One of my favourite hobbies these days is reviewing pictures I took a few weeks earlier to see if anything jumps out or if some new technique I learned about suddenly gives me a way to improve on something.
This photograph, taken a week or two ago at the tall ships didn’t really say much to me then, though I do quite like the fact it shows the modern shipyards through the rigging of the older boats bow.
I was just playing with some HDR stuff and suddenly it seems to get a nice life to it.
Here’s another shot of the mini’s I mentioned.
I’ve ended up with 15 pictures or differing degrees of like and dislike. Some feel over processed and some are definitely filler, but there are a few I like.
All in all, I think I’m happy with the outcome. I know in a similar situation a few months back I would have came out with a lot less than 15 images I’d show to people. So either I’m getting better at this sort of thing, or my standards are slipping.
God I hope it’s not my standards slipping…
Oh, and if rumours are true and a 7D is round the corner, I’d appreciate you all having a word with Santa for me!
I was asked to take some photographs of model cars tonight.
It seems there is a big anniversary coming up for Mini (40 years?) and since I had a camera I was asked if I would take some shots of classic model minis.
Not being one to say no to an opportunity to play with the camera, I jumped at the chance.
I took two styles of shot over the evening. A sort of typical archive approach, car at 45 degrees shot and a more adventurous shot. I’ll post a few of these over the coming weeks I guess.
Here’s one as a starter anyway.
I’m asked to do this sort of thing occasionally. Most everyone who knows me or knows me through friends or family knows I’m a bit of a photo nut. When I’m asked, I always make it clear I’m very amateur and still very much learning, but if they’re willing to loan me their toys, kids, whatever I’ll see what I can do. I make sure they understand they may get nothing out of it, but if I manage to take anything they’re welcome to it. It’s a great way to learn and to keep stimulated.
I guess what I’m saying is, make sure you’re available to improve your photography. If you’re like me, you only truly learn by taking pictures. And taking new pictures is a great way to learn…
I’ve mentioned before that I love architecture in black and white. I think the lines are much more pronounced and the resulting image crisper in mono. Certainly, any I’ve taken always seem nicer when converted that way.
(f/8, 10mm, 1/6 sec)
This is one of those shots that’s maybe too wide. The distortion due to the 10mm range of the lens really emphasises the curves present in the building* but I quite liked it, or at least everything but the colours.
It ended up taking quite a long route in its journey to black and white, firstly converted to HDR and then pushed through photoshop using the Calculations tool. A little more curves and the unsharp mask later and…
In case you’re wondering, the original looked like this:
And no, I don’t like the colour.
*Victoria Square in Belfast is quite a new complex and quickly becoming one of my favourite places to visit. It gives space freely and the resultant openness means you never feel claustrophobic.
If you’re interested in the same structure from a different angle, Nothingtobesaid shot this a year or two ago.
The Tall Ships were in Belfast this weekend and at some point I ad decided I’d take Friday off and go to see them by myself to spend the day with the camera and the ships and see what turned up. This kinda turned into a family outing and that in turn became a very wet family outing.
Well, since I was getting over a cold to start with and with rain and other distractions I didn’t exactly set the world alight with my photography for the day. Indeed, I think the only lasting impact to my photography will be condensation which is currently inside the camera body…
Anyway, hopefully others got better pictures on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s a token Tall Ships picture of possibly the largest flag ever.
Now, how exactly do I dry out my camera…
The second photographic challenge was food. Four people submitted pictures, and as with the previous challenge they were all quite different and all very good.
Without further ado…
Leaning Tower of Cherios – Stuart
Peach Macro – Gordon
Broccoli – Shereen
Lime Segments – Paul
After voting, the winner was Broccoli by Shereen.
Of the four pictures submitted, the Broccoli shot was my favourite. I liked the positioning of the two pieces of vegetable and the background colour and texture works well.
Shereen has already suggested the next theme and I’ll announce it later. Thanks to all who played, once again I found the game a great excuse to unpack the camera and take photos of things I might normally ignore.
Now the food game is over, I can use some of the other pictures I took for it.
I’ll post a full summary of the food challenge later in the week once I’ve had a chance to digest it… (sorry, I’ve been chewing over that pun for weeks…)
OK, so the pictures for the Peoples Photography exhibition are picked and sent to the lab, the mounts are ordered and apart from a night of framing I’m all sorted. Sort of…
Time to actually “take photographs” again.
I’ve been quiet for the past few weeks. It’s been a combination of things really. MY camera time has been more about family and getting ready for Peoples Photography and in general I’ve been in that “you’ve been at this 2 years and you’ve only got this far?” slump I kind of half expected.
I say I expected it because I had the same feeling last year around this time. I kind of expect it again next year.
This year it only took one website to pull me out of the doldrums. Looking at the work of Chase Jarvis today just kicked me onto my arse and made me want to take photos again. I was struck dumb by the simple beauty of his site, the shots, the videos.
Take a look at his site and be inspired.
I’ll be away to break out the camera now.