Project 52 by George (geoz) continued

I'm starting a new thread to continue with this project since the original is now taking a bit long to load. Click here to see the first six months. From that thread - "Starting off the new year to get my photography skills up this year, specifically post-processing. I like most styles of photos but am especially fond of ones that have an element of abstraction."

I was at the Merrill Creek reservoir this week and happened on a bush with a lot of activity. After some research I found it is aptly called a Butterfly Bush. All are at 1/400 sec, f/4.9, ISO 80, 100mm equiv. and heavily cropped. Also had to do some research on the names of the butterflies. C&C welcome.

This set is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, female I think, about 6 inches across.
1.
http://i44.tinypic.com/s6pyxi.jpg

2.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2dgjfae.jpg

3.
http://i44.tinypic.com/jv5hsj.jpg

And a couple of Great Spangled Fritillaries, about 3 inches across.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2lmxnqx.jpg

George, I particularly like the second shot. We have a butterfly bush in the garden but it's not as healthy looking as this one and rarely seems to have any butterflies around it.:(

I've been remodeling a kitchen over the past month on weekends and haven't had much of a chance to get out and the couple of times I did get out the weather wasn't cooperating.

First a couple from a rainy night at Yankee Stadium.

http://i40.tinypic.com/21bivzp.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/102s4rp.jpg

I went to the Festival of Ballooning in NJ expecting to get some colorful shots but it was so windy that the balloons couldn't fly so people had to make do without.

http://i43.tinypic.com/1zefbcw.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/uvnde.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2800ais.jpg

I used Topaz to reduce noise on a couple and am generally happy with it but not sure on how to incorporate it in my workflow. I start with LR then if necessary using PSD files go to PSE which has the Topaz filter, but this leaves large files and images not located together. C&C welcome

Those action shots are very good.

Normally I would consider having the rear view of spectators in a sporting event was a failure. But in this case you have actually created a different perspective on the scene which works well.

Thanks for the feedback, Geoff. I took a bunch but the spectators on these add to the mode.

I visited a Polish-American shrine at Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA last week. These are from the military cemetery there. The central statue is of a Winged Hussar (16th / 17th century). C&C welcome.

http://i39.tinypic.com/n4e58o.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2ynntw1.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/11090s0.jpg

First image has a few shadow areas; particularly the face. But probably not a lot could be down to improve the situation at the time of shooting. Maybe a fraction of selective brightness by way of editing?

Just a very small point though, otherwise very good.

The second is a bit of a tight crop. But possibly you were constrained with that angle.

The last one is excellent. Apart from a strange piece of pale blue beside the right knee.

Obviously difficult shooting conditions with poor light. So well done.

Thanks for the suggestions Geoff. Good advice as usual. Here is the set redone. The blue bit was a water tower in the background. I need to stop shooting into the sky. :)

http://i40.tinypic.com/xlgf1c.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/qq653l.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/z4arl.jpg

George, a nice set of photos.

I think my favourite one is the first, possibly because the flags (for me) are a visual distraction -- on the other hand I recognize they're an important aspect of the shrine.

Yes, #1 is a lot better with that slight reworking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cantab

George, a nice set of photos.

I think my favourite one is the first, possibly because the flags (for me) are a visual distraction -- on the other hand I recognize they're an important aspect of the shrine.

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Thanks Bruce, That is mine too. I tried to add mood and context in the other two but they probably need a better angle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geoff F

Yes, #1 is a lot better with that slight reworking.

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Thanks Geoff, you have good eye.

Visited Gettysburg about two weeks ago. It was a very interesting trip and got lots of pictures of cannon, monuments and fields. I think the sunsets came out best. C&C welcome.

1
http://i41.tinypic.com/sqnxur.jpg

2
http://i39.tinypic.com/5ycgg3.jpg

3
http://i44.tinypic.com/2n6g8rm.jpg

4
http://i44.tinypic.com/2vhskn4.jpg

Somehow I've missed several of your photos... Lots of wonderful images here... I especially like the statues and the last set here... beautifully composed with beautiful light

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christina S

Somehow I've missed several of your photos... Lots of wonderful images here... I especially like the statues and the last set here... beautifully composed with beautiful light

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Thanks Christina,

Didn't even need a sandwich, glad you took a look.;)

I was too tired to make a sandwich. :)

I think #13 is an especially nice image because of the perspective, composition, sharp focus, the detail captured in the statue and because I can see the face of the man in the statue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by geoz

Thanks Christina,

Didn't even need a sandwich, glad you took a look.;)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by geoz

4
http://i44.tinypic.com/2vhskn4.jpg

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George, I enjoyed all these photos. In some ways the last one is perhaps my favourite: the setting sun is directly in line with cannon so there's no competition between the monuments and the setting sun on the other side of the picture. On the other hand, the other photos are very successful in making the viewer feel they're present in the scene!

Thank Bruce.

The last was a site we saw on the way home away from the main battlefield. Its interesting that several times I've been done taking photos and then there is just one more which turns out the best.

George

My brother took me sailing on the Chesapeake. A bit of chop made it a fun ride. C&C welcome, especially PP.

Marina at sunset
http://i39.tinypic.com/e70ad3.jpg

Passing by
http://i41.tinypic.com/2h73x2b.jpg

Burying the rail
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ef0xt0.jpg

Baltimore shore hand
http://i42.tinypic.com/2rn7prm.jpg

Dawn in Baltimore
http://i39.tinypic.com/25yx2x2.jpg