Project 52, 2nd Quarter by Janis (purplehaze)

[Kaye Leggett]

Some lovely shots - I like them all. My husband has one of these lens and I have borrowed it a couple of times and like you, really like it - it's gives a new perspective to your images doesn't it.

[purplehaze]

Double thanks, Binnur! Just picked up my camera body from the shop where it was getting its long overdue sensor cleaning and am glad to be relieved of the task of removing dust spots for a while.

[purplehaze]

Kaye, thank you; I overlooked your post. Yes, it's a whole new perspective, and one that Stella manages to wander into more often than not while I am composing. The dog has no respect for the artistic process.

[purplehaze]

For a variety of reasons, I have had difficulty finding the time to shoot this past month, but finally found myself with camera in hand again this weekend.

Got down to the cottage on Saturday afternoon, and checked out the beach before dinner. The temperature was well above 20 degrees.

#1
_DSC3675 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

#2
_DSC3691 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

By evening, a Colorado low had brought high winds and rain, and 24 hours later, the rain had turned into sleet and then, into snow. This was the scene on the beach on Monday:

#3
_DSC3711 - Version 3 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

Power lines, including ours, were downed by fallen trees throughout the municipality. This is one of three trees that went down on my sister's lot.

#4
_DSC3761 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

There was a run on coffee at both the local store and the bakery.

#5
_DSC3752 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

The resort had turned into a wonderland and I could have happily spent the whole day roaming and snapping pictures, but it wouldn't have been fair to my company, so I just grabbed what caught my eye during our walk.

#6
_DSC3739 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

#7
_DSC3743 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

#8
_DSC3745 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

#9
_DSC3747 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

#10
_DSC3760 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

#11
_DSC3763 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

All images shot with my new Sigma 18-35 mm.

[Ndukes]

That is beautiful Janis. Creates that 'would like to be there' feeling. I like the way the trees seem to bow to the walker with dog, who are right in scale with the rest of the image. Really great monochrome study.

[purplehaze]

Thank you, Neville; very kind of you to say. There was a moment when the walker and her dog were even better framed, but I was not prepared for it. I had to scramble to get the shot I did, but I am glad I made the effort as I like it enough that I have almost forgotten the one I didn't get.

Here is another one from the weekend's snowstorm that the system would not let me post last night:

_DSC3714 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

My learning objectives at this stage are pretty rudimentary; still trying to get a feel for DOF and get my exposure right. C&C welcome.

[Shadowman]

Of the three beach scenes I like the first best, the second looks a bit too crowded, and the third a bit too cool with the colors.

[purplehaze]

Thanks, John. Point taken with the second. As for the third, I'll take another look at it. And maybe recalibrate my monitor, as I am past due.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Janis . Very nice series, I felt like being there while viewing them I have a feeling that some of them might also look good in B&W , but it is difficult to say without seeing. I would try 4,7,9, and 10 in B&W to see how they work.

[Geoff F]

I think the main problem with #2 is that we are comparing it against #1 which is a better composition.

Maybe you can add a little bit more brightness to #3 but be careful. It is a dull day scene so it will be very easy to overdo the edits and lose that dark cold effect which looks natural.

The snow shots all work but for me, #7 stands out as being more of a true landscape scene than the others.

The last one with a simple sign amongst the snow is also very effective.

[purplehaze]

I would try 4,7,9, and 10 in B&W to see how they work.

Thanks, Binnur. I did try a high structure, b&w conversion of #9, but I am not thrilled with it. I may try again. I was just fooling around now with this, though.

_DSC3722 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

It was a bit of a challenge to pull some order out of all of that chaos, but I kind of like it. It feels absurd to be posting snow pictures at this time of year. I am about to go out now and mow my lawn.

[purplehaze]

I think the main problem with #2 is that we are comparing it against #1 which is a better composition.

Yes, thanks, Geoff. I think next time, I should take the tripod and do a 3-shot pano from a bit further back.

Maybe you can add a little bit more brightness to #3 but be careful. It is a dull day scene so it will be very easy to overdo the edits and lose that dark cold effect which looks natural.

I'll give it go.

The snow shots all work but for me, #7 stands out as being more of a true landscape scene than the others.

I'm not sure I understand. Can you tell me what you mean by a "true landscape scene"?

The last one with a simple sign amongst the snow is also very effective.

Thanks. I'm wondering if it might not be better to lose the detail at the end of the path, and brighten the sign a bit.

[purplehaze]

For Binnur, a b&w version of #10:

_DSC3760 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr

[jcuknz]

With your second "bolt" image I would without NIK, which I had but for some reason has disappeared , I would make two copies as layers and soften one of them and sharpen the other and then with a soft erase tool remove the soft layer over the bolt and also over the bolt in the original layer to reveal the sharper version. The use of a soft erase brush [ at less than full strength] is that you can do a gradual transition from full erasure down to only part erasure.actually you probably only need a soft and sharpened version really now I think about it.
Of course with the NIK it is just a case of selecting the right tool to do it for you and maybe you do not have layers

[purplehaze]

Thanks, John! I was stumped for a bit by what you meant about "bolt" image, as I had mentally moved on to the latest set of images. Yes, I have the CC version of Photoshop, and it is long past time for me to dig in and start really learning it. I will add that image to the pile waiting for treatment in layers.

[bnnrcn]

IMO B&W conversions work very nice in scenes with snow Janis, I like the conversions I think you have a vignette in the second B&W image, IMO it is a bit heavy especially at the top part of the frame.

[purplehaze]

Thanks Binnur, I was wondering whether it wasn't too heavy on the bottom. I will see about reducing the strength.