dlh's 52 for 2010 - Week 16 Stare

[Harlequin565]

I think it's a good study Darren. Nice conversion to B&W and it's nicely lit. With you shooting at ISO1600 I guess you were using available light?

How does it fit into the theme? Well it's a person, singular of people. A group of people could also be known as a body of people and this is a body. Afraid my mind isn't getting any deeper than that tonight.

Reminds me of "There is no I in Team, but there is, in Pie. Meat Pie. Meat is an anagram of Team".

Ian.

 

[Stephen Ramsay]

Interesting take on the theme, good lighting, excellent use of DoF....I do quite a bit on people so I like the take on this as ive never done....nudes or glamour but love the abstract take on it.

Good luck for week 8

 

[L'Cham]

I would have never thought have interpreting the theme this way. Really effective use of DOF and noise (was the noise intended?). Lovely composition but I little too intimate for me.

 

[dlh]

Thanks for all the comments so far people.

Noise wasn't an option as had to shoot at ISO 1600, so had b&w conversion in mind at the time.

This was my first (and probably only for a long time) chance to do this type of shoot so I had to cram it into the theme somehow. Glad it's got a positive response

 

[jgs001]

That's a very different interpretion of the theme. The shot works well, fits B&W nicely, and the DOF works well too.

 

[SarahLee]

Nudes & Glamour is a strange place . . . and not one that I venture into.
But 500 views and only one comment seems to be taking it to extremes!

Personally, I think this works very well.
I like the use of DoF – the way that the legs stretch back oof. And the B&W conversion really suits the image.

This is more personal opinion than anything wrong with the shot, but the crop is a little tight for me. I don’t think the bum is the most attractive part of the human body and it’s a bit too “in your face” in this shot lol: did I actually just type that?)

I would have liked to have seen it composed with a bit more space above to get the curve of the hip in and some more space to the right to bring in the waist and lower back.

 

[dlh]

Thanks John and Sarah. Appreciate not everyone has a bum fetish like me

Can understand what you mean about it being a little in your face, if I get another opportunity (any volunteers?) I'll give the wider view a go Be glad they haven't upped the forum limit on image size though

 

[louise-knight]

I like it that your people shot is so abstract. When I first looked at it, I thought it was some sort of food (this is NOT an insult!), then I thought it was a hand & fingers, then I had to look at it from a little further back and realised what it was!
Nice shadows & tones but I'll have to disagree with Sarah on a wider shot, only because I think that'd take away the abstract-ness of it

 

[dlh]

Thank you Louise. You're the first to mention the other things I saw in the image when I first saw it on the screen, particularly the fingers which I must try to replicate this with one day.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[dlh]

I've had all week off and yet it's almost a last minute rush. I need to organise my time better. Had some bright ideas earlier in the week that involved the mechanical nature of getting up and to work in the morning, but I just couldn't nail anything I liked (and didn't fancy driving to work just for a photo!). So ultimately ended up doing the thing that first popped into my head last Sunday.

Natural light. Tripod (thank god I bought one). Heavy b&w conversion in lightroom. Better than most of my other still life shots so I'm quite happy with it.

​

Lessons of the week:

1. Must organise my time better.
2. Tripods are fantastic when you make room to use them.
3. Tinned soup is fattening (according to Marjorie at fat fighters).

 

[Harlequin565]

Hi Darren,

My first look at mechanical things this week. I've not been looking at others until I'm finished, and I'm already wondering what's going to turn up!

I like the idea, and I like the composition. There's some good detail and nice lighting on the chrome in there. My only critical thought is that perhaps it's a little dark. Then again, it could be my laptop screen... It also looks quite good dark, but we watched "9" last night, so that could account for that

Ian.

 

[Lasagne]

Yep, I love that b&w conversion.

I very nearly did a tin opener.

But I didn't.

 

[Snap_Happy]

I like it - great shot!

I will say that I think the top is a little too tight on the shot though - I think it would look better if you had a miniscule amount more black outside the top of the can opener...

That said, it's still a good shot, and that's only a minor niggle...

 

[ranarama]

Good effort there with the can opener. Taking photos of metal can be horribly difficult at times with all the reflections. I think you've done a good job of highlighting the important bits without bringing in any distractions.

 

[Sonial]

Nice! Great sharpness and Dof is just right

 

[foggy4ever]

Nicely done, b&w converion works well and the natural light gives you just enough detail.

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

I like the subject and the B&W conversion works well - i may have been tempted to use some foil or white paper to reflect a little more light into the bottom left of the picture to give a hint of detail .

 

[jeangenie]

Trying to catch up with your thread, Darren.

Wow - you've been busy - successfully busy!

Present: I like how you've lit/processed this and it's a stonking good idea for the theme. Well done on not eating it - it sounds like your reward was 'Slimmer of the Week'

People/Person: I love the abstract nature of this (although I've got reservations about how close you have to get to get the shot ). The processing works perfectly and imho it would have been a lesser shot in colour. Really good take on the theme.

Mechanical: It's often the simple, everyday objects that provide the best inspirations for themes and you've just proved it with Mechanical. I like this very much indeed.

Jean

 

[jennyb]

I like this one a lot. DOF is perfect but I probably would have preferred it just a bit lighter. Fits the theme perfectly.

Jenny

 

[dlh]

Hi Darren,

My first look at mechanical things this week. I've not been looking at others until I'm finished, and I'm already wondering what's going to turn up!

I like the idea, and I like the composition. There's some good detail and nice lighting on the chrome in there. My only critical thought is that perhaps it's a little dark. Then again, it could be my laptop screen... It also looks quite good dark, but we watched "9" last night, so that could account for that

Ian.

Thanks for your comments. Keeping the reflections down was the trickiest part. Just glad I now I have the tripod and shutter release so holding a diffuser in place was much easier to stop the harsh light from the windows. Maybe a little dark on reflection, but that was my intention in the first place and I liked it at the time

Yep, I love that b&w conversion.

I very nearly did a tin opener.

But I didn't.

Thank you. Only seen one other tin opener so far and mine is a lot cleaner

I like it - great shot!

I will say that I think the top is a little too tight on the shot though - I think it would look better if you had a miniscule amount more black outside the top of the can opener...

That said, it's still a good shot, and that's only a minor niggle...

Thanks. I agree a little space above would be useful, even a couple of pixels. I'll look to shooting wider next time so I can crop down easier.

Good effort there with the can opener. Taking photos of metal can be horribly difficult at times with all the reflections. I think you've done a good job of highlighting the important bits without bringing in any distractions.

Thanks. The overcast weather helps as did the diffuser to take the edge off.

Nice! Great sharpness and Dof is just right

Thank you. I've been hand holding things like this before so new tripod is a definite help for long exposures like this rather than having to blast with light and PP.

Nicely done, b&w converion works well and the natural light gives you just enough detail.

Thank you. Much prefer natural light (when there is any). Tripod is a godsend (did I say that already? ).

 

[dlh]

I like the subject and the B&W conversion works well - i may have been tempted to use some foil or white paper to reflect a little more light into the bottom left of the picture to give a hint of detail .

Thanks for the suggestion. Hadn't considered that but agree it would have added just a little more definition

Trying to catch up with your thread, Darren.

Wow - you've been busy - successfully busy!

Present: I like how you've lit/processed this and it's a stonking good idea for the theme. Well done on not eating it - it sounds like your reward was 'Slimmer of the Week'

People/Person: I love the abstract nature of this (although I've got reservations about how close you have to get to get the shot ). The processing works perfectly and imho it would have been a lesser shot in colour. Really good take on the theme.

Mechanical: It's often the simple, everyday objects that provide the best inspirations for themes and you've just proved it with Mechanical. I like this very much indeed.

Jean

Thank you kindly Jean.

11lbs lost in 3 weeks. Two slimmers of the week and slimmer of the month. Glad I didn't eat the rolos

I'm of the opinion (and hoping it's not delusion) that whilst my images aren't great yet they are improving the last few weeks. If I start taking more time over them instead of rushing for a result I'm sure they'll improve more (crosses fingers).

I like this one a lot. DOF is perfect but I probably would have preferred it just a bit lighter. Fits the theme perfectly.

Jenny

Thanks Jenny. Understand it lacks a bit of definition so I'll be looking to rethink shots like this if and when they crop up again.

 

[The23rdman]

Dark, moody and a little bit abstract. I likey!

 

[mich66]

nice idea.. would never have thought of a tin opener!.. great lighting and focus.. like it very much

 

[ProG77]

As has been said, a really great take on the theme and definitely not one I'd have thought of. This is one of the best things I'm enjoying about doing my first ever 52 - seeing each week, how different people can interpret the samr theme in countless different ways!

 

[dlh]

Dark, moody and a little bit abstract. I likey!

Yes I am, thanks. Oh you meant the image?

nice idea.. would never have thought of a tin opener!.. great lighting and focus.. like it very much

Thanks Michelle. Makes a change for me to get the focus right

As has been said, a really great take on the theme and definitely not one I'd have thought of. This is one of the best things I'm enjoying about doing my first ever 52 - seeing each week, how different people can interpret the samr theme in countless different ways!

Thank you. It's a great resource of inspiration and I'm enjoying looking at everyone else's as much as thinking and taking mine.

 

[SpidersEye]

I do like that - the lighting is great
Agree with you about tripods - I don't make use of them often enough.

 

[dade_f]

People: Great idea for the shot - no it doesnt scream people, but I like your theory on the subject - as for the shot itself, Nice, tasteful, good colour, nice DOF, perhaps a slightly wider crop would help and also get in that 'other' curve

Mechanical: I like it! its bold, strong, simple and effective! Nice contrast between light and shadow

 

[jgs001]

I really like that Darren, clearly mechanical and the dark B&W works well.

 

[dlh]

I do like that - the lighting is great
Agree with you about tripods - I don't make use of them often enough.

Thanks. The Redsnapper was my best purchase to date. I'm sure it will get more use this week too.

People: Great idea for the shot - no it doesnt scream people, but I like your theory on the subject - as for the shot itself, Nice, tasteful, good colour, nice DOF, perhaps a slightly wider crop would help and also get in that 'other' curve

Mechanical: I like it! its bold, strong, simple and effective! Nice contrast between light and shadow

Thanks. My theory for people took a very long 30 seconds of thinking about

I really like that Darren, clearly mechanical and the dark B&W works well.

Thank you. I do prefer b&w to colour, it just seems to give more depth to an image.

 

[chris321]

I really like the lighting for 'mechanical'. I've always wanted to re-create those type of shots, with the black background and illuminated edges and so on, and have never quite worked out how to do it! Good stuff

 

[philthejuggler]

I really like you mechanical still life - I like the tones, lighting and composition - well done!

Phil

 

[68lbs]

Heavy b&w conversion

Woah, check out that high contrast! Interesting composition. Again, it needs more space for me at the top and left of the image.

 

[bulldogphoto]

I like it, It has a very clean feel.

 

[RichM]

Very good shot. I couldn't even tell it was B+W tbh. Makes a boring subject an interesting image and it was a smart idea to use a can opener, it never even occurred to me. Struggling for ways to improve it, i think it achieves it's goal. Well done

 

[dlh]

I really like the lighting for 'mechanical'. I've always wanted to re-create those type of shots, with the black background and illuminated edges and so on, and have never quite worked out how to do it! Good stuff

Thanks Chris. I just closed my eyes and prayed

I really like you mechanical still life - I like the tones, lighting and composition - well done!

Cheers Phil.

Woah, check out that high contrast! Interesting composition. Again, it needs more space for me at the top and left of the image.

Agree with the space needed. Will bear in mind in future.

I like it, It has a very clean feel.

Probably because I gave it a wash before photographing it

Very good shot. I couldn't even tell it was B+W tbh. Makes a boring subject an interesting image and it was a smart idea to use a can opener, it never even occurred to me. Struggling for ways to improve it, i think it achieves it's goal. Well done

Thanks Rich. A few pointers have been made but I rather like it too

 

[RobC]

Mean, moody and certainly mechanical. I like the way this has been lit and shot. I know it's just a tin and an opener but it's all shiny and has a medical feel to it - am I weird !?

 

[dlh]

Mean, moody and certainly mechanical. I like the way this has been lit and shot. I know it's just a tin and an opener but it's all shiny and has a medical feel to it - am I weird !?

Weird? If shiny medical equipment does it for you who are we to judge?

 

[holryn]

Well I think it's all been said Darren - great DOF, liking the B&W, crop maybe just a little too tight at the top, but still a great image.

 

[SarahLee]

Weird? If shiny medical equipment does it for you who are we to judge?

Says the man with a bum fetish :razz:

I really like this Darren.
Such a simple shot, but the lighting and the B&W conversion make it into something special.

I seem to be saying the same thing a lot this week (probably because so many people have shot shiny, metallic objects) but I think you've done a really good job of keeping the reflections under control.
The darkness and blur on the label on the tin is also very effective IMO. It keeps the tin looking generic and nondescript and keeps all the focus on the tin opener.

I agree with the earlier comments that you could have done with a touch more space at the top of the shot.
Given the black background, you could probably fix that very easily in PP just by extending the canvas size.

 

[Tracer]

I like this one very much. Although it is slightly dark on my monitor that gives is a pleasing abstract effect. I agree about it needing a bit more space at the top but apart from that it is an excellent take on the theme.