What caught your eye - Week 1

[PopsPhotos]

This is an exercise in going from the "hmmm, that might be nice" to "That's what I wanted."

What I'd like to see posted in this thread is 2 shots. First, an immediate shot of what caught your eye that said, "That might make a picture." The key word is "immediate." Raise the camera and take the shot as soon as you see the potential.

Second, the final composition, angle, exposure, distance, and all that, that makes you happy with the picture.

This is what Bill Belknap used to call, "Photograph to Picture" exercise.

Thank you. (Now, I have to get out and get my example to post. )

Pops

[arith]

I've done a few and this is the first; on entry



First composition



Cheers Pops, I actually prefer the second I posted elsewhere but it has too many problems and needs different light maybe but this is ok.

[PopsPhotos]

Now, this is exactly what I'm hoping from my students. The first clearly shows what caught your eye. I like what you have chosen for the perspective, leading lines and such.

Did you get lower, to see what would result from having the bench "run into" the arches? I don't think it would work, but I'd have looked at that.

Thank you.

Pops

[Peter Ryan]

Phase 1: Seeing -I saw this clock tower from a hill some 200 meter away and used my 70 - 300 zoom at 85mm, f/8 +0.67 EV, ISO 400.



Phase 2 - Thinking

Upon reflection I thought this was a very boring predictable angle. I moved into closer, at the base of the building, and looked at. I chose an angle that gave me two faces of the clock tower but not in equal proportion. This following is my second shot. (70mm at f8 +.67EV, ISO400.)

[PopsPhotos]

Peter, the only thing I think I'd try on that one is a crop of the second one to take the bottom structure out of the picture. This does show that moving about and critically thinking about the "picture" is important.

Thank you.

Pops

[PopsPhotos]

You guys are coming in a'roarin'. I'd better get something up.

I was out running around, shutting down the irrigation when I saw this dust storm moving in.



I then moved across the road and tried a frame I've used before.



I'm not sure I improved it.

Pops

[wilgk]

Hi Pops - as we have constant 'scotch mist' outside for weather at the moment - I looked in my filing system & came up with an example from when Sportsfan & the Bean Counter went on vacation.
The first image is what every tourist to the area would snap - I then tried to get a different perspective by going right up close and utilising the widest angle possible & centre the door and the wee windows. - Both images could be improved of course, but hopefully this is an example of what you meant.

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Kay,

I know the spot very well indeed and love it along the south coast. I have a place at Apollo Bay and I have already established a company named 'Great Ocean Road Photographic Tours' for when I retire from finance and move into my new life. I want to run 1 & 2 day tours along the coast. I know what you mean by everyone takes shot #1. I have one.

[wilgk]

I have a place at Apollo Bay and I have already established a company named 'Great Ocean Road Photographic Tours' for when I retire from finance and move into my new life. I want to run 1 & 2 day tours along the coast.

I'll book in & be your first customer!
The bean counter will surf - we'll both be happy

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Kay,

I am honing my skills with one day workshops around Kyneton at the moment but will not be too far off running one along the GOR.

[arith]

It is a bit bright with the overcast sky and dark woods, so a photo takes hours of PP to remove CA that shouldn't be there.

On the way in.


First composition but it looks like there is an illuminated turnip

[arith]

Hi Pops - as we have constant 'scotch mist' outside for weather at the moment - I looked in my filing system & came up with an example from when Sportsfan & the Bean Counter went on vacation.
The first image is what every tourist to the area would snap - I then tried to get a different perspective by going right up close and utilising the widest angle possible & centre the door and the wee windows. - Both images could be improved of course, but hopefully this is an example of what you meant.

I like both Kay

[PopsPhotos]

Kay, (and all) that is exactly what I'm looking to see. The documentation of what caught your eye, followed by one you worked to get. We know that the second (and subsequent) one is not always an improvement, but the effort is what I will be trying to instill in the students.

You guys are showing me up. I'm going to have to really work to keep up.

Thanks.

(EDITED to add: Kay, I didn't mean your second was not better than youur first. That came out in the wrong context. I really like the second and the background clouds are marvelous.)

Pops

[ScoutR]

Just came down with a bad summer cold, so here are some old ones.

#1 An old tractor I saw along the side of the road caught my eye


#2 Different angle and better light


3,4 & 5 A few of many close ups I took

#3


#4


#5


Hope to get out for some real time shots for next weeks entry
Wendy

[wilgk]

(EDITED to add: Kay, I didn't mean your second was not better than youur first. That came out in the wrong context. I really like the second and the background clouds are marvelous.)

Pops

"No worries" as they say here in Australia

[PopsPhotos]

Wendy, I really like that tractor seat. Thank you.

Pops

[Shadowman]

Taken near Bay Street in Toronto at the Nathan Philiips Square.

[PopsPhotos]

lol - Took me two looks and a blink to see what you changed.

Pops

[carregwen]

Pops

I took the first shot yesterday at early afternoon. Just a general tourist shot...



The second was taken about 1 min later, and I was trying an arty architecture shot! The building is a vistor centre on the coast near where I live. It has a 15 mile off-road bike trail that runs along the coast. This building is at the half-way point.

[PopsPhotos]

I like what you did. Good receding lines and it shows off the sloping window wall. I would be tempted to clone out the tiny bit of clouds on the right side.

On the first one, the curved supports for the balcony/deck show some promise, also.

Pops