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

[RobC]

I owe lots of people two lots of comments, not you though for some reason !

I'm not too keen on the flower shot I'm afraid but the test tube ones more than make up.

#3 for me.

(I hate to say it but I do find the lighting a little distracting)

 

[Rob Bartley]

Number 1 would get my vote Sarah as the 2nd just looks a little soft in comparison. I also like the halo effects around the light in no.1. Makes it look like heat waves.

Cheers, Rob

 

[jollyjack]

Thanks Jon.
That really does mean a lot to me.

p.s. Having just seen what next week's is, I wouldn't get your hopes up!

Same here

 

[davidh6781]

i am liking shot No.1 nice take on the chemistry theme.

keep up the good work as this weeks is a tuffie.

 

[robp]

Wonderful imaginative images yet again,Sarah.

Visually I prefer image#1. Fantastic lighting effect and I think it was a good move to not have the flower positioned central to the sun. To me this gives the image a slightly ominous assymetry.

Much as I prefer the first image, I think that the smoke in images 2&3 nail the chemistry theme more effectively, though image 2 looks a little less contrived than image 3, to me.

 

[blakester]

Sarah, my vote goes (in descending order) #1, #3 & #2.
I like the flower in the first, vibrant colour reaching up to the 'sun'. The processing really works.
#3 says chemistry more but #1 is my favourite.
I like your use of equipment too and as you said you enjoyed the process of setting up your images, very creative.
You like me have had a few weeks where you've posted multiple images. My 52 is becoming more like a 104
Once again well done, your 52 is inspiring keep it up

 

[jgs001]

Stunning Sarah... I really like all 3. I like the smoke, but the abstractness of the flower works well for me.

 

[SarahLee]

Why do you make it soooo hard to choose, Sarah. :rules:

Because if I have to suffer my own decision I like to pass it onto others too!

They're both creative, dramatic and show-stopping. :bang:

#1: For some reason, I could see this as the opening title shot for a sci fi movie. That background is an inspiration. Stunning.

#2: I suppose this says 'Chemistry' more loudly than #1 - it reminds me of failed experiments in the school Chemistry lab! The very smallest niggle for me is that I'd have liked a bit more room above the smoke curls - as in #1.

I know what you mean about 'fun' - I really enjoyed doing my sunflower one, and in a different way, this week's Chemistry. Long may you continue to enjoy!

Jean

Thank you Jean.
This one is the most fun I've had for a while - there's something about cobbling together your own props. Glad you like the background. It was one f those happy accidents that I'll definitely be repeating.

Ooooh I like these Sarah

Nice idea for the first. The lighting on the underside of the flower is good.

But I think of the three I prefer the third - it has some nice lead in lines with the tilted blue vial on the left and the handle thingy on the right leading the eye into the centre red vial. Nicely composed

Thanks Dave. I actually rejected the third, but I really don't remember why.

Hi Sarah,
I love what you've done with the background. Very inventive and effective and I can see many possible uses for it. The whole idea for all the shots works for me, but my preference is the flower. The smoke is a great idea and on the individual shot works pretty well, but looks a little fake on the outtake.

My only concern with the flower - and what stops it being awesome - is the lighting on the subject. It needs some! This is crying out for some kind of strobe or lamp with a gobo to light it up. A cross light would look spectacular.

Thank you Dean - and you've just reminded me why I rejected no.3.
I think you're spot on with the flower shot. Unfortunately, by the time I'd processed these and looked at the lighting on a bigger screen I'd already binned the flower, so I didn't get to try again with different lighting. Something to bear in mind for next time though.

Great idea for the shots, as ever well thought out,taken and presented. Looking forward to your take on the next theme.

Thanks Steve - and don't get too excited about candid!!!!!

I owe lots of people two lots of comments, not you though for some reason !

I'm not too keen on the flower shot I'm afraid but the test tube ones more than make up.

#3 for me.

(I hate to say it but I do find the lighting a little distracting)

Thanks Rob - and not a problem at all re: the lighting.
It would be incredibly dull if we all liked the same things!

Number 1 would get my vote Sarah as the 2nd just looks a little soft in comparison. I also like the halo effects around the light in no.1. Makes it look like heat waves.

Cheers, Rob

Thank you Rob.
For some reason I couldn't quite recreate those halos when I revisited the shot on Sunday.

 

[SarahLee]

i am liking shot No.1 nice take on the chemistry theme.

keep up the good work as this weeks is a tuffie.

Thanks David - and week 11 is horrendous. I think I may have a non-people themed interpretation in mind though.

Wonderful imaginative images yet again,Sarah.

Visually I prefer image#1. Fantastic lighting effect and I think it was a good move to not have the flower positioned central to the sun. To me this gives the image a slightly ominous assymetry.

Much as I prefer the first image, I think that the smoke in images 2&3 nail the chemistry theme more effectively, though image 2 looks a little less contrived than image 3, to me.

Thank you Rob.
I'm with you on the visual vs "on themedness" of the different takes.
I think I'm going to go for visual appeal though.

Sarah, my vote goes (in descending order) #1, #3 & #2.
I like the flower in the first, vibrant colour reaching up to the 'sun'. The processing really works.
#3 says chemistry more but #1 is my favourite.
I like your use of equipment too and as you said you enjoyed the process of setting up your images, very creative.
You like me have had a few weeks where you've posted multiple images. My 52 is becoming more like a 104
Once again well done, your 52 is inspiring keep it up

I know - I'm finding it really hard to stick to one shot a week. especially the weeks that I've enjoyed!!!!
(I think I might struggle for anything in week 11 though

Thanks for taking the time to drop in.

Stunning Sarah... I really like all 3. I like the smoke, but the abstractness of the flower works well for me.

Thank you John.
No.1 really seemed to be a random collection of props, but I felt like it all came together in the end.

 

[Nick T]

Absolutely love the outtake - top togging!
It's a really good week this week, good ideas, good lighting and colours and the processing seems just right to me. Well done

 

[jennyb]

Sarah, sorry I am playing catch up.

Your shots are always so inventive and interesting. It is a pleasure to look at them each week.

Play - fantastic shot. The foreground pieces are just a bit too big for me but the lighting is perfect. What a beautiful chess set.

Chemistry - I like all of them but just love the first one. The background and lighting effect is excellent and I really like the positioning.

Jenny

 

[philthejuggler]

Hmm - three really creative shots - I like all of them. I think the idea of the flower coming out of the tube is interesting but I my favourite is either 2 or the outtake - can't decide which at the moment!

Phil

 

[ladysue]

I like the tubes with the smoke coming out. I think I like your outtake best- very colourful and says "chemistry" more than the flower picture for me.

 

[Tracer]

Some very inventive shots here.

I love the flower with its sunburst background, but it doesn't really say chemistry to me even though I know that in fact it does fit. Your second one is much more on theme but I find the background light distracts my attention from the test tube. My favourite would be the third one if only it were better focused.

Adding smoke in PS is very clever - I don't think I would have spotted the fake if you hadn't mentioned it.

 

[holryn]

I like the first one Sarah but it doesn't really say Chemistry to me. The out-take is more fitting except the smoke makes it look blurred (but then, as you say it is an out-take).

I would never have guessed that you used eyelash curlers either

 

[aztec]

Not been near computer for a while so catching up again very inventive image as usual for the chemistry theme love the sunburst effect now weres your candid picture?

 

[SarahLee]

Absolutely love the outtake - top togging!
It's a really good week this week, good ideas, good lighting and colours and the processing seems just right to me. Well done

Thanks Nick - that really means a lot to me.

Sarah, sorry I am playing catch up.

Your shots are always so inventive and interesting. It is a pleasure to look at them each week.

Play - fantastic shot. The foreground pieces are just a bit too big for me but the lighting is perfect. What a beautiful chess set.

Chemistry - I like all of them but just love the first one. The background and lighting effect is excellent and I really like the positioning.

Jenny

Thank you Jenny. I'm glad that you're enjoying this thread and thanks for popping in to comment.

Hmm - three really creative shots - I like all of them. I think the idea of the flower coming out of the tube is interesting but I my favourite is either 2 or the outtake - can't decide which at the moment!

Phil

Thanks Phil. I quite liked the composition of the outtake, but I thought it looked a little soft, which was why I rejected it.

I like the tubes with the smoke coming out. I think I like your outtake best- very colourful and says "chemistry" more than the flower picture for me.

Thank Sue . . . you didn't think that it was a bit to soft?

Some very inventive shots here.

I love the flower with its sunburst background, but it doesn't really say chemistry to me even though I know that in fact it does fit. Your second one is much more on theme but I find the background light distracts my attention from the test tube. My favourite would be the third one if only it were better focused.

Adding smoke in PS is very clever - I don't think I would have spotted the fake if you hadn't mentioned it.

Thank you Tracer . . . and the smoke brushes are linked if you can ever find a use for them.
It's just a shame that I didn't have clear glass test tubes - I think they would have worked even better.

I like the first one Sarah but it doesn't really say Chemistry to me. The out-take is more fitting except the smoke makes it look blurred (but then, as you say it is an out-take).

I would never have guessed that you used eyelash curlers either

Thank you. . . it's amazing what use you can find for everyday objects with a bit of imagination!!!
Agree with you on the 3rd one - that was why I rejected it.

Not been near computer for a while so catching up again very inventive image as usual for the chemistry theme love the sunburst effect now weres your candid picture?

Thanks Shaun . . . and patience
We've got a whole 24 hours until the next theme is drawn!

Seriously though, I only get to play with the camera at weekends at the moment (stupidly busy at work)
Had other things to do today, so tomorrow is togging day for me!

 

[SarahLee]

I almost went with the cop out option and found a few interpretations of candid that would fit still life . . . but I started this 52 to learn new things, so I decided to stick with the "un-posed and natural" interpretation of candid . . . with a slight twist . . .
Knowing how much I hate people shots, I've applied this to some local wildlife - animals can be as unaware of the camera and un-posed as people can't they?

Anyway, this is my candidate for "candid" . . . Geese preening themselves.

Because of the position of the sun the shot was backlit, so it needed a bit of PP to bring out the detail - The end result is quite pleasing IMO, but maybe a bit more "arty" than natural.
I'm not really 100% sure what I think of it because it's not my usual style - I think I may need to revisit in a few days :shrug:

Week 11 - Candid

​

And a couple of out-takes.
The edge of the canal was absolutely full of frogs in breeding mode. I took quite a few shots, but most had a bit of blur, due to me balancing with the camera over a 3 foot drop . . . these are the best 2 out of the set :

Outtake 1



Outtake 2




​

 

[Dogmatix]

Your pics are so sharp!
I think the froggy pics would of been nicer lower down, but I suspect with being by a pond you couldn't.

Certainly looks like a nice day.

 

[ProG77]

Hey Sarah, good take on candid and I see no reason why shots of animals can't be candid. It definitely is arty and I really like how the ripples in the water leading to the horizon. One thing I'm not 100% keen on is the grass in the foreground - maybe it's the effect of the PP? Looks a bit un-natural in my opinion but might just be my sceen.

Frog pics are cool and amazingly sharp!

 

[justlooking]

I nearly took ducks for my candid.. but they all seemed to know I was there LOL. Like the frogs too

 

[Briony]

Hi Sarah,
Just to say thank you for the words of advise and encouragement and "Yes" I am still her.

I love the candid shot my type of shot, so natural, so sharp and just so perfect.

I like you am not a person to "go out in the street" but found a way this weeks theme to get a couple of shots also.

 

[ladysue]

Lovely candid shot Sarah.

 

[The23rdman]

The geese aren't doing it for me, I'm afraid, Sarah. I know how tough these shots are to get right, but neither goose is sharp enough for me and the foreground grass bugs me. I quite like your little froggy critters though.

 

[foggy4ever]

You have set yourself a hard job shooting them backlit and trying to recover in PP. I went to a lake near where I work for some bird shots and know from experience how hard it is to rescue a shot if the lighting is wrong. I would love to see you re do the first shot with the light in a better position.

The frogs are a cute backup.

 

[jollyjack]

Nice sharpe photo Sarah, luv the frog

 

[SarahLee]

Your pics are so sharp!
I think the froggy pics would of been nicer lower down, but I suspect with being by a pond you couldn't.

Certainly looks like a nice day.

Thanks Martin.
Those frogs were actually in the canal. I was lying on my stomach 3 foot above the water and hanging down as low as I could . . . no way I could get any lower without actually getting in there with them
It would have been nice to have been able to get a bit nearer though.

Hey Sarah, good take on candid and I see no reason why shots of animals can't be candid. It definitely is arty and I really like how the ripples in the water leading to the horizon. One thing I'm not 100% keen on is the grass in the foreground - maybe it's the effect of the PP? Looks a bit un-natural in my opinion but might just be my sceen.

Frog pics are cool and amazingly sharp!

Thanks - I think it's the PP on the grass that's making it a bit odd.
The lighting was horrible (which is why I prefer still life) but I think the "arty feel" to it is quite appealing.

I nearly took ducks for my candid.. but they all seemed to know I was there LOL. Like the frogs too

Thank you !
You need to be sneaky around these ducks and geese

Hi Sarah,
Just to say thank you for the words of advise and encouragement and "Yes" I am still her.

I love the candid shot my type of shot, so natural, so sharp and just so perfect.

I like you am not a person to "go out in the street" but found a way this weeks theme to get a couple of shots also.

Thank you. I'm really glad that you like it.
Well done for hanging on in there. I haven't come to your candid shot yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing how you got around it.

Lovely candid shot Sarah.

Thanks Sue.

The geese aren't doing it for me, I'm afraid, Sarah. I know how tough these shots are to get right, but neither goose is sharp enough for me and the foreground grass bugs me. I quite like your little froggy critters though.

The lighting really was rubbish at that side of the pond and they were doing renovation works around the other side with the sun behind me.
Perhaps I should have gone with one of the others for my shot of the week, but I kind of liked the softer arty feel . . . admittedly not to everyone's taste though. Glad you like the little froggies though. The canal was absolutely swarming with them.

You have set yourself a hard job shooting them backlit and trying to recover in PP. I went to a lake near where I work for some bird shots and know from experience how hard it is to rescue a shot if the lighting is wrong. I would love to see you re do the first shot with the light in a better position.

The frogs are a cute backup.

Not deliberately I promise you!!!!
The lighting was so much better on the other side of the pond, but it was all cordoned off where they're doing some renovation work.

Nice sharpe photo Sarah, luv the frog

Thanks Jon.
Glad the froggies are going down well . . . I do have a bit of a soft spot for them.

 

[andybod]

hi sarah just having a look through to see what i have missed i think your play image is fantastic real nice dof love the image ,i personally like the 3rd image on your chemistry the extra colours in there just give it a bit extra and sorry allthough all your candid images are excellent i think it's cheating a little using unsuspecting animals is a bit unfair on them well done though

 

[Lynton]

wondered what you would come up with for Candid!

yeah I like......... cunning twist as well, as pretty much everyone immediately thinks "people"

 

[jeangenie]

Sarah - Pixie won't let me see your Candid shot.

Jean

 

[SarahLee]

hi sarah just having a look through to see what i have missed i think your play image is fantastic real nice dof love the image ,i personally like the 3rd image on your chemistry the extra colours in there just give it a bit extra and sorry allthough all your candid images are excellent i think it's cheating a little using unsuspecting animals is a bit unfair on them well done though

Thanks Andy . . . a little bit of cheating never hurt anyone
(and I promise that no animals were actually harmed)

wondered what you would come up with for Candid!

yeah I like......... cunning twist as well, as pretty much everyone immediately thinks "people"

Thanks Lynton. I really didn't want to do people, just not my type of thing. Glad you liked.

Sarah - Pixie won't let me see your Candid shot.

Jean

Naughty Pixie !
(The privacy settings were on private for some reason . . . hopefully fixed now)

 

[RobC]

Awwww, that's beautiful. Kinda 'dreamy' it works for me

 

[Harlequin565]

Hi Sarah,

Been away for a couple of weeks, and I have to say that Chemistry (shot#1) is wonderful. It's shots like that - well thought out, planned and executed, that show me just how far I have yet to go.

Candid is "ok" for me. I am getting spoiled by such amazing shots in your thread, when I see a "good" one, I'm dissapointed... Does that make sense? It's a good shot, don't get me wrong, but my expectation was set a bit higher than normal.

I do wonder why you don't like shooting people. You have a great talent, and I think it would only be a short step to apply some of your still life stuff to people.

Hope I haven't offended! Apologies if I have.

Ian.

 

[mich66]

like that its not the obvious people for candid.. love the water ripples on the geese shot, lovely how they fade out towards the top.. a bit sharper on them would have made it perfect but still I like it as it gives a nice soft feel to it.. great froggies too.. well done for getting down on the ground to take the photos too

 

[jeangenie]

Great - the geese have now shown up!

And they were worth waiting for! It's a novel take on Candid, but perfectly legitimate imho, because they geese are obviously ignoring you and concentrating on their toilette.

I'm in two minds about the ripples fading out at the top of the frame - one mind says 'great use of dof' and the other says 'why not just crop to a 3:2 ratio'. As always, I think it comes down to personal preference, ie the photographer's personal preference.

Was this a crop, Sarah? I ask, because I was wondering if you'd got the whole clump of grass on the left. It's a bit (and I do mean a 'bit' - I'm not being polite!) distracting as it is, and in fact I'm thinking it might give a bit more context if it was less of a crop. (Jean'crop it harder'genie looks round to see who said that. :rules

As for the frogs - excellent! I particularly love #2 and think he might turn into a handsome prince any minute. I have a great mental picture of you balancing over the edge of the canal to get these.

Jean

 

[68lbs]

Anyway, this is my candidate for "candid" . . . Geese preening themselves.

Well, they weren't posing for the pic, so I guess that makes it a candid in my eyes. Geese look a little soft IMHO, but not sure if that's them moving, or a slightly shallow DoF. A nice capture that I wouldn't have thought of.

Oh... don't think I commented on your chemistry either. Been a bit busy lately. I really liked these, and you made cracking use of the tools to hand. The eyelash tongs are great. The only thing I didn't like was that you'd applied smoke in pp. :nono:

 

[SarahLee]

Awwww, that's beautiful. Kinda 'dreamy' it works for me :

Yep "dreamy" was what I was going for, honestly!
(Nothing to do with rescuing a poorly lit shot that wasn't quite a silhouette and not quite a properly sharp wildlife shot either )
Glad that you like it though and that I managed to pull something back in PP.

Hi Sarah,

Been away for a couple of weeks, and I have to say that Chemistry (shot#1) is wonderful. It's shots like that - well thought out, planned and executed, that show me just how far I have yet to go.

Candid is "ok" for me. I am getting spoiled by such amazing shots in your thread, when I see a "good" one, I'm dissapointed... Does that make sense? It's a good shot, don't get me wrong, but my expectation was set a bit higher than normal.

I do wonder why you don't like shooting people. You have a great talent, and I think it would only be a short step to apply some of your still life stuff to people.

Hope I haven't offended! Apologies if I have.

Ian.

Thanks Ian and of course I'm not offended.
In fact I'm really flattered by those comments and that you have such high expectations of me.

Just don't forget that I'm still new too and have loads to learn. I've only been at this about 9 months so there are bound to be some bumps along the way

like that its not the obvious people for candid.. love the water ripples on the geese shot, lovely how they fade out towards the top.. a bit sharper on them would have made it perfect but still I like it as it gives a nice soft feel to it.. great froggies too.. well done for getting down on the ground to take the photos too

Thanks Mich - I can tell you that my knees are aching today after spending so long stretched out on the ground

Great - the geese have now shown up!

And they were worth waiting for! It's a novel take on Candid, but perfectly legitimate imho, because they geese are obviously ignoring you and concentrating on their toilette.

I'm in two minds about the ripples fading out at the top of the frame - one mind says 'great use of dof' and the other says 'why not just crop to a 3:2 ratio'. As always, I think it comes down to personal preference, ie the photographer's personal preference.

Was this a crop, Sarah? I ask, because I was wondering if you'd got the whole clump of grass on the left. It's a bit (and I do mean a 'bit' - I'm not being polite!) distracting as it is, and in fact I'm thinking it might give a bit more context if it was less of a crop. (Jean'crop it harder'genie looks round to see who said that. :rules

As for the frogs - excellent! I particularly love #2 and think he might turn into a handsome prince any minute. I have a great mental picture of you balancing over the edge of the canal to get these.

Jean

Too late. I've quoted you now so your crop comment is here to stay!
There was a slight crop but not from the LHS I'm afraid, so no more grass to bring back in.

I liked the ripples fading out at the top which was why I left them in, but actually scrolling down the screen I can see the case for losing them too. It makes it a very different shot and I'm not sure which I prefer.

Glad you like the froggies. I thought they were quite sweet.

Well, they weren't posing for the pic, so I guess that makes it a candid in my eyes. Geese look a little soft IMHO, but not sure if that's them moving, or a slightly shallow DoF. A nice capture that I wouldn't have thought of.

Oh... don't think I commented on your chemistry either. Been a bit busy lately. I really liked these, and you made cracking use of the tools to hand. The eyelash tongs are great. The only thing I didn't like was that you'd applied smoke in pp. :nono:

Thanks Lee.
I agree with the geese being a little soft. Don't think it's the movement as such but the fact that they were backlit and I've brought some of the detail back from the RAW file. Just nowhere near as sharp as if I'd judged the lighting / exposure better.

Glad that you liked the chemistry shots.
I guess I should have kept quiet about the fake smoke

 

[Ellekes]

Very original candid shot, has a bit of a "pervert" twist to it (and I mean that in a good way ;-) ). Sort of sneeking to see the geese grooming themselves, just the two of them while they think no one is around.

 

[lizbeth]

Photographs of ducks and geese are among my favourites and I particularly like the way these two are preening rather than just 'sat' on the water. I also like the frog shots - number one is my favourite with his back legs showing so clearly under water.

 

[jgs001]

Excellent take on the theme Sarah, the processing has made them look more arty than nature, but you know... I really like it.