John's 2010 52, Part 2, Week 52 @ the end - Together (Jan 1st)

Tracer said:
The first is a good pose and expression - I realise you can't do much about the background. I hope you are having fun with the AmDram and that we will see the results some time - the last lot were really good.

The sun shots are amazing, and a perfectly acceptable interpretation of a horrible theme :thumbs:. I can't imagine how you have done it and would love to see your set-up.
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Thanks you... The AmDram stuff is the end of the month for the dress rehearsal, Which is the main event.. and will have the proper backdrops.

blakester said:
The sun shots get my vote too John :thumbs:. Like Tracer, I don't know how you done it but I am impressed with the level of detail in there. Well done. iain
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justlooking said:
Nice change to see a sun shot instead of the moon, amazed you can get such detail.
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jennyb said:
I agree that your sun shots are incredible :clap::clap::clap: I would also like to know how you do these.

It is definitely a raging furnace, so an excellent take on the theme.

Jenny
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Thanks all... Here's a pic of the setup

PICT0645.jpg


It's the same setup I use for the Moon shots with the 450d (There's an odd coincidence in the moon and sun appear to be the same angular size from Earth, which is how we can get the eclipses we do) the only difference, is the solar film on the front. It's labeled ND5, but cuts far more light than any of the normal ND filters you'll find for photography, to the tune of some 99.9999%, an ND filter or welding glass is not sufficient protection. It's all sat on my Redsnapper, which I use for this kind of shot.
 
The sun shot is quite amazing. Whilst it takes a little imagination, the forces at work there are quite mind blowing. I'm not sure how you've done it, but the image actually appears to be pulsing. My eyes are going screwy looking at it :eek:
 
Yes, he looks pretty cross, John, and there's not much you could do about the b/g etc. I agree - it's a horrible theme! I hope your AmDram projects goes well - the last one was excellent! :)

The sun shots are awesome - it's incredible that you can get that level of detail, both over the distance, and because of the brightness of the sun - I shall think of this every time I'm stressing about overexposing in ordinary terrestrial shots! :clap:

Jean
 
dlh said:
The sun shot is quite amazing. Whilst it takes a little imagination, the forces at work there are quite mind blowing. I'm not sure how you've done it, but the image actually appears to be pulsing. My eyes are going screwy looking at it :eek:
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Thanks Darren, I think it's the almost 3d effect as the disk darkens towards the limb (edge)

clud17 said:
i love the sun shot, as a close up it doesn't really explain itself but with the full shot it fits nicely. The full shot looks amazing and some how reminds me of one of those lava lamps from the 70's.
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Thanks Chris

jeangenie said:
Yes, he looks pretty cross, John, and there's not much you could do about the b/g etc. I agree - it's a horrible theme! I hope your AmDram projects goes well - the last one was excellent! :)

The sun shots are awesome - it's incredible that you can get that level of detail, both over the distance, and because of the brightness of the sun - I shall think of this every time I'm stressing about overexposing in ordinary terrestrial shots! :clap:

Jean
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Thanks Jean... I did all I could about the background at the time, removing boxes etc from the tops of those cupboards :lol:... Just waiting for a rehearsal with costume fittings to try and manage some individual shots in costume (would be called portraits if I could do them well :lol:)

As for the sun, the image was underexposed by 3 stops (using spot metering on the centre of the disk) it makes it much easier to process... and the poor meter really doesn't know quite what to do with this sort of thing anyway... it gets very confused ;). One of these weeks, I'll get a clear spell at the weekend and can get a decent run with the high frame rate camera on a spot system...
 
Thats a hell of a set-up John :eek:

Your obviously in depth knowledge of the subject has helped you to get the best use of said set-up.

A raging inferno certainly fits the bill.

I look forward to seeing some of your amdram shots when you have the dress rehearsal.

Andy
 
Thanks Andy, that's the lightweight portable version... in normal tracking setup, there's a pair of scopes side by side on a heavy duty tripod, and a small bundle of cables hanging off it... all hooked up to a computer, gamepad and other bits and pieces...

I didn't half get some odd looks when I took that setup to the nature reserve (without the solar filter) ;) and walking around with it slung over my shoulder. The number of "What the hell lens is that ??"
 
Love the sunshots and thanks for the picture of the setup - looks a serious bit of kit!

Phil
 
Thanks Phil.

I've just realised, I'm probably not gonna get a chance to get a shot for Console now till Monday... it might be a bit late...
 
Relaxation - Nice photo and interpretation that definietly says relaxation. As you and others said the DoF is perhaps a bit shallow and would have resolved the focus point.

Grave - I preferred 'resting in grace'. I think a shallower DoF on this one, blowing out the rear with a focus point on the hand would be interesting, but I like it as it is to.
Nice attention to detail on 'sitting in grace', I like how you have framed it evenly on the right and left. The lighting is very good, I have never shot in a church but I image lighting isn't easy.

Endings - The black and white gives it a cold look, the hands look dirty which does add to it as this brings into question the motive behind the 'ending' with the dirty hands being the only clue. The black background works but it doesn't jump out at me as it should, I don't know if that is the image or because I may be desensitised to things like this because I am a big thriller/horror fan! Good effort mate.

Electric - Its a picture of a fuse.. but I really like it! I like how the Amperes and standard are towards the camera, I like the detail and sharpness of the image. Simple yet effective! I prefer your first image,

Transform - I like the sequence and when I think transform I instantly think transformers and so for me it couldn't encompass the theme are more than it does. I do think I would have preferred it with a single image of the car mid transform rather than a sequence though. Good effort.

Mobile - I can see what you were going for with the first image frame between the trees however it doesn't really work for me. The second image does work for me, the bonnet reflection is noticeable but the figure draws my attention first. Nice shot. The crop is much nicer.

Surfaces - I like this image, I prefer the mono by far, its gritty and dark, good composition.

Light - I prefer your second attempt at light but I think some PP to make the trees and houses silhouettes would have been nice but then I seen your crop and i think that is even better. For me the darker clouds make the beam of light more prominent.

Project - I like the image, nice clarity and a clear sky, you don't get that often up north! The laser doesn't work at all for me and I think your edit has greatly improved the image. Maybe a crop removing the lower buildings would also add the the image but I'm not sure.

Film - I like the texture the film is sat on and the lighting works for me, a few people shot similar and they came out very well, who'd have thought a roll of film was so photogenic! I also prefer your edit of this.

Dirty - Took me a second to realise what it was, I am against the majority as this doesn't really work for me but I can't put my finger on why. A good interpretation.

Rage - He doesn't look angry enough to say rage to me, but then my own attempt at this doesn't say rage either! Your sun images are an very unique interpretation and although also doesn't say rage to me I like your second sun image, it looks different to the usual solar flare shots of the sun you see and also makes my eyes go a bit crazy! Nice shot and an interesting set up! :thumbs:
 
Thanks for taking the time to comment on so many Rick... On the sun... Solar Flares and CME's would probably have been even better suited to the theme, but that would need an Ha (Hydrogen Alpha) telescope, and they are silly expensive, and I don't have one, so the white light filter it is.. much cheaper ;)
 
Another rubbish week, and amazingly I managed to get something shot in time. It's another rush job and it's not what I had in mind, and I'm not happy with it. It's what I've got so :razz:

It's something I seem to be really good at doing, having to console myself with only...

IMG_6778.jpg


The wooden spoon :D
 
Well. Unique :D I actually quite like the contrast of the spoon against the clear crisp blue sky, I'm just not sure about the flower in the background. For me that either needs to go or there needs to be a little more something there.
 
Thanks Darren ;)... I put the flower in deliberately, but have since changed my mind... anyway... here's a crop... if I get the chance I'll reshoot it.

IMG_6778-1.jpg
 
The rose does actually add something. I just think it needs more... maybe a cow and a moon? :D
 
:lol: That has got to go down as the most random photograph of anyone's 52 John. :thumbs: That made me laugh. I like the contrast between the spoon and the bright blue sky. I don't think the flower adds anything, the solitary spoon gets my vote. Iain
 
Yup - very random but there is something curiously appealing about the shot with the rose!

Phil
 
Thanks all... Chris looks to have got it ;)...

The Wooden Spoon it the consolation prize handed out to the outright loser... Ok, I've not been the actual outright loser, but I've not come close to winner in anything either, so it's a slight stretch to the wooden spoon award.

And it looks like I have at least one the most Random picture in the 52's award with it :lol:

Phil, I don't know why I was tempted to include the rose... maybe it was the splash of pink contrasting against the sky :shrug:

At the time Jenny, I'm sure I had a meaning for it in the pic too... but as is usual, I'll be damned if I can remember what it was ;)
 
perhaps the prize was the rose and you got the wooden spoon as the consolation prize :D

Good textures in the spoon and I like the contrast in colours with the blue sky
 
Aye, that could be ;).... Thank you
 
jgs001 said:
Aye, that could be ;).... Thank you
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Sounds like a good enough reason for me.
What is going on with these themes lately? The last few have been :gag: and you're definitely doing better than me at keeping up despite being busy.

I have to say that your sun shot for rage is absolutely superb though!!!!
Fantastic detail, I just can't look at it for too long, because that odd pulsing effect is making me cross eyed.
 
Thanks very much Sarah.

As for these themes... I've no clue what's going on... someone was feeling mean at the beginning of the year I guess.
 
I knew what I wanted to do when the theme came out. And thankfully, had an opportunity to do so earlier this week. I picked an easy target, both to find and track on, as I've not setup for this sort of thing in months, and I needed to remind myself how to use the kit :D...

Here's the image...

The Double Cluster in Perseus (NGC 884 and NGC 869). 7000 light years away

doublecluster.jpg


I'd planned on getting at least 2 - 2.5 hours worth of data, but the clouds had other ideas... this is made up of

14 x 5 minutes, 9 darks, 11 flats, using 450d at 600mm.
 
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Console: clever idea that made me laugh. I love the rich blue sky - it is probably better without the rose but I also like that splash of red.

Distant: I thought we would get something astral from you :). This is really impressive, and bound to win the prize for the most distant subject in this week's theme.
 
Thanks Tracer.. Glad more than one person got it ;)...

I didn't want to disappoint ;)... Thanks.. It was good to get some deep sky imaging done again... it's been way too long...
 
What I like about this is the fact its not something I would typically see, or not to this degree, great stuff indeed. I did leave a comment on your sun-burst, or maybe I did that in my head and not typed it!? Anyway that shot is awesome I really liked that ;)
 
Time for a catchup John.

Light: I'm a sucker for sky shots, being a pilot that's where I want to be. I even had the pleasure of flying 'through' the arc of a rainbow yesterday. I prefer the crop on the first but like the original on the second as it give a nice sense of scale.

Project: Lovely shot of the Isle of Dogs. Works better without the laser and the aircraft trail. Must pop down there as it's only a few minutes drive for me.

Film: Nice. We are obviously on the same wavelength here as we've post posted similar shots. The second works best.

Dirty: Took me a few moments to 'see' what it was. Not too sure compositionally. I was thinking what it would look like in B&W but I think it wouldn't be very recognisable. But it is dirty so fits the theme.

Rage: Going to go with the Sun shots John.

Console: :D Nice one John. The blue really makes the spoon stand out. I would have liked just a little more texture and details in the wood.

Distant: Now, as I haven't done my shot yet (still). I thought it would be a good bet that you would do something like this. So I decided to look instead of skipping over it until my shot was done.
14 x 5 minutes, 9 darks, 11 flats, using 450d at 600mm.
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I have no idea what this means but it's an excellent shot.
 
you are definitely going to get the prize for the furthest image John, its fascinating that these things exist so far away and so long until the light reaches us. Are they still there now? Great effort with the number of images needed and the time taken to put it all together.
 
dade_f said:
What I like about this is the fact its not something I would typically see, or not to this degree, great stuff indeed. I did leave a comment on your sun-burst, or maybe I did that in my head and not typed it!? Anyway that shot is awesome I really liked that ;)
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Thanks very much Dade. You can just about, under decent conditions make out the glow from this pair with the unaided eye... but only as a faint flow.

holryn said:
Time for a catchup John.

Light: I'm a sucker for sky shots, being a pilot that's where I want to be. I even had the pleasure of flying 'through' the arc of a rainbow yesterday. I prefer the crop on the first but like the original on the second as it give a nice sense of scale.

Project: Lovely shot of the Isle of Dogs. Works better without the laser and the aircraft trail. Must pop down there as it's only a few minutes drive for me.

Film: Nice. We are obviously on the same wavelength here as we've post posted similar shots. The second works best.

Dirty: Took me a few moments to 'see' what it was. Not too sure compositionally. I was thinking what it would look like in B&W but I think it wouldn't be very recognisable. But it is dirty so fits the theme.

Rage: Going to go with the Sun shots John.

Console: :D Nice one John. The blue really makes the spoon stand out. I would have liked just a little more texture and details in the wood.

Distant: Now, as I haven't done my shot yet (still). I thought it would be a good bet that you would do something like this. So I decided to look instead of skipping over it until my shot was done.
I have no idea what this means but it's an excellent shot.
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Thanks for all the comments Paul. As for those details... the image is made up of 14 exposures of 5 minutes each (combined together). Flats are used to correct for imaging train artefacts, dust on the sensor, vignetting etc. Darks are used to correct for sensor artefacts, hot pixels etc. Darks are the same as using the ICNR, but I'm not limited to one being subracted from each frame.. and as I only got 14 frames before the clouds came in (I'd wanted at least 24), by shooting them afterwards, I was able to maximise data capture. I'd have used 9 if I'd got 24 shots too.

clud17 said:
you are definitely going to get the prize for the furthest image John, its fascinating that these things exist so far away and so long until the light reaches us. Are they still there now? Great effort with the number of images needed and the time taken to put it all together.
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Thanks Chris... This pair is actually within spitting distance.. as to them still being there at this moment... we won't know for 7000 years :D.... The furthest I've managed to image is 55 Million light years away... just down the street :D... Check out the Hubble Deep Field

ladysue said:
Brilliant picture for distant John. I thought you would have something up in the sky and I wasnt disappointed.
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Thanks Sue, I wouldn't want to disappoint ;)
 
Well you can't get much more distant than your distant photo ! Could spend ages looking at it seeing new things each time.
 
I always love your star shots John and glad you haven't disappointed this week. It would be lovely to be able to look up into the night sky and see something like this. Perhaps a drive into the countryside is in order to take a peek.
 
Great stuff, John :thumbs: This was a perfect theme for you this week. Definitely you get the prize for the most distant. Thanks for the explanation about flats and dark but I'm afraid I haven't a clue what you mean :thinking: I always enjoy looking at your space shots.

Jenny
 
jennyb said:
Great stuff, John :thumbs: This was a perfect theme for you this week. Definitely you get the prize for the most distant. Thanks for the explanation about flats and dark but I'm afraid I haven't a clue what you mean :thinking: I always enjoy looking at your space shots.

Jenny
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:agree: with Jenny, and am in awe of the work you put into producing these images. Completely lost me on the explanation though :D
 
justlooking said:
Well you can't get much more distant than your distant photo ! Could spend ages looking at it seeing new things each time.
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Thank you... I can do a lot more distant... but the objects tend to get smaller and smaller

dlh said:
I always love your star shots John and glad you haven't disappointed this week. It would be lovely to be able to look up into the night sky and see something like this. Perhaps a drive into the countryside is in order to take a peek.
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Thanks Darren. Take a pair of binos (10x50's are great) with you, and you'll be able to see this one easily... finding it.. that's a little more tricky... It's about halfway between Cassiopeia and Perseus..

jennyb said:
Great stuff, John :thumbs: This was a perfect theme for you this week. Definitely you get the prize for the most distant. Thanks for the explanation about flats and dark but I'm afraid I haven't a clue what you mean :thinking: I always enjoy looking at your space shots.

Jenny
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Thanks Jenny... The flats and darks basically improve the image by removing problems.

blakester said:
:agree: with Jenny, and am in awe of the work you put into producing these images. Completely lost me on the explanation though :D
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Thanks very much Iain.
 
And it's rubbish :D

I've had no time again this week, and to top it off, ended up with a cold. I'm barely keeping up with my little solar project, shooting an image of the sun (with the correct filters of course) to build up an animation showing the movements on the surface.

Still, I got a few minutes on saturday, and with none of the props I wanted to enable me to setup the ideas I had, I settled on this..

IMG_6953.jpg


I did manage to grab a second shot of the low sun shadows... we could call this ...

Secret Light I spose..

IMG_6955-Version2.jpg
 
Well, no.1 fits the theme! The processing makes it look slightly radioactive which adds to the idea of "top secret", but I think I would have used a different font - that square-edged one that looks as if it's been stencilled. Too much of a cliche, perhaps.

The second image is lovely and certainly says "secret light" or "secret place" to me. Beautiful colours and you have managed the lighting just right. :thumbs:
 
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