dlh's Photo 52 - Week 42 Secret

[dlh]

I like this Darren, you've certainly got the knack of self portraits. The selective colouring works well here. Nowt more to add, here's hoping for a decent theme this week from Simon's little bag

Thanks Iain. I wish I had some other mug to take portraits of.

maybe a joker but your eyes look evil ! The colours really make the joker stand out.

I am EVIL

A bit of a cop out, Darren, but I really like it. I love the selective colouring, the expression on your face (the bit we can see), but most of all I love the angle of the card

It portrays brilliantly what you thought of the theme

Glad you like it Jenny. Portrays what I think of this week's too.

DIRTY: nice but not so nice, if you know what i mean, great shot.

RAGE: hey still a good image regardless of being a Joker

Thanks Dade. I think dirty has had its desired effect

I was thinking of sticking a knife through a joker in an act of rage against the theme. As said before your eyes on the shot show an element of rage although it could do with a touch more light on your right eye to give it the intensity.

I think we've seen enough of me these past few weeks. I think the shadows is the best place for me

 

[dlh]

It was a difficult theme, Darren, but I see you've played your trump card!

Seriously, I like the shot and the idea behind it . From what little we can see I think you do look enraged!

After your Dirty shot, I was a bit worried about what you'd produce for Rage - I imagined you combining the 2 themes.

This week's theme hasn't been any better. Quite wish I'd saved the joker to avoid the obvious.

Ahhh- The evil eye! From what I can see your eyes portray rage so I think you've got away with it, without using a joker. I like the way you have shown just a little of the face,using the fact that most emotion is shown in the eyes.

Do I really look angry all the time? Think I'd best check with my case worker

I like it - the idea works well and the selective colouring is great here. I think it fits the theme as it is, so you still have a joker left!

Thank you. I may just have to hold onto that thought if the themes keep heading downhill.

Love the joker shot - great use of selective colouring!

Thanks Phil. It seems to have done the trick.

I don't think it's that far off the theme actually (I'm not trying to justify the artistic merits ...) it's all in the eyes... and your eyes pull you in and look rather mean. Nicely colour popped.

Cheers John. I shall have to try for a cheery happy SP before the year is out.

 

[dlh]

Apologies for the obvious, but stuck once again for an idea outside the box.

Promise to try harder next week (subject permitting).

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Edit: inspired by Jenny's fungi shots I wondered out into the woods just before dark (spooky it was) and got pounced upon by two great danes. But whilst I was there I found some fungi of my own. Unfortunately not captured particularly well. This is my favourite of the bunch and something to CONSOLE myself with

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[ShakyUK]

Project - A unique take on the theme, daring and done very well, I like the black background, how the head and lower part of the mouth are cropped, the black and white adds a grit to it. Well done mate.

Film - I thought of doing something with cling film, couldn't get anything good but I didn't try this! Another daring idea performed well, I see you have taken focus off the eyes, I think this works well in this image, the black background and shallow DOF work well. Well done again!

Dirty - I don't want to know what is it, is says dirty very strongly! Your last three themes have been interesting and daring ideas, they have all worked very well. The overflow and plug draw my eyes, I think I'd have preferred the overflow all in at the top of the image as this tells the viewer you're stood in a bath at home, and the plug out as it draws attention away. Nice going

Rage - I really like your joker image but would have loved to see a rage one from you...although your project photo was you projecting rage! For me the selective colour is hit and miss at times, it is a hit here as it emphasizes that area of the image. The vignetting is strong but works.

 

[jennyb]

Hey, Darren, that's a nice set of puffballs you've got there I am very pleased that I have provided some inspiration!

I think you have done a good job on that one, but I would have removed the OOF leaf at the front and maybe the one leaning on the puffball on the left. I would probably have done a slightly closer crop.

Glad you were able to console yourself. Fungi are really quite interesting aren't they?

I have been watching all week waiting to see what everyone would come up with for this theme. To me it is an impossible theme (thank goodness I am doing my own thing). Your real console photo is perfectly okay. It is obvious what it is. It fits the theme and I really like the red bit in the middle of the photo.

Jenny

 

[philthejuggler]

Firstly - nice fungi shot!

I quite like the console shot - I like the lazily out-of-focus colours, but I think it would be improved with a little light on the wheel, bringing out sharp detail against the blur of the screen.

Phil

 

[dlh]

lots of nice comments

Thanks very much Rick. Glad you liked.

Hey, Darren, that's a nice set of puffballs you've got there I am very pleased that I have provided some inspiration!

I think you have done a good job on that one, but I would have removed the OOF leaf at the front and maybe the one leaning on the puffball on the left. I would probably have done a slightly closer crop.

Glad you were able to console yourself. Fungi are really quite interesting aren't they?

I have been watching all week waiting to see what everyone would come up with for this theme. To me it is an impossible theme (thank goodness I am doing my own thing). Your real console photo is perfectly okay. It is obvious what it is. It fits the theme and I really like the red bit in the middle of the photo.

I had a lot of fun walking through the woods hunting for anything interesting. Got home to find I hadn't used a small enough aperture on most of the shots (I though f/8 would be enough!). Can also see the benefits to owning a camera with articulating screen (which I don't have) to avoid getting wet and muddy

The red bit in the middle of my other shot is Mario

Firstly - nice fungi shot!

I quite like the console shot - I like the lazily out-of-focus colours, but I think it would be improved with a little light on the wheel, bringing out sharp detail against the blur of the screen.

Thanks Phil, glad you like the fungi shot. I debated quite hard about the foreground on the console shot and actually decided to darken it as I felt it looked too plain. C'est la vie

 

[ladysue]

I like the console shot. The OOF background with the bright colours is effective. The funghi are good but I would also have removed the leaves in the foreground

 

[davidh6781]

I like console but as said bit more light on the wheel and wii remote. good work though.

 

[daddy day care]

I can only really echo what the others have said.

I Like the shot. It's better than a straight still life of the console and the TV adds to it. More light on the wheel would be my preference as well.

Andy

 

[justlooking]

like the bright colours contrasting with the black wheel but agree with above that a little more light on the wheel would be good as I wasn't actually sure what is was.. but then I don't have a games console .. nevermind one with a steering wheel !

 

[SarahLee]

OK it's a stretch for console, but I really like your fungus shot
If I was being picky I'd lose the leaf leaning against the puffball on the left, but it's not a huge issue.
What makes it stand out for me is the sense of context with the oof trees in the b/g. Very, very different from all the other fungus shots I've seen.

And your "real" console shot - instantly recognisable (to anyone who's played on a Wii anyway) and good fun.

And rage made me smile.

 

[dlh]

I like the console shot. The OOF background with the bright colours is effective. The funghi are good but I would also have removed the leaves in the foreground

Thanks Sue. There were less leaf cluttered fungi shots but I had miscalculated the depth of field in all of them. I will try again when I get the chance.

I like console but as said bit more light on the wheel and wii remote. good work though.

Thanks David. I may go back to the beginning and try again with the wheel.

I can only really echo what the others have said.

I Like the shot. It's better than a straight still life of the console and the TV adds to it. More light on the wheel would be my preference as well.

Cheers Andy. Watch this space for a re-edit later.

like the bright colours contrasting with the black wheel but agree with above that a little more light on the wheel would be good as I wasn't actually sure what is was.. but then I don't have a games console .. nevermind one with a steering wheel !

You should treat yourself to a Wii and Mario Kart

OK it's a stretch for console, but I really like your fungus shot
If I was being picky I'd lose the leaf leaning against the puffball on the left, but it's not a huge issue.
What makes it stand out for me is the sense of context with the oof trees in the b/g. Very, very different from all the other fungus shots I've seen.

And your "real" console shot - instantly recognisable (to anyone who's played on a Wii anyway) and good fun.

And rage made me smile.

Thanks Sarah. I was trying to grab something akin to Jenny's outstanding fungi shots, so will continue to persevere.

 

[clud17]

I like the first shot Darren, the colours are really punchy, nice amount of light on the wheel, good interpretation on the games console. Your consolation fungi is excellent, have you been lurking around in Jenny's garden? do you have an ID for them?

 

[dlh]

I like the first shot Darren, the colours are really punchy, nice amount of light on the wheel, good interpretation on the games console. Your consolation fungi is excellent, have you been lurking around in Jenny's garden? do you have an ID for them?

Thanks Chris. One vote for the amount of light on the wheel and I haven't had a chance to play with it tonight to please everyone else (so I might leave it now)

I have been nowhere near Jenny's garden, I was somewhere else instead Unfortunately this part of the world can't even compare to hers. Apparently they are puff balls. Hunting for them was good fun and if I can get away from work again this week I may have another go. Very pleased you like the shot

 

[jgs001]

Console... did you win ? I think it works just fine as it is, and doesn't need more light on the wheel. I think if you did it would distract from the OOF colours too much and you'd lose the effect.

The fungi is an excellent shot too

 

[holryn]

Catch up time again Darren - I really don't know where the time goes!

Film: Interesting and disturbing at the same time - could do well as a film poster. The focus is spot on.

Dirty: Urgh. I don't even want to ask. Again it could be a still from a film.

Rage: Nicely lit again even if it is a joker.

Console: Good take. Instantly recognisable image. Maybe a little light on the top of the controller.

 

[dlh]

I've had other bright ideas having been stumped all last week to do something different, but I'm tired and will struggle if I don't post something now so this will have to do

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Not particularly happy with the background but it was that or a roof. I could clone it out, but I don't think the effort would help it that much. Seriously considering trying to pick up a wider lens as the 20mm on a 2xcrop sensor is not wide enough for things like this. Seriously wishing I hadn't sold my 20D as well. The GF1 is great, but it's not in the same league for speed as an SLR (and I struggle to see the screen in bright light too).

That last bit was for Santa's benefit if he's reading

 

[justlooking]

Hope Santa reads your post .

the angle certainly emphasises the height making him look distant so fits the theme !

 

[clud17]

I like the background Darren, there are some nice tones of blue. I like the idea and the composition is good. Im not sure i would ever sell my DSLR they are pretty versatile.

 

[jennyb]

Hi Darren, what is wrong with the background? I think it looks great. I love the angle of the shot. Not as distant as some of the others this week, but it is all relative and definitely fits the theme.

I did not realise that you don't have a DSLR. Fingers crossed for Santa.

Jenny

 

[jgs001]

Works for me... he looks a long way up... Liking the colour of the sky. Good luck with Santa...

 

[dade_f]

CONSOLE: Nice idea but more light needed on wii remote, as mentioned - but the Fungi is cool!!! I would have liked a nice close up macro shot though, or perhaps clear the leaves in front giving nice clean line of sight to them, but very interesting

DISTANT: I get it, not bad, stop knocking yourself - let us do that
Its well lit, nice subject and im guessing harder than it looks to shoot, so dont worry be happy

 

[dlh]

Hope Santa reads your post .

the angle certainly emphasises the height making him look distant so fits the theme !

Thanks. I will be emailing him at the weekend to make sure he knows.

I like the background Darren, there are some nice tones of blue. I like the idea and the composition is good. Im not sure i would ever sell my DSLR they are pretty versatile.

I sold it to raise a few funds and because I found I wasn't using it because it was "too big", replacing it with the GF1 and 20mm. At least those were the thoughts at the time. Now I'm itching to have it back again.

Hi Darren, what is wrong with the background? I think it looks great. I love the angle of the shot. Not as distant as some of the others this week, but it is all relative and definitely fits the theme.

I did not realise that you don't have a DSLR. Fingers crossed for Santa.

Thanks Jenny. As above, the GF1 has got me taking photos again but now I want a little more versatility again.

Works for me... he looks a long way up... Liking the colour of the sky. Good luck with Santa...

It was a long way for him Is Santa on Twitter?

CONSOLE: Nice idea but more light needed on wii remote, as mentioned - but the Fungi is cool!!! I would have liked a nice close up macro shot though, or perhaps clear the leaves in front giving nice clean line of sight to them, but very interesting

DISTANT: I get it, not bad, stop knocking yourself - let us do that
Its well lit, nice subject and im guessing harder than it looks to shoot, so dont worry be happy

Thanks Dade. Unfortunately with the fungi shot I only have a 20mm on the GF1 and that's as close as I could get. I am happy

 

[philthejuggler]

I like distant - it's an interesting portrait and the angle adds interest - background is fine!

Phil

 

[Tracer]

Bit of a catch up...

Console I like the colours and composition - works rather well though I'm one of those who would prefer a tiny bit more light on the wheel. I like the fungi too - just needs a little 'gardening'. You must have got quite muddy.

Distant I love it - it's a gorgeous pose and expression, and I think the plain background sets it off really well. It fits the theme well enough too, so you still have that joker!

 

[dlh]

I think I should start with an apology and leave it at that. This will no doubt be complete marmite with a hint of toe cheese.

*Updated to add some contrast and definition*

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[daddy day care]

I like the idea Darren and it's well composed.

I understand the reasoning I think but it's just too light for me. I actually saw this on your website before I saw it on here and was waiting for it to load

Andy

 

[dlh]

Thanks Andy. I was trying for something I'd achieved previously and lost it during the processing. So I went back to the beginning and started again. Now updated with a lot more contrast and definition.

 

[blakester]

Your edit with boosted contrast and definition works much better Darren. I like your idea behind this, maybe with just the one hand over your mouth would work equally as well, withit being a portrait, I would have liked to see the eyes. Still good effort with this weeks theme, only 10 more to go, not that I'm counting Iain

 

[daddy day care]

That looks a lot better now Darren

Andy

 

[justlooking]

too white for me, but I like the idea.

 

[ladysue]

Distant- I like this . Its a good photo of the boy and the sky is a perfect background showing how high he was- so distant.

Secret- Not one of my favourites of yours- still a bit too light for me. I can see the secret theme though.

 

[dlh]

Your edit with boosted contrast and definition works much better Darren. I like your idea behind this, maybe with just the one hand over your mouth would work equally as well, withit being a portrait, I would have liked to see the eyes. Still good effort with this weeks theme, only 10 more to go, not that I'm counting

Thanks Iain. I'm getting rather frustrated with only having myself to take portraits of. I thought it best to cover as much of my face as possible

That looks a lot better now Darren

Thanks Andy.

too white for me, but I like the idea.

That'll be the marmite affect kicking in

Distant- I like this . Its a good photo of the boy and the sky is a perfect background showing how high he was- so distant.

Secret- Not one of my favourites of yours- still a bit too light for me. I can see the secret theme though.

Thanks for your comments Sue. Distant was one of my least favourites and secret was one I liked more. I knew the white would split opinion a lot and I'm not perfectly happy with it, but it's closer to what I had in mind than my original processing

 

[jennyb]

Hi Darren, just to be awkward, I think I prefer your previous version. I looked at it briefly when it was first posted but did not have time to comment.

It's a clever take on the theme and I do like Marmite

Jenny

 

[dlh]

Hi Darren, just to be awkward, I think I prefer your previous version. I looked at it briefly when it was first posted but did not have time to comment.

It's a clever take on the theme and I do like Marmite

There had to be one

 

[jgs001]

fits the bill nicely Darren... I didn't see the original but this works for me.

 

[dade_f]

VERY hi-key but works for this theme very well indeed

 

[Tracer]

I like this - I did see the original (didn't comment as I hadn't done my own yet) but find this much more striking. The pose works well for the theme in either version but the high-key treatment really makes it stand out.

Maybe you should try a low-key version now while you are about it ....

 

[clud17]

I like the idea behind it too but it hurts my eyes a bit, im not one for high key stuff really.