In at the deep end - My52-Metal

S

Slackbladder

Suspended / Banned
Messages
31
Name
David
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi Everyone,

I have decided to jump in at the deep end and join the MY52 group. I have had my camera for a week now and to add a little excitement to all the book and manual reading I thought having a reason to get the best of my camera and me I need a challenge.
So…

STOP!
Why this interpretation. STOP is not a word it’s a command and I wanted to convey that there may be serious consequences for not obeying it. I thought a secluded country level crossing would illustrate the danger better then an inner city crossing. The country crossings are half barriers allowing the foolhardy to zigzag across despite the red lights. Level crossings for me always produce an element of trepidation when I cross them, “what if it’s not working?”´

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What did I learn?
Buy a tripod, a man balancing a camera on a step ladder in the countryside gets some very strange looks.
Level crossings and watched kettles have a lot in common!
No matter how overwhelming I thought my camera was, it is nothing compared to my first attempt with Lightroom.:bang:​
Comments are very welcome but under the following conditions:
Please dumb down your advice so I can understand what you mean or better still send me a link to a tutorial about the subject.:thinking:

Thanks,

Ed.​
 
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Well done on joining the 52 challenge Ed. I hope you keep it up and find that it gives you some great motivation. This first pic looks a little flat though, and could do with a bit of a contrast boost in Lightroom.
 
Hi Sara,
Well i must admit, I´m chomping at the bit for the new topic. I need to experiment a lot more with Lightroom...slowly slowly and all that.
 
Hi Dave/Ed (?)

Welcome to the 52 brigade. Hope you enjoy your time. I know I was chomping at the bit to begin with, however it is tough to keep on top of it week on week.

I think you've found a good subject for "Stop", and it's a grand idea. The problem for me though is the range of light through the shot. A really bright sky and quite a dark foreground have made it very difficult to expose correctly (impossible actually).

The only solution for a long exposure such as this would have been to use an ND grad filter, which is dark at the top and transparent at the bottom. This would have balanced the light.

Do you only have Lightroom? Do you take your shots in RAW?

One other option would be to open the shot in LR, and adjust the exposure down to take that "blown" look out of the sky. Export it. Then adjust the exposure up to lift the darkness in the bottom of the shot. Export that.

Finally blend the two together in Photoshop or Elements to get a correct exposure across the board. It's not particularly straightforward if you've never done anything like that before, but it would balance the light across the image.

Hope this helps!

Ian.
 
Hi Ian,
Thanks for the encouragement I need all I can get. I’m enjoying the learning process and just about getting my head around the techie stuff. I only have Lightroom, it seemed more user friendly then photoshop. At the moment I only save in Jpeg as Raw seemed a bit daunting for a beginner.

I asked my daughter to have a play with the original in Photoshop, she is currently doing an apprenticeship in Graphic design. Comments are welcome and encouraged.

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Hiya, welcome to the 52's. I quite like it, but agree on the range in the image being a bit too big. The edit has sorted out the sky, but the foreground is now a bit dark... if you take this image, and overlay over the old image, then carefully merge them, that should do the job.
 
Hi David, well done with this shot. It definitely shouts stop to me. I would not have a clue how to take a photo of something moving like that. I prefer the tweaked version because it gives more prominence to the stop lights and the train.

Welcome to the 52, BTW.

Jenny
 
I initially thought the edit was a bit too dark, then the sun went in and gave me a better view of my screen. It's still a bit dark for me, but better than the original.

As to Raw vs jpeg. You won't see the difference in Lightroom in terms of working with your image. The interface is the same no matter what the source image is (tiff, jpeg, png, raw file). However you'll have much better editing control in RAW as it's not a compressed file. (When you shoot jpeg, the camera takes the shot then sharpens & compresses it leaving less room for manipulation later).

I'm pretty sure you can do localised exposure control in Lightroom, but I don't know how. I do it all in Photoshop and use LR as a management system/basic tweaker. It's well worth the investment in Martin Evening's book on Lightroom if you want to use it to its full potential.

Ian.
 
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Dave / Ed ????? That's got me confused too :lol:
But welcome to the 52 anyway.

And that's a great start - especially for the first week with your camera.
Personally I like the darkness of the edit. It's given it a twilight feel and I find that the darker foreground is drawing my eye to the train more. Just one of those subjective things I guess.
No debate in terms of the sky though. It's loads better in the edit.

The other thing that I like in this is the reflection of the stop lights on the road. That red works very well against the cold blue tones in the rest of the image.
 
ladysue said:
Welcome to the 52. That photo is a good start. It definitely fits the theme. I'm not good technically so cant really advise. I prefer the first version.
Click to expand...

Hi Sue, thanks.
I'll let my daughter know you prefer my photo, she keeps rubbing my nose in the fact that most people prefer hers grr! kids!! lol
:bang:
 
jgs001 said:
Hiya, welcome to the 52's. I quite like it, but agree on the range in the image being a bit too big. The edit has sorted out the sky, but the foreground is now a bit dark... if you take this image, and overlay over the old image, then carefully merge them, that should do the job.
Click to expand...

Hi Jgs

I still have to get to grips with playing around with the development software. merging two photos is something i'll have to try.
:thumbs:
 
clud17 said:
Hi David, that's a cracking start to the challenge and the edit is much better with more impact. I had to laugh at you standing on a ladder, the lengths we go to to get the right shot.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the support. you'll be pleased to know i have invested in a tripod so no more ladders for me.
:)
 
jennyb said:
Hi David, well done with this shot. It definitely shouts stop to me. I would not have a clue how to take a photo of something moving like that. I prefer the tweaked version because it gives more prominence to the stop lights and the train.

Welcome to the 52, BTW.

Jenny
Click to expand...

Thanks, Jenny. it was nice to try something other then just point and shoot. I'll tell my daughter you prefer her version, she's making sure i know more people prefer hers to mine. :bonk:
 
Harlequin565 said:
I initially thought the edit was a bit too dark, then the sun went in and gave me a better view of my screen. It's still a bit dark for me, but better than the original.

As to Raw vs jpeg. You won't see the difference in Lightroom in terms of working with your image. The interface is the same no matter what the source image is (tiff, jpeg, png, raw file). However you'll have much better editing control in RAW as it's not a compressed file. (When you shoot jpeg, the camera takes the shot then sharpens & compresses it leaving less room for manipulation later).

I'm pretty sure you can do localised exposure control in Lightroom, but I don't know how. I do it all in Photoshop and use LR as a management system/basic tweaker. It's well worth the investment in Martin Evening's book on Lightroom if you want to use it to its full potential.

Ian.
Click to expand...


Thanks Ian,
Well my wife is away for a week in Turkey so while the cat's away the mouse will be able to spend more time experimenting with the sofware.
dont you just hate it when work, house, kids, family and the wife gets in the way of your hobbies!!
 
SarahLee said:
Dave / Ed ????? That's got me confused too :lol:
But welcome to the 52 anyway.

And that's a great start - especially for the first week with your camera.
Personally I like the darkness of the edit. It's given it a twilight feel and I find that the darker foreground is drawing my eye to the train more. Just one of those subjective things I guess.
No debate in terms of the sky though. It's loads better in the edit.

The other thing that I like in this is the reflection of the stop lights on the road. That red works very well against the cold blue tones in the rest of the image.
Click to expand...

David really but i'm a big Blackadder fan.

By the sound of all the replies, it looks like I'll have to take some editing lessons from my daughter...she'll never let me live that down!
I'm having a hard time coming up with a theme for Isolation :shrug:
If Kelly goes on and on about her version being better then mine I'll send her to the naughty step and use that image for isolation...jobs a gudden!!:thumbs:
 
This week’s theme had my scratching my head for a few days. I finally came up with this…




Although we all need to be alone occasionally, isolation goes against the human psyche, so isolation is normal viewed as a punishment. So has I live in Germany what better way to interpret isolation then being sent to the cooler for a few hours. (Don’t mention the war):D


What did I learn:

1. There should be two rules of thirds, 1st thinking of a subtle interpretation of the word. 2nd trying to get the image in your head onto the screen. 3rd mastering the software to develop the image to project the sentiment of the original idea.:bang:

2. One of those “5 minute jobs” can easily become an all afternoon adventure.

3. How quickly normal household items become props.

So!... all input and comments are welcome.

David.
 
I see we had similar sorts of ideas David ;)... it works well and clearly says isolation. The lighting works well with the bars (I'm guessing that was the intent and where the household items came in ?)
 
great idea and shouts out isolation. I wonder what i tighter crop would do to the view, the space in the foreground opens up the image took me away from the idea of the bars. The mono conversion works well too.

actually having looked again and seeing the bars fall across the bottom of the shot im not sure now if a crop would help.
 
ladysue said:
An interesting and effective shot there David. Nice take on the theme. It was one thing that came to mind for me too.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sue,
I tried a bear foot and topless version but that looked a little too "Guantamino Bay" ish. I thought it looked more punishment then isolation.

David.
 
jgs001 said:
I see we had similar sorts of ideas David ;)... it works well and clearly says isolation. The lighting works well with the bars (I'm guessing that was the intent and where the household items came in ?)
Click to expand...

Yep my missus will be wanting her, brooms, mops and curtain rails back. :lol:
 
clud17 said:
great idea and shouts out isolation. I wonder what i tighter crop would do to the view, the space in the foreground opens up the image took me away from the idea of the bars. The mono conversion works well too.

actually having looked again and seeing the bars fall across the bottom of the shot im not sure now if a crop would help.
Click to expand...

I tried a few different crops and found that in this one the shadows on the floor lead the eye to the person and from the angle of the shadows helps with the impression that you are outside looking in... adding to the isolation of the subject?
 
I love the way you've caught the moment on 'Stop' - definitely prefer the first one.

I like your isolation shot & I feel a bit of tweaking could improve it further. I'd be tempted to up the blacks a fraction and maybe even intentionally add a little noise.

Phil
 
Slackbladder said:
Yep my missus will be wanting her, brooms, mops and curtain rails back. :lol:
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: :lol: I can see you doing well at this 52 lark! Random household props are a definite must have for this challenge.
Very creative and it's paid off well. I love the pose, I love the location with the tiled floor and plain white walls . . . it fits absolutely perfectly with what you were trying to achieve.

I think you could do with a little more contrast just to give it a bit more oomph and make the shadows of those bars a little darker, but that's a minor point for me and an easy fix in PP if you wanted to try it.

I sort of see where Chris is coming from with the crop too. I like the space and shadows across the foreground, but I feel like you're a little too central in the frame. Maybe lose a bit off the top of the frame to place your head on the top third?
 
Quality…I was really struggling with this weeks theme, I left it to the last minute and ended up taking an easy option. I’m not very happy with the interpretation or the photo for that matter. Oh well there’s always next week to make a mends.

 
Well - it looks like a quality bit of kit, but the photo needs a little attention. I think there's potential here but....

1) Get the subject level & square-on to the camera
2) Drop the exposure slightly
3) Strengthen the b&w conversion by lifting the blacks.

HTH!

Phil
 
:agree: I think Phil has said what needs to be said, except, it might be worth looking at lower, and maybe being a bit further back, with a longer focal length, that may help the DOF.
 
Yeah, i agree, lets just agree that is a fantastic car and a poor photo...anyway ,moving on...POST
 
I know technically it’s not a “post” it’s a pole or commonly known as a pin but I’m sure we are allowed a little “artistic licence”?

I quite like this image, a golf course is a beautiful place and I only hope this photo has given you a little glimpse of how well maintained this course is.

I learned taking this image that less is more; I wanted a whole panorama if the green and surrounding flora but this image said more then 1000 bushes.



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That is a very nice composition :thumbs:
I also like the really limited colour palette of just green and white. As you said less is more.

Agree with Stuart re: it being a little soft though. I would have liked to have seen really pin sharp focus on the writing on the ball. It's very close to being there for me - and one worth having another go at (which also gives you a good excuse to visit the golf course again ;) )
 
David, I think you were right, less is more.. I do like it's nicely composed, and the oof flowers bring it together nicely... I do agree on the slight softness though... the writing on the ball needs to be post pin sharp
 
Hi Guys,

I have a little catching up to do as I was away on a motorbike tour of the Alps.

Here is my Metal post:..



I had a little difficulty in resizing the image and had to reduce the quality which as washed the image out a little.

There’s something quite melancholy about all those scraped cars…
:(
 
There is definitely something very sad about all those scrapped cars :shake:

It's a shame about the resizing issues, I can see that the quality isn't quite there. However, I do quite like this. There's an almost abstract pattern to the way the cars are stacked up in regular rows.
 
David, I also like this, the patterns work well. Well spotted, it fits the theme nicely. I agree with the sad feel the scrapped cars have.
 
This is bang on theme for metal, well done.

Shame about the quality reduction though. I am sure the original would have popped a lot more. I don't resize my pictures any more. I just upload to flickr and link to the medium sized image on there.

Andy
 
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