|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 6 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Hi Charissa. Yes the lighting was continuous using a red and orange LED light source from the Adaptalux lighting arms. The Adaptalux guys make things look so easy, but I have to say there is definitely a learning curve. The shell was flat on the bottom so it was easy to balance it on the arms. Adaptalux has an app that lets you connect to the control pod to your phone so you can increase or decrease the colors without moving your set-up.
As for the velvet 85, it's only day 3 so there is much to learn. I listened to a presentation by Anne Belmont who suggested one should begin with f/5.6 on a new lens baby and go from there. The presentation helped me decide which lens baby to get. If you're interested, here is the link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/videos/photography/magic-flower-photography-anne-belmont
|
Jul 11th |
| 6 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Hi Dick. The management of this hosta leaf is so nicely done. The texture is such that it seems I can touch it and feel the thick bumpy leaf. Depth, color, lines...all are really pleasing. Great shot! |
Jul 10th |
| 6 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Look at all the little yellow mouths! As said, this was a lucky find and you managed it well. Great impact, detail, composition and sweetness factor. I like how the big one is squishing the mouth of the little one behind him, and how the front group of chick wings bring you right around the nest. Love it. |
Jul 10th |
| 6 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Lovely shot! For some reason I find roses challenging to photograph (and grow) so your image sings out to me. You did a nice job with the composition and the background shade is particularly flattering to the roses. The two open blooms have interesting center shapes that capture my attention. I can smell them from here! Nice job. |
Jul 10th |
3 comments - 1 reply for Group 6
|
| 21 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Hi Mike - visiting from group 24 & 32. Love what you've created here and would be happy to join a zoom to see how you do these things. This is a great use of an otherwise useless and defective gadget. |
Jul 20th |
0 comments - 1 reply for Group 21
|
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Hello Pinaki. I do like this capture. The colors play off one another and are placed in an interesting array. The movement of the daisies in the center seem to encourage a circular motion providing a more dynamic image. Since the daisies encourage my eye to move around the image, you might consider either removing or cloning the brown portion in the lower left. As my eyes circe around the the leaves and colors they seem to stop at the brown patch. That said, this is a very pleasant image that does convey an artistic flair. |
Jul 22nd |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Hi Fred. I agree with the comments posted regarding the darkness of the flower. I was wondering if you were to brighten the flower and crop up to remove the white portion on the bottom of the image, if would be enough to keep the eye focused on the flower. Bev is correct that magnolias aren't happy here in Florida. Back in NJ they would bloom beautifully, then a torrential rain would come and knock them all off the tree. In any event, background aside, this is a nice capture of the blossom itself. |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
I never knew that - thanks! |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I do like the dynamic quality you've created through the water movement, but I have to admit I have a hard time with nothing being in focus. That said, I absolutely love the B&W you've posted above. What makes the difference for me is perhaps the stem. The sharpness and lack of movement seems to anchor the rest of the "windswept" plant life. |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I like the background texture you chose as it provides a more serene feel to the image. Tom's choice to flip the image does the flower justice. Toning down the saturation and changing the background gives this image a different feel than what you had created. In my opinion, yours has a more impressionistic, painterly quality. If it were mine, I might just flip it horizontally and leave it at that. Can you tell I'm a fan of impressionistic images? |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
I have a tendency to try and achieve a completely sharp image from front to back. This is a different look with intentional softness in all but the targeted focus area. That said, the lensbaby is new to me so I need lots of practice before an image looks the way I intend. |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
When used properly, the lensbaby provides an image that has targeted focus, softening effects around that focus, and a blurred background right out of the camera. I'm in my novice stage though so as suggested by Anne Belmont, one should start around f/5.6, then gradually move to f/4, f/2.8, etc. I'm surprised by the learning curve of this lens. Yes, everyone says there's a learning curve, so why it took me by surprise I don't know, but I'm here to say it's steeper than I imagined. I use NIK software often where you can get close to the same effect, but there's something about seeing the (almost) finished product on your camera that is oddly satisfying. |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Hi Carol. Yes I try to take care of the orchids, but the little ones I have look a whole lot better than some of the bigger ones! The leaves on this orchid are vibrant, but not quite this much, so I agree with you that they need to be brought down a bit. |
Jul 19th |
| 24 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Thanks Tom. I really struggled the first few days because I too strive to have everything focused from front to back. But I also felt that I needed to push the boundaries a little as I felt as though I was in a rut. I love the work of Anne Belmont so I figured I might as well try it. |
Jul 19th |
4 comments - 5 replies for Group 24
|
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Hi Jennifer. Yes this is a shell I found on the beach. After heavy storms, particularly those that come up from the caribbean, there are often a lot of shells that are in tact. You have to wait for low tide, but it's worth it. The water is always warm so walking along the shore line is pleasant. It's clear too so you can reach down into the water and get them. Except when there are a lot of little fish schools. Then it's time to move up the sand a bit to avoid "dangerous marine life" looking for a meal. |
Jul 22nd |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I find myself looking for the waterfall since the rest of the area is so imposing. I agree with the group that cropping off much of the bottom and straightening the snow line would help bring your eye upward. Looks like it was a cold day. |
Jul 20th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
In my opinion, the image is pleasant as it is. The wood on the beach adds interest, without it the image would become minimalistic and all about the lines. Either way this is a nice serene shot. I don't think the people add or distract; sometimes things are just fine the way they're presented. |
Jul 20th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Maybe the third is the better way to go now that I se them "lined up." |
Jul 20th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I like the color version as the comments above have already mentioned. For those of us on the east coast, it would most likely not be a common over used image. The composition you've captured is very nice. You have great leading lines, yet the orange trees keep the eye in the image. Maybe tone down the original clouds a bit, but overall I think it's a good capture. |
Jul 19th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I like the color version as the comments above have already mentioned. For those of us on the east coast, it would most likely not be a common over used image. The composition you've captured is very nice. You have great leading lines, yet the orange trees keep the eye in the image. Maybe tone down the original clouds a bit, but overall I think it's a good capture. |
Jul 19th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I agree with the comments already posted, and yes, I too tried to get my hands in this position. Need I say unsuccessfully. In my opinion, a bit of arm for the right hand would be best, but overall, the position, lighting and tonal range is so very well done. |
Jul 19th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Thank you Tom. I couldn't decide if flipping was the answer here. I didn't know if the bottom circle pointed the viewer out of the corner or not. Although l like your rendition with less noise, I also like the high grainy texture since it seems to bring out more of the shell surface - kind of like the moon. |
Jul 11th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
This is an interesting image and the title fits well. I don't see this as a portrait so much as a story with portrayal of an emotion. When I think of portraits, I think of more formality; studio shots, indirect lighting as Stephen mentions, eliciting a mood, etc. Street photography seems to be more free and interpretive. When I think of the streets of NY and the people there, I think of all the different options available to photograph. To me, street photography and the people of the street allow us free reign on creativity. |
Jul 10th |
| 32 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
This is a great image of the zebra and converting it to monochrome is the way to go here. The expression is interesting as if he's pondering something and the chin hairs are great. Fun zebra fact - they can run up to 65mph. |
Jul 10th |
7 comments - 3 replies for Group 32
|
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Thank you for the interesting idea! |
Jul 20th |
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Hi Karl, I do like the image as a vertical and agree cropping some of the bottom would be a good idea. You have a nice capture despite the pollution. We tried to capture the bull moon last week, but July in Florida is hazy, hot & humid so the results weren't good. The July full moon is a bull (or buck moon) since that's the month deer grow new antlers. |
Jul 20th |
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Hi Lauren. Nice shot of the butterfly and I applaud your use of the lensbaby. I agree with Karl that the horizontal crop with a darkening of the top and corners helps to bring out the butterfly. Yellow flowers can be overpowering yet you managed to keep the focus where it needs to be. Nice capture. |
Jul 20th |
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
I like old run down buildings and sheds like this. They make great monochrome images and so I think your choice of the Street Old Vintage filter us is well done. If it were mine I would be tempted to remove the tape as it conveys a modern feel to an otherwise "older" image. The same with the house peeking out on the right. The ragged window is great and I like the texture of the wood you've captured. |
Jul 20th |
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Comment |
Although he is wildly popular, Scully's art does not resonate with me as it does others. It's interesting the way you have interpreted his art and made it your own. Muted and maybe blurred this could possible make a texture you could use in other images. |
Jul 20th |
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Thank you Peter! I will absolutely check it out and even better that it's free.. |
Jul 10th |
| 79 |
Jul 22 |
Reply |
Thank you Karl! |
Jul 10th |
4 comments - 3 replies for Group 79
|
18 comments - 13 replies Total
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