Project 2013 - Weekly Photos

[Geoff F]

I always find those small delicate pale yellow Mahonia flowers to be a real challenge, Peter. And even worse when there is an insect on them.

Not sure what settings I used but it was probably spot meter on the flowers then under expose by 1/3.

Here is an original unedited Raw shot.

[Geoff F]

Once again, not the best weather for outside photography this week.

Today started bright but by the time I had done a little shopping and other chores; 2 hours later, it was overcast again.

So I visited the quayside and found a couple of fishermen overhauling their nets.



7D with 24-105L lens 1/1000 F7 Iso 800.

I went for a high Iso because I needed a reasonably fast shutter speed (the men were actually working) and wanted sufficient focus depth. I may have got away with a little less Iso.

This scene has a somewhat confused background but I wanted to show them in context; and that is the way the fish quay actually looks.

I did take another shot from a 'cleaner' angle but I don't think this has quite so much 'real life' action with it.

[Brownbear]

Hi Geoff, for some reason I prefer the 2nd shot, not because of the background.I think it is because I can sense from the expressions on their faces, that they are working hard.

[Letrow]

Nice shots Geoff. I am trying to imagine the smell there, probably a bit salty/fishy. I like your first shot best. Colours are a bit more saturated and I like the way their faces are pointing/looking in the same direction. It s a bit cluttered behind them, but that is how it is.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments, Peter.

This morning started bright and slightly frost, but soon clouded. So, before doing 'my jobs for the day' I stopped at another creek for some different scenes. Yet to edit them, but somehow I don't think anything spectacular will result.

Snapped a lorry plus trailer loaded with hay bales crossing an old bridge but no thinking time was possible and I suspect 1/100 which was preset at the time won't be sufficient.

[just me]

Not so sure if I am here at the right place with this photo?
But now I am here ......

Olympus E-M5,
F 6.30
Exposure 1/1000
ISO 200

C&C very welcome......

Griddi.......

[Bobobird]

Yes that is what a long time photographer told me as well. Another solution could be a CPL to cut the reflectance.

[Nicola]

Anyone who is familiar with rowing might notice something 'odd' about this particular 'team'.

Geoff
I'm very familiar to rowing... it has been my sport for years, we were 10 rowers per boat, and sometimes we were training only in 9 or 8 on the boat.. these were the hardest training
In the 2012, I found myself looking for the first time at the local rowing race not only as a fun or former-player but as a photographer:
IMO, the best way to catch this kind of boat is when the oars are under the water and the rowers are in full tension: it's quite common to see the oar bended by the strenght of the rower...
For team close up, I prefer a point of view about from the boat back, to catch all the faces very close among them.
Finally try to add something "special" like a wave hit by the boat, the lignement or the misalignement of the rowers or boats ...etc.
if you are interested, I can post a couple of my pictures on that matter to let you better understand.
hope this helps and doesn't annoy you too much
ciao
Nicola

[Bobobird]

Nicola - thanks for those tips. I sometimes shoot boat racing and practice but the shots have always been bleh! Some shots would be nice too if Geoff does not mind. Or start a new thread so that Geoff's thread does not get hijacked?

[Geoff F]

Yes, I think that to keep these Project 52 threads (or subsequent titles) manageable, any 'sidetracks' need to be as a separate posting; or as links to other images which are placed elsewhere.

And yes, I always attempt to get the oars into suitable positions. However, with a passing boat that isn't always practicable when other items such as suitable backgrounds need to be taken into consideration.

I have similar problems when photographing the local regatta rowing. This takes place in the evening when lighting is often difficult. I go out in one of the rescue craft and try to explain what is needed regarding suitable light angles, distances from the subject and 'nice compositions'.

Some 'skippers' are able to get me into the correct position but it is mostly a case of attempting to snap what I can and hope for the best.

These images come from the 2012 regatta.

http://www.pbase.com/regatta/2012_rowing

I do have some shots of the rowing gigs in better 'rowing positions' but without good backgrounds. Although I can find better results amongst older images. But not on the day in question; which was for the weekly photos. But I will have a look and may post another shot.

Griddi. With reference to my comment above.

No problem at the moment, but these threads get rather long over 52 weeks so it is better if we each have our own 'section'. So if you want to post weekly photos, it is best to start your own thread with a suitable title; as some other people are doing.

You will be most welcome to join the '52ers club' but shooting one photo per week can be more difficult than it looks - good fun though.

[Geoff F]

Here is an alternative angle with the oars in a better position but I haven't got the rowers nicely positioned with all faces showing and the background isn't good.



But I was on a pontoon, doing another job, when they went past and by the time the boat was in a suitable position I only had a couple of chances. It's easier when you are in a following boat, and with a helmsman who understands photography.

I have previously taken some decent shots when steering my own boat close to the rowers; but steering with an outboard while photographing is a little challenging.

I will be taking other shots of them during the year, and I may have another go from the same pontoon but getting a good angle between piles and other pontoons etc is rather limiting.

After photographing the intended boat alongside the pontoon, the owner wanted some shots of the boat sailing past but looking down at the boat.

I tried to explain that from the only possible position, the light was at a poor angle; but eventually said I would give it a go and see what happened.

This is the best I managed.



Nothing exciting but it did demonstrate the areas of the boat which he needed to be visible.

[Nicola]

Geoff,
yes, this is not a simple subject to capture, oar position is not the only milestone. As you said, light direction, background are very important too. To take picture standing on a boat with a good driver is the most important aspect to take care.
Anyway I've seen many good pictures you got during 2012 regatta.

The most important race in my city starts about 1,5 hour before the sunset on the first sunday of july, and as you can imagine, the public on the shore is directly faced to the sun. The worst condition I've met to take this kind of pictures. This july, I'll be on a boat with the sun on my back! I'll buy a boat if necessary!

PS. the word "pontoon" surprised me much. I didn't know in english... but I understood it immediately, since its italian translation is "pontone" or "puntone". Which comes from the other?

[Geoff F]

Yes Nicola, pontoon seems to come from the latin, probably pontis (bridge). 'A flat bottomed boat or a number of boats used to support a temporary bridge'.

The term may be American and commonly entered the English language as a military term in the 1930's.

It is certainly only in the last 50 years that we have had pontoons for boat mooring where I live. And now they are everywhere.

However, onto this week's photos . . .

[Geoff F]

Week 07 - Bowcombe Creek

I previously mentioned going to a different creek in our estuary to see what I could find. Took a few angles but wasn't really happy with them. The sun angle was a bit of a problem.

As I was about to give up, I tried a different position to see if this boat mast would help to break up a wide expanse of plain blue sky. Although I would have liked some nice fluffy clouds as well. But let's not complain about a piece of blue sky!



7D with 24-105L lens 1/250, F11, Iso 200. Combination of two shots with different exposures.

Nothing exciting, but the best scene I could find at this location.

I also mentioned that I was thinking about a suitable angle for the bridge when a lorry and trailer loaded with hay started to cross. No thinking time; just shoot with what I had already set and hope for the best.



1/100, F11, Iso 200. The shutter speed was a little low for a moving lorry so there is light motion blur. But I have done what I could in the way of selective sharpening.

Once again, the light angle was a problem; coming from the right and with quite a bit of shadow.

Andrews Wood

More from the wildlife site where I help out once a month. This time, I was attached to the bird box manufacturing team. Chiefly because I own a saw, hammer and portable drill!

We had to use the back of a trailer as a workbench. And some shots aren't suitable for anybody with a knowledge of carpentry!



7D with 24-105. 1/125, F8, Iso 400. A bit of a dull light and I made a big mistake - I wasn't aware that the auto focus was switched off. This focus distance was almost correct so I have just about got away with it. If it had been a bigger difference I would have realised something was wrong.

The box with a difference! At least I had corrected my AF problem now.



1/500 F7 Iso 800.

Due to a 'design flaw' this box was assembled with the entrance hole in the roof. So a bit of adaption was employed!

Maybe not a perfect photo but her expression is priceless.

Another team was clearing undergrowth but we met up for lunch. By now, some low angle sunshine was mixing with the woodland shadows so there was little hope for a perfect exposure. And camera angles were limited.



1/200, F11, Iso 800

And finally a quick candid portrait.



1/80 F7 Iso 800.

Amongst woodland shadows and with light coming from the wrong angle. But after a little editing I am reasonably contented with the result; considering the shooting conditions.

I don't do much portrait work; more bugs or boats!

Another option for the last two shots would have been to use flash but I wanted to retain the woodland scene atmosphere.

[Brownbear]

The last two shots are both wonderful and beautiful.. Thank you for posting your camera settings and comments.. I'm learning by reading them.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments, Christina.

Because the last two were obviously going to be tricky shots, and my camera angles were restricted, I did take three shots of each scene with different amounts of Exposure Compensation to give a wider range of possible outcomes.

[rudi]

Hi Geoff,

I don't do portraits either, I am more in the flower-bug-birds category, but the 'Priceless' shot and the 'candit shot' are awesome. Her expression says enough for me. Well done !!
Regards, Rudi

[jeeperman]

Geoff, I too like the expression in the last image. It really invites you in.

[pnodrog]

Geoff I realy like the fact your photographs are portraying aspects of your community. Landscapes can be great but someone at some stage will always come along on a better day with newer gear to improve on it. Capturing people is a moment in time that will never be duplicated and be of interest for years. I know I do not do enough of this sort of photography.

I look forward to watching the full 52 weeks.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments. As I mentioned at the start of my original Project 52 challenge last year. I wanted to create something along the lines of a photographic diary which also showed some of the places, events and people from the area where I live.

I hope to continue with this aim and also produce results which will be of general interest to a wider audience.