ProG's 2010 52 Wk Challenge - Wks 26 & 27 - "BEGINNINGS/ART"

[Sonial]

Ok I'm going to have to have words with Sarah about jumping in first and saying eveything that I would have liked to say

Would love to see the first one repeated but with the stare in the right place and as Sarah said maybe a little more light on the eyes.

 

[jgs001]

Well done on the SP, I think the facing each other flip would work if you were looking straight ahead. The standalone shot, is therefore better. I do like it, but there was something I couldn't put my finger on (I've barely started experimenting with off camera flash and it's gonna involve a lot of guessing I reckon), and I think Ian has summed it up perfectly.

 

[ProG77]

Absolutely agree with the above.
The portrait actually works much better as a standalone shot.
I love the idea with the mirror image, but I think you really needed eye contact between the "two yous" to make it work.

I'm the worst possible person to give you any advice on lighting (I haven't got a clue with that stuff) but it seems to have worked well - especially for a first attempt
If you were to do it again, I think maybe you could do with toning down the bright light on the side of your neck and getting a bit more light on your eyes.

Thanks Sarah - glad you like the standalone shot as I think it does say 'stare' more than the 1st image. Also agree with the light being toned down, but I need to learn more about how to use my flash on manual mode as the flash does not work on TTL mode using the RF602 flash trigger.

Like the lighting and the shot in general but as has been said before I think it would benefit if looking straight.

You've learnt new PP skills which is what this is all about so win win.

Well done

Spot on - learned summat new and that is still one of the reasons I'm sticking at at this 52. Other than my marriage, I don't think I've stuck at anything so commitedly for 16 weeks

As an atmospheric portrait it works very well - if that's what you were after. However...

I think the light is a little too harsh on your neck. Looks to me like the flash head was a bit too close to you. Some diffusion would have helped, or if it was diffused, the flash head could have gone a bit further back.

Your face is in quite a flat shadow. Moving the flash around a bit, or changing your pose would have brought more light onto the face adding some impact. Did you try bouncing the flash, or adding a reflector? (difficult if you're on your own).

Also, agree with the others on the pose. Looking up isn't really working for me. Also, there's "something" behind your top lip that's distracting...

I hope this doesn't come across as too harsh. The reason I feel the need to add what I did was because there's great raw potential there. It's very well framed, nicely in focus, and you've given thought to the shot in terms of lighting and background. The B&W conversion is also nice and subtely done.

Self-portraits are really tough to do, so a big from me for the effort. Hope I don't disillusion you with my comments which are trying to be helpful...

As always, this is my opinion which has about as much value as you place on it.

Ian.

Thanks Ian!! I don't see your comments as harsh/criticism, rather a very constructive feedback which I am definitely going to take on board and try to improve the shot. I am starting to take more of an interest in how lighting plays such a key part in photography and the various effects/outcome of various sources of light - all of which I think is fascinating.

Wonder if anyone can reccommend any good reading material on this subject? Might have to start trolling through the 'Talk Lighting' section first.......

Ok I'm going to have to have words with Sarah about jumping in first and saying eveything that I would have liked to say

Would love to see the first one repeated but with the stare in the right place and as Sarah said maybe a little more light on the eyes.

Thanks Sonia - definitely on my list for re-shoots (regardless of whether or not 're-shoot' comes up as a theme again!

Well done on the SP, I think the facing each other flip would work if you were looking straight ahead. The standalone shot, is therefore better. I do like it, but there was something I couldn't put my finger on (I've barely started experimenting with off camera flash and it's gonna involve a lot of guessing I reckon), and I think Ian has summed it up perfectly.

Definitely a lot of guessing involved - took me a few attempts to get the framing/focussing correct! I think what's missing (and this is my "expert" opinion!) is a shadow. To me, the image looks too 2D and it almost looks like a cut out. I think Ian has suggested a few great tips which would help improve the image and make it more look 3D which I'm going to try.

 

[ProG77]

I'm back, yaaayyyyy!!!
Sorry everyone, last few weeks have been madness, both at work and at home, so fell behind the whole 52 thing for a while, but very glad to be back. Got a lot of catching up to do in terms of looking at everyone else's pics for Wks 17 - 19, so hopefully will catch up during the course of next week, but here's my images from Wks 17 - 19:

I hope I am posting these in the right order!

Wk 17: "Peace"

With a mad few weeks in the office and rather than wasting a weekend sat on the sofa, I had to get out and get some fresh air this weekend, so went to the National Trust Stowe Landscape Gardens in Buckinghamshire yesterday. A sunny, warm afternoon, strolling through beautifully landscaped gardens with lot's of birdsong - safe to say, I definitely felt re-energised and at peace......

I am relatively pleased with the image above as it was quite a bright day and despite that, I have managed to capture detail in all parts of the image - had a go at using my ND filters for only the 2nd time, so would truly appreciate some C&C on how this image could be improved.

Wk 18: "Close"

Meet my niece (5) and nephew (3) - leave them alone inside the house, and all hell breaks loose, let them play outside in the garden, and they suddenly become best friends. I wanted to capture an image that showed how CLOSE these 2 are - as it happens, I managed to capture more than one image and I absolutely love it!

Wk 19: "Ingredients"

Not a lot to say about this one, except that these are a few of the INGREDIENTS required to make a good curry. The idea for this shot came from a picture I've seen hanging on the wall at an Indian restaurant in London. I had tried taking this shot before but just couldn't get the lighting right. This time, I used my SB900 off camera, directed upwards to a white card positioned just above the spice tins. The idea wasn't to have all the spices in focus - instead, focus in on the chili.

Many thanks for reading the extremely long thread and would really welcome all C&C as usual.

 

[clud17]

3 nice images Pro, the sky on the first one has come out well. Your tryptch is fantastic, you have caught a nice moment well. My favourite out of the three has to be ingredients though, it's well lit and the composition is spot on. I like the way you have it at a slight angle. i have a similar spice tin and was contemplating using it but i couldn't figure out the best way to use it, you've just shown me.

 

[daddy day care]

Well done on the catch up.

I wouldn't change a thing on any of these three.

Peace is well captured and perfectly sharp.

Close is superb. The triptych works really well to demonstrate the "closeness" If I left my 4 to their own devices they would be "close" to killing each other

Ingredients is well composed and well lit. I love it

Andy

 

[DC2Z]

Some beautiful images in your latest catch up.

Close is a lovely set of shots and captures the moment perfectly.

Ingredients if well lit and all the colours work really well together

 

[philthejuggler]

Wow - 3 great catch up images. Love all of them, but 'Close' is really touching - well done!

Phil

 

[Sonial]

I really like all 3 too...I think 'Close' just pips it for me too as it is a such happy capture as well as being a beautiful set of shots!

 

[ProG77]

3 nice images Pro, the sky on the first one has come out well. Your tryptch is fantastic, you have caught a nice moment well. My favourite out of the three has to be ingredients though, it's well lit and the composition is spot on. I like the way you have it at a slight angle. i have a similar spice tin and was contemplating using it but i couldn't figure out the best way to use it, you've just shown me.

Thank you very much for your comments and glad I could be of help. I think I took over 30 shots of the spice tins and did initially struggle with getting the angle right, but managed to get one that I finally liked!

Well done on the catch up.

I wouldn't change a thing on any of these three.

Peace is well captured and perfectly sharp.

Close is superb. The triptych works really well to demonstrate the "closeness" If I left my 4 to their own devices they would be "close" to killing each other

Ingredients is well composed and well lit. I love it

Andy

Thanks Andy and trust me, those two do come very 'close' to killing each other too when left alone!

Some beautiful images in your latest catch up.

Close is a lovely set of shots and captures the moment perfectly.

Ingredients if well lit and all the colours work really well together

Thank you.

Wow - 3 great catch up images. Love all of them, but 'Close' is really touching - well done!

Phil

Thanks Phil, yes, 'close' is my personal fav too - actually captured quite a few good ones of the kids that day and some great action shots of my nephew playing football.

I really like all 3 too...I think 'Close' just pips it for me too as it is a such happy capture as well as being a beautiful set of shots!

Thank you Sonia, much appreciated.

Now on to this week's theme - had a few ideas but not been able to find the right location, so I may have to go down the route of I 'STOP' doing the 52 Project!

 

[ProG77]

Wk 20 - "STOP" - Quick, get it in before midnight!!

After failing to find a location for my initial idea (which was a close up of the stop sign on a signal crossing with a passing train in the background blurred), I almost gave up hope. Then at the last minute, I thought of trying my hand at another self portrait (which I hate i.e. pictures of myself!)

So, I present to you, my image for 'STOP':

What did I learn this week?

- The themes are either starting to get harder/ridiculous/my lack of imagination is kicking in
- I need to learn how to use the flash settings on non-TTL mode
- I need to start enjoying the 52 again rather than doing it for the sake of it (last few weeks have been tough and I have come close to 'stopping'!

Thanks for looking guys.

 

[ladysue]

Well done for getting your stop image in before midnight. It certainly says stop to me. I love your picture for "close". They are such natural photos. My grandkids are the same- one minute they are best friends, the next they are fighting.
Sue

 

[DC2Z]

Reall good image. Looks like a shot for an advertising campaign

 

[Slackbladder]

Hi

I love the trilogy of your niece and nephew, hope it’s framed and been shown off, it be a waste to leave it on the hard drive.

 

[clud17]

You're not the only one who is lacking inspiration at times, the themes can be frustrating at times. I like this self portrait, the light is interesting and you have good eye contact I cant help feeling though that you are doing the John Travolta dance in the film Pulp Fiction

 

[Harlequin565]

Playing around with borders too I see!

My favourite of all the above has to be close. It's a lovely triptych that would look really good on the wall. I'm wondering though if a bit of fill in flash would have helped? Do you have your camera set to spot metering or something else? The kids look a little too much in the dark. I wonder if a bit of careful dodging might bring out a bit more light? Either way though, it's a lovely family capture.

Stop is another good interpretation. Says it all really. I like the expression and the pose, although the added text isn't doing anything for me. Your right shoulder is also indistinguishable from the background and I'd like to see a bit more detail there too. Although that could be my laptop screen. It's a vast vast improvement on Stare though.

Hope I'm not disillusioning you! There are some good shots in this thread and rather than just pick out the good ones and say "great shot" I find myself wanting to critique...

Keep on shooting, and tell me to go easy if you don't like it!!

Ian.

 

[ProG77]

Well done for getting your stop image in before midnight. It certainly says stop to me. I love your picture for "close". They are such natural photos. My grandkids are the same- one minute they are best friends, the next they are fighting.
Sue

Thanks Sue. Kids make the best photographic subjects, don't they (when they're not looking that is!)

Reall good image. Looks like a shot for an advertising campaign

Thanks Darren!! Just the effect I was going for and so glad you've picked up on that. All good, except if it really was a shot taken for an ad campaign, there would be a much better looking model with a 6 pack! As I said, still definitely prefer to be behind the camera rather than in front of it!

Hi

I love the trilogy of your niece and nephew, hope it’s framed and been shown off, it be a waste to leave it on the hard drive.

Thanks David - absolutely yes. Sister wants it printing so I better get on with it. She has shots of the kids taken by a pro tog, but they are not as natural as these so she's very pleased. (DISCLAIMER: (before I get a load of abuse from the pro togs on this forum) I am not dissing the work of pro togs - the images are amazing, but it's difficult for a pro tog to get the kids to be themselves in a 1 hour shoot inside a studio)

You're not the only one who is lacking inspiration at times, the themes can be frustrating at times. I like this self portrait, the light is interesting and you have good eye contact I cant help feeling though that you are doing the John Travolta dance in the film Pulp Fiction

:nuts: Chris, who have you been speaking to?!! In my younger (uni) days, the Pulp Fiction dance used to be my signature dance move after a few beers and make a fool of myself Great film.....I particularly love the bit where Samuel L Jackson gives that guy a long lecture on the meaning of life, religion etc and then shoots him in the head

Playing around with borders too I see!

My favourite of all the above has to be close. It's a lovely triptych that would look really good on the wall. I'm wondering though if a bit of fill in flash would have helped? Do you have your camera set to spot metering or something else? The kids look a little too much in the dark. I wonder if a bit of careful dodging might bring out a bit more light? Either way though, it's a lovely family capture.

Stop is another good interpretation. Says it all really. I like the expression and the pose, although the added text isn't doing anything for me. Your right shoulder is also indistinguishable from the background and I'd like to see a bit more detail there too. Although that could be my laptop screen. It's a vast vast improvement on Stare though.

Hope I'm not disillusioning you! There are some good shots in this thread and rather than just pick out the good ones and say "great shot" I find myself wanting to critique...

Keep on shooting, and tell me to go easy if you don't like it!!

Ian.

Ian, thank you for the constructive feedback and NO, you are not disillusioning me! I love the 'great shot' comments, but I won't learn from that unless I receive honest crit and your comments certainly help. I never thought of using fill in flash for the images for close and looking at the images, I think that would have definitely helped so one I'll keep in mind next time I am shooting in similar conditions. Thanks for the feedback on 'close' as well and really glad that you think it's an improvement from the attempt at 'stare'.
Finally, please don't go easy and keep the crit and feedback coming!!

 

[philthejuggler]

I like the stop image - I agree that seperation between your shoulder and the background would improve it further.

Phil

 

[jgs001]

some excellent images in that catch up... the pick for me has to be close, a few wonderful moments caught brilliantly. They are all on theme and work well though.

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Clever version of the hand up to the camera, looks like an advert as previously mentioned.

Maybe the hand a touch further away from your face might have been an improvement and helped cast a dark shadow across your face.

 

[Sonial]

I agree this looks like it could be a poster...I think it's worked very well and I like the addition of the text....good stuff!

 

[The23rdman]

A really good bunch of catch-up images, mate. Impressive. Love the portrait through the hands for Stop, although the pp looks a little harsh to me.

 

[jeangenie]

20 Weeks into this challenge, and I'm still finding threads I haven't visited! :bonk: It's truly not personal - but I don't want to get into a mechanical 'good shot' type of comment without adding why, etc, etc.

So I've enjoyed a good browse through your 52 and seen lots that I like - the edited version of Week 9 Play jumps out as really special and it would work well as an introduction to a mag article about play and toys.

I also like your Week 19 Ingredients. The reflections inside the containers add extra interest and the textures and colours in the chillies work well. The colours look a little subdued, which could be my screen or they could do with a little tweak to bring out the vibrancy. What software do you use? But it's a small niggle - and still like the shot.

Week 18 Close is totally gorgeous - natural, fun and capturing an irreplaceable moment. Again I think it could do with a bit of a boost to bring out the skin tones (especially the middle one), but it's definitely one to print large (as a canvas, perhaps) and I bet their mum and dad would love it as a present!

Week 20 Stop: This is stunning - exciting composition, lots of 'action', even to the way your t-shirt is pulling as you lift your arm, drama in spades. The lighting adds to the drama, and if I have one tiny, tiny suggestion it would be to lift the 'Stop' text slightly higher so it's more centrally positioned in relation to your hand. But fantastic image and definitely gets the message across.

Jean

 

[SarahLee]

Absolutely brilliant catch up.
It's so difficult to get back up to date when you've fallen a few weeks behind, but every one of those is superb. Not a single filler shot among them.

Peace : Simply beautiful.
What I like about it is the way that the clouds are reflected in the river. It's a beautiful sky and we've got it there twice.

Close : I can see why your sister wants these printed.
The way that you've presented them in the triptych is very effective. They're 2 beautiful children and you've captured something very special in those.

Ingredients : My favourite from your catch up. This is absolutely superb.
The angle and composition are spot on for me and you've got the lighting perfect.
Great detail in the spices, and all of it is beautifully sharp. My only complaint . . . I want a curry now !!!!

Stop : This is so much better than your earlier attempt at a self portrait.
It's a shame that you've lost your right shoulder against the background, but other than that it's spot on. I like the dark shadow across your eyes from the hand and the focus looks just about perfect.
Maybe it's a bit more Pulp fiction than "Stop", but I don't care, it still works well.

 

[ProG77]

I like the stop image - I agree that seperation between your shoulder and the background would improve it further.

Phil

Thanks Phil - point taken on board and will try a re-shoot with this in mind.

some excellent images in that catch up... the pick for me has to be close, a few wonderful moments caught brilliantly. They are all on theme and work well though.

Cheers John - 'close' definitely seems to be the outright winner here!

Clever version of the hand up to the camera, looks like an advert as previously mentioned.

Maybe the hand a touch further away from your face might have been an improvement and helped cast a dark shadow across your face.

Thanks Dan - great point about the positioning of the hand and the shadow - hadn't thought of that but one I'll bear in mind for a re-shoot.

I agree this looks like it could be a poster...I think it's worked very well and I like the addition of the text....good stuff!

Thank you Sonia.

A really good bunch of catch-up images, mate. Impressive. Love the portrait through the hands for Stop, although the pp looks a little harsh to me.

Cheers Dean - still learning self portraits and it's good to hear your comments as I class you as the master of self portraits!

20 Weeks into this challenge, and I'm still finding threads I haven't visited! :bonk: It's truly not personal - but I don't want to get into a mechanical 'good shot' type of comment without adding why, etc, etc.

So I've enjoyed a good browse through your 52 and seen lots that I like - the edited version of Week 9 Play jumps out as really special and it would work well as an introduction to a mag article about play and toys.

I also like your Week 19 Ingredients. The reflections inside the containers add extra interest and the textures and colours in the chillies work well. The colours look a little subdued, which could be my screen or they could do with a little tweak to bring out the vibrancy. What software do you use? But it's a small niggle - and still like the shot.

Week 18 Close is totally gorgeous - natural, fun and capturing an irreplaceable moment. Again I think it could do with a bit of a boost to bring out the skin tones (especially the middle one), but it's definitely one to print large (as a canvas, perhaps) and I bet their mum and dad would love it as a present!

Week 20 Stop: This is stunning - exciting composition, lots of 'action', even to the way your t-shirt is pulling as you lift your arm, drama in spades. The lighting adds to the drama, and if I have one tiny, tiny suggestion it would be to lift the 'Stop' text slightly higher so it's more centrally positioned in relation to your hand. But fantastic image and definitely gets the message across.

Jean

Hey Jean, welcome and thanks for popping in to my 52 - no personal offense taken as I am sure I've not seen everyone's 52! Appreciate your constructive feedback on all the shots and thanks for looking round my 52.

Absolutely brilliant catch up.
It's so difficult to get back up to date when you've fallen a few weeks behind, but every one of those is superb. Not a single filler shot among them.

Peace : Simply beautiful.
What I like about it is the way that the clouds are reflected in the river. It's a beautiful sky and we've got it there twice.

Close : I can see why your sister wants these printed.
The way that you've presented them in the triptych is very effective. They're 2 beautiful children and you've captured something very special in those.

Ingredients : My favourite from your catch up. This is absolutely superb.
The angle and composition are spot on for me and you've got the lighting perfect.
Great detail in the spices, and all of it is beautifully sharp. My only complaint . . . I want a curry now !!!!

Stop : This is so much better than your earlier attempt at a self portrait.
It's a shame that you've lost your right shoulder against the background, but other than that it's spot on. I like the dark shadow across your eyes from the hand and the focus looks just about perfect.
Maybe it's a bit more Pulp fiction than "Stop", but I don't care, it still works well.

Thanks Sarah - hope you've had the chance to have a curry since posting on my thread! Always a good sign when looking at an image of something makes you want it! Glad you have noticed the improvement in my self portraits since my first try - still really enjoying this 52 as I feel I am learning something new almost every week!

 

[ProG77]

Wk 21: ISOLATE

Feels like a bit of a cop out from me for this (last) week's theme as I struggled to come up with any decent interpretations of the theme. So I had to resort to a boring exercise of DoF and took a picture of one of the clematis flowers in my garden, isolated against other clematis flowers

Didn't really learn a lot this week other than the fact that spraying a bit of water on a flower looks a bit more interesting than a dry flower (yep, that's how boring I found taking this image! ) Still, keeps me on track and hope to do a better job for this week's theme.

Thanks all.

 

[SarahLee]

For a week when you weren't inspired, I don't think there's very much wrong with that at all.

The water drops really do add a nice touch to it.
Lovely colours and the focus & exposure look perfect. Personally I'd like maybe a bit more background blur in the background, but that's probably just me.

I love the border that you've used (mental note taken in case I ever want to use one like that) but I'm not quite sure that it works with the image. That really is serious nit-picking though

 

[Sonial]

Hahaha I was just thinking....it looks nice with the water droplets....and then read that you had sprayed them on It's a nice flower shot(I do like clematis) and I know what you mean about inspiration although I found Isolation more inspiring than some of the other themes of late....including this weeks

 

[ProG77]

For a week when you weren't inspired, I don't think there's very much wrong with that at all.

The water drops really do add a nice touch to it.
Lovely colours and the focus & exposure look perfect. Personally I'd like maybe a bit more background blur in the background, but that's probably just me.

I love the border that you've used (mental note taken in case I ever want to use one like that) but I'm not quite sure that it works with the image. That really is serious nit-picking though

Hahaha I was just thinking....it looks nice with the water droplets....and then read that you had sprayed them on It's a nice flower shot(I do like clematis) and I know what you mean about inspiration although I found Isolation more inspiring than some of the other themes of late....including this weeks

Thank you Sarah and Sonia for being the sole commentators to my image from last week - I was surprised that I got any comments given he poor quality of the image but glad you liked it and I must try harder.....from next week as this week's ain't much better either me thinks!

 

[ProG77]

Wk 22: QUALITY

Had I known this theme was in the bag of themes, I would have taken my camera along to the hundreds of factory trips I've done across the world and captured something clever like Quality Control but as another week where I (once again!) lacked any decent inspiration, I give you my image for this week.....

Swiss Chocolates - the best QUALITY of chocolates there is!

Lessons learnt this week:

Start thinking about the image for the theme from the beginning of the week and not on Sunday at 8pm! That's all!.

By my own admission, although the image does look good enough to eat, it's not the most exciting image I have ever taken, but for the sake of staying up to speed with the project, this will do - must try harder next week (think I said that last week....:bonk

 

[The23rdman]

God, they make me hungry!

 

[clud17]

i'd love to grab one of those. Nice idea for a waste of time theme.

 

[philthejuggler]

The image definitely says quality, but I agree the execution could have been stronger.

I think the white balance is a little off, the background is a little distracting and I think some negative space to one side of the chocolates would have given a more dynamic composition.

Have said that, it is a crystal clear shot & I'm now trying to resist attacking my wife's chocolate stash!

Phil

 

[philthejuggler]

BTW - I liked you isolation image - I was on holiday last week and commented on fewer than normal - apologies!

Phil

 

[jgs001]

Isolation, it's clear and works, nice use of the artificial rain maker ...

that quality image works for me, they look yummy too.

 

[ProG77]

Well well well, looks who's back - yes, meeeeeee!!!!! How is everyone?? I've missed the 52 and looking/commenting on everyones images and have a lot of catching up to do.
I was going so well until Wk22 and then one night, I got abducted by aliens and taken away..........ahhh, what the 'eck, life's just been really hectic recently and hopefully my image for Wk 26 will explain part of the reason I've been away.

I will have to catch up on Wks 23 - 25 but i give you below, my image for Wks 26 and 27:

Wk 26: Beginnings:

Yes, that's right folks, I'm going to be a daddy!!!!!!! Baby due in January (our first baby) and one of the major reasons why photography seems to have been a low priority in the last few weeks with so much to sort out! I think this image fits perfectly with the theme but I will be taking lot's more pictures over the next few months to document my wife's pregnancy.

Wk 27: Art

I have chosen the image below for the theme of Art. I'm not entirely sure why this image fits the theme but something about a beautiful flower always says that it is a type of art - natures art. Taken in my back garden against a white background and using natural day light.

Thanks for looking and hopefully I'll get back on track pretty soon.

 

[Bruja]

Aaaah, congratulations on your good news and this absolutely fits the theme. Not only is it the beginning of a new life but also taken at the beginning of the beginning

As for Art, another one that is spot on. The colours are fantastic (I always struggle with a white backgound ), It's as clear as a very clear thing and the water droplets add another layer of interest. Well done and welcome back

 

[SarahLee]

Welcome back !!!!!!
And massive congratulations to both of you

Photography should be a higher priority than ever now - there's that pregnancy to document and all those new baby photos to think about. If you thought you were getting a rest from it you're very wrong

And your beginnings photograph is a great start to the baby album IMO.
I love this - it's been shot so sensitively and both pairs of overlaid hands on the stomach is a lovely touch. The B&W suits it perfectly. In fact, the only thing I might want to change would be to add a tiny bit more space to the right.

Art has some real impact too.
That splash of colour against the white really jumps out and great attention to detail with the water drops. I think you could maybe have done with a slightly wider DoF though to bring all the water drops and the centre of the flower into sharp focus.

 

[clud17]

Hey Pro, welcome back and congratulations mate thats great news. So what did the aliens do to you? was it that bad that you need to sort some payback a'la independence day?

Beginnings: fabulous shot, looks great in mono and its well exposed, composed and focused.
Art: also good, works well against the white backdrop and the colours are really vibrant.

hope you can keep up with your 52 but i guess its going to get even busier, still at least you will have some cracking shots of little Pro!

 

[karate-ka]

congrats on your good news. the art image almost looks like its been taken in a studio.
vibrant colours.