SF Ideas

richtersl · May 22, 2007

Boy, it's been hard to get out to take any pictures! But this is what I've been able to get so far. Would you guys mind helping me start the weeding out process? Thanks!

#1

#2 (not sure about this one because it's very similar to one I made it into the SF with)

#3

#4

#5

pemmett · May 22, 2007

My 2CW (2 Philippine centavos worth = USD 0.001 cents worth), which is obviously not a lot:

#1 is my favourite as it feels very edgy

thumb

#2 doesn't do anything for me and the background is very distracting

#3 is nice but very boring, and where's the light?

#4 is my second favourite

but has me wishing that the water was still so that the reflections were more clear

#5 has my eyes dancing between the swans, tress and white hut.

I've had a look at your site and you have some beautful shots and I feel that you are able to produce something much more powerful and worthy than these. But if I had to choose from the above then I'd go for #1.

Someone somewhere suggested to me that I should be a "crocodile"

I look forward to seeing the 'snap'

Swartzy · May 22, 2007

Indeed
#1 is the best by a long shot. Interesting to view and has a "feel" to it. That's the best of the lot.

richtersl · May 22, 2007

pemmett wrote:

My 2CW (2 Philippine centavos worth = USD 0.001 cents worth), which is obviously not a lot:

#1 is my favourite as it feels very edgy thumb

#2 doesn't do anything for me and the background is very distracting

#3 is nice but very boring, and where's the light?

#4 is my second favourite but has me wishing that the water was still so that the reflections were more clear

#5 has my eyes dancing between the swans, tress and white hut.

I've had a look at your site and you have some beautful shots and I feel that you are able to produce something much more powerful and worthy than these. But if I had to choose from the above then I'd go for #1.

Someone somewhere suggested to me that I should be a "crocodile" I look forward to seeing the 'snap'

Hey! Your two centavos are worth plenty. Thanks!

The black swans and the statue were taken in some private gardens that are open to the public only twice a year. Of course, as luck would have it, it started raining about 15 minutes after I arrived, even though it had been sunny when I left the house.

There wasn't much light to speak of and I wound up having to use a higher ISO setting than I wanted. Oh well...

One nice thing I learned about these gardens is that the owner is apparently "photographer friendly". I look forward to returning there when they open up the place again to the public.

This crocodile is still lying in wait. Good thing there's still time left. :giggle

richtersl · May 22, 2007

Swartzy wrote:

#1 is the best by a long shot. Interesting to view and has a "feel" to it. That's the best of the lot.

Thanks!

Tessa HD · May 22, 2007

#1
I agree with the others, the first one is the best.

Tessa

adrian_k · May 22, 2007

Tessa HD wrote:

I agree with the others, the first one is the best.

Tessa

kingmamaof2 · May 22, 2007

I like #1 too. The selective coloring isn't overdone and does have an 'edgy' feel like pemmet said. Those mannequins are so weird looking but interesting especially in black and white. Good job!

anwmn1 · May 22, 2007

Though I agree #1 is the best I don't think it will be a strong contender. I would suggest to keep shooting.
Don't mean to sound harsh - just trying to help.

ChrisJ · May 22, 2007

I agree for the most part with what's being said... your original mannequin shot would beat any of these. But of these, my favorite is #1.

richtersl · May 22, 2007

Dear Tessa, Adrian, Aaron, Kingmamaof3, and Chris

Thank you all for your input!

I just hope I find something stronger than #1 to enter.

On the up side, the weather's supposed to be gorgeous this week so maybe hopefully I'll get lucky.

Dalantech · May 23, 2007

I'd have to go with the first shot as well. I feel your pain with the weather :cry

Robert · May 23, 2007

Number 1 for me as well, no doubts about it.

richtersl · May 24, 2007

I felt I needed to shoot some more and had a bit more luck with time and weather this evening. I've already posted the mannequin entry and was wondering if I should change it to one of these.

#2 (Vintage)

#2 (Normal)

#3

Nikolai · May 24, 2007

Linda,

richtersl wrote:

I felt I needed to shoot some more and had a bit more luck with time and weather this evening. I've already posted the mannequin entry and was wondering if I should change it to one of these.

I say, keep the mannequins

pemmett · May 25, 2007

I really like #3 as it look sso peaceful, but I think Nikolai is right, your first image has more impact to it.:D

Flyinggina · May 25, 2007

I suppose that Nik and pemmett are right, but I love #2 (vintage) . Great composition and textures and I like the treatment.

Virginia

richtersl · May 25, 2007

Thanks everyone!!

I really appreciate all your input.

seastack · May 25, 2007

On #1 of the mannequins, I might be tempted to darken it some to give it more of a mysterious feel.

Nikolai · May 25, 2007

seastack wrote:

On #1 of the mannequins, I might be tempted to darken it some to give it more of a mysterious feel.

Or add some fog:-)

richtersl · May 25, 2007

Hmmm....interesting idea about darkening it somewhat. I already applied a PS action to it in order to create a vignette so that the background was darkened. I'm not sure how to approach darkening the rest of it just yet (Levels? Curves? Multiply layer?) and will have to play with it a bit later tonight.

Thanks!

annnna8888 · May 25, 2007

seastack wrote:

On #1 of the mannequins, I might be tempted to darken it some to give it more of a mysterious feel.

Completely.

Ana

richtersl · May 25, 2007

Are any of these myterious enough?
#1 (Complete do-over)

#2 (Orig. with Levels Adjustment)

#3 (Orig with new vignette)

Nikolai · May 25, 2007

Linda,

richtersl wrote:

#1 (Complete do-over)
#2 (Orig. with Levels Adjustment)
#3 (Orig with new vignette)

Probably #3... It has certain pop and not much distraction from the primary focal point

Robert · May 25, 2007

#1, but blacken top left corner (maybe with copy/paste from #2)

richtersl · May 25, 2007

Thanks Robert & Nikolai!

Robert, your note reminded me that this PS action also came with a custom vignette. Once I applied that -- the left corner matched the one on the right! Thanks!! :sweet

#4 (custom vignette)

LiquidAir · May 25, 2007

I find the Jetons sign (?) in the lower left to be a bit distracting. Aside from the fact that it is fairly bright, I tend to try to read visible text in any photo which means it gets much more attention than it probably deserves (unless I am completely missing something about the shot). If you have a good reason to keep it there I am not getting it. If you don't, I'd clone out the text and maybe even the entire bright area of the sign.

richtersl · May 25, 2007

LiquidAir wrote:

I find the Jetons sign (?) in the lower left to be a bit distracting. Aside from the fact that it is fairly bright, I tend to try to read visible text in any photo which means it gets much more attention than it probably deserves (unless I am completely missing something about the shot). If you have a good reason to keep it there I am not getting it. If you don't, I'd clone out the text and maybe even the entire bright area of the sign.

Good suggestion! Probably the easiest would be to just move the vignette up so that the wording is covered. Thanks!

Nikolai · May 25, 2007

Linda,

richtersl wrote:

Good suggestion! Probably the easiest would be to just move the vignette up so that the wording is covered. Thanks!

Just clone those letters off and be done with it. Solid color adjustment layer, select the b/g color, then some masking work - it will take less than 1 minute...

Robert · May 26, 2007

richtersl wrote:

#4 (custom vignette)

Looks good to me.

Dalantech · May 26, 2007

#4 minus the text

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