jeangenie's 52 for 2009 - Week 26 Night

[-Rob-]

I like the thinking behind this one and the execution of it is very good. Definitely worth the effort.

6 Photoshop is wonderful - and yet again I've discovered how much I don't know. :bang:

Has anyone ever discovered how much they don't know about Photoshop? For every feature you don't know how to use there are 10 you'll never even discover.

I'm not convinced that I've really demonstrated 'Identity', but I enjoyed the challenge.

I think you've demonstrated it perfectly. If it means 'identity' to you then who else can argue? Without your explaination I'd have struggled to understand your picture but knowing the story behind the picture makes it even better. I haven't had anyone comment on my identity picture yet so maybe no one gets mine. :bang: :shrug:

 

[Toothie]

Wealth and Identity are both great takes on the theme

The identity shot is really good IMO and the explanation add to it

 

[jeangenie]

Jean, love the photo. The detail in the front with the shadow going forward too I am most impressed (I want to give this a try myself now too)

Thank you Simon. Good luck if you do have a go at this. Don't forget to share the results.

Great detail and lighting, and as ever great reading about your inspiration and about your approach and lessons learned.

Thanks John. I would have liked to get the detail in camera, rather than having to pull it out in ps - just glad I wasn't trying to do it on film

Another fascinating piece of personal history, the picture is good too, I think you overcame your obstacles well to achieve this shot.

Mark

Many thanks, Mark.

Yep, you have done well Jean, another good image linked to a powerful story fitting the theme.

Interesting to read the challenges you overcame too, well done.

Thanks, Hyster. I did say I wanted to learn something new every week - and I'm ridiculously pleased to have learned how to use the timer. :nuts:

That is a very impressive shot, and an interesting interpretation of the theme! I know, now I can see it, how you intended the shadow to work, and indeed, it does!

Thanks Ian. Glad it makes sense - and you'd have liked the set up!

I like the thinking behind this one and the execution of it is very good. Definitely worth the effort.


Has anyone ever discovered how much they don't know about Photoshop? For every feature you don't know how to use there are 10 you'll never even discover.


I think you've demonstrated it perfectly. If it means 'identity' to you then who else can argue? Without your explaination I'd have struggled to understand your picture but knowing the story behind the picture makes it even better. I haven't had anyone comment on my identity picture yet so maybe no one gets mine. :bang: :shrug:

You're very kind, Rob. I'll try and be less obscure next week, though. Your Identity pictures are excellent - I've only just seen them but I really take my hat off to you for persistence and execution!

Wealth and Identity are both great takes on the theme

The identity shot is really good IMO and the explanation add to it

That's really kind of you Ruth. Thanks.

Jean

 

[ScotlandTheScare]

Great image - superb detail in it and I like the idea of the shadow stretching forwards in time. It there any way you could have got the lighting to cast a shadow that was more elongated (i.e. streatching even more?). I guess it was difficult enough to get the lighting right on this one though! Well done

 

[jgs001]

Nicely done Jean, love the detail and the shadow. And the story behind the shot as well.

 

[Spartacus]

Jean you are so clever and brave to bring this about...

You have product a great image...nice detail and the shadow is brilliant from my point of view, I would have struggled to work out how to do this...:shake:

and the lovely story, all be it a sad one really make this shot come alive...

Trust me you did pull it off for this week...

 

[jeangenie]

Great image - superb detail in it and I like the idea of the shadow stretching forwards in time. It there any way you could have got the lighting to cast a shadow that was more elongated (i.e. streatching even more?). I guess it was difficult enough to get the lighting right on this one though! Well done

You're very kind. Thank you.

I wanted to stretch the shadow forward right to the edge of the frame but I only used sunlight and as the sun moved round a glazing bar in the window cast a shadow over my 'product table'. Without doing maaaasive furniture moving I was snookered! I ended up doing quite a bit of work in PS anyway - not what I intended.

Nicely done Jean, love the detail and the shadow. And the story behind the shot as well.

Thanks John - I appreciate the comments very much.

Trust me you did pull it off for this week...

Awwww - thanks. I was worried it was a bit too obscure for the theme.

Jean

 

[jammy_c]

Awesome shot, and you can't tell it's been anywhere near Photoshop. great job on getting the lighting mastered!
can I ask what size the medallion is? and what you managed to find to stand it up against eventually?? (apologies if you've already mentioned).

Excellent work, and well done for not being tempted into cleaning it! looks much better in it's "weathered" state! did you try it in B&W at all?

 

[jeangenie]

jammy - thanks - you're being very kind. It's especially nice to get praise for NOT cleaning something.

The medallion's 120cm (4.5") in diameter and quite heavy. No, I didn't say what I used to prop it up because I didn't know what to call it - it's one of those single extension socket thingies that lets you plug 3 appliances into one socket, and the compulsory wodge of blu tak to stop it sliding backwards. I do like the hi-tech approach, as you can see

Just tried b&W. What do you think?

Jean

 

[jammy_c]

Yeah that's the trick I think that looks great. more importantly, what do you think?

It certainly would be heavy if it was 120cm in dia. I think you mean millimeters. lol :bonk:

 

[jeangenie]

Yeah that's the trick I think that looks great. more importantly, what do you think?

It certainly would be heavy if it was 120cm in dia. I think you mean millimeters. lol :bonk:

Doh :bonk:

Not sure about the B&W tbh. I'd like it to be a bit more contrasty, but don't think that would suit the sense of it being from the past. But what do I know - certainly not the difference between cm and mm.

Jean

 

[jammy_c]

haha
I like both of them TBH, I actually really like the colour on the original, looking back. but the b&w makes it look even older IMO.
congrats on the shot either way, plus, what a fantasic piece of history to own! it's great.
looking forward to seeing ** wisdom addition...

 

[jeangenie]

haha
looking forward to seeing ** wisdom addition...

..... something about the wisdom of mastering elementary maths seems to be on the cards.

Jean

 

[jammy_c]

as long as it's not conversions from metric to imperial. i can't talk. my maths is aweful!

 

[Shorty]

Re: your wealth shot
*drooooooooooooooool*
Nothing else to add. Just absolute heavenly heaven.
This choc chip cookies and oreos are MINE!



Ace shot

And Jean, I am now going to have a pop at you, I had my wisdom shot, sussed and togged. And then read a comment of yours and a new idea altogether has popped into my head. Thanks very much :razz:

 

[Bruja]

Sorry Jean, missed your wealth shot, I ran out of steam and never got caught back up

I love it the photograph is spot on, great Dof, composition, and pin sharp. The story that goes with it puts our life into perspective. Relative wealth is very important. I remember a friend telling me a few years ago how she hated bananas. During the war they weren't available and in the 50s they were very expensive so she didn't get to try one until she was a teenager. Unfortunately no one told her you had to peel it first

As for Identity I really like both versions of this. Apart from the space on the right which you've already identified it's a great interpretation on the theme. And after reading all the work you put into it I'm going to have a lie down with a stiff drink

I love reading your stories and your learning points and you are so supportive to everyone on here, an inspiration. And btw, I love your pictures too.

 

[jeangenie]

as long as it's not conversions from metric to imperial. i can't talk. my maths is aweful!

Nice to know I'm not alone on the bottom rung of the maths ladder, then.

And Jean, I am now going to have a pop at you, I had my wisdom shot, sussed and togged. And then read a comment of yours and a new idea altogether has popped into my head. Thanks very much

Shorty - I hate you and I've eaten ALL the Oreos, not just in my pic, but in the whole wide world, so there (looks for 'Stamps foot in rage' emoticon). Seriously, glad I've been of help - I'm still struggling to come up with a Wisdom shot.

Sorry Jean, missed your wealth shot, I ran out of steam and never got caught back up

I love it the photograph is spot on, great Dof, composition, and pin sharp. The story that goes with it puts our life into perspective. Relative wealth is very important. I remember a friend telling me a few years ago how she hated bananas. During the war they weren't available and in the 50s they were very expensive so she didn't get to try one until she was a teenager. Unfortunately no one told her you had to peel it first

As for Identity I really like both versions of this. Apart from the space on the right which you've already identified it's a great interpretation on the theme. And after reading all the work you put into it I'm going to have a lie down with a stiff drink

I love reading your stories and your learning points and you are so supportive to everyone on here, an inspiration. And btw, I love your pictures too.

Hey, no worries, Jill - I hope your energy levels are on the up again.

I love the story of your friend and bananas - it reminds my of a friend at college who had grown up in Argentina and was so excited when she saw her first snowflakes - through a classroom window. She ran outside at the end of the lesson and returned a few minutes later, almost in tears. She thought snow would be warm and like cottonwool, not cold and wet!

Thank you for your very kind comments, Jill. I'm never confident about any of my photography so your support means a great deal.

Jean

 

[jeangenie]

Wisdom - err would that be Norman, then? Apparently not. Hey ho

This was always going to be difficult. 'Wisdom' sounds like something straight out of a philosphy textbook and I've failed to understand every one of those I've ever had to read. So, I Googled for quotes about what Wisdom means, and came up with some very interesting stuff but not stuff I could make into an image.

Then I found this:

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."

Thanks to Dr Lin Yutang, for this gem.

Doesn't that sounds great - the noble art of leaving things undone

What do I regularly leave 'undone' -



the ironing




of course.

So, sorry, folks, here it is in all its glory

I never imagined how useful it would be, and that I could claim wisdom from letting it pile up week after week.

The only place a could find to do this shot was in a window - back lighting for the second consecutive week. :bang:


Lessons learned:

1 There's thinking out of the box - and there's losing the plot. They're not the same thing.

2 If you've got your mind on other things when you're taking photos it shows. I was trying - and failing - to bid on fleabay at the same time.

3 Mr JG should stay in and do his own fleabay-ing.

4 There aren't many places you can hang shirts up in the average house.

5 We've got too many clothes.

6 Bull dog clips are great for holding curtains in place.

7 I need a new ironingboard cover.

8 And a bigger laundry basket

9 And more sleep

10 And to spend more time on composition

11 And an easier theme for Week 11 - pleeeeeeeessssse.


So, all in all, not a very happy bunny. I don't feel I've given this my best shot this week.

Jean

 

[Dark Star]

Jean - always a great read and always a great shot

You've nailed it in a great interpretation

and I thank you for this....

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."

My new motto

Cheers

John

 

[jammy_c]

So, all in all, not a very happy bunny. I don't feel I've given this my best shot this week.

That's alright, it'll always give you an oportunity for a re-shoot in a few weeks when u get some inspiration.

As far as it goes, i think it's not a bad shot. it's the sort of photo i'd use for "stress" more than wisdom though i think
our house looks a bit like that at the mo because the missus keep putting it off! lol.

you only really learn from re-taking and improving your shots on a theme that you are not personally happy with, so what's the use in being happy with every photo you take? lol.

I like it anyhow...

 

[SimonTALM]

Jean

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." Dr Lin Yutang

Thank you for that quote it has really made me smile I love your photograph to go with it, it matches so well. I can actually see that image on a card with the quote underneath

 

[Toothie]

Personally i think it was a great idea

And the shot just adds to it to me it says "life happens". Some things are just gonna have to wait and iornign should definiatly be one of them.

 

[jeangenie]

and I thank you for this...

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."

My new motto

Cheers

John

My pleasure, John. And thanks for the comments.

it's the sort of photo i'd use for "stress" more than wisdom though i think

our house looks a bit like that at the mo because the missus keep putting it off! lol.

you only really learn from re-taking and improving your shots on a theme that you are not personally happy with, so what's the use in being happy with every photo you take? lol.

I like it anyhow...

Thanks you Jammy-c. A huge pile of ironing isn't stressful if you can shut it in a room all by itself. I hope you've shown your missus the quote.

Oh, and I lke the thought of being unhappy with some photos to leave room for improvement on a reshoot. tbh, I can apply this to every single week so far. :bang:

Jean

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." Dr Lin Yutang

Thank you for that quote it has really made me smile I love your photograph to go with it, it matches so well. I can actually see that image on a card with the quote underneath

Thank you kindly, Simon. Never thought about a card!

Personally i think it was a great idea

And the shot just adds to it to me it says "life happens". Some things are just gonna have to wait and iornign should definiatly be one of them.

A girl after my own heart, Ruth.

Jean

 

[jgs001]

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."

2 If you've got your mind on other things when you're taking photos it shows. I was trying - and failing - to bid on fleabay at the same time.

3 Mr JG should stay in and do his own fleabay-ing.

11 And an easier theme for Week 11 - pleeeeeeeessssse.

Jean, it's worked really well, and is an interpretation quite out of the box. I do really like the quote though, that's a beaut of a pearl and I may just have to print that out and put it over my monitor .

As for number 2 and 3, a little gem for you... check out jbidwatcher...

as for number 11, I think we're all out of luck... again...

 

[Spartacus]

He He He there you go again making me laugh...

Thought I was having a bad week...but you trumped me...

It's a great interpreation...and lovely story...

 

[Bruja]

Jean, stop being so hard on yourself

It's an off the wall (or in this case, an off the curtain rail) approach but no less valid because of that. The quote is very apt for all of us I think and the photograph reflects something that we all have to contend with. So well done, (and I'm going to shout this) AGAIN!!!!!

 

[Shorty]

Can I just say, I'm always amazed at how brill you compose your shots, and this is no different, you do give a lot of good thought into it

I think this is ace!

 

[jeangenie]

I do really like the quote though, that's a beaut of a pearl and I may just have to print that out and put it over my monitor.

As for number 2 and 3, a little gem for you... check out jbidwatcher...

as for number 11, I think we're all out of luck... again...

Thank you very much - when I find good quotes like this I always wish I'd thought of them first!

If jbdiwatcher will get me out of repeat fleabay traumas - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think life is too short for fleabay. I'll pass it on to Mr JG.

He He He there you go again making me laugh...

Thought I was having a bad week...but you trumped me

... and another bad week this week, I fear.

Jean, stop being so hard on yourself

It's an off the wall (or in this case, an off the curtain rail) approach but no less valid because of that. The quote is very apt for all of us I think and the photograph reflects something that we all have to contend with. So well done, (and I'm going to shout this) AGAIN!!!!!

Jill - thank you so much. You're great at giving encouragement. I can ALWAYS see things 'wrong' with my photos. We've got a newly decorated living room waiting for a canvas but I can't find an image I could live with for more than 10 minutes!

Can I just say, I'm always amazed at how brill you compose your shots, and this is no different, you do give a lot of good thought into it

I think this is ace!

Shorty - you're very kind.





Jean

 

[dizzy]

Jean, very nice shot, great interpretation and another fabulous write up. It's had Mrs Dizzy and I laughing so hard the cat nearly jumped off the bed. Well, nearly...

She also said you're not trying hard enough if that's all the ironing you've got after a few weeks!!!

 

[jeangenie]

Jean, very nice shot, great interpretation and another fabulous write up. It's had Mrs Dizzy and I laughing so hard the cat nearly jumped off the bed. Well, nearly...

She also said you're not trying hard enough if that's all the ironing you've got after a few weeks!!!

Thank you Dizzy. I hope the cat has recovered from such hilarity from her slaves.


Please tell Mrs Dizzy not to worry - there's at least as much again, but the pile kept falling over.

Jean

 

[jgs001]

If jbdiwatcher will get me out of repeat fleabay traumas - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think life is too short for fleabay. I'll pass it on to Mr JG.

Jean, it's very easy to use, set and forget.... let it do the work. You won't necessarily always win, but ...

 

[jeangenie]

Jean, it's very easy to use, set and forget.... let it do the work. You won't necessarily always win, but ...

Thanks John. It's not just the bidding bit - Mr JG can spend hours looking at things he's interested in, although he's not necessarily going to bid on them. I'm very happy for him to do that - after all I spend a fair bit of time on TP and we have separate computers. It was just on Saturday he'd left me to deal with a bid for him and I lost it because I misjudged the timing (I think). So your suggestion should let me off the hook. You're a star.

Jean

 

[Hyster]

I love the reasoning behind the shot, profound and the image fits the theme, no doubt about it.

I find the composition a little messy, I know its supposed to be messy but hopefully you know what I mean. I find the bottom of the image a bit distracting too.

Hope you don't mind my comment Jean, I've too much respect for you to be "cheerleading" in your thread.

Its not your strongest image Jean but I would think most would struggle to make a basket of ironing look good, looking forward to seeing that eye for composition return next week and hopefully you will be a happier bunny.

 

[ScotlandTheScare]

I kind of like this image - no idea why I should like a picture of some clothes and an iron - but its quite charismatic and honest . I can see where you're coming from on wisdom - but to me it is talking more about life. I.e. there's a never ending stream of crap that we have to deal with, but can still make it seem interesting. Anyway - good image - and a good insight into your life!

 

[jeangenie]

I love the reasoning behind the shot, profound and the image fits the theme, no doubt about it.

I find the composition a little messy, I know its supposed to be messy but hopefully you know what I mean. I find the bottom of the image a bit distracting too.

Hope you don't mind my comment Jean, I've too much respect for you to be "cheerleading" in your thread.

Its not your strongest image Jean but I would think most would struggle to make a basket of ironing look good, looking forward to seeing that eye for composition return next week and hopefully you will be a happier bunny.

Hyster - thank you for the constructive, and perceptive, comments - I'd much rather have honesty than flattery. Thank you also for the compliment.

I knew when I was taking this that 'something wasn't quite right' and I know I should have turned the ironing board round to get rid of the messy bit underneath. I felt I should also have arranged the shirts more over to the left to give a better 'flow' through the picture.

I don't know if this would actually have improved the composition, but they were the thoughts I had. But I was having an 'off' day and being lazy. It did feel a bit like Tracey Emmin's bed, but cleaner.

I can see where you're coming from on wisdom - but to me it is talking more about life. I.e. there's a never ending stream of crap that we have to deal with, but can still make it seem interesting. Anyway - good image - and a good insight into your life!

I think we can all relate to the never ending stream of crap. Thank you for your kind comments.

Jean

 

[maddog.mark]

I think we all have a new motto to live by, thanks Jean.

The image isn't you're strongest but it does fit the theme and the motto. I think we all struggled with the theme this week, I nearly didn't get a shot at all.

Mark

 

[jeangenie]

I think we all have a new motto to live by, thanks Jean.

Mark

It's the motto I've lived by, without realising it.

Jean

 

[jeangenie]

Week 11 Relationships

We'll there's no danger whatsoever that I'm going to raise the tone of this Challenge today.

Relationships is a great theme and covers the whole gamut of human life. The difficult bit for me was deciding where to focus my attention. Well, let's begin at the beginning - all the milestones in a brand new his'n'her relationship. Yeah, I could have chosen something romantic and meaningful, but as somebody who nearly forgot her own first wedding anniversary it's not very likely.

I've chosen that point where you get an extra toothbrush to leave at your new other half's place, and some of you may be old enough to remember the Max Bygraves song:

"You're a Pink Toothbrush, I'm a Blue Toothbrush"

You're a pink toothbrush, I'm a blue toothbrush
Have we met somewhere before?
You're a pink toothbrush and I think toothbrush
That we met by the bathroom door.
Glad to meet toothbrush, such a sweeet toothbrush
How you thrill me through and through
Don't be hard toothbrush on a soft toothbrush
'Cuase I can't help loving you.

Every time I hear you whistle ...
it makes my nylon bristle ...

You're a pink toothbrush, I'm a blue toothbrush
Won't you marry me in haste?
I'll be true toothbrush, just to you toothbrush
When we both use the same toothpaste.

... and if you want the music as well:


http://bussongs.com/songs/pink_toothrbush_blue_toothbrush.php


So my image this week is what I hope is an amorous-looking blue toobrush who's just about to pull.

Lessons learned:

1 I'm getting in a rut. This is the third week I've left myself struggling with backlit subjects. :nuts:

2 Toothbrushes are neither photogenic nor infinitely pose-able (?)

3 Shooting portrait on my tripod doesn't get any easier.

4 I love my D700 for lots of reasons, not least because it's easy to get the memory card in and out with the camera on the tripod.

5 Don't leave shooting until Sunday morning - the sun was shining and the siren call of the great outdoors (the weeds in the back garden ) were luring me outside.

6 Playing with borders is no excuse for an uninspiring photo, even if I do think this one looks a bit like a bevelled mirror.

7 Beware of songs with irritating tunes. They stay in your head for days.

Please feel free to criticise - I'd like to improve it but have run out of ideas.

Jean

Lesson #8 - Don't forget to clear up the bathroom!

 

[Dark Star]

Great idea Jean!!! They almost look like they are about to canoodle (showing my age )

The only niggle I would have is that the brushes themselves lack a bit of punch! Maybe a bit more contrast?

The set up and idea though I can't fault

And I'll be off to Cuba with that bloody tune in my head now!! Damn

 

[Hyster]

I like this Jean, a clever idea that works well.