Chat Thread Golden Oldie 22nd - 24th January 2010

[Cutter]

Well what can I say! other than well done everyone, Ogga again, thanks for your tutorial the amount of work you put in puts my photo to shame: Took picture, dodge, burn, done Nil points, I rest my case. I thought it was easy to win after last week (how wrong I am). Will have to have a word with my mentor to see if it was my subject or my photography skills have let me down. note to myself MUST TRY HARDER.
Just a few more hours to go the comp is still wide open , and the ones that are in the lead are deservedley so.

good luck everyone

[oggalily]

My above and below reviews (or above and really far above) for this week. Sorry I have been a bit remiss lately but if anyone wants feedback please feel free to PM me.

SieSmith - When woods were wood - As usual, Sie, excellent macro work and pin sharp detail. Nice to see clubs that are in worse condition than mine! The composition is alright but it seems a little lacking in punch. Perhaps a contrast boost would give a better tonal range as it looks a little too even with the sepia toning. The carpet works well as faux grass but the illusion is somewhat spoiled as it rises in the background.

jinky - The Old Grocery - the post-processing on this is great and it really does resemble an old photo plate. In particular the distressed texture map gives it authenticity. The focus and is spot on as well. However I think it looks a bit like a "record shot" rather than holding any particular interest. I think what would have added interest for me would be a particular focal point, such as the presence of some humans in period dress or perhaps closing in on a particular item. I presume you had to stand behind a barrier and there were no "actors" around so your options were limited. Nice work though and good effort getting yourself out to a museum - you always show such enthusiam and creativity.

Also wanted to point out that I am really pleased to see Sarasocke's image in the lead. It was a tough call between this one and H's and I went for H's in the end. Carol, your photography has been moving from strength to strength recently and this would be a richly deserved win against some tough competition.

Is that enough of a jinx for you?

[Sarasocke]

Ogga - Thanks for the compliment. I shall just keep my eyes closed for the next hour or so
tho

[Cutter]

Well done sarasoke you deserve it, a great photo of a great subject and ideal for the theme.
Finally the bride
Found it hard to pick this week so many good ones, the leg caught my eye until my wife walked in , when you doing your next shoot? henfrance

Congratulations Carol. A very good composition with nice Sepia effect, that for me captured the spirit of this weeks challenge, amongst some very strong competition.

Above, Stoneage Ipod by Delamanda; Nice fun imagery Del.

Below, Untitled by Cosmica; I like the sense of humour instilled in the shot.

[michaelb104]

Well done Carol on the win, log overdue in my opinion

A really nice image that looks just like a Victorian picture.

[Sarasocke]

Ui, thanks everyone

Thinking cap is on.

[jinky]

Well done Carol - great shot with lovely tones and a real old feel. Can almost see them donning their victorian costumes but there`s probably a law against snapping them

Reviews -
Reggy. Nice detail in sky picked out with HDR and not overdone and quite subtle. Got that typical softness that comes with HDR treatment that is a little distracting and would have liked to see that grave in the front either fully in or out as again it detracts a little. Nice old church and nice to hear the detail. We don`t do enough of that and it was nice togethjer with hearing others say how they did the shot.
Oggalily - great shot and some hard work paying off here. A great re-enactment piece that perhaps confused some into thinking it was just an old snap with thehumorous title early on but great the way you shared your method with us. Really liked this and in hindsight possibly should have got my vote. As I said found it really hard to make my mind up and also loved H`s film noir and carol`s but went for that great lighting and title and composition in Wattsy`s.

Thanks for the comments on mine ogga - not so much commitment shown to the comp as a desire to test out new photography rules agreed at Leeds museums and you`re right it needed a figure of interest. No animateurs in there on a Friday and as you say a barrier up. My main achievement I felt was getting a good clean shot ast 1000 iso with my D80. You cannot see that with the treatment I gave it but the original was very clean - works OK if you work on getting the exposure spot on.

Look forward to this weekends theme Carol - good luck with it. Heaven knows whether we will have rules or not

Apologies again if I started the ball rolling too fast for some with what I thought was an innocent query

[Sarasocke]

Heaven knows whether we will have rules or not

I have some ideas for a theme, but I think I'd better wait until tomorrow lunchtime, to see what the rules are

[Delamanda]

Well done Carol! A great shot.

I found it really difficult to choose this week, but anything with music normally sways me and so as well as being a darned good shot, Wattsy's entry took my vote.
Above and below: I thought they were both good and was surprised not to see any votes here. Reggy's Church - I just can't do HDR and so admire anything like this that retains so much of the natural look.
Andy's Heiress - I just love the way you've captured that certain look, which only an about-to-be-seriously moneyed heiress would have.