Holryn's Photo 52 - Week 25 & 26 added (Grunge/Beginning) - Link in post #1

[holryn]

Love the snail picture! I had similar thoughts of trying to take a photo of a snail for speed but I couldn't find one.

Certainly very elusive at the moment took me ages to find any then they don't 'perform'. :shake:

 

[Tracer]

I love your snail, particularly the edit with the reflection.

"Present" is a really interesting one to look at , with lots for the eye to explore. Your arrangement of the different items is very pleasing and so is the colour scheme. Much more interesting than your first idea. Well done.

 

[jeangenie]

Bit of a catch up for me!

I love the final version of the snail for Speed - and as someone who came eyeball-eyeball with a slug last year in the cause of the 52, I sympathise - they've got no camera 'presence'

Well done on the airspeed indicator shot. 'Straight and level' and no hint of vibration! I did a few hours flying some years ago and really admired the way the instructor was so calm, even when I panicked on a cross-wind landing going in to Southampton over the M27. I'm sure you've got some horror stories to tell!

Present: Excellent take on the theme, especially given the importance of weather conditions to pilots. I like the composition and the lighting, and think you chose the best shot. The other is interesting, but as you say, doesn't put it into context so well.

Jean

 

[RobC]

Be warned I'm not a 'technical togger' but I know what I like and tend to say so.

Your snail shot is spot on the lighting, the reflection the composition, it's great.

Present - What I like:

The subject matter really holds my attention, the DOF is magic and the colours and lighting are 'contrasty' (it is a word, I made it up).

Rob

 

[jgs001]

I learnt to fly out of Biggin Hill, but I now instruct out of an airfield near Bedford. I've flown past Manston numerous times but, so far have not landed there {mental note to self: student navigation lesson }.

Not just that Paul... You can do simulated power fail on takeoff 6 times along the main runway, touching down and taking off again on 5 of them.. I know.. my instructor did it to me .. he let me get to 500 feet each time too...

You're first shot works for me, and I can almost remember how to read METAR's too .... but the second shot works better and, as you say, has more context to it.

 

[clud17]

nice shot Paul, well lit and just the right amount of DOF.

 

[dlh]

Sorry Paul but week 6 isn't doing much for me one way or the other. Think there's just too much happening in the image and difficult to focus my attention anywhere.

I still like the snail though

 

[SarahLee]

I love both of these for different reasons.
The second (first version you shot) is very well executed and has great use of DoF, but it's the first and the one that you chose to use that grabs my attention.
Colours, DoF, composition all spot on. Plenty there to draw my eye in and keep me looking around the frame. Very nicely put together and brilliantly executed.
A great week for you.

I did some flying out of Manston 20 years ago, and flying a Cessna 152 from the Manston main is an amazing experience...

I see I have something else to be jealous of John - as well as all your astro stuff

 

[holryn]

I love your snail, particularly the edit with the reflection.

"Present" is a really interesting one to look at , with lots for the eye to explore. Your arrangement of the different items is very pleasing and so is the colour scheme. Much more interesting than your first idea. Well done.

Thank Tracer - glad you like it - took me a few attempts to get the arrangement right so everything was in the shot.

Bit of a catch up for me!

I love the final version of the snail for Speed - and as someone who came eyeball-eyeball with a slug last year in the cause of the 52, I sympathise - they've got no camera 'presence'

You're not wrong Jean - I had a particular shot in mind but they just weren't playing ball!

Well done on the airspeed indicator shot. 'Straight and level' and no hint of vibration! I did a few hours flying some years ago and really admired the way the instructor was so calm, even when I panicked on a cross-wind landing going in to Southampton over the M27. I'm sure you've got some horror stories to tell!

Thanks - I'm sure most would say we appear calm but inside we're like coiled springs! Isn't Southampton great - I remember making an approach over the train yard and thinking ' not really anywhere to go if the engine quits!'. And luckily not many horror stories - thankfully - just hope it stays that way!.

Present: Excellent take on the theme, especially given the importance of weather conditions to pilots. I like the composition and the lighting, and think you chose the best shot. The other is interesting, but as you say, doesn't put it into context so well.

Jean

Thanks.

Be warned I'm not a 'technical togger' but I know what I like and tend to say so.

Your snail shot is spot on the lighting, the reflection the composition, it's great.

Present - What I like:

The subject matter really holds my attention, the DOF is magic and the colours and lighting are 'contrasty' (it is a word, I made it up).

Rob

Cheers Rob. We appear to be from the same 'non technical togger' camp then - If a picture pleases me then it's good! And nothing wrong with making up words!!!

Not just that Paul... You can do simulated power fail on takeoff 6 times along the main runway, touching down and taking off again on 5 of them.. I know.. my instructor did it to me .. he let me get to 500 feet each time too...

You're first shot works for me, and I can almost remember how to read METAR's too .... but the second shot works better and, as you say, has more context to it.

Hahaha - nice one John - got to get myself down there.

nice shot Paul, well lit and just the right amount of DOF.

Thanks Chris.

Sorry Paul but week 6 isn't doing much for me one way or the other. Think there's just too much happening in the image and difficult to focus my attention anywhere.

I still like the snail though

That's OK Darren, glad you like the snail still!

I love both of these for different reasons.
The second (first version you shot) is very well executed and has great use of DoF, but it's the first and the one that you chose to use that grabs my attention.
Colours, DoF, composition all spot on. Plenty there to draw my eye in and keep me looking around the frame. Very nicely put together and brilliantly executed.
A great week for you.

Thanks again Sarah - glad you like it.

 

[philthejuggler]

Just catching up!

1) Love the ethereal curves - great lighting and background.
2) An interesting flower shot - photographers take lots of flower shots but this one is striking and unusual
3) Chopped is different and an interesting idea but doesn't draw my eye
4) I really like street - much prefer it in colour - really nice tones.
5) Like the subtle reflection of the snail - feel the image wants a little more pop, but not sure how.
6) Really like the METARS shot - very professional - would expect to see images like this in a relevant publication.

Phil

 

[holryn]

Just catching up!

1) Love the ethereal curves - great lighting and background.
2) An interesting flower shot - photographers take lots of flower shots but this one is striking and unusual
3) Chopped is different and an interesting idea but doesn't draw my eye
4) I really like street - much prefer it in colour - really nice tones.
5) Like the subtle reflection of the snail - feel the image wants a little more pop, but not sure how.
6) Really like the METARS shot - very professional - would expect to see images like this in a relevant publication.

Phil

Thanks for the kind comments Phil. It's good to know that I'm beginning to improve. Doesn't feel like it sometimes.

 

[Harlequin565]

Also catching up and doing my best to get round as many 52s this week as I can.

Paul, you have a seriously great set of images so far. Street was simply amazing.

Great stuff. Keep it up.

Ian.

 

[holryn]

Also catching up and doing my best to get round as many 52s this week as I can.

Paul, you have a seriously great set of images so far. Street was simply amazing.

Great stuff. Keep it up.

Ian.

Thanks for your very kind comments Ian. I'm definitely learning more as weeks go by and it's good to know I'm heading in the right direction.

 

[holryn]

Firstly - apologies for not commenting on many posts - there are so many know I can't remember where I've been (coupled with the fact that I've been extremely busy over the past week or so - my excuse and I'm sticking to it ). I will get around to commenting I promise!

Falling behind a little, but here at last is my take on People. It has taken me ages to get the scenario right, and even now I'm not 100% happy with it.

Again this was taken on my N95 as it's a fair bit of bother to get a camera through airport security!

Comments/suggestions appreciated as always (and I promise to reciprocate as soon as I can )
​

 

[holryn]

Another busy week, but finally managed to get some shots done.

​

 

[dlh]

I like your week 7 image Paul. Even though it looks very soft around the point of focus it gives it a bit of an ethereal feeling and I actually had to look a couple of times to decide if it was real or toy

Week 8 I'm afraid isn't doing a lot for me. Although I'm sure the pilot would like to have it back

 

[jgs001]

I like week 7. It may be on a phone, but it's got an ethereal quality to it that works well..

I wondered what that looked like inside ... I'm afraid though, that's just what it is, a shot of the inside of the bearing indicator. It is on theme though.

 

[SarahLee]

Week 7 : Yep I can see the difficulty with taking an SLR through airport security
I like it though - and that splash of orange from the trolley is a nice touch.
The watery, washed out feel actually adds something IMO, but I wonder if a selective contrast boost to the sky might give it a bit more oomph.

Week 8 : Clearly mechanical and nice sharp details
It's a shame about the strong reflection on the face of the dial though - I would have liked to see a bit more detail there.

 

[68lbs]

Another busy week, but finally managed to get some shots done.

Originality: 10/10
Intrigue: 10/10
Composition: 2/10
Sex Appeal: 0/10

Hope that makes sense... what I'm saying is that it's nice and sharp and well enuff exposed, just extremely boring as a photograph. Unless you're a boy and intrigued by it's gadgetness and what it might be.

 

[holryn]

I like your week 7 image Paul. Even though it looks very soft around the point of focus it gives it a bit of an ethereal feeling and I actually had to look a couple of times to decide if it was real or toy

Week 8 I'm afraid isn't doing a lot for me. Although I'm sure the pilot would like to have it back

Thanks Darren. The shot I planned for People just didn't happen. What I wanted was a stream of people boarding the aircraft as shot through the door to the boarding gate but I think they all decided to take the train that day. :bang:

I like week 7. It may be on a phone, but it's got an ethereal quality to it that works well..

I wondered what that looked like inside ... I'm afraid though, that's just what it is, a shot of the inside of the bearing indicator. It is on theme though.

Cheers John. Pretty uninspired for Mechanical. Again not quite the shot I wanted but was running out of time.

Week 7 : Yep I can see the difficulty with taking an SLR through airport security
I like it though - and that splash of orange from the trolley is a nice touch.
The watery, washed out feel actually adds something IMO, but I wonder if a selective contrast boost to the sky might give it a bit more oomph.

Week 8 : Clearly mechanical and nice sharp details
It's a shame about the strong reflection on the face of the dial though - I would have liked to see a bit more detail there.

Thanks Sarah. The Orange trolleys are actually called a PIGS a Passenger Inline Guidance Systems or more technically - bits of rope on a trolley

Was trying to work on the lighting for Mechanical. Was concentrating on the inside and missed the reflection. Note to self - pay more attention!!!

Originality: 10/10
Intrigue: 10/10
Composition: 2/10
Sex Appeal: 0/10

Hope that makes sense... what I'm saying is that it's nice and sharp and well enuff exposed, just extremely boring as a photograph. Unless you're a boy and intrigued by it's gadgetness and what it might be.

Fully understand Lee. Doesn't tick all the boxes but from a technical point of view I think I'm 'getting' there just need to work on some of the other areas.

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

[Sonial]

Hi

Your Street shot is amazing!!.....wish my phone would take shots like that!

I really like your People one too.....has a nice 'feel' to it.

So what IS Mechanical...it has me intrigued

 

[holryn]

Hi

Your Street shot is amazing!!.....wish my phone would take shots like that!

I really like your People one too.....has a nice 'feel' to it.

So what IS Mechanical...it has me intrigued

Hi Sonia. Thanks for the comments.

The Mechanical shot is of a Direction Indicator or DI. It's a gyroscopic instrument from a light aircraft, similar to a compass.

 

[Tracer]

"People" is very atmospheric - a pity you can't arrange some of the figures so that there is more separation but that really would have got you arrested . Well done for getting it at all.

Mechanical - nice and sharp and fits the theme but to me a bit of a "product shot" and as such I don't find it terribly interesting. Maybe you could experiment with close-ups and/or a more dynamic angle?

 

[holryn]

"People" is very atmospheric - a pity you can't arrange some of the figures so that there is more separation but that really would have got you arrested . Well done for getting it at all.

Thanks Tracer. Passengers are rather unpredictable most of the time. Have to keep a good eye on them.

Mechanical - nice and sharp and fits the theme but to me a bit of a "product shot" and as such I don't find it terribly interesting. Maybe you could experiment with close-ups and/or a more dynamic angle?

Agreed - Mechanical is a product shot and not very interesting. Probably a bit of a cop out on my part. Must try harder!!

 

[holryn]

So after last weeks poor attempt with a not-very-interesting shot. I thought I should at least do something with a little more thought behind it this week.

So - for the first time ever I might add - I used a model in a staged shot. This is my daughter helping out whilst attempting to PLAY a game of chess.

​

 

[clud17]

lovely shot Paul, great dof and i like the lighting.

 

[dlh]

That's a cracking shot. Good angle and great use of DoF and lighting. It might even be a better chess shot than mine

 

[holryn]

lovely shot Paul, great dof and i like the lighting.

Thanks Chris.

That's a cracking shot. Good angle and great use of DoF and lighting. It might even be a better chess shot than mine

Cheers Darren. I'm sure both have their merits.

Never tried anything like this before and I'm pleased with how it has turned out. Light is all natural. Just sunlight through the window. Did try it with some fill flash but it looked to artificial.

 

[Nick T]

Agree with Chris - nice angle and DOF

 

[holryn]

Agree with Chris - nice angle and DOF

Thanks Nick.

 

[jeangenie]

Thanks - I'm sure most would say we appear calm but inside we're like coiled springs! Isn't Southampton great - I remember making an approach over the train yard and thinking ' not really anywhere to go if the engine quits!'. And luckily not many horror stories - thankfully - just hope it stays that way!.

There's nowhere to go in either direction at Southampton - engine sheds at one end or the M27 + the Solent at the other! And how many airports have runways at 02 and 20 - really confusing for a novice! :bang:

I like your People shot - it's very atmospheric of a wet and miserable day airside. I hope they're flying off to somewhere warm and sunny!

Play: An excellent take on the chess theme. It's got a kind of dreamy look and the b&w works well. I hope your daughter's winning.

Jean

 

[holryn]

There's nowhere to go in either direction at Southampton - engine sheds at one end or the M27 + the Solent at the other! And how many airports have runways at 02 and 20 - really confusing for a novice! :bang:

Well you may be surprised to learn that the airfield I fly from has runways 02 & 20 and also 13 & 31.

I like your People shot - it's very atmospheric of a wet and miserable day airside. I hope they're flying off to somewhere warm and sunny!

Play: An excellent take on the chess theme. It's got a kind of dreamy look and the b&w works well. I hope your daughter's winning.

Jean

Thanks Jean. I think that flight was off to Amsterdam, so neither warm nor sunny .

We set the Play shot up - rather strangely it was the shot I had in my head all along. I'm very pleased with the result.

 

[bobsbabes]

great shot great dof !

 

[Harlequin565]

Hi Paul,

I'm not sure about this one, and it's probably just me, but...

Your daughters head seems to take up much of the frame, and the chess board is OOF. There is no real interest in the back of her head, and the interest in the chessboard is lost in the DoF. Overall, the subject works, but it's like there's something missing...

Was there a reason for not having it the other way around (sharp chessboard, head OOF)?

The lighting is spot on, and the crop in your avatar looks a little better than this. If you're after the ethereal shot, it kinda works, but my eyes just get a bit confused looking for a subject.

This is all my perception though, so please feel free to tell me I'm wrong!

Ian.

 

[SarahLee]

I was wondering when I'd come to this one. After your comments in my thread and noticing your new avatar pic I had an idea of what I was going to see and you haven't disappointed.

The B&W conversion is spot on. I love the lighting on the chessboard and the way that it's just caught the edges of your daughter's hair is beautiful.

I'm not just copying Ian on this (honestly!) but even before I read his comment I was thinking that the square crop in your avatar pic seems to work better.
Personally, I like the fact that the focus is on the player rather than the board. Combined with the lighting it's given the whole thing a really dreamlike feeling, however I feel like we don't need to see quite so much of the back of her head.

I know your avatar pic is tiny so it's hard to tell, but it really does feel like it has more impact.

 

[jgs001]

I think that works so well Paul... spot on lighting, the DOF is just about right too, clearly on theme too. The only thing... and I'm being very picky... the front of her right arm looks a bit bright, but that might also be my crappy laptop monitor.

 

[Rob Bartley]

Paul, I really like your take on play. The fact that the focus in not on the chess board makes it more intriguing. It makes you want to look over her shoulder and get involved.

Cheers, Rob

 

[holryn]

great shot great dof !

Thanks Bob.

Hi Paul,

I'm not sure about this one, and it's probably just me, but...

Your daughters head seems to take up much of the frame, and the chess board is OOF. There is no real interest in the back of her head, and the interest in the chessboard is lost in the DoF. Overall, the subject works, but it's like there's something missing...

Was there a reason for not having it the other way around (sharp chessboard, head OOF)?

The lighting is spot on, and the crop in your avatar looks a little better than this. If you're after the ethereal shot, it kinda works, but my eyes just get a bit confused looking for a subject.

This is all my perception though, so please feel free to tell me I'm wrong!

Ian.

Thanks for the comments Ian. This was the picture in my head all along. No reason for having the head OOF, just how I wanted it really. I suppose I wanted to convey someone playing chess and not just chess being played - if that makes sense

No need to feel wrong about it everyone has their own take on things - I will post up a pic as it is cropped in my avatar (that was automatic - I didn't do it that way), to see if if 'feels' different.

I was wondering when I'd come to this one. After your comments in my thread and noticing your new avatar pic I had an idea of what I was going to see and you haven't disappointed.

The B&W conversion is spot on. I love the lighting on the chessboard and the way that it's just caught the edges of your daughter's hair is beautiful.

I'm not just copying Ian on this (honestly!) but even before I read his comment I was thinking that the square crop in your avatar pic seems to work better.
Personally, I like the fact that the focus is on the player rather than the board. Combined with the lighting it's given the whole thing a really dreamlike feeling, however I feel like we don't need to see quite so much of the back of her head.

I know your avatar pic is tiny so it's hard to tell, but it really does feel like it has more impact.

Thanks Sarah. Will post up a square crop.

I think that works so well Paul... spot on lighting, the DOF is just about right too, clearly on theme too. The only thing... and I'm being very picky... the front of her right arm looks a bit bright, but that might also be my crappy laptop monitor.

Agree with that John - didn't notice it until after I posted it up.

Paul, I really like your take on play. The fact that the focus in not on the chess board makes it more intriguing. It makes you want to look over her shoulder and get involved.

Cheers, Rob

Was trying to think of that word in my reply to Ian - intriguing . Thanks Rob - was exactly what I was after in this shot.

 

[jeangenie]

Well you may be surprised to learn that the airfield I fly from has runways 02 & 20 and also 13 & 31. OMG - 4 chances to get it wrong!



Thanks Jean. I think that flight was off to Amsterdam, so neither warm nor sunny .

We set the Play shot up - rather strangely it was the shot I had in my head all along. I'm very pleased with the result.

It's great when you get the shot you've wanted, isn't it. I hadn't noticed your daughter's arm - until it was pointed out! - but I still love the shot.

Jean

 

[holryn]

It's great when you get the shot you've wanted, isn't it. I hadn't noticed your daughter's arm - until it was pointed out! - but I still love the shot.

Jean

Thanks Jean.

Getting the right runway is all about knowing where you are at all times - not easy when you're learning - as some of my students find.