MentalBlock's 2011 52 - Week 52 'Glass' added & 52 FINISHED

Hiya Neil,

Oh my word .... these are fantastic! :clap:

Both suit the theme well. The first for me seems to fit the 'bright' theme better though, however it looks a tad soft and I'd perhaps be tempted to crop a smidgen off the top.

The colours in #2 are beautiful and I love the shape of the smoke too.

How did you do these? Or is that carefully guarded secret?

Well done .... you have really set the bar with these two.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Thanks for the comments Dawn.

I really like these, but as for them setting the bar, well I'd like to think so but there are plenty of talented and imaginative people in this 52 so I'm sure the bar will be raised as the week goes on.

As for the technique, it's surprisingly simple and certainly no secret. I recommend everyone gives it a go as the results are great.
I followed this linky.

The one thing it didn't state is to have good distance between the filament and your background, or your background gets illuminated and spoils the shot. One other tip is to start your continuous shooting before you turn on the bulb, note that it only burns for a second or two!

I'll be giving this another go soon but at a faster shutter speed so the smoke isn't as soft in the brighter images. However you may underexpose the smoke at the end of eth burn.
 
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Hi mate... you do realise with that link you have now got me wanting to read that web site all day rather than do the work my company pays me to do!

I love your pic... and im so excited about the web site you have linked to to give me some new inspiration to do a whole maner of DIY in the house when its raining type shots. Water drops... splashing etc... here we come!
 
michael23 said:
Hi Neil, they are excellent, and what a cool idea. Thanbks for posting the link, going to have to give this a try at some point. Liking the blue colouring. :thumbs:
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Michael,

No problem for the link.
As I noted in my reply to Dawn, you have to try out a few settings to suit your set up. One BIG tip I can give is to make sure your wife has turned the light off at the wall before you change the bulb - I thik she was after the insurance!

markelliot said:
Hi mate... you do realise with that link you have now got me wanting to read that web site all day rather than do the work my company pays me to do!

I love your pic... and im so excited about the web site you have linked to to give me some new inspiration to do a whole maner of DIY in the house when its raining type shots. Water drops... splashing etc... here we come!
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Mark,

Do pass on my apologies to your boss :D

The result is amazing considering the shot is so simple, the big problem is that filament light bulbs are hard to find!

I've a mini DIY home studio that I've put together during this 52, it's really helpful when the weather is pants.

Glad you like them and thanks for commenting.
 
Amazing shots. I must read the link when I have time.

They look so atmospheric and surreal. The bit of broken glass definitely adds to the shot and gives it a menacing feel. Very good composition and framing - just right. The black background works very well.

I prefer the look of the re-editted version with the increased blue.

Not much I would change in these, except I would like to see the broken glass in both.

Cracking shots :thumbs:
 
Excellent shots Neil. My initial thought for this week was a similar idea but would have relied more on pp. Haven't followed your link yet to see the setup of these shots but maybe an idea for defining the smoke trails would be a flash fired from the side towards the end of the burn.
 
PatrickO said:
Amazing shots. I must read the link when I have time.

They look so atmospheric and surreal. The bit of broken glass definitely adds to the shot and gives it a menacing feel. Very good composition and framing - just right. The black background works very well.

I prefer the look of the re-editted version with the increased blue.

Not much I would change in these, except I would like to see the broken glass in both.

Cracking shots :thumbs:
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Thanks Patrick,

The link has loads of tips for DIY studio equipment, ideas for things to photograph, plenty for a rainy day!

Out of the 6 bulbs I only retained some glass on one and decided that was the shot to use, it give a little bit of balance to the shot and something else for the eye.

Barrysprout said:
Excellent shots Neil. My initial thought for this week was a similar idea but would have relied more on pp. Haven't followed your link yet to see the setup of these shots but maybe an idea for defining the smoke trails would be a flash fired from the side towards the end of the burn.
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I like the flash idea Colin, but I don't have any off camera flash yet.

However I think it would be tricky to time the flash for the end of the burn as the burn only lasts a second or two. It may be better to use a studio light/ lamp with a snoot set to shine through the area where the smoke will be and avoiding lighting the filament.

I think I'll have to give this a go again with my DIY Pringles snoot at stage right! I also feel there is a trip to the pound store to see if the have cheap bulbs!
 
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Mentalblock said:
.......... I also feel there is a trip to the pound store to see if the have cheap bulbs!
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You got to love Pound Land, 4 bulbs for a pound. "Spoil yourself" I said to myself so I did and got two packs! That's fun smashing them and then 10 seconds or so of photograph fun. I'll try a light like Colin suggested. I'm that excited I could crush a grape!
 
Hi Neil

ooooh... 2 fantastic shots for Bright :thumbs:

As someone else mentioned, when I saw the 1st shot I to thought of a jelly fish :lol: Gonna have a look at your linky as really wanna have a go at this .

The 2nd shot is def my fave , love the smoke trail...great color & detail :clap:
 
blondie606 said:
Hi Neil

ooooh... 2 fantastic shots for Bright :thumbs:

As someone else mentioned, when I saw the 1st shot I to thought of a jelly fish :lol: Gonna have a look at your linky as really wanna have a go at this .

The 2nd shot is def my fave , love the smoke trail...great color & detail :clap:
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Thanks Lynne, glad you like them.
 
While I'm waiting for something to do with 'Rescue' to enter my head, I thought I'd post a re-shoot of the light bulb.
This one has been played with in PS. I'm really liking the colours you can get and inverting the colours for the white background is even better than the black.


Smokin by HaplessClicker, on Flickr
 
I'm reallyyyyy going to have to give this a go.

The colour is spot on and a dragged effect. I'd like a tad more detail in the top section and the broken lightbulb...hhhmmm, I may have to revisit...
 
Hiya Neil,

Just seen the re-shoot of the light bulb :thumbs:

Gorgeous colour

You definitely seem to have the knack of this now and you could create a great set.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Thanks for the latest comments everyone.

The inverted and colourized command really opens the doors to loads of colour options. I visited the pound store over the weekend for some scented sticks, so more smoke trails on the way!

Still struggling to think of a ‘rescue’ idea though.
 
Week 25 - Rescue

I've a couple of ideas for Rescue, but the opportunity to shoot this idea came up today and I decided to take it, even though working with a model would be a first for me and therefore a challenge!

My thought process came up with mountain rescue, but not living near any mountains meant it would be difficult. But I remembered a local quarry that is used by climbers so I went in search of a local climbing club. Having found one and emailing their secretary asking for volunteers to pose for my shoot, my long shot became reality and in less than 24 hours a member of the club replied saying he was planning a climb in the quarry this week and would be happy to help out.

My idea was to show a climber in need of rescue, so I needed him to fake a fall or a slip that would leave him in a position that would suggest he needed rescue. I had two poses in mind, the first idea was the climber laying at the foot of the crag as if he'd fallen with me shooting down from the top of the crag. The second pose was of him hanging on his rope all limp and lifeless half way up the crag. The second pose proved difficult as my model didn't achieve the pose I had in my head and I felt uncomfortable trying to guide him to the pose I wanted. This is in no way a failure of the climber, who is not a model, but more mine in not being able to explain exactly what I wanted and basically feeling uncomfortable in directing my model. After all, I was hijacking his evenings climb!

#1

Week_25_Rescue_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

#2

Week_25_Rescue_002 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

#3

Week_25_Rescue_003 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

So my first idea is the one I went with and the more successful image as it matches the image I had in my head. However, I'm not totally happy with it.

I wanted the rope to act as a lead in line over the crag edge and down to the fallen climber, which I think it does, but I'm not happy with my chosen point of focus on the rope and I think my DOF is too much.

For me, #2 is my favourite, but I think I could have done better and I'm kicking myself that I failed at getting what I wanted out of my volunteer who was excellent and up for helping in any way he could.
 
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Tough one Neil, nothing like a challenge, eh?

I'm about to make a suggestion that I couldn't perform myself but I'd like to see the bottom of #2 matched with the top and casualty in #3? Of course this would only be possible if both shots were taken from the stability of a tripod.
 
TinaC said:
Tough one Neil, nothing like a challenge, eh?

I'm about to make a suggestion that I couldn't perform myself but I'd like to see the bottom of #2 matched with the top and casualty in #3? Of course this would only be possible if both shots were taken from the stability of a tripod.
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Hi Tina,

So what you're saying is that I should have used a smaller aperture, which I think is right, but not too small that everything was in focus; I like the casualty being OOF. As for making the edit, it's passed my PP skills too, but if anyone wants to give it I that's fine by me.

While there was no tripod, I didn't move too much due to the fear of dropping my camera over the crag to a certain death! I almost asked that the camera had a harness instead of me!
 
Hi, Neil, I tried to merge 2 and 3 in PS but there were a tad off so couldn't align.

Great idea and I can really see what you were after...trouble is, for me, it's all there, but each photograph has a great bit which, if combined, would me great composition.

Still, a nice original idea.
 
Hiya Neil,

Wow what an excellent idea for the theme and well done to you for contacting the climbing club for a model .... and I think he did a great job posing for the shot.

Out of the three photos #2 is my favourite ... it has a sense of depth to it and the bit of in focus rope adds to it too. It looks it may need a contrast adjustment though ... looks a bit too light.

#3 is not a bad photo either, although the levels need adjustment. I'm also not too sure about the OOF plant.

Otherwise I think you have been brave taking this shot especially hanging over the edge with your camera .... something I wouldn't have been able to do.

Well done

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi Neil


what n inspired idea for Rescue & well shot .Nu 2 is the one for me having more of the rope in focus & it appears that the fall was from a greater height . Well done you on having the gumption to mail & ask for help & to your model for helpiing out....there's some bery nive people out there :)

I also like the more in focus person in the 3rd shot but then the rope sort of disappears so doesn't work quite as well for me but can see what you were aiming for .Great work mister :clap:
 
posiview said:
Hi, Neil, I tried to merge 2 and 3 in PS but there were a tad off so couldn't align.

Great idea and I can really see what you were after...trouble is, for me, it's all there, but each photograph has a great bit which, if combined, would me great composition.

Still, a nice original idea.
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Thanks Andy,
I am kicking myself that I didn't try other aperture settings as I'd prefer the DOF to be a little bigger

michael23 said:
Excellent idea Neil, and you have done it justice, I just can't make my mid up if the climber is better in focus or oof?
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Thanks Michael,
I was torn between them too, but I prefer the OOF climber, although I'd prefer a little more focus.

drodd said:
Hiya Neil,

Wow what an excellent idea for the theme and well done to you for contacting the climbing club for a model .... and I think he did a great job posing for the shot.

Out of the three photos #2 is my favourite ... it has a sense of depth to it and the bit of in focus rope adds to it too. It looks it may need a contrast adjustment though ... looks a bit too light.

#3 is not a bad photo either, although the levels need adjustment. I'm also not too sure about the OOF plant.

Otherwise I think you have been brave taking this shot especially hanging over the edge with your camera .... something I wouldn't have been able to do.

Well done

Cheers

Dawn :)
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Thanks Dawn,
The model was really helpful and up for any of my ideas, it was my communication that failed.
In return for his time, I agreed to take a few shots of him for his own use. I've just uploaded them to my flickr, but sadly I didn't get too many good ones - I should have stayed longer and took some shots from on the ground.
I've emailed him to say I'd be happy to meet again as it gives me something to point the camera at and practice!

kennysarmy said:
no. 3 for me :)
great idea for the shot
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Thanks Jeff
 
blondie606 said:
Hi Neil


what n inspired idea for Rescue & well shot .Nu 2 is the one for me having more of the rope in focus & it appears that the fall was from a greater height . Well done you on having the gumption to mail & ask for help & to your model for helpiing out....there's some bery nive people out there :)

I also like the more in focus person in the 3rd shot but then the rope sort of disappears so doesn't work quite as well for me but can see what you were aiming for .Great work mister :clap:
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Hi Lynne,

Over all it looks like the DOF is the issue, which I realised once I got them on the computer. I'm glad people think they are on theme though.
 
bright great shots on the theme and really well shot but as for rescue its mint
great idea and very well executed as said before spot on with dof 5 star :thumbs: shot 1 :clap::clap:
 
Neil

Excellent Idea... the most original i've seen for rescue... not the act of rescue but the realisation your mate needs rescued... it really works in my imagination!

Now for your actual shot... Im stuck between 2 and 3. I would prefer 2 if everything was more in focus and the annoying grass at the very front was removed just leaving the fern. Then the whole bottom foreground was in focus.

So for that I go with shot 3 ... but I'd rather it was shot 2!
 
debrito said:
bright great shots on the theme and really well shot but as for rescue its mint
great idea and very well executed as said before spot on with dof 5 star :thumbs: shot 1 :clap::clap:
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Thanks Paul,

I really enjoyed doing the bright shots.
I still have some of my pounstore bulbs left for a rainy day, and I've gone and got my selfe some josh sticks to do some smoke shots.

Rescue was fun too, and risky, but I wish I'd played around with the camera settings more.

markelliot said:
Neil

Excellent Idea... the most original i've seen for rescue... not the act of rescue but the realisation your mate needs rescued... it really works in my imagination!

Now for your actual shot... Im stuck between 2 and 3. I would prefer 2 if everything was more in focus and the annoying grass at the very front was removed just leaving the fern. Then the whole bottom foreground was in focus.

So for that I go with shot 3 ... but I'd rather it was shot 2!
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Thanks Mark,

I did some vegetation removal, but as I was leaning over the edge and holding the rope in place, it was a bit tricky.
From all the comments I've had, I thing thethe DOF needed to be slightly less, which I realised once I'd got them on the computer.
 
Ok, week 26 - Sensual.

I had this idea from the start, but it's been a funny week and my wife and I just never got the right time to take the shot.

Worst thing is, I spotted something I'm not happy with, once I got it on the PC and the bath water had gone, so I'll have to do a re-shoot at some stage, just need more rose petals to grow!


Week_26_Sensual_24 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Feel free to C&C.
The lighting was all from the candles so any tips on how to improve the lighting but maintain the mood would be appreciated.

I hope you like the image, which wouldn't have been possible if my wife hadn't agreed to pose and let me post it!

Thanks Catherine x
 
Hi Neil, thats a great shot. I quite like it, certainly says sensual, and it's great that Catherine let you do the photo. If anything, the shadow on the tile on the left hand side is a bit annoying, but that's just a minor niggle. :thumbs:
 
Hiya Neil,

Now that is the shot I originally had in mind for my 'sensual' take .... but I couldn't do it single handed without serious damage to my camera .. hence why I opted for the ... yes .... 'leg' shots.

Catherine looks so relaxed and a bit :clap: to her for being your model ... and may I say .... perfect too ... as Catherine looks so relaxed and almost seems oblivious to you taking the photo :thumbs:

I love the whole arrangement ... the candles (BTW I can't believe I have the same candle structure as you, i.e, the black frame in the corner x 2 which has appeared in some of my previous photos), the bubbles and rose petals (which I think a few sprinkled on the bubbles in the bath would have been fab).

And to top it all off ... a glass of wine :D

OMG you defo put a lot of though into this and for that ... you both get a great :thumbs:

I agree about the shadow on the left ... but actually doesn't distract too much as the focus is on the whole 'ambiance' with is very 'sensual' in my eyes.

Well done to you both ... you definitely have this one in the bath ... I mean 'bag'.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Mentalblock said:
Ok, week 26 - Sensual.

I had this idea from the start, but it's been a funny week and my wife and I just never got the right time to take the shot.

Worst thing is, I spotted something I'm not happy with, once I got it on the PC and the bath water had gone, so I'll have to do a re-shoot at some stage, just need more rose petals to grow!


Week_26_Sensual_24 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Feel free to C&C.
The lighting was all from the candles so any tips on how to improve the lighting but maintain the mood would be appreciated.

I hope you like the image, which wouldn't have been possible if my wife hadn't agreed to pose and let me post it!

Thanks Catherine x
Click to expand...


That's exactly the photo I'd planned on taking, that I mentioned when the theme was announced, but I had to play a joker as I didn't have someone to stick in the water :D

I think the way to make the photo pop a bit more would be the main thing that made me play a joker; a flash. Bouncing a flash off the ceiling would light the area up nicely, maybe on a low setting and using a diffuser. Possibly adding some more bubbles to the mix too.

Still, your photo fits the bill perfectly, so :thumbs:
 
Michael,

Thanks for commenting.
I tried moving the wine glass around, but withthat many candles I always got a shadow.
I thought about making a feature of the red reflection on the tile, but felt that it detracted from the idea of the shot.

Hi Dawn,

I'm glad Catherine agreed to the shot or you all may have got a photo of my legs in stockings! The other idea I had involved Catherine in a massage position with my hands doing the rubbing and candles position around her. I just couldn't find any where in the house though that would suit without leaving too much in the background.

Thankls fo rcommening Niall,

As noted above, I had another idea but couldn't find a suitable location, so it was back to plan A.



The one thing that no one has mentioned is the candles sprouting out of Catherine's head.
I tried two angles, the first of which was more pointing down on Catherine and thus left space between Catherine and the candles, but the lower down angle here has the candles behind her head which I don't like and wish I'd spotted in camera. The shot may actualy work better without these candles as they produce a lot of reflections.
 
neil...its good...you old romantic......but you're brave...to take the missus whilst she's sleeping in the tub...to sprinkle the petals and light candles...... hell.. mine used to have a taser handy just in case i even thought of attempting this sort of pose...
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
neil...its good...you old romantic......but you're brave...to take the missus whilst she's sleeping in the tub...to sprinkle the petals and light candles...... hell.. mine used to have a taser handy just in case i even thought of attempting this sort of pose...
Click to expand...

The wife is wise to my sneaking up on her with the camera.
She fully cooperated in this shot!

As for a taser and a bath, not sure that's a good combo
 
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