. A cropped version. Improvement?


Rose Swirl 2 by Delta Skies, on Flickr

 

[beckyboy1]

Absolutely it works. My eye is no longer drawn to the greenish bit at the bottom. I still find it amazing how a photo can look so good and then its gets a crop or some other seemingly minor PP and it makes such a difference. The original was fine enough but its now got that little extra
I'd also recommend viewing this on Flickr as its even better.

 

[Phil-D]

Peter, the first image was good but the crop works even better love the detail in the petals, colour and dof,

 

[Delta Skies]

Absolutely it works. My eye is no longer drawn to the greenish bit at the bottom. I still find it amazing how a photo can look so good and then its gets a crop or some other seemingly minor PP and it makes such a difference. The original was fine enough but its now got that little extra
I'd also recommend viewing this on Flickr as its even better.

Many thanks Michael. Yes I agree about Flickr. Maybe it's the black background on the web page but the colours do seem a bit richer on Flickr for some reason.

Peter, the first image was good but the crop works even better love the detail in the petals, colour and dof,

Thanks Phil

 

[XenosElaine]

Yes, another vote for the crop. Concentrates the eye more on the swirly part of the flower, which after all is the point of the theme

 

[posiview]

Better, but although getting closer has it's issues I'd get even closer to loose the RH, brighter petal.

Cheers.

 

[Delta Skies]

Week 11 - Reshoot (Time)


Dinner Time by Delta Skies, on Flickr

I thought I'd throw this one in before the end of the week. I have to admit I popped to the butchers to get a cumberland sausage especially for the swirl theme but in the end opted for the rose shot. I decided to shoot this anyway with the usual softbox this time off to the front right with a bit of fill in from the back left. My cooking probably doesn't do the shot justice but it tasted pretty good afterwards - albeit a little cold

 

[Delta Skies]

Yes, another vote for the crop. Concentrates the eye more on the swirly part of the flower, which after all is the point of the theme

Thanks Elaine

Better, but although getting closer has it's issues I'd get even closer to loose the RH, brighter petal.

Cheers.

Thanks Andy - I see what you mean but I think I'd opt for darkening that petal rather than lose the other one by cropping further. I'll try it though.

 

[posiview]

Cumberland sausage....yum yum.

Good natural lighting and this has enhanced the colours.

I know the wine and glass add the the theme but...I might like to have them removed. Also half of the folk caught my eye.

Even cold I'd have gulped it down

Cheers.

 

[Delta Skies]

Blimey that was quick.

Although I like them there, it's funny Sarah didn't like the bottle and glass either. I see what you mean about the fork. There was a knife as well but it didn't get a look in

I cooked twice that night. Once for the photo - which I finished off and then had to cook for Sarah and George once I finished. I going to photo a salad next time

 

[posiview]

I watched a YouTube video this afternoon and one of the guys repeated the advice I've heard before about keeping it simple, and uncluttered. The subject matter is the sausage...anything else distracts from this.

Although agree with these sentiments....I often neglect the follow them

Cheers.

 

[Delta Skies]

I'm glad I'm not the only one scouting around on YouTube. Maybe throwing them further out of focus might have been a compromise?

One thing I did learn from my web travels for the shot was brushing some oil on the food. I was amazed what a difference it made especially on the vegetables.

 

[Allan.H]

Hi Peter, not your best work i feel , compositionally it seems a little off, the fork, bottle, glass and half a plate.
I know you are focusing on the sausage and for that reason I keep thinking it's for swirl,
the exposure and colour are excellent but for some reason its not working as a whole, but i cant put my finger on why
I am sure it was very tasty though

 

[Phil-D]

Cumberland sausage, that's what Lynn suggested for swirl at the beginning of the week

Its certainly well lit Peter , I don't mind the glass and bottle but I'm not a lover of the crop I want to see more of the plate and food to the right

 

[Delta Skies]

Hi Peter, not your best work i feel , compositionally it seems a little off, the fork, bottle, glass and half a plate.
I know you are focusing on the sausage and for that reason I keep thinking it's for swirl,
the exposure and colour are excellent but for some reason its not working as a whole, but i cant put my finger on why
I am sure it was very tasty though

Cheers Allan. Yes it was tasty. Part of what I think doesn't help is the size of the sausage (ooo er mrs ). This was actually three sausages that the butcher merged into one so maybe not perfectly looking although my cooking may not have helped.

Cumberland sausage, that's what Lynn suggested for swirl at the beginning of the week

Its certainly well lit Peter , I don't mind the glass and bottle but I'm not a lover of the crop I want to see more of the plate and food to the right

Thanks Phil. I'll have a look at some other crops tonight. I had a few other variations including ones showing the whole plate, etc.

 

[overbez]

you've broken a lot of "rules" here Peter regards composition... and it is often said rules are there to be broken..... and in this case I think it works.

It stands out due to the orientation, the cropped items, the bottom right diagonal. (I too reckon it sits much better for swirl too).

I do feel the aspect is too tall though, I generally dislike greater than 6x4 portrait, preferring 4x3, or 7x5. This also fits with my other thought of bringing the wine (bottle and glass) lower down closer to the plate.

Great lighting and arrangement on the plate, and liking the texture and diagonal of the tabletop.

Also occured to me to vignette the three (non plate) corners, to match the top right.

Lot of food for thought there. but overall I really like it.

 

[Judi]

Hi Peter beautiful rose, like the dof well shot

 

[Delta Skies]

you've broken a lot of "rules" here Peter regards composition... and it is often said rules are there to be broken..... and in this case I think it works.

It stands out due to the orientation, the cropped items, the bottom right diagonal. (I too reckon it sits much better for swirl too).

I do feel the aspect is too tall though, I generally dislike greater than 6x4 portrait, preferring 4x3, or 7x5. This also fits with my other thought of bringing the wine (bottle and glass) lower down closer to the plate.

Great lighting and arrangement on the plate, and liking the texture and diagonal of the tabletop.

Also occured to me to vignette the three (non plate) corners, to match the top right.

Lot of food for thought there. but overall I really like it.

Thanks for the feedback Graham. I understand your comments regarding aspect ratios. I also take on board the vignette suggestion. Definitely worth having a play later

Hi Peter beautiful rose, like the dof well shot

Thanks Judi

 

[Judi]

the Cumberland sausage looks scrummy too

 

[parhole4]

Really like the Cumberland sausage pic.........I even went to Asda and bought one for my tea

 

[d00d]

I love the composition/crop.

EDIT to day say I'm referring to the sausage pic.

 

[HWest]

I adore the cropped version of the swirl. You've really captured the delicate beauty of the petals with the soft light. It feels like you should be able to reach in and feel how soft they are.

Did you use window light on it or something more technical?

 

[minnnt]

Dinner Time is ace, well lit and photographed! It works well for both themes. I like the rose, the focus and dof are spot on and the colour just finishes it off nicely imo. Good work Pete.

 

[Delta Skies]

the Cumberland sausage looks scrummy too

Thanks again Judi

Really like the Cumberland sausage pic.........I even went to Asda and bought one for my tea

Cheers Colin. I hope you enjoyed it. Cumberland is probably my favourite. We try to get ours from our local butcher. As well as supporting a local business (and in this case a friend) we've found the quality is so much better (but I guess that's another debate for another time)

I love the composition/crop.

EDIT to day say I'm referring to the sausage pic.

Thanks David

I adore the cropped version of the swirl. You've really captured the delicate beauty of the petals with the soft light. It feels like you should be able to reach in and feel how soft they are.

Did you use window light on it or something more technical?

Thanks for the kind words Tony. I used a softbox as the main light with a bit of fill in from a second head. No need to go down that route though. Window light and a reflector can be just as effective.

Dinner Time is ace, well lit and photographed! It works well for both themes. I like the rose, the focus and dof are spot on and the colour just finishes it off nicely imo. Good work Pete.

Many thanks David

 

[Dark Knight]

I like the crop of the food Peter, the wine and Glass were the only thing bugging me until Andy mentioned the fork

But the main subject, the food looks very good, super lighting, catching a nice shine on the sausage and veg... What fill light did you use from the left ?? I am tending too (Well always) shoot through a white brolly, but that's what I always do, would like to see if you do different

 

[blondie606]

Hi Peter

Swirl.......beautiful delicate color on the rose , Much prefer the cropped version....can't really add any more to what's been said

Time reshoot......I also thought it was swirl...that's one wicked sausage.....the lighting on the food looks spot on , bought out the colors & textures really well & the tip about the oil is stored for future use ! I also agree about the wine bottle, fork & glass....a little too cluttered with them in ( but can see why you did it) , would have more impact without them though I feel

 

[Delta Skies]

I like the crop of the food Peter, the wine and Glass were the only thing bugging me until Andy mentioned the fork

But the main subject, the food looks very good, super lighting, catching a nice shine on the sausage and veg... What fill light did you use from the left ?? I am tending too (Well always) shoot through a white brolly, but that's what I always do, would like to see if you do different

Thanks Dean. I was using a Bowens head bouncing into a brolly for the fill light. Probably on about 1/2 power compared with the main light if I remember rightly.

Hi Peter

Swirl.......beautiful delicate color on the rose , Much prefer the cropped version....can't really add any more to what's been said

Time reshoot......I also thought it was swirl...that's one wicked sausage.....the lighting on the food looks spot on , bought out the colors & textures really well & the tip about the oil is stored for future use ! I also agree about the wine bottle, fork & glass....a little too cluttered with them in ( but can see why you did it) , would have more impact without them though I feel

Thanks for the feedback Lynne. I should have listened to Sarah before I posted it as she preferred one of the ones without the bottle and glass.

 

[cowboy]

Nice food/restaurant type shot.

Maybe loose the bottle and glass, I don't mind the fork as I think it adds to it.

 

[The goblin]

Hi Peter

Positive, nice composition/ DOF and I like the reflections all round the main battery. Always a nightmare trying to avoid the obvious but this would make a great product shot.

Time, lovely bright colours and detail in the threads. I particularly like the background as well. Yes there’s a needle and thread but no actual ‘stitches’ for a stitch in time, maybe a bit of ‘work in progress’ would help tie it to the theme?

Oh and I had to take a peak at your kites, I’m loving Desmond the dinosaur!

Swirl, beautiful colour rose and the DOF is lovely. I think the petals on the far RHS are a little distracting, I would possibly go for a square crop and concentrate on the centre on the rose. Just seen the edit, I’m still voting for a more square crop!

Dinner time, YUM! Nice composition with the hint of vino in the back ground!