RichM's 52 Thread - Week 21 added- Still not much time!

Rich, I have to agree with the others, bags of potential that a few tweaks would make into a superb image.

Hehe if i get many more people saying this i'll have to reshoot the image out of curiosity :D
 
your 'people' shot is fantastic, like very much indeed!

agree a bit of interest in the foreground would have been better on the watch.. look forward to the reshoot? ;)
 
I've just been having a big catch up on your thread, Rich. Sorry I haven't visited for ages - computer nightmares have ruled my life the last two or three weeks. :(

Going all the way back to Street - I really loved your reshoot picking up the sides of the cars and the distant street lights. The lighting and processing is dark and moody and it's a really fresh take on an ordinary scene, which I always think is highly creative.



People: I haven't read everybody else's comments, but I guess you cropped out the light on the right because it was 'distracting', but I actually liked it, because it was a subtle suggestion that your mate was looking 'at' something. On the other hand, his expression suggests he's just standing there daydreaming, so Darren's edit works well to - staring into black nothingness works well with his expression. So, all good imho! :)

Mechanical: I know what you mean - not the most inspiring subject, but you've done what good photographers do - found an appealing shot of a boring object! My only suggestion would be to move round slightly to your left to give a slightly different angle on the face and lose a bit of foreground in the process. The dof works well and the tiny slightly blown highlights emphasise the metallic colours, with just that touch of red to liven it all up. You might even get to like togging boring bits of metal. :D

btw, I think it's great that you go back and rework shots to get the very most out of them. Enjoy your course. :)

Jean
 
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your 'people' shot is fantastic, like very much indeed!

agree a bit of interest in the foreground would have been better on the watch.. look forward to the reshoot? ;)

Hehe i dunno yet, maybe. Depends on time. I have to get some shots of birds in flight, more difficult than it looks, and have to shoot 'Play' yet so it's time now more than anything.

Thanks for commenting Mich

I've just been having a big catch up on your thread, Rich. Sorry I haven't visited for ages - computer nightmares have ruled my life the last two or three weeks. :(

Going all the way back to Street - I really loved your reshoot picking up the sides of the cars and the distant street lights. The lighting and processing is dark and moody and it's a really fresh take on an ordinary scene, which I always think is highly creative.



People: I haven't read everybody else's comments, but I guess you cropped out the light on the right because it was 'distracting', but I actually liked it, because it was a subtle suggestion that your mate was looking 'at' something. On the other hand, his expression suggests he's just standing there daydreaming, so Darren's edit works well to - staring into black nothingness works well with his expression. So, all good imho! :)

Mechanical: I know what you mean - not the most inspiring subject, but you've done what good photographers do - found an appealing shot of a boring object! My only suggestion would be to move round slightly to your left to give a slightly different angle on the face and lose a bit of foreground in the process. The dof works well and the tiny slightly blown highlights emphasise the metallic colours, with just that touch of red to liven it all up. You might even get to like togging boring bits of metal. :D

btw, I think it's great that you go back and rework shots to get the very most out of them. Enjoy your course. :)

Jean

Wow, you're right that is a big catch up :lol:

Well thanks for all the kind words. Strange that you liked the second street shot, the general concensus was that shot #1 was better that week. And strangely, the fact that you said you liked the sides of the cars is wierd, everybody else prefferred the angle of the first shot.

You're right about the light, i cloned it out because it was too distracting. It does however, like you say, now look more like he's daydreaming :p

I don't think i'll ever get to liking boring bits of metal. The only method i can see is to change the fact that they ARE boring and make them interesting (Hence the heavy PP) Like everybody else, you seem to think that the angle is the issue. I agree, don't know whether to reshoot though :bonk:

Finally, yes i'm loving the course, i'm hoping that for a few weeks at least i can tie my coursework in with my 52. Unfortunately this week, like i said to Mich i have to shoot 'Play' and birds in flight, which don't really mix :thinking:

Cheers for looking
 
Finally, yes i'm loving the course, i'm hoping that for a few weeks at least i can tie my coursework in with my 52. Unfortunately this week, like i said to Mich i have to shoot 'Play' and birds in flight, which don't really mix :thinking:

:eek::eek::eek: What about arial courtship displays - the birds round here are 'at' it all the time at the moment. :lol:

btw - I wouldn't know where to start on a shot like that - but I love the idea! :)

Jean
 
Very clever idea, cant say i've seen it happen much here though... :thinking:
 
Okaaay Week 9 - Play

I liked this week's theme much more. More scope for taking something interesting and i think i did. Unfortunately i got a few good ones and i couldn't choose between them so i'm gonna subject you to 2 of them.
They're pictures of my BIG SCARY DOG. Well. 1 out of 3 anyway. She's called Poppy and the first is more of a portrait than a play shot, but i liked her expression and the ball hints at the theme. 2 Is her mid swing. Hope you guys like, as always C+C desired :thumbs:

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Cheers for looking :D
 
Nice :)

Out of the two of them I prefer number one - purely because the expression on your dogs face says 'Well, come on then - that ball's obviously not going to throw itself!' :lol:
 
He really looks like he can't be bothered in the first, that's why it's my pick of the two. The expression in the second scares me :D
 
Cute doggy! (currently trying to convince my wife to let me get one, so showing her piccies of cute dogs at every given opportunity :lol:)
No 1 for me though as I think it's a lot sharper than No 2, however, No 2 does say 'play' more than No 1....hmmm :thinking: What the heck - both great shots!
 
Hi rich, I like the light in your mechanical shot, very nice and clean looking :)

And play.. NNNAAAWWWWW your doggy is adorable, she looks a little like my grans jack russell Freddie! She's very pretty, I love jack russells :) I prefer the second shot relating to the theme, as you can see she's playing! But the first shot is also lovely :)
 
Awwwww those are both adorable Rich :love:

I always go all soppy over dog pictures, and Poppy is absolutely gorgeous.
What strikes me about both of these, is the detail that you've caught in her coat and the focus on her eyes . . . it's spot on in both of them.
Personally I would have preferred to see all of her body in frame in both of them, but it doesn't stop them from being lovely shots.

I agree with the general consensus so far re: a favourite.
I prefer no.1 as an image, but no.2 for fitting the theme.
 
My vote goes to #1 for the expression on the face.

"We came all the way out to the park, and all I got was this lousy ball?"

Nice composition. Well done.

Ian.
 
First, thanks a lot for all the posts, not had chance to check in on the forum in a few days. I'll try and comment back on some 52s tomorrow because i don't have long now.

Nice :)

Out of the two of them I prefer number one - purely because the expression on your dogs face says 'Well, come on then - that ball's obviously not going to throw itself!' :lol:

Hehe, you're right, she does look a bit grumpy on this shot. It's because something has caught her attention. She always wrinkles her head like that. Yup, she's wierd.

He really looks like he can't be bothered in the first, that's why it's my pick of the two. The expression in the second scares me :D

Lol she'ss the least scary animal in existence, let me tell you!

Nice pics, I think they work really well together

Thanks for commenting Karlos, i didn't intend for them to be used togetehr but now you mention they ould look cool in one of those double frame thingies :thumbs:

Cute doggy! (currently trying to convince my wife to let me get one, so showing her piccies of cute dogs at every given opportunity :lol:)
No 1 for me though as I think it's a lot sharper than No 2, however, No 2 does say 'play' more than No 1....hmmm :thinking: What the heck - both great shots!

Yep you found the fatal flaw with trying to get a shot of a playing dog! Throwing a ball + trying to line up a shot and shoot one handed = shakey shots. Thanks for looking ProG

Hi rich, I like the light in your mechanical shot, very nice and clean looking :)

And play.. NNNAAAWWWWW your doggy is adorable, she looks a little like my grans jack russell Freddie! She's very pretty, I love jack russells :) I prefer the second shot relating to the theme, as you can see she's playing! But the first shot is also lovely :)

Hey Louise, thanks for the props on mechanical, i hated the theme so i like it when somebody can appreciate my meager efforts.

You seem to be in the minority with liking the second shot though. If only it was a tiny bit sharper eh?

Awwwww those are both adorable Rich :love:

I always go all soppy over dog pictures, and Poppy is absolutely gorgeous.
What strikes me about both of these, is the detail that you've caught in her coat and the focus on her eyes . . . it's spot on in both of them.
Personally I would have preferred to see all of her body in frame in both of them, but it doesn't stop them from being lovely shots.

I agree with the general consensus so far re: a favourite.
I prefer no.1 as an image, but no.2 for fitting the theme.

Hey thanks Sarah, that's exactly what i was trying to do with the focus on the eyes. I also tried some of my oh so great (read: oh so average) photoshop skills to bring out the eye colour. You're right about the framing, a looser crop would've been nice, but when shooting a moving target one handed, any frame with the subject in is an achievement :lol:

My vote goes to #1 for the expression on the face.

"We came all the way out to the park, and all I got was this lousy ball?"

Nice composition. Well done.

Ian.

Haha we didn't go to the park unfortunately Ian, she would've been too exited to shoot at all. All in the exotic location of my back garden :D

Thanks for commenting!
 
I don't do dogs! That second one is scaring me and I can see teeth! :eek:
 
Awww bless... She looks so sad in the first one... "Come On... play with me ... please ..."... It works well for the theme...

The second works well too, and I think it's clear she's playing... the expression looks a little more aggressive... Not sure why...
 
Awww bless... She looks so sad in the first one... "Come On... play with me ... please ..."... It works well for the theme...

The second works well too, and I think it's clear she's playing... the expression looks a little more aggressive... Not sure why...

Probably because of her ears being back like that, but she does do that when she's pleased to see you or happy too, which is most of the time.

Thanks for commenting jgs :thumbs:
 
Im afraid this week's shot is gonna be a bit late. Strugglin for inspiration on 'Chemistry.'

Oh well, somethng will crop up :p
 
Ok so nothing cropped up for chemistry. I suppose i'll skip it for now as i can always revisit it. Struggling for time recently. I have a shot for Candid now but it's gonna be late for posting.

So...

Chemistry - FAIL :thumbsdown:
 
RIGHT! So i fell behind, mainly due to lack of time BUT here's me getting back on that horse! I've got a 2 week break coming up soon so i should have enough time to catch up with what i missed and comment the hell out of everyone's 52s.

Here's my attempt at candid! Taken at a fancy dress party we had, this is 'Adam Ant' (more commonly known as my missus :p)

I decided to play with rear curtain flash to see what crazy effects it had, and crazy they were! Pretty surreal bunch of shots but here's my favourite of the bunch. All C+C welcome as always.

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Thanks for looking people! :D
 
Love this shot but them I am a sucker for colours, nice and sharp and fits the theme very well.

Back to the "Play" I actually prefer no 2 as I know just how mischevious these little devils are and it seems to sum her/him up well.

I just love any animal and wildlife pictures anyway:shrug:
 
Love this shot but them I am a sucker for colours, nice and sharp and fits the theme very well.

Back to the "Play" I actually prefer no 2 as I know just how mischevious these little devils are and it seems to sum her/him up well.

I just love any animal and wildlife pictures anyway:shrug:

Haha thanks for commenting Briony, i'm the same, i just can't keep my paws off the saturation slider... it's an addiction!

... i wonder if there's a hostel out in the countryside somewhere for me to go and get a saturation detox :gag: :D
 
Crazy and surreal it is . . . but it works.

Definitely not the usual candid but it's all the more interesting for being different. It certainly pulls you in and makes you look at it.
It's just a shame that you couldn't have got her in front of a plain white wall - but then I guess that's part of the whole candid approach.
 
Now that's a proper candid!

Great colour, action, lovely framing, energy and movement...

I think that's my pick of the candid bunch :thumbs::thumbs:
 
Crazy and surreal it is . . . but it works.

Definitely not the usual candid but it's all the more interesting for being different. It certainly pulls you in and makes you look at it.
It's just a shame that you couldn't have got her in front of a plain white wall - but then I guess that's part of the whole candid approach.

I guess that's the way it goes. I was kinda liking the rear curtain flash, gave some really funky results. Thanks for commenting SarahLee. :thumbs:
 
I really like it Rich. For me - Candid is all about expression and you've nailed it with that one. What did she think when she saw it?

Big :thumbs: from me.

Ian.

Edit: We should start an "I failed Chemistry" club.
 
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I really like it Rich. For me - Candid is all about expression and you've nailed it with that one. What did she think when she saw it?

Big :thumbs: from me.

Ian.

Edit: We should start an "I failed Chemistry" club.

Haha the irony is, i also failed chemistry at A-Level so i have double the reason to be in the club :lol:

To be honest i don't think she was massively impressed. People tend not to be impressed unless it looks like a perfectly polished and PP'd studio shot, i find. Often images that i like, everyone else hates and vice versa. :p

Thanks for the comment Ian!
 
That works really well for Candid, and the crazy effect of rear curtain works well with it to.
 
Now that's a proper candid!

Great colour, action, lovely framing, energy and movement...

I think that's my pick of the candid bunch :thumbs::thumbs:

Damn, really sorry MadFrankie, i generally try to respond to everyone's comments but i must have skipped past yours without seeing it. Thanks a lot for the encouragement, really appreciate it. I doubt it's the best candid this forum has to offer though :D

That works really well for Candid, and the crazy effect of rear curtain works well with it to.

I'm glad people like the rear curtain effect. I wasn't sure at the time. Thanks for commenting. :thumbs:
 
Ok so this is gonna be a series of posts, probably pretty lengthy so bare with me :D

Firstly, my attempt at 'Produce'. Yep it's a bit late but i'm rushed recently so it's my best attempt. I set up a little 'studio' for a few shots with a gold reflector a lamp and a picture frame as a reflective surface and just shot away. I tried to use my on camera flash and reflect it onto the gold reflector without letting any light from it spill onto the subject, and suprisingly it worked quite well. I really need a flash but hey, work with what you've got eh? :thumbs:

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Next for this week, using the same setup i tried to do a reshoot of 'Present'. I took a shot of a 'present' i got from my girlfriend a few years ago just mainly to play about with lighting but i was happy with how it turned out. i liked the blues and purples in the background, gives it a really calm atmosphere.

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All C+C is welcome. Infact i'd love some. Thanks for looking. :)
 
Bit of a catch up from me!

Play: Awwww - you can't go wrong with dog pictures as far as I'm concerned, but she is a real cutie. I think I prefer to sense of 'active play' in the second one, and she's definitely telling you to get on with throwing the ball and stop messing about with that silly black box! :lol:

Candid: Bang on theme - a lovely natural expression and lots of extra interest with the rear curtain flash effect. A top shot. :)

Produce: I love the nice warm light you've created, and the fact that the impact of the light is different in the 2 shots. Very creative.

The first one works really well, imo, but the composition loses the slightly reflective surface you'd set up. I don't honestly think that matters - it was just a comment. If I was a campaigning sort of person, I'd run a campaign for smaller name/copyright marks on photos! Although yours is subtle in colour, it's quite large and a little distracting. Sorry!

The second one: the light works beautifully here, too, and is so gentle and subtle. It sets the mood for the romantic poem. I like this composition and use of negative space - just enough, not too much. Did you by any chance take a shot from a lower angle? (I want to read the words) :)

Jean
 
Bit of a catch up from me!

Play: Awwww - you can't go wrong with dog pictures as far as I'm concerned, but she is a real cutie. I think I prefer to sense of 'active play' in the second one, and she's definitely telling you to get on with throwing the ball and stop messing about with that silly black box! :lol:

Candid: Bang on theme - a lovely natural expression and lots of extra interest with the rear curtain flash effect. A top shot. :)

Produce: I love the nice warm light you've created, and the fact that the impact of the light is different in the 2 shots. Very creative.

The first one works really well, imo, but the composition loses the slightly reflective surface you'd set up. I don't honestly think that matters - it was just a comment. If I was a campaigning sort of person, I'd run a campaign for smaller name/copyright marks on photos! Although yours is subtle in colour, it's quite large and a little distracting. Sorry!

The second one: the light works beautifully here, too, and is so gentle and subtle. It sets the mood for the romantic poem. I like this composition and use of negative space - just enough, not too much. Did you by any chance take a shot from a lower angle? (I want to read the words) :)

Jean

Thanks for posting Jean, much appreciated.

With play, i would've prefferred my second shot to be a bit sharper, that's why i think no1 takes it for most people, still good to see someone likes no2 though :thumbs:

Your comment about my stamp: noted. I really wasn't sure what size i should be doing these so i thought larger was better to be on the safe side. I think i can afford to do it a bit smaller :)

Glad you like my 'present' reshoot, i don't have a lower angle for you, but here's a larger size from my Flickr where the text is more visible.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46423272@N08/4478073819/sizes/l/

Thanks again for taking the time to look and comment :D
 
Candid is a lot of fun - conveys the atmosphere very well and is a bit different. :thumbs:

Produce and Present - beautifully composed and lit. A very relaxing, serene atmosphere in both of them. I am really impressed with how you managed the lighting though I can't work out how you used the pop-up flash - did you stick on a a curved piece of foil or something?

:clap::clap:
 
Candid is a lot of fun - conveys the atmosphere very well and is a bit different. :thumbs:

Produce and Present - beautifully composed and lit. A very relaxing, serene atmosphere in both of them. I am really impressed with how you managed the lighting though I can't work out how you used the pop-up flash - did you stick on a a curved piece of foil or something?

:clap::clap:

No, i had a gold reflector set up to the left and i literally used my hand to shield the eggs while still letting the flash hit the reflector. It took a few attempts but it worked in the end. Nothing fancy at all. Thanks for the comments Tracer :thumbs:

love the eggs, nicely composed and the light is wonderful on them..

Thanks a lot for commenting, glad you like them :D
 
Both very good shots, well composed and lit
 
Week 14 - Shoot

Here's my *LATE* week 14. This week's theme sort of just fell into place for me, it just took me a bit longer to get my image processed. My girlfriend, Shelby, and her family wanted some photo's taken, mainly of her, so that's just what i did!

It was probably the most cheaply constructed 'studio' you can imagine, infact i challenge anyone to produce results for cheaper! I used a white sheet pinned to a wall as a background, a jessops flash for lighting and a reflector to balance it out and the shots were on my kit lens :D

ANyway, here it is. I have a lot of these to process so if anything i'd like some advice on how to improve this. a photo from my 'shoot'...

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Thanks for looking!
 
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