jeangenie's 52 for 2010 - Week 26 Beginnings

[robp]

Ooh blimey, what fond, fond memories

I love both images but just about prefer image two.
I think the composition is more balanced and I like the dof. Also, I had actually forgotten that the spanner had that extra nut-shaped hole in the middle, so many thanks for the reminder.

 

[RichM]

Hi jeangenie,

I thought i'd look up your thread since you posted such an in depth comment on my 52 thread, i'm afraid i don't have time to look back though all of your images i missed (work in half an hour, EEK) but i'll leave my comments on the last 2

People: Since i have still to manage to take a single silhouette i think this one is really well shot. I love the composition, people on the right and the trees are almost on exactly on the thirds. I also like the fact that a small amount of detail can be seen on the two dogs, without this they'd be unrecognisable. All in all, amazing shot

Mechanical: No#1 is doing it for me. The paperwork in the background adds a bit of age to the picture which i like. Number two could easily be a shop bought contemporary toy but the first one looks OOOLD
Nice colours and good composition, only criticism i can think of is, i wonder how it'd look with a looser crop.

Have a good week,

Rich

 

[Sparkles33]

Love the first mechanical shot, it's fantastic!

 

[mich66]

two great shots.. torn between them.. so am staying firmly on the fence

like the old booklet, adds extra interest on the first shot.. but also love the compostion and DOF on the second.. nice interpretation of the theme

 

[SpidersEye]

I can't decide which one I like best - the first one has more interest for me I think, as the book in the backbround give an all-over vintage look to the picture, but I really like the composition of the second. So I like them both equally

 

[holryn]

Time for a catch-up Jean as I've missed the past few weeks:

People - a lovely silhouette shot and I think the sky lends itself nicely to drawing you in.

Mechanical - well what can you say - Meccano is (or was!) great. I prefer the first shot, although I agree with the comments regarding the instructions. Would have set it off nicely if they were for the model. I like the overall colour as well.

 

[lizbeth]

Number 1 for me - I like the way your have included the instructions : )

 

[68lbs]

I love both of these mechanical shots, partly because I'm a Lego person and had forgotten about Meccano! This looks like some cool stuff - albeit a little rusty. Number one is my fave.

 

[Daysleeper40]

Hello Mrs

Sorry I havn't been in to see how you are getting on for a while - I've been taking a bit of a break from the forum but I couldn't stay away long

I randomly opened your thread at "Present" so I'm just going to start there...

Present - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Great shot to look back on. I'm finding Mr JG's oof head a bit too oof but I actually love Clyde in this shot. It tells a different story - munchkin is a present for all the people but little Clyde looks like he's saying "Don't forget about me when that baby arrives!".

People - Good effort in tricky conditions. I'd agree that overall it is too dark in the forground but I like the idea of the silhouette and the composition is spot on. I thing you've made the best of what you were faced with. I'd lose the border though...

Mechanical - No. 2 for me all the way. They are obviously both staged but the first looks more "set up" than the second. I actually believe someone has been playing with the meccano in the second shot and the loose nuts & bolts show how they've been learning about fitting it all together and making in work. The book sort of forces the theme on the viewer where as the second shot is more subtle for me. Nice DOF too

 

[SarahLee]

Please be aware that how you vote on this could have far reaching consequences in the JG household.

Oh the responsibility !!!!

Heh, it's funny actually. I think they compliment each other. The first shot tells you how old the Meccano is with the writing on the book. The second shot shows you how old it is with the textures so well captured on your model. They both tell the same story (for me) just in different ways. And I like both equally. Well done!

And that was a very diplomatic response from Ian.

However, it's definitely no.2 for me.
While I can see the story and the appeal in shot no.1, compositionally shot no.2 just has tons more impact for me.
I like the DoF and I like all the bits and pieces scattered around the foreground. I almost want to reach in and start picking them up.

Like Jenny, I thought about Mr JG's steam engine when this theme was pulled - so I'm glad that it's given him the opportunity to get more of his toys out this week, even if I preferred your composition to his.

 

[Tracer]

I agree with Sarah on this one - the first shot is fun but I much prefer the second - great arrangement of the different bits and pieces and use of DOF. I used to love Meccano as a child and would pinch bits from my brother.

Just hope I am not contributing to disharmony in the JG household...

 

[jeangenie]

Ooh blimey, what fond, fond memories

I love both images but just about prefer image two.
I think the composition is more balanced and I like the dof. Also, I had actually forgotten that the spanner had that extra nut-shaped hole in the middle, so many thanks for the reminder.

I' pleased it's brught back some happy memories. And a true Meccano fan, remebering the spanner!

Hi jeangenie,

I thought i'd look up your thread since you posted such an in depth comment on my 52 thread, i'm afraid i don't have time to look back though all of your images i missed (work in half an hour, EEK) but i'll leave my comments on the last 2 No worries, Rich. I'm enjoying your thread.

People: Since i have still to manage to take a single silhouette i think this one is really well shot. I love the composition, people on the right and the trees are almost on exactly on the thirds. I also like the fact that a small amount of detail can be seen on the two dogs, without this they'd be unrecognisable. All in all, amazing shot

Mechanical: No#1 is doing it for me. The paperwork in the background adds a bit of age to the picture which i like. Number two could easily be a shop bought contemporary toy but the first one looks OOOLD
Nice colours and good composition, only criticism i can think of is, i wonder how it'd look with a looser crop.

Have a good week,

Rich

Thank you kindly, Rich. People was much more luck than judgment, and it was that or nothing!

The paperwork on the first Mechanical shot is a little booklet about how 'jooly' Meccano is for boys! We're still trying to date it accurately! Thanks very much for your feedback - I really appreciate it.

Love the first mechanical shot, it's fantastic!

Thank you very much - not in the same league as your sps, though.

two great shots.. torn between them.. so am staying firmly on the fence

like the old booklet, adds extra interest on the first shot.. but also love the compostion and DOF on the second.. nice interpretation of the theme

You're allowed to fence sit! Thanks for the comments.

I can't decide which one I like best - the first one has more interest for me I think, as the book in the backbround give an all-over vintage look to the picture, but I really like the composition of the second. So I like them both equally

Thank you Kay. It's getting more crowded on the fence!

Jean

 

[jeangenie]

Time for a catch-up Jean as I've missed the past few weeks: Thanks, Paul - it's really hard to keep up with the 52s, so I do appreciate it.

People - a lovely silhouette shot and I think the sky lends itself nicely to drawing you in.

Mechanical - well what can you say - Meccano is (or was!) great. I prefer the first shot, although I agree with the comments regarding the instructions. Would have set it off nicely if they were for the model. I like the overall colour as well.

Thanks for your kind comments. btw, Meccano is still produced - it's now owned by a French company and is, I think, plastic. But the principles are still the same.

Number 1 for me - I like the way your have included the instructions

Thank you for dropping in on my thread and for the comments, Liz.

I love both of these mechanical shots, partly because I'm a Lego person and had forgotten about Meccano! This looks like some cool stuff - albeit a little rusty. Number one is my fave.

Tut, tut, forgotten about Meccano! Mr JG is 'into' vintage Meccano and most of it's more rusty than this! Glad you like #1.

Hello Mrs

Sorry I havn't been in to see how you are getting on for a while - I've been taking a bit of a break from the forum but I couldn't stay away long

I randomly opened your thread at "Present" so I'm just going to start there...

Present - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Great shot to look back on. I'm finding Mr JG's oof head a bit too oof but I actually love Clyde in this shot. It tells a different story - munchkin is a present for all the people but little Clyde looks like he's saying "Don't forget about me when that baby arrives!".

People - Good effort in tricky conditions. I'd agree that overall it is too dark in the forground but I like the idea of the silhouette and the composition is spot on. I thing you've made the best of what you were faced with. I'd lose the border though...

to you, too, Fi. You've been missed! As far as the baby goes, Clyde won't let anybody forget him. If all else fails, he launches himself onto your lap and throws himself backward into your arms for a tummy-tickle. I appreciate you comments on the People border - I keep experimenting with them and can get carried away!

Mechanical - No. 2 for me all the way. They are obviously both staged but the first looks more "set up" than the second. I actually believe someone has been playing with the meccano in the second shot and the loose nuts & bolts show how they've been learning about fitting it all together and making in work. The book sort of forces the theme on the viewer where as the second shot is more subtle for me. Nice DOF too

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback on Mechanical - I appreciate it.

How's your photography progressing, Fi? I'm hoping you're going to come back with some interesting innovations, building on your brilliant 52 journey last year.

Oh the responsibility !!!!



And that was a very diplomatic response from Ian. Peace is restored in the JG household.

However, it's definitely no.2 for me.
While I can see the story and the appeal in shot no.1, compositionally shot no.2 just has tons more impact for me.
I like the DoF and I like all the bits and pieces scattered around the foreground. I almost want to reach in and start picking them up.

Like Jenny, I thought about Mr JG's steam engine when this theme was pulled - so I'm glad that it's given him the opportunity to get more of his toys out this week, even if I preferred your composition to his.

Thanks, as always for the thoughtful and thorough feedback. I'm just wondering which other 'toys' I can use for Play this week!

I agree with Sarah on this one - the first shot is fun but I much prefer the second - great arrangement of the different bits and pieces and use of DOF. I used to love Meccano as a child and would pinch bits from my brother.

Just hope I am not contributing to disharmony in the JG household...

Thanks, Tracer. I desperately wanted Meccano as I child, but it wasn't considered a girls' toy - and I didn't have a brother.

Jean

 

[jeangenie]

Why is it that the themes that seem easy end up being the most difficult! :bang:

I knew what I wanted - our two Yorkies playing chase, tug or let's see who can bite the other dog's legs. This sort of shot is best done outside but it's too cold and too wet (for me - would you want to lie on the ground at this time of the year?) so it was a question of catching them at play in the house, and when I was about to give up and post an old shot they started to chase light reflections! Did I say they're nuts and have half the attention span of a gnat? They're also very small and very fast, so I'm not particularly pleased with the results but it was this or nothing.

#1 "Where's that reflection gone?"




#2 "Come and get me! And before you ask - I haven't got a long wooden appendage!"



And #3 is an example of what most of the other shots were like - a flurry of heads and tails!



It was never going to be an easy shot, but I'd hoped for something better than either of these. To make it more difficult the living room was half bright sunlight and half shade (and needed tidying up )

Your comments are most welcome, and it's ok to be honest!

Jean

 

[jollyjack]

I like #1 Jean, you can have great fun watching them chase lights across the ceiling.

#3 to blurry for me, sorry

 

[jeangenie]

I like #1 Jean, you can have great fun watching them chase lights across the ceiling.

#3 to blurry for me, sorry

Thanks for the comments, Jon. I'm glad you like it. tbh, I put #3 in to just to show how really awful the other hundred or so shots were - it's like trying to photograph two little bullets travelling in random directions.

Jean

 

[dlh]

I like the first Jean. Looks like they're singing away rather than searching for lights. Quite comical and you've caught it well. Second I'm hit in the face by whatever it is in the foreground and the third is obviously boisterous but a blur, much like every day with them I should think

 

[foggy4ever]

They look like 2 little statues in the first one, very cute. It's hard work shooting moving animals in doors I know from experience looks like you had some good light to help.

 

[lizbeth]

I like the first and the third - I have terriers and the third one just sums up what energetic little monsters they are especially when we have visitors

 

[justlooking]

I like #1 .. you have cute dogs.

 

[Nick T]

#1 for me - my cats do exactly the same thing with a shiny light - keeps them amused for hours

 

[SarahLee]

You know that I have exactly the same trouble getting any shots of my dog, so I'm HUGELY impressed with No.1 - especially since it's 2 dogs, so double the problem!
Good, crisp, clear and I'd love to know how you managed t get them to keep their heads still but still get motion blur on their tails!

No.2 made me smile but it isn't quite doing it for me as an image, sorry.
Strangely enough, it's the things that made me smile that are spoiling it as an image (if that makes any sense at all) . . .
the oof doggy in front of the camera, the wooden appendage and at a first glance I though he was raising his leg to "water" your plant

and No.3 . . . what can I say? That's how 99% of my dog photos look!!!

 

[holryn]

Hahaha #1 for me Jean. I love doing this to cats and dogs .

 

[Shirleyr]

At last I've found your doggy photos, all those compliments I've passed and your lovely photos. Yours dogs are lovely pictures of health the two of them I bet they make lovley pets. Enjoyed seeing all your photos.

 

[Stephen Ramsay]

No1 is superb Jean.

The body posture of the dogs shows they are up to something and the colour is brilliant, I've yet to get a nicely coloured image in my 52. The tails wagging really make this picture for me because it shows they are happy and playful.

Having shot cats and dogs briefly before I know how hard it can be, so very well done for capturing this!!

I know how it feels when you have something in mind and it doesn't go your way for some reason or another, but I think we all experience that once in a while...makes it the more fun

 

[Harlequin565]

Why is it that the themes that seem easy end up being the most difficult!

For me, it's because I have an idea in my head and can never manage to put it on (photographic) paper.

#1 stands out for me Jean. It looks like they're howling at the moon.

The 2nd one suffers from the blurred thing taking up some of the frame, and also the wooden leg. The third is just too blurred.

I have a grey Aracana (chicken) with lovely orange eyes that I've been trying to shoot for weeks but she just will not stand still, so I appreciate how tough these subject can be.

#1 is a grand shot though. One for the mantlepiece.

Ian.

 

[jeangenie]

I like the first Jean. Looks like they're singing away rather than searching for lights. Quite comical and you've caught it well. Second I'm hit in the face by whatever it is in the foreground and the third is obviously boisterous but a blur, much like every day with them I should think

Hehe - they were certainly making a noise, but it definitely wasn't 'singing'. The blob in the foreground is the hed of the other dog who leapt onto the chair by me just as I was taking the shot! Foretunately, they do sleep - sometimes.

They look like 2 little statues in the first one, very cute. It's hard work shooting moving animals in doors I know from experience looks like you had some good light to help.

Glad you liked it, Scott, although they're not much easier to shoot out of doors - I keep losing sight of them because they're only about 10" at their shoulders.

I like the first and the third - I have terriers and the third one just sums up what energetic little monsters they are especially when we have visitors

What sort of terrors - ooops, terriers do you have, Liz? These are the first terriers we've ever had and I'm still learning!

 

[jeangenie]

I like #1 .. you have cute dogs.

Thank you kindly - I think they're cute too - usually.

#1 for me - my cats do exactly the same thing with a shiny light - keeps them amused for hours

Hehehe. These two are so nutty we hve to coer their name discs to stop them chasing the reflections on their own collars.

You know that I have exactly the same trouble getting any shots of my dog, so I'm HUGELY impressed with No.1 - especially since it's 2 dogs, so double the problem!
Good, crisp, clear and I'd love to know how you managed t get them to keep their heads still but still get motion blur on their tails! My special secret weapon, Sarah - luck!

No.2 made me smile but it isn't quite doing it for me as an image, sorry.
Strangely enough, it's the things that made me smile that are spoiling it as an image (if that makes any sense at all) . . .
the oof doggy in front of the camera, the wooden appendage and at a first glance I though he was raising his leg to "water" your plant Hehehe.

and No.3 . . . what can I say? That's how 99% of my dog photos look!!!It seems to be a common problem.

Hahaha #1 for me Jean. I love doing this to cats and dogs .

Thanks. They were actually chasing reflections from my camera lens, which made framing the shot rather difficult. :nuts:

At last I've found your doggy photos, all those compliments I've passed and your lovely photos. Yours dogs are lovely pictures of health the two of them I bet they make lovley pets. Enjoyed seeing all your photos.

Thank you very much. The light coloured one is actually very difficult to feed - he's permanently a bit underweight, but we've just switched to a barf diet (bones and raw food!, not !) and he seems much happier on it.

 

[jeangenie]

No1 is superb Jean.

The body posture of the dogs shows they are up to something and the colour is brilliant, I've yet to get a nicely coloured image in my 52. The tails wagging really make this picture for me because it shows they are happy and playful.

Having shot cats and dogs briefly before I know how hard it can be, so very well done for capturing this!!

I know how it feels when you have something in mind and it doesn't go your way for some reason or another, but I think we all experience that once in a while...makes it the more fun

Many thanks for the lovely comments, Stephen. They were hving lots of fun!


I totally gree with your last comment - the unexpected makes photography different and exciting eery time you pcik up the camera.

For me, it's because I have an idea in my head and can never manage to put it on (photographic) paper.

#1 stands out for me Jean. It looks like they're howling at the moon. That's almost the case - they were barking, in unison!

The 2nd one suffers from the blurred thing taking up some of the frame, and also the wooden leg. The third is just too blurred.

I have a grey Aracana (chicken) with lovely orange eyes that I've been trying to shoot for weeks but she just will not stand still, so I appreciate how tough these subject can be. That sounds a really difficult subject - at least I can try and get Rusty and Clyde to 'sit'! Good luck - please show us the results.

#1 is a grand shot though. One for the mantlepiece. Thank you, Ian.


Jean

Ian.

 

[jgs001]

That first one is excellent Jean, spot on, and they look engrossed. The little bit of motion blur in the tails really sets it off... Second is not so good, the large blur on the left is a bit heavy... it might work in a portrait crop with just a wee bit of the oof bit left. The last is quite funny... and they look darn quick...

 

[mowse73]

HI Jean, I like that first shot for week 9, nice and sharp.

 

[Tracer]

Awww - that first shot is a cracker. What lovely little dogs - you have really captured a playful moment. I'm not that keen on the second one but quite like the third one - if the background had been sharp the motion blur would have been quite effective. Presumably you were struggling for light, though.

 

[mich66]

great first shot.. they look right characters.. great to get them both still and nicely focused at the same time.. something I never achieve when more than one of my cats is involved

 

[ladysue]

I love your first play shot and what gorgeous little dogs.

 

[dade_f]

first gets my vote, nice shot and they are both in focus.
second - no idea what the thing on the left of frame is, but distracting and the dog looks like it about to pee on your tree!!
third - true to form images of pets, lol. I think and outside shot (plenty of light) and one dog standing still the other going nuts around him/her would be great.

well done, not an easy task

 

[robp]

#1 is my favourite. Nice and clear and sharp and the dogs, with their tails wagging, look to be very much at play and enjoying being so.

#2 is my least favourite. You are obviously aware of the technical issues so I won't repeat what others have said, but the point that really struck me was that it doesn't really convey play.

#3 I think interprets the theme best of all and I do like the blur idea. It just seems a bit too much for my liking. Having said that, I do appreciate that you included it simply to demonstrate how most of the images came out.

 

[jeangenie]

That first one is excellent Jean, spot on, and they look engrossed. The little bit of motion blur in the tails really sets it off... Second is not so good, the large blur on the left is a bit heavy... it might work in a portrait crop with just a wee bit of the oof bit left. The last is quite funny... and they look darn quick...

Thanks, John. The large blur on the left is the other dog who leapt onto the chair ready to pounce on the dog on the hearth! Quick? - very!

HI Jean, I like that first shot for week 9, nice and sharp.

Thanks - I'm glad you like it.

Awww - that first shot is a cracker. What lovely little dogs - you have really captured a playful moment. I'm not that keen on the second one but quite like the third one - if the background had been sharp the motion blur would have been quite effective. Presumably you were struggling for light, though.

Thank you very much. They are little characters - typical terriers. Light wasn't the main problem in the third one - they were chasing reflections from the camera lens and moving the reflection to keep then jumping around as the same time as focusing and taking the shot was a bit hit and miss.

great first shot.. they look right characters.. great to get them both still and nicely focused at the same time.. something I never achieve when more than one of my cats is involved

Thanks - you're very kind, but I think cats are much, much, much, more difficult to get. At least one of mine (the black one) likes posing for the camera - cats are far too superior to pose for a mere human.

I love your first play shot and what gorgeous little dogs.

Thanks, Sue. I'll tell them what you said!

#1 is my favourite. Nice and clear and sharp and the dogs, with their tails wagging, look to be very much at play and enjoying being so.

#2 is my least favourite. You are obviously aware of the technical issues so I won't repeat what others have said, but the point that really struck me was that it doesn't really convey play.

#3 I think interprets the theme best of all and I do like the blur idea. It just seems a bit too much for my liking. Having said that, I do appreciate that you included it simply to demonstrate how most of the images came out.

Thanks for the feedback, Rob. I would have like to have had a clearer background and slightly less blur in #3 - but there's always next time.

Jean

 

[jeangenie]

First off - an apology to all those whose 52s I haven't commented on - I can't believe there are still threads I haven't visited at all, yet, but I will, I will.

Chemistry - With no handy labs around for test tubes, conical flasks and all the other paraphenalia of school chemistry labs, I really didn't have any ideas for this. But then I remembered being told that Chemistry is at the heart of all matter, and I looked closer to home! In the kitchen, in fact.

I'm the sort of cook who wanders into the kitchen sometime in the evening and peers into the fridge to see what's there and then cobbles something together - a bit of this, a chunk of that and whatever seasoning I think might work. As long as it doesn't take more than half and hour! The only time I measure ingredients and follow recipes is when I'm baking, when the ratio of one ingredient to another seems to be fairly important and each ingredient has a specific job to do. Just like a chemical equation, in fact.

My effort for Chemistry then, is "A Cake Equation":



Each of the four main ingredients has a function:

The flour (which contains gluten) becomes elastic when manipulated with a liquid and becomes semi-rigid when baked. The gluten develoment is affected by the ratio of fat to sugar to liquid.

The eggs trap the air whisked into them, which supports the flour. When the cake's baked the air expands to make the cake rise (hopefully!) They also contribute colour and flavour.

The fat (ordinary block margarine in this case) coats the gluten strands in the flour so the mixture doesn't become tough.

Sugar increases the volume of the mixture when it's creamed with the fat, and (apparently) raises the final coagulation temperature of the gluten within the flour so that the cake has more time to rise. And of course, it adds sweetness.

So there's all this chemistry going on, and I thought I was just baking a cake.

Photographically, the hardest part of this was the pping, and I needed patient telephone support from Ian (irw1) - thanks Ian, I got there in the end! I'd never really used layers before so this isn't perfect, but it's whetted my appitite to practise and be more adventurous.

Right, I'm just off to put the kettle on - cake anyone?

Jean

 

[dlh]

The second cake today and all I can do is look

Three very nice shots Jean and I like the way you've laid them out in an equation like this. They all look well taken, particularly the cake, and I don't need convincing that it's chemistry

 

[Stephen Ramsay]

Tea two sugars cheers

Great capture (s) of and decent interpretation of the film. Probably the best input and output you will get out of taking a picture for the 52

1st two look great but the 3rd is the main priority for this. Its a shame that the first two didnt have a blackground also, but i understand you were taking the pics as the process went on. Thats my only little niggle

Otherwise that cake looks superb and its my favourite.

So....wheres why tea and slice of cake then?