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

Well Sarah, I think you've outdone yourself this week with a stunning shot.

It's the hourlgass for me all the way, and I've been through your photo album thingy to review your other weeks, and I think the hourlgass would make an excellent cover shot. You've even got a bit of space for your title. It's (for me) by far the best compostition you've done apart from poetry which comes alongside it. In fact, I'd say that the hourglass is slightly better as it's simpler.

Hourlgass, hourglass, hourglass. 3 votes from me :)

The 2nd shot is technically a good shot, but it doesn't compare to the thought that went into the hourglass.

Did I mention I like the hourglass?

I did?

Good :)

Ian.
 
I've not read everyone elses comments so pretty sure I am repeating a lot of what has already been said.

You put so much work into your shots and it shows, brilliant speed image. I call it an image as think it would be disrespectful to call it a pic after all the PP work carried out.

Looking forward to seeing what you have to offer next.

Dan
 
Sorry to be a parrott but its the hour glass for me too Sarah. Your vision and effort put in to each week really is admirable, it's one I look forward to looking at.Keep it up and your choice of photos for your book is going to be very difficult....Mick
 
collins82002 said:
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.
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Thank you so much Chris, and glad that you approve of my madness!!!
I'm truly flattered that you've found some inspiration in this because I'm still a newbie myself.

dade_f said:
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
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:thumbs: Glad to hear it. And it's looking like hourglass is a clear winner.

Rudders said:
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.
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Thank you Dave. If I'm honest, hourglass was my favourite too just because it was original which is why I showed it first. I thought that maybe it was a bit too contrived though.

namllihs said:
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.
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Thanks Steve. I'm glad that you're enjoyed it.

Darkmage said:
Sarah, love that composite image, skilled use of photoshop again!

I agree with your comment on shot 2, something just doesn't look quite right with the hand.
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:lol: Glad to hear that I'm getting something right in Photoshop - still learning!
Not quite sure why the hand came out as it did in number 2, but it definitely looked a bit odd.

SpidersEye said:
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! :)
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Thanks Kay.
No worries on the PP. I'm surprised that it appealed to as many people as it did TBH, which is why I offered the alternate shot.

Shorty said:
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:
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Now stop being silly! I'd love to be able to take pet portraits like yours.
Really pleased that you like it though.
 
Tracer said:
Another vote for the hourglass - beautiful image and very original. :clap::clap:
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Thank you. I'm really flattered to get so many positive comments.

kapawayna said:
I like both shots Sarah the hourglass one is my favorite but number two has a good reflection to add to the shot.
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Thank you Wayne.

chriseve1979 said:
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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:lol: I was thinking TARDIS too!
But it would be cheating to put somebody else's shot into the image so I ruled it out.

Again, no worries about shot no.2.
I didn't think that it would be to eveyone's taste.

Harlequin565 said:
Well Sarah, I think you've outdone yourself this week with a stunning shot.

It's the hourlgass for me all the way, and I've been through your photo album thingy to review your other weeks, and I think the hourlgass would make an excellent cover shot. You've even got a bit of space for your title. It's (for me) by far the best compostition you've done apart from poetry which comes alongside it. In fact, I'd say that the hourglass is slightly better as it's simpler.

Hourlgass, hourglass, hourglass. 3 votes from me :)

The 2nd shot is technically a good shot, but it doesn't compare to the thought that went into the hourglass.

Did I mention I like the hourglass?

I did?

Good :)

Ian.
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
Did you like the hourglass shot then?

I hadn't actually thought about space for a title, but I think that could really work well.
I admit that hourglass and poetry are my two personal favourites too - but I don't want to start relying on PP too much for images. I have no problem with heavy PP to produce a pleasing piece of "art", but I think overuse can lead to laziness in the photography to start with. I'll try to get something straight from camera for week 6 I think.

dan_yorkshire said:
I've not read everyone elses comments so pretty sure I am repeating a lot of what has already been said.

You put so much work into your shots and it shows, brilliant speed image. I call it an image as think it would be disrespectful to call it a pic after all the PP work carried out.

Looking forward to seeing what you have to offer next.

Dan
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Thanks Dan. It really wasn't much more than an hour of PP on it, but I'm please that the end result seemed to work out.

mickyluv said:
Sorry to be a parrott but its the hour glass for me too Sarah. Your vision and effort put in to each week really is admirable, it's one I look forward to looking at.Keep it up and your choice of photos for your book is going to be very difficult....Mick
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Thanks Mick.
I'm unbelievably flattered that you look forward to my thread each week and thank you for taking the time to comment.
 
The hourglass for me. I just love the ideas you come up with and the thought that goes into each week. I saw the shot and was trying to worlk out how you'd put it together, then read further down. Brilliant
 
clowesey said:
The hourglass for me. I just love the ideas you come up with and the thought that goes into each week. I saw the shot and was trying to worlk out how you'd put it together, then read further down. Brilliant
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Nick T said:
Hi Sarah :wave:

For me, it's definitely the hourglass this week. It's really well taken, and very nicely processed too. A big :clap: from me :D
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Thank you both.

In fact thank you to everyone who took the time to comment.
And the decision is now made . . . hourglass it is for my final shot.
I've done a re-edit to include in my final set, which corrects some of the niggles that I had about the original.

Week 5 - Speed (re-edit)

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So many choices with this theme, and my first thought was an elaborately wrapped gift box . . . but as usual I wanted to do something different, so I decided to focus on the present tense and do something that reflected past, present and future. I think I've found something to illustrate this on a few different levels.

This line of thought led me back to my GCSE art exam where we needed to submit a personal project. I chose to do a piece on the humble playing card and the symbolism included in the modern deck - which took me back to its origins in Tarot cards. This was close to 20 years ago, so that’s my first reference to the past.

The Tarot originated in the past, was used as a means of predicting the future and decks of cards are still available in the present day.

In this image the cards are laid out in the simplest spread there is. The first card drawn is supposed to represent the past (where you’ve come from), the second the present (the situation you’re in now) and the third is the prediction of the future (where you'll find yourself)
For the shot, the first card depicted is from the major arcana – an aspect that has been lost in the past with the modern deck of cards. The second card is the Ace of Swords from the minor arcana, which still exists in the present as the Ace of Spades. The third card is deliberately not turned over because who knows what the future of cards will look like? :shrug:

I’m afraid that there’s no real significance to the individual cards shown – I just picked 2 images that I thought would photograph well.
Likewise with the crystal. Photos of pictures never come out brilliantly and the images on the cards are printed at a low res on a shiny surface to start with. The crystal is just there to give a stronger focal point and composition.

The cards were lined up at the edge of a table and just out of shot there’s a bowl of boiling water to give me some steam – tinted purple and given a helping hand in PP.

:eek: I’ve just noticed that I seem to have quite a dark other-worldly theme developing in this year's 52 . . . I wonder if week 7’s theme will suggest something a bit brighter and lighter :lol:

Week 6 - Present

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The purple steam works a treat and overall it's a very good idea for the theme. Not sure about the crystal, which whilst it does act as a focal point I feel clashes too much with the white wordy background beneath it. The words and the crystal are both fighting for my attention.
 
I’ve just noticed that I seem to have quite a dark other-worldly theme developing in this year's 52
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Really :thinking: I haven't noticed :D

I agree the placement of the crystal makes me wonder what the other words are.

I'm glad you expained your concept although for a neanderthal like myself probably a little too mentally challenging :lol:

Lovely shot anyway :thumbs:
 
In the absence of an 'over the head' smiley, I've had to opt for this...

:tumbleweed:

Way too clever for me.

Nice looking shot though. :D
 
Love the speed edit Sarah! It's very Dr Who :lol:

The Tarot shot is an excellent idea too. Would have like full cards in the shot as opposed to the corners being cropped out, but great idea again. Very creative 52 you have developing here!
 
SarahLee said:
:eek: I’ve just noticed that I seem to have quite a dark other-worldly theme developing in this year's 52 . .
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I noticed that too!! :D Not that it's a bad thing....

This 52 is turning in to a real gem, some really really good images! Weeks 5 and 6 are brilliant! :thumbs:
 
Sorry I haven't popped in for a while, Sarah - Oh, my busy, busy life etc etc.

Anyway, to business:

Street - I didn't think this was too streety. Having said that, I think it's a beautiful, beautiful shot. I love the IR treatment. The ghostie doesn't add anything for me. It somehow looks too artificial.

Speed - I felt that your high standards dipped for 'street' but think you are bang back on form here with image 1. Okay as I find gritty realism-type stuff I love imaginative stuff (it's why I liked your globe shot image so much). Yep, agree with you that it has visual impact. I happen to like the softness of the raindrops and the contrast this creates with the rigidity of the hour glass.
The re-edit is brilliant, if you ask me. So much more dynamic and a much better fit for the theme.

Present - nicely original:clap: I like the purple steam but find that the crystal gets in the way. Nice 'n' simple shot and very effective for being so.
 
Beatiful. You're really developing a theme here, Sarah. If I was going to pick up on anything I'd like to be able to read the swords better. :)
 
Good interpretation Sarah. Did you think about turning over only the present card, which would have, with your explanation, focussed very clearly on the here and now?

The smoke was a great idea, but I too find the crystal distracting.

Really like the panoramic aspect and the regal purple was a nice occult touch :thumbs:
 
its a great shot, and a very comprehensive explanation, which is good as that picture would have gone straight over my head otherwise!! I think the purple works really well and seems a very close match to the item on the middle card!
 
Nice shot Sarah it took me a bit of thinking about it until i remembered what my Aunty taught me about Tarot when i was younger. The purple in the background doeas add to the atmosphere of the shot.
 
love this weeks submission although I am desperate to pick up the cyrstal lol
 
Loving the re-edit version of Speed, great colours and real sense of speeding through time.

As for 'present' - like the concept and colour over all, not sure the talisman adds to the shot - it does make me want to see whats hiding under it perhaps consider using it but perhaps in a dousing method instead - so it hanging above the card on a chain?!
Just an idea - but other than that, great work yet again :)
 
A very well thought out image indeed and I think it more than fits the theme of 'present' - I too wanted to do something with the time concept and my first thought was a wrapped up present box too!
Unlike a few others - I actually like the crystal on the card - it almost adds a sense of mystery to the image (which I think fits in really well with the overall feel of this image) and makes me want to find out more about what the card actually says.
 
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Superb ! - Very impressed with Speed Sarah - both the shots and the PP to combine them :clap:

Not sure about the subject for this week but then again I'm not really into anything like this.

I've no idea how you manage to find the time to get the shots, do the PP on them and have time to make all the many detailed comments for both your shots and the rest of ours. :notworthy: Well done.
 
Another creative well worked image Sarah:)
If you hadn't explained the thought process behind the shot I would have struggled to think of present but then I don't know owt about tarot:D

I like the colours and dof in the image and the crystal adds to the mystical/spiritual theme. I know what it says under the crystal because you mentioned it your explanation;)

Another good week for you:thumbs:

Oh its Sunday again, new theme tonight :banana:

I will leave it there as I have run out of smilies
 
Again, superb :thumbs:

Something I have noticed with your work is that you come up with some fantastic backgrounds which really do boost the quality of the pics

Whats your secret? Have you got a monkey hid in your photoshop that works for bananas

Not too keen on your take of the theme personally but it certainly works so well done. The image is very striking and the composition is perfect. The crop also helps :D

When you say you think your developing a theme for the 52, i have noticed that with mine too, i seem to like contrasting colours and they seem to be very dark also :suspect:

Good luck for week 7 :p
 
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Really good shot. The colour and really nice. I'm really enjoying your 52. Keep up the stunning work
 
Blimey, that's definitely a multi-layered interpretation! :) The purple smoke effect is very clever, I couldn't tell that there was a table there if you hadn't mentioned it.
 
Really like this Sarah, once again I was looking forward to seeing how you'd interprit the theme and I've not been disapointed. Lovely strong colours and I so want to move that crystal to read what it's hiding.
 
I really like how you're interpreting the themes differently to most, it's nice seeing some new ideas! I missed your re-edit of 'speed', but much prefer it, it's awesome!

'Present' is once more nice and different, well done and keep it up :thumbs:

Chris
 
you do have some fabulous ideas!.. not into tarot and stuff like that so dont really understand it all but it is a great image, nicely shot and processed.. dont mind the crystal but as mentioned do have the urge to pick it up to see whats under it :)
 
Clever interpretation of the theme and I really like the background echoing the colour of the crystal.

Phil
 
right, im kicking myself here, i though i had commented on your 52 at least once or twice, i know i viewed all your entries, but just realised i have never commented , and for that im sorry (and to someone who comments so much)

speed :
great take on the theme , and building it into an artwork instead of a photo as such, takes a lot of creative thinking , this works very well good job :D

present:
can only really echo what everyone else has already said , great shot , but not sure about the crystal , other than that , great suff :D
 
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