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

michael23 said:
Neil, I really like that, works very well. Great 1st go!
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Thanks Michael, I'll be doing a lot more of this me thinks!

Webby962 said:
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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It was more a case of having fun taking the shot than getting composition and that correct, but I understand what you mean. Next time I'm doing this sort of thing I'll defo think more about composition.

^Joe said:
What a great sky and a good effort :thumbs:

I've tried a few of these now, and found writing slower is generally better.
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Thanks Joe, plenty of practice coming up now the nights are getting darker.

blondie606 said:
Hi Neil


love it :clap: Far far better than anythig I couldv'e done . Love the color in the sky as well ....possibly wish there was more underneath the words though...do you have a different crop ?
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Thanks Lynne,
More thought on positioning is certainly required, and more practice writing backwards!


Thanks for all the comments.
 
I said I had another!

Take two on fun - 'fun'gi :)

Not sure if you beat me Andy, I've not done the rounds yet as most of you have Volume up and I've yet to do mine.
Although I know what I'm doing and will be getting it sorted this evening!


Week 38 Fun 002 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I had the flash coming in from the left on this.
I think it adds to the picture, but I'm not sure about the hot spot.
What do you all think?
 
neil...i do have to say i prefer the fun'gi..as FUN... the light writing just didn't cut it for me...beautiful colours, but those slight hotspots creeping in are a distraction...good effort as the background brings the image to life..
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
neil...i do have to say i prefer the fun'gi..as FUN... the light writing just didn't cut it for me...beautiful colours, but those slight hotspots creeping in are a distraction...good effort as the background brings the image to life..
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Thanks Kev
There is plenty of practice required for the light writing, smooth motion, framing and writing backwards!
 
This one may not hit you straight off, but it's there!


Week_39_Volume_11-10-01_055 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


Week_39_Volume_11-10-01_017 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

I'm not sure which composition works best.

These were done with the new flash unit, which wasn't easy.
Getting the power right, the correct angle so there was no harsh white spot on the bottle, but still getting some reflections in the condensation.
Then there was the shiny label which didn't help. Over all I'm happy with it, especially as it was my first 'off camera' effort.
 
nope lost me there Neil.. i see ireland think of guiness and this is cider... i'm lost .. :bonk: ...... ooooo i see it now... you're a cider drinker... glass not quite full then = volume ....






:naughty:
 
I love 'fun'gi. The texture looks great. Would be interested to see the rest of the photos you took after eating dodgy woodland mushrooms. :lol:

Volume looks good too. Not a cider drinker, but the condensation on the bottle adds to it.
 
Blur - spot on for me - difficult technique which you have pulled off well
Time - nice idea - shame it looks as thought the focus point is on the blanket
Mix - almost tried your no.1 shot - great lighting, focus, dof spot on - nicely composed too - good shot :)
Fun - like something from a sci-fi movie....super background and your writing is nt that bad....
Volume - all I can say is great minds think alike ;) can't decide between your crops/submissions - both work I think
 
Hi ya


love those shrooms mister.....great colors , really stand out from the background...hotspots don't spoil it for me.... beautiful :clap:
 
Hi, there. Fun-Gi is super. Real detail in there from using the flash. DOF is spot on. Pit the twigs in the rear...distract a tad. The left one looks like it's hugging the right one...:hug:

I read somewhere that photographs work better if there's an odd number of any given thing in a photograph, don't know why, but you'r works none the less - although without the flash it would have been a bit ordinary. Wonder what a bit more diffusion would have looked like??

Volume. Screamed volume to me....which is a pity. I'd rather something that required a bit more :thinking: ;)

I'd prefer just the one bottle. The rear one doesn't add anything and distracts from the main focus point. There's a bit of glare in the middle of the label.

The 'Alc. Vol...' is on the lower third, but it doesn't grab me as a photograph.

Right, I got a volume photograph...just need to download it and see if it's been taken well and I'll get it posted.
 
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michael23 said:
3 seconds then it clicked :D I quite like the 1st composition. Good use of the flash there. Looks nice and even
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Thanks Michael
On reflection I think it's more obvious than I first thought.

rpn said:
Nice take on the theme Neil.

I prefer no. 1, spot on focus, sharp and good lighting.

The word 'Ireland' in 2 is distracting and taking the focus away.

:thumbs:

Cheers
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Thanks Stan, the first is my preferred shot too.

SamuelSlade007 said:
nope lost me there Neil.. i see ireland think of guiness and this is cider... i'm lost .. :bonk: ...... ooooo i see it now... you're a cider drinker... glass not quite full then = volume ....






:naughty:
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The glass is never full enough for me Kev, always wanting more!

Sterling Archer said:
I love 'fun'gi. The texture looks great. Would be interested to see the rest of the photos you took after eating dodgy woodland mushrooms. :lol:

Volume looks good too. Not a cider drinker, but the condensation on the bottle adds to it.
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Thanks Mark,
Dawn is the shroom togger, she was getting some great shots with on camera flash and her kit lens!

I'm still practising with my flash which I have to use in manual and with the camera in manual!

kennysarmy said:
Blur - spot on for me - difficult technique which you have pulled off well
Time - nice idea - shame it looks as thought the focus point is on the blanket
Mix - almost tried your no.1 shot - great lighting, focus, dof spot on - nicely composed too - good shot :)
Fun - like something from a sci-fi movie....super background and your writing is nt that bad....
Volume - all I can say is great minds think alike ;) can't decide between your crops/submissions - both work I think
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blondie606 said:
Hi ya


love those shrooms mister.....great colors , really stand out from the background...hotspots don't spoil it for me.... beautiful :clap:
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Thanks Lynne,
There were plenty around and the colours were great.
Not sure of the shroom season, but I'll be looking around the next time I'm in the woods!

posiview said:
Hi, there. Fun-Gi is super. Real detail in there from using the flash. DOF is spot on. Pit the twigs in the rear...distract a tad. The left one looks like it's hugging the right one...:hug:

I read somewhere that photographs work better if there's an odd number of any given thing in a photograph, don't know why, but you'r works none the less - although without the flash it would have been a bit ordinary. Wonder what a bit more diffusion would have looked like??

Volume. Screamed volume to me....which is a pity. I'd rather something that required a bit more :thinking: ;)

I'd prefer just the one bottle. The rear one doesn't add anything and distracts from the main focus point. There's a bit of glare in the middle of the label.

The 'Alc. Vol...' is on the lower third, but it doesn't grab me as a photograph.

Right, I got a volume photograph...just need to download it and see if it's been taken well and I'll get it posted.
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Thanks Andy,

I'll be putting together some DIY accessories for the flash, diffuser being one of them!

A friend recently mention the rule of threes, I thought he meant thirds, but apparently not.
The rule says you should try and have three of something in your shot. Not heard it myself, but just another rule to be broken!

After standing in Safeway staring at the ale for 15 minutes, I still managed to pic a bottle with a nice shiny label!
 
Last week I commented on a couple of 52ers images saying that while the images were good, the image didn't convey the theme without the supporting comments, at least IMHO.
For me, I need to see the link to the theme in the image without supporting text, a picture paints a thousand words I guess, so do we need an explanation :thinking:

Obviously this is all subjective, different views and opinions etc. and what people want from their 52. Which got me thinking, what was it I wanted out of my 52!?
For me, I wanted two things from my 52:
- learn how to use my camera and the technical side of photography,
- get me thinking outside of the box and get my creative juices flowing!

Thinking back on my past weeks, I'm starting to think that I've focused more on the technical stuff and having an image that clearly conveys the theme, and neglected the creative side of things and not going for the obvious.

So, in an attempt to kick start my creative juices, I thought I'd focus on the not so obvious, or at least I hope it's not so obvious :lol:

No comments on thoughts behind the picture, just the picture.......


Week_40_Explode by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


Thanks for looking - no pun intended :lol:
 
Well, you've gone from the intentionally obvious in your volume to the :thinking: in your explosion.

I had to scroll up and check I was looking at explosion a few times. I've had a long day so may be missing this one.

Explosion of emotions??

Hmmmm, think I'll come back to this one.

I understand your sentiments about the photograph conveying the theme and not the accompanying text and when I visit galleries I always look at the painting/photograph/sctupture/etc first to see if I can work out what is being conveyed. I guess I get it right (or at all) 50% of the time.

Ballpark figure...I suspect a similar numb er in the year's 52 needs some kind of explanation, either detailed or in brief.

There's quite a lot of cultures that have done 'obvious'and not so 'obvious' art. Aborigional art, for example has paintings of men chasing and hunting animals and alos quite abstract paintings that may convey an emotion but not a story...unless you are part of that culture you may not 'get it'.

And don't get me on the paintings of Rothko I love this guys art but it doesn't tell me a story...it just conveys an emotion to me, always quite dark emotions...great art....to me, of course. Here I go again with the Marmite art!!

Just my ruminations after a few Jim Beams....:thumbs:
 
Hiya Neil,

Well here I am ... finally with a spare moment to do some catching up on commenting. Things have been so hectic since the meet that I have had to do some catching up on my thread before visiting others, but heyho I'm here now to see what you have been up to ...

Fun: I actually like how your FUN light painting has come out ....especially as it was your first attempt at such and it was great to learn and watch you produce that shot, even though it was windy and cold up there on Mam Tor. I look forward to seeing more of the shots you take as you learn more about this type of art.

The fungi shot is good too. Perhaps if you had positioned the flash slightly differently to avoid the strong shadow that is cast on the stalk of the right shroom. I think a stronger DOF would have also worked better to blur the twiggy background ... but otherwise there is lovely detail in the shrooms.

Volume: I had the same idea, but decided to do something different and I'm glad too because your shots are much better than what I would have got. I prefer the first shot mainly because I find the light reflection on the silver part of the label in the second shot a tad distracting.

Explode: Great shot and have to say I like the way you have captured the catch light in the eye and reflection of same in the tear. Lovely detail and tone in the skin and hair. Well done!

Only a few more weeks to go till the end of the Photo52 .... and I look forward to the creative juices you speak about in the coming weeks.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
well done Neil..this says emotional outburst to me... a single tear.. :thumbs:

like dawn says...few weeks left... let them juices flow...
 
posiview said:
The Teardrop Explodes????
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LOL!!!>.. joke from the comments ..

old joke from back in the day:

Q: what's the difference between teardrop explodes and a cow?
A. A cow has horns at the front and a tw @t at the the back! :bonk:
 
posiview said:
The Teardrop Explodes????
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Well it kept you thinking for a couple of hours!

Here is the more obvious shot from the idea that I was going to go with first, but too obvious for the theme.

Sadly you cannot get the paper packaged sherbet fountains any more so I couldn't do a proper take on their best of album cover!


Week_40_Explode_Pt2 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

It's a bit more colourful than Adie's bomb, plus it's edible, but the children have laid claim to the props!
 
Hiya Neil,

Love the 2nd shot for Explode too. I saw some of the paper packaged sherbert last weekend up at the mini mart at the campsite ... I'm going up there again tomorrow so will get think about getting some and trying to make a bomb too :D

I can well imagine the kids have detonated the props :D

I better go and upload my Explode now before I forget and before the next theme is announced.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
Hiya Neil

must confess to not seeing "teardrop explodes"...my 1st thought was sadness at losing someone in an explosion....whichever...it conveyed the theme & nicely taken ...great focus on the eye & teardrop...the white spot bugs me though :shrug:

Brilliant 2nd take...used to love sherbet fountains ( not the liquorice though....YUK !) Great imagination ....:clap:
 
I'm more a dib dab sort of chap... Id do lines on the table if I could...it doesn't agree with me... Boss knows this..yet still buys it for us...

The second shot looks good in principle... But basic.. Prefer the teardrop... You guys and your taste in music... Give me dueling banjos anyway....:thumbs:
 
SamuelSlade007 said:
I'm more a dib dab sort of chap... Id do lines on the table if I could...it doesn't agree with me... Boss knows this..yet still buys it for us...

The second shot looks good in principle... But basic.. Prefer the teardrop... You guys and your taste in music... Give me dueling banjos anyway....:thumbs:
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The second was a quick thing, light box and flash with simple props, plus an excuse to buy the sherbet!! OH got some Dib Dabs too!!

Dueling Banjos - This one?

You got to love Youtube, it gave me this from the same search. Now this is a record I'd like to try and beat:naughty:
 
Hi Neil

Sorry it's been a while since I commented on your 52.

In terms of Explode I much prefer your first shot. I dont think it shouts explode like your second shot so people might not guess the theme.... BUT... It's far more subtle and well thought out. But with the theme writen below it... just the theme name it needs no further explanation. And if your like me and going to produce a photobook of your 52 at the end of the year you will prob have the text with the 52 themes below each shot anyway!

To me photography is the mix that you are working on... But I think the more important and hardest to master is the eye for the shot... just being able to be put anywhere, with any situation and any lighting and somehow craft a good shot. I think if you are confident at doing that... with the basic nuts and bolts technical knowhow in there too.... then you have done what I think we all strive for...

Let those creative juices go wild... It's defo my biggest challenge as I tend to go for the obvious too!

Mark
 
^Joe said:
Tear drop explode has a great DOF and nice detail. The second explode hit's the theme more IMO, with the added bonus of nice colours, and good fun :thumbs:
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The second shot was my first idea, but then I decided to step back a bit from a being in ye face idea.

markelliot said:
Hi Neil

Sorry it's been a while since I commented on your 52.

In terms of Explode I much prefer your first shot. I dont think it shouts explode like your second shot so people might not guess the theme.... BUT... It's far more subtle and well thought out. But with the theme writen below it... just the theme name it needs no further explanation. And if your like me and going to produce a photobook of your 52 at the end of the year you will prob have the text with the 52 themes below each shot anyway!

To me photography is the mix that you are working on... But I think the more important and hardest to master is the eye for the shot... just being able to be put anywhere, with any situation and any lighting and somehow craft a good shot. I think if you are confident at doing that... with the basic nuts and bolts technical knowhow in there too.... then you have done what I think we all strive for...

Let those creative juices go wild... It's defo my biggest challenge as I tend to go for the obvious too!

Mark
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Thanks Mark,
I too prefer the first shot, not so obvious but the link is still there.
Hopefully picking up my nifty 50 this week (Tesco club points into Jessops vouchers :D) which should be usefull for my current thoughts on Rapid which I think is further out of the box than I've been so far!!

ecniv said:
Really like the mushroom/fungi - did you find that growing? Well lit btw :)
Like the beer labels - neat take on the theme.
Didn't get the teardrop. Bit like pear drops?
Sherbert Explosion is well made (and eaten now I guess)
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The fungi was taken on the 52ers meet.
It's hard not to find fungi when you're out with Dawn the Shroom Hunter.

I like the labels, but I wish I'd tried out other compositions.
As usual, not enough time and got too fixated on one thing rather than stopping and thinking about the alternatives.

Tear drop is, as Andy guessed, is from 'The Teardrop Explodes', I wonderful band who had one hit back in the 80's to my knowledge.
 
My big idea hasn't worked as I would have liked, so it's back to the drawing board over the weekend. I thought I post these though and see if anyone can offer any tips!

Take 1

Rapid_Take_1_024 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

The idea is based on Rapids, fast moving water over rocks!
So the shot is supposed to be catching water splashing over ice, which is also known as rocks! It's not come out as expected though.

Take 2

Rapid_Take_2_026 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

Take 2 came about while trying to get in close to show the water over the ice.
This didn't work either, but I liked the shots of the bubbles in the water from pouring the water into a glass from hight.

I'v done some PP on this version to change the colours, you can see them on my flickr.

I'll be coming back to this one as I've not achieved what I wanted :bang:
I'm thinking bigger glass and more water dropped on to the ice for a splashing effect :thinking:
 
Hi Neil :wave:

like your thinking for Rapiddddd.... & love the close up...the bubbles stand out really sharp...think I like the Blue version of Flickr more though:thumbs:

Can't offer any advice re your desired effect though...my only though was wider bowl , more ice cubes & pour from a greater height ?? then again...I'd just ignore me :lol:
 
Mentalblock said:
Sorry Andy, I had to do it!


Spider 001 by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

This is against my rules as it was taken before the theme was announced.
Posted just to :p at Andy :D
I will take a proper one, and that may also be a web :naughty:

I'm sure your's will be better Andy.
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Ppffffttttt....

Spider's web....is sssoooo passé ;)

I'm viewing mobile so I'll view your rapids and weave later...have you used your 50mm yet??
 
posiview said:
Ppffffttttt....

Spider's web....is sssoooo passé ;)

I'm viewing mobile so I'll view your rapids and weave later...have you used your 50mm yet??
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Pity you didn't think of it first Andy....shame..

Neil... Love the second rapid. ... And that spider...that rocks..!!!
 
blondie606 said:
Hi Neil :wave:

like your thinking for Rapiddddd.... & love the close up...the bubbles stand out really sharp...think I like the Blue version of Flickr more though:thumbs:

Can't offer any advice re your desired effect though...my only though was wider bowl , more ice cubes & pour from a greater height ?? then again...I'd just ignore me :lol:
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The OH suggested wider bowl.
I suspect I wont have time to try now, on my hols after next week :D

For those not on flickr :thinking:


Rapid_Take_2_026_Blue by HaplessClicker, on Flickr


posiview said:
Ppffffttttt....

Spider's web....is sssoooo passé ;)

I'm viewing mobile so I'll view your rapids and weave later...have you used your 50mm yet??
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Had a play with the 50mm, nothing too serious though.
Loving f1.8

rpn said:
Nice shot for the 2nd rapid theme, Neil.

You are quick off the mark too on this week's weave theme.
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Thanks Stan.
I'll be doing another weave as this one breaks my rules :rules:
I posted this to set a real low bar for Andy!

SamuelSlade007 said:
Pity you didn't think of it first Andy....shame..
Click to expand...

:thinking::naughty::thinking::naughty:

Glad you like the bubbles and spider Kev.
I've not as much web as your shot, but I do like the spider.
 
My first post hits the theme, but it wasn't taken after the theme was posted or taken with the theme in mind, so it's against my rules.

So, during a walk around Formby this afternoon, I found this bit of art work.
I instantly saw the weave of logs forming what I think is a wave :thinking:, it's in the National Trust car park near the beach, so it could be a wave kind of thing :shrug:


Week 42 - Weave by HaplessClicker, on Flickr

It's best viewed large.
I've done a little HDR too, just to give it a little boost. The sun was low and in the wrong place when I took the shot and the on camera flash wouldn't reach!

It's not in line with my "creative juices" policy, so I may take another this week.
However, we're off in the motorhome for a few days next week so I need to get things sorted or the OH will shout!.

Thanks for looking.
 
Hiya Neil,

As I mentioned to Kev, I saw your first few posts earlier today on the netbook, but didn't want to leave comment because the image quality on it is poor compared to my big screen at home.

Now that I'm back, I have had another peek at your shots and wow! I have to say I am very impressed!!!

I like both shots for rapid, the glass with the water being poured in gives more of a sense of the motion. The 2nd is great too .... I like this one, although I am also drawn to the blue version.

The spider web is fab, lovely dof and the spider is pin sharp :clap:

The second shot for weave is a fabulous masterpiece of wood work ... I'm not sure about the HDR, but as you pointed out the sun/lighting was not in your favour. It indeed looks like a wave and well spotted! I can imagine this piece has quite a bit of photographic potential .... how about some light painting there :D

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
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