John's 2010 52, Week 27 Art (July 10th)

[Tracer]

Well, I haven't a clue what it is either but I like the shot and the processing - it reminds me of some of the old photos of WWII mechanical/electrical wizardry...

 

[mich66]

interesting subject, whatever it is think we'll all be checking back to see if you reveal all..

not looking forward to week 7 either

 

[jgs001]

Um.... has anyone asked what it is yet

or me it's interesting, it's lit well and I like abstracts so as far as I am concerned it's a winner

They might have done Rob ... Thanks.

Well, present is certainly interesting in that people dont seem to know what it is. Looks like a flashgun to me with an on/off, zoom and test buttons. I feel for you with the time and work issues... me too!

And you'd be right ... pain isn't it Lee.

You can add me to the list of folks who have no idea what this is, John.
What intrigue!
Intrigue that adds to the shot's appeal.

I don't think the shot is rubbish at all. With the lighting experiments and the focus on the test bulb along with the use of dof, I think this makes for a very accomplished shot.

Thanks very much Rob. More time, I'd have done more with it.

Your pano version of speed is very nice

no idea what your present was?? Were you naughty at Christmas?

Thank you, nope... twas what I wanted... it's made certain things, like bouncing and macro much easier...

Its not rubbish as it has everyone intrigued. Its not as good as your other photos though.I'm looking forward to seeing your 'people' shot.

Thanks Sue... I agree it's not as good, and I really wanted to try and keep up the level I hit for the first few. I wouldn't recommend holding your breath for the 'people' shot though

You have got everybody guessing so it must be good

It's a very effective shot, B&W, lighting, DOF all work together and we all want to know what it is

Thanks very much.

nice pictures of a thingy-ma-bob

... Thanks

Well, I haven't a clue what it is either but I like the shot and the processing - it reminds me of some of the old photos of WWII mechanical/electrical wizardry...

Thank you... It's a bit more modern electrical wizardry and very useful at times in our hobby.

interesting subject, whatever it is think we'll all be checking back to see if you reveal all..

not looking forward to week 7 either

Thanks Michelle... It's been guessed... but I'm not saying at the moment... I'm hoping I can get something I can use for week 7 today, but shooting people is something I'm not very comfortable with (although it has to be said, the people I've been shooting, don't appear to be noticing me much...)

 

[ProG77]

Without reading what everyone else has said (as there are far too many to read!), here is my 2 pennies worth:

Wk 1 - cool shot, very similar to an ad once I saw for some tyre manufacturer I think
Wk2 - love the clock shot and the poem
Wk3 - Definitely prefer the colour version as the mono looks a tad dark
Wk4 - love the angle of the first image - definitely very street!
Wk5 - i've tried that shot and failed, but seems like you nailed it
Wk6 - Interesting present and an interesting shot

 

[SpidersEye]

I like the Present picture John, and like others have said, it isn't rubbish at all ... it's got us all thinking anyway! I think it's the intrigue that makes this an effective picture

I have no idea what it is either!

 

[Harlequin565]

Hi John,

I appreciate the lack of time issue. I'm suffering with it this week too, but I do have an idea now. All I need to do is find half an hour from somewhere...

Anyway, it's not a bad shot at all. Good depth of field and composition as others have said, and I do find myself looking at it and wondering what the hell it is. Keep us all guessing!

Ian.

 

[mickyluv]

Well I'm glad I didn't jump in with suggestion as to what it is I'd of been way off.I thought it was some old fashioned kit hence the B&W grainy effect.I know how you feel when you think you haven't done it justice. We just have to move on and hope we can get the mojo back for the next theme...Mick

 

[jgs001]

Without reading what everyone else has said (as there are far too many to read!), here is my 2 pennies worth:

Wk 1 - cool shot, very similar to an ad once I saw for some tyre manufacturer I think
Wk2 - love the clock shot and the poem
Wk3 - Definitely prefer the colour version as the mono looks a tad dark
Wk4 - love the angle of the first image - definitely very street!
Wk5 - i've tried that shot and failed, but seems like you nailed it
Wk6 - Interesting present and an interesting shot

Thanks very much

I like the Present picture John, and like others have said, it isn't rubbish at all ... it's got us all thinking anyway! I think it's the intrigue that makes this an effective picture

I have no idea what it is either!

Thanks very much Kay

Hi John,

I appreciate the lack of time issue. I'm suffering with it this week too, but I do have an idea now. All I need to do is find half an hour from somewhere...

Anyway, it's not a bad shot at all. Good depth of field and composition as others have said, and I do find myself looking at it and wondering what the hell it is. Keep us all guessing!

Ian.

Thanks for the comments Ian... I don't know about you, but I'm not doing much better on time this week. I've got 200 shots from wednesday to process... and not getting time to do it.

Well I'm glad I didn't jump in with suggestion as to what it is I'd of been way off.I thought it was some old fashioned kit hence the B&W grainy effect.I know how you feel when you think you haven't done it justice. We just have to move on and hope we can get the mojo back for the next theme...Mick

Cheers Mick. It was pretty much black and white anyway...



I'll reveal all... Lee (68lbs) was correct, it's a flashgun. To be precise my Jessops 360AFD that I was given for Christmas... it makes macro much easier and works with my adapter thingy under all lighting conditions as it's got full manual controls. I've not sussed it out for all the other possibilities that gives me yet though.

 

[Nick T]

Nice macro shot of the flash for your present week - well done

 

[jgs001]

Cheers Nick

 

[jgs001]

I knew what I was going to do for this theme.. although I'm not that comfortable shooting people... I have been shooting rehearsals for a loval amdram group, and will get to do the dress rehearsal. I've been using my nifty fifty and having to really push the settings on the camera... ISO800 has been the miniumum I've been using, and the 450d is ok at that level, but the noise is getting noticeable.

The rehearsals have are also being conducted in a school hall, so the backgrounds are really badly cluttered... Anyway... enough excuses... The people involved are pleased with them, they don't normally have any photo's to use ...

I've got 2 shots for this one... Neither are perfect...

Given that I'm having to use the Nifty pretty wide... I've been trying to get shots like this one, concentrating on facial expressions, and the trigger for that expression being blurred in the background.

Lessons...

1) Lighting in shool halls is not designed for photography.
2) The Nifty fifty is an amazing little lens.
3) You've got move move move doing this
4) My PP leaves a fair bit to be desired.. I've no clue what to do about the walls in these shots. Maybe Aperture 3 will make that easier.

 

[Dave450]

Great shots, and whats good to see is that you have learned 4 points, all of which can be built on!

 

[dlh]

If you're worried about noise b&w works a treat. First one's a tricky one to frame with them being on different levels so that second works much better for me. Leaves a little intrigue about what they're looking at and doing. A b&w conversion will also help sort out those walls. I'm sure you've learnt a lot from the exercise and be nice to see some pics from the production (which will really test your low light skills).

 

[Nick T]

I've just been doing stuff like your 'people' shots recently for a charity do - they're really not easy!
You've done good though - can't really offer any constructive advice except to just keep at it

 

[TheThistle]

Looks to me John you have captured exactly what you wanted to, and well, their expressions, and also learnt a great deal along the way. Keep at it.



Me thinks! The lady to the right smelt it, one to the left denied it and the one sitting down supplied it.

 

[Harlequin565]

Aye that 50mm is a handy little lens.

Good advice from Darren above. I also prefer the second of your shots, but mainly because it's a bit sharper. Shooting wide open at 1.8 means bad news if you miss your focus point.

Composition, considering you have to move your feet with a 50, is very good in that second shot.

Nice expressions as well and everyone looks happy.

Ian.

 

[Rob Bartley]

The second of your people shots is the one for me. The composition and detail stand out more than the first one

You are braver then me though. I still only mange to take family and close friend shots. Don't feel confident enough yet to try others who I don't really know.

Cheers, Rob

 

[justlooking]

I like the first one - I like the expression on the girl in the grey cardi.

 

[jgs001]

Great shots, and whats good to see is that you have learned 4 points, all of which can be built on!

Thanks Dave. I've learnt far more than 4 points from this exercise and enjoyed it too.

If you're worried about noise b&w works a treat. First one's a tricky one to frame with them being on different levels so that second works much better for me. Leaves a little intrigue about what they're looking at and doing. A b&w conversion will also help sort out those walls. I'm sure you've learnt a lot from the exercise and be nice to see some pics from the production (which will really test your low light skills).

Thanks very much Darren. I didn't even think about B&W for these... A good idea. There's a few weeks yet before the dress rehearsal, so I should get some more practice in and work out the specifics of what to shoot then...

I've just been doing stuff like your 'people' shots recently for a charity do - they're really not easy!
You've done good though - can't really offer any constructive advice except to just keep at it

Thanks very much Nick.

Looks to me John you have captured exactly what you wanted to, and well, their expressions, and also learnt a great deal along the way. Keep at it.

Me thinks! The lady to the right smelt it, one to the left denied it and the one sitting down supplied it.

Thanks Graham, learnt loads... As for what was going on

Aye that 50mm is a handy little lens.

Good advice from Darren above. I also prefer the second of your shots, but mainly because it's a bit sharper. Shooting wide open at 1.8 means bad news if you miss your focus point.

Composition, considering you have to move your feet with a 50, is very good in that second shot.

Nice expressions as well and everyone looks happy.

Ian.

Thanks very much Ian, I learnt a lot about DOF too, I was quite surprised to see that on a few, focusing on the person in the fore left the person behind much more in focus than when focusing on the one behind, the person in the fore was much more OOF (I kind of understood that, but there's nothing like practical application)

The second of your people shots is the one for me. The composition and detail stand out more than the first one

You are braver then me though. I still only mange to take family and close friend shots. Don't feel confident enough yet to try others who I don't really know.

Cheers, Rob

Thanks very much Rob. I know one of them very well, and just worked as an extention of that.

I like the first one - I like the expression on the girl in the grey cardi.

Thanks very much

 

[mich66]

never tried a 'nifty fifty' sounds like a great lens.. prefer the second shot, nice that the lady in front is the main forcus and good DOF on the lady behind..

 

[aztec]

catch up week 6 and 7,
Week 6 your flashgun (present) is not as bad as you think suits B&W with good DOF I know what you mean about the light on the front of the flash unit (i think).
Week 7 (people) not a lot of people liked this subject as a lot of people have to go out of their comfort zone you have captured your subjects well, the second picture is better framed than the first not sure about the lighting in the shot was the white balance set for the indoor lights? as there seems to be a slight yellow cast on the picture or maybe my monitor needs calibrating

 

[jeangenie]

Full marks for bravery on this one, John. I've done some shooting for theatre productions and I find I really need to know what's happening in terms of actors moving around the stage (or school hall!), expressions, pauses etc to get the shots I or the producer want. Are you going to do a whole cast photo at the dress rehearsal? And the backstage crew? Will the dress rehearsal include lighting, etc? I'm not trying to scare you, but forewarned is forearmed and it's great fun - I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The producer's often got ideas of which scenes he or she would like pics of.

Anyway, on to your photos - in the first one you've caught great expressions, and using a low pov has made the best of a difficult grouping. I'd love to know what the lady on the left was saying! It's an ecellent 'scene from the play' shot.

I like the second one better from a photographic point of view, the dof works really well since the lady on the left is clearly the subject but the actor on the right is still identifiable. Nicely judged.

Thanks very much Ian, I learnt a lot about DOF too, I was quite surprised to see that on a few, focusing on the person in the fore left the person behind much more in focus than when focusing on the one behind, the person in the fore was much more OOF (I kind of understood that, but there's nothing like practical application)

There've been some interesting disucssions about dof fairly recently, but I've had a quick look round and can't find the thread I was thinking of. But working quickly in this sort of situation, I find the 'third in front, 2 thirds behind in focus' is fine.

Best of luck - although these look good and I'm sure you won't actually need luck!

Jean

 

[SarahLee]

Well, present is certainly interesting in that people dont seem to know what it is. Looks like a flashgun to me with an on/off, zoom and test buttons.

I've never pretended that this lighting stuff is anything but a mystery to me!

Second one for me John. I think the DoF is spot on, great expressions and you've done really well with the lighting limitations . . . I'd love to know what's going on in the first one though!

As much as I hate shooting people, I'm kind of hoping for a theme that will let us see some of your dress rehearsal shots in the next few weeks.

 

[SpidersEye]

The second picture works best for me John, well done

 

[jgs001]

never tried a 'nifty fifty' sounds like a great lens.. prefer the second shot, nice that the lady in front is the main forcus and good DOF on the lady behind..

Thanks Michelle, for the money they can be had for... yes indeed.

catch up week 6 and 7,
Week 6 your flashgun (present) is not as bad as you think suits B&W with good DOF I know what you mean about the light on the front of the flash unit (i think).
Week 7 (people) not a lot of people liked this subject as a lot of people have to go out of their comfort zone you have captured your subjects well, the second picture is better framed than the first not sure about the lighting in the shot was the white balance set for the indoor lights? as there seems to be a slight yellow cast on the picture or maybe my monitor needs calibrating

Thanks very much Shaun. Not sure on the WB... I set a custom WB for the shoot and the lighting conditions didn't change, high level, low power neon strips.

Full marks for bravery on this one, John. I've done some shooting for theatre productions and I find I really need to know what's happening in terms of actors moving around the stage (or school hall!), expressions, pauses etc to get the shots I or the producer want. Are you going to do a whole cast photo at the dress rehearsal? And the backstage crew? Will the dress rehearsal include lighting, etc? I'm not trying to scare you, but forewarned is forearmed and it's great fun - I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The producer's often got ideas of which scenes he or she would like pics of.

Anyway, on to your photos - in the first one you've caught great expressions, and using a low pov has made the best of a difficult grouping. I'd love to know what the lady on the left was saying! It's an ecellent 'scene from the play' shot.

I like the second one better from a photographic point of view, the dof works really well since the lady on the left is clearly the subject but the actor on the right is still identifiable. Nicely judged.



There've been some interesting disucssions about dof fairly recently, but I've had a quick look round and can't find the thread I was thinking of. But working quickly in this sort of situation, I find the 'third in front, 2 thirds behind in focus' is fine.

Best of luck - although these look good and I'm sure you won't actually need luck!

Jean

Thanks very much Jean. I've been to a fair number of the rehearsals with the intent to get to know what was going on before the dress rehearsal. The dress rehearsal includes the full lighting setup and won't have the clutter. Although I have to say, I find that idea scary, and I'm going to be at the limits of my camera (I suspect) so I may struggle to get anything decent from it. So far, the director has no ideas on specifics he wants shot, although he likes the idea of some shot outside in the dark in costume... AARRGGHH!!!!... I can rig up a couple of off camera light triggered flashs (using old ones I have) so I might get away with it. I've asked him a few times now. I'm in the situation, this is the first occasion in years they have had someone actually shoot the production who isn't a member of the cast or crew, so instead of 1 or 2 shot on P&S whenever someone remembers...

I've never pretended that this lighting stuff is anything but a mystery to me!

Second one for me John. I think the DoF is spot on, great expressions and you've done really well with the lighting limitations . . . I'd love to know what's going on in the first one though!

As much as I hate shooting people, I'm kind of hoping for a theme that will let us see some of your dress rehearsal shots in the next few weeks.

...

Thanks very much Sarah, actually it was breaking down into a near argument over one of the characters who wasn't in the play but got plenty of mentions . I promise, I'll post some of the dress up whatever happens with the theme.

The second picture works best for me John, well done

Thanks very much Kay.

 

[jgs001]

I knew pretty much as soon as I'd seen the theme what I was going to do. Although it's never quite that easy, and I tried a number of different things to get the effect I wanted and they all failed. The reason being, the silly shallow DOF involved.... I wanted to show the movement and the mechanics all in the one shot, but it wasn't to be.

I did discover something very weird though... if I set the camera to 6 seconds with a flash attached (doesn't matter which) the flash pulses if you touch the shutter button. It only does it at 6 seconds exposures... not more or less...

Anyway... the shot...

I opted to get in really really close (not Alby close), but still pretty darned... so using the 55-250 at 250mm and minimum focus distance with the Raynox on the nose, fitted with the 360afd and the cardboard and cd spindle ring flash.. handheld.

Just for a sense of scale here, this is uncropped and covers a total real world size of about 7mm.

Lessons...

1) my camera does something weird with the flash when set for 6 second exposures.

2) this is less learned and more confirmed... at this working distance and magnification, even shooting at f/32 leaves about as much DOF as a gnats whisker.

3) With me new flash on manual settings I can still get enough shutter speed, that when combined with the lenses IS means I can still handhold for the shot, I don't think the batteries in the flash will last long though

4) I got my motion blur anyway from the movement of the weighted thingy (my technical terms on the insides of watches leaves a lot to be desiged :nuts

 

[foggy4ever]

OOOoooo! I like this shot a lot!

The angle and lighting, dof the subject itself, the shadows and the moving part all work together.

 

[Ambermile]

I cannot believe I have not been in here before John - a thousand apologies

Having said that then, here we go!

Curves - Nicely taken but for me, either too much or not enough black... seems a little off balance.

Poetry - I like it, I think you hit the xray idea nicely.

Chopped - Hmm. As you say, not what you wanted... it is chopped though and technically it's cool!

Street - First one for me, second does nothing at all while the first pulls you up and in at the same time.

Speed - an excellent pan, as you say the wee blur adds rather than detracts. Not sure on the crop, I think I prefer it though!

Present - Hmm - for the record no, I would not have guessed the flash, but for me it's just a pic... sorry

People - Number two definitely for me... the first has no central point with all three looking in different directions - number two is much more concise and intent.

Mechanical - full circle to week one! Having said that, this one is very good - I do like the interest point and composition/viewpoint.



Arthur

 

[Sonial]

Some great shots I particuarly like your 'Street' shot and this one

 

[jgs001]

OOOoooo! I like this shot a lot!

The angle and lighting, dof the subject itself, the shadows and the moving part all work together.

Thanks very much Scott

I cannot believe I have not been in here before John - a thousand apologies

Having said that then, here we go!

Curves - Nicely taken but for me, either too much or not enough black... seems a little off balance.

Poetry - I like it, I think you hit the xray idea nicely.

Chopped - Hmm. As you say, not what you wanted... it is chopped though and technically it's cool!

Street - First one for me, second does nothing at all while the first pulls you up and in at the same time.

Speed - an excellent pan, as you say the wee blur adds rather than detracts. Not sure on the crop, I think I prefer it though!

Present - Hmm - for the record no, I would not have guessed the flash, but for me it's just a pic... sorry

People - Number two definitely for me... the first has no central point with all three looking in different directions - number two is much more concise and intent.

Mechanical - full circle to week one! Having said that, this one is very good - I do like the interest point and composition/viewpoint.



Arthur

No worries Arthur ... Thanks for all the comments.

Some great shots I particuarly like your 'Street' shot and this one

Thanks Sonia, and welcome aboard.

 

[Tracer]

People - the first is fun with such different expressions but I think the second is the better shot. I look forward to seeing some of the rehearsal shots - it sound hard to do but fun, and I bet you will learn a lot by having a go.

Mechanical - I love this! The DOF may be small but works really well, and the blur of the thingy (?balance wheel?) is brilliant.

 

[lizbeth]

Mechanical - great detail, really nice shot.

 

[jgs001]

People - the first is fun with such different expressions but I think the second is the better shot. I look forward to seeing some of the rehearsal shots - it sound hard to do but fun, and I bet you will learn a lot by having a go.

Mechanical - I love this! The DOF may be small but works really well, and the blur of the thingy (?balance wheel?) is brilliant.

Thank you... Yep it's hard, yet fun... and I've learnt an absolute shedload about the camera, lens and my abilities ... I'm expecting dress to be much tougher as it's going to be using the real stage lighting, whilst the lighting was bad, it was consistent.

Mechanical - great detail, really nice shot.

Thanks Lizbteth.

 

[davidh6781]

I like that Mechanical shot. keep it up

 

[Harlequin565]

I really like that John. When you went into the description about how you went about it, I take my hat off. I tried a "macro" shot at 200mm the other day and it was awful. What was your shutter speed? 1/2oo with the flash??

I like the processing too, as well as the composition. Great stuff!

Ian.

 

[aztec]

One of the best so far in the mechanical section

 

[dlh]

Some really nice detail in mechanical John although I think it could do with a little more black in there. Not quite sure where the focus is but that doesn't really matter, it's a very interesting image (goes off to google Raynox)

 

[robp]

People - As another who struggles with photographing people (other than family and friend snaps) I congratulate you on your results. You have captured some lovely expressions here.
As far as the walls are concerned, if I have a busy background I tend to whizz round with the lasso and then gaussian blur it. Blimmin lazy, I know, but it does it for me.

Mechanical - I like everything about this shot: the composition, dof, motion blur and focus all work so well.

 

[justlooking]

good detail in your mechanical shot. Can I ask why you chose to use mono?

 

[The23rdman]

Love the composition. Really good lines in that one.