Sarah's 52 for 2010 - Now continued in part 2

My vote goes with the hour glass shot, it has that little bit of something extra, im not sure why, possibly as its unique to all the other "speed" shots that have been posted so far.

The 2nd shot is a good image, i particularly like the added tint of red its very effective.

It's a close one but the hour glass takes it. To be fair though its your 52 so only you will really know. Great idea with the photobook too, i may borrow that idea if ya don't mind:)
 
Sarah
I like the hourglass picture a lot
made me think of Terry Pratchett's disc world books

took a while to see how the third picture fitted in (the water "splash") I guess it's the background
the water drops work well as a backdrop for the hourglass
nicely constructed

you might want to sort out the "spare" URL tags and so on that are making the thread wider than it needs to be

Thanks Mike. Not sure how I managed to get into such a mess with the URL tags, but I think I've got them all now.
Yes the splash is the very bottom layer. . . subtle but it is there, and I think that you'd notice the difference without it.
I didn't actually have Discworld in mind when I put it together, but now that you mention it . . .

The hourglass shot rocks! I'm going for that simply because I did the 'other' speed for my shot and want to be a bit more original. :D:D

Thanks Dean.
Just been over and commented on yours. Great minds and all that :D

both great interpretations of the theme but i'm going for the first one as haven't seen anything like that so totally original for 'speed' - plus its a fantastic image, nicely shot, great angle and processed very well indeed

Thanks Michelle.
I'm glad that you like it, and so far I've not come across anything else similar this week so I'm hoping that it stays unique ;)

Hour glass for me too, very well put together it has a lot of impact when you first look at it. :clap:

Shot 2 is a good second option the processing gives you your desired end result.

Hourglass here too, it's a stunning image.

Thank you both. Looks like Hourglass is winning hands down here.
 
Hi Sarah,

I love both of these but number 1 is my favourite by far. It is an excellent image and very cleverly thought out.

I have not got a problem with the third leg of the hourglass. I did not even notice it.

Jenny

Thank you Jenny. Maybe I should never have mentioned that 3rd leg - I might have completely got away with it.

I prefer the hourglass. It's a lovely shot.

Funnily enough, having just posted my own image for this week, and now taking the time to see what others have posted, your thought process and mine are pretty similar. In fact I've posted a very similar explanation to yours about how I arrived at my shot. Spooky.

Having said that, I think your shot is much better than mine, so whilst we may have shared similar thoughts, my execution of those thoughts lack some way behind. :(

Oooooh now I'm intrigued.
I normally have a sort of logic that I follow for looking at the other 52s, but I think I might have to jump straight over to yours to have a look.

another hourglass vote - it's stunning, Sarah! I love it!

Yet another vote for your hourglass shot Sarah - absolutely great!

Carl

great hour glass image, i like that 1

:lol: Looks like hourglass is definitely in the lead.
TBH I thought it might be a bit Marmite. There's not as much PP as you'd initially think but it does have more of a graphic art feel to it rather than a photograph.

My vote goes with the hour glass shot, it has that little bit of something extra, im not sure why, possibly as its unique to all the other "speed" shots that have been posted so far.

The 2nd shot is a good image, i particularly like the added tint of red its very effective.

It's a close one but the hour glass takes it. To be fair though its your 52 so only you will really know. Great idea with the photobook too, i may borrow that idea if ya don't mind:)

Thanks Chris - and by all means pinch the photobook idea.
The downside is going to be avoiding fillers to make the most of the book . . . already have 1 that I need to reshoot :(

I still can't decide on speed though, so maybe I'll end up with 53 in my book :lol:
 
Wow, you put a lot of work into this week, combining three shots. It's a nice image, and I could see it as part of a title sequence so some sort of Merlinesque type programme. It says 'time' to me, more than 'speed' though. :shrug:
 
I understand your dilemma about choosing between two shots which have equal merit for you. I had the same problem with Colour last year -and still haven't decided which will go in my book (I think I'll make one of them the back cover, if that helps!)

However, in this case, I'd definitely go for #1. Photographically I don't think you can chose between them, but the originality of thought and complexity of the idea makes #1 my winner. If I were being incredibly picky (and I do mean 'incredibly') I'd make it just a tad lighter because I think it will reproduce better in book format. Great week, Sarah. :clap::clap::clap:

Jean
 
I really really prefer the first one over the second. I know nothing about PP and graphics myself so I don't know how easy\hard it was to put together but it looks fab.
 
The hourglass is my choice. The drugs seems to be a popular interpretation.
 
2 brilliant photos Sarah, I love the hourglass shot and is very well put together, and the 2nd shot is excellent and the red tint works well
 
Hi Sarah,

I definitely prefer the hourglass as it is such an original take on the theme and the concept really works.

If I was to be really picky, I'd like to see a bit more stretching on the raindrops to give it even more of a feeling speed, particularly on the 'static' ones behind the hourglass, and maybe a stronger or deeper background colour.

But those are minor point, and once again you come up with a unique and imaginative take on the theme that noone else has thought of and another great shot.
 
A pair of very good shots Sarah, but I much prefer the hourglass. It's very clever and very well processed.
 
Another vote here for the hour glass shot. It is visually creative and you do get the sense of time whizzing past - so the drops wouldnt be crystal clear anyway; so dont worry about that.
I get what you mean about the third leg :-S cant see anyway around it; saw it off and take the shot again, lol. Again though it doesnt detract from the image.

The second (and this is my opinion) the concept, not one I think you will look back on with pride, light trails would have been a safe option if thats what you were after.
Im not a big advocate of drugs, so for this reason I wouldnt use this.
PS - consider who you show that book to?! Just my thoughts ;)
 
Sarah, I really like the hourglass shot, as soon as I looked, I saw the room of hour glasses representing everybodys lives over at Deaths place somewhere not quite on Discworld. [Terry Pratchett] However, I would have preferred the 3rd leg left in and the merging taking into account, it sort of looks odd without it. Otherwise, love the idea, the execution is pretty good and definately different to anything else.

The other shot is doing absolutely nothing for me, I have to be honest, it just feels like I have seen the same kind of thing loads of times when anything that can be related to drugs is mentioned. So for me, it HAS to be #1 in that photobook of yours :thumbs:
 
Its been 5 weeks, and I've only just got around to saving your thread as a favourite!!

Week 5 for me...Has to be your first post. Very Attractive image and stands out a lot!!

The burgundy background complements the red sand and dark wood quite well.

How did you manage the background with the droplets...very artistic, and one image I would like to try for myself.

Yet again, you have come up with an image that is unique and rare. well done :)
 
I definitely think the hourglass shot should make the photobook - it's super and I'm impressed with your PP technique to have created it from the seperate shots.

Phil
 
No doubt in my mind Sarah! The hourglass shot is brilliant. Simples:clap:

Cheers, Rob
 
Hello!

I love your first shot personally. It has a lot more impact, reminds me of some insane hour-glass space ship racing through space :D all the colours work perfectly and the composition is great :)

As for your other one - I was going to go along similar lines (pun intended) and take a portrait of me rubbing my gums, but I didn't want to seem like I knew what I was doing :/ lol, so I chose the weird boot shot instead :P

great effort in all, both images are great but your first one stands out the most for me and is more unique :D
 
Number 1 gets my vote Sarah.
It is certainly a totally different interpretation to anyone else on the speed theme. I like the sci-fi effect, the hour glass flying through space/the air, a very creative concept. It is visually impactive, I agree.
Thanks for sharing your 'how it was achieved'. Fits the theme perfectly.:thumbs:
 
A brilliant idea with the hour glass, well visualised and put together. Wouldn't even notice the third leg if you hadn't mentioned it. Think I need some of whatever you're taking :)
 
Wow, you put a lot of work into this week, combining three shots. It's a nice image, and I could see it as part of a title sequence so some sort of Merlinesque type programme. It says 'time' to me, more than 'speed' though. :shrug:

Thanks Lee.
I was actually thinking more Dr Who than Merlin, but I get what you mean.
I think you've just nailed my dilemma between my 2 shots. I actually prefer No.1,, but I think No.2 is more on theme.

I understand your dilemma about choosing between two shots which have equal merit for you. I had the same problem with Colour last year -and still haven't decided which will go in my book (I think I'll make one of them the back cover, if that helps!)

However, in this case, I'd definitely go for #1. Photographically I don't think you can chose between them, but the originality of thought and complexity of the idea makes #1 my winner. If I were being incredibly picky (and I do mean 'incredibly') I'd make it just a tad lighter because I think it will reproduce better in book format. Great week, Sarah. :clap::clap::clap:

Jean

:thumbs: Back cover is an interesting idea . . . although I'm not sure that the drug shot is something that I want in my face every time I pick the book up, so it may be the other one.

I'm trying to remember what you did for colour, but I can't. Might have to go back and have a look for it.

Thanks for the tip on printing too.
I can see me tweaking a lot of these for print before I actually send them off, and that little tip may have just saved me a load of time.

I really really prefer the first one over the second. I know nothing about PP and graphics myself so I don't know how easy\hard it was to put together but it looks fab.

Thank you.
The thing with Photoshop is that it gets easier the more you use it. That took me about an hour to put together. A few months ago it would have taken me half a day!!!!

love the hourglass one

The hourglass is my choice. The drugs seems to be a popular interpretation.

:thumbs:another one for the hour glass ,

2 brilliant photos Sarah, I love the hourglass shot and is very well put together, and the 2nd shot is excellent and the red tint works well

another vote for the hour glass, more unexpected for 'speed' than the second shot

I like the hourglass photo. Its not something I would have thought of- very original.


Thanks all. Looks like the hourglass is definitely the most popular shot this week.
 
Hi Sarah,
I definitely prefer the hourglass as it is such an original take on the theme and the concept really works.

If I was to be really picky, I'd like to see a bit more stretching on the raindrops to give it even more of a feeling speed, particularly on the 'static' ones behind the hourglass, and maybe a stronger or deeper background colour.

But those are minor point, and once again you come up with a unique and imaginative take on the theme that noone else has thought of and another great shot.

Thanks Ian.
Don't worry about being picky, this is what helps me learn.
I did try a bit more stretching of the raindrops, but I found that the overall effect was a bit grainy and lacking definition. Maybe with a little more work I could bring it back and I might give it a go before printing.

I prefer the hourglass shot sarah, for me it fits in well with your arty style, i realy liked it.

Thank you Martin.
And I'm very flattered to hear that you think I have a style!

A pair of very good shots Sarah, but I much prefer the hourglass. It's very clever and very well processed.

Thanks John.

Another vote here for the hour glass shot. It is visually creative and you do get the sense of time whizzing past - so the drops wouldnt be crystal clear anyway; so dont worry about that.
I get what you mean about the third leg :-S cant see anyway around it; saw it off and take the shot again, lol. Again though it doesnt detract from the image.

The second (and this is my opinion) the concept, not one I think you will look back on with pride, light trails would have been a safe option if thats what you were after.
Im not a big advocate of drugs, so for this reason I wouldnt use this.
PS - consider who you show that book to?! Just my thoughts ;)

Dade, thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful piece of critique. It's really appreciated and I'm glad that you like the first shot. Please don't feel like you need to justify your opinion on the second shot, your views are welcome whether they're positive or negative.

I'm actually surprised that we had so many drug shots this week, I had thought that this would be quite a different take on the theme, but it was certainly not intended to be "gimicky", to advocate drugs or to cause offence to anyone - so sorry if it has.
I have experience of how drugs can ruin a life through a family member. Not something I want to go into on a public forum and not something I wanted to post alongside the image. I would prefer the image to be judged on its own merit and it's not a documentary shot so likening a piece of "artwork" to people's real suffering is not something I wanted to do.

Interestingly though, my view on sharing the image in the book does differ to yours - not that I'm necessarily right :)

Personally, it's not something I would feel embarrassed to show to anyone else as a shot in a photobook. It's not what I'd want the book to be all about by any means, but if it prompted some open discussion about drug use I'd almost feel that it was a good thing.
 
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Sarah, I really like the hourglass shot, as soon as I looked, I saw the room of hour glasses representing everybodys lives over at Deaths place somewhere not quite on Discworld. [Terry Pratchett] However, I would have preferred the 3rd leg left in and the merging taking into account, it sort of looks odd without it. Otherwise, love the idea, the execution is pretty good and definately different to anything else.

The other shot is doing absolutely nothing for me, I have to be honest, it just feels like I have seen the same kind of thing loads of times when anything that can be related to drugs is mentioned. So for me, it HAS to be #1 in that photobook of yours :thumbs:

Yv, Thank you again for taking the time to give some detailed C&C :)
You're the second person to mention Terry Pratchet . . . that totally passed me by at the time, but I get the connection now and can't believe that it hadn't occurred to me earlier.

Not completely convinced about the 3rd leg. But then I'm the only one who's seen what it looked like with it completely included!
I might have a play with it prior to printing - I'm becoming convinced that this is the one that should make it to the book.

I think with the second shot I'm highlighting my newbie status. I've only been at this for just over 6 months, so I hadn't really seen any similar interpretations until this week.
Lesson learnt I guess, just because something is new for me it doesn't make it unique.

Its been 5 weeks, and I've only just got around to saving your thread as a favourite!!

Week 5 for me...Has to be your first post. Very Attractive image and stands out a lot!!

The burgundy background complements the red sand and dark wood quite well.

How did you manage the background with the droplets...very artistic, and one image I would like to try for myself.

Yet again, you have come up with an image that is unique and rare. well done

Thanks Stephen.
I really appreciate your comments. The raindrops were just a shot of the kitchen window after a downpour with a bit of radial blur added in PP.
It was really very easy to achieve in Photoshop, and the amount of processing required was nowhere near as much as you'd imagine. I'd really suggest that you give it a try and let me know if you have a go. I'd like to see your take on it.

I definitely think the hourglass shot should make the photobook - it's super and I'm impressed with your PP technique to have created it from the seperate shots.

Phil

OK OK! I'm convinced. Hourglass it is :lol:
And seriously the PP was very, very simple.

No doubt in my mind Sarah! The hourglass shot is brilliant. Simples:clap:

Cheers, Rob

Rob thank you and glad that you liked it.

Hello!

I love your first shot personally. It has a lot more impact, reminds me of some insane hour-glass space ship racing through space :D all the colours work perfectly and the composition is great

As for your other one - I was going to go along similar lines (pun intended) and take a portrait of me rubbing my gums, but I didn't want to seem like I knew what I was doing :/ lol, so I chose the weird boot shot instead :P

great effort in all, both images are great but your first one stands out the most for me and is more unique :D

Thanks Louise.
Flour across your gums would be pretty messy, not to mention tasting bleeeeuuuuurrrrgggghhhh :gag: Probably best not to go there.
And some people have used other things from grated artist's crayon to soda crystals, that sound even less appealing :lol:

Number 1 gets my vote Sarah.
It is certainly a totally different interpretation to anyone else on the speed theme. I like the sci-fi effect, the hour glass flying through space/the air, a very creative concept. It is visually impactive, I agree.
Thanks for sharing your 'how it was achieved'. Fits the theme perfectly.:thumbs:

Thanks Ian. I'm really glad that you don't think it's too much of a stretch for the theme. That was my biggest concern with this image.

A brilliant idea with the hour glass, well visualised and put together. Wouldn't even notice the third leg if you hadn't mentioned it. Think I need some of whatever you're taking :)

Thank you Darren.
And in the week titled speed, probably best not to suggest what anyone else might be taking! ;)
 
Hi SaraLee,

The hour glass is my favourite and the most powerful of the two it has that star trek feel to it. Warp factor speed/space time continuim feel. Fusing the 3 imagages together is madness in a good way cause i'd never have even thought of it.
I'm not one for commenting much on things i dont know much about as im still on a major learning curve as novice but take these as amazing comments and inspiration to people like me.
 
Interestingly though, my view on sharing the image in the book does differ to yours - not that I'm necessarily right :)

Personally, it's not something I would feel embarrassed to show to anyone else as a shot in a photobook. It's not what I'd want the book to be all about by any means, but if it prompted some open discussion about drug use I'd almost feel that it was a good thing.

Thats a fair point Sarah. No offence was taken honestly ;)
and I agree discussion is a good thing - so maybe you're right afterall; still vote for Hourglass :D
 
Yet another vote for "Hourglass" here!

I like both shot's but both the originality of the thought behind Hourglass and the PP make it memorable amongst the other submissions for Speed.
 
I like the hourglass shot it is a totally original take on the theme, is well executed and put together. A lot of effort and well worth it for the image produced.
 
Wow you go to so much trouble each week! The hourglass shot is my favourite of the two, I like the composition and the idea alot but I'm not sure the processing is my thing, but that's just me - it's been done really well! :)
 
I don't know why I come on this thread.
Only makes me feel well and truly awful about my pics. Yet again, great shots. Can't say much else. You have just a great thought process and the way you carry it out is just awesome, really good. Hourglass is fab!! :thumbs:
 
Another vote for the hourglass - beautiful image and very original. :clap::clap:
 
Hi Sarah, another :eek:wow:eek: this week for the hourglass (they were called egg timers in my day!). Very well put together and it's good to see the other images that went into it. I'm very tempted to overlay a TARDIS on the image though :lol:.

The second image is nicely done, but I have to admit to not liking the subject.
 
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