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

I eventually got out to find my 'Work' shot.
Some would say that may be difficult in Liverpool !

Anyway, I've not done Street photography before, well not in the sense of pointing my camera a strangers going about their day.
I wouldn't say I'm shy, but I didn't feel comfortable doing the street photography. These three are the best from the few I took.

#1

Week_36_Work_11-09-10_003 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

#2

Week_36_Work_11-09-10_011 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

#3

Week_36_Work_11-09-10_005 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I guess this last one is more 'break' than work!

Not sure which one I'll post in the flickr group, I guess I'll see which one you lot prefer, I think the first is my fav.

Plenty of toggers around the Pier Head this evening.
 
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OK, here is my Blur shot which I managed to get while on my hols.

This is my eldest, Isobel, on her big girl no stabilisers bike that she got last year.
We managed to get my other daughter riding with no stabilisers while a way last week, so there's more money going on a new bike rather than my camera kit :'(


Week_35_Blur_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I've tried panning a couple of times while the children have been on their bikes, but nothing serious.
I guess this is my first proper attempt as I was purposely doing this for the theme.

I like the motion blur on the wheels and peddles but that I've managed to keep the body and head in focus.
 
I'm on my iTouch at the moment, getting ready to go the gym;), and it looks like a good un. BG is an minor issue and shallow dof help. First thing I thought was a tad off the rh side.

New bike pppftt Isobel has several year's worth of riding in that bike. )
 
neil, i like your blur. the reflector visible in the spokes, the background motion blurred, good focus on Isobel.. :thumbs: up from me..
 
Looks better bigger...

I'd prefer if you'de got the photograph with her passing a bit sooner, so you could see more of her face.

Nice movement/blur in the bicycle and nice movement in her cardigan.

Cheers.
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
neil, i like your blur. the reflector visible in the spokes, the background motion blurred, good focus on Isobel.. :thumbs: up from me..
Click to expand...

Thanks Kev, I tried a slightly slower shutter speed but my panning skills couldn't handle it! I like it though for the reasons you noted.

posiview said:
Looks better bigger...

I'd prefer if you'de got the photograph with her passing a bit sooner, so you could see more of her face.

Nice movement/blur in the bicycle and nice movement in her cardigan.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Thanks for checking back in on it Andy.

I had a swing ball set on my right which would have been in the shot if I took it sooner. As I was sat in my chair with a can of Magners at my side I couldn't be bothered moving to a better position or to move the swing ball :lol:
 
Hiya Neil,

Wow, I think your 'blur' shot is fantastic. I haven't really tried panning before so can't offer too much critique, however if this was a shot I had taken I would be happy with it.

Well done

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hi Neil

Superb capture for Blur...everything is just right...the background really gives a great impression of speed, thewheels & pedals show movement whilst the rest of the bike & Isobel are nice & sharp....brilliant 1st go:thumbs:
 
drodd said:
Hiya Neil,

Wow, I think your 'blur' shot is fantastic. I haven't really tried panning before so can't offer too much critique, however if this was a shot I had taken I would be happy with it.

Well done

Cheers

Dawn :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Dawn.
A bit more of the face in and it could be one for the family album

rpn said:
Hi Neil,

I like the 'Blur' shot. :clap: The rider and the bike apart from the wheels are sharp and everything else are just spot on theme (blur!)
Click to expand...

Thanks Stan

blondie606 said:
Hi Neil

Superb capture for Blur...everything is just right...the background really gives a great impression of speed, thewheels & pedals show movement whilst the rest of the bike & Isobel are nice & sharp....brilliant 1st go:thumbs:
Click to expand...

As the 52 motor bike/ panning expert, it's good to hear "superb capture".
Thanks Lynne
 
Hopefully obvious with out being obvious!

My youngest, all tucked up at bed 'time'.
I love them and all that, but it is nice when they all go to sleep!


Week 36 Time by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Single gridded snoot hand held by the OH for ease and speed!
Tripod, cable release and walking around on tippy toes!

Feel free to C&C
 
Hiya Neil,

Apologies for not popping past sooner to comment, things have been really hectic for me lately. So I'm here to do a quick catch up.

Your photo for 'Time' is so cute and looks very peaceful. The lighting looks great and like the vignette.

Your 'Work' photos are great too. My favourite has to be the first one, everything about it looks spot on. #2 looks a tad dark to me (but then I am viewing on my netbook, so that may be why it is so). I guess #3 does say 'break', but then it could be 'work break'.

Well done to you. I'm a bit behind now and will have to do a catch up when I have some time.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Thanks Dawn.

It was natural vignette too in 'Time' all courtesy of the gridded snoot.
The only PP in this on is a slight tweak to brightness and levels.

#2 of the 'Work' set is a little dark, it's probably because I've tried to increase the depth of colour in the sky, which was the start of a sun set.

Hope the hectic life changes soon.
Either way, two weeks time and you'll be able to forget about it for a couple of nights.
 
Hi Neil, number 1 of your work set for me. I just prefer the subject matter in there, and nice;y composed. I appear to have missed your blur photograph. Which I quite like, there is a great sense of speed in there. Good picture for time.
 
michael23 said:
Hi Neil, number 1 of your work set for me. I just prefer the subject matter in there, and nice;y composed. I appear to have missed your blur photograph. Which I quite like, there is a great sense of speed in there. Good picture for time.
Click to expand...

Thanks Michael.
A few seconds earlier and it was an ice cream being passed over rather than the change, which I think would have been better.
 
Yeah, #1 for me. It's well compose, vibrant, nice exposure in the whites. Nice storyline...the ice cream seller looks like he's about to say, "Sorry, love, you haven't given me enough!".

#2, I might have been tempted to crop the guy and his kids from the RH side. What makes it for me is the women on the left, she seems to be really staring intently at whatever the guy is pointing at.

#3, smoke break...:naughty:

Cheers.
 
posiview said:
Yeah, #1 for me. It's well compose, vibrant, nice exposure in the whites. Nice storyline...the ice cream seller looks like he's about to say, "Sorry, love, you haven't given me enough!".

#2, I might have been tempted to crop the guy and his kids from the RH side. What makes it for me is the women on the left, she seems to be really staring intently at whatever the guy is pointing at.

#3, smoke break...:naughty:

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,

I thought about cropping the people out of #2, but that would have put the pointing worker closer to the right hand side and pointing out of the frame, which I know he is any way, but it seamed wrong to have him on the right edge.

Thanks for looking.
 
I like the second work one best.

Blur looks great! I've tried panning a couple of times and found it pretty hard to get the right result.
 
Sterling Archer said:
I like the second work one best.

Blur looks great! I've tried panning a couple of times and found it pretty hard to get the right result.
Click to expand...


Thanks Mark,

Panning isn't that hard, well not when it's a 6 year old on her bike!
My daughter is getting faster, but she's nothing like an F1 car or bike, which I guess is harder!

Thanks for looking
 
ahh young neil..how did i miss WORK..???

i'll have a 6..I MEAN..a 99!! please ...nice shot.

#2 you could have cropped out kerry K on the left there and the fly catcher in the rye on the RHS... just focused on the dustbin dudes..

#3 love that break in their work shot...

...as for Time... i'm not sure... its like something out of Paranormal Activity ... don't know... can't say... maybe a long shot ... through a half open door ... sort of light and darkness..??

:thumbs:
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
ahh young neil..how did i miss WORK..???

i'll have a 6..I MEAN..a 99!! please ...nice shot.

#2 you could have cropped out kerry K on the left there and the fly catcher in the rye on the RHS... just focused on the dustbin dudes..

#3 love that break in their work shot...

...as for Time... i'm not sure... its like something out of Paranormal Activity ... don't know... can't say... maybe a long shot ... through a half open door ... sort of light and darkness..??

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

It's certainly like paranormal activity when he's awake!
I would have liked the light to have been light from the door, but the way his room is the light didn't really do anything.

Thanks for looking
 
Couldn't make my mind up again this week!

The fist shot is thanks to the OH, she decided to make some scones which gave me the chance to snap some cake mix! I like the 'semi' (everything was out, just not all in the frame so they got moved a little) staged background which I feel helps the theme. I also like blur on the mix that's falling through the hands. Just a little bit of work in PS, slight levels adjustment and a little boost of colour, no cropping.


Week_37_Mix_016 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

The next two aren't quite as I planned.
For most of the week I had the idea of playing with some Dolly Mixtures, but none of the shops around here appear to sell them! So, plan B, Harabo Mix!
Both of these were taken with the 13mm extension tube, which is really proving useful with the kit lens.


Week_37_Mix_028 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


Week_37_Mix_039 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I tried various compositions, but I think these two are the better ones. I like the colours in the first, but the inclusion of the word 'mix' in the second.
Both were taken in the light box to help reduce shadows. I've played a little in PS, mainly colour balance, contrast and levels to try and bring more detail out in the sweets. None have been cropped.

Feel free to comment
 
Mentalblock said:
Couldn't make my mind up again this week!

The fist shot is thanks to the OH, she decided to make some scones which gave me the chance to snap some cake mix! I like the 'semi' (everything was out, just not all in the frame so they got moved a little) staged background which I feel helps the theme. I also like blur on the mix that's falling through the hands. Just a little bit of work in PS, slight levels adjustment and a little boost of colour, no cropping.


Week_37_Mix_016 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

The next two aren't quite as I planned.
For most of the week I had the idea of playing with some Dolly Mixtures, but none of the shops around here appear to sell them! So, plan B, Harabo Mix!
Both of these were taken with the 13mm extension tube, which is really proving useful with the kit lens.


Week_37_Mix_028 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


Week_37_Mix_039 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I tried various compositions, but I think these two are the better ones. I like the colours in the first, but the inclusion of the word 'mix' in the second.
Both were taken in the light box to help reduce shadows. I've played a little in PS, mainly colour balance, contrast and levels to try and bring more detail out in the sweets. None have been cropped.

Feel free to comment
Click to expand...

Great minds think alike, lol.

As with mine i like the first of the sweet shots, but it's not very colorful what i mean by that is that the colour doesn't hit me. if that makes sense?

Not sure about the second mix shot as the work "Mix" is backwards? and again not very colorful.

But that said, fit's the theme very well as does your first mix shot.

James
 
Hiya Neil,

Great shots for 'mix', have to say I prefer the first of the mixed sweets though, not sure the packaging does much for the other shot.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Some nice movement in #1 and fits the theme. The BG ingredients do add to the storyline.

I'm not keen on the composition - the back to the left hand seems to dominate the scene. An over the shoulder perspective may have been another choice.

Sweets, #1 for me. I like how the cake sweet has been placed on the upper left third. I'd rather the lower sweets were in focus.

I had a good look at #2 rather than move on. I like the tent effect and the lower right purple jellybabykidof sweet looks very content.

Cheers.
 
vdubster said:
Great minds think alike, lol.

As with mine i like the first of the sweet shots, but it's not very colorful what i mean by that is that the colour doesn't hit me. if that makes sense?

Not sure about the second mix shot as the work "Mix" is backwards? and again not very colorful.

But that said, fit's the theme very well as does your first mix shot.

James
Click to expand...

Thanks James,
I did desaturate the sweets a little to try and pull out some detail, I may have taken it too far and hence the lack of colour punch.

Mix is backwards as I was shooting into the bag! I liked the idea and tried many compositions, but the bag had a big clear part which looked odd in the shot.
michael23 said:
Hi Neil, the mixing bowl is a good picture, the crop works well and the background looks good too. Out of your sweets, I prefer the 1st one, much better without the packet for me.
Click to expand...

drodd said:
Hiya Neil,

Great shots for 'mix', have to say I prefer the first of the mixed sweets though, not sure the packaging does much for the other shot.

Cheers

Dawn :)
Click to expand...

The packaging was a little play to get the word 'mix' in, I wasn't 100% that the shot of the sweets said 'mix'; not sure how many on here are familiar with Harabo!

posiview said:
Some nice movement in #1 and fits the theme. The BG ingredients do add to the storyline.

I'm not keen on the composition - the back to the left hand seems to dominate the scene. An over the shoulder perspective may have been another choice.

Sweets, #1 for me. I like how the cake sweet has been placed on the upper left third. I'd rather the lower sweets were in focus.

I had a good look at #2 rather than move on. I like the tent effect and the lower right purple jellybabykidof sweet looks very content.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I didn't think about over the shoulder, I guess I was aiming to keep the things in the BG.
I see what you mean about the hand, I think there's enough in the frame to keep the eye looking past it.
 
Neil,
Great street photography on Work. You're a braver man than me!!:gag:

Love the blur shot, you have done a cracking job capturing the bike ride moment. The BG is a bit distracting, but as a skill with panning, you have nailed it, and one worth shooting again when the bg is right! :clap::clap:

Time, a lovely shot, but a bit too dark around the edges for me. Maybe a tighter crop?

Mix. Ahhhhhh, for me it needs to have the vibrancy and punchyness of the last jelly baby shot but on the first jelly baby shot. That shot is perfect composition, it just needs to be a smidgen more punchy IMHO :clap:

Well done mate.

Adie
 
Thanks Adie,

The work shot was a little nerving for some reason, I'm not usually shy or nervous.

Blur, I like teh shot and will defo be doing a reshoot for the family album, but ye, not tents!

Time I like, not sure about the crop, I'll have a play.

Mix should have been Dolly Mixtures, but I couldn't find any.
I struggled to light the sweets properly and couldn't get the detail I wanted.
After playing about with it I appear to have desaturated it too much.
 
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Hi Neil


Spot on theme for MIX...like the DOF,the background items & the flour siftiing through the fingers :clap: Bugs me that the very left og the mixing bowl is out of shot though :(

Totally love your 1st Haribo shot...just great...looks like I could reach in & pick one of them up...:clap::clap:
 
Taken during a very 'fun' weekend :)


Week_38_Fun_001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

My hand writing could be better I know, but it was my first go and I had to write backwards!

I have another take on the theme that I may post, but I have to decide which one first!
 
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Great shot Neil, I like the sky and the take on the theme! IF anything, maybe a slightly tighter crop, loosing a bit of the sky, just to lift the top of the F into the top third line. Minor niggle for a great shot.

Adie
 
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