LPS #9 possibilities?

Nee7x7Nee7x7 Registered Users Posts: 459 Major grins
edited July 18, 2007 in The Dgrin Challenges
I don't get out much to take pics these days, so I haven't been as active here at Dgrin as I'd like to be.

This first shot is my grandson posing for me (I asked him to look unhappy for the shot...I think he did pretty good, LOL!)

1. The Box (oppression)
173195362-O.jpg

This second one was an unplanned and unposed grabbed shot during a drive up Rocky Hill at sunset.

2. Free as a Bird (for freedom)
173195334-M.jpg

Are either of these entry material? I never seem to pick the ones that are, LOL!

Thanks for your comments,
Renee :)
http://nee.smugmug.com[/COLOR]
http://www.pbase.com/rdavis

If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried~

Comments

  • LlywellynLlywellyn Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 3,186 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2007
    Cripes, I like 'em both! thumb.gif After staring at these a while and scrolling up and down to see one, then the other, then the first again, the first is winning me over more. Never have I seen petulance captured so well. I like the oppression from the box and his crossed arms, and your grandson's expression hints at more than unhappiness to me--there's a bit of defiance in the eyes, which I think really helps for the oppressive theme.

    The second photo is lovely and definitely expresses freedom to me. There seems to be a slight mask on the image, and I think that could be blended a bit more if you decide to go with that for your entry. It distracts me from the shot a bit. But I certainly sigh with a refreshing "ahhh!" when I look at this piece.

    Nice work! :D
  • saurorasaurora Registered Users Posts: 4,320 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2007
    Gosh these are both terrific! I just love the colors in the bike shot....talk about marmelade skies! But your grandson did a terrific job of posing!!! Wow! It would almost be a shame not to enter it. Is he aware of why you asked him to pose? I really think they are both worthy and I personally find it hard to pick between them as they are so different. Wish I had just one!!! rolleyes1.gif
  • NetgardenNetgarden Registered Users Posts: 829 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2007
    Both great I agree!
    it's so hard to pick a favorite, or advise as far as which would get the most votes. Take your time and think about it. Both fit the bill. I think the second one should be larger however to see more detail.
    .Linda's OCwildlife Galleries
  • Nee7x7Nee7x7 Registered Users Posts: 459 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2007
    Thanks you guys! I'm usually a bit shy to post pics and ask for opinions. It's been awhile since I produced anything worth entering (guess I'm my own worst critic!), so I was a little nervous to put myself out there like this. Anyhow, I really appreciate your comments.

    Saurora, I'm very familiar with your excellent work and your comments really made my day! Thank you soooo much! I'm usually in awe of your photos, so I feel very humbled by your praise.

    Llywellyn, I'm not familiar with your work, but you sure do have a wonderfully keen eye!!! Yes, I added a vignette to the sunset shot and I'll take your advice to heart. But since the shot of my grandson seems to be drawing the most attention, I'll probably save the redo of the other one for some other time. Thanks so much for your very observant and helpful comments. When I have time, I'll have to take a peek at your photos. I have a feeling I'll be impressed ~

    Cheers!
    ~Nee :)
    http://nee.smugmug.com[/COLOR]
    http://www.pbase.com/rdavis

    If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried~
  • Nee7x7Nee7x7 Registered Users Posts: 459 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2007
    Thanks, Netgarden (Linda?)~
    Your advice is well taken! Here is the larger version of the sunset shot. I still need to rework it to soften the vignette I added. My old eyes ain't what they used to be, Laughing.gif! It's good to have someone else's eyeballs in on the process. Thanks again! ~Nee :)
    ps. and yes, I know the sun's way overexposed, (for those folks who always notice those things, Laughing.gif!), but what else could I do (since it was a grabbed shot and not set up and posed)? Sigh...oh well. ;)

    173195334-L.jpg
    http://nee.smugmug.com[/COLOR]
    http://www.pbase.com/rdavis

    If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried~
  • VisualXpressionsVisualXpressions Registered Users Posts: 860 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2007
    Both are real good! I think the box has more emotional impact though, technically the face is a tad dark and flat... could use some "pop" I would play around with the bw conversion... other than that super emotional shot!

    Winston
    http://www.vxphotography.smugmug.com/
  • Nee7x7Nee7x7 Registered Users Posts: 459 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2007
    Hi Winston!

    Gosh, I'm really getting some good advice here! I really struggled with the B&W conversion...I tried lots of things to increase the contrast in his face. I did selective processing on it and it still looks flat...sigh. Got any tips to help here? The shot was taken in RAW and I coverted it to B&W in the RAW program that came with the camera (Canon). I was worried I'd end up over tweaking it, so I let it go as is, but if you have a post-processing advice, I'm all ears!
    Thanks a bunch,
    ~Nee :)
    http://nee.smugmug.com[/COLOR]
    http://www.pbase.com/rdavis

    If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried~
  • VisualXpressionsVisualXpressions Registered Users Posts: 860 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2007
    Nee7x7 wrote:
    Hi Winston!

    Gosh, I'm really getting some good advice here! I really struggled with the B&W conversion...I tried lots of things to increase the contrast in his face. I did selective processing on it and it still looks flat...sigh. Got any tips to help here? The shot was taken in RAW and I coverted it to B&W in the RAW program that came with the camera (Canon). I was worried I'd end up over tweaking it, so I let it go as is, but if you have a post-processing advice, I'm all ears!
    Thanks a bunch,
    ~Nee :)

    Here is a pretty good tutorial for bw conversion http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1126557

    try not to rely on the software auto conversion... good luck!:D

    Winston
    http://www.vxphotography.smugmug.com/
  • Nee7x7Nee7x7 Registered Users Posts: 459 Major grins
    edited July 17, 2007
    Thanks again, Winston!!!

    I'll check out the tutuorial. This week is an especially hectic one for me. Hopefully, I'll have the time to do some more work on my photos. I seem good at missing the deadlines...sigh! But I'm hoping to make it this time, esp. with eveyone's helpful advice spurring me on. I sure was a lot easier being a judge, Laughing.gif!
    Cheers,
    ~Nee :)
    http://nee.smugmug.com[/COLOR]
    http://www.pbase.com/rdavis

    If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried~
  • TentacionTentacion Registered Users Posts: 940 Major grins
    edited July 17, 2007
    Wow I love Number 2....I can actually FEEL what she is feeling.....the vignette masking needs to be faded a bit, so you don't see the inner frame of it...

    I remember riding to Loon Mt. in New Hampshire for the Dartmouth Pow-wows, a bunch of us Injuns would ride (although I was a passenger..lol) Ahhhhhh thanks for the memories...Great Times !!

    Came back to say...GOOD LUCK in whichever you enter.....THEY BOTH ARE GOOD !!
    You're only as good as your next photo....
    One day, I started writing, not knowing that I had chained myself for life to a noble but merciless master. When God hands you a gift, he also hands you a whip; and the whip is intended solely for self-flagellation...I'm here alone in my dark madness, all by myself with my deck of cards --- and, of course, the whip God gave me." Truman Capote
  • Nee7x7Nee7x7 Registered Users Posts: 459 Major grins
    edited July 17, 2007
    Wow, thanks Donna!
    Hmmm...with your blond hair (that IS you, isn't it?) you don't look "injun", but then looks can be deceiving! I'm part "injun", too, and a few years back we went to quite a few pow-wows around the Stockton, CA area as my sister and I investigated our roots (our NA ancestors originally came from the Quebec/Michigan area). Anyhow, thanks so much for your encouraging comments. That one of the motorcycle spoke "freedom" to me, too!
    Cheers!
    ~Nee :)
    http://nee.smugmug.com[/COLOR]
    http://www.pbase.com/rdavis

    If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried~
  • dlscott56dlscott56 Registered Users Posts: 1,324 Major grins
    edited July 18, 2007
    Wow great shots! I really like both but something about the bright spot at the sunrise on the second one takes my attention away from the subject. Just my opinion. So, that makes #1 my favorite.
    Dave

    My Photos
    My Facebook

  • LiquidAirLiquidAir Registered Users Posts: 1,751 Major grins
    edited July 18, 2007
    Nee7x7 wrote:
    ps. and yes, I know the sun's way overexposed, (for those folks who always notice those things, Laughing.gif!), but what else could I do (since it was a grabbed shot and not set up and posed)? Sigh...oh well. ;)

    The easiest answer to a blown out sky is a ND grad filter. They take a little time to mount on the camera, so you need to plan ahead, but once you have it on the lens you can use it for grab shots like this one with a little practice.

    That said, in this shot the major issue is very local to that blown-out spaceship landing under the sun. I think you have enough material to reconstruct something realistic there in Photoshop. The basic approach I'd take is to mirror the top of the sun and fill in below with bits of the sky from either side. I'd do all the touch up in a layer so its possible to blend a bit of the original back in.

    Its a great shot and I think it is well worth the effort.
    Liquid Air - Gallery - Blog
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