weekly Drodd's Photo52 for 2011 - Week 51, 52 and bonus: Light, Glass, Nature (post 1545)

Hiya Dawn, 2 nice images there. I find myself liking them both, I like the warmth in number 1, but I cant make my mind up if I like all of the items in focus. I love number 2, and definitely prefer the way you have focussed in that photo. A difficult item to light indeed, I have had the same problem this week also. I prefer the border/frame in number 2 as well.:thumbs:
 
Ironside said:
<snip> I prefer Delicate 1; sure it's not as artsy as Delicate 2 but to me all of the subjects apply to the theme, not just the first cup. The perspective is lovely, as is the framing and it's a very intelligent take on the theme, congrats.<snip>
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Hiya David, thanks for the compliments and feedback. I can see what you mean about #2 not being as 'artsy' as #1. This week I decided to stick with more of a 'photographic' ability than a creative one. More so to keep my photography skills in check rather than get carried away with creative images I have produced some weeks.

Leokull said:
Hi Dawn
Really enjoying your 52 so far. your second photo for open is my favourite of the bunch.
I also prefer the second image for clutter. It's probably just me or maybe the actual colour of the set but the first image looks very slightly too warm. (still a great photo though)! :thumbs:
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Hiya Liam, thanks for your comments, and glad you are enjoying my 52 (as I am too :D). Coming to think of it I could have probably used a similar image to the Open rose for this week, but had this one in mind for delicate.

posiview said:
<snip>At a push I've go for #1, the focus and dof is great, and the border is a winner. I know you mentioned the lighting, but, for me, there's a tiny bit too much light on the left had side of the front cup, and possibly the back right cup. I have no external lighting or experience of lighting so you're done much better than I could.

Now, where's my bowling ball...;)

Cheers.
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Hiya Andy, thanks for your comments and glad you like the border of the #1 as that is my preferred choice too. The lighting has been quite a challenge on this one, and is something I will need to have more practice with in the coming weeks. I am always so conscious of shadows now, since week 1 and always pay attention to such detail now.

As for bowling ball :lol: ........ You dare! ..... :D

SamuelSlade007 said:
dawn....simple put..i love the DOF of #2..but the warmer richer colour in #1... :thumbs:

now to find something i can photoagraph... that's 'delicate'....that i won't break... got it!... the mother in law's xmas present.... :naughty:
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Hiya Kev, thanks for your comments. It's amazing how many times I have taken photos and whished I could combine bits from both into one image. Something that I will hopefully achieve one day with all the practice I should get through doing this 52.

:lol: love your comment about the MOL xmas pressie ....be gentle! :p

TinaC said:
<snip> Love the subject and your composition is great...or should the creamer face the pot?

I think your lighting problem might have been exacerbated by the black background as that is acting to flatten the light, would the shot have been better with a light through diffusing layer up through the set? I'm trying to think how to emphasise the fine china in the shot. In life the light seem to make fine chins glow as the light bounces around inside...

I much prefer the light in #2 and the DOF emphasises the fragility and fading of the set as time passes.
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Hiya Tina, thanks for your comments, feedback and ideas re lighting. I think you have a point there, and perhaps why I battled to get the lighting right. Something for me to work on some more with future projects. I did try diffusing the light with some small Lee filters (which I got from a TP meet last year), so with limited equipment/resources I was a bit restricted. There is an endless list of things I would love to get, but all in good time. This is a subject that I will definitely revisit in the near future and one that I am thinking about how to improve on.

I'm glad you mentioned about the DOF emphasising the fragility of the set in the second shot, because that is what I was aiming to achieve when I took the photo.

BTW, couldn't have it with the creamer facing the pot because the pattern is different on the reverse side and would have broken the continuity of the theme.

soggydiverdan said:
oh, they're really nice, both of them

I have to say, I prefer the first shot, as it seems brighter, and such a shame to have so many beautiful delicate things just used in the background:)
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Hiya Dan, thanks for you compliments. I agree about first shot being brighter which shows the delicateness of all components of the set.

Thanks all for your feedback and kind words, I can't express how helpfull and encouraging they are to me.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
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michael23 said:
Hiya Dawn, 2 nice images there. I find myself liking them both, I like the warmth in number 1, but I cant make my mind up if I like all of the items in focus. I love number 2, and definitely prefer the way you have focussed in that photo. A difficult item to light indeed, I have had the same problem this week also. I prefer the border/frame in number 2 as well.:thumbs:
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Hiya Michael,

Thanks :)

I know what you mean about liking them both .... the more I look at them the more I appreciate how different they are from each other, even though the same subject. I too like the warmth in the first, but at the same time like the DOF in the 2nd.

I never in a million years thought this would be such a difficult subject to photograph and have learned so much about the textures, colours and composite nature of china. The artwork, i.e., paint (excluding the gold) is more matt in texture and I tried to focus the light on those areas to dissipate the reflection, but the gold and white china seemed to still capture the light and in some cases create a very harsh bokeh effect that I didn't think compliment the image and was quite distracting. So it was back to the drawing board.

I wasn't sure about the border in #2 but it is helpful to get feedback on same.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi ya Dawn

yet another great idea for the theme & done so well .

I def prefer the 2nd image with just one item focused on yet allowing the background to add interest to the image ...does that make sense ? As I struggle with lighting so much I'm really impressed at how you've managed to avoid any harsh reflections /glare on the gold bits :thumbs:

The 1st image bugs me slightly as the 3 items going to the right have more light on them than the teapot & 2 items to the left ( but I am OCD about symetry ) . It is still there in the 2nd image but with the different DOF it's not so noticeable .
I like both the frames but think nu 2 just edges ahead .
It's great following your thread , keep up the good work ,I have lots to learn from you :thumbs:
 
Hi Dawn,

Finally found your thread again and the time to actually leave feedback :D

What an absolutely amazing tea set for delicate. Fantastic patterns and colours and the hint of red in the cloth works perfectly with it.
The second one with the shallower DoF is by far my favourite out of the two. I keep feeling like the first one is a little soft . . . I don't think it actually is, but the wider DoF is drawing my eye deeper into the image and clearly the rear items aren't as sharply focused as the foreground. I don't know if it's the lighting or the PP, but you've got a far smoother surface on the cloth in the second one too.

The only other thing I can say is that I'm glad you stuck with it this week, because the end result in the second one is beautiful. My only possible suggestion would be to echo what Tina said about trying to bring out some more of the fragility of the set, by getting some light shining up through it.

It's a struggle to find your other shots with so many pages in here, but after hunting them down I can't let your roses for open pass by without comment either. And I actually really like the overlayed abstract version. It's so different to the standard rose photos and the PP has brought out a real delicacy to it . . . it could almost have stood in for this week's theme :D
 
blondie606 said:
Hi ya Dawn

yet another great idea for the theme & done so well .

I def prefer the 2nd image with just one item focused on yet allowing the background to add interest to the image ...does that make sense ? As I struggle with lighting so much I'm really impressed at how you've managed to avoid any harsh reflections /glare on the gold bits :thumbs:

The 1st image bugs me slightly as the 3 items going to the right have more light on them than the teapot & 2 items to the left ( but I am OCD about symetry ) . It is still there in the 2nd image but with the different DOF it's not so noticeable .
I like both the frames but think nu 2 just edges ahead .
It's great following your thread , keep up the good work ,I have lots to learn from you :thumbs:
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Hiya Lynne,

Thank you, and appreciate your critique about both images.

I know what you mean about the focus on the 2nd adding background interest. Suppose that is part and parcel of adding such a shallow DOF. I think lighting is one of the elements of photography that is challenging to most photographers .... after all it is what can make or break an image. Hence why this was such a delicate subject to photograph.

Don't woz about the OCD, I suffer too :D and it is the one thing that has been bugging me about this image, but everything I tried didn't work how I wanted it to and had to leave it before I broke it :lol: :bonk: I can get so engrosed in all the details of an image that take so much of my time, and often not things that others even notice. So I do appreciate your indepth critique because it confirms what I have observed.

Glad you like both frames, but interesting that you should prefer the 2nd frame as I thought you would have like the 1st, so another learning experience.

I am honoured that you are following my project with such interest, although I think you will learn more from the peeps who comment more than what I post. That is what makes this such a valuable learning experience.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
nice shots! really like the second one though could maybe be a little bit brighter if I was being critical. great idea though, keep up the good work and thanks for your comments
 
SarahLee said:
Hi Dawn,

Finally found your thread again and the time to actually leave feedback :D

What an absolutely amazing tea set for delicate. Fantastic patterns and colours and the hint of red in the cloth works perfectly with it.
The second one with the shallower DoF is by far my favourite out of the two. I keep feeling like the first one is a little soft . . . I don't think it actually is, but the wider DoF is drawing my eye deeper into the image and clearly the rear items aren't as sharply focused as the foreground. I don't know if it's the lighting or the PP, but you've got a far smoother surface on the cloth in the second one too.

The only other thing I can say is that I'm glad you stuck with it this week, because the end result in the second one is beautiful. My only possible suggestion would be to echo what Tina said about trying to bring out some more of the fragility of the set, by getting some light shining up through it.

It's a struggle to find your other shots with so many pages in here, but after hunting them down I can't let your roses for open pass by without comment either. And I actually really like the overlayed abstract version. It's so different to the standard rose photos and the PP has brought out a real delicacy to it . . . it could almost have stood in for this week's theme :D
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Hiya Sarah,

So glad you found my project and appreciate your time to leave valuable feedback. Indeed the tea set is very delicate, I was shaking when I removed it from my display cabinet to photograph it bearing in mind how old it is and how delicate it is too. It has been behind glass for 10 years (prior to its return to the UK from South Africa) not to mention that it has been well protected over the years, despite having made many miles of journey from Northern to Southern hemispheres and visa versa.

:lol: I was waiting for someone to comment on 'the softness' of the first image, but actually if you had to do a zoom on the image, I think you will find that it is very sharp (unless my eyes are playing tricks on me .... in which case I need an eye test).:lol: Because that is one of the things that I paid a lot of attention to when taking the photo. It was my intention to have the larger items in the rear slightly OOF to the fore.

I appreciate your comment, and Tina's about the the light shining up through it, and believe me I tried this, but it just didn't work, in the sense that I got some very distracting flare off the light and the subject. But something for me to investigate and try from a different angle.

I know what you mean about finding my weeks, I too am starting to find it difficult to keep up with my own project. Have considered starting an index thread with just links to the relevant pages. Maybe the Mods could put a sticky on same so I can access it easily without having to troll through pages to find the weeks :lol:

We are only into week 7 and already I am starting to think that people will lose interest in my project because there are so many pages to troll through. Which seems a pity, because I don't want to lose out on the learning experience, but in the same vain appreciate all the valuable comments, so a bit of a catch 22. :thinking:

BTW I am glad you like the rose and abstract version of same. I think that is my best week so far and I am very proud of same :thumbs:

Once again, your comments and feedback is so much appreciated.

Thank you

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi Dawn,
Well it's number 2 for me all the way. I love the dof of this image, the black background complements the tea set and i really like the way in which you have framed the image.

Another great shot, keep up the good work
 
fido18 said:
Hi Dawn,
Well it's number 2 for me all the way. I love the dof of this image, the black background complements the tea set and i really like the way in which you have framed the image.

Another great shot, keep up the good work
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Hiya Ceri,

Thank you for your compliments about #2 and your feedback of same. Much appreciated.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi Dawn,
You certainly do deserve that pat on the back. Your determination paid off with these two images. Whilst I am not dismissive of No1, I far prefer No2, including its frame.
The lighting is perfect and as already said by Sarah, it looks better for the tablecloth appearing flatter. The shallow focus too adds interest to it.

Really, really nice work Dawn:clap:


Martin :)
 
Marts said:
Hi Dawn,
You certainly do deserve that pat on the back. Your determination paid off with these two images. Whilst I am not dismissive of No1, I far prefer No2, including its frame.
The lighting is perfect and as already said by Sarah, it looks better for the tablecloth appearing flatter. The shallow focus too adds interest to it.

Really, really nice work Dawn:clap:


Martin :)
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Hiya Martin,

Thanks :) I think this is going to be a repeat of previous weeks where there were very mixed opinions of images, but that is what I like to hear as it gives me a good feel about peeps opinions.

BTW it is not a tablecloth used in the image, rather a plain piece of black cardboard folded in half as the base and some black curtains as the backdrop, that I can use in various settings. Actually I have quite a collection now of various recycled bits that have come in very handy for settings. I've got to the stage where I don't throw anything out (which kind of ties in with last weeks theme of 'clutter' :lol:) All in the name of photography :D

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
SarahLee said:
:lol: I'm sure you're right with the sharpness in the first one Dawn!
I think it's an optical illusion because my eyes are drawn further into the image beyond the perfectly sharp foreground cup.
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:lol: Thanks Sarah .... optical illusion ....... then you should see the first couple of shoots I did of this with the original composition/setup .... I still can't believe how something so delicate could look so distorted, I even went to LR3 to adjust the lens distortion because it just looked so wrong. Needless to say I cobbed those.

But anyway with a reshuffle of the arrangement I think I got it right in the end.

Some times just taking a step back and looking at things from a differnt perspective can make all the difference.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Mickwreay said:
Dawn,

Both nice shots on delicate, I prefer #2 as it concentrates the eye on on subject. Nicely lit.

Mick
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Hiya Mick,

Thank you for your comments and feedback and your choice of the two. Much appreciated.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
number 2 for me this week Dawn, the DOF gives my eyes something specific to look at. Number 1 is lovely and colourful but maybe slightly over saturated (for me).

Great take on the theme :thumbs:
 
antihero said:
number 2 for me this week Dawn, the DOF gives my eyes something specific to look at. Number 1 is lovely and colourful but maybe slightly over saturated (for me).

Great take on the theme :thumbs:
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Hiya Paul,

Thanks for your comments.

Appreciate your view of #2.

To be honest, I didn't really do much as far as post processing of these images this week. It was all down to lighting that makes such a difference between the two.

But appreciate that the first may be a bit over saturated, but that is probably due to the way I had positioned the lights.

Something I have loads of learning and practice still to do.

But hopefully will understand more as I progress through my Photo52.

What I wanted to achieve this week was to demonstrate that I can take a 'photo' without having to rely on postprocessing.

Something that I am happy with in these two images ;)

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
drodd said:
Hiya Martin,

Thanks :) I think this is going to be a repeat of previous weeks where there were very mixed opinions of images, but that is what I like to hear as it gives me a good feel about peeps opinions.

BTW it is not a tablecloth used in the image, rather a plain piece of black cardboard folded in half as the base and some black curtains as the backdrop, that I can use in various settings. Actually I have quite a collection now of various recycled bits that have come in very handy for settings. I've got to the stage where I don't throw anything out (which kind of ties in with last weeks theme of 'clutter' :lol:) All in the name of photography :D

Cheers

Dawn :)
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Hi Dawn , your hoarding of potential props sounds like me. I now view what would have previously been junk differently. I am keeping my eye out at work for some White off-cuts of vinyl board to construct a makeshift lightbox and/or use as a background.

Martin
 
Marts said:
Hi Dawn , your hoarding of potential props sounds like me. I now view what would have previously been junk differently. I am keeping my eye out at work for some White off-cuts of vinyl board to construct a makeshift lightbox and/or use as a background.

Martin
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Hiya Martin,

Teeeheee, I find myself looking at all 'junk' as prospective use. Talk about recycle, reuse, refurbish! I think I am turning into an R&R queen :p

:lol:

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi Dawn

I really like both of your 'delicate' shots to be honest but if i had to pick one it would have to be picture 2 as i like the way you have really picked out the detail of the cup and saucer in the foreground of the shot and yet still have the rest of the set almost fading into the background. For me the lighting is spot on and the composition is just right. Really well done :thumbs:
 
Gatesy said:
Hi Dawn (I got your name right) I think No. 2 stands out for me as my eye is drawn to the cup at the front and then allows me to take in the rest of the image.
Brilliant idea though.
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Hiya Gareth,

Thanks for getting my name right and for your comments :D

luckless said:
Hi Dawn

I really like both of your 'delicate' shots to be honest but if i had to pick one it would have to be picture 2 as i like the way you have really picked out the detail of the cup and saucer in the foreground of the shot and yet still have the rest of the set almost fading into the background. For me the lighting is spot on and the composition is just right. Really well done :thumbs:
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Thank you, it does seem like #2 is the fav of the 2.Your comments are much appreciated ;)

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Delecate 2 for me... plain... simple... bang on theme.... just a photograph... I LOVE it!

Wish I could come up with an idea that either someone has not either done or I feel is original... really strugling this week... I really need a macro lens for this 52! But no money this year for it...
 
markelliot said:
Delecate 2 for me... plain... simple... bang on theme.... just a photograph... I LOVE it!

Wish I could come up with an idea that either someone has not either done or I feel is original... really strugling this week... I really need a macro lens for this 52! But no money this year for it...
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Hiya Mark,

Wow! Thank you I am so glad you love this photograph. As I said in a previous week that I hope to impress you one day with a photo, so perhaps I have accomplished that with this image :)

I am sure you will think of something for this week and I look forward to seeing your photo when you post it.

I too wish I had a macro lens, along with many other items of equipment, but also can't afford it this year. So in the meantime have to make do with what I have.

Hope you find your inspiration for this weeks theme.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
What a perfect idea for week 7 - they don't come any more delicate than that!
Very nicely composed and the simplicity of the composition is very appealing. I'm torn between 1 and 2. They both work for different reaons. I prefer the one with limited DOF as it focusses attention in one place. But overall the light and sense of completeness of #1 is engaging.

You've caught the vibrant colours very well, and it's well lit and has good sharp focus where it's needed.

My only quibble is that I feel different lighting would have brought out the slightly translucent quality of porcelain.

Overall another great image :thumbs:
 
PatrickO said:
What a perfect idea for week 7 - they don't come any more delicate than that!
Very nicely composed and the simplicity of the composition is very appealing. I'm torn between 1 and 2. They both work for different reaons. I prefer the one with limited DOF as it focusses attention in one place. But overall the light and sense of completeness of #1 is engaging.

You've caught the vibrant colours very well, and it's well lit and has good sharp focus where it's needed.

My only quibble is that I feel different lighting would have brought out the slightly translucent quality of porcelain.

Overall another great image :thumbs:
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Hiya Patrick,

Thank you for the comments and compliments. I know what you mean about the lighting to have brought out the translucency, which is what I was trying to achieve, but it was so difficult to get that without either blowing the whites too much or casting bold shadows. I may just try that though with one piece of the set to see how it comes out.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Dawn,
Great shots, but #2 is my fave.
Photo 1 has an orange cast that just upsets the picture, whereas photo 2 has a cleaner better light and no colour cast. I think with a colour correction in PS, photo 1 could be a cracker of a shot too, which would make choosing a fave very difficult!
As for lighting problems, well done for not settling for mediocre lighting, and returning again and again to the subject with new ideas until you got it right.
Doing indoor shots and being dependant on daylight is a problem, and using house hold lights will give colour casts unless to counteract them with white balance adjustments.
I would recommend using your flashgun (if you have one) off camera for full control of the lighting, and firing it through grease proof paper to give a large light source and soften the highlights. It will speed up your shooting as your not dependant on the poor light normally indoors.

Rgds

Adie
 
Webby962 said:
Dawn,
Great shots, but #2 is my fave.
Photo 1 has an orange cast that just upsets the picture, whereas photo 2 has a cleaner better light and no colour cast. I think with a colour correction in PS, photo 1 could be a cracker of a shot too, which would make choosing a fave very difficult!
As for lighting problems, well done for not settling for mediocre lighting, and returning again and again to the subject with new ideas until you got it right.
Doing indoor shots and being dependant on daylight is a problem, and using house hold lights will give colour casts unless to counteract them with white balance adjustments.
I would recommend using your flashgun (if you have one) off camera for full control of the lighting, and firing it through grease proof paper to give a large light source and soften the highlights. It will speed up your shooting as your not dependant on the poor light normally indoors.

Rgds

Adie
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Hiya Adie,

Thanks very much for your comments and feedback. Also appreciate your tips about lighting. I don't have a flashgun, but think it may be time to look into purchasing one if it will help with my photography. Like the tip about using greaseproof paper to soften the highlight, I think I might be using that one soon.

I'll have a look at trying to adjust the colour cast of the first image.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
If you don't have a flash gun don't panic. Shoot on a tripod, and shoot in RAW. Then you can control the white balance AFTER you have taken the shot and use a torch to direct the light where YOU want it. Never use on board flash unless you really really have too. Grease proof paper is great. Tape some to a window, then use that as a backdrop. You get a stunning white backdrop, and back lit subject. Works wonders for semi translucent things like flowers etc..

Rgds

Adie
 
Webby962 said:
If you don't have a flash gun don't panic. Shoot on a tripod, and shoot in RAW. Then you can control the white balance AFTER you have taken the shot and use a torch to direct the light where YOU want it. Never use on board flash unless you really really have too. Grease proof paper is great. Tape some to a window, then use that as a backdrop. You get a stunning white backdrop, and back lit subject. Works wonders for semi translucent things like flowers etc..

Rgds

Adie
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Cheers for the further information. I generally shoot in RAW and JPEG and use a tripod for indoor shots. Will also use the suggestion of the greaseproof paper on a window :thumbs:

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Nice tea set Dawn.

Personally I prefer #2, the white balance and lighting looks a lot better here. I'm also a bit of a sucker for a shallow DOF :)
 
Sonriendo said:
Nice tea set Dawn.

Personally I prefer #2, the white balance and lighting looks a lot better here. I'm also a bit of a sucker for a shallow DOF :)
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Hiya Sarah,

Thanks for your comments, I too prefer a shallow DOF. I am going to see if I can correct the WB of #1.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hiya

Thanks for all the comments, feedback, tips and suggestions following my week 7 post. I have taken all on board and decided to revisit the #1 photo to see if I could adjust the white balance (this part of post processing is something I still need lots of practice), not to mention that I was viewing most of my photos on a netbook with a small screen, but last weekend decided to splash out on a 24" monitor that has made all the difference as I can see so much more detail.

I did the WB processing in Lightroom 3 this time.

So here is an edit of #1:

5453415421_a3f873d397_b.jpg


I hope I am on the right track, if not, please let me know where I am going wrong as I would like to get this right if I can.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hiya Dawn, the white balance has gone too cold for me, I can see some green tones coming into the image, it actually makes the 1st image look a lot better, if you could tone down the yellowness a tad it could be spot on.
 
michael23 said:
Hiya Dawn, the white balance has gone too cold for me, I can see some green tones coming into the image, it actually makes the 1st image look a lot better, if you could tone down the yellowness a tad it could be spot on.
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Hiya Michael,

Thanks I will look at that ...... :bang: this post processing the WB is proving quite a challenge :lol:

But I will not be beat, and will get it right .... I hope.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
michael23 said:
I know what you mean, I have always found white balance very tricky. Look forward to seeing your next result. It is a beautiful tea set.
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Thank you for understanding about the WB, I think that and lighting are on parr with each other.

Indeed it is a very beautiful tea set and if only you could feel how delicate it is you would appreciate it even more. When I handle the set (which is not very often for fear that I might break it) and considering how many times it has been packed up to move around the world, I am impressed at how it has survived.

Best thing is I now have it documented in photo for future generations .... even if pieces are cracked ... the memory and heirloom lives on.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
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