Two more Carl Milles sculptures for C&C...

[IzzieK]

1 This first one is called Sunglitter. This bronze sculpture was installed in 1988. The sea nymph riding a dolphin is a Nereid, who in Greek mythology was one of the 50 daughters of the seagod Nerus. Riding fantastic sea creatures, the Nereids are represented in ancient art and legend as aiding mariners in distress.



2 Orpheus fountain with my male model for fun, ignoring my antics. He was so far away on the other side of the pond so he can escape if I got caught stepping on some garden areas (which I did to took this shot.)



3 Here is one without my handsome model. I think I like this one better...did I do a good job or what?



3 Close up just for Mark Knittle



4 There wasn't any descriptions about this companion of Orpheus at this place so I just did this one...this is intentional.



I will appreciate it if you will comment and make suggestions for improvement as I am also learning just like you.. I did enjoy taking these images while I was there...

[JohnRostron]

A nice set. However # and #3 are marred by a rather phallic looking branch emerging from the croch of the Woman! I suspect that this would not appear so in the original coloured version.

John

[bnnrcn]

Hi Isabel IMO the images might look better in color. Because the backgrouds are not blurred and the subjects are mixed with the BG because the images are in B&W.

[Shadowman]

I really like 3 and 4 and the one with your model stands out well.

[Manfred M]

Izzie - I find that these are not working as well as they could because the backgrounds are so busy and as you have gone B&W, the tones in the background overlap those of the statues. I also had the same thought as Binnur, but am not convinced that going colour will be enough.

[IzzieK]

A nice set. However # and #3 are marred by a rather phallic looking branch emerging from the croch of the Woman! I suspect that this would not appear so in the original coloured version.

John

Whoopppss! I looked at this first on my cell phone and showed Bill and he said you got a very creative imagination. Anyway, I see what you mean now...I cannot do anything much about the background because of where the statues are facing. If I shoot where Bill was, then I will be shooting at their butts. The other way will show the other sculptures with it too as this one is part of the reflection pool that houses the dolphin with its rider too which is very near. A slight turn will show the Climatron building which has more distractions...

Thanks for looking and commenting. I really appreciate it very much. When we go back there in September for the Japanese festival, I will see if the timing can be more appropriate. Maybe I will find a better view without stepping on some plants.

[IzzieK]

Hi Isabel IMO the images might look better in color. Because the backgrounds are not blurred and the subjects are mixed with the BG because the images are in B&W.

I will see what I can do, perhaps use the quick selection tool and blur the background or something. Read response above for John Rostron.

Thanks...I will be busy these next few days as I have been getting some sharp looks from hubby for not updating my accounting file...I appreciate your commenting here too..

[IzzieK]

I really like 3 and 4 and the one with your model stands out well.

Oh yes..I took my time processing those ones there yesterday afternoon while it continue raining...thank you for your comments..goes to show that processing more longer one tend to look at more details to remove and move and all those things associated with it...and no pallus-like branches marring my shots too. So consider the first ones as "environment shots"...there is an excuse, if I say so myself...'appreciate your comments. Thank you.

[IzzieK]

Izzie - I find that these are not working as well as they could because the backgrounds are so busy and as you have gone B&W, the tones in the background overlap those of the statues. I also had the same thought as Binnur, but am not convinced that going colour will be enough.

I'll had to do something within this week after my tasks around here finished. I may or may not have any improvement as my positioning in many of those places are very limited because of the bushes or structures surrounding each areas. 'appreciate your commenting here. Thank you.

[Glenn P]

I will see what I can do, perhaps use the quick selection tool and blur the background or something. Read response above for John Rostron.

Hi Izzie,

That is what I do. It makes a huge difference in isolating the subject.

I shoot a lot of bands in small venues that tend to have very busy backgrounds that really detract from the subject. To get full body shots I have to use a short lens and even wide open there's too much depth of field, so you're stuck fixing it in post. It's pretty quick and easy and for the few minutes it takes it's definitely worth the effort.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Izzie,

I'm a little less late here

In general I concur with the comments above.

In #3, you left your male model's legs and feet visible below the bench, but otherwise that's a pretty good job on the cloning. Mind you while you were cloning and the paint brush was still wet (so to speak), I think I'd have tackled a few other background things that 'jar'. Namely the cable just to right of tree trunk, the label on that tree, even some of the temporary fencing they seem to have strung out behind there.

Glenn's example of artificially widening the aperture is useful for some recent shots.

Cheers, Dave

[DanK]

A gaussian blur of 5 or 6 pixels on the background would help.

You shot these all at f/5.6. If you have a faster lens, it would help to use a wider aperture when you shoot them again.

[Manfred M]

Hi Izzie,

That is what I do. It makes a huge difference in isolating the subject.

I shoot a lot of bands in small venues that tend to have very busy backgrounds that really detract from the subject. To get full body shots I have to use a short lens and even wide open there's too much depth of field, so you're stuck fixing it in post. It's pretty quick and easy and for the few minutes it takes it's definitely worth the effort.

Glenn - I agree, but in Izzie's case, I don't think this would be as effective as in the image here. You are shooting is a situation where the subject is a bit brighter than the background, where in the case of Izzie's images, we are effectively in a back-lit situation where significant parts of the background, i.e. the sky are brighter than the subject. Applying a slight Gaussian blur is not going to correct for that.

Even brightening the statue and then selectively darkening the background is only going to take us so far.




I suspect a re-think on how these images were taken will be required too. Shooting closer to sunset and using artificial light and a large light modifier would work, but might not be practical.

[IzzieK]

Thank you for commenting, Glenn...I have thought of selective editing but it was too late...Now I gather from the comment of Manfred that the image was already ruined but I do not have much choice in the lighting at the time we went as hubby is not a photographer and will not understand why I like to go at a certain hour for a certain shot. I have shot many of his flying events in atrocious conditions too. Many have been published as they probably not know any better. I promise I will do better next outing and use some other aids which I have like my big 5-in-one reflector. If throw that in the car I could have had the sorry background covered. Next time...

BTW, I like your image even without the selective editing...I haven't done night shots for a long time...thank you for your trying to help and commenting. I do appreciate it very, very much.

Hi Izzie,

That is what I do. It makes a huge difference in isolating the subject.

I shoot a lot of bands in small venues that tend to have very busy backgrounds that really detract from the subject. To get full body shots I have to use a short lens and even wide open there's too much depth of field, so you're stuck fixing it in post. It's pretty quick and easy and for the few minutes it takes it's definitely worth the effort.

[IzzieK]

Hi Izzie,

I'm a little less late here

In general I concur with the comments above.

Thank you Dave. I understand...

In #3, you left your male model's legs and feet visible below the bench, but otherwise that's a pretty good job on the cloning. Mind you while you were cloning and the paint brush was still wet (so to speak), I think I'd have tackled a few other background things that 'jar'. Namely the cable just to right of tree trunk, the label on that tree, even some of the temporary fencing they seem to have strung out behind there.

The whole thing is a lost cause by now. I am more frustrated when I realized I left many more things that needed doing there. Bill will be looking for his feet soon if doesn't slow down.

Glenn's example of artificially widening the aperture is useful for some recent shots.

Cheers, Dave

Yes...it is helpful. Thank you for commenting on this one too. I appreciate it very much...

[IzzieK]

A gaussian blur of 5 or 6 pixels on the background would help.

You shot these all at f/5.6. If you have a faster lens, it would help to use a wider aperture when you shoot them again.

Thank you, Dan...Yes...I have some faster lens but I decided to go to the place with only two at that time, my 24-70mm Tamron and the 105mm macro lens. the 24-70mm is my go-to lens even if I have the 12mm. I think that one is a little bit of a stretch. Thank you for your advice. I am trying to know all my lens and what they can do each, so I am in that stage of one lens at a time and also what I can manage because of my recent finger/thumb operation. There I just managed without the extension tubes because I can't even put it on.

Thank you so much for your help. I do appreciate it very much learning from you.

[IzzieK]

Manfred, if when I went to the place and shoot selectively and not because I want quantity, I would have had better but less numbers to had brought home that day...especially thinking of how Grahame (of Fiji) taught me how to take my time and think of my compositions before clicking away my life there. Going to a place to take photographs does not really work for my husband as he doesn't think like as. If I want the blue hours and the golden hours, I can do that around our area, but if I want to be with him because it is our day-out for the week (which is almost all weekends imaginable) I cannot think of good hours to photograph. So timing a lost cause for me. We are both busy people, he has his hobby and so do I. We have to go out and enjoy each other's company too and make him laugh. I am sure many here will understand. We make it a point to go out just once a week especially on his busy days. Life is not fair but we have to live with it.

Thank you so much for helping me this time around. I enjoyed reading the comments and appreciate your help.

Glenn - I agree, but in Izzie's case, I don't think this would be as effective as in the image here. You are shooting is a situation where the subject is a bit brighter than the background, where in the case of Izzie's images, we are effectively in a back-lit situation where significant parts of the background, i.e. the sky are brighter than the subject. Applying a slight Gaussian blur is not going to correct for that.

Even brightening the statue and then selectively darkening the background is only going to take us so far.




I suspect a re-think on how these images were taken will be required too. Shooting closer to sunset and using artificial light and a large light modifier would work, but might not be practical.

[Manfred M]

Manfred, if when I went to the place and shoot selectively and not because I want quantity, I would have had better but less numbers to had brought home that day...especially thinking of how Grahame (of Fiji) taught me how to take my time and think of my compositions before clicking away my life there. Going to a place to take photographs does not really work for my husband as he doesn't think like as. If I want the blue hours and the golden hours, I can do that around our area, but if I want to be with him because it is our day-out for the week (which is almost all weekends imaginable) I cannot think of good hours to photograph. So timing a lost cause for me. We are both busy people, he has his hobby and so do I. We have to go out and enjoy each other's company too and make him laugh. I am sure many here will understand. We make it a point to go out just once a week especially on his busy days. Life is not fair but we have to live with it.

Thank you so much for helping me this time around. I enjoyed reading the comments and appreciate your help.

Thanks Izzie.

I find I do my best work when I am alone and take my time (at an appropriate location and time of day). My wife likes photography too, but tends to be less patient than I am and she will wander off while I want to stick to a particular location. I do manage to get out alone when we are at home, but when we are traveling, I generally don't get the time to shoot the way I want to.

[Wavelength]

I am really impressed by the first set; i think B&W is a good decision here; i like the present platinum look of the sculpture

I feel the enthusiasm of the singer radiating out....

Regards

[Suzan J]

Hi Izzie:

I don't think I have anything new to add to the comments, but I did want to chime in and say that I also think these subjects would look better in colour. As some of the other posters mentioned the tones of the subject blend in with the busy backgrounds. Shooting with the largest aperture possible may help to isolate the subject and blur the background. Also, I think the dark hedge in the first image cuts the photo in half. All in all, a great effort with some very interesting subjects!