Tracer's 52 for 2010 (part 1) - Wk 26 -"Beginnings"

[Tracer]

Nice shot Tracer and very colourful. To be fair its not a bad addiction to have, very healthy!

A very sharp, well composed and well lit image.

I prefer to indulge on beer and cream cakes so well done for being so healthy

Andy

I like your indulgence image a lot Tracer, good perspective and composition. The colours are really vivid too, its well presented with the border, the image would not look out of place in an advertisement, well done. Iain

Excellent, Tracer. Great compostion, colours and lighting. I wish I had such a healthy indulgence!

Jenny

Thank you, Chris, Andy, Iain and Jenny

 

[Tracer]

lovely colours, your indulgence is certainly a lot healthier than mine !

Thank you.

As others have said, you have a healthy indulgence there!

I like your crop, and the curves running through the frame. It looks a tad soft to me though, but the last few 52's I've looked at have all been soft, so it could be my eyes/monitor.

They look nice & juicy!

Ian.

Thank you, Ian. I had to be careful not to get juice on the camera!

Well I reckon that's the healthiest indulgence shot we'll have this week.
It definitely looks sharp on my monitor and I really like the random composition of this. Works very well and this type of shot always reminds of the prints we had in the reception area of one office I worked in.

Delicious as they may be, for me blood oranges aren't the most photogenic subject though, sorry.
It kind of reminds me of somebody chopping their finger while cutting them and bleeding all over the place
Looks like I'm alone in this, and it's definitely a personal thing rather than a fault with the shot.

Thank you, Sarah - and I quite understand your reservations. When I ate them as a small child my mother used to have to reassure me about the 'blood' even though I loved the taste.

 

[philthejuggler]

I like peace and close/indulgence.

The piece is a good bit of PP work and the indulgence has the feel of a magazine-style image. My only minor comment for improvement would be to have avoided using the slightly wonky slice at the top!

Phil

 

[jeangenie]

Oooo - I like this, Tracer. I've looked at it several times and each time see something else to applaud!

The composition leads the eye round the shot - it would have been all too easy (but not good!) to have a big slice centre stage, and I like the light coming in from the right of the shot. I did wonder whether the light would have been better coming from the left to lift that large dark slice a little - not sure on that one :shrug: I like the fact that you can see more juicy lusciousness underneath.

My only very tiny niggle (and it's personal preference) is the black frame is just a tad too wide - but I like the key lines very much.

A good indulgence.

Jean

 

[jgs001]

That works very well... It's clean, crisp and well lit... it has given me an idea and I've no clue how I might go about doing it, but hey that's another story ...

I'm with Andy on what makes a good indulgence... Beer and Choccie for me too

 

[Tracer]

I like peace and close/indulgence.

The piece is a good bit of PP work and the indulgence has the feel of a magazine-style image. My only minor comment for improvement would be to have avoided using the slightly wonky slice at the top!

Phil

Thank you Phil. I swithered about the wonky slice but it had such nice colours.

Oooo - I like this, Tracer. I've looked at it several times and each time see something else to applaud!

The composition leads the eye round the shot - it would have been all too easy (but not good!) to have a big slice centre stage, and I like the light coming in from the right of the shot. I did wonder whether the light would have been better coming from the left to lift that large dark slice a little - not sure on that one :shrug: I like the fact that you can see more juicy lusciousness underneath.

My only very tiny niggle (and it's personal preference) is the black frame is just a tad too wide - but I like the key lines very much.

A good indulgence.

Jean

Thank you Jean. I agree about the dark slice but didn't have a lever long enough to move the sun.

That works very well... It's clean, crisp and well lit... it has given me an idea and I've no clue how I might go about doing it, but hey that's another story ...

I'm with Andy on what makes a good indulgence... Beer and Choccie for me too

Thank you John.

 

[Tracer]

Sorry it's a bit late - had a very busy week and complete lack of inspiration. I don't think it needs a crowbar but you may disagree!

Week 19 - "Ingredients"

Some ingredients for a concert I am playing in soon. The layout and technique could be better but this was taken in haste when should have been practising. The music is a scruffy Russian edition and the paper really is this colour.

I'll do my best with comments but time is short at the moment and will be getting shorter.

 

[blakester]

I like this image Tracer, it is simple but effective, to me it tells a story especially with the pencil markings on the sheet music. I dont think its a crowbar image either, I get it
Well done especially as your time seems to be at a premium.
Iain

 

[Lufbrarunner]

It fits the theme for me, well interpreted. Well lit, good focus and well composed.

 

[philthejuggler]

A simple and effective shot - nice work!

Phil

 

[Digitall]

And why not! All the ingredients for some classic music. There are some nice diagonals, and the subdued color of the music sheet compliments the color of the violin. I also think that the bridge and strings are needed to keep the composition together, otherwise it would have been too bare in the top RH corner.

Allan

 

[The23rdman]

Yes, really like this. Excellent composition.

 

[justlooking]

nice and sharp - I like it

 

[jennyb]

Excellent, Tracer. It's a very unusual take on the theme and you've captured it very well. I love the composition.

Jenny

 

[Tracer]

Thanks, everyone! And the concert was great fun - I managed to play nearly all of it

 

[Tracer]

Sorry I'm late again but life and work has been getting in the way - I thought of this image as soon as I saw the theme but haven't had time to take it before now.

Week 20 - "Organ Stop"

A row or rank of organ pipes is frequently called a stop. What's more, this particular stop is called a "stopped flute" - you can see the stoppers in them which affect the pitch and the sound. (Shall I stop now? )

It is taken with natural diffuse light from a window. I did try using flash to make the background plain white but prefer this one with its pattern of shadows.

I'm afraid I'll probably be late for the next couple of weeks again.

 

[Digitall]

I had to STOP and think about this weeks shot. I quite like the composition and BG of this.

Allan

 

[Harlequin565]

I really like this shot Tracer. Lovely shadows, texture, composition... And spot on-theme!



Ian.

 

[philthejuggler]

I love the subject and the colours - I can't decide whether the blank space in the middle of the photo hinders the composition or helps it - partly because it is an unusual way to compose a shot. Decided! - I think it's good because it draws your eye through the shot.

Phil

 

[jgs001]

Ingredients works and fits the theme, that piece looks complicated... how did the concert go ?

Stop... I like it, it fits the theme, a wonderful subject and very well shot from that unusual angle.

 

[DC2Z]

Love the angle that your Stop shot is taken from. The DOF is also spot on.

 

[The23rdman]

Works for me, mate. I wasn't sure about the shadow, but looking closer I see it as added interest.

 

[dan_yorkshire]

Real shame you couldnt get them all in but nice angles and lighting.

Clever use of the theme

 

[ladysue]

Your stop picture is very original and suits the theme. I think the shadows add to it and the angle is good.

 

[jennyb]

Tracer, I nominate yours as the best photo for this theme.

Not only is it the most original subject to fit the theme ("stop" jumped out at me when I first saw it), but I really like the angle, the colours (warm), the DOF and the lighting. I think the shadows make the shot.

Excellent.

Jenny

 

[Sonial]

Hiya I love the rich colours and the composition of you 'ingredients' shot one of my favourite instruments too , I just wish I could play!

What a brilliant and original theme for Stop! I have still come up with zilch. I like the shadows as withough I think the blank space would be too much and the are nice subtle shadows as well which works here.

 

[Tracer]

I had to STOP and think about this weeks shot. I quite like the composition and BG of this.

Allan

I really like this shot Tracer. Lovely shadows, texture, composition... And spot on-theme!



Ian.

I love the subject and the colours - I can't decide whether the blank space in the middle of the photo hinders the composition or helps it - partly because it is an unusual way to compose a shot. Decided! - I think it's good because it draws your eye through the shot.

Phil

Thank you, Allan, Ian and Phil.

 

[Tracer]

Ingredients works and fits the theme, that piece looks complicated... how did the concert go ?

Stop... I like it, it fits the theme, a wonderful subject and very well shot from that unusual angle.

Thank you John. The concert went very well and was great fun - the piece is Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony and I managed to play nearly all of it .

Love the angle that your Stop shot is taken from. The DOF is also spot on.

Works for me, mate. I wasn't sure about the shadow, but looking closer I see it as added interest.

Your stop picture is very original and suits the theme. I think the shadows add to it and the angle is good.

Thank you, Darren, Dean and Sue. Originally I wanted a plain white background but it looked a bit empty.

 

[Tracer]

Real shame you couldnt get them all in but nice angles and lighting.

Clever use of the theme

Thank you Dan. I wanted to get just a bit more in but the cluttered BG started to show and I didn't have time to rearrange it all.

Tracer, I nominate yours as the best photo for this theme.

Not only is it the most original subject to fit the theme ("stop" jumped out at me when I first saw it), but I really like the angle, the colours (warm), the DOF and the lighting. I think the shadows make the shot.

Excellent.

Jenny

Hiya I love the rich colours and the composition of you 'ingredients' shot one of my favourite instruments too , I just wish I could play!

What a brilliant and original theme for Stop! I have still come up with zilch. I like the shadows as withough I think the blank space would be too much and the are nice subtle shadows as well which works here.

Thank you, Jenny and Sonia. I was lucky with the lighting- it was evening and had that lovely glow that enhanced the warm colours of the pine.

 

[dade_f]

Your violin shot is wonderful, it tells a story and great detail.

The angle on your stop is interesting, but the image is not as strong as the violin, but it is a good shot

 

[Tracer]

Thank you Dade.

 

[Tracer]

I've been working away from home this past week and haven't had much chance to work on the theme. However one day I had a chance to stop here.

Week 21 - "Isolation"

This is Caerlaverock Castle in Galloway. It is in a fairly isolated position near the coast and is surrounded by a moat, isolating it from intruders.

Even if it is not a great fit for the theme I'm posting it anyway as it is one of my favourite ruins.

I shall be away for a lot of next week including the weekend so I'm afraid I'll be getting behind again with comments. I'll do my best to catch up when I can, though.

 

[SarahLee]

Apologies for being a bit behind Tracer.
I really like the 2 musically themed shots for ingredients and stop - I'm struggling to choose between them.
Ingredients is beautifully composed and there are some fantastic curves in it, but I really love the abstract shapes and style of stop. I agree with you that leaving the shadows in has given that background a lift - just don't think it would have worked as well with pure white.

Isolation : Beautiful. Is that PP or have you bought yourself an IR filter?
I can see why these are your favourite ruins and the processing has really done them justice.
My one niggle with this is the wall on the far RHS. Looks blown in places on my monitor and I'm losing it against the clouds. Not a major problem because it's in the background and isn't distracting me from the main focal point, but if you could fix that it would be a perfect shot.

 

[Tracer]

Don't worry - I think I am even further behind!

Thank you so much for your always helpful and constructive comments. "Isolation" is PP done in a bit of a rush. I hadn't noticed the problem with the wall but you are absolutely right about it. The original isn't blown at all so it shouldn't be hard to fix once I have time - next week perhaps!

 

[The23rdman]

Love it. Lots of great cloud definition, but as noted a few blown areas. Is this pp'ed as an infrared effect?

 

[daddy day care]

I really like this shot but think it is a little tight on the composition.

A wider angle would give more of a sense of isolation.

The processing is pretty close to being spot on with just a couple of blown highlights as already mentioned.

Plenty of detail in both the castle and the sky.

Black and white is ideal for this subject.

Andy

 

[Lynton]

wow - am liking that pic lots.............

For me the isolation is there - looks moated............ if I had the £ I'd restore it and move in.... lol.

 

[jgs001]

The mono works perfectly for that, and the moat gives a feeling of isolation from the surroundings. The tightness of the crop stops the lonlieness of the area coming through for me though. I like the cloud definition, but I agree on the blown out bits.

 

[Digitall]

This works for me as it says Isolated in a way that it has been left to deteriorate over the years. As said a wider view would accentuate the Isolation.

Allan

 

[Tracer]

Love it. Lots of great cloud definition, but as noted a few blown areas. Is this pp'ed as an infrared effect?

I really like this shot but think it is a little tight on the composition.

A wider angle would give more of a sense of isolation.

The processing is pretty close to being spot on with just a couple of blown highlights as already mentioned.

Plenty of detail in both the castle and the sky.

Black and white is ideal for this subject.

Andy

wow - am liking that pic lots.............

For me the isolation is there - looks moated............ if I had the £ I'd restore it and move in.... lol.

The mono works perfectly for that, and the moat gives a feeling of isolation from the surroundings. The tightness of the crop stops the lonlieness of the area coming through for me though. I like the cloud definition, but I agree on the blown out bits.

This works for me as it says Isolated in a way that it has been left to deteriorate over the years. As said a wider view would accentuate the Isolation.

Allan

Thanks everyone. The infra-red effect is just PP so when I have a moment I should be able to fix the blown bit.

I agree that a wider view would have been better. However that particular day there were a lot of folk milling around just out of the picture, preparing for a siege re-enactment, rather spoiling any sense of isolation :bang:. My cloning skills aren't up to getting rid of them, either!

I'll be away for a few days so will be behind with both comments and the next theme - looking forward to getting back on track next week, though.