Squawk's 52 2010 - Week 15: single (I'm back)

[Squawk]

That is a pretty good set - I particularly like 2 and 3.

I had the same problem with focusing and low shutter speeds, and lighting was difficult, either all in shade or low harsh sunlight. But it has been a very good learning experience, hasn't it!

You're not wrong, hugely beneficial.

#4 for me
I think it's better than #1 because the poeple are walking towards the camera not away from it
not too sure if the market stalls really hit the subject

so 4 it is!

oh and I like the b/w processing

If I could have gotten the old guy a little larger I think that would have been my favourite but it's already had a bit of a crop to get him to that size. He dos stand out in the scene.

For the images you're after here I wouldn't be afraid of a little bit of noise and bumping it to 400 isn't going to be noticeable I don't think. Good on you for getting out there (something I couldn't do) and pointing your camera at strangers in the street. #3 gets my vote. Liking the processing and "action" going on in the frame.

You're right about noise, it didn't occur to me while shooting that a bit more noise isn't a bad thing in this type of shot. Nother nugget of knowledge to add I think

2 & 4 for me.....but a really nice set overall. Well done for getting out there!

Thanks.

Hi James

Seeing York again brings back memories of the TP Convention last year when a group of us hit the streets. It feels less obtrusive I think if there is more than one of you and I usually go with MrB (and he carries my kit )

I'm glad it got you out of your comfort zone as it's what the challenge is all about. I think the focussing problem with street is you are trying to hit a moving target so even if you get the focus point on the face, compose and take the shot, by then the buggers have moved

So it's a question of try, try and try again. I dump most of my candid shots because of that and I've got a 70-200L which is pretty damn fast.

My favourite is #1 as the market stalls do nothing for me and #4 is a bit dark on my monitor.

Great attempt though, so just get out there and practice more

On a personal note, I used to get 'sent' to Wombwell as a child for my summer holidays

Ooh wombwell on holidays. That must have been fun . My Dad grew up in Wombwell and my grandparents still live there, at the Barnsley end up near the post office.

It would seem there is a lot of disagreement about this weeks best image, a dilemma me thinks. To cap it all I have found another candidate which I might post up in a bit after some processing.

With the shots as they are right now I'm bumping between 1 and 3 constantly, with 3 just edging it still. I might have another go at processing to see what I can come up with.

Thanks all.

 

[Darkmage]

Squawk,

Nice use of selective colour on the other week3 image I think it really adds something!

For week 4, I love the market shots they tell a good story. I tried to go out in London yesterday to take some 'street' candids, however everyone is in a rush to get somewhere and I didn't see anything that caught my eye.

 

[The23rdman]

for your first realy go at this these are great. They have a sense of story to them. I like #2 best as the compostion works great. I'd like to see a little more contrast in all of them though.

 

[smooth]

Candidate 4 for me. I love the character (older lady) in it and the whole shot summises a town street shot.


Did you visit Lace Magic

 

[mowse73]

Hi James. I like tis set. NO1 and 4 are my favourites, if i had to choose i would go for no1

 

[Rudders]

I think my favourite street shot is the first one (I do have a soft spot for elderly couples walking away from the camera) as said the market stall ones don't really say street to me... I do like candidate 2 having said that

You're definitely braver than me with your shots though as I was also in York at the weekend and only felt comfortable taking shots where the people were only a small part of the photo and not the main focus...

 

[Rob Bartley]

1 & 3 for me James, but overall they all work well.

Cheers, Rob

 

[foggy4ever]

W2 Nice take on the theme, very subtle shot.

W3 The first chopped pea for me without the selective colour, little bit of light humour adds to the theme.

W4 Candidate 1 for me with the processing creates a timeless shot(Hmm said this before somewhere) I do like 3 but out of your control the double yellow lines spoil the street.

 

[Squawk]

Squawk,
For week 4, I love the market shots they tell a good story. I tried to go out in London yesterday to take some 'street' candids, however everyone is in a rush to get somewhere and I didn't see anything that caught my eye.

I know what you mean, it would seem that it can be as much luck as judgement, have to have the camera in the right place at the right time.

for your first realy go at this these are great. They have a sense of story to them. I like #2 best as the compostion works great. I'd like to see a little more contrast in all of them though.

Thanks man, I'm gonna have a go at reprocessing 1 and 3 I think. I know you like 2 but it's not quite bowling me over.

Candidate 4 for me. I love the character (older lady) in it and the whole shot summises a town street shot.

I'm sure that he'd be chuffed at that. But yeah I agree he sorta makes that shot.

Hi James. I like tis set. NO1 and 4 are my favourites, if i had to choose i would go for no1

I think my favourite street shot is the first one (I do have a soft spot for elderly couples walking away from the camera) as said the market stall ones don't really say street to me... I do like candidate 2 having said that

1 & 3 for me James, but overall they all work well.

Cheers, Rob

W2 Nice take on the theme, very subtle shot.

W4 Candidate 1 for me with the processing creates a timeless shot(Hmm said this before somewhere) I do like 3 but out of your control the double yellow lines spoil the street.

Regarding all these last 4 quotes, you have just bout convinced me. I think my choice for the week might now be number 1. I'm going to reprocess it to add a nats of contrast and see if I can pull the sky down a nats, it may well be about to steal number 3's crown.

Thanks all for taking the time to comment

 

[jennyb]

This is another thread that I have only just found. You've got a great set of photos here. I especially love the pea with the selective colour. Out of the street photos, I prefer number 3. However, it does not hit the theme quite so well as 1 and 4.

Jenny

 

[TheThistle]

You've done a great job with the street theme, can't beat the hussle and bussle, just wish I was brave enough to get amongst it.
Can't pick a fav - great job

 

[jgs001]

Well done James for getting out there and getting the shots. Braver than I. I think, I prefer the last one.

 

[Squawk]

Week 5 - Speed

The snow here in Yorkshire scuppered my idea for the week until today, hence the late arrival of this post. It was the first day I was able to get to the golf course. Unfortunately, the idea turned out to be crap.

The premise, I'm a golfer so the idea was to capture the speed at which a golf ball comes off a golf club. It transpires that this is bloody hard to do when you're using the self timer and trying to guess when the shutter will fire. But, I persisted. After 60 attempts, yes, that's 60 attempts, I finally managed to time it correctly. FAIL. Shutter speed far too low, you can't see the club or any movement of the ball, what I ended up with was a ghost golf ball. I've posted it at the bottom for giggle value.

In hindsight this needs to be done on a very bright sunny day, shutter speed up at 1000 or more, with a willing partner to hit driver after driver while I stand there and try and get the moment of impact. I'll do it, but not this week.

So, onto other ideas. The candidates are below, with a distinct possibility of a reshoot of the truck shot. I also have another idea, but I really need a sunset for it and it's been a flop today. If I get one, I'll post it.

Candidate 1 (current favourite)

This is now a modification of my original idea. I hit putts indoors, one handed, with my remote release in my left hand. Slow shutter speed, 1/5 of a second.

Candidate 2:

Candidate 3:

Consecutive shots of the same lorry, I really wish I'd got it somewhere in the middle, but this was my first time having a go at this type of shot and it was done on the fly while sticking my stuff in the car after the failed golf shoot. This one I might reshoot, I think there is potential in here for a good image.

And finally, my ghost ball (not a candidate)

As of right now the first image is winning. As always feel free to be harsh, in particular I'd welcome advice on how to make the lorry shot better (other than composition).

 

[mmcp42]

yes I think you need the truck half a millisecond later so #2 1/2 for me!

 

[RobC]

I like #1, nice colour and plenty of speed

 

[louise-knight]

the second truck image would look incredibly scary if you took two shots, one of the truck, another of a person standing in the road, merged them together.. ick. Sorry, my yucky side is coming out after my week 5! lol :/

 

[The23rdman]

I'm going to go for the golf ball shot as it took you so long to get right. I know how tricky this kind of long exposure is cos I spent an age trying to get an image of me doing the hoovering at break-neck speed only to come up with ghost after ghost after ghost.

 

[smooth]

Candidate no1 for me James. Can understand how much effort that would take to nail it and you certainly have got all the important aspects. Great to see you combining hobbies too! Just don't get confused and taking a swing at your lens!

Look forward to seeing your possible truck reshoots.

 

[Lynton]

Squawk - a different take on speed with the golf ball. I remember in a golf mag a few years back they showed a golf ball being hit with a driver but had some seriously expensive camera gear that took if I am right, in the 100's of images a second - the deformation on the gall ball at impact was amazing.... If you go to google images and type in "golf Ball at Impact" - there's some similar stuff there.

The lorries could work but as people have said above somewhere between the two would be great.

Sunset intrigues me - maybe worth popping it in here when we get a decent sunset!

 

[DC2Z]

I really like your image. I can image that it was a very trick shot to capture.
Well done

 

[jeangenie]

Week 5 - Speed

The snow here in Yorkshire scuppered my idea for the week until today, hence the late arrival of this post. It was the first day I was able to get to the golf course.

Hi James, I for one am glad you posted later this week. I try not to look at anybody's shot until I've at least put mine in my Gallery, and with so many people doing 52s I never catch up with the early birds, who by Sunday night or Monday are off the first page. :bonk:

I won't bore everyone by retreading ground which has already been covered intelligently and thoughtfully, except to say I love the full colour pea shot - and can't help but admire the shiny-ness of that hoe!

Week 5 Speed: #1 definitely for me. You've got everything under control - framing, shutter speed, ghosting of the ball, processing - a lovely shot!

Candidates 2 and 3: I agree somewhere between the two would give you a brilliant shot - and I'm sure you'll nail it next time.

Jean

 

[68lbs]

Candidate 1 (current favourite)

I think it'd be my fave too... I like the idea and there's scope for some nice speed and colours. If you try a reshoot I for one will look forward to seeing the results.

 

[SarahLee]

No.1 for me too.
Not just for the amount of effort that went into it, but it's worked really well too.
I think you've captured what you set out to do in the original . . . OK maybe not in the way that you set out to do it . . . but the end result speaks for itself.

Definitely some potential in those truck shots too.

the second truck image would look incredibly scary if you took two shots, one of the truck, another of a person standing in the road, merged them together.. ick. Sorry, my yucky side is coming out after my week 5! lol :/

And my morbid side must be coming out tonight because I was just thinking the same thing.

p.s. missed your street shot, but I really love what you've done with the PP and colouring in No.3
It may not be the strongest fit for the theme, but it's worked brilliantly!

 

[dlh]

Liking shot #1 for week 5. Nice and simple but with impact.

 

[Harlequin565]

The thing is, that you spent time trying to do it!

For me, that's why the golf ball shot you chose works. You spent time planning it, you (probably) got very cold, and you didn't quite manage it. However you did learn from it, so that's a success in my book, and part of the reason for doing a 52. Maybe try and reshoot it in the summer when you get a rubbish topic for the week. Would like to see the results.

I do enjoy reading people's trials and tribulations in trying to get each weekly shot. Makes me feel as though I'm not alone

Ian.

 

[Squawk]

Thanks for all the lovely comments this week guys and gals, sorry that I haven't responded to you all but all your comments have been read and appreciated. Louise, remind me not to get on your bad side... Ewww

the23rdman, hoovering, interesting idea.

Sarah, thanks for the comments for last weeks work, much appreciated.

Jeangenie, you should have seen the colour of that hoe when it came out of the shed. Lets just say polishing was required.

Harlequin, couldn't agree more. So, onto week 6, posted in a few ticks


So, final decision for the week, I'm going with shot one.

 

[Squawk]

Week 6: Present

This weeks has been a challenge, I've been stuck for ideas. The shot I'd love to have gotten would have been to photograph my kids opening a present of some kind, but theres a slight snag. Actually a few slight snags. Number 1, I don't have any kids, which most would agree is a pretty major snag.

So, idea number 2 would be to photograph my girlfriend opening a present on valentines day. This idea fails for a very similar reason to idea 1, lack of a girlfriend

At this point I abandoned the gift style of present and tried to go with something else. Thoughts then turned to time. I envisaged past present and future. Couldn't figure out how to photograph future, the lack of a time machine being somewhat of a problem, so I'm stuck with past and present.

That has led to the following.

Candidate 1:

The past and present of photography. Well, near enough

Candidate 2:

The past and present of writing. This would be much better with a quil and ink pot, but I only thought of it today so havn't had the chance to get either.

Candidate 3:

A black and white conversion of image 1.

Loads of ideas along the same lines, iphone next to the old house phone, that kind of thing, but to be frank I think every idea I've had this week has been boring.

And hmm, I've just had a thunk which, with a little persuasion, I might be able to pull off. Gonna have to see if I can find two willing vic... consenting friends/relatives to participate. But for now, these are it. Worst so far for me with creativity, nothing doing I'm afraid. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has done for inspiration.

 

[foggy4ever]

The golf shot works well for speed, the trucks are a great idea you just needed a few more goes to get the framing right.

The second shot gives you your required past and present in a simple shot and is more easily recognised than the first. Although a partly written document on the laptop screen and repeated on the paper could of given it a bit extra.

 

[Squawk]

Although a partly written document on the laptop screen and repeated on the paper could of given it a bit extra.

What a great idea, I might just have a go at that.

 

[The23rdman]

James, I think the camera shot is a good idea, but would work better at a lower angle.

Scotts suggestion for #2 is a goer too.

 

[mich66]

great minds indeed

would like to have seen a bit more of the older camera I think.. we were nearly the same exactly, my first shot was more or less arranged the same as yours.. then had the mad idea for the triptych (never again!)

great idea for the laptop.. with the cameras am torn as like both the colour and B+W versions..!

 

[dlh]

Agree with above. Lower angle on the camera shot and more of the older camera in the frame too.

 

[SarahLee]

Camera shot for me out of those three - and I prefer the B&W.

Some really good ideas coming out above though for reshooting / recomposing and I'd love to see another go at these

 

[benarnold]

Hi Squawk, I think the laptop and pen/paper idea has great potential, but out of the three shots there my favourite is the b&w of the two cameras - that shot shows off the idea of the difference in technology more.

 

[RobC]

Camera for me in B&W.

 

[jgs001]

Shot 1 for Speed, works the best for me, nicely done, and well done on putting in all that effort. The trucks could have worked, but the framing, as has been said, needs a little refine. Present, A couple of good ideas, I think the expanse of blank paper in the second is a little much, perhaps some writing on there... however, of the three I prefer the mono camera shot.

 

[smooth]

Candidate 2 for me - the contrast between technology and the pen is nicely presented and in my opinion is a really nice twist on the theme.

Nice one

 

[Harlequin565]

Candidate 2 for me - the contrast between technology and the pen is nicely presented and in my opinion is a really nice twist on the theme.

Nice one

Completely agree with this. Not a lot more for me to add other than the camera shots don't do much for me.

Ian.

 

[68lbs]

Nice idea for week 6 and present. Though I don't really know the compact and it does feel like it's a good few years old based on the styling, so not exactly present. I like the idea though, and don't think it'd take too much to make it a cracker!

 

[Squawk]

Thanks for all the feedback for last week. I was hoping to reshoot with some of the suggestions but real life has a habit of getting in the way, hence the very late entry for this weeks effort (posted in a few seconds time). I'm definitely going to revisit this theme at some point later in the year, I'm sure there is an image there. Onto week 7 (and week 8 very soon).