All Forum Comments
Comment by Prieni posted on Weekly Competition # 81 - Flower Power! at 22/01/2009 - 08:30
Dr. Mhuni, will you go outside to take shots for this round? You better get your freezer fired up...
Prieni
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Fortnightly competition # 8: Comments at 22/01/2009 - 08:29
Don't mention the war!
Comment by Prieni posted on "Holiday" lens at 21/01/2009 - 19:44
R o b wrote:
Either that or we should all post here lots and lots and wait until the last moment to post our entries - get him really worried .
Robert.
Oh thanks Rob! I better go back and edit my praise for your entryEither that or we should all post here lots and lots and wait until the last moment to post our entries - get him really worried .
Robert.
This really could get to the judge if stretched to the extreme (i.e. the second Tuesday of the competition). I was a teeny weeny bit concerned after the first week but I was pretty sure that there would be at least a few entries in the end.
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Fortnightly competition #7 comments at 21/01/2009 - 19:20
RichardC:
You started off the competition (thanks for that!) with an interpretation of the theme I hadn't thought of. And I like the idea. I can see why you put the depth of field the way it is but I'm not quite happy with it. The title would perhaps been better placed a bit more towards the centre, covering the blank space that would open up on the top with another copy or another leaf of musical scores (to make it perfect some scales again ). The contrast could be a bit higher.
Galoot:
As usual a good idea from you. These are certainly scales close to my heart, I have two calipers in my drawer. It seems the manual one is from a high performance ceramics (or is it plastics? I hope the 'guessing' in 'guesssing scale' only refers to the material).
I like the composition and the limited depth of field in this shot. I wasn't convinced by the background at first but it grew on me (and the squares certainly are fitting; it's the bright blue that disturbed me a bit).
The order could have been different, showing the progression from the 'simple' one over the analogue instrument to the digital instrument. I would have cropped a little wider on the left and perhaps pulled the background a bit more to the right.
Great entry!
Hyram (Scales on scales):
Another clever play with the theme. I hope that setting the theme I wasn't the one deciding the fate of the three fishy friends here. A good contrast between the bloody fish and the clean scales, reflected in the warmer colours of the fish's heads and the cooler colours of the scales (fishy and not fishy). I do like the composition, crop and lighting. I find, though, that overall it could be sharper. The letters on the scales are fine and I would have thought that at 105 mm and f/22 the depth of field should be sufficient to keep everything tack sharp.
Could it be that you lost a bit of sharpness when downsizing? And another question is bugging me: What was the weight of the fish?
Malo1961:
Eggcelent picture, certainly quite a few scales here. A very pleasing composition, good lighting (from the kitchen window, I assume). The scraper placed in the picture does convey the feeling that the cooking action does start now. It's hard to find fault with this one...
scottthehat (scales scales scales):
Yes, this picture does show some scales on more than one level. It could do with a bit of brightening up, though (when one does the teeth of the little buggers look even scarier). I find this picture a bit too cluttered, there is lots of background and the reflections in the pond
are also a bit distracting from the main subject. I guess you weren't able to direct the two models in any way and most likely you had not much choice of where to shoot from.
HowardJ (Aargh - it can't be right!!!):
A painfully familiar scene, it makes me want to look away. And that is where this shot succeeds, I think. The choice of footwear, while without doubt comfortable, is a bit questionable for this shot as the shoes and trousers are a tad too dark. (As this is the third time I find something
too dark I took a look at the histogram, just to be sure it's not just me).
The tiles (or pretend tiles) are not aligned with the frame, but I rather like this detail. I was a bit surprised that
you took the full photo rucksack with you on the scale (either that or it was way out of calibration).
hefty1 (Ford Escorts):
Ahh, the good old Escort. What a joy to see. I like this shot a lot, well composed and well thought out. It puzzles me a bit how the green model and the parts of the Escort to be are kept suspended in the air. But these are thoughts that arise only on the second glance and this shot does have its biggest impact at first contact. It's probably the fresh colours and the lighting that make the shot for me.
Bob and his Pentax (Scales of Justice):
Another take that I hadn't expected (though it is not that far fetched). Something bugs me with this one but I can't put my finger on it. Could it be that the focus is on the roof rather than on Justice? It seems that I cannot make out much detail on the statue, it could well be that this is a consequence of sitting too long at the monitor staring at various entries... (Sorry for not being able to be more specific)
GlynM (Different Scales):
This was a risky submission as Dr. Who is not well known in every corner of the planet. Luckily for you I lived in the UK for a period of such length that contact with the Daleks could not be avoided completely (plus I worked with a bunch of engineers, who seem to have a special affinity to Dr. Who).
So I know what they are called but that is as far as it goes (you can pity me now, if you like).
It's a good composite and the sharp edges work in your favour here as it seems the Daleks are hovering over the ground (I assume that that's what they do in "reality" but I don't know that).
Somehow I have the feeling, though, that I am seeing the same Dalek three times...
A sure winner for the die hard Dr. Who fan, but I'm not one of them.
Tony-O (Timescales):
Lovely entry, I like it a lot. A lovely collection of dials, good composition and very pleasing lighting. A very strong entry...
RR (Shed chameleon scales):
Not the first scales I would think of but certainly within the theme. I like the abstract nature of it (would have been hard to figure out what it is without having the description). A bit less contrast would have been better, I think. The highlights are clipped as are the shadows. I could be wrong but the bigger scales on the right look almost translucent. If they are, that would have been a property to bring out in the shot a bit more.
It really shines, though, when I look at it on full screen (though the interpolation doesn't do it justice anymore).
mikew:
Back to the musical scales. This time, though, we not only see the score but also the instrument. This certainly is a new twist and does leave a more lasting impression on the viewer. The violin and hand do look pin sharp, even at this resolution. So much so that it seems as if it is a composite image (but I think it's not). My guess is that the sheet was slightly out of the depth of focus. For me the crop is a bit unfortunate, I think it could have been a bit wider (perhaps with further music sheets sticking out of this exercise book).
I like the look of the score sheet, you can see that it has had some use.
Rob (Russian doll equality):
Brilliant idea that had me puzzled for a moment! I do like this idea and your shot is a competent realization of it, well thought out. Joe (or Joseph) seems a bit out of focus but that is the only niggle I have and I appreciate how difficult it must be to set this shot up. (I hope you have done a 'making of').
Dr. Mhuni (Fish eye scales):
Another good idea to finish off this round. Well set up, great lighting and a good fish eye view of your dining room (or so I assume). I like the crop (or framing) as well. Excellent shot.
And the winner is...
You know it wasn't easy to rate the shots. The six shots mentioned were close together and a tad ahead of a further two:
1. place: Malo1961
2. place: Rob
3. place: Tony-O
Honorary mentions: Dr. Mhuni, hefty1, Galoot
A very good crop of entries this round and I cannot express how difficult it was to judge.
Enough of what I was "sinking" about. Martin, it's over to you.
Prieni
You started off the competition (thanks for that!) with an interpretation of the theme I hadn't thought of. And I like the idea. I can see why you put the depth of field the way it is but I'm not quite happy with it. The title would perhaps been better placed a bit more towards the centre, covering the blank space that would open up on the top with another copy or another leaf of musical scores (to make it perfect some scales again ). The contrast could be a bit higher.
Galoot:
As usual a good idea from you. These are certainly scales close to my heart, I have two calipers in my drawer. It seems the manual one is from a high performance ceramics (or is it plastics? I hope the 'guessing' in 'guesssing scale' only refers to the material).
I like the composition and the limited depth of field in this shot. I wasn't convinced by the background at first but it grew on me (and the squares certainly are fitting; it's the bright blue that disturbed me a bit).
The order could have been different, showing the progression from the 'simple' one over the analogue instrument to the digital instrument. I would have cropped a little wider on the left and perhaps pulled the background a bit more to the right.
Great entry!
Hyram (Scales on scales):
Another clever play with the theme. I hope that setting the theme I wasn't the one deciding the fate of the three fishy friends here. A good contrast between the bloody fish and the clean scales, reflected in the warmer colours of the fish's heads and the cooler colours of the scales (fishy and not fishy). I do like the composition, crop and lighting. I find, though, that overall it could be sharper. The letters on the scales are fine and I would have thought that at 105 mm and f/22 the depth of field should be sufficient to keep everything tack sharp.
Could it be that you lost a bit of sharpness when downsizing? And another question is bugging me: What was the weight of the fish?
Malo1961:
Eggcelent picture, certainly quite a few scales here. A very pleasing composition, good lighting (from the kitchen window, I assume). The scraper placed in the picture does convey the feeling that the cooking action does start now. It's hard to find fault with this one...
scottthehat (scales scales scales):
Yes, this picture does show some scales on more than one level. It could do with a bit of brightening up, though (when one does the teeth of the little buggers look even scarier). I find this picture a bit too cluttered, there is lots of background and the reflections in the pond
are also a bit distracting from the main subject. I guess you weren't able to direct the two models in any way and most likely you had not much choice of where to shoot from.
HowardJ (Aargh - it can't be right!!!):
A painfully familiar scene, it makes me want to look away. And that is where this shot succeeds, I think. The choice of footwear, while without doubt comfortable, is a bit questionable for this shot as the shoes and trousers are a tad too dark. (As this is the third time I find something
too dark I took a look at the histogram, just to be sure it's not just me).
The tiles (or pretend tiles) are not aligned with the frame, but I rather like this detail. I was a bit surprised that
you took the full photo rucksack with you on the scale (either that or it was way out of calibration).
hefty1 (Ford Escorts):
Ahh, the good old Escort. What a joy to see. I like this shot a lot, well composed and well thought out. It puzzles me a bit how the green model and the parts of the Escort to be are kept suspended in the air. But these are thoughts that arise only on the second glance and this shot does have its biggest impact at first contact. It's probably the fresh colours and the lighting that make the shot for me.
Bob and his Pentax (Scales of Justice):
Another take that I hadn't expected (though it is not that far fetched). Something bugs me with this one but I can't put my finger on it. Could it be that the focus is on the roof rather than on Justice? It seems that I cannot make out much detail on the statue, it could well be that this is a consequence of sitting too long at the monitor staring at various entries... (Sorry for not being able to be more specific)
GlynM (Different Scales):
This was a risky submission as Dr. Who is not well known in every corner of the planet. Luckily for you I lived in the UK for a period of such length that contact with the Daleks could not be avoided completely (plus I worked with a bunch of engineers, who seem to have a special affinity to Dr. Who).
So I know what they are called but that is as far as it goes (you can pity me now, if you like).
It's a good composite and the sharp edges work in your favour here as it seems the Daleks are hovering over the ground (I assume that that's what they do in "reality" but I don't know that).
Somehow I have the feeling, though, that I am seeing the same Dalek three times...
A sure winner for the die hard Dr. Who fan, but I'm not one of them.
Tony-O (Timescales):
Lovely entry, I like it a lot. A lovely collection of dials, good composition and very pleasing lighting. A very strong entry...
RR (Shed chameleon scales):
Not the first scales I would think of but certainly within the theme. I like the abstract nature of it (would have been hard to figure out what it is without having the description). A bit less contrast would have been better, I think. The highlights are clipped as are the shadows. I could be wrong but the bigger scales on the right look almost translucent. If they are, that would have been a property to bring out in the shot a bit more.
It really shines, though, when I look at it on full screen (though the interpolation doesn't do it justice anymore).
mikew:
Back to the musical scales. This time, though, we not only see the score but also the instrument. This certainly is a new twist and does leave a more lasting impression on the viewer. The violin and hand do look pin sharp, even at this resolution. So much so that it seems as if it is a composite image (but I think it's not). My guess is that the sheet was slightly out of the depth of focus. For me the crop is a bit unfortunate, I think it could have been a bit wider (perhaps with further music sheets sticking out of this exercise book).
I like the look of the score sheet, you can see that it has had some use.
Rob (Russian doll equality):
Brilliant idea that had me puzzled for a moment! I do like this idea and your shot is a competent realization of it, well thought out. Joe (or Joseph) seems a bit out of focus but that is the only niggle I have and I appreciate how difficult it must be to set this shot up. (I hope you have done a 'making of').
Dr. Mhuni (Fish eye scales):
Another good idea to finish off this round. Well set up, great lighting and a good fish eye view of your dining room (or so I assume). I like the crop (or framing) as well. Excellent shot.
And the winner is...
You know it wasn't easy to rate the shots. The six shots mentioned were close together and a tad ahead of a further two:
1. place: Malo1961
2. place: Rob
3. place: Tony-O
Honorary mentions: Dr. Mhuni, hefty1, Galoot
A very good crop of entries this round and I cannot express how difficult it was to judge.
Enough of what I was "sinking" about. Martin, it's over to you.
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Fortnightly competition #7: Scales at 21/01/2009 - 19:14
The competition is now closed!
Prieni
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Fortnightly competition #7: Scales at 21/01/2009 - 18:10
I have to get a new printer as well. A fellow forum member (from another forum, though) has shown his prints from an Epson R1900 and these are just stunning. My old and trusted Epson Stylus Photo 870 wasn't shabby but the R1900 shots do blow you away.
You should be clear that printing at home will be more expensive. The appeal is that you can print whenever you like and get instant results.
Prieni
You should be clear that printing at home will be more expensive. The appeal is that you can print whenever you like and get instant results.
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Printing at home. at 20/01/2009 - 20:32
This is a really tricky one, I don't know which one to enter. So many flower shots to choose from...
Prieni
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Weekly Competition # 81 - Flower Power! at 20/01/2009 - 19:26
Hmmm, I like the background colour. Gives it a bit of retro chic...
Prieni
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on Wise Monkey at 20/01/2009 - 19:24
Well, I was crying out for submissions, so it serves me right.
Seriously, a good crop already.
Prieni
Seriously, a good crop already.
Prieni
Comment by Prieni posted on One week to go at 20/01/2009 - 19:21
Prieni