2018 Project 52, First Quarter by Janis (purplehaze)

[purplehaze]

Just reviewed my 2017 objectives, and didn't do a very good job of satisfying even that short list. I haven't mastered my Wacom tablet; I did join a local photography group, but have not been able to attend lately due to schedule conflicts; I made very little progress with respect to flash; and I don't recall making any exceptional images of last winter.

We got a brief reprieve from the deep freeze this weekend and I took advantage of it to go for a walk in a provincial park just outside the city. I had company (a friend and her two dogs) and so I wasn't free to take the time I normally would to choose my settings and compose shots. Some of the best shots (of birds, dogs, and people) required split second timing in any case. If nothing else, I would just like to get fast enough to capture more of those fleeting, never-to-be-repeated moments that I know would make a great image. A vain wish, perhaps, but one that compels practice, practice, practice. So for now, I think that will be my one and only objective: practice enough that composing and choosing the right settings become more intuitive than they now are. And, by extension, that I actually complete a Project 52.

Week 1



f/9 @ 1/250, ISO 1800, 105 mm

[Shadowman]

Hi Janis,

A few comments on your supposed shortcomings of 2017:

1. Wacom tablet: you may or may not get around to mastering the device but think positively that you also got by without it.
2. Camera clubs: I unofficially belong to a group that only meets once a month, we get together to discuss what's going in our lives, our photographic paths, and at times challenge each other if our progress seems to be lagging.
3. Flash is easy as heck and as hard as heck, review some of your captures from the past year and see if there were times when fill flash could've helped you.
4. Exceptional images, go back even further than one year; when I was still shooting point and shoot I thought those were some of my best captures.

Nice effort on the pup, if you feel you need to hurry just shoot in P Mode for one or two sessions, review your captures, and see if utilizing more control could've made those P Mode captures better.

[skitterbug]

If nothing else, I would just like to get fast enough to capture more of those fleeting, never-to-be-repeated moments that I know would make a great image.
Week 1



f/9 @ 1/250, ISO 1800, 105 mm

You were certainly fast enough to catch this pooch perfectly. Snow on the nose, a bit of moisture on its tongue, shine on its eye - nice picture. Bring on 2018 - Right? It should be a fun year!

[Geoff F]

Regarding your comments about flash use, Janis. When I first switched from an old style fixed output flash to a modern 'self thinking' flash I wasn't getting anywhere either.

Then I realised that I was still attempting to shoot according to the old style principles. I was setting the camera in aperture or shutter priority so the camera was self adjusting the other settings; but the flash was also trying to self adjust which often meant the two bits of equipment were fighting against each other. I was shooting in the ETTL flash option.

After I stopped thinking about how things used to work and started thinking in a new way I started making progress. The first move was to set the camera manually to suit the scene, but with regard to any flash limitations such as shutter speed no higher than 1/250 or use the high speed flash option.

That allows the flash output adjustment to set clear adjustments to the flash power although some flash output compensation will often be required; which basically works in a similar manner to exposure compensation. Knowing the correct amount to set is something which comes with practice, but a couple of test shots should quickly put you on the right lines.

Nowadays, if I use flash I always set my camera manually.

As well as advantages, there are limitations to flash photography. For example, portrait photographers would never use a direct on top of the camera flash mounting; but that can be acceptable for most general photography where you require a little bit of fill flash rather than relying on the flash unit as the sole source of lighting.

Using fixed output flash can be useful for special circumstances where you aren't directly giving your subject a flash.

It is really a case of allowing yourself a bit of time to experiment until things begin to make sense.

[purplehaze]

Thanks for the encouragement, John and Sandy. Geoff. I think my problem is I haven’t had enough sustained practice for the principles and techniques to stick. These dark days of winter offer a good opportunity to play around with my flash equipment. I will try to make that my focus for the next few weeks.

[Urbanflyer]

Just reviewed my 2017 objectives, and didn't do a very good job of satisfying even that short list. I haven't mastered my Wacom tablet; I did join a local photography group, but have not been able to attend lately due to schedule conflicts; I made very little progress with respect to flash; and I don't recall making any exceptional images of last winter.

We got a brief reprieve from the deep freeze this weekend and I took advantage of it to go for a walk in a provincial park just outside the city. I had company (a friend and her two dogs) and so I wasn't free to take the time I normally would to choose my settings and compose shots. Some of the best shots (of birds, dogs, and people) required split second timing in any case. If nothing else, I would just like to get fast enough to capture more of those fleeting, never-to-be-repeated moments that I know would make a great image. A vain wish, perhaps, but one that compels practice, practice, practice. So for now, I think that will be my one and only objective: practice enough that composing and choosing the right settings become more intuitive than they now are. And, by extension, that I actually complete a Project 52.

Week 1



f/9 @ 1/250, ISO 1800, 105 mm

Love the first image! And shooting lots and editing both in the camera and in post will make a world of difference. I always remember that many professional photographers are happy with 10% of the shoot providing good images! Glad you are giving it a go again this year!

[purplehaze]

Thanks, Judith. The shot above is of Maya. Here is her companion, Marlowe, also shot on Sunday, but just processed tonight.



Mistakes I made Sunday include failing to properly isolate my subject(s), leading to messy images requiring a lot of cropping and/or use of the healing and cloning brushes and failing to put my subject in context when called for. As an example of the latter, we came upon a live tree in a forest clearing that someone had festooned with Christmas decorations. Did I shoot the tree in its natural environment, so as to imbue it with its full meaning and significance? No, I got in close and shot the decorations. Doh!

[Cantab]

Janis, the photo of Marlowe is very attractive. You certainly nailed the focus on his eyes!

[Wavelength]

Two great dogs; in the second how the snow appears as if illumined from bottom?

[purplehaze]

Thanks, Bruce and Nanda. I agree; it does look like it is illuminated from the bottom, but it is merely patches of sunlight on the forest floor. The walk started out under an overcast sky and ended in brilliant sunshine; such a treat!

[purplehaze]

Weeks 2 & 3

I actually did do a lot photography-wise in Week 2. It being winter and my fingers itchy to knit, I went on a yarn-buying binge and then had to catalogue all my purchases for my online inventory. Technically, the purpose of the inventory is to get me to "shop" in my own stash baskets, but with a yarn store just up the street, I can't help but feed them faster than I can empty them. In any case, I got out the lightbox, tripod, and flashes and shot the yarn and a couple of knitting projects in straight product photography style. I won't bore you with the images here. I started reviewing some flash photography tutorials, with the idea that I would do something a little more complex this week, but then we got a break in the -40 C weather and I was coaxed outside. The images below are of the exterior of an ice palace, shot in sunshine yesterday. It costs $20 to go in, so my friends and I contented ourselves with just shooting what we could through and above the fence around it. We were quite delighted with all of the animal shapes and scenes we saw. This is what came out of playing around with some of my shots this morning. C&C welcome.

#1



f/8, 1/2000, ISO 250, 122 mm

#2



f/8, 1/200, ISO 280, 100 mm

#3



f/11, 1/1000, ISO 250, 120 mm

#4



f/11, 1/400, iSO 250, 120 mm

[skitterbug]

Hi Janis - Week2 & 3 look cold! <brrrr> It amazes me there are so many colors that the snow and ice give to pictures. Never the same shades. These are interesting but my favorite is #1. I like the detail and the crop you used to bring out the interest to the long icicles.

[Geoff F]

You have obviously had to contend with some tricky exposures for these images, Janis.

[Cantab]

Janis, these all work well and make an enjoyable set of photos.

My one comment is that I was surprised at the very high shutter speeds in the first and third photos. My guess is that you preset the ISO at 250, set the aperture and then let the camera choose the speed? Although a lower shutter speed would have allowed a lower ISO, the fact is that the images all turned out well.

[purplehaze]

Hi Sandy, the colour variation is due to my lack of a consistent white balance. Image 1 was shot with auto WB and direct sunlight from behind me. Image 2 was shot with indirect light and I changed the WB in PP. Images 3 and 4 were obviously backlit, and I pushed the saturation in both. I did a bit of selective processing in 1, 2 and 3, but after I learn a little more about the Capture 1 Color Editor, I would like to play with these some more. Can't decide whether I like the higher key or the full dynamic range best.

Yes, tricky, Greg. I did my best to expose for the highlights in 3 and 4.

Bruce, I was in fact on Auto ISO, as I had been shooting into some dark interiors and forgot to switch back to manual for the ice palace. Glad you find them enjoyable. Suggestions for PP or a future shoot of the same location welcome.

[purplehaze]

This is actually my favorite so far, but I am unable to do a clean job of getting rid of the cable.

#5



f/8, 1/1600, ISO 250, 200 mm

[Urbanflyer]

This is actually my favorite so far, but I am unable to do a clean job of getting rid of the cable.

#5



f/8, 1/1600, ISO 250, 200 mm

sometimes only pixel by pixel works

[Geoff F]

When attempting to do difficult clone work, Janis, I sometimes create a selection around the clone area and pick up point so as to have a 'safe barrier' edge to prevent the clone tool attempting to be overly clever and merging into unwanted parts which require a firm edge.

Quite a bit of messing around would be required here, but probably possible with a bit of time and care.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures of the ice.

[skitterbug]

Hi Janis - I hope it is okay that I played a bit with your lovely photo? If you would want me to delete it, I will do so.

I agree the cables had to go. I wanted to show you what a program called Snapheal could do. It did take a bit of time and I've had plenty of practice using it since beginning my P52 project but here is the result. See what you think? I really like your ice pic! It is majestic!