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

posiview said:
Weird as hell. #1 is my choice.

I doesn't look too happy.

Shame about the shallow DOF.

Cheers.
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PatrickO said:
Amazing image which is definitely weird, not to say surreal!

Excellent clairity especially considering the conditions. I like both the first two. Perhaps too closely cropped - we have got almost the whole snail but the top of the shell is chopped off.

The colour and textures are great. Greater DOF would be the icing on the cake.

Great capture :thumbs:
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Thanks Andy/ Patrick

I've just checked back through the shots to see if I had one with all the shell, but the only ones that include all the shell fail to show the weird snail!

Thanks for looking
 
Week 31 -Wind

None of my early ideas inspired me on this weeks theme.
Mainly because the wind didn't get up and I couldn't think of a suitable location even if it did!

Now I try and avoid everyone else's posts until I've decided what I was doing with mine, don't want any influence, but this week I accidentally looked at someone's bag pipes (I'll find you again and leave comment) which reminded that Wifey plays the clarinet - A wind instrument!

They're a strange instrument with all their valves and levers. I tried some close ups on the various valves and levers but nothing made me smile, so I thought about focusing on the read with some slate as a back ground. I wasn't liking that though so dropped the idea. Then a few days later it hit me, use some sheet music as the BG!

So here it is.


Week_31_Wind_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I've added a white vignette to soften off the corners, partly because they were lacking interest and partly to keep the eyes on the centre as the clarinet composition leads your eyes out. I had the 13mm extension tube on so I could get in close, but I wanted to keep the sheet music partly in focus so I had to go to f29. I find that the tubes really throw the BG's, even at f5.6.


Thanks for looking, and as ever, feel free to leave C&C
 
neil..i expected more from you...well..more toilet humour maybe ..:D ... but this...this is good.. i like the softening you've added to the uninteresting parts... instead of going for the whole..you've focused on the business end with good detail i can see the texture of the reed ... nice .. :thumbs: ...

still waiting for the beans to work for my Wind picture...
 
Week 32 - Evolution

I'm glad my Dad is a Numismatists!
I put this one aside for him a few weeks back and just spotted it in the cupboard while putting the van key back - had to get a tin of Ambrosia Cream Rice Pudding out to eat while watching Camelot later!


Week_32_Evolution_11-08-06_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Now, I know I've applied the rule of thirds here, but it's left some dead space on the right. Should I go central?
 
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Wind, nice! One of my favourite instruments.

Well composed and sharp.

The reflection in the top is my only major issue and I'd like to see, if I were being really picky the right hand ligature screw turned a tad more to marry up with the left hand one.

Evolution...I didn't even realise week 32 was out. Darwin, one of my most admired scientists!!

Well composed and I refer it as presented and not central. I wonder what a nice reflective surface would have produced? You'd have a reflection of the 'reflections'.

Cheers and :thumbs: for two good photographs.
 
2 nice pictures there Neil. Really like wind, great composition and I like the vignette. Well done for being quick off the mark with evolution! I have never seen that design on the £2 coin before. The composition is excellent, no need for a change.
 
Mentalblock said:
Week 32 - Evolution

I'm glad my Dad is a Numismatists!
I put this one aside for him a few weeks back and just spotted it in the cupboard while putting the van key back - had to get a tin of Ambrosia Cream Rice Pudding out to eat while watching Camelot later!


Week_32_Evolution_11-08-06_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Now, I know I've applied the rule of thirds here, but it's left some dead space on the right. Should I go central?
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well neil..i'll give you the :clap: for getting it in the tin as quick as you did.. as for central...stay with it...

i love the reflection, the position. the fact you've got the text in focus. just enough above and below...let the experts tell you if there's anything wrong. :thinking:

..its almost as if you knew what the theme would be.. :naughty:
 
posiview said:
Wind, nice! One of my favourite instruments.

Well composed and sharp.

The reflection in the top is my only major issue and I'd like to see, if I were being really picky the right hand ligature screw turned a tad more to marry up with the left hand one.

Evolution...I didn't even realise week 32 was out. Darwin, one of my most admired scientists!!

Well composed and I refer it as presented and not central. I wonder what a nice reflective surface would have produced? You'd have a reflection of the 'reflections'.

Cheers and :thumbs: for two good photographs.
Click to expand...

michael23 said:
2 nice pictures there Neil. Really like wind, great composition and I like the vignette. Well done for being quick off the mark with evolution! I have never seen that design on the £2 coin before. The composition is excellent, no need for a change.
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SamuelSlade007 said:
well neil..i'll give you the :clap: for getting it in the tin as quick as you did.. as for central...stay with it...

i love the reflection, the position. the fact you've got the text in focus. just enough above and below...let the experts tell you if there's anything wrong. :thinking:

..its almost as if you knew what the theme would be.. :naughty:
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rpn said:
Neil,

Nice take on the Wind. Very good composition and DoF too. As you said the white vegnetting works well too.

As for the Evolution; very quick off the mark, good thinking and spot on theme. The reflection and DoF just suit the photo.

:clap:
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Thanks for the comments.

When I spotted the coin in the cupboard, I wondered what I could use as a BG, it didn't take me long to remember the slate from Week 23 Broken.

When I was setting things up I noticed and liked the reflection, and the shadow, I felt they gave a little more to the image. Wet slate may give a better reflection, so if I get chance through the week I may do a reshoot.
 
Hiya Neil,

I seem to be having a tough time keeping up with everyone these days, so sorry if I have taken long to comment on your recent posts.

I absolutely love the 'wind' photo, fab composition and the sheet music works a treat as the background. Also like the white vignette you have added to soften the corners. Great focus too on the read of the clarinet. Only slight crit for me is the light reflection top right.

Onto 'evolution' .... great idea, lovely detail of the coin and set against the slate background works well. For me though, I wonder if it would have worked better with the coin on the right-hand 3rd which may have eliminated the dark shadow cast behind the coin :shrug: It may be interesting to see what kind of reflection one could achieve on wet slate.

Both great ideas and well captured shots.

Good on you :clap:

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
drodd said:
Hiya Neil,

I seem to be having a tough time keeping up with everyone these days, so sorry if I have taken long to comment on your recent posts.

I absolutely love the 'wind' photo, fab composition and the sheet music works a treat as the background. Also like the white vignette you have added to soften the corners. Great focus too on the read of the clarinet. Only slight crit for me is the light reflection top right.

Onto 'evolution' .... great idea, lovely detail of the coin and set against the slate background works well. For me though, I wonder if it would have worked better with the coin on the right-hand 3rd which may have eliminated the dark shadow cast behind the coin :shrug: It may be interesting to see what kind of reflection one could achieve on wet slate.

Both great ideas and well captured shots.

Good on you :clap:

Cheers

Dawn :)
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Thanks for commenting Dawn.
I'm comfortable with the reflection on Wind, I noticed it while setting up and decided to keep it.

As for Evolution, I could have defused the natural light off the patio door, but I liked the shadow and the reflection as I feel they add to the image, in that it's not just a coin on a grey BG. Moving the coin to the right still would have cast a shadow and would have lost the reflection, unless I had altered the light too. The coin in the left third is more natural I think with the eyes being used to reading left to right.
 
Hi ya

lovely shot for Wind :thumbs: Great DOF , the sheet music adds to the overall picutre & love the way you've caught the detail in the reed...someone elese mentioned about the screws being aligned more but thats a minor nit pick...great work :clap:

Evolution...never seen one of those coins so well done for being sharp eyed .I like the positioning as it is, the slate works great as a background & the lighting is just right :clap::clap:
 
Two excellent shots for "wind" and "evolution". Spot on for the themes.
Great detail, sharpness and DOF in them both.

Well done:thumbs:
 
blondie606 said:
Hi ya

lovely shot for Wind :thumbs: Great DOF , the sheet music adds to the overall picutre & love the way you've caught the detail in the reed...someone elese mentioned about the screws being aligned more but thats a minor nit pick...great work :clap:

Evolution...never seen one of those coins so well done for being sharp eyed .I like the positioning as it is, the slate works great as a background & the lighting is just right :clap::clap:
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PatrickO said:
Two excellent shots for "wind" and "evolution". Spot on for the themes.
Great detail, sharpness and DOF in them both.

Well done:thumbs:
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Lynne/ Patrick, thanks for the comments.
I'm happy with both of these, which has given me a little boost.

Roll on tomorrow!
We're hosting a BBQ, so it would be good if the theme ties in!
Anything ecoli would be good :)
 
Mentalblock said:
Week 31 -Wind

None of my early ideas inspired me on this weeks theme.
Mainly because the wind didn't get up and I couldn't think of a suitable location even if it did!

Now I try and avoid everyone else's posts until I've decided what I was doing with mine, don't want any influence, but this week I accidentally looked at someone's bag pipes (I'll find you again and leave comment) which reminded that Wifey plays the clarinet - A wind instrument!

They're a strange instrument with all their valves and levers. I tried some close ups on the various valves and levers but nothing made me smile, so I thought about focusing on the read with some slate as a back ground. I wasn't liking that though so dropped the idea. Then a few days later it hit me, use some sheet music as the BG!

So here it is.


Week_31_Wind_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I've added a white vignette to soften off the corners, partly because they were lacking interest and partly to keep the eyes on the centre as the clarinet composition leads your eyes out. I had the 13mm extension tube on so I could get in close, but I wanted to keep the sheet music partly in focus so I had to go to f29. I find that the tubes really throw the BG's, even at f5.6.


Thanks for looking, and as ever, feel free to leave C&C
Click to expand...

That's nice :) I like the grain on the reed, and the fitting makes an interesting contrast from the music sheet.

You've just given me an idea for mine as I'm a bit behind :D
 
Neil,
Love Wind. Nothing to add but :thumbs:

Well thought out on Evolution. I think you made a good choice NOT going for central. It seldom works.

For me, a few thoughts on the reflection, I'm not sure it "adds" anything to the narrative. For me if you could have used the shadow, complete, so it is nice and long but isn't cropped, it would also be part of the shot. After all, shadows are used to mark the passing of time, which is where evolution takes place. And maybe, just a smidgeon more light onto the side of the coin, to bring out the edge detail. Minor points, and only mentioned to add a bit more thought to an already great shot.

Rgds

Adie
 
Hi Neil

Sorry i've not dropped by your 52 in an age.

I really liked your Evolution shot... you took a simple macro shot idea... got it spot on... the coin subject itself done all the theme bit for you... I wish I could come up with a few simplistic shots like that! Especially for some of my outstanding themes. Everything is spot on and I love the DOF!

Your wind shot is shot and theme perfect. No crit to give really.

Great work on all your shots!

Mark
 
TinaC said:
I love the wind shot :bang: I have just realised I'm the official keeper of my daughters clarinet! Could have used it myself. You got some great texture in the detail of the reed :thumbs:

Evolution, I like this, a good take on the theme and spot on :thumbs:
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Thanks Tina,
There is always a reshoot!

markelliot said:
Hi Neil

Sorry i've not dropped by your 52 in an age.

I really liked your Evolution shot... you took a simple macro shot idea... got it spot on... the coin subject itself done all the theme bit for you... I wish I could come up with a few simplistic shots like that! Especially for some of my outstanding themes. Everything is spot on and I love the DOF!

Your wind shot is shot and theme perfect. No crit to give really.

Great work on all your shots!

Mark
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark
 
Week 33 - Record

It may not be obvious straight off, but this is part of my marriage certificate.
The link to record being that certificates are a record of events.
It's not visible in this shot, but the certificate is also laying our our wedding album, which is a photographic record of our day.
I had tried to get the album in the picture, but I wasn't happy with any of the compositions.


Week 33 Record by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Lighting was a single gridded snoot to keep it focused on one point.
I know what the main comment will be, but I'll see what you all say!
I'm still not 100% happy with the composition, but nothing springs to mind on what it needs :thinking:
 
Hi Neil,

Some nice shots over the last few weeks. The last one is the best for me..... maybe a shallower DOF though? but thats being really fussy.
Great stuff.
 
I really like this. I'm more of a fan of texture and mood created by lighting, which this is a good example of.

It's one of those images that can tell a lot of stories, depending on your frame of mind when viewing it. At the moment I'm thinking abandoned registry office, with torch light :)
 
Hiya Neil,

Well done on the 'record' shot and I immediately saw 'record of marriage' in the image. Good composition and lighting (although .... and I think you may be waiting for this .... but the light reflection on the rings is slightly distracting).

I may have been tempted to try to flatten or smooth out the crease/fold in the certificate as that also draws my attention.

But otherwise I like this shot.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
TinaC said:
That, I like :thumbs:

The light is just enough to give really good texture in the rose petals, well done!
Click to expand...

Thanks Tina,
The light gave off a little bit of a yellow tint that I had to tone down in PP.
Playing with the WB in camera changed the colour balance to things I didn't like.

McNyat said:
Hi Neil,

Some nice shots over the last few weeks. The last one is the best for me..... maybe a shallower DOF though? but thats being really fussy.
Great stuff.
Click to expand...

Hi Ciaran
I was at f18 so I had capacity to go shallower, but I wanted main focus across the rings and flowers but still to keep the text in focus. I had the extention tube on again (these are really being useful!) and I've noticed that the DOF really drops off when using them.

Bluesmachine said:
I really like this. I'm more of a fan of texture and mood created by lighting, which this is a good example of.

It's one of those images that can tell a lot of stories, depending on your frame of mind when viewing it. At the moment I'm thinking abandoned registry office, with torch light :)
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Thats a good imagination you have Niall.
If I'm shooting in doors I always try and play with one of my lights, just to see what effect I can get and see what people think.
Here I wanted the low light just on the main subject and I think it works.

drodd said:
Hiya Neil,

Well done on the 'record' shot and I immediately saw 'record of marriage' in the image. Good composition and lighting (although .... and I think you may be waiting for this .... but the light reflection on the rings is slightly distracting).

I may have been tempted to try to flatten or smooth out the crease/fold in the certificate as that also draws my attention.

But otherwise I like this shot.

Cheers

Dawn :)
Click to expand...

You got it Dawn, the rings arethe issue.
I wanted to play about with it in PP but time got the better of me.
I was mindfull of the creases too, but again, no time to squash the certificate to try and lose them.


Thanks for the comments everyone.
 
Just a quick thank you Neil. With your help I finally got the first page links set up.

Thanks again mate :thumbs:
 
Reflection isn't an issue for me.

A very pleasurable and memorable day.

The texture of the paper is nice and the DOF is spot on for me.

My only thought is I'd prefer it without the roses, unless they are there to hide the writing...:thinking:

Cheers.
 
posiview said:
Reflection isn't an issue for me.

A very pleasurable and memorable day.

The texture of the paper is nice and the DOF is spot on for me.

My only thought is I'd prefer it without the roses, unless they are there to hide the writing...:thinking:

Cheers.
Click to expand...

My main thinking behind the roses was partly that we had white roses in the button holes and that they added to the feel of the shot, rather than just being the certificate and rings. They do cover some private details I wouldn't want all over the web though!

michael23 said:
Neil, thats a lovely image. Just the right amount of lighting there. Well done.
Click to expand...

Thanks Michael
 
Elaborate - Week_27_Elaborate_002_B&W by HaplessClicker, on Flickr - I like it - maybe would have moved position slightly to remove the trees/branches coming out of the left hand side

Celebrate - great lighting on these ones

Smell - WOW - you CAN almost smell that ! Great work

Weird - does nt scream weird - but good shots considering the difficult subject

Wind - great use of a vignette and spot on focus

Evolution - nicely done again - I would leave the composition as is - if anything I feel the image needs a little bit more space at the top to balance better.

Record - nice idea - like the comosition - something does nt seem right with the white balance or colours for my eye - it would look good in mono I think too :)
 
Think everything has been said on your record shot now Neil. So I'll just add that it looks good to me with just the right amount of light. Agree with Jeff and think it would look really good in mono.
 
Hey Neil

Sorry i've been dreadful at keeping up with your and in fact everybody's 52!

Really got your theme for record... obvious without being slam in your face predictable!

The shot itself is great... I'd maybe have just had the lighting a little brighter...

Keep up the great work... I'm really struggling with time through the summer!

Mark
 
kennysarmy said:
Elaborate - Week_27_Elaborate_002_B&W by HaplessClicker, on Flickr - I like it - maybe would have moved position slightly to remove the trees/branches coming out of the left hand side

Celebrate - great lighting on these ones

Smell - WOW - you CAN almost smell that ! Great work

Weird - does nt scream weird - but good shots considering the difficult subject

Wind - great use of a vignette and spot on focus

Evolution - nicely done again - I would leave the composition as is - if anything I feel the image needs a little bit more space at the top to balance better.

Record - nice idea - like the comosition - something does nt seem right with the white balance or colours for my eye - it would look good in mono I think too :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comments Jeff.
Been on hols so playing catch up now.
If I have time I may try a mono.

Barrysprout said:
Think everything has been said on your record shot now Neil. So I'll just add that it looks good to me with just the right amount of light. Agree with Jeff and think it would look really good in mono.
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Thanks Colin
Having just got back from my hols, I've 500+ pictures to sort out so a revisit for mono may be a while off!

markelliot said:
Hey Neil

Sorry i've been dreadful at keeping up with your and in fact everybody's 52!

Really got your theme for record... obvious without being slam in your face predictable!

The shot itself is great... I'd maybe have just had the lighting a little brighter...

Keep up the great work... I'm really struggling with time through the summer!

Mark
Click to expand...

Hi Mark,
The summer and all the hols are taking up the time, but luckily the summer is over now :shake:
 
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