weekly Lorraine's 52 in 2015 - Week 24 Spiral Added

Hi Lorraine, the first pic works for me though i would have cropped the bottom of the image slightly

the graduated filter has worked well with this so no worries there, I do like to visit these old ruins, I find them fascinating
 
Hi Lorraine, I wonder what #1 would look like as a letter box crop? I like the fact you've looked for somewhere 'less shot' and looks like you got good weather too which is unusual up there. My only crit is that they both seem over saturated on my screen, with the second one being very green.
 
alsjazzera said:
Hi Lorraine, the first pic works for me though i would have cropped the bottom of the image slightly

the graduated filter has worked well with this so no worries there, I do like to visit these old ruins, I find them fascinating
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Hi Alan, thanks for stopping by & commenting :).

Bruja said:
Hi Lorraine, I wonder what #1 would look like as a letter box crop? I like the fact you've looked for somewhere 'less shot' and looks like you got good weather too which is unusual up there. My only crit is that they both seem over saturated on my screen, with the second one being very green.
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Thanks for commenting Jill. I think Andy made the same comment about the greens. I don't tweak the saturation at all, but I have noticed that other adjustments I make in Lightroom have a strange effect on the greens. I'm pretty new to LR and I've got a ways to go... but here's the first one with a crop from the bottom and I've destaurated it a bit to tone the greens down - I hope it's an improvement. :)

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Wonderful images Lorraine, especially the last image, I think the colours look real to life, looks a lovely location. :)
 
Hi Lorraine - lovely scenic photos! Personally I prefer the angle in the first one, the second looks a bit flat by comparison and love the re-edit, colours in the brickwork is especially nice I think. [emoji5]️
 
I prefer the lead in of the fence in #2 but the PoV of the castle in #1. The could, albeit small ones, add to #1 filling in the space in the sky nicely helping balance up the image well.
 
Hi Lorraine,looks like your off to a good start,i like both of your images,you had better luck at the frost patterns on your car,than i did,i tried 2 or 3 shots of ice on my mums car,but it didnt work well,plus the fact didnt put my gloves or my coat on when i went out one morning,and soon got very cold,good luck for the rest of the project,looking forward to seeing more of you images,
 
ferg007 said:
Hi Lorraine - lovely scenic photos! Personally I prefer the angle in the first one, the second looks a bit flat by comparison and love the re-edit, colours in the brickwork is especially nice I think. [emoji5]️
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Hi Ferg, thanks for looking and commenting. I'm glad you like the re-edit - I agree that it's far more realistic- maybe I'm getting the hang of the greens now :-)

Delta Skies said:
I prefer the lead in of the fence in #2 but the PoV of the castle in #1. The could, albeit small ones, add to #1 filling in the space in the sky nicely helping balance up the image well.
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Hi Peter, thanks for your comments :-) maybe the lead in from the fence was a bit too much with having the bridge in the background as well?

stephen30 said:
Hi Lorraine,looks like your off to a good start,i like both of your images,you had better luck at the frost patterns on your car,than i did,i tried 2 or 3 shots of ice on my mums car,but it didnt work well,plus the fact didnt put my gloves or my coat on when i went out one morning,and soon got very cold,good luck for the rest of the project,looking forward to seeing more of you images,
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Hi Stephen, thanks for looking & commenting. I think there I had a lot of luck with the frost patterns, usually when we have frost it's quite plain. I agree about needing to wrap up to get the shots though - I'm not very tall so I had to lean against the car so I definitely needed the coat :-)
 
Hi Lorraine - couple of great shots for scenic and each one has something compelling. Tiny tiny point is you seem to have a spot on your lens or sensor, about 45 degree up and right from the top right corner of the turret? Most visible in #2

I prefer the angle of the castle in #1. I think perhaps a touch more light on that side and that'd make it for me... can be done in post via the shadows slider as other than waiting for a different time of year, you're going to struggling moving either the castle or the sun :)
Scrub at bottom and excess of blue sky at top in #1 is perhaps a touch too much for me, so your crop definitely works well in that regard (but I'd also crop the top a touch too)
I do really like your lead-in of the fence in #2 though and also the fact the bridge/viaduct is bigger. Unfortunately, the angle of the castle has been compromised slightly for me... not much to be done there! I'd be inclined to get closer and lower to the fence though to make it more of a foreground subject at the front left of frame. If there was a way of getting your POV so that the fence disappears under the arches of the bridge/viaduct, I reckon that'd really work well.
I don't mind the grad in #1: it's perhaps a touch heavy but a crop would reduce that...

Nice job!
 
Hi Paul, thanks so much for looking and commenting. I'm finding the constructive crit really helpful and I'm trying to keep in it mind when I'm out with the camera.

pjm1 said:
Hi Lorraine - couple of great shots for scenic and each one has something compelling. Tiny tiny point is you seem to have a spot on your lens or sensor, about 45 degree up and right from the top right corner of the turret? Most visible in #2

I

I prefer the angle of the castle in #1. I think perhaps a touch more light on that side and that'd make it for me... can be done in post via the shadows slider as other than waiting for a different time of year, you're going to struggling moving either the castle or the sun :)

Scrub at bottom and excess of blue sky at top in #1 is perhaps a touch too much for me, so your crop definitely works well in that regard (but I'd also crop the top a touch too)
I do really like your lead-in of the fence in #2 though and also the fact the bridge/viaduct is bigger. Unfortunately, the angle of the castle has been compromised slightly for me... not much to be done there! I'd be inclined to get closer and lower to the fence though to make it more of a foreground subject at the front left of frame. If there was a way of getting your POV so that the fence disappears under the arches of the bridge/viaduct, I reckon that'd really work well.


I don't mind the grad in #1: it's perhaps a touch heavy but a crop would reduce that...

Nice job!
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I can see the dust spot on the photos now - I think it must've been on the lens though. After I'd taken the shots of the castle I used my macro lens to get shots of some new shoots on the trees I've just checked a couple of those and I can't see any spot there - phew!

I don't think I've seen a shadows slider -- I only have PSE & LR - is it in one of those (I'm really only trying to get to grips with both of them :))

Glad you like he cropped photo :) I'm trying to picture the pathway up to the castle - I'm not sure I could get a better lead in with the fence, I think I was hanging over it to get it where it was in the frame, but next time I'm up there I'll see if there's a better way to get it in there.
Thanks again! :)
 
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In LR (depending on your version), the shadows slider is on the develop module below where you set exposure etc - i.e. within that block of sliders. I think pre LR4 the Highlights/Shadows might have been Recovery/Fill light but they did slightly different things or had slightly different sensitivities/effects.

The great thing about digital is we can play away to our heart's content without it costing a penny (ok, £8/month for Adobe!) so we may as well make the most of it... at least until we told to be sociable by our other halves :)
 
Hi Lorraine :)

Fragile - A couple of nice shots here, I like the second one just a little more, the composition of both is good, the ideas both spot on, but the second shot seems to bit just that little bit brighter and the additional glass in the box adds to the idea for me :)

Minor crit is the clipped glass at the base, but that certainly doesn't distract from the overall look of the photo :)

Scenic - Some cracking shots again, I like the lead in from the fence on the second shot, I feel the viaduct is more prominent on that one too... but I'm going with the edited first shot, much better colours in that one !!!
 
Scenic, I quite like the feel to the (original post) second one, being almost straight on to the viaduct,
if you crop it quite close to the bottom of the ruin it, loses most of the fence and IMO
also emphasises the back ground as well.
Just my opinion of course, I know b****r all about landscapes anyway :D
 
pjm1 said:
In LR (depending on your version), the shadows slider is on the develop module below where you set exposure etc - i.e. within that block of sliders. I think pre LR4 the Highlights/Shadows might have been Recovery/Fill light but they did slightly different things or had slightly different sensitivities/effects.

The great thing about digital is we can play away to our heart's content without it costing a penny (ok, £8/month for Adobe!) so we may as well make the most of it... at least until we told to be sociable by our other halves :)
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Hi Paul,

Thanks again for your help. i've found the slider now - it was there all the time :-D

I agree with you about digital - it gives you lots more scope for experimentation and it's not tragic if you go wrong (which I do most of the time). In theory, once you've bought the kit, you then don't have any more costs, until you get your eyes on a lens....a set of filters....software.....
 
Dark Knight said:
Hi Lorraine :)

Fragile - A couple of nice shots here, I like the second one just a little more, the composition of both is good, the ideas both spot on, but the second shot seems to bit just that little bit brighter and the additional glass in the box adds to the idea for me :)

Minor crit is the clipped glass at the base, but that certainly doesn't distract from the overall look of the photo :)

Scenic - Some cracking shots again, I like the lead in from the fence on the second shot, I feel the viaduct is more prominent on that one too... but I'm going with the edited first shot, much better colours in that one !!!
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Thanks Dean :-) Glad you like the shots. I noticed I'd cut off the bottom of the glass, but only after I'd packed everything away :oops: :$ It's something I do a load of the time and I'm hoping this challenge will slow me down and make me think more.

Scenic - thanks again. I know my greens were a bit on the wild side in the first couple of shots, and I was really glad that I wored out how to calm them down a bit so they looked more like Northumberland in January than somewhere like Devon in August!

Cobra said:
Scenic, I quite like the feel to the (original post) second one, being almost straight on to the viaduct,
if you crop it quite close to the bottom of the ruin it, loses most of the fence and IMO
also emphasises the back ground as well.
Just my opinion of course, I know b****r all about landscapes anyway :D
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Thanks Cobra :-) You might well have something there. I'll have another look and give it a go. Cropping's on the long list of things I tend to forget about - I do need to be more patient! ;)
and the crit is always welcome even if you're not a fan of lanscapes
:)
 
Well, this is a bit of a cop out week for me. I really wanted to take a new shot for each week's theme, but as I've been laid up with the lurgy this week I haven't had the chance (or the energy)...so, like they say on tV, here's one I made (a lot) earlier

(Travelling) Companions
View attachment 29602

I came across this little guy and his lazy friend out walking a couple of years ago. I've found out since that hedgehog's aren't supposed to be active in the daytime, so I hope he was ok.
 
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I'm afraid it may not have been good news. That is a very young hedgehog and may have been out and about because of lack of food. It is very likely that mum did not come home for whatever reason (none good though, usually) and the young had to go for it. This happened round here some years ago when a friend brought the hoglet to my wife and I (we are suckers for the under-hedgehog) and we kept it in the summerhouse until about November when we had got her weight up to 600 grams and went throught the process of releasing her into the wild. We can't be sure of course but a female hedgehog made it's way into our garden the following year accompanied by two young hedgehogs so you never know...
 
Hi Lorraine, Matin is correct in suggesting that the sighting was not good news. Anyway, given that you have not been well, I concur with Mandy's opinion that it is a lovely image that fits the theme. Now, lets see what awaits us on Friday!
 
Hi companions I was just about to say I can't see the connection then I saw the fly on the hedgehogs head. I hope that the hedgehog is okay.

Cheers
 
Hi Lorraine - hope you out and about soon - nice shot of the hedgehog. (Learned something about hedgehogs on your post today!) :)
 
Pinkbikerbabe said:
Companions - as I think hedgehogs are cute, and the fact you have been poorly I will let you off on the fact it's a old shot. I think it's a lovely image and fits the theme.
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thanks for stopping by and commenting Mandy :-)

ShinySideUp said:
I'm afraid it may not have been good news. That is a very young hedgehog and may have been out and about because of lack of food. It is very likely that mum did not come home for whatever reason (none good though, usually) and the young had to go for it. This happened round here some years ago when a friend brought the hoglet to my wife and I (we are suckers for the under-hedgehog) and we kept it in the summerhouse until about November when we had got her weight up to 600 grams and went throught the process of releasing her into the wild. We can't be sure of course but a female hedgehog made it's way into our garden the following year accompanied by two young hedgehogs so you never know...
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It is sad Martin - and I hope this one survived. If I'd known at the time that it was a very bad sign for them to be about in the daytime I'd have taken it to a sanctuary. I do hope it made it. The photo was taken in th middle of the countryside so there should have been plenty of food about

Plumtreelad said:
Hi Lorraine, Matin is correct in suggesting that the sighting was not good news. Anyway, given that you have not been well, I concur with Mandy's opinion that it is a lovely image that fits the theme. Now, lets see what awaits us on Friday!
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Thanks David, I'm feeling much better now - or I was until I saw this week's theme - I think I'll struggle with this one :-)

posiview said:
Hi companions I was just about to say I can't see the connection then I saw the fly on the hedgehogs head. I hope that the hedgehog is okay.

Cheers
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Thanks Andy :-)

rpn said:
I was struggling to figure out the companions theme until I read Andy's post about the fly. :)

Anyway hope you get well soon and out and about with the camera.
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Thanks Stan. I'm ready to pick up the camera again :-), this week's theme's going to be a tough one though. I'm hoping inspiration comes along soon

Mich56 said:
Hi Lorraine - hope you out and about soon - nice shot of the hedgehog. (Learned something about hedgehogs on your post today!) :)
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Thanks Mich :-)
 
Hey Lorraine..... Cute little guy for companions, hope he found some safety in the end. Most of all though, hope you're feeling better now![emoji4]
 
ferg007 said:
Hey Lorraine..... Cute little guy for companions, hope he found some safety in the end. Most of all though, hope you're feeling better now![emoji4]
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Thanks Ferg - and yes, I'm feeling much better now :)
 
week 5 - Elegant

So, when I saw what this week's theme was I thought it was going to be pretty difficult. After a fair bit of thinking, I managed to come up with some ideas - which is really one of the things I was hoping this project would get me to do.

My first thought was swans - so I headed out to a local lake yesterday. I didn't come up wit anything very good sadly - it was blowing a gale here and even when the swans came near, they had an escort of gulls.

So today I headed to Seaton Delaval Hall which is a few miles from where I live. It was designed by Sir John Vanburgh in the 18th century and it's supposed to be one of his finest works....hence the squeeze into elegant! The website shows a photo of the dining room, and it does look very elegant, but it won't be open until later in the year, so I settled for this shot of the south of the house.

View attachment 29860

There's a lovely weeping ash tree in the grounds, obviously no leaves on it at the moment, but I thought the skeleton looked quite elegant as well. It's 300 years old, and some of the branches must've been in danger of breaking off, hence the supports. I did think about trying to clone them out, but I'm not sure my skills are that good, so I left them in

View attachment 29863

Thanks for looking - any comments & constructive crit welcome
 
Hi, #1, doesn't really grab me as elegant, maybe al little soft as well :thinking:, but #2 does say elegant, the curves really work for me....sounds a bit wrong that :)

Cheers.
 
Hi both fitting for the theme in their own way, I like the slight distortion of the house although i am sure other people will want it straightening

both well spotted
 
posiview said:
Hi, #1, doesn't really grab me as elegant, maybe al little soft as well :thinking:, but #2 does say elegant, the curves really work for me....sounds a bit wrong that :)

Cheers.
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Thanks Andy - I did think I was stretching the theme a bit. I agree with what you say about #1 being soft - I've just looked back at the image and I really should have done a bit of sharpening.

Glad you like my curvy tree though! ;)

alsjazzera said:
Hi both fitting for the theme in their own way, I like the slight distortion of the house although i am sure other people will want it straightening

both well spotted
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Thanks Allan. I used a wide angle lens for both shots - the tree is more forgiving! Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to correct the verticals on the house....I'll have a look for a tutorial and see what I can manage :-)
 
so...for, here's my house again, with a bit of sharpening and the verticals corrected (at least I thought they were - they looked straight on the grid, but they seem to be bending outwards now ) :confused:

View attachment 29884
 
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Hi Lorraine

Companion
Even if its an old shot, it still a very nice shot.
you were very lucky to catch the fly on its head.

Elegant
Your edit of the hall entrance looks much better. Sometimes i think we rush to get our themes posted, when we should sit back a look at our images first.

I love the tree photo, would love to see that in full bloom. I like the central position, my only crit would to have a little more space on the left.
 
Manc Man said:
Hi Lorraine

Companion
Even if its an old shot, it still a very nice shot.
you were very lucky to catch the fly on its head.

Elegant
Your edit of the hall entrance looks much better. Sometimes i think we rush to get our themes posted, when we should sit back a look at our images first.

I love the tree photo, would love to see that in full bloom. I like the central position, my only crit would to have a little more space on the left.
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Thanks Darren, you're right, I do tend to rush at things....this challenge is helping me to slow down and think a bit, but not about everything at once :oops: :$

the tree's lovely - I've seen it in full leaf, but I've never taken a shot of it. I may go back later in the year, it's only a few miles away from me. Yep, fair comment about the space on the left :)
 
Steven001 said:
I like the second edit of the hall, it's just a shame the light has washed out some of the detail in the building. Good capture!
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Thanks Steven, the light was a bit harsh, but on the bright side, there weren't many people around so I managed to ge a fairly clear shot :-)

rpn said:
A grand elegant building indeed. I prefer the edit shot better the correction makes a big quite a different.
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Thanks Stan, it does make a difference - something I'll try to keep in mind :-)
 
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