Between the gate post

[Stephen]

Was out with an old friend this afternoon. We both had our cameras, but frankly there didn't seem to be much happening, a few pheasants, a heron, and a multitude of red kites All rather too far away in most cases. We hadn't taken many shots but we talked plenty, some about photography. I was trying to explain at one point that it doesn't matter where you go with the camera, its always possible to come away with something. You just have to adapt to the conditions and change what you shoot. To illustrate this I stopped and pointed the camera at the first thing that came to view that looked half interesting. It was a steel farm gate and a wooden post, between which were some old dead thistles. I shot off a couple of shots and we had a look. I was quite pleased actually and it showed the point I was trying to make.

I've cropped a bit off either side and tweaked it for levels etc but here is the result. Comments welcome. (BTW what does it look like on your screen, this is the first I've posted from my new Mac, so I'm not sure )

[Bearface]

Re: Between the gate post

Was out with an old friend this afternoon. We both had our cameras, but frankly there didn't seem to be much happening, a few pheasants, a heron, and a multitude of red kites All rather too far away in most cases. We hadn't taken many shots but we talked plenty, some about photography. I was trying to explain at one point that it doesn't matter where you go with the camera, its always possible to come away with something. You just have to adapt to the conditions and change what you shoot. To illustrate this I stopped and pointed the camera at the first thing that came to view that looked half interesting. It was a steel farm gate and a wooden post, between which were some old dead thistles. I shot off a couple of shots and we had a look. I was quite pleased actually and it showed the point I was trying to make.

I've cropped a bit off either side and tweaked it for levels etc but here is the result. Comments welcome. (BTW what does it look like on your screen, this is the first I've posted from my new Mac, so I'm not sure )

I like it. The shallow DOF and the relationship between the colours of the dead thistles and the rusty gate-post really work well. Hope you had a good day

[lumix]

Re: Between the gate post

Was out with an old friend this afternoon. We both had our cameras, but frankly there didn't seem to be much happening, a few pheasants, a heron, and a multitude of red kites All rather too far away in most cases. We hadn't taken many shots but we talked plenty, some about photography. I was trying to explain at one point that it doesn't matter where you go with the camera, its always possible to come away with something. You just have to adapt to the conditions and change what you shoot. To illustrate this I stopped and pointed the camera at the first thing that came to view that looked half interesting. It was a steel farm gate and a wooden post, between which were some old dead thistles. I shot off a couple of shots and we had a look. I was quite pleased actually and it showed the point I was trying to make.

I've cropped a bit off either side and tweaked it for levels etc but here is the result. Comments welcome. (BTW what does it look like on your screen, this is the first I've posted from my new Mac, so I'm not sure )

First there is no doubt who your old friend is. Regards the image, yes looks OK to me, but bit tight for space at the top and that bit of white peeking round the post could go.

[Stephen]

Re: Between the gate post

First there is no doubt who your old friend is. Regards the image, yes looks OK to me, but bit tight for space at the top and that bit of white peeking round the post could go.

Haha, I think there is a lot of doubt actually Ron, he is certainly not a regular here, though he is a member as it happens However thanks for your comments, its good to know things are looking OK to others. The Mac screen is very bright in comparison to what I've been used to, so I often wonder if I'm over compensating. I accept your point about being tight for space etc. though TBH that doesn't especially bother me. In general I feel it works ok. JUst found another actually so I'm working on that atm.

[Stephen]

Re: Between the gate post

I like it. The shallow DOF and the relationship between the colours of the dead thistles and the rusty gate-post really work well. Hope you had a good day

Thanks Tim, we really must try to get out next week, work permitting

[Stephen]

Re: Between the gate post

Here is another angle of the same gate post scenario. This is full frame, just tweaked for levels etc. How simple can you get, yet I feel its a very acceptable and not uninteresting result

[grangie]

Re: Between the gate post

Very impressive. I like the way the dark background throws the thistleheads into sharp relief. A really nice shot - I've learned a lot.

[Autumn]

Re: Between the gate post

First of all I am wondering if I am the only one who has to press F11 to get the whole picture in. If I don't, either the top or bottom part of the frame is missing.

Secondly, first impression of the picture is that I like the colours, tones, subject and composition, but I would like a touch more room at the top.

Thirdly, it does appear a touch soft to me but perhaps that is how it is meant to be - sort of "Arty". In fact if it were mine, I would like enough to print and hang and that is saying something as I only have one of my pictures printed and hung in our bungalow and that is the Rialto Bridge at Sunset.

The second picture I also like, but not so much as the first. I like the dark background, contrast of textures, animal? (there might be an insect on the thistle) vegetable and mineral. A very typical country scene showing the barbed wire.

[Ian]

Re: Between the gate post

Interesting that the dried up leaf is clearly moving in what is otherwise almost a still-life study; it's unusual. I like it.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Between the gate post

First of all I am wondering if I am the only one who has to press F11 to get the whole picture in. If I don't, either the top or bottom part of the frame is missing.

Secondly, first impression of the picture is that I like the colours, tones, subject and composition, but I would like a touch more room at the top.

Thirdly, it does appear a touch soft to me but perhaps that is how it is meant to be - sort of "Arty". In fact if it were mine, I would like enough to print and hang and that is saying something as I only have one of my pictures printed and hung in our bungalow and that is the Rialto Bridge at Sunset.

The second picture I also like, but not so much as the first. I like the dark background, contrast of textures, animal? (there might be an insect on the thistle) vegetable and mineral. A very typical country scene showing the barbed wire.

What are you viewing on, Audrey? 850 pixels is a bit tall for the forum, but Stephen has a nice big monitor to playe with

I'm using the kids' PC here in while having a late brekafast (long story but I didn't actually get to bed on Wednesday night, so I'm catching up - fell asleep half way through last night's Genius of Photography too!) which has an elderly 17" 1280x1024 monitor and the pic just about squeezes in. I recommend 700 pixels high for the forum and gallery if it's a vertical shot.

Ian

[Julia]

Re: Between the gate post

I love the first one - esp. the rich colour and texture contrasts. The second is a little cluttered for my liking.

Mind you I would have been delighted with both if I had taken them

Julia

[Autumn]

Re: Between the gate post

What are you viewing on, Audrey? 850 pixels is a bit tall for the forum, but Stephen has a nice big monitor to playe with

I'm using the kids' PC here in while having a late brekafast (long story but I didn't actually get to bed on Wednesday night, so I'm catching up - fell asleep half way through last night's Genius of Photography too!) which has an elderly 17" 1280x1024 monitor and the pic just about squeezes in. I recommend 700 pixels high for the forum and gallery if it's a vertical shot.

Ian

1280 x 1024

[Patrick]

Re: Between the gate post

Was out with an old friend this afternoon. We both had our cameras, but frankly there didn't seem to be much happening, a few pheasants, a heron, and a multitude of red kites All rather too far away in most cases. We hadn't taken many shots but we talked plenty, some about photography. I was trying to explain at one point that it doesn't matter where you go with the camera, its always possible to come away with something. You just have to adapt to the conditions and change what you shoot. To illustrate this I stopped and pointed the camera at the first thing that came to view that looked half interesting. It was a steel farm gate and a wooden post, between which were some old dead thistles. I shot off a couple of shots and we had a look. I was quite pleased actually and it showed the point I was trying to make.

I've cropped a bit off either side and tweaked it for levels etc but here is the result. Comments welcome. (BTW what does it look like on your screen, this is the first I've posted from my new Mac, so I'm not sure )

Where it is a little tight at the top easily rectified in my view by adding a little to the frame at the top. I would loose that white bit at the side of the rusty post as well.
That done may I suggest it for the first image on the golden gallery, yes I like it that much.
The movement in that leave is for me important against the stillness in the rest of the picture.

Patrick

[StuartR]

Re: Between the gate post

Well, if you've done nothing else Stephen, you've inspired me to go for a walk this afternoon. Think I'll visit the local nature reserve and see what's about.

If pressed, I'd probably prefer the second shot on balance but they're both shots I'd be happy to have taken.

Looks like (from the EXIF) it was taken with your 100-400mm pretty much wide open at the 100mm end? Still sorely tempted to buy that lens...

[Stephen]

Re: Between the gate post

Where it is a little tight at the top easily rectified in my view by adding a little to the frame at the top. I would loose that white bit at the side of the rusty post as well.
That done may I suggest it for the first image on the golden gallery, yes I like it that much.
The movement in that leave is for me important against the stillness in the rest of the picture.

Patrick

Well thank you for your comment Patrick and the accolade of suggesting it for the Golden Gallery, (Which incidentally is still not fully up and running so please be patient) The thing is I'm my own hardest critic and for me whilst its an appealing little image, quite beautiful in its simplicity infact, I don't consider it good enough for the Golden Gallery, and anyway as I'm involved with the screening process I don't really think its appropriate that my own work goes in there