Project 52 by Letrow

[Letrow]

And one my abstracts of this weekend



F/11 and 1/250sec with direct and off camera flash. Two different shell photos with overlaid layers. Colours 'slightly' worked on in Gimp

[Wendy Stanford]

Interesting lighting Peter, the blue stands out very well, Can't wait for the details, is it a shell?

[Letrow]

Interesting lighting Peter, the blue stands out very well, Can't wait for the details, is it a shell?

Sorry for that, details have been added now. I was called away for lunch, so just posted the link and ran off. It was a long morning and lunch smelled too good, so distracted me.
Shells indeed.

[FrankMi]

Hi Peter. The colors, shape and shading are great but I'm not sure I understand the black rectangle at the bottom just left of center. Is that one of those puzzle things designed to keep the viewer's attention while he tries to figure out what it is? If so, it worked!

[Letrow]

Hi Peter. The colors, shape and shading are great but I'm not sure I understand the black rectangle at the bottom just left of center. Is that one of those puzzle things designed to keep the viewer's attention while he tries to figure out what it is? If so, it worked!

They are the holes in the shell that is on top left. I was undecided about cloning them out and in the end let them stay, as the photo was kind of unusual anyway.

[MiniChris]

I had to let the green color cast grow on me for a few until I felt I could "live" with it...and I can, though just barely. I am bothered by the bright blue poin in the upper left part of the frame. It really pulls my eye away from the bottom right quadrant.

[Letrow]

I ordered a translucent umbrella yesterday and a stand and umbrella swivel + hotshoe adapter (there isn't one word for this thing apparently). So the usage of flash and especially flash shooting through an umbrella will be one of the goals in the coming time.

[Rob Douglas]

Oooooh, and now the fun begins. Welcome to the world of strobist. Lighting is like Pringles "once you pop, you can't stop" lol

[Letrow]

Oooooh, and now the fun begins. Welcome to the world of strobist. Lighting is like Pringles "once you pop, you can't stop" lol

Well, I have been reading about this for quite some time already, I love some of Joe McNally's work, looked at the strobist's blog for quite some time and have some good books on lighting. Off ceiling flash gets you to a certain point and then you start looking at pictures and wondering why you can't get the same effects. So...

[Letrow]

Although you wouldn't think so if you see the photo below...I am finished with my current phase of Gimping the images. This photo was actually worked on, because my new theme (strobist) proved puzzling. See my thread on off camera flash with the Nikon D7000 and SB-700 for a full explanation.



So, anyway, this photo. Taken at 1/250 and F/11 with off camera flash to provide highlights in just the right place.
I reworked the photo by inverting the colours, and then brought the right colours (or almost) back with some Gimp options. And then I 'mirrored' them below the original subjects. A good Gimping exercise.

Hopefully my see through umbrella gets some work done next week.

[Donald]

That, I think, is a very pleasing and very pleasant image.

On one hand it is a complex piece of art with much to explore. But, at the same, time, it is wonderfully simple - in concept and design. It is a joy to look at, Peter.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

That, I think, is a very pleasing and very pleasant image.

On one hand it is a complex piece of art with much to explore. But, at the same, time, it is wonderfully simple - in concept and design. It is a joy to look at, Peter.

I agree with Donald - lovely to look at but I can see and appreciate the effort that's gone into creating it.

[Letrow]

Just some Gimp work this week. Wacky colours are restricted to the four squares this time. They were inverted and you can still see the original colour of them being reflected in the split ball.
The ball by the way is part of a puzzle by Hanayama. If you like puzzles, these are great, one step (or a few steps actually) up from the regular metal puzzles that you can buy.

Flash is off camera from the right and the photo contrast has been enhanced a bit by desaturating one of the layers, enhancing the contrast and overlaying it to the finshed colour layer.



I should be doing a life subject next week I feel. It would also stop me from inverting colours, which I really start to like.

Puzzles got in the way this weekend. I had a new one in from a Dutch designer (aluminium cylinder one) and I just had to solve it.

[Wendy Stanford]

Hi Peter, I enjoy your different images, I like the squares around the ball, and the timber background enhances the colours.
my only query is did you try with the squares at a diffent angle? eg, bring around more so the point is at the top and bottom or square on, just a thought

[Letrow]

Hi Peter, I enjoy your different images, I like the squares around the ball, and the timber background enhances the colours.
my only query is did you try with the squares at a diffent angle? eg, bring around more so the point is at the top and bottom or square on, just a thought

I did (of course), but the results were a bit too dull for me. So then I started at the diagonals and in the end that came out best. There will be better angles, but yesterday I couldn't really 'see' it.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

I had a look at your photo yesterday and I'm inclined to think that there's something about the composition that doesn't quite sit right to me as well. I think it's a balance thing for me - there's elements on the left, in the middle, and so I feel like there should be something on the right.

It's probably just me though Interesting colours as always!

[Letrow]

I had a look at your photo yesterday and I'm inclined to think that there's something about the composition that doesn't quite sit right to me as well. I think it's a balance thing for me - there's elements on the left, in the middle, and so I feel like there should be something on the right.

It's probably just me though Interesting colours as always!

Hmm, I see what you mean I think. Have to think about that. I wanted to keep that composition simple to bring out the ball, but maybe you are right (and Wendy) and I should try for a bit more.

I am into puzzles at the moment, so maybe I can do something puzzle themed.

[Letrow]

It had snowed yesterday, so good photo opportunities today. The temperature was between -7 and -10 Celsius today, but no wind and sun, so actually I had no trouble being outdoors with the camera in my bare hands.

The shot below is of a glass globe in our garden. I like making photos of it because of the wide angle effect you get. Shot with the Nikkor 105mm VR at F/13 and 1/250 and ISO2200.
Levels and sharpness adjusted in Gimp and a bit of contrast added via layers.



.

[kezmal]

Great photo Peter, a really different perspective.

[Letrow]

Great photo Peter, a really different perspective.

Thank you Kerry. I love doing reflections but seldom find good opportunities.