The23rdman's 52 for 2010- Week 24 - METAL

The23rdman said:
Gawd, no! My mum never shuts up about bloody soda crystals. ;)
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Oh yes. They were always one of my nan's obsessions. I seem to remember her using them for soaking her net curtains :lol:
And they make a very good substitute for the purpose of the shot. I did something similar this week too, but the best I could find was self-raising flour!

A lot of effort has gone into setting this up, and it really has paid off.
:clap: Candle lighting, note and all the props work brilliantly for me to give it just the right atmosphere.

Personally, I don't agree with the comments about it looking too neat or staged. However, I am feeling a slight disconnection between the elements so if you ever did reshoot there are a few tweaks to the composition that I think could improve it.

The guy writing the note would appear to be sat towards the LHS of the table, but his lines of errrrm soda are set up over on the right facing away from him. I think that rearranging things slightly so that he appears to be sitting more to the right (immediately in front of the lines ready to do the deed as soon as his note is finished) might give it a bit more impact. Perhaps a slightly lower PoV and narrower DoF would have given it that extra bit of intimacy too.

I just noticed the reflection of the flame in the table top. That's another nice detail that's gone into making the shot. If you were to do another reshoot, it would be great if you could get that orangey glow just hitting the far end of one of the lines.
 
The23rdman said:
For those interested the candle light effect is done by using a 1/2 CTO gel on the flash on camera with between -2 and 3 EV
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That's a nice effect, I like it very much! Has worked well, and we have another slightly different take on the white lines theme. :)
 
SarahLee said:
Oh yes. They were always one of my nan's obsessions. I seem to remember her using them for soaking her net curtains :lol:
And they make a very good substitute for the purpose of the shot. I did something similar this week too, but the best I could find was self-raising flour! I saw it and liked it.:)

A lot of effort has gone into setting this up, and it really has paid off.
:clap: Candle lighting, note and all the props work brilliantly for me to give it just the right atmosphere.Thank you.

Personally, I don't agree with the comments about it looking too neat or staged. However, I am feeling a slight disconnection between the elements so if you ever did reshoot there are a few tweaks to the composition that I think could improve it.

The guy writing the note would appear to be sat towards the LHS of the table, but his lines of errrrm soda are set up over on the right facing away from him. I think that rearranging things slightly so that he appears to be sitting more to the right (immediately in front of the lines ready to do the deed as soon as his note is finished) might give it a bit more impact.You're right. I'm actually left-handed so I really should have had the lines going the other way. The problem was the balance of the shot and leading (pardon the pun) lines coming into the shot rather than out of it. Perhaps a slightly lower PoV and narrower DoF would have given it that extra bit of intimacy too. I tried that originally, but it didn't work as well. :)

I just noticed the reflection of the flame in the table top. That's another nice detail that's gone into making the shot. If you were to do another reshoot, it would be great if you could get that orangey glow just hitting the far end of one of the lines. You're good! I never even noticed. :D
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68lbs said:
That's a nice effect, I like it very much! Has worked well, and we have another slightly different take on the white lines theme. :)
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Cheers. Joe McNally of The Moment It Clicks fame gets all the credit. :D
 
I see what you mean about looking more real :)

I used an off white pastel stick and a nutmeg grater :D

My preference is something that would be more likely to fit in a theme of grass :naughty:

I really like the composition, more complex than mine and given the amount is more likely to end up in a full stop rather than speeding.

A whiz of a picture ;)
 
Bruja said:
I see what you mean about looking more real :)

I used an off white pastel stick and a nutmeg grater :D

My preference is something that would be more likely to fit in a theme of grass :naughty:

I really like the composition, more complex than mine and given the amount is more likely to end up in a full stop rather than speeding.

A whiz of a picture ;)
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Thanks for your puntastic comments! :D
 
Just checking your thread for an update and noticed that the link in the "List of people taking part" points to your 1st Curves thread which isn't this one :) Might want to get that changed if you can.

Ian.
 
Here's my shot for week 6. I struggled a little with the execution simple due to lack of space at the mo. I may reshoot this with some candles surrounding Ali if I get time.

For me present speaks of the timeless eternal Now in which we live. Our life is always so chaotic because we're never really right here, right now, but instead live in fear of the future or regret about the past. Our minds are cacophonies of endless nonsense.

This quote says it all...

You get lost because you think there is somewhere to go. If you give up believing in a goal or a destination, then you cannot get lost. In the present moment, there is no destination.

-Leonard Jacobson.

Anyway, meditation is the one thing that always brings me and Ali back to earth so it seemed apt to shoot this. Hope you like it. Oh, and it's clickable as always. :)



for those interested strobist info:

YN 460 II at 3/4 power with full CTO gel for rim.
430 EX 2 1/2' from camera right 2' above head height through 2" snoot gelled 1/2 CTO at 1/64th power.
 
Thanks, Chris. The rim light was the hardest part to get right and it's still not a complete rim. This is because I had no more room to work with to push the light further back. I'd ideally like to have a complete rim of light surrounding Ali's head. Maybe next time. :D
 
What a great shot. Totally empathise with your subject choice and reasoning behind it. Wish I could meditate sometimes, but I think my legs would snap if I sat like that.

You've clearly put a lot of effort into the shot and it shows. The rimlight is wonderfully executed.

The only tiny bit of critique is the shadow of the candle from your 430EX. The first impression I had was that it was shot in candlelight and the front illumination was just "magic". The shadow gives it away though. This is a really really tiny thing though and is probably just me being picky. It really is a good shot.

Would be very interested to see a reshoot with a circle of candles.

Ian.
 
I like this serene image - very calming & well lit (Ian's comments accepted)

Phil
 
Harlequin565 said:
What a great shot. Totally empathise with your subject choice and reasoning behind it. Wish I could meditate sometimes, but I think my legs would snap if I sat like that.

You've clearly put a lot of effort into the shot and it shows. The rimlight is wonderfully executed.

The only tiny bit of critique is the shadow of the candle from your 430EX. The first impression I had was that it was shot in candlelight and the front illumination was just "magic". The shadow gives it away though. This is a really really tiny thing though and is probably just me being picky. It really is a good shot.

Would be very interested to see a reshoot with a circle of candles.

Ian.
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Thanks, Ian. You're right about the candle. I may do a reshoot with another light left to negate the shadow. I've realised I'm unlikely to be able to pull off the ring of candles due to lack of space, but I might try a little circle at Ali's feet. It'll help to light them a little too.


philthejuggler said:
I like this serene image - very calming & well lit (Ian's comments accepted)

Phil
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Cheers, Phil. Much appreciated. :)
 
Love the lighting in this, the rim light gives it that little extra. The thinking behind your take on present comes across very clearly.

:thumbs:
 
foggy4ever said:
Love the lighting in this, the rim light gives it that little extra. The thinking behind your take on present comes across very clearly.

:thumbs:
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Thanks Scott. I have decided to reshoot with the light directly above me to try to remove the candle shadow...if I get a chance, that is. :)
 
Excellent shot, and why the hell didn't I think of that. I read a book on mindfullness not long ago too. Bah. Love the lighting and the colours in this, kinda low key and gets right to the point, nothing in it that shouldn't be there, nothing missing IMO.

Excellent, keep up the good work.

What did you have to promise to get her to pose for you?
 
Thanks, James:D Ali's a star. She believes in my photography and is generally willing to play along...it helps if she can be wrapped up warm at the same time. ;)
 
Great idea and lovely shot - just lose the shadow and it will be perfect. :clap:
 
With or without shadow you've got a great image which shows quiet contemplation and serenity. Very nice :thumbs:
 
ohh thats very nice indeed.. great lighting and agree, a real feel of peace and serenity.. always good to have a willing model.. everyone runs a mile when my camera comes out!
 
Nice dude.... Very Nice.

Huge respect for the thought that has gone into the shot too. Potent image and potent thought behind it too.

Excellent. :thumbs:
 
Thank you all for your kind comments. :)
 
:love: Lovely, lovely shot this week.
This is turning into one of my favourite 52s this year :thumbs:

Colours, composition, lighting all spot on. I hadn't even noticed the shadow until it was pointed out, but now that I can see it I agree that it would be better without.

My only niggle is her feet - or lack of to be more precise. If you could just get a bit more light down there to give just the suggestion of feet it would be perfect for me. I reckon that your idea with the ring of candles might just be spot on for this.
 
Have looked at this several times and I'm still wondering what it has to do with 'present'. Yes, I've read the text, just don't get it. I do like the pic though. Love the effect from the rim light, a very heavenly glow... and I agree with others that the overall colours and lighting work nicely. :)
 
SarahLee said:
:love: Lovely, lovely shot this week.
This is turning into one of my favourite 52s this year :thumbs:

Colours, composition, lighting all spot on. I hadn't even noticed the shadow until it was pointed out, but now that I can see it I agree that it would be better without.

My only niggle is her feet - or lack of to be more precise. If you could just get a bit more light down there to give just the suggestion of feet it would be perfect for me. I reckon that your idea with the ring of candles might just be spot on for this.
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Thank you, Sarah, that means a lot. I totally agree about the feet.

jollyjack said:
another great shot well done keep it going
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Thanks, mate, much appreciated.

68lbs said:
Have looked at this several times and I'm still wondering what it has to do with 'present'. Yes, I've read the text, just don't get it. I do like the pic though. Love the effect from the rim light, a very heavenly glow... and I agree with others that the overall colours and lighting work nicely. :)
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Thanks Lee. Present means 'in the present moment', yes? All spiritual practices aim to teach one to have their attention in the present moment rather than thinking about the past or future, which only exist as ideas. Everything That happens happens NOW. It happens in the present moment. We can only ever live Right NOW.

Meditation is the classic practice for calming and quietening the mind in order for the practitioner to experience a greater sense of awareness of what is happening in this moment. That is why I chose this interpretation.

It is impossible to understand this process intellectually, for that is exactly the mind-set that prevents the experience of presence, but it is possible to experience it anytime you are completely and utterly absorbed in a task to the point you have no real notion of the time that passes.

It is a magical and entirely empowering state to be in.
 
Dean, love that shot, the lighting is spot on... I could really do with some of that round about now... I know what you mean about the state... where you lose track of time being totally absorbed in something.
 
Okay, here's week 7! I used this as an opportunity to practice with my lights. Again the problem was space, but I did my best. I'm not sure which shot I'm going to use so I'm going to open it up to you the jury. Incidently, these are of my mum and her fella, Peter. Doesn't look bad for 60, does she? :D
Clickable.

Thanks for all the comments. I've now decided on my shot for the week. :)



for those who're interested the strobist info is:

1/2 cto gelled 430 EX through shoot through brolly camera right a couple of feet from subjects slightly high about 45*.
Fill underneath from white reflector.
Manual flash gelled green goboed and fired at wall through wierd imitation plant thingy.
Natural window light camera right.
 
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although all are excellent, i think number 4 pips it for me , simple, sharp , well shot and well lit. and the carving in the background just adds a little extra something. top stuff :D
 
Thanks, Richard. The last shot is natural window light for key with just a 1/2 cut CTO fired at the wall. In hindsight I would have added a hair light to it too.
 
Thanks, Ste. You would not believe the chaos going on out of shot with all mum's furniture and all my gear strewn across the room. She's a good egg.:)
 
4 well lighted shots but the last stands out for me, the natural light works well and the framing with the mask on the wall is perfect.

:thumbs:
 
I really like number 1, it has some freshness into it!
Nr 4 it is also very good :)
 
Thanks everyone. I'm narrowing it down!
 
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