Photo Assignment: Weekend 10/13/07

[SNC1923]

Having fun yet?

Our photo assignment threads (this is our sixth) are averaging 1,800 hits. That's a lot of folks looking in to see what's going on. If you are one of them, we hope you'll consider joining us to share your photographic interpretations of the themes.

However, to forestall chaos, we humbly offer these simple rules:


Photos must be shot this weekend: Fri, Sat, or Sun.
You must provide the EXIF information if asked (we'll help you, if you'd like to know how to get it).
No photoshop alteration (we're looking to improve your skills with your camera, not software).
Your photograph must adhere to the theme, which will be described below.
Post only one photo per post, so that commentary can be easily provided for that photo.
Post your photos in this thread only. Do not start a thread in reply to this assignment. Please post your photos no later than next Wednesday.
And, the most important rule: have fun! We're looking to spread the joy that many of us derive from taking pictures, particularly ones that tell a story of some kind.


This week's theme: "Group Dynamic."

:scratch

Our friends at Wikipedia define group dynamics as "the study of groups, and also a general term for group processes. In psychology and sociology, a group is two or more individuals who are connected to each other by social relationships. Because they interact and influence each other, groups develop a number of dynamic processes that separate them from a random collection of individuals. These processes include norms, roles, relations, development, need to belong, social influence, and effects on behavior.

As with other challenges, interpret this theme as you will. I merely offer the definition above as a jumping-off place. You need not limit your definition of groups to "individual" humans.

Now get out there and take some pictures.

[jdmetzger]

How do you expect me to get this theme when I'm not going to a rally this weekend? :doh

Oh well, I enjoy a good challenge! :D

[bluestune]

Very interesting............

[KBasa]

Excellent. Maybe I'll actually have an opportunity to take some pictures this weekend. :bluduh

[PGlaves]

How do you expect me to get this theme when I'm not going to a rally this weekend? :doh

Oh well, I enjoy a good challenge! :D

Try any convenient biker bar about 11:00 p.m. Ought to be good for some kind of group dynamic.

[jdmetzger]

Try any convenient biker bar about 11:00 p.m. Ought to be good for some kind of group dynamic.

:ha

Sadly it's 50 degrees right now, and only going to get colder. Those guys will be in their cages. Maybe I can catch a few getting into their trucks with the brand stickers affixed to the back windows. :dunno

[The_Veg]

trucks with the brand stickers

Dwon here in TexSux there are more trucks with Harley-stickers on back windows than there are actual Harleys.

[SNC1923]

Statdawg, each of these is a great image. I LOVE the one on the field, and it fits the theme perfectly. Excellent color, composition, and angle. I'll have more to say about it next week.

Of the QB shots, I like the first better as I think it tells more of a story. The second one is unfortunate because it has Chris Farley (RIP) in the background cleaning his fingernails!

Really cool shots.

[jdmetzger]

Statdawg, each of these is a great image. I LOVE the one on the field, and it fits the theme perfectly. Excellent color, composition, and angle. I'll have more to say about it next week.

Of the QB shots, I like the first better as I think it tells more of a story. The second one is unfortunate because it has Chris Farley (RIP) in the background cleaning his fingernails!

Really cool shots.

Chris Farley. :rofl

Looks like I missed a good game!!! (and nice shots!)

I missed several chances this morning. I left my camera at home when I went to the park. There were LOTS of opportunities to get groups of deer.

[grossjohann]

http://www.cmc-kuhnke.com/motorrad/DSC01089.JPG

This was taken outside a busy farm-stand. Every week we collect our organic vegetable "farm share" from this small barn in Upstate New York. Farm shares like this build the local economy, keep small farms alive, and help the environment.

[grossjohann]

http://www.cmc-kuhnke.com/motorrad/DSC01093.JPG

Unfortunately, the group dynamic isn't really clear in this shot. These guys were so organized there wasn't much of a group to see... They had soccer moms driving their SUV's through a coral. The orders were taken up front, next stop payment was taken, and their order was delivered right to their car at the final stop.

The entire town smelled like BBQ.

[rocketman]

A few shots from Mortons BMW dealer Octoberfest in northern VA

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3285%20copy.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3288%20copy.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3298%20copy.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3301%20copy.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3304%20copy.jpg

RM

[BeerTeam]

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/207713359-L-1.jpg

Wisconsin's cool October air

Geese and Pumpkins everywhere

[BeerTeam]

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/207715616-L-1.jpg


Geese heard

[BeerTeam]

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/207716792-L-1.jpg

Cow herd:wave

[jdmetzger]

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/207716792-L-1.jpg

Cow herd:wave

Nice!! Cows looking at a rubber cow. :D

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard085s.jpg
Group Dynamic at Crested Buzzard Rally

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208047418-L.jpg

This is a spectacularly ordinary shot. If rider #1 had been leaning just a bit to his left, the result would have been a more dynamic, interesting photo. I like the way the light and colors rendered.

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208048024-L.jpg

There is a vast soccer complex near my home. I took quite a few pictures to get this one. Shooting action on the fly and being barred from editing softward adds an element of challenge.

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208048600-L.jpg

Snapped these mud hens (Fulica Americana) out for their morning constitutional at Hart Park.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I found this group while enjoying the perfect fall weather on Cape Cod. More pictures from the weekend. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/sets/72157602421059050/)

The angle of the sun was difficult to work with, but I loved the subject matter.:D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/1572027679_37aedeb2b8.jpg

[RandallIsland]

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1193417_1

High octane Oreo :D

[bluestune]

The goal this weekend was to finish all the little things that needed fixing around the house before Sunday afternoon and the approching winter, then go for a ride soaking up the fall color. Just as I was getting the bike ready to go, I noticed some termites at the garage door, yikes! Long story short, by the time I found, purchased and applied the various chemicals to keep the termites away, the day was over. So here's my Sunday evening contribution to Group Dynamics. Cheers!

[grossjohann]

The goal this weekend was to finish all the little things that needed fixing around the house before Sunday afternoon and the approching winter, then go for a ride soaking up the fall color. Just as I was getting the bike ready to go, I noticed some termites at the garage door, yikes! Long story short, by the time I found, purchased and applied the various chemicals to keep the termites away, the day was over. So here's my Sunday evening contribution to Group Dynamics. Cheers!

This is a great shot! I really like the motion, and the sharp focus.

[BeerTeam]

The goal this weekend was to finish all the little things that needed fixing around the house before Sunday afternoon and the approching winter, then go for a ride soaking up the fall color. Just as I was getting the bike ready to go, I noticed some termites at the garage door, yikes! Long story short, by the time I found, purchased and applied the various chemicals to keep the termites away, the day was over. So here's my Sunday evening contribution to Group Dynamics. Cheers!

Nice photo.

Details, how did you do that shot. What camera and settings?

[Voni]

Nonconformist BMW Style Parking

Voni
sMiling

[SNC1923]

That's a cool shot, Voni. I like how you included both angles of the RT.

I know I'm having fun when I look around a see a parking lot like this!

[SNC1923]

I realize BeerTeam's question is not posed to me. It did pop up while I was cogitating on the very same question, though. . . .

Am I way out, or are both the six-pack and the camera moving? Camera on a tray? Maybe you don't want to tell us. I know, genius is a selfish mistress.

I just wanted to weigh in with a well-deserved, "cool shot."

[stealthrider]

Here's my shot at "Group Dynamics"
Taken today at the Lehigh Valley Band Day in Allentown, PA

[SNC1923]

Really interesting shot, Stealthrider. Interesting composition--answers the theme well. Neat composition, unexpected form.

[MLS2GO]

This group had just come together, obviously old friends.

[Voni]

What better group dynamic than BMW riders reuniting!

I can feel the energy.

Great shot!

Voni
sMiling

[bricciphoto]

Here is one of my contributions:

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208540877-M.jpg

[bricciphoto]

Number two:

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208541153-M.jpg

[bricciphoto]

Number three (could have been my "Blue" subject, too :D ):

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208541199-M.jpg

[bluestune]

I realize BeerTeam's question is not posed to me. It did pop up while I was cogitating on the very same question, though. . . .

Am I way out, or are both the six-pack and the camera moving? Camera on a tray? Maybe you don't want to tell us. I know, genius is a selfish mistress.

I just wanted to weigh in with a well-deserved, "cool shot."

Thanks, I wanted to generate some questions as to how I made this, so thanks for asking.

Tom, your guess is almost right on as to how I made the shot. I used a 1X6X10 inch plank for the six pack to rest on, then clamped a camera mount to the board, attached the camera and composed the beverages leaving room for the bike while I still had the "rig" on my workbench. Then, I picked up the whole rig, walked over to the bike and just shot several frames moving the rig and camera with the bike stationary in the background. I also used a work light to light everything. The whole setup took about 5 minutes. Oh yeah, I used a point and shoot Canon SD850 set to macro setting, the exposure was about one quarter of a second and aperture was around 5.6, I'll have to look in the metadata for exact specs.

I'm really enjoying the "themes" that are being tossed out at us, Thanks Tom.

[Burnszilla]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/1580011756_0017d46a85.jpg

[rocketman]

Here is one of my contributions:

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208540877-M.jpg


ha Ha! Let me guess Mortons Octoberfest?

RM

[SNC1923]

Thanks, I wanted to generate some questions as to how I made this, so thanks for asking.

Tom, your guess is almost right on as to how I made the shot. I used a 1X6X10 inch plank for the six pack to rest on, then clamped a camera mount to the board, attached the camera and composed the beverages leaving room for the bike while I still had the "rig" on my workbench. Then, I picked up the whole rig, walked over to the bike and just shot several frames moving the rig and camera with the bike stationary in the background. I also used a worklight to light up everything. The whole setup took about 5 minutes. Oh yeah, I used a point and shoot Canon SD850 set to macro setting, the exposure was about one quarter of a second and apature was around 5.6, I'll have to look in the metadata for exact specs.

I'm really enjoying the "themes" that are being tossed out at us, Thanks Tom.

Thanks for sharing your technique with us. You are a clever and inventive photographer, which is why, I suspect, unlike the rest of us, you actually get paid for it!

Ain't the "Photo Assignment" threads fun?

[bricciphoto]

ha Ha! Let me guess Mortons Octoberfest?

RM

Yes. It's Officer Pecka and a few interested spectators. :wave

[wmubrown]

From the Falling Leaf rally (resized only):

http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_12.jpg


http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_17.jpg


http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_19.jpg


http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_27.jpg


http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_31.jpg


http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_38.jpg
That's a rainbow over the crowd.


http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_58.jpg

[tourunigo]

... I spent the past week working on an old house and that did not give a lot of time to get really creative with my very new and capable Nikon. Lots to learn. Anyway, unable to venture out too far I looked around. Lots of beauty in this remote little place called Larrys River. Lots of blue.... but I missed that weekend. Now... Group Dynamic.

What I really wanted was a seagull feeding frenzy up in the blueberry field. Food thrown..... I position myself in bushes and ready for some grand shots. Smart birds these gulls. Circling overhead they waited for me to leave. They won and I went back to working on the house.

New ideas: first is my makeshift workbench in a future bedroom. Not looking too dynamic at the moment but it is a bustle of activity for most of the day.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/LarrysRiverOct2007004.jpg

Then, as I made the bed in the morning, I thought quilt. Pieces brought together in a purposeful and dynamically resourceful way which is a beautiful example of form and function. Note the BMW content in the center.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/LarrysRiverOct2007029.jpg

And last, again not me at my most creative, is a shot taken while in barley therapy one evening. After working all day with the electrician I thought that maybe I can capture a bit of the dynamic interlacing and subsequent networking that eminates from the systems heart: The Breaker Box. Darn thing is dynamic when it works well and vividly dynamic when things get mixed up.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/LarrysRiverOct2007019.jpg

Even if no product is forthcoming, the exercise really nudges one to see their world in a more interesting and thoughful way. Complacency sneaks up on you with silent ease. -Bob

[RebeccaV]

A few shots from Mortons BMW dealer Octoberfest in northern VA
Hey RM - I rode by Morton's on Saturday! I wish that I could have stopped.

I like this picture a lot though even though I don't feel like it is visually particularly strong or interesting. I was riding a competitive rally in VA over the weekend and to me, this picture of my buddy Mike trying to find a bonus location communicates what competitive rallies can be like.

This particular bonus was the grave of the arm of Stonewall Jackson in a very remote location, and once we got to the location, we had a bit of trouble finding the granite marker designating the grave.

It's an image of a group dynamic for me because I had never ridden a rally with another rider before.

http://RebeccaVaughn.smugmug.com/photos/208750952-L.jpg

[rocketman]

Hey RM - I rode by Morton's on Saturday! I wish that I could have stopped.

I like this picture a lot though even though I don't feel like it is visually particularly strong or interesting. I was riding a competitive rally in VA over the weekend and to me, this picture of my buddy Mike trying to find a bonus location communicates what competitive rallies can be like.

This particular bonus was the grave of the arm of Stonewall Jackson in a very remote location, and once we got to the location, we had a bit of trouble finding the granite marker designating the grave.

It's an image of a group dynamic for me because I had never ridden a rally with another rider before.

http://RebeccaVaughn.smugmug.com/photos/208750952-L.jpg

Interesting, I just looked it up, I'll have to go down there, not far from my digs. So did you guys find it? The website roadsideAmerica says you need a pass to get into the site, but I found the road leading to the house on maps.google.

RM

[RebeccaV]

Interesting, I just looked it up, I'll have to go down there, not far from my digs. So did you guys find it? The website roadsideAmerica says you need a pass to get into the site, but I found the road leading to the house on maps.google.

RM
Yes, we found it. If the gate is down you need a pass from the visitor's center, if not you can just go in.

I'd highly recommend a visit - it's a cool spot.

[The_Veg]

OK so here's a late-entry, and I have to point out up front that I did not take this picture (but my helmet and gloves are in it), and it was not taken during this past weekend, or even this year. But it was one of those weird serendipities- the Group Dynamic assignment-thread was one of the last I read the last time I was here, and shortly after that I saw this photo that a friend took a while back being used as a front-page photo for a YahooGroup that friend just started. As soon as I saw the picture I knew it was a group dynamic for sure- so with the photographer's blessing, here it is:

http://vegomatic.smugmug.com/photos/208993458-M-0.jpg

This was taken at a former Esso station in Mena Arkansas just off the end of the Talimena Scenic Drive. I was with a bunch of airhead-riding friends from all over the country, and we had stopped to look through the windows at the old gas station, which is preserved from another era and now (along with a former Studebaker showroom around the corner) serves as a small museum of mostly cars, a few bikes, and various bits of American-road-memorabilia.
The Photographer is my friend Joan Marie from Seattle.

[SNC1923]

An outstanding group of photos this week! Photographers seemed to respond well to the theme of "Group Dynamic." Let's take a look at some of them, shall we?

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208991419-L.jpg

Statdawg started us off with a bang on Friday with "Friday Night Lights." This is a wonderful composition--the size of the team is emphasized by foregrounding them and having them disappear into the border. The lighting is really good, too. I want this to have been illuminated with a flash, but I don't think it was. Nonetheless, the exposure is great and it doesn't fall off too much in the distance, keeping our interest on the coaches. It answers the theme very well.

http://www.cmc-kuhnke.com/motorrad/DSC01093.JPG

Grossjohann's "Setting Up for the Rush" is an admirable photo. I agree with his concern that the group is not doing much yet, but it is such a thoughtful composition. By including the sign, the whole story is told. But how the sign is included, large and in the foreground, is what really sets this off as a thoughtful photo. So many of us might have just snapped a picture of a truck or a truck and a sign. This is the photo for the BBQ brochure.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3285%20copy.jpg

Rocketman contributed five interesting and technically strong photos this week. Two stood out to me regarding the theme. The photo above is a great candid. First of all, it's taken with a telephoto lens which provides that nice sense of compression. There are riders milling around, adding to the sense of a dynamic group, and the background is pleasantly fuzzy. What works in this photo, though, is that something is going on between the rider and the (instructor?). It's a compelling image. I could do without the white tent line in the lower right corner, but what are you going to do?

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/Mortons_octoberfest-07/DSC_3288%20copy.jpg

This image didn't strike me at first, but on closer inspection, it addresses the theme well. What we have here are two groups, cops and civilians. It's remarkable to contrast the severe stance and regimental clothing of the officers with the relaxed posture and baggy attire of the civilians. They don't appear to be interacting which heightens the differences. 500 bonus points for getting Billy Bob Thornton to put on a uniform.

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/207715616-L-1.jpg

Beerteam has given us another nice group of photos. This one--a scene of bucolic splendor--is worth repeating. It obviously addresses the theme and is just a beautiful, natural scene.

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/207716792-L-1.jpg

This shot was a crowd favorite this week drawing a number of comments. It's a funny picture, one which provokes much thought and inspires any number of questions. Beerteam always garners bonus points for getting his bikes in the shot.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard085s.jpg

Paulbach's entry this week certainly addresses the theme in a most familiar way. Can't you just smell the smoke? It would be easy to point to this photo as a reject because the smoke interferes, but at the same time it evokes such a strong olfactory response that it actually works. Besides, who hasn't sat by a campfire only to be enveloped by smoke? It's a fun shot and a good memory, I'll bet.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/1572027679_37aedeb2b8.jpg

An entry this week from SheRidesaBeemer, and a fun one at that. This picture is a perfect illustration as to why you always want to have a camera with you. It's a fun shot and one that addresses the theme perfectly. As you can see from the shadow, and as Gail herself points out, the camera is staring almost directly into the sun. With an immovable subject, this presents a problem. The camera actually handles the exposure well, but it costs contrast and the subject is a bit backlit. A potential solution would have been to get closer (if possible--this IS someone's front yard) and to activate the camera's built-in flash. That would help to fill in some of the shadow and backlight. Another thought, again if possible--would have been to move in order to de-emphasize those pesky power lines. Maybe use the house as the backdrop? Still--a really neat image.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1193417_1

RandallIsland's entry this week can be interpreted several ways. It's group dynamic, but what is the group? Certainly, they're all vehicles quenching their thirst for gas. But there's also a beemer sandwiched between the two patrol vehicles. Did they all stop--mid-pursuit--to fill up? Fun shot--again, keep your camera with you.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208991503-L.jpg

Bluestune's "Dynamic Group Therapy" generated quite a bit of excited chatter. I appreciate his willingness to share technique. It's a wonderful, technically excellent, and imaginatively executed photograph. Just wonderful. This points to one of the differences between a "grabbed" shot and one that is thoughtfully planned out. It's amazing what kind of picture you can paint with just a little thought and planning.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208991326-XL.jpg

Voni's back this week with "Non-Comformist BMW-Style Parking." No kidding! This is a neat shot that answers the theme quite nicely. The composition is great with the mountains in the background. Imagine this shot with 50% sky on top. This is a thoughtful execution. She has included herself in the foreground (Hi Voni!) with the shadow. That's sometimes impossible to avoid. She has her back to the sun which is why the colors are so crisp. I wanted to complain the the bike in the foreground was cut off and that the picture might have been taken from a lower angle; however, I decided that I was all wrong. We have two different views of silver 1200RTs in this picture. We don't need all of both. 250 bonus points for including a red Funduro. You can't have a Funduro without Fun.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208991241-XL.jpg

Stealthrider weighs in this week with a wonderful image and another great execution of the theme. I love this shot. It's a very simple photo with a complex and dynamic subject. By isolating this group, we see the dissection of a much larger organism, the marching band. The image seems to have a slight greenish cast, not just the grass. That the band members are huddled on the oval really adds something--I can't express it--to this image. 140 bonus points (10 points each) for the hats.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/208991387-L.jpg

MLS2GO gives us another nice image this week. It's a nice composition with an interesting background (tents and a trail). It's a scene familiar to all of us, one that stirs a warm and pleasant feeling, perhaps even excitement. It's an excellent execution of the theme. The photo is very low contrast, the colors are muted. It appears as though it was an overcast day, but still, you might want to boost your contrast slightly in the camera's menu. This obviously can be post-processed as well. Another issue is sharpness. The overall photo is a bit soft. The fellow in the red helmet is reasonably sharp, but the dude on the far left is out of focus. Dirty lens? If yes, clean it. If no, take a couple of test shots of a highly defined subject (something with sharp relief or a pattern) and see what you find. These criticisms aside, this is a successful shot, one that really shows a group dynamic.

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208540877-M.jpg

Bricciphoto offers another nice image and interpretation of group dynamic. I don't like that everyone's back is to the camera, but I'm not telling the story, am I? What strikes me about this image is its counter-intuitive composition. Most of us would have shot this horizontally. Ben shoots is vertically instead, and rather than isolating the three fellows, he includes the tents and large "motorcycle" marquee. It's a snapshot, but a rather effective one.

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208541153-M.jpg

This is a beautiful still-life. Vibrant colors and spot-on contrast. By chasing the shadows you can see where the sun is, not directly behind, but to the right rear of the photographer. Wonderful highlights on the veggies and I love the shadow of the leaves poking in on the right.

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208541199-M.jpg

This simple reflection is an inventive retelling of the theme. I like it. If he could process this image, I'd like to see the contrast boosted a bit. 1,000 bonus points for including an F800.

[SNC1923]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/1580011756_0017d46a85.jpg

Burnzilla returns this week with a very cool contribution. This is a technically imperfect photo, that is one taken at so slow of a shutter speed that some motion blur occurs. But this "flaw" actually works in this photo (and truth be told I can't say for sure that he didn't do it on purpose). It's grainy, natural light shot at night. It really answers the theme well and is a somehow exciting image, one that reveals it own energy--nighttime in the city sort of thing. Very cool.

http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_12.jpg

WMUBrown joins us this week with a number of interpretations from the Falling Leaf Rally. I love the one above. It's an outstanding and thoughtful composition. This is the sort of photo that tells its own story. It's early the next morning. It's at least day two of the rally. Everyone stayed up late around the campfire, passing a bottle and telling lies. In the wee hours they staggered off to their tents to snore the stars away. What fun! I like this shot. When I post-processed this shot, I would straighten the horizon. But I wouldn't change anything else in this very successful image.

http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_27.jpg

WMUBrown's other contribution that caught my eye was this one. This is another excellent interpretation of this week's theme. Had he the presence of mind and time, if he had slowed the shutter speed slightly, he could have panned this shot, adding sense of speed and de-emphasizing the background. But that's Monday morning quarterbacking. It's a cool shot. 50 bonus points for a sidehack. 100 bonus points for each rider beyond the legal three, for a total of 300 points. Minus 50 points for no ATGATT adults (100 points) and minus 100 points for no ATGATT kids (300 points), leaving him with a total of -50 points. Ouch. That's gotta hurt.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/LarrysRiverOct2007029.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/LarrysRiverOct2007019.jpg

Touringo, an admitted digital virgin (1,000 BPs) stops by this week with three very nice contributions, not at all indicative of a newbie. These two captured my attention the most. Both are nice shots and interesting theme interpretations. What strikes me about them is the angle. I would have taken both of these head-on, rather than from a low angle with a receding horizon. That doesn't make me right. In fact, my inclination is the obvious choice, which is not at all necessarily the right one. The angle is most effective with the junction box. The quilt might have been cropped a bit tighter to eliminate any background, but again, that's subjective. Both are neat, thought-provoking pictures in light of the theme.

http://RebeccaVaughn.smugmug.com/photos/208750952-L.jpg

I have to disagree with Boxergrrlie here. This picture is visually interesting. I don't see how it fits the theme (the image itself) but it is a dynamic image. Apparently taken on the run, the slowish shutter speed blurs everything just slightly, causing an illusion of speed and immediacy. This is an exciting image. I love the overexposed background. This rider is heading to the white light. What lies beyond? Why is he running? Where are these hedge rows? What's he looking for? Some of the greatest images ask, rather than answer, questions. Neat shot.

I try to get to everyone, but can't do every image. If you're image was passed by and you have a question about it or want some feedback, do ask. I--and I'm sure others--will be happy to offer our 0.02. I had fun this week. Hope you did, too.

If you haven't submitted your photo yet, you have until midnight tonight! Let's see 'em.

[KBasa]

I've got nothing.

[The_Veg]

I've got nothing.
We have another thread for that. :D

[SheRidesABeemer]

Thanks for the feedback on my pumpkin picture. I think I'll take it to photoshop class tonight and learn how to fix it! :)

[wmubrown]

http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_12.jpg

WMUBrown joins us this week with a number of interpretations from the Falling Leaf Rally. I love the one above. It's an outstanding and thoughtful composition. This is the sort of photo that tells its own story. It's early the next morning. It's at least day two of the rally. Everyone stayed up late around the campfire, passing a bottle and telling lies. In the wee hours they staggered off to their tents to snore the stars away. What fun! I like this shot. When I post-processed this shot, I would straighten the horizon. But I wouldn't change anything else in this very successful image.

I also tried to apply the rule of 1/3's mentioned in a previous assignment with the fire :) I was sitting in a chair, holding the camera down low to the ground and estimating the angles. I will post-process and adjust the slope seen too... a couple other tries were much more off horizontal ;)

http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown/temp/fallingleaf_27.jpg

WMUBrown's other contribution that caught my eye was this one. This is another excellent interpretation of this week's theme. Had he the presence of mind and time, if he had slowed the shutter speed slightly, he could have panned this shot, adding sense of speed and de-emphasizing the background. But that's Monday morning quarterbacking. It's a cool shot. 50 bonus points for a sidehack. 100 bonus points for each rider beyond the legal three, for a total of 300 points. Minus 50 points for no ATGATT adults (100 points) and minus 100 points for no ATGATT kids (300 points), leaving him with a total of -50 points. Ouch. That's gotta hurt.


This was a spur of the moment shot. I was looking at a few wrecked bikes, heard a bike fire up, turned and saw the hack loaded up with kids, turned back and then *bing* I mentally saw a moment in the making, turned on the camera as I turned, they began moving, and I tried to pan with them. I was using a Casio Exilim ultra-compact camera, it doesn't have a lot of latitude in its default "AUTO" mode but is otherwise a nice tiny workhorse. It has zero options for manual control. Sometimes, as is the case with this photo, the result is a "soft" focus - I have not determined why, but is probably due to the movement. It's not blurry, but it's not sharp.

Thanks for the feedback...

[SNC1923]

Thanks for the feedback...

You're most welcome. Thanks for all the cool shots.

Try blowing up the sidehack shot. It's most likely motion blur, but I can't tell and have to get back to grading papers!

[bricciphoto]

As always Tom, thanks for taking the time to share your insight. It's always fun seeing everyone else's shots and reading your thoughtful comments. :wave

[rocketman]

well thanks for the comments (esp on mine!:D ) but really for your thoughts on all of them. Its interesting to hear others views as that is the kind of input that can make us all better photographers. I hadn't expected a review/critique but enjoyed it and it added something to the thread that was a pleasant surpirse.

My personal favorite was the marching band, the sense of movement shown by the leg position of all the members seemed to me to really tie them all together, more so than the uniforms or anything else. the sense that they were allmost off balance and could fall over (though obviously they did not!) at any moment hightened the excitement of the moment thus captured.

I too liked the cow shot, fuuny thing was as I was out riding sunday and went by several pastures with cows milling around I thought to myself, "are cows considered scocial animals?" and almost stopped to shoot a few for the theme.
A 1000 points for getting the bike in, eh? Damn, I hardly ever take pictures with my bike in it, I figure we all know what a BMW looks like, right? its the other stuff I'm really interested in sharing, guess I'll have change that, for these threads anyway!:D

the other one that caught my eye was the 6-six pack, though I think I would have removed one, as that to me would have added something to the story it told.
(or removed 3 and then that could have been the reason for its being blurred! Ha Ha!)

Oh, and I did almost photoshop out the tent cord, then figured what the hey!:D It can be a real pain when a shot is such that you just have to shoot it or miss it knowing that if you only had a second more you have moved a few feet, but then the shot would be gone. Kinda like many things in life, eh?

RM

[bricciphoto]

We haven't done this before, but just for kicks I did a quick edit on my shots, kind of a pre-Tom: post-Tom. :D Although I lost a little contrast in the vegetables in the edited shot (it was unintended and I'm too lazy to fix it).

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208541199-S.jpg http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/209076987-S.jpg

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208541153-S.jpg
http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/209076980-S.jpg

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/208540877-S.jpg http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/209076964-S.jpg

[SNC1923]

Very informative, Ben. I'd thought of doing this, but hadn't got around to it. Thanks!

[grossjohann]

Thanks, Tom. I've been having fun with these photo assignments. They're a nice outlet for us would-be photographers. Looking forward to next weekend's topic...

[Voni]

This gets better all the time.

Thanks so much for all you've shared.

There is so much to learn, but with small steps and practical applications it's easier to absorb. What a great resource.

Voni
sMiling

[MLS2GO]

If I post all three you can see the story. A very spent rider, group dynamics and our own Voni joining in to help.

[MLS2GO]

Help is on the way.

[MLS2GO]

It was a touching moment for those who saw it.

[PAULBACH]

Voyle Harris and his smokin guitar No photo shopping here - just a lucky exposure

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard099s.jpg

[SNC1923]

Voyle Harris and his smokin guitar No photo shopping here - just a lucky exposure

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard099s.jpg

Looks like maybe he's been down to the crossroads to make some kind of a deal. . . .

Great shot!

[SNC1923]

Cool photo story, Bob. 10,000 bonus points for getting Voni on film.

We need to get you on a photosharing site like SmugMug so you can post up to 20 images in a single thread. They have a promotion for MOA members that's $5.00 off I think.

Something to think about.

Cool photos; thanks.

[PAULBACH]

Which would have been the better photo for our "Weekly Assignments?"

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard083s.jpg
Flash - no smoke

or

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard085s.jpg
Flash & Smoke

I liked the smoky shot for the competition since it was a campfire and the smoke added, IMHO not subtracted. But if only one shot was going into the family snapshot album I would take the smoke free shot.

Opinions?

[rocketman]

Which would have been the better photo for our "Weekly Assignments?"

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard083s.jpg
Flash - no smoke

or

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard085s.jpg
Flash & Smoke

I liked the smoky shot for the competition since it was a campfire and the smoke added, IMHO not subtracted. But if only one shot was going into the family snapshot album I would take the smoke free shot.

Opinions?

I'll let you know once my eyes stop watering!:D

RM

(Cough Cough)

[SNC1923]

I'll let you know once my eyes stop watering!:D

RM

(Cough Cough)

See? This is what I'm talking about. That smoke, being so familiar to so many of us, triggers a visceral response. I mean, I can actually smell the smoke. I agree with Paul, though; as cool as the smoke shot is, the first one would end up in the family album.

Neat shots, both.

[bricciphoto]

Which would have been the better photo for our "Weekly Assignments?"

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071003%20Crested%20Buzzard/1013CrestedBuzzard085s.jpg
Flash & Smoke

I liked the smoky shot for the competition since it was a campfire and the smoke added, IMHO not subtracted. But if only one shot was going into the family snapshot album I would take the smoke free shot.

Opinions?


I like the smoke shot better. The no-smoke shot looks cold and distant. However, recognizing hindsight is 20/20, I may have messed around a bit with the flash setting, or location (assuming you can move it off camera) to try to balance the shot a little between the no-smoke and smoke version. I like the fact that the folks on the opposite side of the fire are more visible in the no-smoke shot. I'm not certain my retrospective suggestion could be pulled off, but that's my two cents. Neat environment for shooting and perfect pics for the assignment!

[SNC1923]

Thanks for the feedback on my pumpkin picture. I think I'll take it to photoshop class tonight and learn how to fix it! :)

Photoshop class? I'm jealous. I want to take one of those myself. One of our graphic arts instructors just posted a message the Adobe is not offering student discounts to faculty. I'm definitely going to look into that.

Gail, if you're pleased with the results of your pumpkin post-process will you share it with us? I'm curious to see what you manage to come up with.

[PAULBACH]

Thanks folks very interesting comments! The commentary is instructive.

If anyone out there has photo tips that they would like added to Touring Tips please sent them to me via PM or email.

Have talked to Vince and Mandy and adding a few at a time would add to Touring Tips. And if there are a lot of tips who knows maybe a separate page but that is way into the future and only if there are lots of tips.

[AZ Greg]

Although I haven't made a submission (yet), these photo assignment threads have been a joy. It's really been fun to learn something and at the same time see other person's ideas with respect to the "themes."

Thanks to all who have contributed and critiqued so far . . .

[Brownie]

Thanks for great pics of Morton's O-fest this weekend.....the ONLY reason I didn't go was I had a surprise sked change.........good pic of Jeff!!!!!:D