Fortnightly competition #30 - Curves
Posted 08/12/2009 - 18:14
Link
Beautiful Butterfly Curves
Dec.08/09
pentax 18-55mm lense
flash used
focal lenght 20.0mm
exposure time 1/30
aperture f/4.0
ISO 100
exposure landscape
Dec.08/09
pentax 18-55mm lense
flash used
focal lenght 20.0mm
exposure time 1/30
aperture f/4.0
ISO 100
exposure landscape
Posted 08/12/2009 - 21:53
Link
The curves on the lens go round and round...
[IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd37/hefty1969/competition%20stuff/IMGP2946.jpg[/IMG]
08 December 2009
K10D | DA35 | ISO1600 | f/4 | 1/6 second (hand held) | Daylight WB
[IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd37/hefty1969/competition%20stuff/IMGP2946.jpg[/IMG]
08 December 2009
K10D | DA35 | ISO1600 | f/4 | 1/6 second (hand held) | Daylight WB
Joining the Q
Posted 09/12/2009 - 10:28
Link
Kitchen curves
Pentax K100D Super/ Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro
Date Time Original: 2009:12:09 09:27:23
Exposure Mode: Auto exposure
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Exposure Time: 1 / 179
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
FlashPix Version: 1.0
FNumber: 2.8
Focal Length: 90
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 127
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Metering Mode: Pattern
Pentax K100D Super/ Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro
Date Time Original: 2009:12:09 09:27:23
Exposure Mode: Auto exposure
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Exposure Time: 1 / 179
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
FlashPix Version: 1.0
FNumber: 2.8
Focal Length: 90
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 127
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Metering Mode: Pattern
Posted 09/12/2009 - 19:42
Link
We got curves of varied types which is good – pity there weren’t more entries as you can always have fun with curves. As always the judging is all mine alone and I hope I don’t give any unintended offence nor let my prejudices get in the way of sound judgement!
Matwhittington – bench.
Benches seem an ever popular subject – been there done that! This one is a lovely shape but the image seems to need a little help to make the colours sing. I like the way that the bench snakes off into the bushes but of course that’s also part of the problem as the surroundings are too intrusive to let the bench assert itself. That gate is areal pain in the wotnot! It is a nice use of curves though.
JudithAnn – Bottled up curves
I really like this one. The repeated bottles and their curves are great, the colours are great the background isn’t so great. It needed to be white or black I think but a textured grey doesn’t allow the bottles to be the sole centre of attention. Flash was used and cast a shadow on the darned background. Personally I would have placed the bottles on a table or something well away from the wall and then tried my best not to illuminate the wall with the flash but even if I had I expect I could have avoided shadows. I like this shot.
Davidtrout – Bridge
Great sweeping curve right through an attractive sky with the strong radial lines. The exposure seems to be well managed as there’s plenty in the sky while the bridge hasn’t blacked out. Focus good, sharpness good but I am sure David has a better similar shot. I’m not sure what is not quite right about the composition but something’s not there.
Thoughton – Curves
There are curves in the image but it’s more about circles. Nicely shot and presented with a good clean black background. No blown out whites which shows careful technique. No shadows on the background! I wonder if it would look better with more DOF but how much more can you get given this is f13 already. The plane of focus is well chosen.
Cardiff_gareth – Watch
A very well taken photograph – very sharp and well exposed. Very well lit, I can’t decide if there are significant blown highlights or not so that probably doesn’t matter. Curves – well there are curves but I’m not sure they are the main subject it’s really a shot of a watch that happens to have curves I fear.
GlynM – CD Slinky
Clever shot. I assume it’s not just Photoshop work but I don’t care if it is. Well exposed, probably sharp enough although I’m not totally sure. The background is a good black, the varied colours are good and there are curves there that create the composition. Nicely framed in the square crop.
Belina B. – Curvaceous frost
Sorry that’s just not curvaceous enough for me! There is the one main curve but then it is subservient to the detail of the frost. Very well exposed and sharp allowing for the limited DOF. I find the large white thing bottom centre distracting and the split background seems to draw my eye as well.
Hyram – Abstract cured glass
The noise is a total killer for me. Given it’s already a tripod shot lower the ISO and get the quality would be my policy. I realise this creates issues with the smoke but I am convinced a shot like this needs flowing fluid tones and colours. The curves are great with one curve mirroring the next with that very bold main edge to the glass. The colours had every potential to be so lush and liquid. Great choice of subject but ISO 800?
Prieni – Sweeping through
Well we sweep through all right. I am hesitant to question this but those chevrons – do they add or detract to the composition? It looks better to me when I cover them up. I like the way the tilt accentuates the way the clouds are sweeping off into corner which could have been more pronounced with the 12-24 (which I think you have). The colours all round are OK but I am a little disturbed by the way the red acts as a halo in the further distance. I think this shows how a careful choice of time of day can make such a difference. I expect I would have chosen total darkness and then there would be less to hold the eye and draw it round that curve.
Aiki – Curves
No shortage of curves here – everywhere you look there is a curve except that top right corner which looms a bit. The lighting is the problem here and must have been tricky as I think this is daylight. All photographs are made through choices so it must have been a deliberate decision not to reflect some light into the darker areas on the left using card or aluminium foil. Yellow scissors – good or bad? I like the introduction of both the shape and the colour as they add contrasts. An imaginative shot.
Darkmunk – Winkle
Very well exposed except perhaps the small area at the bottom of the shell. We have a lovely luminescent colour at the top. The focus is good although limited DOF doesn’t help much. I find the composition to be very central and ‘upright’ – perhaps engineering it so that there more uneven boundaries might add to the interest. I’m not sure what the context is but I think it’s man made and this shell cries out for nature – a nice smooth rock say.
Dr Mhuni - Induruwa Curves
It’s just possible that the good Dr knows me a bit too well and knows which buttons to press! I said I wanted quality, sharp, good exposure and good technical quality and this just oozes all that. I am struggling to criticise any part of the technical side – the sky is a tad bright I suppose. Curves – yes there are curves. That broad sweep of the pool repeated at the front three times and then the further side of the pool curves again. The reflected palm branches curve. But the rails of the steps - what great curves and colours – the shot would be hugely diminished if they weren’t there. Looking at it again everything curves apart from the sun beds.
Darlene – Beautiful butterfly curves
Curves galore in all directions. The colours are good too with the lovely warm basic copper and then the brighter beads. The exposure lets us see and enjoy all these colours. I think it’s a pity to cut off any part of the butterfly – I find that there needs to be a compelling reason to crop of bits of a subject. The background colour is a bit pea soup – I think once again you could lift the butterfly away from its background and isolate it.
Hefty1 - The curves on the lens go round and round...
They do but they are really circles and while they are curves I don’t think this shot is about curves it’s about the lens and the lovely contrasts within its component parts. The exposure is terrific with just that one highlight that lifts the whole picture. The focus is weird as I can’t quite work out where it is. Hand held – probably camera shake rather than lack of focus then. I’m sure Hefty has a collection of tripods
Oppenheimer45 – Kitchen curves
To be sure there are curves but they live dangerously close to the bottom edge. I think with such a strong element as that handle it could be given more space at the bottom and perhaps less on the left. The background needs to make its mind up – is it black or not? I think it needs to be dead black which you can usually manage in post processing one way or another. I’m surprised it’s a flash shot as it lacks the tell tale harshness but there are burnt out areas. The subject is good the composition isn’t so good to my eyes.
Now the tough part who gets what! Once again I find it very difficult to separate the top few and there is no obvious winner as there sometimes is.
I am going to follow my instincts and …
Winner Dr Mhuni for both sheer technical excellence but more importantly the beautiful balance of the composition and the elevation of a simple snap to a higher plane using the curves that abound in this image.
Second place Aiki and her curves and scissors
Third place Prieni for a very dynamic shot of what must have a gloomy road
If I started doing highly commended then I don’t think I’d ever stop so I’ll leave it there.
Mike
Matwhittington – bench.
Benches seem an ever popular subject – been there done that! This one is a lovely shape but the image seems to need a little help to make the colours sing. I like the way that the bench snakes off into the bushes but of course that’s also part of the problem as the surroundings are too intrusive to let the bench assert itself. That gate is areal pain in the wotnot! It is a nice use of curves though.
JudithAnn – Bottled up curves
I really like this one. The repeated bottles and their curves are great, the colours are great the background isn’t so great. It needed to be white or black I think but a textured grey doesn’t allow the bottles to be the sole centre of attention. Flash was used and cast a shadow on the darned background. Personally I would have placed the bottles on a table or something well away from the wall and then tried my best not to illuminate the wall with the flash but even if I had I expect I could have avoided shadows. I like this shot.
Davidtrout – Bridge
Great sweeping curve right through an attractive sky with the strong radial lines. The exposure seems to be well managed as there’s plenty in the sky while the bridge hasn’t blacked out. Focus good, sharpness good but I am sure David has a better similar shot. I’m not sure what is not quite right about the composition but something’s not there.
Thoughton – Curves
There are curves in the image but it’s more about circles. Nicely shot and presented with a good clean black background. No blown out whites which shows careful technique. No shadows on the background! I wonder if it would look better with more DOF but how much more can you get given this is f13 already. The plane of focus is well chosen.
Cardiff_gareth – Watch
A very well taken photograph – very sharp and well exposed. Very well lit, I can’t decide if there are significant blown highlights or not so that probably doesn’t matter. Curves – well there are curves but I’m not sure they are the main subject it’s really a shot of a watch that happens to have curves I fear.
GlynM – CD Slinky
Clever shot. I assume it’s not just Photoshop work but I don’t care if it is. Well exposed, probably sharp enough although I’m not totally sure. The background is a good black, the varied colours are good and there are curves there that create the composition. Nicely framed in the square crop.
Belina B. – Curvaceous frost
Sorry that’s just not curvaceous enough for me! There is the one main curve but then it is subservient to the detail of the frost. Very well exposed and sharp allowing for the limited DOF. I find the large white thing bottom centre distracting and the split background seems to draw my eye as well.
Hyram – Abstract cured glass
The noise is a total killer for me. Given it’s already a tripod shot lower the ISO and get the quality would be my policy. I realise this creates issues with the smoke but I am convinced a shot like this needs flowing fluid tones and colours. The curves are great with one curve mirroring the next with that very bold main edge to the glass. The colours had every potential to be so lush and liquid. Great choice of subject but ISO 800?
Prieni – Sweeping through
Well we sweep through all right. I am hesitant to question this but those chevrons – do they add or detract to the composition? It looks better to me when I cover them up. I like the way the tilt accentuates the way the clouds are sweeping off into corner which could have been more pronounced with the 12-24 (which I think you have). The colours all round are OK but I am a little disturbed by the way the red acts as a halo in the further distance. I think this shows how a careful choice of time of day can make such a difference. I expect I would have chosen total darkness and then there would be less to hold the eye and draw it round that curve.
Aiki – Curves
No shortage of curves here – everywhere you look there is a curve except that top right corner which looms a bit. The lighting is the problem here and must have been tricky as I think this is daylight. All photographs are made through choices so it must have been a deliberate decision not to reflect some light into the darker areas on the left using card or aluminium foil. Yellow scissors – good or bad? I like the introduction of both the shape and the colour as they add contrasts. An imaginative shot.
Darkmunk – Winkle
Very well exposed except perhaps the small area at the bottom of the shell. We have a lovely luminescent colour at the top. The focus is good although limited DOF doesn’t help much. I find the composition to be very central and ‘upright’ – perhaps engineering it so that there more uneven boundaries might add to the interest. I’m not sure what the context is but I think it’s man made and this shell cries out for nature – a nice smooth rock say.
Dr Mhuni - Induruwa Curves
It’s just possible that the good Dr knows me a bit too well and knows which buttons to press! I said I wanted quality, sharp, good exposure and good technical quality and this just oozes all that. I am struggling to criticise any part of the technical side – the sky is a tad bright I suppose. Curves – yes there are curves. That broad sweep of the pool repeated at the front three times and then the further side of the pool curves again. The reflected palm branches curve. But the rails of the steps - what great curves and colours – the shot would be hugely diminished if they weren’t there. Looking at it again everything curves apart from the sun beds.
Darlene – Beautiful butterfly curves
Curves galore in all directions. The colours are good too with the lovely warm basic copper and then the brighter beads. The exposure lets us see and enjoy all these colours. I think it’s a pity to cut off any part of the butterfly – I find that there needs to be a compelling reason to crop of bits of a subject. The background colour is a bit pea soup – I think once again you could lift the butterfly away from its background and isolate it.
Hefty1 - The curves on the lens go round and round...
They do but they are really circles and while they are curves I don’t think this shot is about curves it’s about the lens and the lovely contrasts within its component parts. The exposure is terrific with just that one highlight that lifts the whole picture. The focus is weird as I can’t quite work out where it is. Hand held – probably camera shake rather than lack of focus then. I’m sure Hefty has a collection of tripods
Oppenheimer45 – Kitchen curves
To be sure there are curves but they live dangerously close to the bottom edge. I think with such a strong element as that handle it could be given more space at the bottom and perhaps less on the left. The background needs to make its mind up – is it black or not? I think it needs to be dead black which you can usually manage in post processing one way or another. I’m surprised it’s a flash shot as it lacks the tell tale harshness but there are burnt out areas. The subject is good the composition isn’t so good to my eyes.
Now the tough part who gets what! Once again I find it very difficult to separate the top few and there is no obvious winner as there sometimes is.
I am going to follow my instincts and …
Winner Dr Mhuni for both sheer technical excellence but more importantly the beautiful balance of the composition and the elevation of a simple snap to a higher plane using the curves that abound in this image.
Second place Aiki and her curves and scissors
Third place Prieni for a very dynamic shot of what must have a gloomy road
If I started doing highly commended then I don’t think I’d ever stop so I’ll leave it there.
Mike
---------------------------------------------------
You can see some of my shots at my Flickr account.
You can see some of my shots at my Flickr account.
Posted 09/12/2009 - 19:55
Link
Thanks Mike, and congratulations to the winners! After seeing the entries I was pretty confident that those 3 would be on the podium
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 09/12/2009 - 19:59
Link
Congratulations to Dr. Mhuni - a very impressive shot.
Well done to all entrants for some excellent images all round this fortnight.
Many thanks to mikew for a very interesting competition and for the sound judging.
The grain in my image was intentional (to give it the slight feel of Pointillism) but the high ISO was an error - I took the shot without checking that particular setting
By the time I realised, I did not have the time to repeat the shot at a lower ISO.
We live and learn
Well done to all entrants for some excellent images all round this fortnight.
Many thanks to mikew for a very interesting competition and for the sound judging.
The grain in my image was intentional (to give it the slight feel of Pointillism) but the high ISO was an error - I took the shot without checking that particular setting
By the time I realised, I did not have the time to repeat the shot at a lower ISO.
We live and learn
Hyram
Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
Posted 09/12/2009 - 20:14
Link
Impressive winning shot, Dr. Mhuni is on a winning spree as it seems. Congratulations, I love that shot!
And thanks to mikew for swift and competent judging.
I stood around that bend for about a quarter of an hour (and it was very nippy) waiting for the light to fade enough for a long exposure. The cars were almost all slowing down when they spotted the tripod next to a chevron, wouldn't be surprised to learn that this "speed trap" made it to the local radio stations.
Thanks again mikew for an interesting competition!
Prieni
And thanks to mikew for swift and competent judging.
Quote:
I am hesitant to question this but those chevrons – do they add or detract to the composition? It looks better to me when I cover them up.
I guess it's a matter of taste. I quite liked them and for me they add to the picture.I am hesitant to question this but those chevrons – do they add or detract to the composition? It looks better to me when I cover them up.
Quote:
I like the way the tilt accentuates the way the clouds are sweeping off into corner which could have been more pronounced with the 12-24 (which I think you have).
Nope, unfortunately not. I could not have used it anyway as there were more signs to the left (had to clone one out as it is).I like the way the tilt accentuates the way the clouds are sweeping off into corner which could have been more pronounced with the 12-24 (which I think you have).
Quote:
The colours all round are OK but I am a little disturbed by the way the red acts as a halo in the further distance. I think this shows how a careful choice of time of day can make such a difference. I expect I would have chosen total darkness and then there would be less to hold the eye and draw it round that curve.
I did choose the time of day with care. I intended to have the landscape in the background and the texture of the tarmac clearly seen.The colours all round are OK but I am a little disturbed by the way the red acts as a halo in the further distance. I think this shows how a careful choice of time of day can make such a difference. I expect I would have chosen total darkness and then there would be less to hold the eye and draw it round that curve.
I stood around that bend for about a quarter of an hour (and it was very nippy) waiting for the light to fade enough for a long exposure. The cars were almost all slowing down when they spotted the tripod next to a chevron, wouldn't be surprised to learn that this "speed trap" made it to the local radio stations.
Thanks again mikew for an interesting competition!
Prieni
How inappropriate to call this planet earth when it is quite clearly Ocean. - Arthur C. Clarke
Prieni's PPG page
Prieni's PPG page
Posted 09/12/2009 - 21:18
Link
Thanks Mike for setting and judging an excellent competition. Its a pity the fortnightly competitions don't attract more entries, this should have been a good subject for everyone.
Special congratulations to Dr Mhuni for a stunning picture in every sense. As Mike says the photo just oozes quality.
david
Special congratulations to Dr Mhuni for a stunning picture in every sense. As Mike says the photo just oozes quality.
david
Posted 09/12/2009 - 21:32
Link
A great shot from Dr. Mhuni - many congratulations.
But also some excellent shots from everyone else.
Thanks to mikew for the competition and the comprehensive judging.
Sorry about the single curve in my shot - I did have an alternative shot with an S bend wall, but I liked the frost effect on the post
But also some excellent shots from everyone else.
Thanks to mikew for the competition and the comprehensive judging.
Sorry about the single curve in my shot - I did have an alternative shot with an S bend wall, but I liked the frost effect on the post
Belinda B.
Posted 09/12/2009 - 23:32
Link
Thanks to mikew for the judging and congratulations to the winners.
I see what you mean about being too close to the bottom edge and too far from the left hand side.
Rob.
I see what you mean about being too close to the bottom edge and too far from the left hand side.
Rob.
Posted 09/12/2009 - 23:52
Link
Thanks Mike for your considered judging and congratulations to Dr Mhuni for an excellent winning photo. A tough choice and some really good quality entrants again this time
And yes I do have a couple of tripods but I liked the noise / low light atmosphere, ultimate sharpness wasn't my aim. Although I agree that my focus was a bit off - on the back of the camera it looked like I'd nailed it but on the PC it was a different story. Oh well...
And yes I do have a couple of tripods but I liked the noise / low light atmosphere, ultimate sharpness wasn't my aim. Although I agree that my focus was a bit off - on the back of the camera it looked like I'd nailed it but on the PC it was a different story. Oh well...
Joining the Q
Posted 10/12/2009 - 00:58
Link
Congratulation to Dr. Mhuni...This was one of my favorites as well...A WOW shot... Also congrates to 2nd and 3rd place... Thanks for the Great judging...Pointers always help for the next shots...I say you are going to be a busy bee Dr. Mhuni, The Judge!
Posted 10/12/2009 - 04:42
Link
Many thanks Mike, for setting another great open subject and the carefully considered judging, and for my first place.
I felt I had a bit of an unfair advantage owning ol' Fishy (was surprised a couple of other entrants didn't use theirs - and it's a real shame the Forum master of the 10-17, Galoot, didn't capture something curvy in Edinburgh). I had a riot last w/e with mine. Boy what a lens - opens up a world of new possibilities. The 12-24 is optically superior, but the perspective offered by Fishy is a revelation. And while composition can be something of a challenge, I find it a surprisingly practical lens. I have a feeling that from now on whenever I've got another lens on the camera I'm always going to be wondering what Fishy would make of the scene!
On a more negative note, and as others have observed, it was again a shame that more shots weren't entered (though partly compensated for by the quality of those that were). This comp is one of the very best things about this Forum IMO. We just need to work out how to persuade others of this!
I felt I had a bit of an unfair advantage owning ol' Fishy (was surprised a couple of other entrants didn't use theirs - and it's a real shame the Forum master of the 10-17, Galoot, didn't capture something curvy in Edinburgh). I had a riot last w/e with mine. Boy what a lens - opens up a world of new possibilities. The 12-24 is optically superior, but the perspective offered by Fishy is a revelation. And while composition can be something of a challenge, I find it a surprisingly practical lens. I have a feeling that from now on whenever I've got another lens on the camera I'm always going to be wondering what Fishy would make of the scene!
On a more negative note, and as others have observed, it was again a shame that more shots weren't entered (though partly compensated for by the quality of those that were). This comp is one of the very best things about this Forum IMO. We just need to work out how to persuade others of this!
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1425 posts
18 years
Geneva
Taken on Saturday morning ca. 0630 (need to set the clock) with the K20D & the DA10-17 (am amazed mine is the first entry with this lens) @ 16mm (blimey, had assumed in PP it was 10mmmm!), f8, 1/60, ISO100.
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