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

Mentalblock said:
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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wife was always fully earthed by wearing rubber boots in the bath....

drodd said:
That would explain why Kev is like he is now :cuckoo:

:lol:

D :D
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i heard THAT .... :razz:

Sterling Archer said:
Nearly spat my beer out then! :lol:
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:suspect:

drodd said:
:lol:
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my ears do burn you know..when sarcasm is near ... :naughty: :razz:
 
Warm bath - check
Candles - check
Rose petals - check
Bubbles - check
Wine - check.

Lots of thought has been put into the photograph, but, for me, the whole isn't greater than the sum of its parts.

Your wifes a tad central for me, perhaps moving left and panning right slightly.

The icing on the cake for me, though, would have been a slight sensual smile. She looks, well, bored or asleep :thinking:

And no PP....;)
 
Thanks for the comments Andy.

Moving around in the bathroom wasn't limited, but what I was prepared to show in the photo was - wife in the bath is fine for the internet, black mould on the white silicone isn't going on the internet :nono:

As for the smile, that is Catherine smiling :lol:
 
Hi Neil


what a beautiful shot for Sensual...hits the spot in many ways & well done to your good lady for agreeing to model for you :clap:

Love the lighting , the shadow from the glass doesn't bother me as light naturally creates shadows .Great set up as well...you certainly went to a lot of effort to get the setting just right & it's paid off :thumbs: Maybe a little smile would have added to it but great work as it is :thumbs:
 
blondie606 said:
Hi Neil


what a beautiful shot for Sensual...hits the spot in many ways & well done to your good lady for agreeing to model for you :clap:

Love the lighting , the shadow from the glass doesn't bother me as light naturally creates shadows .Great set up as well...you certainly went to a lot of effort to get the setting just right & it's paid off :thumbs: Maybe a little smile would have added to it but great work as it is :thumbs:
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Thanks Lynne.
 
Mentalblock said:
My OH has picked up my extension tubes from the post office today, I'm feeling like a child at Christmas and cannot wait to get home to have a play - Macro fun come on!

Now, what elaborate things can I find in macro land :thinking:
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Hiya Neil,

Lucky you ... I bet you can't wait to play with the new tubes ;)

Look forward to seeing some pics ... as for elaborate things in macro land .... I am sure you will have no trouble there .... the world if full of tiny elaborate things.

Enjoy!

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi mate... I think your sensual idea is great... but there is a better shot from that scene in my mind... I think you could have got a bit closer in and lower... maybe even held right just above the water... I dont know it's the sort of shot id have explored my angle options a little more. Have to also agree with andy about the facial expression!
 
Thanks for the comments Mark.

I agree that there could be different/ better angle(s), but as it was all lit by the candles, light levels were very low and the tripod was essential. Sadly my tripod is a little basic so I was limited to being along side the bath rather than being able to get the camera over the bath.

As for the smile, I'm not sure, you have to use muscles to smile, so if you're relaxed would you be smiling? I can see that sensual is pleasing so you could be smiling for that.
 
Week 27 - Elaborate.

I have to say that I struggled for ideas this week.
After getting my extension tubes, I thought the garden would offer endless ideas, but apart
from today it's been very wet outside since getting the tubes, so I've not had chance to fully investigate.

However, I did manage a few shots in the garden on a theme of 'elaborate', one of which
is posted below, but the ones I think best suit the theme are from a walk around a local church this afternoon.

There is a real nice church next to my daughters school, St Peters in Woolton, Liverpool.
I was christened at the church and,
to top it off, it's where Eleanor Rigby is buried - Eleanor of Beatles fame!
The first picture is of the 'elaborate' timber work on the canopy over the main gate to the church grounds.


Week_27_Elaborate_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

The second two are of the 'elaborate' detail in the stone First World War memorial, which is at the
front of the church. I'm not sure if a prefer the colour or the B&W. I think the B&W helps show the detail in the stone, but the colour adds to the rest of the picture.


Week_27_Elaborate_002 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


Week_27_Elaborate_002_B&W by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Now this one is from the garden.
The idea is that a spider planned and executes, with painstaking attention to numerous parts, the construction of
her web, hence it's 'elaborate! I'm not 100% happy with this, and as it was late evening rather than dew filled morning, I had to cheat and spray the web with water!


Week_27_Elaborate_003 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I may have to revisit this one one morning as I know a place where they stand out quite well and I'll be able to use my tripod.

So, sorry for the four posts, I do prefer posting one, but hey, it's my 52!

Thanks for looking and ever feel free to comment, good or bad!
I just have to decide which one goes on the TP52 flickr site :thinking:
 
Nice. 4 good ones there.

I was going to do a web but never got around to it. Plenty of detail and a nice unfussy background. Pity no spider or is that it center left?

Of the 4, I'm opting for #1. I was/am unsure about the perspective (made me a tad dizzy..:gag:) but I suspect it will grow on me. Now the DOF, my initial reaction was to say I'd like to see a shallower DOF and I think I would but you'd have to really take your time to get what I'd like to see. That's all the elaborate wood in focus and the tree slightly more OOF. Hell, just looked again and think any more OOF and the trees may just turn into a green blob...:thinking:

Cheers.
 
Hiya Neil,

Well done on the take for this week's theme.

I like the detail in the wood of #1 and the angle at which you have taken the shot. Pity about the shadow, but guess there isn't much you could do about that.

Out of the two memorial photos I prefer the colour version, mainly because I like the background colours. The detail is more visible on the B&W version but the background looks over exposed.

I really like the spider web, nice DOF and love the colour of the background too.

Can't decide though which to post in the TP52 group ... but I would probably go with either 2 or 4.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi Neil,

It's the First World War memorial that grabs me out of these 4.
What a fantastic piece of stonework and I think you've picked a perfect angle for it!

Hard-pressed to choose between them but I think I prefer the colour version, despite the B&W showing better detail in the stone. It's the sky that made up my mind. You've got that lovely turquoise tint in the colour one, whereas the B&W looks a flat white.

Only niggle is that branch protruding out of the LHS of the memorial. I think I'd clone that out.
 
Week 26 "Sensual" - definitely a very sensual image and well done to your OH for taking part. I like the set up for the shot with the candles, petals, wine etc.
The lady looks very relaxed, perhaps a bit too relaxed for this theme - little more expression would be good.
The candle lighting is good, but I feel the lighting needs lifting. I think it may have been better if the lighting was more on her face.
Overall a well executed shot that certainly says "sensual" to me.

Week 27 Elaborate
#1 My favourite of the four. I love the quirky angle and viewpoint. Excellent composition The detail, lighting, DOF and colours are all spot on.

#2+3 I think I can see your aim here, but thre's not enough to hold my interest. The mono one is better for me, but the overexposed background and flat lighting detracts from the image.

#4 very nice shot. The water droplets are great and add a lot to the image. I would have preferred a deeper DOF to bring more of the web into focus.
 
Hiya Neil, number 1 and number 3 for me, the angle on the 1st is great, and the composition is spot on. The black and white processing works really well for the subject making it standout. Great work, :thumbs:
 
Hi Neil

great set of shots for Elaborate...sometimes it is hard to choose just 1 :)

Love the angle of the 1st shot , the wood texture/grain comes through really well :thumbs:

Of the 2 memorial shots I think I prefer the 1st shot ...the color show more of the detail though just a tad dark at the top

Love the spiders web...something I need to have a try at:thumbs:
 
blondie606 said:
Hi Neil

great set of shots for Elaborate...sometimes it is hard to choose just 1 :)

Love the angle of the 1st shot , the wood texture/grain comes through really well :thumbs:

Of the 2 memorial shots I think I prefer the 1st shot ...the color show more of the detail though just a tad dark at the top

Love the spiders web...something I need to have a try at:thumbs:
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Thanks Lynne, I'm still undecided which one is going on the TP52 flickr, but it's only between two now!
 
...i'm behind the times on this flickr group but have flicked an email to the admins so i can mingle my seed with that of the rest of you... seeds of creativity.. :D

i wonder who the admins are..??
 
Hi mate... really like all the elaborate shots... but the first one stands out for me! Not sure why it just does... I think the DOF on the web is a little too shallow!
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
...i'm behind the times on this flickr group but have flicked an email to the admins so i can mingle my seed with that of the rest of you... seeds of creativity.. :D

i wonder who the admins are..??
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Kev,
I see you're now part of the flickr group.
Now no getting carried away with those boxes, it's one image for each week.

markelliot said:
Hi mate... really like all the elaborate shots... but the first one stands out for me! Not sure why it just does... I think the DOF on the web is a little too shallow!
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Hi Mark,
I've made my mind up and I've decided to go with the first.
Thanks for looking and the comments
 
Week 28 - Celebrate

My first idea was a shot of the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool. It's her centenary year this year as the doors officially opened to the public 19th July 1911, so there are loads of 'celebrations' planned. However, on the night I went down, many of the lights weren't working so the building looked odd with un-balanced lighting.

So, after a trip round poundland, I decided to give party poppers a go.
However I thought I'd add a few more props to help with the 'celebrate' feel, plus it's cake!


Week_28_Celebrate_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


Week_28_Celebrate_002 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

The first, which is the one I prefer, is a crop of the second.
If you look closely, you can see that I did catch a party popper!

Oh, and while I'm talking about Liverpool, Brazilica is on this weekend, which is a Brazilian style carnival which should offer the lens something.
And next weekend there are free concerts and a spectacular 3d light show being projected on to the Liver Building to celebrate it's 100th birthday.
Check out linky to see the Prague version of the show.
 
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Hey Neil,

Great take on the celebration theme ... like how it looks you have the same cake as I had for my birthday (yummie)

What is with the '28'? or is that a play on Colin's (Barrysprout) age ;)? :lol:

I find both your photos, tastefully messy .... just as a 'celebration' should be in my books .... OMG heaven help us on the 52'ers meet :D

Now as you have most probably gathered from me previous post for elaborate I love chocolate cake .... accompanied by wine/champers .... so this for me works well ;)

I'm not convinced the party poppers contribute to the image ... however they do to the feel of 'celebrate'.

Sounds like you are in for some good celebration times in Liverpool this weekend. Would be great to attend same ... just not sure if I can fit it in this weekend :bang: It would mean driving back and forth ... which is about 1hr30 one way.

Anyway, I am sure you will have a great time and look forward to seeing some of the photos.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Thanks for l the comments Dawn.
If the party ain't messy then you ain't enjoyed it!

As for the party poppers, I was hoping they would add a lively feel to the shot with the motion blur, but they are so hit and miss on how they fired. Still, 30 poppers for a pound, what would you expect.

We've got two French students staying with us for the next two weeks so we'll have to take them around Liverpool. I'll be sure to post some images if I get some good ones.
 
neil...bluntly...its not the drink talking..because i don't drink....but neither float my lemon slice...I mean... ice cube...BOAT...

both seem too busy ..though YES celebrate is there... there are empty spaces... maybe more popper string.....

..and Neil.. you should change your profile pic... that surely can't be you, if the cakes for you... ;)
 
Hi Kev,

It was a staged shot, so no the number on the cake isn't mine.

I hear what you say about the empty space, which is why I prefer the cropped version.
Other than staging a full on party and having a buffet for dinner, these were all the props I had to fill the frame.

As I have reduced time over the next two weeks, this will have to do.

The cake was nice though!
 
Great take on the theme. I preffer the crop version, but as mentioned above, the top third is just too.... empty and dark.
But I like the rest of the staging, the positioning of the elements, and just love the colour on the glass and wine....

Rgds

Adie
 
Hi Neil, trying to do quick catch ups when I can.

Sensual: great idea for the theme and great that Catherine was a willing model for you. The shadow on the wall is a bit distracting and Catherines face is a tad too dark for my liking. I can understand the difficulties you faced here as introducing another light source would ruin the feel of the shot.
Two ideas I would have tried, one would be to have more candles camera side of shot (not even in the shot) to cast some more light or a reflector of some sort to tray and capture more light from the rcandles behind her.

Elaborate: Really love the angle you have taken the first shot at. I like the fact that my brain is trying to make more sense of the levels (if that makes any sense)

Celebrate: I'm not adverse to a bit of darkness in the frame (as can be seen in most of my shots) but I think the composition could maybe be improved in the shot. If the cake was pushed back so the candles were on a top third and the wine glass brought forward giving more light coming through the glass that would just leave enough space at the bottom for poppers and give a fuller frame. Maybe?
 
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