DSS #28 - The Eastman Chronicles

MarkR · June 20, 2009

I actually have an idea for a shot that I like better, but all the pieces aren't in place yet, and I can't really enter an idea instead of a photo.

So anyway, I'm at the Eastman Theatre for my wife's kid brother's graduation, and for the first time in forever they don't have "Absolutely no photography" signs posted every five feet.

So here's some shots: C&C appreciated.

#1. Chandelier

#2. More Chandelier

#3. Still More Chandelier

#4. Drinking fountain, baroque style

richtersl · June 20, 2009

#1 is a hum-dinger!

It's got MY vote.

bf2015 · June 20, 2009

richtersl wrote:

#1 is a hum-dinger!

It's got MY vote.

DsrtVW · June 21, 2009

I second that

Tango · June 21, 2009

#1 is my choice of the bunch. nice work

travelways · June 21, 2009

Very nice chandelier and photo. I like #1 best

Katmitchell · June 21, 2009

Gorgeous capture on #1... Nice Mark...

You have me baited on that secret idea now..

what is it..???? ohhh....> do tell..:D

There is no telling what you have up your sleeve studio wise..

previously X-files,, hmm, CSI maybe? how about a hint?

wink

Kat

MarkR · June 21, 2009

Ok, people like #1 -- any c&c for it? Reshoots are not possible

but post processing is. What would make it better?

@Kat -- don't want to be premature, as there are still a few things for me to puzzle out, but it'll be a pretty straightforward still life, unlike my previous entries "flashlight on eggs" or "colored water in a bottle."

There's also a landscape shot I want to try, but the weather here has not been cooperating. :cry

Katmitchell · June 21, 2009

Hey Mark.. Sounds interesting.. I look forward to seeing it. You have a real knack for taking a simple and clean idea and being very creative with it...

As far as CC on #1.. yes,, it needs some punch, but just a little, if you give it too much, you will lose that natural mood to it... maybe give those squares some depth with the shadows and highlight tool in PS, the midtone contrast tool will do that for you.. it will make the squares look more chiseled.

I really like this one, it hits the theme perfectly.....

Kat

bf2015 · June 21, 2009

#1 is really a brilliant shot and well exposed. I think for me, the only c&c I would suggest is to clone the left side so that the center piece is complete and not cropped.

Other than that, Sweet!

richtersl · June 21, 2009

You don't need to do anything to this shot except upload it to the entry gallery.

The framing, exposure, etc. are all top notch. It is a very strong entry.

The only thing left that you might want to try is to apply an unsharp mask of 20/50/0 to it to add some local contrast and see how you like it.

The Curious Camel · June 21, 2009

I love 1. Three is really an interesting find.

g

MarkR · June 22, 2009

The Curious Camel wrote:

I love 1. Three is really an interesting find.

g

Thanks. One Two and Three are both the same chandelier. Don't know if I made that explicit.

Velvet-Art · June 22, 2009

#1 for me too

That is one beautiful chandelier.

Tim

Kinkajou · June 22, 2009

I kinda like #3 better

... and as a native Rochesterian who spent many evenings at the Eastman Theater, this gets hometown nostalgia votes from me as well. It's so beautiful inside. I've heard that there might be some revamping/restoration budgeted for future years...

just lovely.

MarkR · June 22, 2009

Kinkajou wrote:

I kinda like #3 better

... and as a native Rochesterian who spent many evenings at the Eastman Theater, this gets hometown nostalgia votes from me as well. It's so beautiful inside. I've heard that there might be some revamping/restoration budgeted for future years...

just lovely.

Thanks. I like #3 a lot as well.

MarkR · June 22, 2009

Well, time and tide wait for no man, and I fear that the chandelier will be the picture of choice, but I have not been resting on my laurels. Here are some other images to baffle and delight you as I make my way to final submission ... C&C always greatly appreciated.

#1. Chandelier (the current favorite.)

#2 Museum of Play (reshoot possible depending on weather.)

#3 "That was Easy."

#4. Puzzled.

#5 "52 Down."

bf2015 · June 22, 2009

I keep scolling between your #1 and #2. That playground shot just draws your eyes in to exactly where they need to be if that makes sense.

That's a tough one to decide.

Katmitchell · June 23, 2009

wow Mark.. your making it hard to choose.....

I am loving # 2.. the color cubes.. Brian has a point..!!! they are strong and lead your eyes right to the subjects....

More space on the left between the block and circle, and some clone clean up on the pole, and super wow factor here, especially if you would be willing to mask in a layer of blue sky with fluffy white clouds...YUM.:ivar

Kat

MarkR · June 23, 2009

Katmitchell wrote:

wow Mark.. your making it hard to chose.....

I am loving # 2.. the color cubes.. Brian has a point..!!! they are strong and lead your eyes right to the subjects....

More space on the left between the block and circle, and some clone clean up on the pole, and super wow factor here, especially if you would be willing to mask in a layer of blue sky with fluffy white clouds...YUM.:ivar

Kat

Kat, I'd probably just reshoot. The weather this weekend was awful. This was literally me seeing a break in the clouds, dashing out of the museum and snapping away. It is an awkward vantage point to get that exact shot though ... a little off and the illusion is ruined.

richtersl · June 23, 2009

The chandelier (#1) still is my favorite. But the shot with the cubes has potential. The only nit I have with it is the bland sky. If you get a break in the weather, how about snapping a photo of the blue sky and clouds and then layering that into the photo with the cubes?

MarkR · June 23, 2009

richtersl wrote:

The chandelier (#1) still is my favorite. But the shot with the cubes has potential. The only nit I have with it is the bland sky. If you get a break in the weather, how about snapping a photo of the blue sky and clouds and then layering that into the photo with the cubes?

I'd prefer to do a reshoot now that the weather has broken. My four-year old likes going to the Strong Museum for some reason so I have an excuse to get back out there ... but it prolly won't be til Saturday. Cutting it close ...

NikonsandVstroms · June 23, 2009

I like the look of #1 the best but the crop of the side concerns me, what if you took #3 and took a verticle crop out of it?

Katmitchell · June 23, 2009

MarkR wrote:

Kat, I'd probably just reshoot. The weather this weekend was awful. This was literally me seeing a break in the clouds, dashing out of the museum and snapping away. It is an awkward vantage point to get that exact shot though ... a little off and the illusion is ruined.

Sure is a strong entry.. and so colorful too....

MarkR · June 23, 2009

NikonsandVstroms wrote:

I like the look of #1 the best but the crop of the side concerns me, what if you took #3 and took a verticle crop out of it?

Here's a quicky crop of #3.

NikonsandVstroms · June 23, 2009

MarkR wrote:

Here's a quicky crop of #3.

It's a cleaner photo without the cut off but the other is more interesting due to the angle, tough call

Ok I took a longer look at them and came up with an idea, since the background is almost black you could do less of a crop from the sides and extend the background with black on the bottom blending it in. The area outside the main circle is very interesting and while the first one with the cut off does this through the vertical this way you could get it on the horizontal.

Katmitchell · June 23, 2009

:lurk

travelways · June 23, 2009

I think that this one "quicky crop of #3" is the best of all.

The composition is very well balanced, the circles are entirely there, and the whole has life,
with the gorgeous addition of the small lights on the circle of candles.

I personally think that this is a beautiful photo - much better now than #1

PS: The light and details are just fantastic.

- I wouldn't change this for any of the other shots...
(noise comes and goes, but real value will remain)

MarkR · June 23, 2009

Thanks all for the comments. I may have to have a vote off round, as I am very more confused than normal. :booze

Katmitchell · June 23, 2009

hehe.. maybe ya should start a fresh thread with just the final cuts..

Kinkajou · June 24, 2009

Yeah, I'm still on number 3.

"a break in the weather", "blue sky"... I think we're forgetting what town this is in, people, ROCHESTER! That grey sky IS a nice day

DSS #28 - The Eastman Chronicles

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