SimonTALM's Photo 52 Thread

[SimonTALM]

I like it Simon, strong image, instantly recognizable and fits the theme well.

I had a go at the fingerprint thing with paint and it was a nightmare, you've found a better way.

Thanks mate.

I also thought of doing fingerprints but decided they would be to difficult...you've done an excellent job though, really clear prints.

Cheers, it was quite difficult - I had to use a very fine paint brush to remove the dust outside of the fingerprints

Very well done (not a SOCO by any chance are you ?)

Looks authentic and the composition is spot on!

Good one Simon!

I think the B&W version works best!

No not a SOCO, just a frustrated forensic scientist (one of the jobs I wanted to do as a child). I spent ages dusting for prints as a child

I like this Simon - and would never have thought of talc to do the job! And well done for tackling such a difficult shot in a busy week.

The B&W is definitely the best imho. Interesting that the macro wasn't the best lens for the job.

Great take on the theme.

I love the 105mm macro as it is really sharp - it did actually take this image but sometimes lens sharpness can really be a downfall. I think for portraits this lens could be quite unflattering without a whole host of Post Processing going on.

An unusual looking image. Very effective for 'Identity'. There seems to be something in the centre of the top fingerprint. It looks like a face

Nice strong image

Thanks, I love the brain's ability to search out and find faces in the strangest of places

Great detail in those prints, love the white on black

I do too, I think for the theme it's the best option and hence why it was chosen

I think this works very well indeed, its a very strong image. Wouldnt look out of place on CSI!

Cheers

I like this - I too was trying to figure out how fingerprints might be photographed. It proved too much effort for me! But this image really works - great contrast - clear detail - excellent dof. Whats not to like

Thanks, it was quite a difficult shot but I was trying my D700 linked to the PC for this one (Live View on the PC - now that's fun)

Ah the old finger print shot...how many thought of that one and backed away after trying it...

But yours looks amazing...not sure why but you just have to keep looking at it, it somehow draws you in to the shot..

and yes the B&W works better for me too...

I do find myself going back to it too not sure why either, I am pleased with it though.

really like the identity shots! great DOF too!

I tried a similar this with calligraphy ink on thursday, and my fingers are still black now (monday!) try explaining that to people! i gave up because i couldn't do what i wanted doesnt look as though you had that trouble. lol

nice 1!

I hope your fingers have cleaned up - I didn't want inky fingers (especially near my D700 so I stuck to the old dusting method. I was thinking of doing the fingerprint trick from Beverly Hills Cop (the one with the superglue and a warm light source), but I couldn't find any real details about that way

Superb Simon, the talc has worked brilliantly. The B&W for me too.

Thanks mate

I really like this interpretation Simon, and as Marcus said, something keeps drawing me back to this. Well done, Can't see how you could improve this (and I prefer the b&w too)

Thanks


P.S. The limit of 10 smilies in an image is really irritating when you want to quote others - hence why I've removed all (?? most) smilies from the original messages

 

[SimonTALM]

Well despite being on holiday most of this week I've not actually done much photography I did manage to get out on Tuesday this week and really enjoyed myself.

I don't know about anyone else but I've found trying to capture Wisdom in a single shot really difficult. I'm still not sure I've managed it but I do like the photo.


Click for EXIF

Things I've learned this week

1) The U-Point controls in CaptureNX are really good and surprisingly easy to use.
2) The D700 and 24-70 are a magic mix in the field.
3) Even if you have plenty of time during the week it doesn't make getting the weeks shot any easier
4) Trying to capture a the wisdom behind a keep out sign to protect against the sea on a bright sunny day isn't easy

 

[kitten]

Nice shot

 

[SimonTALM]

Nice shot

Thanks

 

[antc]

I think this works, been processed nicey, b&w works as does the vignette.

 

[Toothie]

Well you would be wise to follow the sign so it works for me

The shot is very well done, I second what Ant said

 

[jgs001]

That's great, seems very wise to me to obey the sign. The conversion works very well and I love the captured movement in the sea behind the gate. How did you get the sign to look so bright ? Fill Flash ?

 

[SimonTALM]

I think this works, been processed nicey, b&w works as does the vignette.

Cheers

Well you would be wise to follow the sign so it works for me

The shot is very well done, I second what Ant said

Glad you like it

That's great, seems very wise to me to obey the sign. The conversion works very well and I love the captured movement in the sea behind the gate. How did you get the sign to look so bright ? Fill Flash ?

Thanks, I personally would have liked more movement but there just wasn't the power in the sea that day. Last tuesday was really quite nice and there is a slope running away from the camera towards the sea so it's splashing power is significantly reduced (damn costal engineeers ruining it for us togs - the world's against us).

The sign is a combination ot a Red filter on the B&W conversion so that highlights the yellow sign. But it is also helped the way I processed the RAW file in CaptureNX where I used the u-point tools and D-Lighting to selectively bring out the detail in this slightly shadowy area. If I had thought at the time you are right, an off camera fill in flash could have been used for the same effect.

 

[jgs001]

(damn costal engineeers ruining it for us togs - the world's against us).

it's a conspiracy

The sign is a combination ot a Red filter on the B&W conversion so that highlights the yellow sign. But it is also helped the way I processed the RAW file in CaptureNX where I used the u-point tools and D-Lighting to selectively bring out the detail in this slightly shadowy area. If I had thought at the time you are right, an off camera fill in flash could have been used for the same effect.

Thanks for the explanation. I don't know CaptureNX so you lost me with those tools, but it's worked well.

 

[Spartacus]

That works very well in B&W...

It's turned a average colour shot in to a fabulous B&W one...I like...

 

[Bruja]

Another creative take on the theme Simon, and I agree the b&w conversion plus the vignetting works really well and lifts the shot.

 

[SimonTALM]

Thanks for the explanation. I don't know CaptureNX so you lost me with those tools, but it's worked well.

It's Nikon Specific software used for converting RAW (although I suppose you could use it on Canon Images but you'd need to convert to TIF first ). However, you could do something similar in any photo editor that allows layer masks e.g. Photoshop

That works very well in B&W...

It's turned a average colour shot in to a fabulous B&W one...I like...

Thanks I'll be honest here normally when I do a B&W shot I'm normally thinking that the final image will be B&W when I take the shot; this was one of the few shots I didn't but when I saw what it looked like once I applied the B&W filter, I knew it had to be B&W and then came the vignette

Another creative take on the theme Simon, and I agree the b&w conversion plus the vignetting works really well and lifts the shot.

Creative?? - more like one I could crowbar close to the box Thanks for the comments though

 

[jeangenie]

I really do like this one, Simon. Although it did cross my mind that the sea couldn't read!

Your learning point #4 made me laugh out loud.


The processing is great and it's interesting to read how you've used NX Capture. (I'm just waiting for this to arrive!) I certainly love the D-lighting. Was this a post shooting adjustment, or Active D-lighting?

Every time I use my D700 I fall in love with it all over again.

Jean

 

[dizzy]

After using colour again this week I'm very pleased there's a nice Black and White in the overall 52 mix! This is similar logic to the idea I had for the road crossing and I think it works nicely.

 

[SimonTALM]

I really do like this one, Simon. Although it did cross my mind that the sea couldn't read!

Your learning point #4 made me laugh out loud.


The processing is great and it's interesting to read how you've used NX Capture. (I'm just waiting for this to arrive!) I certainly love the D-lighting. Was this a post shooting adjustment, or Active D-lighting?

Every time I use my D700 I fall in love with it all over again.

Jean

This was post shooting D-lighting adjustment selectively applied in CaptureNX using the U-Point controls. TBH I don't generally use the in camera Active D-Lighting, I don't know why because I've just had a play and I'm very impressed at it's ability to drag back highlights and put details in shadows.

After using colour again this week I'm very pleased there's a nice Black and White in the overall 52 mix! This is similar logic to the idea I had for the road crossing and I think it works nicely.

Thanks

 

[ScotlandTheScare]

I had a good chuckle when I saw this - as did my wife who thought it was a great image Certainly a pearl of wisdom... nicely composed and I like the splash of the wave. Its almost like the sea represents wisdom and you're not allowed to go in and paddle. I.e. wisdom comes to those who wait, not to those who seek it... oops - getting all philosophical! Well done on the photo

 

[jammy_c]

do we have a theme for this week, Simon?

 

[SimonTALM]

do we have a theme for this week, Simon?

We do - Relationships

I did send an email to everyone who requested it, I posted a new thread in the Themes, Challenges and Inspiration section, and it is also in my Signature which gets updated every week. You must have a lovely isolated spot to have missed that

 

[SimonTALM]

I had a good chuckle when I saw this - as did my wife who thought it was a great image Certainly a pearl of wisdom... nicely composed and I like the splash of the wave. Its almost like the sea represents wisdom and you're not allowed to go in and paddle. I.e. wisdom comes to those who wait, not to those who seek it... oops - getting all philosophical! Well done on the photo

Thank you to both of you I'm glad my image made you laugh, an emotional response to an image is good

 

[jammy_c]

We do - Relationships

I did send an email to everyone who requested it, I posted a new thread in the Themes, Challenges and Inspiration section, and it is also in my Signature which gets updated every week. You must have a lovely isolated spot to have missed that

Oh, I didn't recieve the email. strange, I usually do

good job I asked, I suppose

 

[maddog.mark]

Great shot, would have been better with a more powerful sea, but you can't have everything.

I didn't get the e-mail this week either btw.

Mark

 

[John Lindsay]

Sorry I've not been able to keep up to date with this Simon, struggling to keep up with my own even...all shots looking great, keep it up.

Like the black and white on week 10's shot.



John

 

[SimonTALM]

Had a great Friday taking lots of photos in the sunshine - nothing to do with the theme though as I thought to myself that the weekend would give me a good chance to get my idea down in pixels - two pairs of feet sticking out the end of the bed However, someone had other plans for me this weekend as I have bad toothache and the GFs is ill and has been in bed all weekend (and not in a good way :shake.

So I came home early so I can make sure I get a good night's sleep and get to the dentist tomorrow early and it struck me that I didn't have a shot for the week Desperately thinking what to do and missing my other half hoping she'll be OK I then saw my Valentines Day Card from the GF "I love you more than Jelly and Ice Cream" and this idea came to me....


Click For EXIF

Hope you like it.

Things I learned this week

1) Jelly is not a easy food to get out of a ramekin - I melted my first attempt buy putting the blowtorch on it for too long and ended with a big liquid mess
2) You need to work very quickly with ice cream before it melts too much to be useful.
3) I can get the theme shot even in the worst weeks
4) I really must clear a space suitable for using as a "studio" as I was working in a very messy kitchen.

 

[Toothie]

ok 8 hours singing im a pink toothbrush wishing i had jelly and ice cream, what are you trying to do to me??

Great idea, well taken shot.

Hope you all feel better soon

 

[Spartacus]

Now that's thinking outside the box...Mmmmmmmm and a truly tasty shot from you this week...

and top marks for working with icecream when you had a toothache

Nice DOF work...

 

[jgs001]

Well done Simon, a good relationship that one and a great idea.

 

[maddog.mark]

Well done Simon, there's something about getting a shot in the face of everything life throws at you isn't there.

I think I would have preferred the jelly to be slightly more in focus but still a really good idea!

Mark

 

[Hyster]

Well done Simon for getting a shot in, hope this week is kinder to you Sir.

 

[SimonTALM]

ok 8 hours singing im a pink toothbrush wishing i had jelly and ice cream, what are you trying to do to me??

Great idea, well taken shot.

Hope you all feel better soon

Thanks

I'm on 2 types of Antibiotics so that should clear things up nicely I just have to eat lots of pro-biotic yoghurt to counter some of the side effects (more yum)

Now that's thinking outside the box...Mmmmmmmm and a truly tasty shot from you this week...

and top marks for working with icecream when you had a toothache

Nice DOF work...

Thanks, I've still to get the DoF on FF sorted in my head, I would have liked a bit more.

Well done Simon, a good relationship that one and a great idea.

Cheers, it's amazing how you brain can work sometimes when it needs to

Well done Simon, there's something about getting a shot in the face of everything life throws at you isn't there.

I think I would have preferred the jelly to be slightly more in focus but still a really good idea!

Mark

Completely agree about the jelly, it wasn't one of my best, but given the situation I was pleased to get anything (and if you noticed the time I only just made that). I do need more practice with the 105mm Macro on Full Frame (might consider doing some focus stacking next time )

Well done Simon for getting a shot in, hope this week is kinder to you Sir.

Cheers, so do I !!

 

[jeangenie]

Things I learned this week

1) Jelly is not a easy food to get out of a ramekin - I melted my first attempt buy putting the blowtorch on it for too long and ended with a big liquid mess
2) You need to work very quickly with ice cream before it melts too much to be useful.
3) I can get the theme shot even in the worst weeks
4) I really must clear a space suitable for using as a "studio" as I was working in a very messy kitchen.

I love the story behind this shot, Simon - and how fantastic to be loved more than jelly and ice cream. Who could wish for more.

I like the shot - food is never easy to work with - you either can't resist eating it or it changes before your eyes.

I love your learning points and have a brilliant mental picture of you applying a blowtorch to the jelly. Try dunking it in hot water next time. "Ice cream" works better if you use mashed potatoes!! At least that doesn't melt!

It sounds like your 'studio' is like mine - it moves around the house from week to week, creating chaos everywhere.

Anyway, congratulations on getting a very creditable shot in ill-health and under pressure.

Jean

 

[SimonTALM]

I love the story behind this shot, Simon - and how fantastic to be loved more than jelly and ice cream. Who could wish for more.

I like the shot - food is never easy to work with - you either can't resist eating it or it changes before your eyes.

I love your learning points and have a brilliant mental picture of you applying a blowtorch to the jelly. Try dunking it in hot water next time. "Ice cream" works better if you use mashed potatoes!! At least that doesn't melt!

It sounds like your 'studio' is like mine - it moves around the house from week to week, creating chaos everywhere.

Anyway, congratulations on getting a very creditable shot in ill-health and under pressure.

Jean

Thanks, I know I am very lucky

I was only using the blow torch as I saw Heston B using that method a few weeks ago and anyway a blow torch is much more fun and dangerous than mere hot water

Unfortunately I didn't have any mashed potatoes only Ice Cream so it just had to be eaten afterwards - never mind

I'm slightly wishing I'd missed getting the shot in now. The only reason is it has set a standard; the first time I don't get a shot in I'll need a very good excuse

 

[Bruja]

Thanks, I know I am very luckyYou and me both

I was only using the blow torch as I saw Heston B using that method a few weeks ago and anyway a blow torch is much more fun and dangerous than mere hot water Hah, Boys and Toys


I'm slightly wishing I'd missed getting the shot in now. The only reason is it has set a standard; the first time I don't get a shot in I'll need a very good excuse

I love the story behind this Simon and well done for getting one in this week. It reminds me of a patient I had who missed an appointment and it wasn't until a couple of weeks later that I found out that on her way to me she had had a car accident and had to be air-lifted to hospital and was in ITU for 3 days with broken ribs etc, so she set the bar for reasons to miss an appointment. :shake: She's fine now though.

At more DoF would have just lifted I think. But a great combination.

PS did you send her a card saying I love you more than cameras and lenses?

 

[jeangenie]

I was only using the blow torch as I saw Heston B using that method a few weeks ago

hehehe



...... and look what happened to Heston B. :shake:

Jean

 

[SimonTALM]

At the start of this week I knew one thing about my shot; I knew I didn't want People in it. I struggled with the topic until about Friday when I was driving back in the car listening to my favourite radio station (BBC Radio 4). I suddenly remembered a piece they did a few months back on poverty and how it is measured across the world.

The concept is easy, if you are living on under $1 (US) a day then you are classed as poor. In reality it is much more difficult than it first sounds as $1 will buy you a different amount of stuff in each county so they started talking about the Big Mac index of poverty and relating how much a Big Mac sold for in each country and linking that to $1. Anyway it gave me the start of my thought for my photo this week.

I first wanted to get a $1 coin but unfortunately try as I did I couldn't find a Dollar Coin, I ended up going in to our local travel agent and asking them for a single dollar bill expecting a funny look (I was very surprised when the lady promptly asked me for 72p and handed over $1 as if it was something that happens every day). I then went home and started shooting and this is what I ended up with...


Click for EXIF

Things I learned this week:

1) Very low angle flash really does help bring out texture.
2) You can make a piece of paper stand out from it's background by putting it on something and raising it.
3) No where on a $1 note does it actually say One Dollar or $1 in a size or location that makes it easy to photograph (ONE DOLLAR is there at the bottom but makes for a pretty ugly photograph).
4) Radio 4 is brill in all sorts of ways
5) People don't react in a way you think they will.

 

[Spartacus]

I like the idea and the way you have gone about it...

and I would never have thought that you could buy just one dollar like that...

my first reaction was no no no this is not working for me...:nono:

but it is growing on me...the colours and bold print doe's work...

and it's a good interpretation for poverty...so I guess that means...

yes it's a from me...

 

[adrury]

well done on another fab shot. I like the way you have made it stand out from the background, I will be using that idea myself in the future I'm sure!

You have captured the texture of the dollar bill perfectly and the colours are nice on the eye.

well done

 

[maddog.mark]

Ohh learnt some lessons tonight, the texture is superb, exactly how low was the angle of the flash?

I love the way the bill stands out from your background too, and, with the information behind the shot it certainly fits the theme.

Mark

 

[Toothie]

amazing detail and great idea

 

[Hyster]

Good idea and there is good texture and colour in the pic, i can almost smell it.

The background, does it have any significance to the pic?, when I first looked at it, I kept trying to relate the dollar to the 17. Maybe just me.

I like the low angle flash thing, I may well steal that....

 

[jgs001]

Well done Simon, that's superb. The DOF has worked brilliantly, as has that little trick of lifting the note. As for low angle flash... It's worked superbly, I'm just not sure what you mean, but would love to know.