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Oisín · Apr 3, 2009, 04:13 AM

^ Completely different picture now! The sharper colours bumped it from snapshot to photograph.

The third in the series is my favourite, though. That one’s absolutely lovely.

Railroader · Apr 3, 2009, 11:20 AM

Thanks!

The third is my favorite as well.

mattyb · Apr 6, 2009, 03:10 PM

Not wanting to sound like I'm kissing his arse or anything, but in the few spare hours that I had at work today, I went through Ice Enclosure's Flickr photos.

Two things that I've learned.

First, you don't need a top notch camera to take, and I have chosen this description with care, fooking amazing photos. It would, to my untrained eye, be useful if there was a 'This Photo was modified in Photoshop' tag though.

Second : my life is boring.

I shall of course be looking at other MacNN users' Flickr accounts. I shall try not to let depression set in.

mdc · Apr 6, 2009, 03:28 PM

I haven't taken any photos outdoors recently but I did get some macro filters which I've been playing around with. I've mainly been photographing items on my desk.
When it finally warms I plan on going outdoors and getting some macro photos.

mattyb · Apr 10, 2009, 12:05 PM

Taken at max zoom this evening just behind my flat.

If I knew how to use Photoshop, I'd try and get rid of the branches.

ShortcutToMoncton · 08:48 PM

Crappy digital point-and-click POS (I need to start a "new camera fund" on up in here, and/or maybe learn how to Photoshoppxors):

AKcrab · Apr 11, 2009, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

Crappy digital point-and-click POS (I need to start a "new camera fund" on up in here, and/or maybe learn how to Photoshoppxors)

Ugh... Turn OFF the date stamp!

lyanma · Apr 12, 2009, 12:54 AM

ShortcutToMoncton, where did you take this pictures?

ShortcutToMoncton · Apr 12, 2009, 07:56 AM

Haha yeah yeah I know, unfortunately it was my girl's camera (some crappy $200 digital piece) and I didn't know the date stamp was on until after the entire trip was over. It's already been a source of anger, don't worry.

Lyanma, those pics are from Venice.

greg

lyanma · Apr 12, 2009, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

Lyanma, those pics are from Venice.

greg

Wow, couldn't recognize it with such an amazing sunlight!
Last time I went it was all cloudy.

Oisín · Apr 12, 2009, 06:02 PM

The gondolas and narrow canals didn’t tip you off?

lyanma · Apr 12, 2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

The gondolas and narrow canals didn’t tip you off?

Yeah, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't copenhagen 'cause it was so sunny it didn't look like venice.

Oisín · Apr 12, 2009, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by lyanma

Yeah, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't copenhagen 'cause it was so sunny it didn't look like venice.

Well, Copenhagen has neither sun, narrow canals (only wide ones), nor gondolas, so there wasn’t much choice.

lyanma · Apr 12, 2009, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Well, Copenhagen has neither sun, narrow canals (only wide ones), nor gondolas, so there wasn’t much choice.

Well I don't know that much about Copenhagen, just knew that there were canals, but thanks for letting me know!

MacNNUK · Apr 12, 2009, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

Taken at max zoom this evening just behind my flat.

If I knew how to use Photoshop, I'd try and get rid of the branches.

VOILA ...

Two minutes work, even better result if a bit longer taken.

PS really is easy to use, once you get the hang of it.

The secret is to keep changing the area you copy from, with each successive clone.

It has removed many an annoying background, intrusion etc from my holiday snaps.

Jens Peter · Apr 13, 2009, 04:09 AM

During the last week, I was at scout camp, where we had a large camp fire one of the last evenings:

mattyb · Apr 13, 2009, 05:55 AM

Thats excellent MacNNUK!! Looks like I need to learn a bit of PS. Cheers.

Oisín · Apr 13, 2009, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by Jens Peter

During the last week, I was at scout camp, where we had a large camp fire one of the last evenings: *snip*

Flot bål. Imponerende konstrueret (faldt det ikke sammen?).

Railroader · Apr 13, 2009, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by Jens Peter

During the last week, I was at scout camp, where we had a large camp fire one of the last evenings:

Excellent shot!

I like the exposure, color, and composition. Well done.

Oisín · Apr 13, 2009, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Excellent shot!

I like the exposure, color, and composition. Well done.

Agreed.

Flickr link?

IceEnclosure · Apr 13, 2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by mattyb

Not wanting to sound like I'm kissing his arse or anything, but in the few spare hours that I had at work today, I went through Ice Enclosure's Flickr photos.

Two things that I've learned.

First, you don't need a top notch camera to take, and I have chosen this description with care, fooking amazing photos. It would, to my untrained eye, be useful if there was a 'This Photo was modified in Photoshop' tag though.

Second : my life is boring.

I shall of course be looking at other MacNN users' Flickr accounts. I shall try not to let depression set in.

Thank you very much.

Jens Peter · Apr 13, 2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Excellent shot!

I like the exposure, color, and composition. Well done.

Thank you very much

Originally Posted by Oisín

Agreed.

Flickr link?

Værsgo: flickr link!

Og jo, det faldte sammen efter et stykke tid - men det var fedt!

Oisín · Apr 13, 2009, 03:42 PM

Even better on black, wouldn’t you say?

I’ve mostly been taking candids lately, for some reason. I’m hoping someone will actually comment on and/or critique this one, unlike the last one (ahem!):

reader50 · Apr 13, 2009, 06:14 PM

Boy closes eyes. Boy leans forward to kiss girl. Girl smirks unseen, leans back out of way, for benefit of photographer. Photo posted on internet. Embarrassed boy sues everyone. Case dismissed for lack of evidence.

To comply with the thread rules, here is a photo of mine from January 2007. The only editing was to resize down. I'm quite happy with it.

And if you can't figure out what the heck it is ...

It was cold enough to snow during the nights, but Mother Nature wasn't delivering. So I had a little fun that winter. Ran a bunch of hoses around to mist heads, and ran them overnight to make my own snow/ice. The misters hosted on the stepladder created some interesting ice-bowls for the first picture.

Oisín · Apr 13, 2009, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by reader50

Boy closes eyes. Boy leans forward to kiss girl. Girl smirks unseen, leans back out of way, for benefit of photographer. Photo posted on internet. Embarrassed boy sues everyone. Case dismissed for lack of evidence.

Hah!

Railroader · Apr 13, 2009, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Even better on black, wouldn’t you say?

I’ve mostly been taking candids lately, for some reason. I’m hoping someone will actually comment on and/or critique this one, unlike the last one (ahem!):

The black background does look much nicer on the campfire photo.

OK, Oisín [notice I spelled that correctly, that means I am serious

], I don't like it. But that doesn't really mean it is not good, obviously. The sneer give me the semi-disgusted feeling, which is actually effective and is a Good Thing™. The colors are rich.

What I don't like is the cropping (or lack there of).

I took the conceited effort to crop it in a way I think looks better. If I offend, let me know and I will kill myse ... err ... delete all copies.

Here is a shot I took this evening through my kitchen sink window. There is a small dogwood tree that a few birds nest in each year. I've seen a number of possible tenants checking it out today. (I have not sharpened the image yet.)

[click for large size.]

Oisín · Apr 13, 2009, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

OK, Oisín [notice I spelled that correctly, that means I am serious

], I don't like it. But that doesn't really mean it is not good, obviously. The sneer give me the semi-disgusted feeling, which is actually effective and is a Good Thing™. The colors are rich.

Heh, now that you mention it, it does look a bit like a sneer. The boring truth is that he was chewing on something, and I happened to catch him at an odd moment. Unlike you, though, I found the expression on his face downright delightful.

What I don't like is the cropping (or lack there of).

I took the conceited effort to crop it in a way I think looks better.

I see where you’re coming from with the cropping. To me, though, they become two completely different images. The original crop is more (and was originally intended as more) of an urban colourscape that happened to have these two people in the foreground (and in focus); your crop turns it distinctly into a portrait. I’m not actually sure which I like more of the two.

How about its neighbour? Is that cropping more to your liking? (For me, that one is cropped a bit too tightly; but it sort of works, ’cause it was always intended as a portrait, and the triangle the lines form only just escapes the top of the image, so it’s not too bad)

Here is a shot I took this evening through my kitchen sink window. There is a small dogwood tree that a few birds nest in each year. I've seen a number of possible tenants checking it out today. (I have not sharpened the image yet.)

It’s quite sharp already—especially since I’m guessing you probably took it with that ultra-hyper lens of yours at 640 mm. or something.

More than sharpening, though, I’m missing more richness in the foreground colours and/or less richness in the bokeh in order to set them more clearly apart.

Railroader · Apr 14, 2009, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Heh, now that you mention it, it does look a bit like a sneer. The boring truth is that he was chewing on something, and I happened to catch him at an odd moment. Unlike you, though, I found the expression on his face downright delightful.

See, I had this story all built in my head of this guy and girl talking and her saying something to his serious dislike and him sneering in response.

Way to ruin that for me.

Hate you even more.

Originally Posted by Oisín

I see where you’re coming from with the cropping. To me, though, they become two completely different images. The original crop is more (and was originally intended as more) of an urban colourscape that happened to have these two people in the foreground (and in focus); your crop turns it distinctly into a portrait. I’m not actually sure which I like more of the two.

I see, then in that regard, I would have positioned myself a little further away from the couple and kept them to the same proportions in the frame, but I think if their faces were smaller and more indistinct that would have pulled off what you wanted more effectively.

My crop does turn it into a portrait. I could go either way, now that I know your intention.

Originally Posted by Oisín

How about its neighbour? Is that cropping more to your liking? (For me, that one is cropped a bit too tightly; but it sort of works, ’cause it was always intended as a portrait, and the triangle the lines form only just escapes the top of the image, so it’s not too bad)

I do like this one a bit more, but a little more of her face would make it even better.

Originally Posted by Oisín

It’s quite sharp already—especially since I’m guessing you probably took it with that ultra-hyper lens of yours at 640 mm. or something.

I did use the "L" lens. I was at 200mm, which is 320mm factoring in the crop of the sensor on the XTi.

Originally Posted by Oisín

More than sharpening, though, I’m missing more richness in the foreground colours and/or less richness in the bokeh in order to set them more clearly apart.

I think I need to re-calibrate my screen. I have been hearing the "not as rich of colors as some of your previous pictures" comment lately. The weather was very overcast and there was a small break in the rain we have been having a lot of lately. I warmed the shot up a little bit in Adobe RAW. I also deepened the blacks and added a bit more contrast to make the bird and leaves that in focus pop a bit more.

The background is pretty devoid of anything interesting to give a good bokeh. Out the window we have the small tree, LARGE driveway, empty yard, country road, empty neighbors yard, and then open field.

As the weather warms up we will be making more trips to the nearby State Park where I take a lot of shots like these:

Railroader · Apr 14, 2009, 07:51 AM

Alright O"i's`on. You have some major explaining to do.

I was looking through your Flickr account and ran across this:

[Taken by Oisín]

That is AWESOME!!! The color, the movement, the facial expression... AWESOME!

Why haven't you posted that here?!?!

Oisín · Apr 14, 2009, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

O"i's`on

Wow. With that, you must be either deadly serious, or have your tongue so far in your cheek, it’s almost popping out through your cheek!

You have some major explaining to do.

I was looking through your Flickr account and ran across this:
*snip*
That is AWESOME!!! The color, the movement, the facial expression... AWESOME!

Why haven't you posted that here?!?!

I actually don’t know. I rather like that shot, too. I guess it just never occurred to me to post that here, ’cause it’s a concert shot, perhaps? Most of the other pictures in this thread have tended to be more ‘artsy’ … not sure, though. It is an obvious candidate.

Railroader · Apr 14, 2009, 11:04 AM

It. Is. Awwwwwwwesome.

Oisín · Apr 14, 2009, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

It. Is. Awwwwwwwesome.

Why thank you most kindly. Coming from someone with as critical an eye as you (and I don’t mean that in a bad way), this means quite a lot.

olePigeon · Apr 14, 2009, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

Damn traffic jams.

Demonhood · Apr 15, 2009, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

peaceful. i enjoy the sunlight falling on the leaves and plants in various places (and with varying power). i'm not even bothered that the most illuminated tree is mostly centered. makes me want to go for a walk.

mattyb · Apr 23, 2009, 08:07 AM

Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

Jawbone54 · Apr 23, 2009, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

Really cool structure! Do you have any others from the trip?

I wish I could post some artsy-type photos, but my life has lately consisted of shooting portraits and editing portraits...

Jawbone54 · Apr 28, 2009, 11:50 PM

I say screw it...I'm posting portraits.

Laminar · Apr 29, 2009, 12:21 AM

Love them. I wish you lived in Iowa so you could do my engagement pictures.

Jawbone54 · Apr 29, 2009, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Love them. I wish you lived in Iowa so you could do my engagement pictures.

You're engaged? CONGRATS!

(Did I completely miss this? I haven't been paying attention in the Lounge lately.)

Laminar · Apr 29, 2009, 01:03 AM

No thread, it just happened a few hours ago. Thanks!

Jawbone54 · Apr 29, 2009, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by Laminar

No thread, it just happened a few hours ago. Thanks!

Then I beat the rest of them to it.

Awesome, man. Don't believe the naysayers; married life is fantastic.

Oisín · Apr 29, 2009, 03:52 AM

Congrats to Lam on the engagement!

And congrats to Jaw, too, for those first two portraits. Absolutely stunning. The third one isn’t quite as nice, but still good.

smacintush · Apr 29, 2009, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Then I beat the rest of them to it.

Awesome, man. Don't believe the naysayers; married life is fantastic.

No, a good relationship is fantastic. Marriage is f*cked.

Lam-
I wish you well.

mattyb · 09:50 AM

Sorry Jawbone54, didn't see that you'd commented on my photo, I'll post a link to a SmugMug gallery once I've organised one.

Link to gallery removed mattyb 26 Dec 2009

I'm learning OK ?!?!

ghporter · Apr 29, 2009, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by smacintush

No, a good relationship is fantastic. Marriage is f*cked.

Marriage without a good relationship, maybe... WITH a good relationship? WONDERFUL! But you're right, the relationship is the key. CONGRATS, Laminar!

Those are really nice portraits, by the way. I like the combination of composition (especially the color pic with the kids FG and parents BG and out of focus) and the choice of colors. The B&W one is really nice too-B&W is a wonderful medium.

My contributions? Stand by... We have a new puppy (a huge puppy), and there are photos in work...

Jawbone54 · Apr 29, 2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Congrats to Lam on the engagement!

And congrats to Jaw, too, for those first two portraits. Absolutely stunning. The third one isn’t quite as nice, but still good.

Thanks much, good sir. Those kids just kind of took over the pictures. They were hilarious.

Originally Posted by smacintush

No, a good relationship is fantastic. Marriage is f*cked.

Lam-
I wish you well.

Originally Posted by mattyb

Sorry Jawbone54, didn't see that you'd commented on my photo, I'll post a link to a SmugMug gallery once I've organised one.

EDIT : an unorganized gallery of some of the photos. I took over 600 and TBH the only good one was the one that I already posted.

I'm learning OK ?!?!

Nahhhh, that's good stuff. Your composition is spot-on. You'd be surprised at how many people just can't process a few simple concepts.

I think I saw a documentary once about the architect who built that one building you took quite a few shots of. Looks pretty amazing. I'd love a landmark like that in this area.

Originally Posted by ghporter

Marriage without a good relationship, maybe... WITH a good relationship? WONDERFUL! But you're right, the relationship is the key. CONGRATS, Laminar!

Those are really nice portraits, by the way. I like the combination of composition (especially the color pic with the kids FG and parents BG and out of focus) and the choice of colors. The B&W one is really nice too-B&W is a wonderful medium.

My contributions? Stand by... We have a new puppy (a huge puppy), and there are photos in work...

Many thanks. I'm a B&W fiend, by the way. Everyone looks better in B&W.

Can't wait to see the dog, too.

mattyb · Apr 29, 2009, 05:22 PM

I think I saw a documentary once about the architect who built that one building you took quite a few shots of. Looks pretty amazing. I'd love a landmark like that in this area.

It is amazing. Far more interesting than the exhibits inside actually. Cai Guo-Qiang was very good, very clever stuff. He likes using gunpowder which I can appreciate (I shoot black powder firearms). Richard Serra is a joke. Takashi Murakami was Manga stuff and I'm not really into Manga - especially the stuff that he does that is virtually pornographic. Bilbao is a nice city as well.

ThinkInsane · Apr 29, 2009, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

*snip*

I've seen one of those spider thingies elsewhere. I can't remeber where but I know I have pictures.

harbinger75 · Apr 30, 2009, 12:02 AM

Let's try this one:

harbinger75 · Apr 30, 2009, 12:04 AM

By the way, I really love the museum entry photo. Creepy, yet I can't look away. And, I like the soft, green trunks of Railroader.

Nice stuff everybody. Keep 'em coming!