Photo Assignment: Weekend 11/17/07 [Archive]

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SNC1923

11-16-2007, 12:52 AM

OK, it's an assignment, and one can't have an assignment without a few rules. Please review these simple yet crucial guidelines for this week's photo assignment:

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. You may post more than one photo, but try to keep it to a handful.
We encourage you to creatively title your photo so it can be referred to later.
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: "Triangle"

It doesn't take a geometry teacher to recognize a triangle. This three-sided shape is arguablly one of the most basic and recognizable forms. It is also, by definition, two-dimensional. Sure, you can find a triangle and take a picture of it, but where's the sport in that? Can you find something triangular (not pyramidal) in your composition or subject matter?

It's Friday. Go nuts.

RandallIsland

11-16-2007, 06:12 AM

...and on first glance, it all seemed like such an ease. :D

Mika

11-16-2007, 09:08 AM

This week’s theme: “Triangle”

Links to the Photo Assignment threads:

11/10/2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21574): Harmony

11/03/2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21441): Pure & Simple

10/27/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21286): Open Wide

10/19/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21141): Shadow of a Doubt

10/13/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20999&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Group Dynamic

10/06/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20845&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Blue

09/29/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20687&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Evolution

09/22/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20513&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Balance

09/15/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20361&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Where I Want to Be

09/08/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20239&highlight=Photo+Assignment): A Long Way to Go

rocketman

11-16-2007, 03:59 PM

SNC1923

11-16-2007, 07:03 PM

So do I win?:stick

Taken this morning at work (ok, so it was a slow day)

Self portrait taken with my P&S Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W100

"Hand Made Triangle" Ha Ha!

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/triangles/triangle-hands.jpg

Ok, so technically its not that great, but I thought is was a fun idea.

RM

Actually, I think this is very cool on a number of levels. As Statdawg points out, you've got triangles in your ring. Your face fits perfectly within and the exposure is surprisingly good. The flashes on P&S cameras really work wonders sometimes. . . .

Imaginative interpretation.

bricciphoto

11-16-2007, 07:20 PM

Actually, I think this is very cool on a number of levels. As Statdawg points out, you've got triangles in your ring. Your face fits perfectly within and the exposure is surprisingly good. The flashes on P&S cameras really work wonders sometimes. . . .

Imaginative interpretation.

Indeed. Quite an interesting shot (techically and otherwise). Triangles are everywhere: ring, between the hands, between the fingers, creases in the palms (short life line, though--just kidding :D ), and I'm sure more I'm not seeing. Very cool pic to start off the weekend! Nice job Rocketman. :clap

lamble

11-16-2007, 08:36 PM

Just checking...would a picture of three Brits count as a trianglo?:brow

If it does, I'm going to need a bigger box.

rocketman

11-16-2007, 08:54 PM

Just checking...would a picture of three Brits count as a trianglo?:brow

If it does, I'm going to need a bigger box.

maybe you should think outside the box?:D (or get smaller friends ? Ha Ha!)

RM

Burnszilla

11-16-2007, 10:15 PM

That's acute.:D

SNC1923

11-17-2007, 01:31 AM

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/222245194-XL.jpg (http://www.snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=222245194)

rocketman

11-17-2007, 03:51 AM

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/222245194-XL.jpg

Perfect! I was just now thinking about triangles on motorcycles then this pops up! Nice!:clap at first glance I had thought of suggesting that having the background fully black would have improved the scene, but then again seeing just a tad of some other parts of bike gives a better sense of "contectedness" to the lights.

RE: the technical aspects of my photo, my thought had been that by moving more to the right( of the photo) I could have gotten the framing a little better by not having the blinds on one side keeping the shot more open in the background and then opening them some to get some side-lighting on my face to give it more depth. Also getting the lines in the ceiling centered such that they would recede into the background evenly on both sides (which might add one more triangular aspect to the whole). I was pleased with the idea as I said and for my first shot it did come out nicely centered re: my face within the triangle. Guess I'll just leave it after reading the responses. And yes I was kinda hoping it might be an interesting start and maybe give folks a sense of adventure (and perhaps inspiration, if I'm not being too bold!) for this weekends theme.

RM

cjack

11-17-2007, 10:47 AM

SNC1923

11-17-2007, 11:02 AM

And yes I was kinda hoping it might be an interesting start and maybe give folks a sense of adventure (and perhaps inspiration, if I'm not being too bold!) for this weekends theme.

Mission accomplished.

(The inspiring part, not the bold part!)

lamble

11-17-2007, 11:04 AM

SNC1923

11-17-2007, 11:09 AM

Ahhh Triangles...got lots of those everywhere. They make the world go square. I think this is somewhere around 135mm at f5.6, but I forgot to look actually. New camera and stuff. I took a billion pixels trying for some depth of field and still reduced clutter, but settled for this. What do you think of the triangle with the green eye. I love this digital film...'ya use it, 'ya still got it...

Cjack,

Beaucoup triangle! What a great shot. What is your new camera (forgive me for asking if you've already told us). The quality of light in your shot is beautiful, very even and smooth. You compose the shot in such a way to maximize triangle exposure. Very nice.

If you look at the image as bisected by the train tracks, the lower half is much busier and more interesting than the top half. I wonder if this were shot from a slightly lower angle? Just a thought. What you have accomplished here is very effective, and as I said, a really technically excellent photo.

cjack

11-17-2007, 11:34 AM

Cjack,

Beaucoup triangle! What a great shot. What is your new camera (forgive me for asking if you've already told us). The quality of light in your shot is beautiful, very even and smooth. You compose the shot in such a way to maximize triangle exposure. Very nice.

If you look at the image as bisected by the train tracks, the lower half is much busier and more interesting than the top half. I wonder if this were shot from a slightly lower angle? Just a thought. What you have accomplished here is very effective, and as I said, a really technically excellent photo.

It's a D80. I could try some lower shot. Maybe I will. The flash is that SB800 and bounces off the walls pretty nicely. Luckily, Viki who had painted this room 5 times trying to get the right color (orange, pink, green, etc., etc.) finally ended up with Realtor Off White.
As to the train company, Tri-ang, thanks for that mention. Interesting trains.

http://www.tri-ang.co.uk/

SNC1923

11-17-2007, 12:18 PM

Jack,

I don't mean to imply that you need one, because the lighting in your shot is perfect.

However, I have one of these (http://www.stofen.com/) and find it to be an invaluable tool, especially when in a room that one's wife hasn't painted perfectly. Best $20 I ever spent.

cjack

11-17-2007, 12:28 PM

rocketman

11-17-2007, 02:55 PM

Took a little ride down to the Quantico Marine Corp Museum as it has a nice triangular roof.....

These were shot in RAW mode so I had to edit them but only for conversion to jpeg.

While I like the first one cause it shows the use of multiple triangles in the structure.

The second one is more interesting in that it has a human element to it.

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/triangles/MCM-1.jpg

RM

rocketman

11-17-2007, 02:57 PM

Marine Corp Museum picture two

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/triangles/MCM-3.jpg

RM

PGlaves

11-17-2007, 03:02 PM

........ Make Structures

PGlaves

11-17-2007, 03:06 PM

........ Or Trouble

SNC1923

11-17-2007, 04:56 PM

........ Or Trouble

Triangle or triumvirate?

(really nice shot!)

SNC1923

11-17-2007, 04:57 PM

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/222423044-XL.jpg (http://www.snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=222423044)

MLS2GO

11-17-2007, 11:41 PM

I was determined to find a "Natural Triangle" not a constructed one. It took a while but Mother Nature bent this tree over another to form what I was looking for.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/222560234-L.jpg

AllanCook

11-18-2007, 12:33 PM

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/allankcook/IMG_0167.jpg

lamble

11-18-2007, 02:16 PM

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/222766648-M.jpg

Top box triangles.

I just physically couldn't get the angles to work on this shot, the BMW roundel being too far from the Union flag sticker, and so the grey expanse between became a problem. Plus, lighting. The surface isn't flat and cast vertical shadows up through the flag.

I may try again, later, with more than one light source. Back to magi lite in the teeth time.

lamble

11-18-2007, 02:52 PM

In most places the Union Jack is a little foggy, but never out of focus. :thumb

What do you mean "foggy"? :scratch
Patriotically I do have several other versions, where the flag is in focus and the BMW roundel is out of focus, but they had the shadows all wrong.

If of course you mean metaphorically foggy, then yah boo sucks to you, with nobs on and a cherry on top!

On a pedantic point, it's the Union flag...the Union Jack is a naval version I believe and has something to do with the ensign. But I do know for sure, the flag in the pic isn't the "jack".

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:24 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235913_1
Triangles in tree

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:25 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235914_1
Overgrown Triangles

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:25 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235915_1
Triangle Assention

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:26 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235916_1
Triangle wires

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:27 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235921_1
Study in Triangles in nature

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:28 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235924_1
Why can't I ride over the bridge

RandallIsland

11-18-2007, 04:28 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235926_1
Stone Masons Corner

BONEY

11-18-2007, 04:34 PM

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1862-1/sf+003.jpg

Is it me, or is a "true" triangle specifically a man made shape. I was out and about quite a lot this weekend, and it's nearly impossible to find a triangle in nature that has straight sides. (just an observation- and nothing more)

BONEY

11-18-2007, 04:36 PM

One more:

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1917-1/sf+036.jpg

lamble

11-18-2007, 05:54 PM

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/222850139-M.jpg

Gave up with the lighting on the top box after I swallowed the torch. So I went looking for triangles in nature. These parrot flowers are as near as I could find in and around the house.

They could look spectacular with the right lighting and a more skilled photographer. Still, I like the diagonal composition, as it also splits the image into two triangles.

Belquar

11-18-2007, 06:20 PM

Is it me, or is a "true" triangle specifically a man made shape. I was out and about quite a lot this weekend, and it's nearly impossible to find a triangle in nature that has straight sides. (just an observation- and nothing more)

A survival rule says that there are almost no straight lines in nature. If you are lost, and you come across one, chances are it is man-made.

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 06:20 PM

First of all, I'm not at all sure that these even qualify as triangles. They are, perhaps, the endoskeleton of a triangle.

I spent the afternoon riding trails in the mountains of Tehachapi in search of the right spot. I found two or three, but I'm just not in love with any one of them.

I like this first one, if only that is shows the true scale of these massive windmills.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/222860126-XL.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=222860126)

I'm not happy with the position of the blades, especially in relation to each other. Also, there's a third windmill's blade peeking in the left margin.

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 06:23 PM

This is the image for which I had the highest hopes. It was difficult to reach and I spent quite a bit of time just keeping the bike upright. When I finally got everything organized, I had to shoot blind with the camera slightly below ground level in a depression. This is the best of the shotgun approach, and a worthy image, but the windmill is growing out of the bike. Aargh!

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/222860365-XL.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=222860365)

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 06:24 PM

Voni

11-18-2007, 08:04 PM

I'm not happy with the position of the blades, especially in relation to each other. Also, there's a third windmill's blade peeking in the left margin.

Your first is my favorite.
And what you see as an error is actually another triangle!

Bonus points ; )

I saw this at Gallery Night in Alpine Friday. How many triangles do you see?

Voni
sMiling

Voni

11-18-2007, 08:09 PM

When I took this shot I saw three obvious triangles. Later the 4th jumped out at me.

Voni
sMiling

lamble

11-18-2007, 08:13 PM

When I took this shot I saw three obvious triangles. Later the 4th jumped out at me.

Voni
sMiling

There are at least eight triangles at first glance.

Voni

11-18-2007, 08:46 PM

There are at least eight triangles at first glance.

:)

Yes, there are :)

Voni
sMiling

Burnszilla

11-18-2007, 08:48 PM

jmbiii

11-18-2007, 09:08 PM

My poor submission of many small triangles in the dry grass and one triangular stone.

grossjohann

11-18-2007, 09:09 PM

I didn't think I would post this week, and then it hit me...

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0D8oiBWDgI/AAAAAAAAAfA/rElN53ie5xY/s800/DSC01526.JPG

grossjohann

11-18-2007, 09:12 PM

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0D8oSBWDfI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Ah03itL8f0M/s800/DSC01525.JPG

grossjohann

11-18-2007, 09:19 PM

Voni

11-18-2007, 09:32 PM

lamble

11-18-2007, 09:54 PM

There are at least eight triangles at first glance.

On closer inspection I'm up to eleven.

Rapid_Roy

11-18-2007, 10:01 PM

Okay, here goes. A very important triangle to me.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/PB180025.jpg

Rapid_Roy

11-18-2007, 10:07 PM

I kind of like this one also.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/PB180013.jpg

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 10:14 PM

Nice interpretation, Roy. Hard to say which is better--both perspectives have merit.

JohnF

11-18-2007, 10:36 PM

There are at least eight triangles at first glance.

I get 16.

JEF
Cincinnati, OH

JohnF

11-18-2007, 10:45 PM

Kentucky's version of the PA Dutch Hex sign.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01188.jpg

Saw a lot of these today, just bright colors with geometric shapes on a large sheet of plywood nailed to a barn. This one just SE of Sandy Hook, KY on SR 7.

I didn't like this assignment!!! Everytime I rode by a house or barn, all I saw were the many triangles of the roof line!!!

It was great riding, and if you are ever in the E KY area, SR 32 from Morehead, KY to Sandy Hook, KY, and then SR 7 down to US 460, and just about any road in this area are really nice sweeper riding.

John F
Cincinnati, OH

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 11:19 PM

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223017481-XL.jpg

This is my last one; I promise.

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 11:24 PM

Your first is my favorite.
And what you see as an error is actually another triangle!

Bonus points ; )

I saw this at Gallery Night in Alpine Friday. How many triangles do you see?

Voni
sMiling

Four? I think. How many do YOU see?

SNC1923

11-18-2007, 11:26 PM

Last week I went on a 'bacon run' to the Corralitos Market. Today I got to enjoy it. Honey cured bacon and fresh eggs from our neighbor's hens down the road.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2045827558_f4b4720759_b.jpg

Dude, tell me you made gravy with that grease. Geez that looks good. I had chorizo and eggs at the Mojave airport this morning, but there's nothing like good, thick-sliced bacon.

ian408

11-18-2007, 11:41 PM

Burnzilla makes bacon and doesn't invite anyone else?

What's up with that?

MLS2GO

11-18-2007, 11:43 PM

Riding down state line road (the border between Kansas and Missouri) I spied some lattice work and scrap lumner some nimrod had thrown out beside the road. Nothing was square to the world so it was hard to get the lines right. Apparently he like Missouri better than Kansas because he threw it on the Kansas side of the road.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/223027201-L.jpg

Burnszilla

11-19-2007, 12:01 AM

Burnzilla makes bacon and doesn't invite anyone else?

What's up with that?

Dude, you know where I live.
There's 9 more packages of it in my freezer!

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 01:01 AM

Check out our own Rapid-Roy's "Wide Open" submission as this week's picture of the week (http://www.bmwmoa.org/photo/picofweek.htm). Congratulations!

franze

11-19-2007, 03:09 AM

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/223097549-M.jpg

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/223098110-M.jpg

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/223098400-M.jpg

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 05:19 AM

Check out our own Rapid-Roy's "Wide Open" submission as this week's picture of the week (http://www.bmwmoa.org/photo/picofweek.htm). Congratulations!

Hey! Nice job RR!

PAULBACH

11-19-2007, 06:27 AM

And, of course, this is the safest image and the most technically sound, but it's just plain boring.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/222860604-XL.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=222860604)
Hidden Triangle!

Sometimes it's the triangle you don't notice at first - two tires and a sidestand - a most wonderful triangle!

PAULBACH

11-19-2007, 06:29 AM

When I took this shot I saw three obvious triangles. Later the 4th jumped out at me.

Voni
sMiling

I found 14 triangles in the picture. Count the triangles in the landscape and within the tepees. And, I bet I missed a couple.

Nice composition.

PAULBACH

11-19-2007, 06:49 AM

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071117%20Max%20Thank/1117MaxThanks011c.jpg

After seeing all the creative triangle shots I went back to the Thanksgiving dinner given by Max BMW Motorcycles. There had to be a triangle in there someplace. Finally found one - the Eternal Triangle.

No need for any commentary or evaluation here - just a casual snapshot.

When I look back at many shots from all over the world it is always the pictures with people in them that are my favorites.

Voni

11-19-2007, 08:06 AM

When I look back at many shots from all over the world it is always the pictures with people in them that are my favorites.

I was thinking the same thing
and then wondered why the majority of the pictures I've sent to this thread
have been things and NOT people.

Voni
sMiling

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 08:31 AM

I was thinking the same thing
and then wondered why the majority of the pictures I've sent to this thread
been things and NOT people.

Voni
sMiling

People often add a challenging dynamic to photography. Objects can be controlled while you take as much time as you like to set up the shot, people rarely preserve the moment for you. I love portraits nearly as much for the artistic composition as for the psychology behind them.

Thanks for the idea… Whatever the assignment this week, I’ll try to find it in a portrait.

-Alex

rocketman

11-19-2007, 08:49 AM

People often add a challenging dynamic to photography. Objects can be controlled while you take as much time as you like to set up the shot, people rarely preserve the moment for you. I love portraits nearly as much for the artistic composition as for the psychology behind them.

Thanks for the idea… Whatever the assignment this week, I’ll try to find it in a portrait.

-Alex

Oh, I don't know, I found the person in my first submittal to be very co-operative!:)

On a more serious note, people do indeed add an element of interest in a photo, it gives us something to identify with, it was for that reason I included the second shot of the Museum in my second entry, I felt that photo told a story rather than being just a photograph of a structure, we can identify with the people visiting the museum but can't really do that with a building. The Human element is often the most important and most challenging.

RM

Rapid_Roy

11-19-2007, 08:51 AM

Nice interpretation, Roy. Hard to say which is better--both perspectives have merit.
Thank you. I really need to use my tripod, half were blurry. I was playing with the A/S/M mode on the camera and using available light. I didn't like any of the flash pictures. I didn't like any of the color pictures either.

Rapid_Roy

11-19-2007, 08:56 AM

Check out our own Rapid-Roy's "Wide Open" submission as this week's picture of the week (http://www.bmwmoa.org/photo/picofweek.htm). Congratulations!

I never would have done it without these contest threads.
Everyone's pictures are very inspiring, those and the critiques are my muse. That was another lucky photo as I had no tripod (I was using a stick) and most turned out blurry, again using available light.

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 09:27 AM

I never would have done it without these contest threads.
Everyone's pictures are very inspiring, those and the critiques are my muse. That was another lucky photo as I had no tripod (I was using a stick) and most turned out blurry, again using available light.

Roy,

Are you using a DSLR (interchangeable lenses)?

Do you play with increasing the ISO setting?

PAULBACH

11-19-2007, 09:33 AM

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 09:44 AM

Fantastic Idea - Will try to do the same. There should be lots of material given the Holiday.

Thanks, Paul. Kudos to Voni for pointing it out…

I wonder if Tom will make an exception for the holiday to extend the weekend assignment to include Thursday. We would need the subject by Wednesday, of course. :D

What do you think, Tom? :wave

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 09:47 AM

Thanks, Paul. Kudos to Voni for pointing it out…

I wonder if Tom will make an exception for the holiday to extend the weekend assignment to include Thursday. We would need the subject by Wednesday, of course. :D

What do you think, Tom? :wave

It is as though you were reading my mind. . . .

Ditto on the portrait idea. Anyone smell a theme brewing?

:dance

Rapid_Roy

11-19-2007, 09:48 AM

Roy,

Are you using a DSLR (interchangeable lenses)?

Do you play with increasing the ISO setting?

Nope. It is an Olympus digital camera.
I didn't mess with ISO at all (I didn't even think of it):blush

kreinke

11-19-2007, 09:52 AM

Oooh. An illinois Central E-3.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10754&stc=1&d=1195317620

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 09:55 AM

It is as though you were reading my mind. . . .

Ditto on the portrait idea. Anyone smell a theme brewing?

:dance

It's on, then. Thanks, Tom! :thumb

KBasa

11-19-2007, 10:15 AM

I will admit to running this through Smugmug's auto color correction.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223190781-XL-1.jpg

Burnszilla

11-19-2007, 10:16 AM

bricciphoto

11-19-2007, 10:33 AM

After seeing all the creative triangle shots I went back to the Thanksgiving dinner given by Max BMW Motorcycles. There had to be a triangle in there someplace. Finally found one - the Eternal Triangle.

No need for any commentary or evaluation here - just a casual snapshot.

When I look back at many shots from all over the world it is always the pictures with people in them that are my favorites.

Interesting. I was thinking about this too and I found Paul's interpretation with the three ladies to be one of the most intruiging interpretations of the theme posted this week. And as a side note, on my pbase site of nearly 11,000 images, those with a human presence (portrait, casual shot, etc.) get significantly more views than those without human presence. It's an old advertising hook as well: shots that include people are viewed more and longer than those that do not include people.

I didn't shoot anything this week. :blush

Edit: Dave, color correction or not, that's a beautiful shot! Awesome shooting.

rocketman

11-19-2007, 10:42 AM

I will admit to running this through Smugmug's auto color correction.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223190781-XL-1.jpg

+3 it is almost surreal, more of a painting than a photograph!

What was your vantage point in taking this, and is that the Golden Gate or some other bridge?

RM

PGlaves

11-19-2007, 11:01 AM

I'm not sure there is any award for the most triangles, but counters can take a crack at the windmill tower base in #22 in this thread. I'm not sure I know the correct answer either - but I took about 15 shots before I decided I liked this one the best.

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 11:34 AM

I will admit to running this through Smugmug's auto color correction.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223190781-XL-1.jpg

Gorgeous interpretation, Dave. I crawl humbly in your shadow. . . .

:bow

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 11:36 AM

Here's a great site... http://www.365portraits.com/

This is a great site. Lots (365) portrait ideas... I really like some of the wide-angle shots. A new lens just made it to my Christmas list!

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 11:37 AM

I will admit to running this through Smugmug's auto color correction.

GREAT shot!

What did it look like before the color correction?

franze

11-19-2007, 11:47 AM

Wow Dave, must have been a lot of traffic on the bridge to kick out that much exhaust smoke. Ok, seriously, being a former resident of the Richmond district I can say I've easily seen a thousand pix of Baghdad by the Bay, this is one of the best. Were you at the rest stop or on that side road to the north that goes out to Bonita point, I think that's what it's called?

KBasa

11-19-2007, 12:08 PM

+3 it is almost surreal, more of a painting than a photograph!

What was your vantage point in taking this, and is that the Golden Gate or some other bridge?

RM

Thanks. This is indeed, the Golden Gate bridge, yesterday afternoon about 4:45 or so. I shot this from Battery Wallace, at the top of the Marin Headlands.

The original exposure was somewhat lighter as fog was rolling over the top of the hill, so I hit it with Smugmug's color correction. I think the rules here are for unprocessed shots, so while I enjoy this one quite a bit, I don't believe it's really an appropriate entry.

Maybe next weekend...

KBasa

11-19-2007, 12:10 PM

Gorgeous interpretation, Dave. I crawl humbly in your shadow. . . .

:bow

Thanks. If I'd made it up to where I shot this a bit sooner, the bridge tower would have been much brighter. I think that would have really brought this shot to another level. In this picture, it looks almost reddish, but the tower is International Orange and should stand out much more than it does.

I'm like a chimpanzee with a camera, for the most part. I just keep pushing the button and once in a while something interesting falls out of it.

Here's another one, where the color correction was less subtle. It's way too orange/red to my taste and it looks like I need to clean my camera. Check the spots in the lower right corner and center right. :bluduh

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223191014-XL-1.jpg

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 12:28 PM

. . . it looks like I need to clean my camera. Check the spots in the lower right corner and center right. :bluduh

I like the orange one, too.

I'm getting those same goobers on mine. I used to be able to just blow those out in a sensor cleaning, but I'm now thinking I may actually have to go in with tools, which makes me nervous. . . .

I'll have to consult with dgrin on this.

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 12:31 PM

This is a great site. Lots (365) portrait ideas... I really like some of the wide-angle shots. A new lens just made it to my Christmas list!

Pray tell, which one?

I'm lookin' real hard at one of these:

http://www.entique.com.au/canon_70-200_2.8L_usm_lens_big.jpg

I've got a sale pending on my 75-300, so it's beginning to look like a done deal.

:brad

bluestune

11-19-2007, 12:38 PM

Tom, I use a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 quite a bit, it's one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes (IMHO,) the IS works great and the fast 2.8 lens really lets you throw the background out of focus. It's not cheap, but, it is one of the most useable lenses you can get. PM me if you have any questions re this lens.

By the way, great commentary!

rocketman

11-19-2007, 12:44 PM

I like the orange one, too.

I'm getting those same goobers on mine. I used to be able to just blow those out in a sensor cleaning, but I'm now thinking I may actually have to go in with tools, which makes me nervous. . . .

I'll have to consult with dgrin on this.

i just cleaned mine. No biggy really. After reading up on it got the sensor brush and woosh all gone. The clincher for me was reading that the filter in front of the sensor is rated at a hardness level of 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being talcum powder and 10 being diamond. So the risk of scratching it is really low with the proper brush. It seemed to be more a matter of not just moving the dust around but removing it by "charging" the brush prior to sweeping and always cleaning and recharging it on very pass. Worked well, though I did need to go at it twice since I didn't quite get it on the first pass.

RM

bricciphoto

11-19-2007, 01:04 PM

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223191014-XL-1.jpg

This is gorgeous too! Stunning, really. (Rules? Bah!)

You wouldn't happen to know the aperture of this exposure off hand? I always understood (not saying it's true) that dust isn't apparent below f/5.6. Smaller apertures (8/11/16/22/32) supposedly show dust. I'm just curious. Thanks. :wave

bricciphoto

11-19-2007, 01:07 PM

Tom, I use a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 quite a bit, it's one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes (IMHO,)...

I had one and I would concur it is a very fast and very sharp lens. A workhorse among PJs.

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 02:01 PM

Pray tell, which one?

I'm lookin' real hard at one of these:

http://www.entique.com.au/canon_70-200_2.8L_usm_lens_big.jpg

I've got a sale pending on my 75-300, so it's beginning to look like a done deal.

:brad

Yike$! This look$ like a nice len$.

I was thinking the <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm" target="_new">AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Lens with VR</a>. It would basically replace my Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D (which I purchased with the body (D70) before I did any research - damn impulse buy!).

KBasa

11-19-2007, 02:02 PM

This is gorgeous too! Stunning, really. (Rules? Bah!)

You wouldn't happen to know the aperture of this exposure off hand? I always understood (not saying it's true) that dust isn't apparent below f/5.6. Smaller apertures (8/11/16/22/32) supposedly show dust. I'm just curious. Thanks. :wave

1/160 at f10.

Had the zoom set to about 70mm.

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 02:04 PM

After reading up on it got the sensor brush and woosh all gone.

What is this "sensor brush" of which you speak? Linky?

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 03:33 PM

Nope. It is an Olympus digital camera.
I didn't mess with ISO at all (I didn't even think of it):blush

Give it a whirl. It would go a long way towards solving your motion blur. Every step in the ISO range buys you one aperature setting or shutter speed.

ISO shutter speed aperature

100 1/15 f/2.8
200 1/30 f/2.8
400 1/60 f/2.8
800 1/125 f/2.8
1600 1/250 f/2.8

or

100 1/15 f/2.8
200 1/15 f/4.0
400 1/15 f/5.6
800 1/15 f/8.0
1600 1/15 f/11

Of course, the down side is that the higher the ISO, the noisier the image. This is most noticeable in P&S cameras, less noticeable in crop sensor cameras (i.e. Canon Rebel) and even less noticeable still in full-frame cameras (i.e. Canon 5D). I'm still amazed by the ability to randomly change the ISO settings. In the film days, you set your ASA to the film's rating and left it there.

The camera you're using looks like a good one. Don't forget to or be afraid of playing with the settings, especially given that you can monitor the results straight away.

Rapid_Roy

11-19-2007, 03:49 PM

Thank you Tom. I found a dusty CD that came with my camera. It has some strange markings on it which may help. It says M-a-n-u-a-l :laugh

I was so excited when I got it, I never looked at the CD. Now may be the time, since
I actually understand what some of the photography terms mean now.
I found the B&W setting purely by accident. :blush

I have had good luck with my Olympus (photo wise, the first one fell in water).

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/C765/ZC765A.JPG

The Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom is the latest in an ongoing line of long-zoom digicams from Olympus. While the long-zoom market is getting more crowded these days, Olympus really pioneered it with their excellent C-2100, and still retains a commanding position with their latest C-765 and C-770 models. The Olympus C-765 UltraZoom sports a four megapixel CCD and a full 10x zoom lens, a new TruePic Turbo processor and a larger LCD, along with a range of features tailored to "enthusiast" users looking for full exposure control and compatibility with external flash units.

EDIT:62 to 400 ISO ooops! :blush

rocketman

11-19-2007, 05:10 PM

What is this "sensor brush" of which you speak? Linky?

From CopperHill

linky Sensor Sweepe (http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=1)

Note the comment on the Canon SLR's

RM

rocketman

11-19-2007, 05:25 PM

Yike$! This look$ like a nice len$.

I was thinking the <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm" target="_new">AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Lens with VR</a>. It would basically replace my Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D (which I purchased with the body (D70) before I did any research - damn impulse buy!).

I picked up the 70-300 VR for the D80, very pleased with it. Here's a sample

(correction) the first is set at 300

then from the same position another shot that is tightly cropped, I didn't even see the bugs until I got home and was processing the images, note the second is cropped (shot at the same 300mm setting) so it is more to show the detail you can capture. Both hand held.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images2/skyline-sept-2007/DSC_2852_edited-1-web.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images2/skyline-sept-2007/DSC_2853_edited-2-detail-web.jpg

RM

lamble

11-19-2007, 05:53 PM

I'd like to revisit Triangles as a theme again, in the not too distant future. I think we've all missed a great opportunity. Most, if not all of our pictures have captured triangles as part of our images. It looks (and forgive me if I'm wrong) that the triangle has been the subject and that if we've captured triangles outside of the subject, then it's been accidental. With photographs being oblong, I'm sure that the shapes created outside of the subject could have been far more creatively utilised, and that's why I'd like another pop at this.

As I said, if the picture you posted does aim to use the edge of the picture as part of a triangle, then I'm sorry I missed it.

rinty

11-19-2007, 06:29 PM

That new Nikon is bringing you good luck Dave; that's your second magazine cover quality shot in 6 months (the other being your RT star shot).

But there's also skill involved, right?:D

Rinty

KBasa

11-19-2007, 07:12 PM

That new Nikon is bringing you good luck Dave; that's your second magazine cover quality shot in 6 months (the other being your RT star shot).

But there's also skill involved, right?:D

Rinty

I'm telling you man, I'm just a chimpanzee that gets lucky once in a while. I'm certainly no Bluestune.

And thank you. The fog was really thick on the road to the top and I was afraid I was going to lose all my light or that the top would be fogged in. :ha

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 07:17 PM

I picked up the 70-300 VR for the D80, very pleased with it. Here's a sample

(correction) the first is set at 300

then from the same position another shot that is tightly cropped, I didn't even see the bugs until I got home and was processing the images, note the second is cropped (shot at the same 300mm setting) so it is more to show the detail you can capture. Both hand held.

RM

Thanks, RM. I like the idea of going up to 300mm, but I really like the flexibility of 18-200mm (wide-angle to telephoto)...

"Best Price Cameras.com" http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=521379 has the 18-200mm for $400 (that's almost $300 off).

Do you think it's too good to be true?

rocketman

11-19-2007, 07:24 PM

rocketman

11-19-2007, 07:30 PM

grossjohann

11-19-2007, 07:57 PM

no doubt that having an 18mm lens is nice, I went for the 70-300 cause I have the 18-70 lens so that lower range was already covered. Do some research on the vendor and see what pops up, then if it looks good go for it. I've not had any experience with them so can't say.

RM

OK... So I did a quick Google search...

Expinions.com: "Scam", "Ripped OFF", and "Another Sucker".
CNet.com: "Scam artists", "Bait and switch"
ReSellerRatings.com: 0.13 (out of 10!) "STAY AWAY"

FYI they also do business as (not a complete list):
Best Stop Camera
Century 21
Hello Camera
Infiniti Cameras
Infiniti Photo
Infinity Cameras
J&K Cameras, Inc.
Mr. Accessory
Regency Camera
Regency Photo & Video, Inc.

:gerg "If it's too good to be true, well..."

Rapid_Roy

11-19-2007, 10:02 PM

That's the same basic camera I used for my wheel shot that was (and still is) one of my best. Just goes to show mega pixels don't count but for so much, its the photographer behind the lens that makes the picture more than a mere snapshot.

RM
That explains why I have so many snapshots. :laugh
My last one was 2Mp w/10x and it fell in a cooler at Lima. The good news was this one was a 4th the price and had 2 million more pixels.

SNC1923

11-19-2007, 10:44 PM

Thanks, RM. I like the idea of going up to 300mm, but I really like the flexibility of 18-200mm (wide-angle to telephoto)...

"Best Price Cameras.com" http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=521379 has the 18-200mm for $400 (that's almost $300 off).

Do you think it's too good to be true?

May I chime in?

B&H, Adorama, and Canoga Camera are all reputable dealers with decades of reputation built up. They sell major equipment darned near dealer cost--and you'll notice that their prices are nearly identical. If someone is selling something substantially below the prices of these major photographic retailers, something fishy is going on. As a former retail and wholesale salesperson in the photographic field, that's my best advice.

Several of our members have expressed opinions about buying locally and supporting the small retailer. I fully agree that this is a good bet, too.

On the 18-200 I can only say this: a lens that does everything won't do anything as well as a less all-encompassing lens. I see the appeal of this lens and I can't say anything about its quality--I have no experience with it. You might check out what the folks at dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com) or dgrin (http://www.dgrin.com) have to say.

Good luck. There's nothing like a new lens (except maybe a new motorcycle) to put a spring in your step!

rocketman

11-20-2007, 05:56 AM

May I chime in?

B&H, Adorama, and Canoga Camera are all reputable dealers with decades of reputation built up. They sell major equipment darned near dealer cost--and you'll notice that their prices are nearly identical. If someone is selling something substantially below the prices of these major photographic retailers, something fishy is going on. As a former retail and wholesale salesperson in the photographic field, that's my best advice.

Several of our members have expressed opinions about buying locally and supporting the small retailer. I fully agree that this is a good bet, too.

On the 18-200 I can only say this: a lens that does everything won't do anything as well as a less all-encompassing lens. I see the appeal of this lens and I can't say anything about its quality--I have no experience with it. You might check out what the folks at dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com) or dgrin (http://www.dgrin.com) have to say.

Good luck. There's nothing like a new lens (except maybe a new motorcycle) to put a spring in your step!

I haven't tried the 18-200 but the results I've gotten with the 70-300 VR have been very nice. Note that they are heavier by a good 1/4 or 1/3 becuase of the VR motors and sensors, but mine hasn't noticably effected battery life. Do a hands-on by all means if you can.

Also with the downturn in the holiday shopping that expected to effect sales, I'm looking for some good deals to show up at local vendors, esp. post holiday.

RM

grossjohann

11-20-2007, 06:25 AM

All good points, gents.

I suppose it will take some time to find the right lens… There have been mixed reviews on the 18-200mm (mostly creeping and clarity issues), but all positive for the VR.

The 35-70mm has served me well, and I really just want wide angle and a telephoto options. I was only dreaming of finding something that would fit in my existing camera bag (sized for one camera with lens attached).

I think I’ll take the D70 down to Ritz and try out a few different options. I’ll probably choose between a wide angle and a telephoto. At this point, the 70-200mm VR lens looks like it may work well for me, but I’d definitely like to try out the 70-300mm VR. To many choices… :hungover

(For the record, the lens is instead of a new motorcycle. I’m trying to distract myself from the K1200R Sport… It’s calling to me from the dark side. :evil )

Thanks!
-Alex

rocketman

11-20-2007, 07:37 AM

bricciphoto

11-20-2007, 07:44 AM

This is a great example of a "fill flash". Great shot for photography class discussion: what's good, what could be improved upon?

http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/222860365-XL.jpg

This is a good example of fill flash. This is very nicely exposed and composed shot. Another technique is to bounce natural light into the subject using a reflector or reflective surface. I'm not suggesting this would improve this particular shot, but it minimizes the opportunity for things like the reflective license plate to "glow" and the light that is bounced (assuming the reflective surface is white or color neutral) is more natural looking. Using reflective surfaces involves more work (often) but you can really put light in some hard to reach places and keep it off areas where you don't want it by using smaller reflectors or masking reflectors (or even additional strobes). I know Tom wasn't setting up a big shot with lots of gear on this one, but there are many options for getting fill light in a shot like this. Also, with reflectors (white, silver or black) you can really craft the position and shapes of highlight and shadow areas. All this is an entirely specialized aspect of shooting that is used in many commercial shots, but amateurs can borrow the technique here and there making subtle, but significant improvements in lighting without a great deal of expense. This is particularly true if you are shooting a semi-formal portrait using typical consumer gear. Wish I had the means/opportunity to demonstrate some of this.

Since everything in this shot appears to be stationary, it would have been interesting to see if Tom could have dragged the shutter* (using a graduated ND filter on the upper portion of the shot) on this exposure to get some motion blur on the turbine in the background. *Potential exposure issue here balancing the unlit foreground with the full sun background at a slower shutter speed.

(BTW, all these comments are easy to make post shutter click while looking at someone else's image. These decisions are not obvious while standing behind the viewfinder. This is a GREAT shot as is.)

bmwdean

11-20-2007, 09:09 AM

Wow!

I am seeing a lot of great photographic talent among BMW MOA members in these weekend photo threads. Some of the photos from last weekend are just stunning.

Thanks, Tom, for getting it started and keeping it going.

Mar

11-20-2007, 09:30 AM

There are a number of triangles in Elizabeth's face, arm position and hand.

cjack

11-20-2007, 09:56 AM

I'm enjoying this photo assignment thread. I think I am mostly an engineer and I get into things thru the equipment rather than as the end user or artist. I like motorcycles and so I end up riding them. In trains, I like all the remote control. I have 1400 feet of wire under my small layout to control everything, switches, engine, etc., with remote control from one handheld. Most of what I get interested in is thru the instrument and then I try to use it somehow. And of course, as I do, a need is created for some additional feature of the tool. In photography, recently, it was a need for aperture control and some off camera or bounce flash. So that's the why for the D80, 800, and the 18-200 lens. I used to avoid zooms because of the hundreds of resolution tests I had done in the past. This time I decided to throw resolution to the winds and go for the zoom I had always wanted but couldn't tolerate. I figure in many decades, the photos I liked are the ones I took because I could. From where I was to where it was and when it was. If a print was unusually sharp, I usually had to point it out to the viewer anyway.
So I'm thinking not to get too wrapped up in the technical review on these lenses. I'm trying to fight this urge to read a review and just look at what I see thru the lens.

SNC1923

11-20-2007, 10:06 AM

So I'm thinking not to get too wrapped up in the technical review on these lenses. I'm trying to fight this urge to read a review and just look at what I see thru the lens.

There's much wisdom in your message, Jack, particularly above. Good on you.

KBasa

11-20-2007, 10:11 AM

There's much wisdom in your message, Jack, particularly above. Good on you.

:nod

Photography is art and art is about the intersection of form and emotion.

rinty

11-20-2007, 10:21 AM

An acquaintance of mine who takes some of the best photos that I have seen, still uses a couple of ancient metal bodied Pentaxes.

I have to remind myself of him when I am down at the camera shop looking at the latest and greatest.

But the powerful new generation digital point and shoots and SLR's do allow duffers like me to shoot a few more quality shots than previously. And you're not worried about wasting miles of film.

Rinty

BONEY

11-20-2007, 10:24 AM

Here's another I took last weekend;

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1868-1/sf+006.jpg

KBasa

11-20-2007, 10:45 AM

Embarcadero Center, SF?

SNC1923

11-20-2007, 10:49 AM

Here's another I took last weekend;

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1868-1/sf+006.jpg

Triangulus Maximus.

Check the reflected triangle in the pool at the bottom.

Nice interpretation.

BONEY

11-20-2007, 03:27 PM

Embarcadero Center, SF?

Yep. It's the circular ramp at #4.

Fun with Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=37.794953,-122.396065&spn=0.000657,0.001076&t=k&z=20&om=1)

SNC1923

11-20-2007, 08:02 PM

Has it been another week already? Yes, and another one filled with fun, interesting, and inspiring photography. Thanks to everyone who participated, the regulars, the occassional visitors, and especially the first-timers.

So how did you interpret "Triangle"?

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/triangles/triangle-hands.jpg

Rocketman seemed delighted to be first this week and he started us off with a bang. I must confess, I really like this image for several reasons. To begin with, it's a self-portrait and those are always entertaining. After three years on this board, I'm still fascinated by matching names and faces. This is no mere self-portrait. This appears, to me, to be technically challenging and RM pulls it off with characteristic aplomb. Without a doubt, this is an inventive, albeit simple, interpretation. Shot on a P&S camera, the lighting turned out very well. I would have expected the background (face) to be darker or the palms of his hands to be completely blown out. I'm also intrigued by his decision (perhaps subconcious) to splay his fingers. I think it would be far less successful if his fingers were grouped. Statdawg points out that there are triangles in RM's ring, too, beginning a theme this week of "find the triangle." Great fun. 50 bonus points for the unprepentant pun title, "hand-made triangle."

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223726983-XL.jpg

Cjack is here this week with a new (or newish) camera. I don't actually know how long he's had it, but this photo indicates that it's performing very well. This is a great still-life and a beautiful exposure. It's a bit dark, but that's quibbling and typical of bounced flash (see Bricciphoto's comment on reflectors). It's an image riddled with triangles, one of which surrounds the green light (Great Gatsby? Anyone?) and it is razor sharp. The composition troubles me a little bit, wanting to see more of the train as I do; however, his reasoning is clear as the tower contains so many more triangles. The realism of the scene is impressive, too. Looks like a fun hobby.

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/triangles/MCM-1.jpg

Of his next two submissions, I like Rocketman's first better. The second image does have a human factor, but this is a better form study, IMHO. The wispy clouds work really well with the natural shape of this museum's roof structure. When I first looked at this, I saw a triangle. Only now do I see it composed of numerous triangles. I can't help but wonder what this might have looked like with the use of a polarizing filter--not necessarily better, but it might have added some additional contrast. I might like to trim the bottom of the image, but otherwise it's a great composition, leading as it does to the upper right-hand corner.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223726996-XL.jpg

You want triangles? We got triangles! Pglaves is back with an excellent interpretation. This shot is composed perfectly to show the geometric shapes. Nothing distracts from focusing precisely on these forms, an excellent choice for an otherwise mundane subject. This sort of selective vision is part of what makes a good photograph great. The sky is a beautiful blue and I'm so pleased to see the horizon at one-third, rather than one-half, of the image. Nice shot.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223727006-XL.jpg

Paul's second shot has already received a number of well-deserved positive comments. Talk about three of a kind. Are these relations or is it some kind of club? Whatever the case, it's an apparently impromptu but very successful portrait. I'm intrigued by the background, some kind of southwest store. It's difficult enough to take a nice picture of one person, but when you can succeed three times, the gods are smiling on you. Six eyes open, three smiles, direct eye-contact with the photographer. . . . I would be remiss if I didn't express admiration for Voni's motorcyling togs. Nice.

http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/222423044-L.jpg

I spent more time on this shot than I think I have on any other for this thread. It struck me one day that this Touratech GS tool might make an interesting subject. It is held up with a clip on a boom and I photographed it using a 50mm micro lens and a tripod. I took 30 or 40 shots and used a polarizing filter for most of them. I was very pleased with this eventual result, preferring to shoot this at an angle rather than head-on. The background, my dying lawn, leaves quite a bit to be desired, especially the inexplicable shadow in the URHC, but the depth-of-field (at F/11!) is pleasing. Minus 500 bonus points for speaking well of your own photograph.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/222560234-L.jpg

You know, there's not much to MLS2GO's submission this week. It's brown and it's bland. It does, however, have a discernable subject and it is well composed. 1,000 bonus points for going out and finding a triangle in nature. That's the sort of can-do spirit that makes this country great! Nice job, dude.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/allankcook/IMG_0167.jpg

Welcome to AllanCook and what I believe is his first submission. OK, I'm a sucker for in-the-mirror motorcycle shots. And you've got to love that it's an iPhone taking the picture. I struggled for a long time, though, insisting that this picture contained no triangles. Oh sure, there's the capital building, but that's a dome. However, there is the negative shape of the sky-as-triangle. There's also the road surface--both reflected and actual (including the crack)--that form a kind of triangle. I think the vertical composition also works really well. It's a pretty successful image. 65 bonus points for riding an R1200R.

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/222766648-M.jpg

I especially appreciate Lamble's submission as it was to illustrate his frustration rather than exemplify his success. This is most instructive to those of us trying to improve our technique. It's a great concept. His description reveals that ever-present challenge of trying to combine a series of disparate components00often immovable--into one image. I like the concept, the triangles, and the vivid red of the Union flag.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235913_1

It's nice to see RangallIsland back this week, with even more submissions than me. The image above is one of two that really stand out to me. Like MLS2GO, he found natural triangles (yeah, you get 1,000 points, too). It's pretty and inventive. The yellow in the leaves is quite striking. The whole image is a bit backlit, so we lose detail in the tree and the colors lack punch. Compensating the exposure by increasing it by, perhaps 2/3 - 1 EV may have improved this. Wonder what fill-flash may have accomplished. On a sunnier day I may have tried a polarizing filter, but that would have done nothing on this day. I very much like the row of innumerable triangles along the bottom of the frame. It's a cool shot and a successful interpretation of our theme.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1235926_1

Of the several bridge shots, this is the clear stand-out to me. It's an especially interesting composition (again, vertical composition of a traditionally horizontal subject). I think it grabs me because of it's multiple elements: stone, metal, tree, leaves, and moss. It also has more abstract triangles than one may be able to count. Unlike the other shots, this one seems somehow more solid, more anchored, more purposeful. It's also multi-layered giving it an air of admirable complexity. Several of the other shots have their merits, but this shot has personality and personality goes a long way. . . .

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1862-1/sf+003.jpg

Boney chimes in this week with not only an interesting interpretation but an important philisophical question about the nature of triangleness. Incappable of addressing the latter, I'll comment on the former. This is a neat image. I love the contrast of the traditional older building (triangles in the roofline) and the high-rise construction crane towering above in the background, itself a triangle. I also like the weird, whispy vapor trail across the sky. It's all a bit muted. I also don't like the dark border on the right. I would like for this to have been a bit closer to the building/crane, but that may not have been possible. Was it taken through a window? That would explain the muted colors. The apparent position of the sun is not helping, either. In spite of all that criticism, this really is a cool shot and much could be done with it in post-processing. A particularly successful interpretation, I think.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1917-1/sf+036.jpg

Boney's second submission is a much more successful photo. It's far simpler with an infinitely more mundane subject, but this allows the viewer to concentrate on, rather than struggle to search for, the subject. The colors here are vibrant and sharp and pleasing. Think of how different this would be without the leaves, or if the leaves were green. This is a neat shot.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223749701-XL.jpg

Statdawg is back this week with trianlges in nature. I was quite struck by this image when he posted it. Great interpretation, very inventive, and a beautiful winter scene (beautiful to non-riders, I guess). I can see that it is a dismal day and the photo reflects that. Punching the contrast and boosting the exposure in post-processing would go along way toward making this good picture and great photograph. It deserves the help. Again, it may well be the layers in this image that most appeal to me. . . .

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/222850139-L.jpg

Ok, to begin with, 300 bonus points for Lamble making me crack up at the thought of his swallowing the torch. Just the thought of him harking up a maglight really made me giggle. But of greater importance is what a beautiful image this is that he's taken. Natural triangles (turns out not to be as hard as we thought), interesting textures, bright, vibrant colors, even lighting, and a pleasing composition with additional triangles. This is a very successful interpretation and an admirable still-life.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223726989-XL.jpg

I really like Von's composition this week. Her choice makes it such an interesting image with the inclusion of the light in the LLHC. She herself poses the question of how many triangles, and I suppose that depends on the definition of same. I see anywhere beween two and a dozen or more. I again find myself drawn to a simple image, well-composed, and one that reveals numerous textures.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223726992-XL.jpg

I love Voni's second submission. This is a funny photograph--it makes me want to chuckle. I love these absurd aluminum tee pees that dot the southwest: hotels, trinket shops, rest rooms. . . . The rolling hills provide a nice contrapuntal element that is pleasing to the eye. Unlike the photographer, and because I was looking for triangles, the one on the back of (Paul's) helmet jumped out at me and made me chuckle. The composition is just a bit tall; I might have lowered the camera given the time and thought. Still, it's a remarkablly successful image. 300 bonus points for having fun.

SNC1923

11-20-2007, 08:02 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2045827558_f4b4720759_b.jpg

Speaking of having fun, Burnzilla returns this week with an image, although contrived, is quite pleasing. This shot makes me think of that most wonderful bit of philosophical dialogue in Pulp Fiction about the merits of eating pork and whether or not a pig is, indeed, a filthy animal. As a still life, this image works well, especially given the decision to include the carton of eggs. This screams "traditional American breakfast" and would be familiar to just about anyone. The foreground appears to be blurred because it's too close for the lens to focus. The background is also a bit blurred, but this appears to be from motion. I might be wrong on both counts, but that's how I see it. The bacon is a bit overexposed, but I love the texture of the reflection in the grease. The floaty bits make me think of gravy. MMmmmm, gravy. . . .

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223727012-XL.jpg

JMBiii joins us this week with his second-ever post. Good for you, dude, and welcome. I'm not sure that I agree that this is a "poor" submission. I think it succeeds in a number of ways. The idea of shooting spokes had actually occured to me (and I'm sure to others as well) but you were the one to do it. Additionally, the lighting is good, the composition interesting, and the background intriguing. Think of how much less successful this would have been taken in your driveway. Unless of course this is your driveway. Normally, having the foreground (especially one that dominates as this one does) blurry and the background sharp is not good, but here it works to some degree. This is likely due to the interesting texture and lighting of the background. I'm going to assume this was a "mistake." Many of us fail to lock our focus on a point of interest, instead just shooting blindly. This is the result, when the focusing frame (usually small paratheses or a circle in the viewfinder) falls on something that is not the subject, in this case your spokes. Still, it works. I like how the brake rotor and the rim work off of each other, too. Keep posting; you're off to a roaring start.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223852643-L.jpg

Grossjohann is back with another compelling image this week. I was really struck by this image when I saw it. I can't decide which orientation I prefer. I chose the horizontal rather arbitrarily. It's really inventive and I love the depth-of-field. The little guitarist and (monitor?) is just out of focus enough to intrigue the viewer. Only by clicking on the image and linking to your site did I realize that this is a Trivial Pursuit game. Interesting. . . . I assumed they were child's toys and I just couldn't figure out the triangles. It's a really fun and interesting photo. I wish it were brighter and the colors a bit more vibrant. Available light? Always a struggle.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/PB180025.jpg

What kind of a BMW site would we be if someone hadn't shot earles forks in response to a trianlge assignment. 400 bonus points to Rapid_Roy for saving the day. I also struggled with which of the two compositions I preferred. They are both problematic for me, but I chose the first as it included more of the bike and, I thought, may have told more of a story. The framing is too tight to be a bike shot, but too far away from the forks if they are indeed the subject. I would like to see it closer or farther back. You might experiment with cropping the forks vertically. It might have also been interesting to shoot the forks straight on with the cylinder head receding into a blurry background (much like your picture of the week this week). However, I don't know if space allowed any of this. I didn't take this picture, Roy did, and an admirable job he did. I think B&W was a good decision for this subject, too.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01188.jpg

I really admire JohnF's submission this week. I'm a sucker for a bike shot. Plenty of triangles and an interesting composition, especially this angle of the bike. So many of shoot our bikes constantly from the side. One nitpick: the guardrail peeking in from the right. What works so successfully here is the absurdly bright color of the design on the barn and how that leaps out of the photo. Really interesting image.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/223027201-L.jpg

MLS2GO's second submission is another interesting one. Talk about a plethora of triangles! This is the sort of close-up composition that lends such interest to an image, especially a still-life such as this. The image would benefit greatly from a boost in contrast. Perhaps a sepia filter in post-processing. Nice find and a cool image.

Yikes! I've got to go to work. More later. . . .

Rapid_Roy

11-20-2007, 09:25 PM

What kind of a BMW site would we be if someone hadn't shot earles forks in response to a trianlge assignment. 400 bonus points to Rapid_Roy for saving the day. I also struggled with which of the two compositions I preferred. They are both problematic for me, but I chose the first as it included more of the bike and, I thought, may have told more of a story. The framing is too tight to be a bike shot, but too far away from the forks if they are indeed the subject. I would like to see it closer or farther back. You might experiment with cropping the forks vertically. It might have also been interesting to shoot the forks straight on with the cylinder head receding into a blurry background (much like your picture of the week this week). However, I don't know if space allowed any of this. I didn't take this picture, Roy did, and an admirable job he did. I think B&W was a good decision for this subject, too.

Aiiiieeeeeeee, get out of my head Tom! Amazing, it's like you were there. I did try some other angle shots and you are correct, there was absolutely no room in the garage. The RT was right there, and my sons mini-bike was behind the R50. I was trying for the less obvious triangle of emblem, head and fork, but I see your point.
A question: If I had shot the forks straight on, how could I have shown the triangle of the forks? I also should have gotten out the tripod but I was pressed for time. I took about 40 shots and 15 or so were blurry. Thank you for your excellent review Tom, and it is great to see all these other truly good shots. It's inspiring.

lamble

11-20-2007, 09:54 PM

A million bonus points to anyone that can use "contrapuntal" in any paragraph.

Here's a challenge, see how many times you can use it on Thanks Giving Day.

It's my word of the week...thanks!

cjack

11-20-2007, 10:14 PM

A million bonus points to anyone that can use "contrapuntal" in any paragraph.

Here's a challenge, see how many times you can use it on Thanks Giving Day.

It's my word of the week...thanks!

So I looked around and I love this paragraph...

"Evanescence’s sound typifies the mush that is an ersatz rock song these days. Since the players can mostly only strum, and because they are contrapuntal cretins, all they’re able to produce is an amorphous blend—an ill-differentiated, sloppy sonic porridge. This structureless cacophony pleases the lazy ear because it is repetitive, and chock full of blurry, angst-ridden crescendos."

RandallIsland

11-20-2007, 10:29 PM

"When we seek a more co-operative order in the design of cities, therefore, we are seeking an order in which more significant kinds of conflict, more complex and intellectually stimulating kinds of disharmony, may take place: in short, we seek a contrapuntal order"(OED).

Thanks again Tom!

lamble

11-20-2007, 10:37 PM

So I looked around and I love this paragraph...

"Evanescence’s sound typifies the mush that is an ersatz rock song these days. Since the players can mostly only strum, and because they are contrapuntal cretins, all they’re able to produce is an amorphous blend—an ill-differentiated, sloppy sonic porridge. This structureless cacophony pleases the lazy ear because it is repetitive, and chock full of blurry, angst-ridden crescendos.":scratch :scratch :scratch

Only a muzac journo could conceive of this. They've never got beyond the pretentious teenage poetry stage, unless you know of any contrapuntal explanations?

SNC1923

11-20-2007, 10:42 PM

OK, OK, I get it--so I'm a little verbose.

You guys are totally cracking me up; I'm almost crying over here. Too funny and richly deserved, I might add.

Talking about vocabulary, Myram, our club president says, "Oh Tom? He's pretty cool, I guess. I only understand about half of what he's saying."

:rofl

Cjack: I love that music review. It just goes to show with a sufficient amount of education and training, one can learn to write something that literally no one can understand. I can only aspire to such heights. . . .

SNC1923

11-20-2007, 11:45 PM

Aiiiieeeeeeee, get out of my head Tom! Amazing, it's like you were there.

Sorry about that. I've been telepathic ever since undergoing a series of being-hit-on-the-head-lessons with Lamble.

A question: If I had shot the forks straight on, how could I have shown the triangle of the forks?

Clearly, no triangle would be visible. I meant (but did not actually say) for a more straight on angle. However, the more you would move toward the front of the bike, the less you would see of the triangle. So really, my suggestion is more-or-less useless. I am a contrapuntal cretin.

You had it right to begin with. :banghead

MLS2GO

11-21-2007, 12:13 AM

Thanks for your critiques! Here is what I would have submitted had I been able to use post processing. I like it better.

http://MLS2GO.smugmug.com/photos/223860579-L.jpg

Rapid_Roy

11-21-2007, 08:34 AM

Sorry about that. I've been telepathic ever since undergoing a series of being-hit-on-the-head-lessons with Lamble.

Clearly, no triangle would be visible. I meant (but did not actually say) for a more straight on angle. However, the more you would move toward the front of the bike, the less you would see of the triangle. So really, my suggestion is more-or-less useless. I am a contrapuntal cretin.

You had it right to begin with. :banghead

I don't know from contrapuntal (I really don't know from contrapuntal), but I am taxed enough just for the assignment.
Are you suggesting taking pictures for fun?
Is that possible? :laugh

rocketman

11-21-2007, 09:53 AM

. 50 bonus points for the unprepentant pun title, "hand-made triangle."

Only 50?????!!!!

Dang, getting cheap on us aren't ya?:fight

Of his next two submissions, I like Rocketman's first better. The second image does have a human factor, but this is a better form study, IMHO. The wispy clouds work really well with the natural shape of this museum's roof structure. When I first looked at this, I saw a triangle. Only now do I see it composed of numerous triangles. I can't help but wonder what this might have looked like with the use of a polarizing filter--not necessarily better, but it might have added some additional contrast. I might like to trim the bottom of the image, but otherwise it's a great composition, leading as it does to the upper right-hand corner.

I had thought of using my gradiant filter on the upper portion but it would have affected the top of the building as well. Still need to get a polarizing filter, hmmm maybe this weekend...

I did take several without the lower round part but in the end liked this better as it helped "anchor" the building and I liked the contrast of the circular form with the triagles of the roof. When I get a shot of this lit up at night I'll post it, it looks really cool peeking up through the tree line as you come up on it north bound on 95.

RM

lamble

11-21-2007, 10:44 AM

Sorry about that. I've been telepathic ever since undergoing a series of being-hit-on-the-head-lessons with Lamble.

Clearly, no triangle would be visible. I meant (but did not actually say) for a more straight on angle. However, the more you would move toward the front of the bike, the less you would see of the triangle. So really, my suggestion is more-or-less useless. I am a contrapuntal cretin.

You had it right to begin with. :banghead

That's why you should always wear a helmet, always...even when not riding. Would lighting the bike from the back have created a triangular shadow from the forks? Yes it would. But you mentioned no space, so that idea is a duffer... Back to my box again!
The magilight has partially re-appeared by the way, so now I have a brake light.

Rapid_Roy

11-21-2007, 10:47 AM

:laugh...and a fairly sturdy digestive system (and flashl.....errrr torch).:thumb

rocketman

11-21-2007, 10:53 AM

I will admit to running this through Smugmug's auto color correction.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223190781-XL-1.jpg

As we wait with baited breath for the next installment of Tom’s critique of this weeks entries, I’ll just put in my two cents worth and put my vote in for the one that really did it for me this week. Without a doubt Kbasa’s entry is the real stunner. I like it on multiple levels.

First off I like the complete lack of anything in the foreground that gives away his vantage point. He could be (as he claims) on hill but then again it could have been a rock outcropping, or yet he could just as easily have been in an airplane or helicopter. Then again he could have been fortunate enough of have convinced Pegasus to give him a ride or perhaps he has learned the mystic art of levitation. Not knowing lets the viewers imagination run wild, what fun!

Second the wonderful lighting of the “city across the bay” liying just above the clouds, the mist and view of the reddish tower of the bridge pushing up through the clouds below accents the colors of the city lighting. He said he’d photo shopped it and if I had taken this shot I know I could not have resisted either. Good on ya Dave, you took the shot to a “higher” level by doing so.

Third, as I said earlier, it is definitely surrealistic in its portrayal of the subject, with an almost oil painted quality. Even though I have been in this area several times over the years, having never seen it quite like this, it really, really, makes me want to go back and see this bridge from this same vantage point, but since I can’t right now this is the next best thing to being there.

RM

lamble

11-21-2007, 11:21 AM

As we wait with baited breath for the next installment of Tom’s critique of this weeks entries, I’ll just put in my two cents worth and put my vote in for the one that really did it for me this week. Without a doubt Kbasa’s entry is the real stunner. I like it on multiple levels.

First off I like the complete lack of anything in the foreground that gives away his vantage point. He could be (as he claims) on hill but then again it could have been a rock outcropping, or yet he could just as easily have been in an airplane or helicopter. Then again he could have been fortunate enough of have convinced Pegasus to give him a ride or perhaps he has learned the mystic art of levitation. Not knowing lets the viewers imagination run wild, what fun!

Second the wonderful lighting of the “city across the bay” liying just above the clouds, the mist and view of the reddish tower of the bridge pushing up through the clouds below accents the colors of the city lighting. He said he’d photo shopped it and if I had taken this shot I know I could not have resisted either. Good on ya Dave, you took the shot to a “higher” level by doing so.

Third, as I said earlier, it is definitely surrealistic in its portrayal of the subject, with an almost oil painted quality. Even though I have been in this area several times over the years, having never seen it quite like this, it really, really, makes me want to go back and see this bridge from this same vantage point, but since I can’t right now this is the next best thing to being there.

RM

...and I'd add that it's the magnitude of what he's captured... a whole city scape. That's one hell of a vantage point, nicely found and nice lens pointing too.

SNC1923

11-21-2007, 11:25 AM

The magilight has partially re-appeared by the way, so now I have a brake light.

:rofl

grossjohann

11-21-2007, 11:47 AM

Grossjohann is back with another compelling image this week. I was really struck by this image when I saw it. I can't decide which orientation I prefer. I chose the horizontal rather arbitrarily. It's really inventive and I love the depth-of-field. The little guitarist and (monitor?) is just out of focus enough to intrigue the viewer. Only by clicking on the image and linking to your site did I realize that this is a Trivial Pursuit game. Interesting. . . . I assumed they were child's toys and I just couldn't figure out the triangles. It's a really fun and interesting photo. I wish it were brighter and the colors a bit more vibrant. Available light? Always a struggle.

Thanks, Tom. I admire your abundant cache of creative bonne bouche and your seemingly boundless lexicon. Thank you for persevering.

This was a low-light situation, and I didn’t take the time I should have to bring in more lighting. My wife has been on my case to add some lighting cans to the living room ceiling…

KBasa

11-21-2007, 11:57 AM

Thanks. I shot it from the north end of the bridge, from a vantage point on the Marin Headlands. On this map, I was right about where the big C is on Conzelman Road.

http://www.yni.org/hi/images/map_marin_headlands.jpg

The fog was rolling over the top of the hill, so the foreground was obscured by clouds (Pink Floyd fans raise your hands). I had about 5 minutes and managed to get a half dozen exposures before the fog completely obliterated any view from that location.

I didn't really photoshop it, but just ran it through Smugmug's Color correction, selecting auto. The other shots came out noticeably more orange, which I don't really care for, to be honest. I think the light is a golden color, but the correction amped the yellow and red up too much to look realistic. This one seems to have retained enough blue to look more normal. Given the skills, I'd make the bridge tower more orange than it is, since it truly is a very pure orange.

Around here, the Marin Headlands and the road down from Battery Wallace (where I was) are pretty regular spots for taking pictures. This time of year, we have the fog to play with. It seems to sit lower in the spring and the fall and can yield some pretty interesting views. Here's one I shot a couple years ago from the top of Mt. Tamalpais on Easter morning, just before dawn.

If any of you ever get out here, we'll take a ride up there and take some pictures. Even on a clear day it's quite a beautiful view.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/3408797-L.jpg

Rapid_Roy

11-21-2007, 12:01 PM

...and I'd add that it's the magnitude of what he's captured... a whole city scape. That's one hell of a vantage point, nicely found and nice lens pointing too.
+1
No matter how Kbasa downplayed it, you could never get a monkey to stand still long enough to get a shot like that, even for a banana.
Nicely done.
Virtual shots of Patron/Don Julio for all!

lamble

11-21-2007, 12:01 PM

Thanks, Tom. I admire your abundant cache of creative bonne bouche and your seemingly boundless lexicon. Thank you for persevering.

This was a low-light situation, and I didn’t take the time I should have to bring in more lighting. My wife has been on my case to add some lighting cans to the living room ceiling…

Tom's verbocity and errudition is so refreshing. It has far more meaning than the trite, meritocratically defunct but omnipresent "Awesome!"

I've heard "awesome!" used for tomato sauce. The fact that I know my own name at a check-out is apparently worthy of awe. It was "awesome!" that I was able to select from a menu. The new coat I bought inspired an aghast and agog member of staff to mention it's awesomeness as being of the elevated status of "Well awesome".

I am waiting for the day that Mt Rainier and Mt St Helen errupt in unison and a giant tsunami hits the Pac NW from a tectonic movement out at sea.

On that day, I want to hear how folk express themselves. I suspect they'll just stand around open mouthed and silent...in awe!

So, thanks Tom for the words. They create images equally as important as those captured by cameras.

lamble

11-21-2007, 12:07 PM

+1
No matter how Kbasa downplayed it, you could never get a monkey to stand still long enough to get a shot like that, even for a banana.
Nicely done.
Virtual shots of Patron/Don Julio for all!

Two six inch nails would do the job though!
Just thinking out loud. I like monkeys, I really do.

Do you know how to tell the difference between old world and new world monkeys?

KBasa

11-21-2007, 12:29 PM

Two six inch nails would do the job though!
Just thinking out loud. I like monkeys, I really do.

Do you know how to tell the difference between old world and new world monkeys?

The accent?

rocketman

11-21-2007, 12:40 PM

+1
No matter how Kbasa downplayed it, you could never get a monkey to stand still long enough to get a shot like that, even for a banana.
Nicely done.
Virtual shots of Patron/Don Julio for all!
maybe not one, but a whole bunch might, .........................eventually... you know sorta like the monkey with keyboards thing..:brad

years ago (early 60's) on the Today Show with Dave Garoway (sp ?) he decided to find out if a "barrel of monkeys" was as much fun as touted, so one day he had a barrel full brought on-stage, and well,............ it WAS quite fun! Remeber back in those days "live" was really live! They were all over the in-house attendees in no time. Quite a lively morning! Ha Ha!

RM

lamble

11-21-2007, 12:50 PM

The accent?

Well that and the passport of course. It's actually the direction their tail's point.

It's 50/50 but I think, old world tails point to the head, new world point away.
Also the position of the thumbs can tell you where they live in the canopy heirachy.

A limur, is one of the oldest arborial mamals and is related to the cat family, although it barks like a dog. I don't think it's a monkey descendent at all, coming from a completely different species line.

Again, every day I live, the further back I have to cast the memory net to come up with this bunkum, so if it's wrong, so be it.

rocketman

11-21-2007, 01:04 PM

Well that and the passport of course. It's actually the direction their tail's point.

It's 50/50 but I think, old world tails point to the head, new world point away.
Also the position of the thumbs can tell you where they live in the canopy heirachy.

A limur, is one of the oldest arborial mamals and is related to the cat family, although it barks like a dog. I don't think it's a monkey descendent at all, coming from a completely different species line.

Again, every day I live, the further back I have to cast the memory net to come up with this bunkum, so if it's wrong, so be it.

Looks like a monkey, decended from cats and barks like a dog? Boy And here I thought I was confused!:)

RM

rinty

11-21-2007, 03:26 PM

...how do you tell the difference between old world and new world monkeys....Iamble

New world monkeys have prehensile tails. (From the great collection of trivia stored away in my head.)

Rinty

Rapid_Roy

11-21-2007, 04:02 PM

I'm on a new world? What happened to the old one?
Was it cleared by the Vogon Construction Fleet?

lamble

11-21-2007, 04:43 PM

New world monkeys have prehensile tails. (From the great collection of trivia stored away in my head.)

Rinty

New and old have prehensile tails, it's the direction they bend that makes the difference, or so I thought.

Roy, I've no idea which way a Vogon's tail bends, if at all.

I do have some monkey shots, if that will help get back on thread!

SNC1923

11-21-2007, 05:15 PM

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/223097549-L.jpg

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/223098110-L.jpg

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/223098400-L.jpg

Franze is back with three submissions this week, each of which is a very successful image. Number one is close enough and shot at such an angle that it's impossible for me to know what it is. This is perfect for drawing attention to the form without distracting me with other--unnecessary--information. It's simple and unusual. I like it.

Number two is noteworthy for all its triangles. It's also appealing, but for it's composition. This could have been shot at least 359 other ways, and I agree with his decision. It's a stark, geometric study.

Number three is a successful and thought-provoking reflection. Very nice. It's simple, but like the other two, it shows an eye for detail and forethought.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/071117%20Max%20Thank/1117MaxThanks011c.jpg

Paulbach brings us another motorcycle image. I'm not sure why, but this one makes me think of a love triangle, two men and their mutual mistress. It's a beautiful bike and these two are clearly admiring it. The color of the bike is really rich, but the overall exposure is a bit blown-out (see man #2's hat). I wonder was this shot on manual or did you meter for the bike? Just wondering. As you, yourself, said, just a casual snapshot. Pretty good one, though.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/223190781-L-1.jpg

Here it is, this week's big kahuna. Quite a bit of insightful commentary has already been offered on this image from RM and others, and much deserved congratulations on capturing such beauty. I bears worth repeating that this photo, in addition to reflecting a talented photographer, shows the merit if having your camera with you, the gift of timing, and the importance of vantage point. You need to have a good camera and be a good photographer, but it sure helps to be in the right place at the right time. Having had a chance to study both, I do like the original over the orange one; however, the orange shot has a more interesting composition, at least to my eye.

To nitpick, there are dust-bunnies revealed in the LRHC. You and I both need to clean our sensors. I'm also a tad concerned about the vignetting in the LLHC--on both shots. I'm wondering, given the chance, if you would--or even could--compose it differently, raising or lowering the city horizon line? Any minor technical imperfections are greatly overshadowed by this image's breathtaking drama. Wonderful shot.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/223852630-L.jpg

Nice to see Mar here this week with a triangular submission. Hi Marilyn! :wave This image does indeed have a number of triangles. And I realize this is probably the most informal of snapshots, but this attractive young woman deserves a better portrait. The harsh shadows on her face (which serve this assignment perfectly) are exactly why many photographers prefer to shoot on cloudy days or in open shadows. Bricciphoto wrote a nice piece this week about using a reflector; this would be a perfect instance for just that. I do like how she is photographed. Although perhaps not the most flattering angle, she can handle it and it makes for an interesting character study.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/1868-1/sf+006.jpg

Boney came back with one more! This is a great interpretation of the theme and another game of "where are the triangles"? Once again, almost too numerous to count. It's an interesting geometric study of a familiar scene shot in an unusual way. Well-composed, too. In many of this week's pictures I mention muted colors or underexposure. This is a perfect example of a right-on exposure and bright, vivid colors. Beautiful!

Barring any 11th hour submissions (paging BeerTeam to the front desk. . . .) that's all we've got. I had a lot of fun this week. I didn't know how triangles would go over--I never know how a theme will succeed. The silence at the beginning was deafening, but as in every week past, the photographers rise to the challenge and provide invigorating, interesting, instructive, and insightful images. Each week is successful because each of you takes out your camera to expose yourselves (triple entendre intended) for our benefit, and I thank each of your for that.

For next week (that's tomorrow) we have a special Thanksgiving Photo Assignment and you can find it here (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=262627#post262627).

bmwdean

11-21-2007, 06:06 PM

Good grief! I look at this triangle several times a day, and I never thought of it as a "triangle." I am an idiot.

rocketman

11-22-2007, 03:49 AM

Good grief! I look at this triangle several times a day, and I never thought of it as a "triangle." I am an idiot.

Sweet! I'm hoping to pick up an R50/2 this spring from a friends wife, Its been sitting since he passed away several years ago and is just dieing to be ridden. I'm really "geared" up for it!:) There is just something so appealing about the /2's with the earls front forks.....

RM

bmwdean

11-22-2007, 05:30 AM

SNC1923

11-22-2007, 08:43 AM

Good grief! I look at this triangle several times a day, and I never thought of it as a "triangle." I am an idiot.

That's a bit harsh. :laugh

It's a beautiful shot of a beautiful bike. This composition is exactly what I was talking about with Roy. Could be done a thousand ways, of course, but this is a good one. Amazing what bright sunny outdoor light can do for a photo, huh?

lamble

11-22-2007, 10:59 AM

Sweet! I'm hoping to pick up an R50/2 this spring from a friends wife, Its been sitting since he passed away several years ago and is just dieing to be ridden. I'm really "geared" up for it!:) There is just something so appealing about the /2's with the earls front forks.....

RM

There's something morbidly humourous in that sentence. No offence towards a passed friend, I just found the choice of phrase an eye-catching detail. A verbal earls front forks if you will.

Here's a Brit/US question...I'd use dying, so is your's the US way or a typo?

KBasa

11-22-2007, 11:01 AM

lamble

11-22-2007, 11:35 AM

typo.

Thanks Dave, just chequing (sic)!:thumb

rocketman

11-22-2007, 02:03 PM

There's something morbidly humourous in that sentence. No offence towards a passed friend, I just found the choice of phrase an eye-catching detail. A verbal earls front forks if you will.

Here's a Brit/US question...I'd use dying, so is your's the US way or a typo?

there is also "dyeing" (which has the same number of letters but has nothing to do with /2's or death, so.....)

I'm sorry, what was the question?

RM

yes, I can't not speel wel.....:)