Nick T's 52 for 2010 - Week 26 - Beginnings on page 16

[SarahLee]

That'll teach me to read properly. Just caught Sarah doing the same to me - must be something in the water you know.

But I almost caught it before you noticed!

I love both of these Nick

The second "jump" shot works much better with the extra space in front of her and less of a bright area to the right.
It pains me to write that though. After I broke the focal point "rules" in my shot this week I really want to embrace any other rule-breaking images for this theme.

Technically, this one is perfect IMO. Incredibly sharp and well lit and you've captured the moment of the jump perfectly.
It's the atmosphere that works for me though - the dark gloomy wood as the backdrop to the fun light-hearted foreground.

Shot No.2 works well too.
It's nicely composed, sensitively shot and I like the subtle colour tones.
Just the right lighting to keep it from being a silhouette, but still leave it suggestive rather than "in your face".

 

[68lbs]

I'm not sure I get why a 'NSFW' is needed. For me, NSFW is a site with unannounced music, pornography, foul language, etc.

I'd say the pic of (presumably) your GF/missus is very tasteful, a nice take on the theme, and works very well for me.

 

[Nick T]

Nick - another pair of stunning images.

I think your edit moving the subject to the right has really added impact, and the expression on her face is great. It's clear everyone was having fun.

The second shot is nicely suggestive without being truly NSFW and is tastefully executed with lovely soft lighting. The watch is a minor distraction though.

Well done.

Ian.

Thanks Ian

But I almost caught it before you noticed!

I love both of these Nick

The second "jump" shot works much better with the extra space in front of her and less of a bright area to the right.
It pains me to write that though. After I broke the focal point "rules" in my shot this week I really want to embrace any other rule-breaking images for this theme.

Technically, this one is perfect IMO. Incredibly sharp and well lit and you've captured the moment of the jump perfectly.
It's the atmosphere that works for me though - the dark gloomy wood as the backdrop to the fun light-hearted foreground.

Shot No.2 works well too.
It's nicely composed, sensitively shot and I like the subtle colour tones.
Just the right lighting to keep it from being a silhouette, but still leave it suggestive rather than "in your face".

Hi Sarah - appreciate the comments, thank you very much

I'm not sure I get why a 'NSFW' is needed. For me, NSFW is a site with unannounced music, pornography, foul language, etc.

I'd say the pic of (presumably) your GF/missus is very tasteful, a nice take on the theme, and works very well for me.

Evening
The reason for the NSFW is because if I had that picture on my screen at work, and my boss walked past (or even his boss) you can guarantee they'd be having words with me within the hour... I know it's a really mild picture, and you don't actually see anything, but you don't know how peoples bosses are going to react to seeing something like that - and it's better to be safe than sorry

Appreciate the positive comments though (and so does the wife )

 

[jgs001]

A pair of really good images Nick... I think the edit of Jump! works better. Both playful and on theme. The second is very tastefully done.

 

[The Reverend JT]

Now then Nick, love both pics (i have obv seen one of them before on the 'other forum' :toppa but i prefer the 1st photo.

it has more character, and is more endearing than the second (allthough you can never fault side-boob), and the lighting is spot on.

nice work all round

 

[ranarama]

1st one is good, nice lighting, but the 2nd one is quality. I'm glad someone had the balls (not sure if that's the best word to use) to get a shot like this. Don't think my mrs would be at all cooperative with a shot like this.

 

[Rob Bartley]

Nick, top work as usual

The crop on number one works so much better. It wasn't that the 1st version didn't look good, but the crop makes a good shot great, as Tony the Tiger would say.

And number 2............naughty but nice!

Cheers, Rob

 

[ladysue]

I really like your fun picture of your wife. Well done to her too for her great pose

 

[OptimusBri]

Really like the second jump shot (edited version).
Great lighting and pose!

 

[robp]

First image - I thought the first one wasn't really working with the light rhs and houses in view etc. It looked almost like a snap, despite the obvious work on the lighting etc.
The crop is a vast improvement. The central framing wasn't an issue to me, tbh, but I think your sis-in-laws positioning in the crop works much better.

Second image - Great composition and pose, nicely suggestive of a certain type of...erm...play. I like the soft lighting. Initially I found the watch to be a bit of a distraction but now like the little bit of highlight along its edge.

 

[Nick T]

A pair of really good images Nick... I think the edit of Jump! works better. Both playful and on theme. The second is very tastefully done.

Now then Nick, love both pics (i have obv seen one of them before on the 'other forum' :toppa but i prefer the 1st photo.

it has more character, and is more endearing than the second (allthough you can never fault side-boob), and the lighting is spot on.

nice work all round

1st one is good, nice lighting, but the 2nd one is quality. I'm glad someone had the balls (not sure if that's the best word to use) to get a shot like this. Don't think my mrs would be at all cooperative with a shot like this.

Nick, top work as usual

The crop on number one works so much better. It wasn't that the 1st version didn't look good, but the crop makes a good shot great, as Tony the Tiger would say.

And number 2............naughty but nice!

Cheers, Rob

I really like your fun picture of your wife. Well done to her too for her great pose

Really like the second jump shot (edited version).
Great lighting and pose!

First image - I thought the first one wasn't really working with the light rhs and houses in view etc. It looked almost like a snap, despite the obvious work on the lighting etc.
The crop is a vast improvement. The central framing wasn't an issue to me, tbh, but I think your sis-in-laws positioning in the crop works much better.

Second image - Great composition and pose, nicely suggestive of a certain type of...erm...play. I like the soft lighting. Initially I found the watch to be a bit of a distraction but now like the little bit of highlight along its edge.

Thanks everyone . Sorry I've been a bit slack on my thread recently

Right, and so on to Chemistry. I really hated this weeks theme - I had a few ideas, mostly involving jelly in test tubes, but didn't get round to seeing them through...

So - here's a picture of me and the wife, at Hartshill Hayes in Nuneaton today, cuddling up on a bench.

I'd like to think we have some sort of chemistry as we've been married four years

And as is traditional, here's one from the archives... this one's a chill pill

Well, it's a folic acid pill in my freezer... that's good enough

Sorry for general rubbishness this week, normal service will be resumed shortly

 

[dlh]

Chill pill's a giggle I like the portrait (or is it a landscape). Doesn't say chemistry too much to me as I think we'd need to see your eyes and faces to put that across, but as an image it's definitely one for the album

 

[foggy4ever]

Nice landscape in the first shot, with a little Chemistry on the bench . Are you going to using your other half again in your 52's as you are going to have to credit her as an assistant

 

[RobC]

I owe you two !!

Play - I'm not normally one for looking at nudes,even at 41 I am worried as to what my Mum would say !! BUT your second shot is wonderful. The light, the processing, the focal point it's truly brilliant.

Chemistry - 1st shot for me, loads going on, wonderful sky, beautiful background a good crisp shot. (like I'm qualified to comment on your photography!!)

 

[jgs001]

A lovely cuddly landscape Nick... it's not really saying Chemistry to me per se... as for Chillpill very clever.

 

[SarahLee]

Chill Pill - brilliant idea!
It made me smile and is actually very well executed.

But I absolutely love your portrait / landscape shot.
I had a little look on here at lunch in work today and it looked really dark on that monitor - but now I'm back home I think it's spot on.
Lovely detail in the wood on the bench and the dark vertical shadows across the foreground work really well.

For a theme that you hated I think you've done really well this week.

 

[Nick T]

Chill pill's a giggle I like the portrait (or is it a landscape). Doesn't say chemistry too much to me as I think we'd need to see your eyes and faces to put that across, but as an image it's definitely one for the album

Cheers mate

Nice landscape in the first shot, with a little Chemistry on the bench. Are you going to using your other half again in your 52's as you are going to have to credit her as an assistant

She's slowly but surely coming round to the fact that she's going to be more involved in photography than she intended

I owe you two !!

Play - I'm not normally one for looking at nudes,even at 41 I am worried as to what my Mum would say !! BUT your second shot is wonderful. The light, the processing, the focal point it's truly brilliant.

Chemistry - 1st shot for me, loads going on, wonderful sky, beautiful background a good crisp shot. (like I'm qualified to comment on your photography!!)

Thanks Rob - much appreciated

A lovely cuddly landscape Nick... it's not really saying Chemistry to me per se... as for Chillpill very clever.

Thanks

Chill Pill - brilliant idea!
It made me smile and is actually very well executed.

But I absolutely love your portrait / landscape shot.
I had a little look on here at lunch in work today and it looked really dark on that monitor - but now I'm back home I think it's spot on.
Lovely detail in the wood on the bench and the dark vertical shadows across the foreground work really well.

For a theme that you hated I think you've done really well this week.

Blimey - if you thought that was dark on your monitor at work you should have seen how the image originally started out as an unprocessed raw

Thanks as always for your comments

 

[jennyb]

Hi Nick,

I love both play shots, but the crop definitely improves the first one. The houses at the right were a bit of a distraction. I really like the lighting on her face.

The second one is just great.

Chemistry - the theme does not jump out at me for the first one, but you are right, it is chemistry in an obscure sort of way. I love the landscape and especially the tree shadows in the foreground.

Chill Pill is great.

Definitely not general rubbishness.

Jenny

 

[Nick T]

Thank you Jenny

 

[Nick T]

Ok, so candid for this week...

As I just haven't had time so far to do anything, and I'm unlikely to this weekend (although I may revisit and have a try...) I'm going to pull a couple out from the archives.

These were from last year at my sisters wedding. They had a 'proper' photographer there (I use that term very loosely after seeing the finished results...) which left me to roam freely with my first DSLR, an Olympus E420 and a 40-150 budget lens - my task was to get the shots that the official photographers wouldn't

So... firstly...

My wife (who is on the right, and starting to appear more frequently than I'm sure she imagined in these photos) and another of the bridesmaids sharing a few minutes downtime after the wedding ceremony...

This little guy was a bit bored and started playing around on the scenery . He caught me just a little bit too late

Thanks for looking, hope you like

 

[ladysue]

Both very nice candid shots. I love the way you have caught the cheeky expression of the little boy and the unposed bridesmaids shot.

 

[Tracer]

That first shot is hilarious - you could run a caption competition for it. It looks as if they've seen something nasty in the wine glass.

The wee boy is gorgeous - I bet his mum was pleased with that shot.

 

[coohullin]

Two lovely shots Nick - well spotted and captured.

 

[L'Cham]

Loving the new pictures Nick, especially the Candid wedding shots. I think the one of the lad works really well because you've caught him in the act and visa versa. If he wasn't looking at the camera it wouldn't have half as much appeal in my opinion.

Will have to check out page eight when I'm not at work.

 

[foggy4ever]

The young boy is doing what they do best at weddings but the first is fantastic, the young lady on the left looks like she is about to fall asleep. Too much I think ​

 

[Dogmatix]

Love the bridesmaid shot - for more reasons than one
But even though you got caught with the wee lad, its a cheeky shot...

 

[Lufbrarunner]

2 very good candids Nick but the bridesmaid shot takes it for me there seems to be a story in there somewhere. Great expressions and certainly caught unaware.

 

[holryn]

I've got to agree with Steve. The bridesmaid shot makes me wonder if something has made the one on the left a little sad.

 

[Nick T]

You're all very kind, thank you

 

[jennyb]

Nick, I love both of these. The bridesmaids shot has a lovely feel to it - relaxing after a stressful few hours.

The little guy is a very typical little guy at a wedding shot. He's been behaving for long enough and now he's going to do what he wants to do!

Both very candid.

Jenny

 

[jollyjack]

The young lady on the left dont look happy, very nice photos bag on theme

 

[SarahLee]

Two very nice shots Nick.
I'm not sure what the bridesmaids can see in that glass, but they don't look very happy about it.

I'm going to disagree with everyone else and say that I prefer the second though. OK it may not strictly be candid because he's spotted you, but I do like it - and that's a really cheeky expression on his face.

 

[RobC]

They're great. Both shots really tell their own story.

 

[Harlequin565]

I really like the first Chemistry shot Nick. I wanted to do something similar but the camer has hardly been out of the bag these last couple of weeks. Lovely composition and (for me) bang on theme.

I've found it tough to come up with subject ideas that make good photos rather than just shooting the subject and putting it up. Probably why I'm struggling right now, but that shot has inspired me.

As for Candid, I really like the little lad being cheeky. The bridesmaids shot is good, but "kids doing what they do best at weddings" is a better image for me.

Both candids look a little soft though. Is that my monitor, your processing, or my imagination?

Ian.

 

[Nick T]

Nick, I love both of these. The bridesmaids shot has a lovely feel to it - relaxing after a stressful few hours.

The little guy is a very typical little guy at a wedding shot. He's been behaving for long enough and now he's going to do what he wants to do!

Both very candid.

Jenny

The young lady on the left dont look happy, very nice photos bag on theme

Two very nice shots Nick.
I'm not sure what the bridesmaids can see in that glass, but they don't look very happy about it.

I'm going to disagree with everyone else and say that I prefer the second though. OK it may not strictly be candid because he's spotted you, but I do like it - and that's a really cheeky expression on his face.

They're great. Both shots really tell their own story.

Thank you again for all the positive comments

I really like the first Chemistry shot Nick. I wanted to do something similar but the camer has hardly been out of the bag these last couple of weeks. Lovely composition and (for me) bang on theme.

I've found it tough to come up with subject ideas that make good photos rather than just shooting the subject and putting it up. Probably why I'm struggling right now, but that shot has inspired me.

As for Candid, I really like the little lad being cheeky. The bridesmaids shot is good, but "kids doing what they do best at weddings" is a better image for me.

Both candids look a little soft though. Is that my monitor, your processing, or my imagination?

Ian.

Ian,

Appreciate the kind words, thanks. I find there's always an obvious answer to each theme, and my philosophy is always to try not to do the obvious - find an alternative take on the themes and try that instead - even if it doesn't work! I failed with the speed theme I know exactly what you mean about struggling but I find the best way to get over it is to just take more photos!
I'm struggling with produce - but I do have a bit of a radical idea which will either work, or it won't work - but it could be really interesting but definitely won't be up until Monday at the earliest!

Regarding your question - they are soft... but because I threw them through the Nik Color Efex 'Classical Soft Focus' filter - so there's nothing wrong with your imagination or monitor and it's everything to do with my processing

Again - thanks for the words.


To everyone else - sorry - I've been really slack with the comments due to work pressures recently. Hopefully that's coming to an end soon and I'll try and catch up. I'm not being (deliberately) rude, and will visit your threads soon

 

[jgs001]

A pair of lovely shots Nick.. I'd love to know what's in that wine glass... they really don't look amused ...

I prefer the second, not quite as Candid, but he's a cheeky little lad and having fun too.

 

[robp]

Chemistry - I think #1 is an absolutely smashing image and #2 is amusing but neither really, really says chemistry for me.

Candid - Yes, bang back on form. Great one of the young gent. Just got him at the right moment.
What I like about the bridesmaids shot is how relaxed they look as they take a quiet break from the proceedings.

 

[Nick T]

Thank you for all the kind words once again

Ok - so, Week 12 - Produce. Sorry for being a little late with this one, but I had a plan.

Last weekend, me and a bunch of hardy northerners from the forum ventured up to Keswick in the Lake District for a bit of photography. I took the opportunity to get this...

[YOUTUBE]BUlBrND6nTk[/YOUTUBE]

I produced a video using my Canon 5D Mark II and latest 24p firmware.
Please watch it on Youtube as it's in loving 720p HD quality

Tenuous? Yes, but it still fits the theme

See you next week!

 

[holryn]

Simply Wow Nick. Excellent.

 

[jennyb]

That's a really clever take on the theme, Nick. Excellent

Looks like it was a successful weekend.

Jenny