Hippo's 52 -2011. Week 9 'FINISH' uploaded - Index on 1st page

Great take on the theme Ray,

One thing (being very picky) maybe it's just me but maybe the focus could have been more on the word 'new' and the mourse pointer?

Just my opinion btw
 
Really good, creative ideas and well executed. not usually a fan of sc but your take for accommodation works well. Really like the originality of your 'new' post too.

Spooks
 
Thanks for all the comments on my first two pics folks. Much appreciated :thumbs:

Right, now onto week 3. One of my first thoughts was 'stile' but I see that somebody has already done that and looks like beat a lot of people to it :D

This weeks photo, is one of those photos where you have an idea/concept in your mind, but the final photo doesn't quite come out as you expected/wanted it to. But I want to post it as hopefully with some feedback I can learn how to improve on the shot. I think one main thing for me is to invest in a TTL cord so I can have my external flash off camera. I tried various composition including/excluding the tap or other items in the bathroom, but settled for this in the end.

By the way, the prop for this photo was 15p :lol: Now I know why they call it the Value range!!

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C&C welcome.

Cheers

Hippo
 
Hi Ray,

Off to a flying start with these :thumbs:

Week 1 : Selective colouring isn't my favourite technique either (as a lot of people have said) but at first glance I really didn't register that your first shot was selective colour - so it must have worked well :lol: It just felt like a very natural, normal way of looking at the image.

Week 2 : Unique and interesting interpretation of new. Again most of it has already been said, but I really do like the 3D effect that you've got into it. Well done with the reflections too.

Week 3 : And finally style. Another great take on the theme, but I can see what you mean about it not quite being there yet.
You've got a good point with the lighting - something slightly less uniform and from the side may have given it more impact. If you can't take your flash off-camera, take a desk lamp on an extension cable into the bathroom. With static subjects shutter speed isn't an issue so you don't need a particularly bright or intense light to get the correct exposure.

I also think you were right to include the tap - it's needed to give it some context, although right now it's pulling my eye away from the gel slightly.
Perhaps slightly more DoF would help. I don't think that the tap would intrude so much if it was a little sharper and it would be nice to see some of the tile detail in the b/g too.

p.s. @15p for a prop . . . absolute bargain !!!
 
Forgot to say, as I have a grade 1 haircut.

FOR SALE

1 tub of Tesco Value Hair Gel
1 careful owner
Hardly used

Yours for 10p ;)
 
Hi Ray,

Like your take on the them and think you have composed this well, especially with the blob of gel in the lid.

Well done.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
I don't know if it possible but i would have been tempted to lose the label (only if it didn't leave that sticky mess on the outside). Then introduced a brush , mirror or comb to add context.
Another great idea.
 
I agree with tina good Idea but does look a bit flat maybe adjust the levels to give it a boost but good Idea ;) here's to week 4
 
week 1: Great idea and nicely done selctive colouring :thumbs: think the b&w contrast is fine as it is

week 2: excellent! brilliant take on the theme and well executed....maybe a slight moan about the DOF being a bit too shallow to get the New... bit of the menu in focus, but thats something and nothing.

week 3: good idea, but has been said maybe slightly let down by the lighting

look forward to seeing more :)
 
The blue really stands out, but the background is a little flat. I like the inclusion of the tap.


Hippo_MC said:
Forgot to say, as I have a grade 1 haircut.

FOR SALE

1 tub of Tesco Value Hair Gel
1 careful owner
Hardly used

Yours for 10p ;)
Click to expand...

How much is postage??:lol:
 
Week 3 is not as good IMO as the previous weeks - I agree it might have been better to take the label off the gel and include a brush / comb - also the tap takes away from the main subject IMO - could you maybe try taking it in front of a mirror / on a dressing table?
 
Folks,

Many thanks for all your feedback. I know flash and lighting is something I need to and want to improve on and I am sure over the next 49 weeks there will be plenty of opportuntiy for me to do so :).

I am chomping at the bit and as soon as I saw 'Open' yesterday evening, my brain was racing. 'Open' can prefix so many words, but I don't want to steal anybody else's thunder by listing an idea that they may have thought of. Anyway, this idea came to me this afternoon in the supermarket. Morrisons this time not Tescos :D

This shot was taken with 50mm 1.4 with 34mm of extension tubes. Shot in Manual with Av at 11.0 and Tv at 1/180. I had a small torch to the left casting a little bit of light, but still used flash difused with a white cloth.

So here is a piece of popping corn that is now 'Open'

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Keep the comments and feedback coming folks, I am eager to learn :thumbs:

*EDITED VERSION BASED ON INITIAL FEEDBACK ADDED BELOW*

Cheers
Hippo

Oh and another cheap prop (2 bags for £1.50) plus I get to eat it as well :D
 
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Good idea but agree with Tina that it looks a little dull in colour. maybe a tweak in levels. Like the take on the theme though.
 
Agreed this one could do with being just a gnats brighter. Great Idea though and very well composed, :cool::cool:
 
Wow!
Yet another fast posting and another slant on the theme, like it!
 
Thanks for the feedback. Here is a version with the levels tweaked in Elements.

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Mucho better Ray :thumbs:
 
The second version is better... on first look I did not have a clue what it was or why it represented open... but I always do this with peoples new pics here... I read the description of how and what it is after... My first glance is always for me to see if the shot shouts the theme... for me this didn't but it's because I just did not know what it was!

The image itself is great... perfect DOF and I love the detail of the cloth its sitting on lit a bit in the foreground... the tweek is def better than the original... WELL DONE... you seem to be an early bird for submitting a bit like myself... I cant wait for the next theme announcements each week... Im really enjoying this 52 experience!
 
Hi ray,
Your edited version is much better , it now pops and the colours are more realistic. Good luck with the rest of your project.
Ceri
 
Great idea for the theme "open", very imaginative. It's strange to see a popcorn this close, almost looks like an alien creature!
The second version is much better.
Like the texture and detail. For me, a bit more DOF would be good to bring the whole corn into focus.
 
I saw your hair gel shot and thought that was your open one - two birds one stone!

Many many years ago I did the hair gel thing, so as a bit of a self claimed expert, I can say that you probably wouldn't find gel on a bath. I think the shot would be better near a mirror and has been said, with a comb near by.

Week 4 is good take on the theme. The tweaked version is the better one IMO
 
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Charlottefitz said:
Wonderful take on the theme for week 4 ! Perfect colours and dof in your edited version.
Your photos are brilliant every week, I have a lot to learn from you it seems :)
Click to expand...

Charlotte, Thanks for your kind word. I am just a green bean myself when it comes to photography and I think that is the beauty of this 52 is that people can learn from each other. Also, it took me quite a few shots to get this and even then I didn't consider any PP but once recommended by other forum members and I had a play, it improved the shot quite a bit. I am sure a more experienced photographer would have nailed the shot far quicker and also did the PP as a matter of course.

markelliot said:
The second version is better... on first look I did not have a clue what it was or why it represented open... but I always do this with peoples new pics here... I read the description of how and what it is after... My first glance is always for me to see if the shot shouts the theme... for me this didn't but it's because I just did not know what it was!

The image itself is great... perfect DOF and I love the detail of the cloth its sitting on lit a bit in the foreground... the tweek is def better than the original... WELL DONE... you seem to be an early bird for submitting a bit like myself... I cant wait for the next theme announcements each week... Im really enjoying this 52 experience!
Click to expand...

Thanks. With this open theme there were so many possibilities, I just wanted to get something done quickly.

fido18 said:
Hi ray,
Your edited version is much better , it now pops and the colours are more realistic. Good luck with the rest of your project.
Ceri
Click to expand...

'Pops' intentional play on words??? :D

PatrickO said:
Great idea for the theme "open", very imaginative. It's strange to see a popcorn this close, almost looks like an alien creature!
The second version is much better.
Like the texture and detail. For me, a bit more DOF would be good to bring the whole corn into focus.
Click to expand...

Good point :thumbs:

Mentalblock said:
I saw your hair gel shot and thought that was your open one - two birds one stone!

Many many years ago I did the hair gel thing, so as a bit of a self claimed expert, I can say that you probably wouldn't find gel on a bath. I think the shot would be better near a mirror and has been said, with a comb near by.

Week 4 is good take on the theme. The tweaked version is the better one IMO
Click to expand...

Thanks for your feedback on both shots!

blondie606 said:
Hi Ray

just spotted your "popped corn" Great take on the theme ,2nd version looks much better to me (but I know nothing!) ,more of the texture can be seen ,great stuff :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I don't know much either, lots of trial and error (mainly error)
 
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:thumbs:Second pic is a corker, as a ps dummy cant believe the differance..
 
Hiya Ray,

Well done on thinking outside of the box for this Open theme. I prefer the second image too. I think the image would benefit from a bit of a sharpen as it looks a little soft in places. What lighting did you use? as there is quite a bit of light reflection on the right side kernal which draws my eye, and it may benefit from either a clone, if possible.

Otherwise I think it is a lovely image and I like the base and background it really makes the image pop out (pardon the pun) and the speckles on the base remind me of grains so salt, or give it an 'out of space' feel.

Well done and I look forward to seeing what you come up with for week 5.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
excellent interpretation :)

the tweaked version has much more depth and is more pleasing for me, and I like the way the corn is positioned :)
 
second edit is definately the best, sorry, don't think I have actually commented on any of your previous pictures, but I particularly like the colours in you're first week - accommodation as well.

Simon.
 
Here is week 5. Mortar and Pestle made of Marble, which is a pretty 'hard' rock.

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Using my S90, I set a 6 second timer the the shot itself was a 4 second exposure. I used a torch with the beam diffused by kitchen roll and then painted with light.
The mortar and pestle was placed on a black plastic dish. I took about 25 shots before I got one that I liked. Still think I could improve on this but quite happy as this was my first attempt at this type of photo.

As always would appreciate any feedback and advice. :thumbs:

*EDITED VERSION ADDED 6 POSTS BELOW (based on feedback)*
 
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Wasn't sure about this when I first saw it. Man, it is a dark one.

The more I look at it though, the more it grows on me. Really like the selective lighting from the side and the way the left hand edge of the mortar disappears into the background.

Only criticism is that the inside of the mortar looks strangely smokey. Reflection or wear and tear?
 
Great idea Ray!

I love the composition but I would like to see the marble pattern a bit more clear. I am not sure if a bit lighter image will be the way or come play with the contrast....

Rayna
 
I really like the idea of this image but its a little dark for me, a little more light to highlight the detail would improve the image for me :)
 
Based on the couple of bits of feedback, I have created two more versions. Both with the mortar & pestle lightened and one with a subtle refelection. Opinions welcome :wave:

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5416889456_b8e041642f_z.jpg
 
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