Sarah's 52 - FINAL WEEK - "Texture"

karmagarda said:
Excellent! That's a much better SP that you're giving yourself credit for. Pity about the chin being framed out, but that's such a small niggle it's irrelevant! :thumbs:
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Thank you - that's a very nice thing to say.

Tracer said:
I prefer no.1 to no.2, but best of all is your stand-alone portrait. Beautiful lighting and pose and I really like the close crop.

You are much braver than I am - well done :clap::clap:
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Thanks.
The lighting was really nothing special. Not much natural light about on Sunday, so that was taken with the on-camera flash. I draped some tissue paper over it to soften the light and try to diffuse it a bit.

Very high tech stuff ;) :)

jgs001 said:
Of the two original shots... I prefer the first montage. Nice work in PP with them all... But you know what... the stand alone shot is very very good indeed, it's worked superbly. You look relaxed and comfortable in that shot.
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Thank you. I really wasn't feeling as comfortable as I look!
 
What can I say...terrible...:razz:






This is some of your best work for me so far...:clap:

I take my hat off to you for your PP work, I’m still happy to work out levels...:lol:

The first one really shows off your PP skills, so well done...:clap:

Not so sure about the second version...:thinking:

But your B&W conversion for the stand alone portrait is stunning...:love:

You should be very proud of it; I love the tighter crop which gives it a more impact and warmth...:clap:

Brilliant work from you Sarah...:thumbs:
 
Spartacus said:
What can I say...terrible...:razz:






This is some of your best work for me so far...:clap:

I take my hat off to you for your PP work, I’m still happy to work out levels...:lol:

The first one really shows off your PP skills, so well done...:clap:

Not so sure about the second version...:thinking:

But your B&W conversion for the stand alone portrait is stunning...:love:

You should be very proud of it; I love the tighter crop which gives it a more impact and warmth...:clap:

Brilliant work from you Sarah...:thumbs:
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Wow! Thanks Marcus :$
High praise indeed.

Maybe I should have a bit of a rethink about my hatred of portraits :lol:

p.s. the PP was very simple - it was just some of the automatic filters. shhhhhh don't tell anyone.
 
I really like the centre portrait and while I can appreciate the PP that went into both shots I do prefer the portrait on it's own. The focus isn't quite on the eyes but otherwise I think it is very classy. You probably should take more self portraits - I know you don't want to be judged on your looks but you have lovely eyes and I think you could take some very striking shots :thumbs:
 
maddog.mark said:
Well on the basis you're rather good at them perhaps you should:)
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The question is would I start enjoying them though ??????

Daysleeper40 said:
I really like the centre portrait and while I can appreciate the PP that went into both shots I do prefer the portrait on it's own. The focus isn't quite on the eyes but otherwise I think it is very classy. You probably should take more self portraits - I know you don't want to be judged on your looks but you have lovely eyes and I think you could take some very striking shots :thumbs:
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Thank you! Very kind of you.
I'd like to say that getting the focus right in LiveView was harder than I thought - but I was expecting it to be damn difficult . . . and it was. The slightest little movement of my head after getting it all lined up :bang:
 
SarahLee said:
The question is would I start enjoying them though ??????
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Yes you probably would. I haven't done many but I have started to enjoy them and I'm as camera shy as they come.:lol:
 
SarahLee said:
The question is would I start enjoying them though ??????



Thank you! Very kind of you.
I'd like to say that getting the focus right in LiveView was harder than I thought - but I was expecting it to be damn difficult . . . and it was. The slightest little movement of my head after getting it all lined up :bang:
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Don't knock it - at least you had live view... I had to go with the point and hope approach!

Like the new avatar :thumbs:
 
Hmmmmm I'm not sure whether this is clever or "crowbarred" :lol:
Didn't have time to buy the bits I needed for my original idea, so I'm afraid this is going to have to do anyway.

Organised = structured ????? :thinking: . . . perhaps? :shake:

Week 47 - Organised

IMG_0023-6.jpg

Lessons Learnt

1) Just because I get inspiration as soon as a theme comes up I shouldn't get complacent and wait until Sunday afternoon . . . I inevitably ran out of time to go out and get the bits that I wanted for the shot I'd planned.

2) This is back to my old comfort zone, but it's still the sort of photography that I like doing.

3) It's really difficult to make shiny wooden balls look sharp, and resizing for the forums doesn't help.

4) This challenge is going to get difficult during December. . . Christmas shopping, Christmas Parties, busy at work :bang: :bang: :bang: Let's hope for some good themes over the next weeks.
 
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Yes - organised = structured as far as I'm concerned. Totally on theme. :)

I like the idea and I like the reflection. To be honest, it looks a bit dark on the right on my screen and it leaves me wondering how much I can't see (if that makes sense :)). The light coming from the left of the frame gives well-judged highlights, but the shadows top right and centre right look a bit heavy. How did you light it? Did you use any light source/reflector on the right of the frame? Or is it just my screen (it could be!!!)

I'm very intrigued to know what you'd planned to do. :D

The next 5 themes are going to be the worst yet. :rules: I'm saying this because last time I said things couldn't get any worse - they did.

Jean
 
jeangenie said:
Yes - organised = structured as far as I'm concerned. Totally on theme. :)

I like the idea and I like the reflection. To be honest, it looks a bit dark on the right on my screen and it leaves me wondering how much I can't see (if that makes sense :)). The light coming from the left of the frame gives well-judged highlights, but the shadows top right and centre right look a bit heavy. How did you light it? Did you use any light source/reflector on the right of the frame? Or is it just my screen (it could be!!!)

I'm very intrigued to know what you'd planned to do. :D
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Thanks Jean - glad you got the connection to the theme.

It's not your screen. The darkness to the right was deliberate - it was lit by a spot light at right angles to it.
Here's another version with more straight on lighting. I experimenting with lighting from a few different angles and even using reflectors, but I found that I preferred the shot with half of it fading into black and leaving you wondering about what you couldn't see :shrug:

I'm keeping my planned shot quiet for now - in case I can reuse the idea in a couple of weeks time :razz: :D


IMG_0026.jpg
 
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Bang on theme as far as I'm concerned :thumbs:

I think I prefer the lighting in the second shot you posted - it's the shadow in the top right hand ball that I'f finding a bit distracting in the first. Love the reflection and the shiny balls aren't a problem for me either :D
 
I think it's an excellent shot :thumbs:

Looking forward to your planned one too if you get the chance to use it.
 
SarahLee said:
Thanks Jean - glad you got the connection to the theme.

It's not your screen. The darkness to the right was deliberate - it was lit by a spot light at right angles to it.
Here's another version with more straight on lighting. I experimenting with lighting from a few different angles and even using reflectors, but I found that I preferred the shot with half of it fading into black and leaving you wondering about what you couldn't see I have to say that worked brilliantly in my case - I kept peering at it to 'see' more. :)

I'm keeping my planned shot quiet for now - in case I can reuse the idea in a couple of weeks time :razz: :D Do you know something I don't? :suspect: :)


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Sorry to be a bit boring after alll your creative lighting, Sarah, but I think I prefer the second version. Although ... the first one did exactly what you wanted it to .... damm! I can't make up my mind. :lol:

Jean
 
I missed the second photo! I prefer the lighting on the first. But there's not that much difference. Only just pips it at the post
 
Very good Sarah, and it works for me so is spot on theme. Love the lighting in the first one and the reflections are excellent :thumbs:
 
It's got to be your second shot for me...:clap:

Although a tad dark for my taste, I can see what you were trying and i think you pulled it off quite nicely...:clap::clap::clap:

and I'm not sure about the crowbar top right corner, or am I seeing things...:lol:



Well done it's great work again...:thumbs:
 
A lovely idea and beautifully executed. I prefer the second version but in both I love the warm colours and the sense of mystery. You are so good at this sort of shot. :clap::clap:
 
jgs001 said:
Very good Sarah, and it works for me so is spot on theme. Love the lighting in the first one and the reflections are excellent :thumbs:
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kennysarmy said:
prefer the lighting in the 2nd one.
the shadow across the top right ball is distracting in the first one...

oh yea where is that crowbar icon... ;) only joking
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Spartacus said:
It's got to be your second shot for me...:clap:

Although a tad dark for my taste, I can see what you were trying and i think you pulled it off quite nicely...:clap::clap::clap:

and I'm not sure about the crowbar top right corner, or am I seeing things...:lol:



Well done it's great work again...:thumbs:
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Tracer said:
A lovely idea and beautifully executed. I prefer the second version but in both I love the warm colours and the sense of mystery. You are so good at this sort of shot. :clap::clap:
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Thank you all.
I still prefer the first image on this monitor, but looking at them on my work screen the second one is better :shrug:

I'm starting to regret mentioning that crowbar now :razz: . . . mainly because I think I might be in real need of it this week !!!!!
 
Another very good interpretation and very well composed and processed too. Wish I had managed to be so creative.
 
Self... a lovely portrait, and nice to put a face to the name :clap::clap:

Organised, bang on theme. Good pic too :clap:
 
Sorry all, this is another "it'll have to do" shot this week.

It's not so much that I'm lacking motivation, but I'm just so damn busy at the moment :bang:

Well I finally got some inspiration and I decided to have a play around with mirrors and PS filters for this one. On processing it I think the idea has potential but I just wish I had the time to go back and redo it.
I think it would have looked so much better on a white background with the reflected hand filtered to look like a pencil sketch . . . oh well, I'm not going to get any more time tomorrow so this is it for now.


Week 48 - Confusion

IMG_00151.jpg

If I get chance I'll re-shoot, but the likelihood of that happening is very slim at the moment.
I'll catch up with everyone else's confusion tomorrow.
 
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I like your atomium Sarah :) The first is my preferred shot - the reflection works for me :) and beautifuly on theme too!

Your confusion is a superb shot and for an 'It'll have to do' shot its a winner...not sure it says 'confusion' to me but I love it anyway :) Clever stuff! :clap:
 
Your fill in shots are fabulous Sarah...:love:

You always seem to come up with really great ideas...:clap::clap::clap:

Well done you...:thumbs:
 
Perhaps not the closest to the theme but a very classy shot indeed - I love it! :clap::clap:
 
I agree with John also. A very good shot, and I love how you've done it. Not sure it really says confusion though. :thumbs:
 
Cool shot. I dig that a lot. What would have made it more confusing to me is if you had made the fingernails on the white hand purple and the fingernails on the purple hand white.
 
Really love this shot. That's some super PP you've done there. If you could see the frame of the mirror and possibly something else reflecting in it then that would have made the confusion part stronger. All the same :thumbs: love it!
 
Hi Sarah, major catch up time :D

Self - girl what have you got to be scared about! I know what you mean about not wanting to be identified by your looks but it's still part of who you are, and you look fab :D

I'm not in favour of montages really and I'm so glad you posted the b&w conversion on it's own because that is one great portrait, never mind self-portrait :clap::clap::clap:

Organised - I prefer #2 as well :thumbs: and welcome to the crowbar club :wave:

Confusion - As an 'it'll have to do shot' it puts some of mine to shame. Love the PP but like John, not sure it says confusion, but who cares, it's a great idea :clap:
 
Nice lighting on your organised shot and i love the concept and the colouring you have on confused :D
 
Dark Star said:
I like your atomium Sarah :) The first is my preferred shot - the reflection works for me :) and beautifuly on theme too!

Your confusion is a superb shot and for an 'It'll have to do' shot its a winner...not sure it says 'confusion' to me but I love it anyway :) Clever stuff! :clap:
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Thanks John. Glad you liked it.

Spartacus said:
Your fill in shots are fabulous Sarah...:love:

You always seem to come up with really great ideas...:clap::clap::clap:

Well done you...:thumbs:
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Thanks Marcus. I think my frustration with the fill-in shots is that I get the idea, but I'd always love a bit more time to make more of it :bang:

Hopefully things will quieten down in work from next week and I'll have a bit more time to myself.

jeangenie said:
I agree with John on this one, Sarah. But I bet you'll have a lot of fun with it when you've got a bit of time, and it certainly doesn't look like a 'will have to do' shot to me. :thumbs:

Jean
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Thank you. Very kind of you . . . I can't see me revisiting it this week, but it's one I want to have another go at over Christmas when I get time.
 
Tracer said:
Perhaps not the closest to the theme but a very classy shot indeed - I love it! :clap::clap:
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Thank you. I do like the idea, but it really needs a bit more work to get it how I wanted it - and to be slightly more on theme.

jgs001 said:
I agree with John also. A very good shot, and I love how you've done it. Not sure it really says confusion though. :thumbs:
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Thanks. Will definitely redo this one. I think it has potential - and I'll see what I can do to add to the confusion!

Kiwi Jaz said:
Cool shot. I dig that a lot. What would have made it more confusing to me is if you had made the fingernails on the white hand purple and the fingernails on the purple hand white.
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Thank you :)
I hadn't actually thought about changing the nail colours . . . but that's something to think about when I play with it next time.
 
karmagarda said:
Really love this shot. That's some super PP you've done there. If you could see the frame of the mirror and possibly something else reflecting in it then that would have made the confusion part stronger. All the same :thumbs: love it!
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Thanks!
I think you're onto something with the frame. I used a frameless mirror for the shot, but next time round I think that's definitely something I'll change.


Bruja said:
Hi Sarah, major catch up time

Self - girl what have you got to be scared about! I know what you mean about not wanting to be identified by your looks but it's still part of who you are, and you look fab :D

I'm not in favour of montages really and I'm so glad you posted the b&w conversion on it's own because that is one great portrait, never mind self-portrait :clap::clap::clap:

Organised - I prefer #2 as well :thumbs: and welcome to the crowbar club :wave:

Confusion - As an 'it'll have to do shot' it puts some of mine to shame. Love the PP but like John, not sure it says confusion, but who cares, it's a great idea :clap:
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Thank you Jill. Very kind of you (especially your words about the sp)
And yes, I think I'm now a fully subscribed member of the crowbar club :D

Toothie said:
Nice lighting on your organised shot and i love the concept and the colouring you have on confused :D
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Thanks Ruth.

kennysarmy said:
I think you need to make more of the fact it was a mirror for the shot to really work...

Good seemless processing though and just about crowbar'd in to the theme ;)
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Thank you.
Agree that you and Conor are spot on about the mirror frame. It will definitely make the concept more obvious. Watch this spot for a reshoot in a couple of weeks :)
 
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