[turtle]

This thread is meant to compliment The Black and White Photo Thread though not just to be a color version of your B&W posts there. This is a place where you can share some of your best shots and get feedback. This isn't meant to be a debate on best styles of shooting images or best camera to use. Let's keep this thread image-centric.

All shots you post direct images of (using [img] tags for or attaching for you admin/mod types) must be your own shots. If you wish to share a photo that you don't hold the copyright to, please only post a link to that image rather than imbedding the image here in this thread.

Any images posted here are fair game for comments and concerns. Please limit comments and concerns of images to constructive opinions. "It sucks" isn't appropriate, instead say what you dislike about the image and why. Of course, everyone loves getting complimented, but please be descriptive in your comments. "It's cool" doesn't give enough detail of why you like it.

So now on to the photos:

Scorned

[stevegong]

I like that! You should totally put a bullet in the chamber so that it looks like it's about to come out!

[billybobsky]

I am not such a fan of photoshopped pictures.

[stevegong]

Originally Posted by billybobsky I am not such a fan of photoshopped pictures.

Ah, then you must prefer this one:

[Ebby]

Originally Posted by turtle2472 [Freaky image]

Uh, and a good morning to you too...
Disturbing in a way.

[turtle]

Originally Posted by billybobsky I am not such a fan of photoshopped pictures.

I agree for the most part, though I have to qualify this with all images should have basic level adjustments made in post processing. Color and White Balance correcting is all I really do, other than an occasional crop or horizon adjustment.

Originally Posted by Ebby Uh, and a good morning to you too... Disturbing in a way.

This was a project I had to come up with an unusual angle shot. Rather than laying on the ground to take a picture I took it to be seeing an angle you don't normally see. It was kinda interesting taking that shot too. I wasn't freaked out at all. I kept reaching around and adjusting the gun so it would point better into the camera.

Steve, I like the second shot more than the first. The first shot does seem to have too unnatural of color to it and the reflection in the left is hard to get past. It distracts me from the beautiful patterns made by the fish. The second one is far more peaceful and better balanced. While you can't change it, the trees on the far right are a little distracting to me.

[Ryan]

(click for bigger)

Not much to say about it, really.

[hiltond]

I love it turtle. I think it is *more* then a bit disturbing but I love it.

I also really like the second one stevegong posted. You have some great shots on your web page. I think the West Virgina series is awesome.

[GSpotter]

From a photographic point of view, I like the "scorned" picture: Nice DoF - the person is just barely visible. I hope I will never have to see this view in real life, though...

I think the colors of the fish picture are maybe a bit too much, but somehow I like it (I have a weakness for strong colors ).



(Click to get to the correspondig flickr-page for bigger sizes)

[alcimedes]

I'm no photographer, but here are a few I've taken this year that I liked.

[hiltond]

Not great but I like it.

[Dorian Gray]

turtle2472, looks like your gun could do with a cleaning.

Robert Appleby, an English photographer living in Italy, spent some time in Mumbai, Hebron and Pakistan a few years ago, shooting in colour as is his habit (I think he has made some pretty derogatory comments about clichéd black and white documentary photography in the past, but don't quote me on that). The result, available as PDF downloads here, is reminiscent in aesthetic quality to a story in the National Geographic magazine, but without the NG's colonial overtones and condescending fascination with primitive cultures. His pictures capture the dignity and vivacity of his subjects despite the crushing hardship of their daily lives. The collection is therefore not as heavy going as one might expect. Plenty of humour and hope in there!

Really worth taking a look at.

[Yonzie]

I love the way the colors pop out: (This one's not mine, but I'm hosting it, so I guess it's OK )


Evil house?:


Crap moon (which was what I wanted) but I love the lights (and cassiopeia is visible):

[turtle]

Originally Posted by Ryan Not much to say about it, really.

I like this image of the leaves personally. While it might not technically perfect, it's a nice image.

Originally Posted by GSpotter From a photographic point of view, I like the "scorned" picture: Nice DoF - the person is just barely visible. I hope I will never have to see this view in real life, though... I think the colors of the fish picture are maybe a bit too much, but somehow I like it (I have a weakness for strong colors ).

Yeah, it's the wrong end to be on for the gun shot. And for all those wondering, it's my wife Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by alcimedes I'm no photographer, but here are a few I've taken this year that I liked. Dragon Squares Flower

These are nice images, I rather like the dragon too, have to you tried to crop out the guy walking away in the background?

Originally Posted by hiltond Cityscape Not great but I like it.

Yeah, I do like this one after getting past all the window bars. It must have been a great view in person. Can you get one looking down?

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray turtle2472, looks like your gun could do with a cleaning. Robert Appleby, an English photographer living in Italy, spent some time in Mumbai, Hebron and Pakistan a few years ago, shooting in colour as is his habit (I think he has made some pretty derogatory comments about clichéd black and white documentary photography in the past, but don't quote me on that). The result, available as PDF downloads here, is reminiscent in aesthetic quality to a story in the National Geographic magazine, but without the NG's colonial overtones and condescending fascination with primitive cultures. His pictures capture the dignity and vivacity of his subjects despite the crushing hardship of their daily lives. The collection is therefore not as heavy going as one might expect. Plenty of humour and hope in there! Really worth taking a look at.

Actually the gun is just well used. It isn't dust in the barrel, it's corrosion from thousands of rounds going through it. I generally clean after every shooting, but use is use.

I enjoyed seeing most of his work. Some of it was to dark for me, but then again that was just the message he was portraying to us. I didn't understand some of his images, but then again I don't watch the news or read the paper either. I guess if I were in the loop I would know better. Since I'm actually going to be taking Photojournalism 1 in the spring (starting January 8th) these images serve well to help me get a better feel for what I'm after project wise. Thanks for the input Dorian

Originally Posted by Yonzie I love the way the colors pop out: (This one's not mine, but I'm hosting it, so I guess it's OK ) Cars Evil house?: Clouds Crap moon (which was what I wanted) but I love the lights (and cassiopeia is visible): Streaks of light

Yeah, you really shouldn't put the image of the cars up since the copyright isn't your, but it's an interesting photo.

There certainly are some bright colors in it. I like the clouds over the building too, can you brighten up the lower half a little? A bit more detail there would be awesome.

I do like the image of the streaks. I tried once to get some pictures like that and I just didn't like the way they came out. I found myself to close to the road causing the on-coming headlights to blow out my images. Since I like in a city I don't have the opportunity to see a clear dark night that I cant get the moon, stars and cars in. Nice shot though.

Ok, here's a few more I have taken recently:



Alc, I see your bug and raise you one.

[Moogs]

Some nice snapshots here.

Ryan, even though you don't have "much to say", to me it's both technically and aesthetically a very good shot. Nature abstracts are an acquired taste -some people don't care for them- but I for one find it one of the most fascinating areas of photography. The only thing that might improve it is a little better light to work with (not in your control here), and I might've gotten a little closer to bring the beads of water more into the frame.

Stever,

I was looking at your web site with the natural perceptions page, and in reference to what bobsky was saying about "Photoshopped" images, I have to agree somewhat. The best images on that page - and there are some very good ones - are the ones where you don't notice the digital enhancements. In particular I think you get a little carried away with the saturation controls.

The "Road Behind My House" is a great shot and the reason is, as you examine it, you have to ask "was it retouched?" You don't immediately know because the colors in the foreground are subtle enough that they could be the result of the vapor lamps overhead and/or moonlight, and so you really look at the whole scene and enjoy the contrasts, etc.

The Moonlit Beach shot is nice too except I might actually crop down to make an almost panoramic format (short and wide) image. Having just a sliver of the moon pulls my eye to the top of the frame instead into the picture as a whole. With moon shots like that, it has to be a wide enough angle, "off in the corner" type of thing IMO, to show the moon and at the same time not have it distract from what the picture is really about.

Your Snow Temple shot above is really cool too, thing about that one is it's a little flat (because of the light). I'm guessing you retouched parts of this image too, though it's not obvious / doesn't detract from the overall image. In particular some of the foreground and middle ground look like they've been smoothed a bit to add that ethereal effect. As far as the flatness, you could tweak in ACR (if you shot RAW) and elsewhere to make it a little more contrasty but not "Photoshopped". But otherwise a cool / unexpected scene.

[Yonzie]

Originally Posted by turtle2472 There certainly are some bright colors in it. I like the clouds over the building too, can you brighten up the lower half a little? A bit more detail there would be awesome.

That would require fiddling with Photoshop and I'm not really sure I'm ready to try that yet. But you're correct, it needs more light in the bottom. That was the best iPhoto could handle And thanks.

[stevegong]

Originally Posted by Moogs Some nice snapshots here. Ryan, even though you don't have "much to say", to me it's both technically and aesthetically a very good shot. Nature abstracts are an acquired taste -some people don't care for them- but I for one find it one of the most fascinating areas of photography. The only thing that might improve it is a little better light to work with (not in your control here), and I might've gotten a little closer to bring the beads of water more into the frame. Stever, I was looking at your web site with the natural perceptions page, and in reference to what bobsky was saying about "Photoshopped" images, I have to agree somewhat. The best images on that page - and there are some very good ones - are the ones where you don't notice the digital enhancements. In particular I think you get a little carried away with the saturation controls. The "Road Behind My House" is a great shot and the reason is, as you examine it, you have to ask "was it retouched?" You don't immediately know because the colors in the foreground are subtle enough that they could be the result of the vapor lamps overhead and/or moonlight, and so you really look at the whole scene and enjoy the contrasts, etc. The Moonlit Beach shot is nice too except I might actually crop down to make an almost panoramic format (short and wide) image. Having just a sliver of the moon pulls my eye to the top of the frame instead into the picture as a whole. With moon shots like that, it has to be a wide enough angle, "off in the corner" type of thing IMO, to show the moon and at the same time not have it distract from what the picture is really about. Your Snow Temple shot above is really cool too, thing about that one is it's a little flat (because of the light). I'm guessing you retouched parts of this image too, though it's not obvious / doesn't detract from the overall image. In particular some of the foreground and middle ground look like they've been smoothed a bit to add that ethereal effect. As far as the flatness, you could tweak in ACR (if you shot RAW) and elsewhere to make it a little more contrasty but not "Photoshopped". But otherwise a cool / unexpected scene.

Well thank you for your thoughts. I think I will pull off the so called "photoshopped" images when I have a chance.

the "Snow Temple" was actually not photoshopped at all, and everything I do I do in Camera Raw. I never do any touching up.

That was shot simply with an infrared filter, and it's not snow.

I really want to focus on photojournalism, so a lot of the other stuff are just stuff I've done in the past. Of course, photojournalism must be true to the scene, and I think you can see it in the ballet story I shot the other day.

[turtle]

I had to go out and within 1 1/2 hour take a documentary photo. I couldn't caption the photo or even give an explanation surrounding the photo. In other words the image had to stand on it's own. So here is the image. I would REALLY like some feedback on this one since I'm moving into the photojournalism route myself. Don't know if I'll make it my "profession" or not, but I would love to improve all my photographic skills. I did after all change my major to Photography.


No adjustments were made other than a crop. f/11, 1/250, 55mm

Steve, I like the ballet show images. I watched the slide show and I did enjoy most of them.

[Moogs]

Originally Posted by stevegong the "Snow Temple" was actually not photoshopped at all, and everything I do I do in Camera Raw. I never do any touching up. That was shot simply with an infrared filter, and it's not snow.

DOH! I thought it was frost, actually. That explains it.

I really want to focus on photojournalism [snip]. Of course, photojournalism must be true to the scene, and I think you can see it in the ballet story I shot the other day.

That's a great series, Steve. You're a talented kid....

I would actually say that what you have there is a mix of documentary and fine art photography. Some of those shots of the women rehearsing, in BW especially, would be great for fine art prints. Of course the only difference between photojournalism and documentary, is what the publication will and won't show, and the subject. If the ballet was the story, it's photojournalism. If you're telling the story of the ballet through a series of pictures, it's documentary. Actually I like documentary a fair amount too, I just live in a place that's too boring to qualify. Great shots though. Sadly I don't think any group of young women would invite me and my camera into their lockeroom, but they should.

Seriously, I always wonder how the guys who photograph these beautiful naked women all day -say for a fine art coffee table book (no prOn)- can stay uh... focused. I'd take like three shots and say "so, you look tense... how about a tasteful massage?".

[stevegong]

Originally Posted by Moogs Seriously, I always wonder how the guys who photograph these beautiful naked women all day -say for a fine art coffee table book (no prOn)- can stay uh... focused. I'd take like three shots and say "so, you look tense... how about a neck rub?".

Actually, you'd be surprised. Because I'm trying to get as good and perfect of a shot so I focus on what things don't look good and try to get them look better. So I concentrate a lot on the faults. But I don't care much for fashion photography.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Moogs Some nice snapshots here. Ryan, even though you don't have "much to say", to me it's both technically and aesthetically a very good shot. Nature abstracts are an acquired taste -some people don't care for them- but I for one find it one of the most fascinating areas of photography. The only thing that might improve it is a little better light to work with (not in your control here), and I might've gotten a little closer to bring the beads of water more into the frame.

Thanks. I cropped out the right side in another version that I printed out, and I prefer it that way. The right-most tip of the leaf is cut off and the entire thing is enlarged (the joys of eight megapixels...). Maybe I'll post it later.

[stevegong]

Originally Posted by turtle2472 I had to go out and within 1 1/2 hour take a documentary photo. I couldn't caption the photo or even give an explanation surrounding the photo. In other words the image had to stand on it's own. So here is the image. I would REALLY like some feedback on this one since I'm moving into the photojournalism route myself. Don't know if I'll make it my "profession" or not, but I would love to improve all my photographic skills. I did after all change my major to Photography.

I'd be interested to seeing a set of pictures to go with this. Can you provide a link maybe? Just going out for such a short time to look for a subject sounds hard. What did your peers come up with?

A lot of the pictures I took while travelling I now find lacking because they don't complete a story. This is why I've been trying to do things like shooting that ballet story.

The other thing I learned about photojournalism is appreciating how close the photographer can get to its subjects without disturbing the scene and being intrusive. Taking a picture point-blank really gives an intimate feeling as if one were there. That too is what I tried to do with the ballet story.

Tomorrow I am going to take pictures at a $20,000 birthday party of this really preppy white girl who's turning 21. I'm pretty sure everyone at the event will be rich, white and preppy, and Greek (of the sorority/fraternity type). As an international student, this sort of thing fascinates me.

[turtle]

I wish you the best with the party, have fun. Though when I shoot events I am never a part of it and so I end up missing the whole thing, unless you count seeing the even with focus points in your way.

I don't have any other images to go with that documentary image. My assignment was to take and submit only one shot to tell the whole story. It wasn't easy for me. That was the one I came up with. I was going to see about going to the courthouse and take a picture of a disgruntled family coming out of court.

[stevegong]

Originally Posted by turtle2472 I wish you the best with the party, have fun. Though when I shoot events I am never a part of it and so I end up missing the whole thing, unless you count seeing the even with focus points in your way. I don't have any other images to go with that documentary image. My assignment was to take and submit only one shot to tell the whole story. It wasn't easy for me. That was the one I came up with. I was going to see about going to the courthouse and take a picture of a disgruntled family coming out of court.

Haha, that would have been cool.

Oh, I'm not invited to the party, oh of course not, I'm ethnically asian. I am the photographer for the event. I originally planned on getting away with doing the minimum possible but upon hearing the details and nature of the guests, this is becoming a photo story! And, I already know I won't know anyone at the party.

[Bryson]

[Moogs]

Originally Posted by stevegong .... But I don't care much for fashion photography.

Me neither, but I do approve of any fine art photograph that includes ripe, round breasteses. And other things that shall go unmentioned here (but I bet if Murbot checks the thread he'll mention it).

[Moogs]

The castle shot is impressive, Bryson. Wish I'd seen a shot like that in Wales but the weather was mostly overcast and the castles not so beautifully isolated as that one. Which is that?

Also I saw those planes (+2 at least) while driving on the M4 in August. Went right over the motorway. I like it when aerobatic teams practice directly over my planned trip route.

[Foj]

A picture I took today while testing out my dad's new digital camera.

[Elysium]

I still love this image.

[NosferaDrew]

Porsche 911 Targa 4S at the L.A. Auto Show.