Forty Days 'til Life Begins (and so it begins!)

  • Thread starter Thread starter dlh
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Thanks Canon Bob. Spot on. You win a :thumbs:

Actually worked my way towards this after taking shots of the candle against a white background with flash, but they looked pants. This is taken from directly above (sans flash) and manages to underexpose the white background enough to completely blacken it. Bit of an accident then :)
 
Sorry if these are getting very unadventurous now, but struggling to fit things in between getting up and going to bed when there is work to do in the middle. Might have an unwilling model here for the weekend so things might improve. Anyway...

A few months ago I popped in to the opticians just for the hell of it and ended up with these to wear all the time. Whereas previously I thought I could see pretty well, now I can't see a thing unless I have them on. Hasn't helped me take a better picture though.

 
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dlh said:
For anyone who hasn't been scared off already (and I'm surprised I'm still here), beware the following :gag:

After forty years, how many miles will these feet have travelled?

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When I first looked at this shot, I thought " Like the ankle bracelets":D, Then I realised you were standing in a couple of inches (sorry 5cm) of water,Lol.

Sorry to hear you've had health issues, I think this is a great idea, someting to look back on in another 40yrs time.

I turn 40 on the 23rd of Feb, so that makes me younger than you.:razz:
 
Thanks Twentyten. I did wonder about the "ankle bracelets" at first but thought it at least made you think twice when looking at it.

Not sure this is the way to improve one's photography as it seems to be a lot of little ideas rushed just to put something up. But what it is doing is making me use the camera again. I'd rather be taking crap and enjoying myself in the process than have my kit sit in the cupboard gathering another inch of dust :)
 
Am I the only one to find this sort of thing hard to make time for? Small child here for the weekend who needs Daddy's Taxi Service. Finally sit down and dragged up to do this!

The part I hate about christmas the most is untangling those bloody lights to stick on the damn tree.

 
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dlh said:
Thanks Twentyten. I did wonder about the "ankle bracelets" at first but thought it at least made you think twice when looking at it.

Not sure this is the way to improve one's photography as it seems to be a lot of little ideas rushed just to put something up. But what it is doing is making me use the camera again. I'd rather be taking crap and enjoying myself in the process than have my kit sit in the cupboard gathering another inch of dust :)
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You may well think your taking crap, but as you see, others think and look differently at your work, also once you've finished your project, I'll bet you'll see an improvment.

Love the Christmas tree shot, lovely deep colours:thumbs:
 
Twentyten said:
You may well think your taking crap, but as you see, others think and look differently at your work, also once you've finished your project, I'll bet you'll see an improvment.

Love the Christmas tree shot, lovely deep colours:thumbs:
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Thanks. Liking that shot too. Think a lot of us struggle to appreciate our own work. That's why we come here hoping for some gentle ego massaging :)

Onto the next (which may be replaced by the end of the day as I know it's not sharp).

Seems someone is following in my footsteps and hating being in front of the camera. Managed to bribe her into one picture but will continue to work on her as my most easily accessible model.

Edit: Updated with a better version which I managed to grab before she went home until Christmas. Roll on the merry holidays :)

 
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Stuck on what to do tonight. Cold and dark outside. Maybe food will help the process.
 
I was about to walk out into the dark, cold night and the last thing I did was pick up these. "Aha!" I exclaimed, "That'll save me getting a cold nose". And so here is tonight's effort. The second biggest bugbear of mine and one that needs to be gotten rid of when I hit middle age.

 
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Life has been so dark in recent years and now it's time to peek out and see what's in the light.

Click through for a version on black (unless you're using the TP black theme :)).

 
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Here was me looking forward to a food shot!

Loving the Christmas tree one, you are far more organised than me, still got to put the tree up and with a new kitten on the loose chaos beckons! :)
 
Food? That's tomorrow sorted then.

Tree put up thanks to ear bending from small child. Unlike a small cat, she won't be bringing the whole thing down again. Good luck with that :)
 
Sorry, these seem to be getting worse. But AliB suggested food and this is my favourite dunker.

Nothing better than a hob nob or two to get you going.

 
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The hob nob doesn't do it for me. Perhaps better if it was on a plate that you can see, (or if it was chocolate covered) :D

I admire your efforts ... I would find it difficult to think of 40 pics a day.

Suggestions inc - travel to work, not having to shave over xmas? slobbing out, piles of washing....

(OK that's me stuck now)
 
It's a poor effort I know. Thanks for the ideas though, plenty of slobbing out and piles of washing here :)
 
Today has been one of those days where a smile seems a mile away all the time. Work's christmas lunch has left me half cut too so whatever may appear (if anything) I will try to bear little responsibility for.
 
A bit of an X-Files-like hand tonight. Lit with a brief flash of a torch.

If the Life Line is long and deep, then this represents a long life full of vitality and health. A swooping semicircular line around the base of the thumb shows great strength and enthusiasm, as well as an improved love life.

I wouldn't believe it was my hand.

Going to lie down for a little while now :)



Edit: Eck. Just looked at this in IE8 and on an uncalibrated monitor. All I can say is use Firefox to retain colour profiles and get your monitor calibrated if you haven't!

Edit 2: Better still, click through to view on black backgrounded website as intended.
 
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Two weeks gone and finding I want to shoot something but more often than not I'm just shooting anything rather than something worthwhile. I shall be looking for some more inspiration for the weekend, especially now the snow is melting away.

Definitely going for the 52 in the new year as one a day is too much, but until then I have 26 to go.

Everyone's done one of these during their photographic learning curve, so why should I be any different? This deserves another attempt when there's some better light around, but for now this will do.

 
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Brightens things up a bit :)

Had a quick fiddle reversing the nifty fifty last night. A bit extreme when it comes to focussing but today's may well be a macro shot!
 
I threatened it, so here it is.

Another of those things that has to be tried. Reversed 50mm lens with a severe lack of "little things" to photograph.

 
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Still at it. Feel free to crit any and all of these :) Back to black and white I'm afraid.

This was how I felt the other night after a few.

 
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Feel like I'm falling further off the rails here. Respect to anyone doing a 365.

Too many chores tonight and too tired for my brain to work. Took this and now I'm gonna sit down and admire everyone else's work.

I much prefer opening these to wrapping them.


 
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Just a couple of comments - I like the landscape that you think is rubbish. The sky has a lovely deep colour, and the land is in the process of being worked. It doesn't tick the usual landscape boxes but is interesting all the same.

Dark hand - like it. Almost looks like I'm looking up at a cloud in the night sky. Very..... ephemeral.

One too many - this works also. its a cool compositon of elements. I think some of the others could also have been imporved by thinking how to make the view of them a little more unusual and interesting (biscuit, & glasses).

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Alex. Much appreciated. The more I look at the landscape the more I begin to like it. The hand is very dependant on the viewers screen (and ambient light) to see it properly. Very tempted to try that one again to expose it a bit better. The one too many shot was almost not thought about when I did it, but came out pretty well I thought.

Some of the others I like at first glance, some are growers and some disappoint due to composition or focussing problems.

As hard as I'm finding this, ultimately I'm happy I've got this far. So much so I've even thrown a bit of critique at others now. Trouble is I don't think enough before taking my own shots. Will try harder to engage brain :) When this is over I might go back and try to critique them myself.
 
What happens when you have absolutely no idea what to do? You live in a one bed flat and there are only so many things you can photograph inside with no space or proper lighting or tripod. And driving around has left you deflated and cold.

In my case I panic and grab the first thing that comes to hand again.

I'm lost tonight completely.

 
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I've been popping into your thread from time to time, but have only just got a chance to comment. :)

First of all - good on you for trying this. At just one week away from completing the 52 I can honestly say there's no way I could find something to photograph every single day for 40 days. It's been hard enough doing one a week when you've got the theme chosen for you. And for somebody who thought he might not make it to Day 2 - you've got some stunning shots in. Don't beat yourself up about the odd 'filler' - they're still legit. shots. ;)

I'm guessing that today's shot (Clueless) is the grill of a heater or something similar. But it's a strong graphic shot with good use of dof and the little flare of colour on the left adds an interesting quirk. Very nice indeed. :clap::clap::clap:

Jean
 
Thank you for popping in and for the kind words Jean. It is indeed the tiny little heater that warms up my toesies every day. I guess when you see something every day it doesn't quite have the same impact on yourself as it may have on others.

Part of doing this is to prove to myself that I shouldn't just bag up the gear and let someone else enjoy it. Knowing some (if not all) are appreciated keeps the boxes in the cupboard and the camera in my hand.

And I will be glad when it's over and all I have to worry about is turning 40 and thinking of one shot a week :)
 
Fags, HobNobs and Jack Daniels. I'm not allowed any of those! :dummy: If i was maybe my photography would be as good as yours.

Seriously, you're doing well - keep going, I'm enjoying your thread a lot. :thumbs:
 
I'll spare you a thought later when I'm puffing away and dunking my hob nob in the JD :)
 
I've sort of asked this before, but how do any of you guys brave taking your cameras out in front of other people? People are what I would love to take but I just feeel so self concious.

Three chances tonight to get something worthwhile. Firstly in Sainsburys, a brass band and carol singers. Then the girl outside taking orders at Maccy D's in her hi-vis orange suit. And then as I'm driving round I spot this young woman struggling with christmas shopping and a a huge bouquet of flowers lit up by the street lights trying to dodge the drizzle. Of course the last one would have run a mile as it was pretty much deserted where we were (so probably best not to stop the car and jump out at her in the dark :)), but I'm missing so many great opportunities.

So after disappointing myself I came up with this. Which I actually really like, despite the dodgy focus and camera shake (ISO 1600 @1/20sec). Really cranked up the contrast on this. Hope it's not just me :)

 
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I really like it, too! You've very skillfully summed up the feeling when everybody's finished their Christmas shopping and everywhere's deserted. Very atmospheric. :thumbs:

You've obviously got an eye for a good shot - all those situations you've described would make excellent photos. And I think the more you take photos in public, the easier it gets. What about starting off with shots that obviously aren't people, eg details of buildings, general street scenes, etc. The sort of comments I've had tend to be 'oh are you taking photos?' or something similar. Most people are just curious and will chat for a minute and then go on their way. Perhaps being a grey-haired old lady helps, but there you are - that's an advantage of advancing age! :lol: It would certainly be a crime to put that camera back in its box. :)

Jean
 
liking that one lots!!
as Jean says - sums up post Xmas....

Keep up the good work and hopefully we will get to see you coming through as able to take the candid shot that you aspire to !!
 
Thanks again Jean. Perhaps if I dressed up as a grey haired old lady I'd be less concious of getting funny looks :)

I have a plan for Sunday which may help me out and doesn't involve dressing up... well not me anyway. I just hope there's a bit of a thaw first.
 
Thanks Meeten. Watch this space :)
 
As much as pretending to be Santa and sneaking around putting presents in stockings and eating mince pies and drinking milk is great, it gives me a headache just thinking about it. But little one is at last asleep, Santa chores are done and now I can sit and see what's on Christmas TV.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, except for me trying to take my one a day.

Merry Christmas :wave:


 
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