2019 Project 52 by Geoff F - 3rd Quarter

[Rufus]

Week 30 - A nice series. I particularly like the detail provided by the reflections and veins on the wings of the hoverfly in the 4th image.

[Wavelength]

Excellent set of new images...

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments. With the hoverfly I slightly toned down the wing highlights.

Week 31. I returned to the scene of Week 26 looking for insects then had a try at the same scene but from a different angle. I thought there should be a photograph to be had there but tried several angles without achieving exactly what I wanted. This is the best that I could come up with.



7 D with Tamrom 24-70 lens 1/640 F11 Iso 400. I needed a fairly fast shutter because leaves were blowing around in the wind.

And a close up of those tractor wheels. They bolt on outside of the normal wheels to add extra stability and grip when working on the steep hillside.

[skitterbug]

HI Geoff - I enjoy the farm related images since it gives me a glimpse of how it is done in your area. Are those tractor wheels (week 31) still used or are they antique ones?

As with all your images that are informative and well done, the insect series is interesting to me too. The little 'horn' on the Brimstone Butterfly on Knapweed is a unique feature to see.

I enjoy your photo work!

[Geoff F]

Thanks Sandy.

The farmer had used those extra wheels a few days previously when cutting back some bracken, brambles and thistles on the steep slopes. So they are merely being stored there for future use. But that is probably what initially happened to that red dung spreader, visible just inside the gate, and that one is well rusted now.

Today was the local vintage machinery show so I will have some photos from that for week 32.

[Shadowman]

Week 31, nice set.

[Wavelength]

Very effective as a pair; i also feel like the need of inclusion of that red shelter house in close up.

[Geoff F]

Thanks John and Nandakumar.

Week 32 - The local vintage machinery show A mixture of bright harsh light and clouds which kept changing so it was tricky to find suitable camera angles and quick settings changes were necessary.

A great way to arrive.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/400 F11 Iso 400

And a bulk delivery



1/200 F11 Iso 200

A Caterpillar Crawler ploughing



1/250 Fii Iso 400

Steam engine ploughing by wire



1/640 F8 Iso 200

I did try some as monochrome conversions.



1/320 F11 Iso 400

The rest of my images are here

https://pbase.com/crustacean/2019_vintage_show&page=3

[Cantab]

A good set of photos. I was intrgued by the bulldozer pulling a plough, then eventually noticed the dog taking a break from the day's activity!

[Cantab]

...
The rest of my images are here

https://pbase.com/crustacean/2019_vintage_show&page=3

Geoff, I've now had a look at your other photos from this event. I liked the several tractor parking lot images as well as the B&W versions.

[Rufus]

These also tempted me to look at your other shots from the vintage show. It was nice to see you took your vintage Rolls

There was a very good number of exhibits. I loved the mechanised hacksaw contraption - very Heath Robinson! The images give a very good impression of the extent of the event and variety on display and in action.

The selection you have posted here are a nice set too. I thought the monochrome one here conveys a feeling of a very cold day - which makes the shirtsleeved operator a little incrongruous

[Shadowman]

Nice series, favorite is the plow horses.

[Wavelength]

Liked them all.

[skitterbug]

Thank you Geoff for the series of images showing antique equipment, etc.

I've never seen a Caterpillar Crawler ploughing ground before. With the slopes in the farm ground, this may be useful to keep from flipping over? It definitely had the strength to pull several plough blades!

The B/W conversion of the work horses give it an "old timey" look. I like it!

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments.

That is certainly a big plough for its time, Sandy, when most wheeled tractors were towing just two or three blades. I deliberately waited until that dog was in a suitable position.

[skitterbug]

The dog is smart! He waited until the cool earth was turned before picking out a spot to flop down!

[Geoff F]

Week 33 - Topsham Bridge. On my way to a wildlife site I passed over this bridge. Merge of three exposures. Difficult camera angle as there were several items which had to be avoided, so this meant leaning outwards over a low wall and twisting around to face the bridge.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. Middle exposure settings 1/320 F8 Iso 400.

[Cantab]

The image is well composed and processed. On the composition front, I'm glad you did not fall into the water.

Your exposure merging makes the stonework under the bridge visible. Was this three separate exposures or three RAW developments? As far as I can tell (on my iPad) there's no blurry water so presumably lots of fiddly masking of layers?

[Geoff F]

I also tried a B&W version.



A hand made merge of three bracketed exposures, Bruce. Fairly simple to edit the layer masks by brushing because there weren't any really fiddly bits to worry about. Because I was at an angle to the bridge I did experiment with different focus points and picked this option which seemed the sharpest all round.

[Shadowman]

Week 33, nicely seen and captured, prefer the color version as the black and white seems a bit lifeless, I think part of the problem is the dull tones of the water and there's nothing of contrast in the mono version.