Sarah's 2011 Project : 101 ways to shoot an apple : Updated for Wk 8

3 and 4:

#3 I'm not a great fan of paint effects, but this one really does work for me - It has the look of an old master. I love the translucency of the pomegranate seeds, and the combination of colours is gorgeous. The only thing I'd change is to have the slice of apple on the right either completely in the frame, or more cropped out. :)

#4 There's terrific detail in this - even to the little tiny hairs on the stalk and the top of the apple. The play of light on the stalk is a master touch, Sarah. Love it! :clap::clap::clap:

btw, I think the Apple organisation should be paying you to advertise their products - just think how many times that 'A' word will be used in this thread, and every time it translates into apple. :D

Jean

PS I got away with two ordinary apples on this post. Yay!
 
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Oh Dear . . . 3 weeks since I last posted in here. Must do better if I'm going to make my 101 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thank you to everybody who's commented and apologies for not being in here to respond. An internet problem, working away from home during the week and a bad cold have all conspired to keep me away.

Looking back, the canvas effect on week 3 isn't my favourite . . . but with 101 shots to go I think there are going to be a few that I'm not so keen on.

Thank you again to everyone who responded, and just to pick up on a few points.

Dawn - good spot with the framing. I did intend to keep it consistent, this was an oversight on my part, but now fixed!

Patrick - Don't feel nervous about offering crit! I still consider myself a newbie (DSLR for only 18 months) and you just can't shut me up !!! :lol:

John / Jean - Come the summer I'm sure that there will be an excuse to get some insects and hopefully some bees in flight in amongst these.
Thinking about spotting some honey or something on an apple to attract the little bugs :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
OK . . . Back on track and I'll be trying to do at least 2 or 3 a week from now on.

Here's this week's batch :


5 by SarahLee1001, on Flickr




006 by SarahLee1001, on Flickr




007 by SarahLee1001, on Flickr


Levitation

The weather's been too poor to go outdoors, but I realise that bog-standard still life shots are going to get dull after a while.
This was inspired by JustDave's levitating apple over a book.
Apple suspended with fishing wire which was cloned out in PP and a bit of a contortionist effort to get my hand in position.
Lit by 3 off camera flashes - one for the subject matter, one angled to overexpose the background and a third angled to cancel out any shadows on the white b/g.

The overexposure underneath the hand was deliberate and lens flare added later . . . (hopefully) with the intention of giving a mystical / otherworldly feel.

Stalk

Back to still life again.
The problem with anything more creative is that it takes so long to set up :lol:
Think this would have benefited from a spritz with the mister, but I quite like the black and green contrast.

Textures

Similar to week 1's shot I'm afraid, but I really liked the textures in this apple and wanted a simple b/g to bring it out.
 

008 by SarahLee1001, on Flickr



009 by SarahLee1001, on Flickr​


Slices
Something new that I've wanted to try for a while . . . using a scanner to capture an image.
Not quite happy with this, but it's OK for a first attempt and it's a technique that I'll probably revisit again during the problem

Marble
A change from real apples ;)
I quite liked the lighting in this one and the way that the cool, white marble stands out against the darkness.
 
Hiya Sarah,

Oh dear, I seem to have missed a few here, so I'll do a quick catch-up:

Levitation: I like the way you have composed this one and the processing is very effective, like you say to give it a mystical feel. I'm just not sure about the colour of the apple though, and think it may have looked better with a Red apple (but that is just my opinion).

Stalk: Nice idea, although the bit of 'fluff' on the stalk is a tiny bit distracting. Also notice there is a spot on the black background, if you follow the line fo the stalk to the left, that may be light reflection, or did you process the background to get it black, in which case it may just be a spot you missed. Otherwise a lovely crisp image.

Textures: Now this is lovely and I think in this image the colour apple works well. Good control of lighting and a nice sharp image. :thumbs:

Slices: I'm not familiar with the technique you used for this one so affraid I can't comment on that aspect. The problem with apples is they start to discolour quite quickly, although I think you caught this in the nick of time. Only nit pick would be about the slice, middle row far left, that seems to be missing a bit of the slice. Also I might have been tempted to remove the pips, although I like the stalk.

Marble: Hey it is still and apple and I like that you have broadened your scope to include other apple related objects. It is a lovely piece and again good control of lighting.

Well done, you are doing a great job with this project and I look forward to seeing more of your photos for this.

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
I do like me a spot of lens flare. Gotta say this is a brave task to undertake, plenty of techniques and approaches here to learn from, thanks.

Keep going!

My Project 52
 
Hiya Sarah, a very good use of a scanner for your slices photo, I have never come across that technique before. As for your marble apple, I really like it, when I first saw it, I wondered what pp you had done to make it look so much like marble :lol: Then I realised....:bonk: Well done for getting these, I look forward to your future shots. :)
 
I really like that marble one :) The orange ring in it makes me think someone's had an attempt of a bite out of it :D

I'm two weeks behind with mine. I've never been so busy on 2 weeks off work! Still, it's nice out so I may have a toddle around later :)
 
I missed your Week 7 Sarah - the hand shot is quite stunning :clap:
Both week 8 shots are really good - I particularly like the marble apple.
 
i'm really enjoying your thread Sarah. You have a real talent for this type of image. Some of these are just stunning.
Patrick
 
sarah.... i have only just revisited ** thread...and still ..you might say still life might be wearing thin...but your shots ain't... love all of them.. :thumbs:
 
:bonk: So sorry guys!!!

I've really neglected this thread, so thank you to everyone who dropped in and left comments since I last visited.
I haven't intentionally ignored you, but work pressures and personal stuff have meant that photography (and forum time) has really taken a back seat for the first half of this year.
Any camera time I have managed has been family related - and nothing to do with apples at all :lol:

I think I'm going to draw a line under this project.
But now things have settled down at work, I may jump back on the themed 52 bandwagon for the second part of the year.
 
SarahLee said:
:bonk: So sorry guys!!!

I've really neglected this thread, so thank you to everyone who dropped in and left comments since I last visited.
I haven't intentionally ignored you, but work pressures and personal stuff have meant that photography (and forum time) has really taken a back seat for the first half of this year.
Any camera time I have managed has been family related - and nothing to do with apples at all :lol:

I think I'm going to draw a line under this project.
But now things have settled down at work, I may jump back on the themed 52 bandwagon for the second part of the year.
Click to expand...

Hiya Sarah,

No worries, fully understand. Sometimes we set out on a mission/project but life has it's way of diverting our path. Sorry to hear you have had a hectic first half of the year, but by sounds it seems like things are calming down now for you, which is good.

You were definitely onto a great challenge with the 'apples' and every time I see one, real or ornamental, I always thing ... wow that would be great for your project :D What inspired me with your first few was thinking of a subject that one could use to challenge one's creativity ... something I am hoping to do in the new year once I have completed the Photo52.

We would love to see you hop on board with the Themed Photo52 ... and I look forward to seeing your photos if you do decide to join. Would also be great if you could join us on the meet (once we get our A's into gear and organise something :lol:)

Take care

Cheers

Dawn :)
 
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