Photo Assignment: Weekend 11/24/07 Thanksgiving Special [Archive]

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SNC1923

11-21-2007, 05:13 PM

Thanksgiving is here and it's time for families to gather, and you know what happens when families gather. What we need are a few rules. With slight modifications, here they are:

Photos must be shot this Thanksgiving weekend: Thu, 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.
Title your photo. Do it.
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: "Gratitude"

It's Thanksgiving. For what--or for whom--are you grateful? Tell us in a picture.

In last week's theme there arose a discussion about the joys and challenges of photographing people, specifically portraits. So for this week's theme, I invite you to try your hand at a portrait. Now, you don't have to. If you're grateful for that new F800 and want to photograph it, by all means do. But aren't you grateful for your mom? Your brother? Your riding buddy? Give it a whirl if you'd like and teach us something in the process.

Burnzilla directed us to a cool portrait site: http://www.365portraits.com/. Here you will find a multitude of inspiring examples.

Here are a couple of others I quickly culled from a google search:

Photonet (http://photo.net/learn/portraits/)

Kodak (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=339&pq-locale=en_US)

Picture Correct (http://www.picturecorrect.com/photographytips/portraits.htm)

So that's it. Bake your pies and clean your house today, because tomorrow you've got to take pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Oh--BTW--I'm very grateful for these photo assignment threads.

Rapid_Roy

11-21-2007, 05:56 PM

Well, then I'm a grateful thread head!
Excellent!

*Roy gets in the VW micro bus and revs the motor*

KBasa

11-21-2007, 05:57 PM

In. Dirty camera or not. :bluduh

grossjohann

11-21-2007, 06:30 PM

Thanks, Tom. I'm looking forward to seeing some great portraits!

Mika

11-21-2007, 07:52 PM

Links to the Photo Assignment threads:

11/24/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21853): Gratitude – Thanksgiving Special

11/17/2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21734): Triangle

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

PAULBACH

11-21-2007, 08:11 PM

This should be one of the best, and most challenging, weeks so far!

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Smilies/groupwave.gif

Voni

11-21-2007, 08:30 PM

and most gratifying.

Voni
sMiling

rocketman

11-22-2007, 03:53 AM

In. Dirty camera or not. :bluduh

As I said in the last assignment thread, its really no biggy with the right equipment and little reading up on it. Go for it, its very satisfying once you've done it, you'll wonder why you waited to try it.

RM

RebeccaV

11-22-2007, 08:35 AM

I'll go charge the camera batteries now!! Thanks Tom.

jdmetzger

11-22-2007, 02:34 PM

I guess I'll go first on this one. My family thought it was a little strange that I was actually taking photos at a family event; a job usually limited to my mom and aunts. Most of the pictures I took were not that good. I was hurrying myself and neglected to make sure I didn't have half of someone in the background, or too much zoom, or whatever. I kind of like this one, though it's far from perfect. I shut the flash off and got some blur effect as my dad was carving up the turkey for everyone - maybe more than I wanted. He posed for one, but I should have zoomed a LOT more. I didn't like it, though it would be OK cropped. I'm going with the spontaneous one. I think it's a bit "ordinary". I like taking photos of objects and vistas more than people. He would probably be unhappy with me if he knew I was posting it here. :)

As for gratitude, we'll, he's my dad, after all. He takes care of my dog for me when I'm on a riding trip (my mom is involved as well, of course), he helps me remodel my house, he gives good advice, he's responsible for my wrenching knowledge, and he's probably responsible for my warped sense of humor, as well. That, and he's good at carving the turkey. :)

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/dad-tday.jpg

rocketman

11-22-2007, 07:13 PM

Ovation TV is running an interesting series on photography this week called "framed" if you get a chance check it out. go to http://www.ovationtv.com to see the schedule.

RM

Voni

11-22-2007, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the ride, Mister. . .

Voni
sMiling

Voni

11-22-2007, 09:16 PM

Thank you for being my friend . . .

sachiwilson

11-22-2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks for being my friend . . .

That is such a sweet pic . . . thanks Voni!

I am thankful for my Mexican Widow.

http://idisk.mac.com/thorw/Public/Mexicanwidow.jpg

A more wonderful friend and partner could not exist. :)

rocketman

11-23-2007, 07:19 AM

I'm thankfull for many things, but I'll concentrate on two,
one of which family......

this was shot in color then converted to B&W, i played with the color temp in the camera setting before taking it to try and get it to appear like an old photograph since many of the furnishings in our house are antiques (Jeanne's parents antique were dealers for years) and I was curious if it would effect the photograph after conversion to B&W...

Giving Thanks for The Earth's Bounty

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/family-1-BW.jpg

RM

rocketman

11-23-2007, 07:27 AM

The second thing I'm most grateful for is that my parents instilled in me a deep and abiding love for and appreciation of nature and wonder of the would in which we live. It has given my no end of joy and even the simplest of visions still fills me with awe such as this.....

Evening sky

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/sky-1.jpg

I've told my in laws that I plan on using them to try some serious portraitures over the next few days, we'll see how it goes, it should be a real challenge and if any come out if should be gratifying!

RM

PGlaves

11-23-2007, 11:57 AM

There is nothing like fresh salsa to spice up the Holidays!!

Voni

11-23-2007, 12:03 PM

Except salad extraordinaire by Chef Ara!

Voni
sMiling

rocketman

11-23-2007, 04:41 PM

family portraits...

So I decided to take up the challenge of doing some portraits

what I did and why..

After finding an appropriate area near the bay window that has an south-eastern exposure I took a number of test shots in RAW then read them into PhotoShop Elements 6 in order to determine the proper color temperature since I was using a combination of natural light and bounced flash so that I could get the right color temperature so that the wall would be the proper shade and would help keep the flesh tones right. I then set the Kelvin temperature setting in D80 to match. I used a flash unit attached to a different tripod 3 feet to left of the camera since the natural night was coming in from the right. I aimed the flash at an 80 deg.from horizontal for fill and to minimize shadows from the flash unit.

Below are the results the one of me I converted to black and white using Photoshop's gray-scale conversion

so here they are

RocketMan

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/portaits_0010-me-web.jpg

RM

rocketman

11-23-2007, 04:42 PM

Portraits II

The Inlaws

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/protraits_0017-inlaws-1-wb.jpg

RM

rocketman

11-23-2007, 04:44 PM

Portraits III

My other half Jeanne and her Dad

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/protraits_0024-Jeanne-Dad1-web.jpg

RM

OK I'll shut up now....:)

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 06:12 PM

Well, I hope everyone had a ball (butter-ball?) this Thrusday. Great subject for portraits, Tom!

I struggled with the dim lighting at Grandma's house. After setting the ISO to 1600, I had some more luck, but many images were a bit grainy.

Here are those to whom I am quite grateful:

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db_yBWD4I/AAAAAAAAAjM/i88tEkmggs4/s800/DSC_5633.JPG
She Who Must Be Obeyed

This is horribly under-exposed, but it so perfectly captures her kind and playful nature, I just had to post it. Truly challenging portrait in very low light, and will little warning (I was playing with the camera settings, and she had decided I should put it away :scratch ).

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 06:17 PM

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db-yBWD1I/AAAAAAAAAi0/P8oU0Z7bxv0/s800/DSC_5594.JPG
Bath-Time for Cousins

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 06:23 PM

http://lh6.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0dcCCBWD_I/AAAAAAAAAkE/922XX2uqK14/s800/DSC_5692.JPG
A Little Thanksgiving Ham

The fill-flash is a little much, so I’ll probably crop out some of the ladder and PhotoShop it before framing.

Here’s another without the flash. I love the contrast, but not totally thrilled that half her fact is over-exposed.

http://lh6.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0dcDCBWECI/AAAAAAAAAkc/VvtqCa2zTL0/s144/DSC_5710.JPG

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 06:39 PM

http://lh6.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0dySCBWEFI/AAAAAAAAAlY/BgrOB_YxySQ/s800/DSC_5601.JPG
Tryptophan

Again, this was in VERY low light. Here is another with more exposure. I struggled on this one as well. The darker is crisper, and is more representative of the moment.

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db_iBWD3I/AAAAAAAAAjE/NslTClIUMy8/s144/DSC_5605.JPG

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 06:49 PM

OK... At the risk of taking over, here are some of the honorable mentions:

http://lh6.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db5CBWDnI/AAAAAAAAAhA/feF3crnQ6x4/s288/DSC_5501.JPG http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db5iBWDoI/AAAAAAAAAhI/Fyxn2YzdOds/s288/DSC_5534.JPG http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db8iBWDvI/AAAAAAAAAiE/Z5Hm3a5pnF0/s288/DSC_5564.JPG

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0dcAiBWD6I/AAAAAAAAAjc/ZCamvyWKNWY/s288/DSC_5670.JPG http://lh6.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R0db6CBWDpI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/iQRnlS0aVOI/s288/DSC_5538.JPG

I really had fun with this, and I think some of these could find their way into Christmas stockings…

KBasa

11-23-2007, 08:03 PM

Stickley lamp?

I like the one of the little blonde guy.

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 08:15 PM

Stickley lamp?

I like the one of the little blonde guy.

Thanks, Dave. I believe so. My mother-in-law is big fan of both Stickley and Tiffany...

lamble

11-23-2007, 08:49 PM

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/224735941-M-1.jpg

I'm in love with this subject matter.

cjack

11-23-2007, 08:55 PM

My son and grandson...

RebeccaV

11-23-2007, 09:02 PM

Fantastic pictures this week!! Great portraits from everyone.

I had a great time hanging out with family this year including these two beautiful children:

http://RebeccaVaughn.smugmug.com/photos/224692691-L.jpg

grossjohann

11-23-2007, 09:24 PM

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/224735941-M-1.jpg

I'm in love with this subject matter.

This is a great juxtaposition of the two portraits. Very reminiscent of the avant-guard 60s.

cruisin

11-24-2007, 10:24 AM

grandkids :thumb

franze

11-25-2007, 11:31 AM

A loving active family

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/225262505-M.jpg

After 3 brothers and two sons, my youngest child is Sugar and Spice

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/225262494-M.jpg

PGlaves

11-25-2007, 01:06 PM

Upon awakening - but gone by afternoon ....

henzilla

11-25-2007, 01:28 PM

[QUOTE=Upon awakening - but gone by afternoon ....[/QUOTE]

WOW! what a difference a week makes! Great shot Paul

cjack

11-25-2007, 01:59 PM

Upon awakening - but gone by afternoon ....

Wow. Super place. I take if if you turn around from your vantage point, you won't see a Walmart.

PGlaves

11-25-2007, 02:29 PM

Wow. Super place. I take if if you turn around from your vantage point, you won't see a Walmart.

You got that right. Here is the view the other way! This is not a submission - way too fuzzy - but it does show the view Jack mentioned.

The nearest Walmart is 120 miles away - in Ft. Stockton. The nearest Super Walmart is 154 miles away in Pecos. In fact, the nearest town of any size is 53 miles away - Alpine, although fuel, some food, hardware, are located at Study Butte/Terlingua - a mere 25 miles away.

RandallIsland

11-25-2007, 02:54 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1242195_1

Voni

11-25-2007, 03:15 PM

Sweet! I love pictures that make me ask "What's the rest of the story?"

Voni
sMiling

JohnF

11-25-2007, 03:46 PM

The City of Cincinnati shows their "gratitude" for those who answered their countries call during the Vietnam era.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01202.jpg

At first, I thought the bottle of wine was litter and was going to move it, but realized someone had left this full bottle as a tribute to show their gratitude. There was also a military service ribbon.

I need to work on the long distance rider's skill of reading comprehension. Just saw the key word "gratitude," and didn't read the fine print that ask that we try our hand at a portrait.

John F
Cincinnati, OH

RebeccaV

11-25-2007, 04:16 PM

.....

I need to work on the long distance rider's skill of reading comprehension. Just saw the key word "gratitude," and didn't read the fine print that ask that we try our hand at a portrait.

John F
Cincinnati, OH
I don't know if you would lose points at the table for this one or not, my friend. 'Portrait' is subjective and you could make a case for it. In the end it's at the rallymaster's discretion though..... :)

SNC1923

11-25-2007, 07:31 PM

I don't know if you would lose points at the table for this one or not, my friend. 'Portrait' is subjective and you could make a case for it. In the end it's at the rallymaster's discretion though..... :)

You were invited to try your hand at a portrait, but by no means was one required. Your shot fits the theme well. I'm wondering about the wine bottle. . . . More about that on Wednesday.

Nice shot.

SNC1923

11-25-2007, 07:54 PM

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/225451834-XL.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=225451834)

The woman with the lovely smile is my wife, Israel. I'm grateful for her smile--it radiates warmth and light, and I can never get enough of it.

I shot about 50 of these today. This was shot #2 and most of the rest were fraught with all manner of technical difficulties. I find that when I shoot a series of pictures, often the first one is the best. Lesson in that, I suppose. . . .

This was shot with an 85mm f/1.8, considered by many to be an ideal portrait lens. On my camera the equivalent focal length is 135mm which is a bit long, but still in the range. I shot this at f/1.8, so the DoF is extremely shallow; almost everything besides her mouth, nose, and eyes is, to some degree, out of focus. I knew the background would be blurry beyond recognition, but I didn't know it would be so dark. It works well for this, I think.

Unlike yesterday, which was bright and sunny (as noted in this ride report (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=263701&posted=1#post263701)), today was gloomy and overcast. This is perfect weather for shooting portraits, as the light is so diffuse and even. Click for the EXIF: ISO 100, 1/1600th sec. @ 1.8.

grossjohann

11-25-2007, 08:42 PM

This is a wonderful portrait, Tom. I have similar results with “first shots”; they tend to be the most inspired.

Not to disregard the technical ability of the photographer, but I find it easy to take great portraits of great people.

SNC1923

11-25-2007, 08:57 PM

Not to disregard the technical ability of the photographer, but I find it easy to take great portraits of great people.

True dat.

Rapid_Roy

11-26-2007, 08:48 PM

Voni

11-26-2007, 09:05 PM

Sweet!

We are very glad, too!!!!

Voni
sMiling

Burnszilla

11-26-2007, 09:18 PM

SNC1923

11-26-2007, 09:37 PM

This was the best I could do, and it may negate that saying because she is a great subject. I just couldn't get a picture to do her justice.
I am grateful we still have her and encephalitis doesn't, my daughter Rachael.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/PB250002.jpg

This is a great shot, Roy. Rachael's beautiful and I love her unbridled joy. Great setting, too. Love it.

I'll +1 Voni's wishes. You guys won. Well done.

Rapid_Roy

11-26-2007, 11:54 PM

Thank you all for the kind words. The picture doesn't accurately reflect, my wife holding a lamp, the dog jumping around and me trying to keep the dog out of the picture, make Rachael laugh, and taking the picture.
I took about 20. It may have been the first one with the best lighting, so Tom's theory may hold true.

This may not be obvious, but did I mention she likes Marie, the kitten from the Aristocats? Powerpuff Girls are so yesterday.

The_Veg

11-27-2007, 12:23 AM

I am grateful for my very best friend in the world, whom I will have known for 20 years next year.

Craig, composed by his 9-year-old daughter:
http://vegomatic.smugmug.com/photos/226005978-M.jpg

Voni

11-27-2007, 07:51 AM

People pictures are the BEST! Love how personalities come through. You all are doing so very well at capturing that special something.

I once took a four generation picture and threatened Paul and our son in law with their lives to LOOK at me. I knew it wouldn't work with the baby or my fading Dad! But, the best of the 17 shots I took was the first.

Voni
sMiling

Rapid_Roy

11-27-2007, 09:08 AM

I am grateful for my very best friend in the world, whom I will have known for 20 years next year.

Craig, composed by his 9-year-old daughter:
http://vegomatic.smugmug.com/photos/226005978-M.jpg
:laugh
That is great.:thumb

rocketman

11-27-2007, 09:41 AM

rocketman

11-27-2007, 11:05 AM

For this week I’m really torn between two photos as my favorites.

The one submitted by our “invertebrate” lensman (well that’s how I first read it in the line below his avatar!) and the one submitted by Rapid_Roy. SNC1923 really captured the essence behind the face and the smile, and the lighting and skin tone are about as good as I’ve seen in any portrait, but then he’s apparently been doing this for quite some time and with that subject well, how could one NOT be motivated! Beauty AND poise, what a winning combination. She’s a keeper, for sure! That would have been a hands down if Rapid_Roy hadn’t come along with is shot of his daughter, she just seems so totaling in her element in his photograph of her and again there is that winning smile, so how can you not be drawn to it. While not as technical as Tom’s, it doesn’t appear to me that it was his intent with this submission to be “technically” correct. Rather this is one taken not only with great joy in the subject, but also with an attempt to capture the flavor of the moment of her in “repose” i.e. a natural, spontaneous setting.

What’s interesting to me is that as radically different as they are, both in subject and setting, they each exude a common element, namely, the sparkle in both sets of eyes. Perhaps I caught that from the fact that in many of the photographs of my Father, you can see that same exuberance for life and the sheer joy of being alive as evidenced by the *twinkle* in his eyes. It was one of the qualities that people most often remarked on, so through that association, it is something I am particularly attuned too. I suspect that image may well be my last vision, but that is hopefully a long way off! I have too many miles yet to ride and too many images yet to capture on (digital) film! Not to mention WAY too much fun is still to be had with upcoming photo assignments!

Nice work, thanks for sharing the vision of your love! And that goes for everyone who shared an image with all of us this week, of what each feels grateful for.

RM

Rapid_Roy

11-27-2007, 11:48 AM

Thank you RM. I was hoping my love for her would show in the picture. Like a sweater from Grandma with love in every stitch. I thought all the portraits were great and speak volumes about those who took them and those who are in them.:clap
This was great.

bricciphoto

11-27-2007, 04:58 PM

Here's my wife, who's always willing to chip in when yard work needs to be done, sometimes with a smile on her face :D :

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/226220969-M.jpg

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/226220953-M.jpg

cjack

11-27-2007, 05:35 PM

bmwdean

11-27-2007, 05:59 PM

A very beautiful woman. Let me know when you decided to trade her in.

http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/225451834-XL.jpg

SNC1923

11-27-2007, 06:41 PM

A very beautiful woman. Let me know when you decided to trade her in.

Jeff,

Thank you for the kind words, and that's a very nice offer. I can tell you, I've been admiring that red /2 for some time now, and it's tempting; however, there is no way I'd ever get that lucky again.

When I proposed to Israel, she began to work on me to move to Bakersfield, something I was dead set against; nonetheless, she persisted and eventually prevailed. I finally agreed on the condition that I could buy a BMW motorcycle, which is how I find myself here.

So, in summary, she's a keeper--"a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one." :bottle

RandallIsland

11-27-2007, 10:37 PM

So, in summary, she's a keeper...

Good love to you both. You're a lucky man by the looks of it.
I'd move to the moon for a woman I've yet to meet. ;)

wezul

11-27-2007, 10:48 PM

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1242195_1

I like this one, dreaming of roads yet to be travelled.

Very cool.

bricciphoto

11-28-2007, 08:09 AM

Ha. My wife won't let me work in the yard. I don't do it right. I can't paint worth a darn either.
When I dug the the hole for my ham radio tower (seven feet deep), all the neighbors came over because they had never seen me out in the yard 'til then...

I sometimes have to rein my wife in so I don't look like a lazy slacker--hence my gratitude. I'm forbidden from doing the garbage because I don't do it right. :scratch

Wezul, Randall's Island did post a great shot this week. Nice exposure, too.

rocketman

11-28-2007, 09:51 AM

I sometimes have to rein my wife in so I don't look like a lazy slacker--hence my gratitude. I'm forbidden from doing the garbage because I don't do it right. :scratch

Wezul, Randall's Island did post a great shot this week. Nice exposure, too.

Yeah I hear that! I don't do yard work either, Jeanne does it all, though I did build the boarders for her garden. She actually seems enjoys it though (go figure), my part consits of enjoying it and being the garden "statuary" (reclining in a comfy chair, of course!)

When we move to a single family house I told her I'd buy her a riding mower (note that I said buy if for HER not ME!) or hire a neighbor's kid since we want a nice big yard (so we have some distance between us and "them" :brad

RM

"I ain't cuttin' no stinkin Grass"

SNC1923

11-28-2007, 09:16 PM

You wanted portraits? We got portraits this week. Lots of personal photographs, which as those who suggested this technique already said, are inherently interesting pictures.

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/dad-tday.jpg

JDMetzger's "Knife Wielding Father" is great if for the title alone. It's an environmental portrait and a candid besides. I'm not sure if it qualifies as "portrait" as Dad is not looking at the viewer. It is in interesting image, one that tells a definite story and recalls rich traditions. It's nicely lit, too. What I don't like is the pronounced motion-blur. It's most obvious in his hands, which are clearly moving, but the softness on his face detracts from this otherwise powerful image. We saw a lot of this in this week's assignment; this is only the first example. All technical nit-picking aside, this image may well become a favorite in years to come.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510580-XL.jpg

Voni brings us a wonderfully humorous image. I'm a sucker for a dog in goggles (second only to dogs playing poker) and the fact that the rider and dog are looking at each other is priceless. Of course I want to lower the camera so I see the whole bike and not just the top half. There's also the business of the sloping horizon. 50 bonus points for each auxiliary light beyond the first two. . . . It's a fun shot of a great moment.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510583-XL.jpg

I'm including Voni's second portrait (is it?) just to emphasize the point above about composition. Many of us suffer from "dead eye," or the tendency to put the subject in the center of the viewfinder (often to focus) but forgetting to re-compose the image for the best look. With autofocusing cameras, you need only hold the shutter release depressed half-way to maintain the point of focus. It's easy to forget and I do it frequently. This is a fun picture, and successful for the same reason as above: these two are looking at each other and with impish grins besides. Who knows what's unsaid?

http://idisk.mac.com/thorw/Public/Mexicanwidow.jpg

San Diego's Sachiwilson brings us a shot, not a portrait at all, but a picture that seems to fit the theme of gratitude. This photo is like 10,000 I've seen before (and I don't mean mundane). These are the party pictures that we all have. Everyone having a good time, hamming it up for the camera, laughing. . . . These are the concrete manifestations of happy memories and important artifacts indeed.

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/portaits_0010-me-web.jpg

Rocketman's back this week with a nice crop of photos. One or two suffer from the motion blur thing, so I'll leave those alone. This one, I LOVE. This is a compelling portrait, indeed. I love the subject's rigid eye contact, his simple dress, the stark background, his slight lean and apprehensive affect. The black and white works wonderfully here.

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/gratatude/protraits_0017-inlaws-1-wb.jpg

This second portrait (one of two very similar) is an interesting shot. I'm a bit less enthused about this one, but it is an effective, technically sound portrait. It's an old-fashioned pose (husband and wife, presumably) and I like the rather serious affect on the subjects. I have always been troubled by these vertical compositions. . . . Not sure why; I don't have much luck with them; however, I might have followed the old-fashioned theme here and had the husband sit while the wife stood, as was the fashion at the turn of the century. For one thing, their relative heights may have been closer.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510557-XL.jpg

Grossjohann returns this week with a number of photos, many of which are very appealing. I really like this photo. He succinctly points out its obvious flaws, but I agree that its playful and even, perhaps, sexy. It's a neat image of a striking woman. Great eyes.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510551-XL.jpg

This shot garnered a number of positive comments with which I agree. It's a fun, immediate, environmental candid. Really kind of irresistible: beautiful child, great smile, obvious exuberance, wonderful innocence but not without a mischievous edge. The overly-tight composition really adds to this photo's dramatic impact.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510544-XL.jpg

I wanted to throw this one in for honorable mention. Great shot. Beautiful light, pensive, contemplative. . . . I'm out of adjectives. I really like this shot.

Pizza's here. More later. . . .

lamble

11-28-2007, 10:40 PM

Tom,

Can I ask if, in addition to critiquing the pics we post, you could add a 'tip of the week,' based on what you perceive as the 'common need', either from the week's submissions, or ahead of the coming week's challenge?

Ta.

SNC1923

11-28-2007, 10:58 PM

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/224735941-M-1.jpg

Lamble's submission this week also garnered some well-deserved positive comments. This strikes me as an homage to 60's pop art. It's a wonderful and creative image. The juxtaposition of the two sides of one face, one magnified tremendously, is really striking. This is an attractive woman whose jewelry and hairstyle, though fashionably contemporary, would work in 1967 as well. . . . Really inventive shot; I like it.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510536-XL.jpg

Cjack is back with a touching portrait of father and son--or son and grandson as the case may be. It's yet another shot where the subjects are looking at each other and to great effect. What's perhaps most striking about this shot is the gorgeous lighting. It's evenly illuminated, color-correct, and shadow free. I'm going to guess he's bouncing that new flash of his against a low white ceiling, the photographer's friend. It's a really well-executed capture.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510568-XL.jpg

Cruisin stopped by with another grandchild photo. This is a fun shot because, like almost all children this age, this little fellow looks like a drunken sailor. There's something fascinating about interpreting a child's accidental mannerisms to be similar to those of adults. In stark contrast to the photo above, this shot is also lit by a flash but one that's shooting directly at the subject. It's way too hot, perhaps it's a bit close for the camera's minimum focusing distance. It also may be the composition. You'll notice that the background is much more evenly illuminated.

Not to pick on poor Cruisin, but this photo is also suffering from the dreaded "red-eye" syndrome. Red eye results from the flash being too close to the lens (actually measured as less than a 4.9 degree arc when drawing a line from the flash to the subject to the lens). It's worse in people with fair skin and light eyes and is difficult to overcome. You can take two shots; the second is usually better than the first because the pupils are still contracted. Fortunately, lots of processing programs remove this pretty successfully.

All that aside, this is a great-looking kid who is probably spoiled rotten by grandpa.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/225262505-M.jpg

Franze stopped by this week with two shots. I love this inventive interpretation. It would appear to be shoes thrown up against a night sky lit with a flash. Am I even close? Whatever the case, it's a very clever idea and I think turned out very well.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/225262494-M.jpg

I also like this touching portrait of a beautiful, innocent little girl. I would love to have seen her eyes, but that may not be what this picture wants to say. It appears to be illuminated by a direct flash, but the exposure is beautiful.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1242195_1

RandallIsland's submission this week has to be one of my favorites. This is a bold and personal self-portrait (is there any other kind?) and I think he pulls it off well. As Bricciphoto points out, he handles a tricky exposure well. The background is blown out to bring the subject into proper exposure. Without this compensation, the subject would have been dark, backlit. I love that he's sitting on his bike and--as someone said--looking out to roads yet to be ridden. I love the rolled-up jeans, the boots, the casual posture. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but this shot really works for me.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01202.jpg

JohnF's submission fits the theme of gratitude quite well, I think. It's a picture of a memorial, but an effectively composed and well exposed shot. I love that this memorial has an actual map of Vietnam. The wine bottle at the foot of the memorial invites all kinds of speculation. Vets who have come home unable to make the adjustment? Lord knows we have far too many of those struggling souls. Perhaps kids getting high in the park? A gift to a fallen comrade? It's the most interesting aspect of this photo.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/PB250002.jpg

Rapid-Roy's touching portrait of Rachael has already received much well-deserved comment. I just thought it was worth seeing again. Like several other shots this week, it captures a great expression and shows lots of emotion. I love the background, too. I just thought it was worth seeing again.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510587-XL.jpg

I really liked this shot by Voni. When it's a chili dog, this is referred to as food porn. But this is more delicate, and wonderfully colorful. Something this beautiful should be photographed before being eaten. Here again the flash brings out the colors and textures very well.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/226510574-XL.jpg

I also like Paul's shot of Voni. Doesn't it figure that she's cutting something red? It's exactly this sort of detail that makes one a master mechanic or photographer. It's a great portrait, an environmental shot, and one that will be a great memory one day. It does strike me as a bit hot, kind of contrasty. Did you process this or is it straight out of the camera? Certainly all the reds are quite vivid and the background is underexposed just enough to be interesting. It's really a nice shot. It does make me think, "Watch your fingers!"

http://RebeccaVaughn.smugmug.com/photos/224692691-L.jpg

It's very nice to see Rebecca back this week with a wonderful portrait of sibling love--beautiful children. The girl has wonderful skin tone, wow. She has in infectious smile and piercing eyes. Really compelling. This shot also suffers from motion blur (the little fellow can't keep still, apparently!) and the hot spot on his arm is distracting. But it's a snapshot and a pretty effective one in spite of its few technical difficulties.

http://l.yimg.com/www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif

It's also nice to see Burnzilla back this week with a self-portrait (I'm assuming he took this, but I may be mistaken). Usually these up-close shots are taken at arm's length with a point and shooter. It's an environmental portrait to be sure, and one that reflects the theme: he's obviously grateful to be out there in the dirt with his GS. Sunglasses are a love-'em or hate-'em proposition in portraits (as are helmets for that matter) but I think both work well here. This shot also features stark, late afternoon light (I believe) which is always an interesting quality. . . . Cool shot of a man on an adventure.

http://vegomatic.smugmug.com/photos/226005978-M.jpg

I don't know what to say about this. It's pretty funny. Craig is obviously a good, tolerant, patient, and encouraging father. Keep this for his retirement party.

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/226220969-M.jpg http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/226220953-M.jpg

Bricciphoto treats us this week with two sequential portraits of his lovely wife. She has a great face, full of life and which seems to reveal her personality. She has a pleasing prepossessing quality. The lighting in these shots is very successful: notice the highlights on her right. I really like these shots, particularly that they are a pair.

That appears to be it for this week, barring any last minute suggestions.

Lamble's suggestion above is a good one. I will endeavor to come up with a skill to shoot for or a tip to try in next week's submission. I've considered this before, but have been daunted by trying to appeal to a broad audience. Perhaps I should be less self-conscious and just throw it out there.

Something to shoot for, I suppose.

Everyone seemed to have fun this week. Thanks for a great bunch of photos and for reading my drivel, if in fact you still are. Friday's coming. . . . Get those batteries charged.

grossjohann

11-28-2007, 11:08 PM

Thank you so much for the feedback, Tom.

I was touched by the personal turn taken this week. Such an intimate glimpse into the trusting photographers’ lives... Thank you, all.

Rapid_Roy

11-28-2007, 11:14 PM

Thank you Tom. This is a great learning experience for me and I loved everyone's contributions.
I also would like to mention that we couldn't fit all of her Marie Kitties in that picture.

bricciphoto

11-29-2007, 07:17 AM

Tom, as always thanks for devoting your time to this thread and sharing your thoughts on all the interesting pics! :thumb

rocketman

11-29-2007, 08:33 AM

SNC1923

11-29-2007, 09:15 AM

Quite correct about the husband, wife, they are Jeanne's folks. I did try for a reversed position, him sitting, her standing, ( I didn't know that had been the fashion, interesting tid-bit ) but unfortunately her Mom is not very stable on her feet and her attention constantly drifts off, it was hard enough just getting her to sit still long enough to get the shot off, I have several others where she would be looking off in some other direction or would move right as the camera went off. Trying these has given me a greater appreciation of just how difficult formal portraiture can be.

As for mine, I can't for the life of me get that guy to smile for a camera, he seems much happier behind the lens. and in any of me where I am smiling, well I look like total dufus, either my mouth is wide open, my eyes are closed or, well......

Duh! I didn't realize that was you. I thought it may have been your recently-paroled, no account brother-in-law (just kidding). It really is a compelling pose/picture.

You touch on a number of very real and practical considerations above. Having to deal with someone--especially someone no thrilled about being photographed--is a tremendous challenge. I'm always working on that.

For what it's worth, you are decidedly un-dufus-like; however, I know what you mean. I find my smile in photos to be insipid. It's a subjective criticism, as others don't report this. I suppose it's a bit like hearing your voice in a recording. "I sound like that!?"

rocketman

11-29-2007, 09:19 AM

Duh! I didn't realize that was you. I thought it may have been your recently-paroled, no account brother-in-law (just kidding). It really is a compelling pose/picture.

You touch on a number of very real and practical considerations above. Having to deal with someone--especially someone no thrilled about being photographed--is a tremendous challenge. I'm always working on that.

For what it's worth, you are decidedly un-dufus-like; however, I know what you mean. I find my smile in photos to be insipid. It's a subjective criticism, as others don't report this. I suppose it's a bit like hearing your voice in a recording. "I sound like that!?"

Oh please don't remind me! I got a tape player as a kid, and well, I only recorded myself once! Yikes!!

That was the end of my tape recorder days.....:brad

RM

bricciphoto

11-29-2007, 09:47 AM

Quite correct about the husband, wife, they are Jeanne's folks. I did try for a reversed position, him sitting, her standing, ( I didn't know that had been the fashion, interesting tid-bit ) but unfortunately her Mom is not very stable on her feet and her attention constantly drifts off, it was hard enough just getting her to sit still long enough to get the shot off, I have several others where she would be looking off in some other direction or would move right as the camera went off. Trying these has given me a greater appreciation of just how difficult formal portraiture can be.

As for mine, I can't for the life of me get that guy to smile for a camera, he seems much happier behind the lens. and in any of me where I am smiling, well I look like total dufus, either my mouth is wide open, my eyes are closed or, well......

I look like a complete dufus! Ha Ha!

I remember reading about the very early days of photography, the people would literally have to hold thier pose for minutes at a time. wow, now that must have been a real challange!
maybe we could have a "how long can you hold that pose" challange!:banghead

(just kidding!!):brad

RM

I can't prevent myself from commenting on Rocketman's shots this week. I think they are both (those in the critique/comments) top notch shots. The shot of Jeanne's parents is fabulous and I think changing too much in it would have diminished some of its draw. It's one of those shots that just sucks you into looking at the detail: eyes, hands, environment, etc. Classic example of a picture being worth a thousand words. It's also wonderfully lit. Everyone should have a shot like this of their folks.

Secondly, his self-portrait is successful because they are so hard to shoot. I'm not certain a smile would have improved the shot (I don't know Rocketman, so I don't have an insight into his personality). It's very reminiscent of a Daguerreotype pose, but in a digital age--and intentional or not it's a wonderful execution.

Splendid pics Rocketman!

:wave

PGlaves

11-29-2007, 10:00 AM

The photo of Voni in the kitchen was desribed as a bit hot and contrasty. That is the way it came out of the camera. The photo was taken with a Fujifilm Finepix Z3 - essentially a shirt pocket camera. It has a "chrome" setting which does that. I had it set that way for some outdoor shots and didn't change the setting. I think that is the source of the saturation and contrast.

lamble

11-29-2007, 10:39 AM

Tom, you've cost me a dinner, "hairstyle 1960's, what does he mean etc etc...?".:fight
It was lady Lamble's birthday on Tuesday, so she was exceptionally age sensitive.

If it were a '60s homage, then that's purely accidental.

I personally don't appear in my pictures, or anyone else's, if I'm aware they are being taken, unless obscured someway, so I guess I just followed through with that rule.

The idea of sitting "naked" in front of a camera, like RM, is just an anathema to me. Well done him. The B/W made it even starker, which worked.

The reason I asked Tom for tips is, personally, while I consider composition and lighting, the mechanics of focal length, aperture etc...are still alien to me, so any tips or challenges that involve, 'working' the camera, would be a useful education, I don't see it as inhibiting our creative flowings. I'd also like to try catching motion at some point, as I have 72 prints (pre digi) of the curb on the otherside of the road and not a bike in sight, from a trip to the IOM TT.

Must go now, I have some making up to do :hug

" another cup of tea darling, of course. No, your hair looks fine. There's no need for a hat in bed"...

SNC1923

11-29-2007, 11:09 AM

Tom, you've cost me a dinner, "hairstyle 1960's, what does he mean etc etc...?".:fight
It was lady Lamble's birthday on Tuesday, so she was exceptionally age sensitive.

If it were a '60s homage, then that's purely accidental.

Yikes.

I think I was clear in saying that her fashionable contemporary coiffure would have been as much in style then as it is now.

If it's dinner she wants, send her to California. I would be delighted to dine with her. She's lovely.

Rapid_Roy

11-29-2007, 11:24 AM

Well,.......he didn't have to show her the review. :stick
:whistle
:bolt

rocketman

11-29-2007, 11:27 AM

I can't prevent myself from commenting on Rocketman's shots this week. I think they are both (those in the critique/comments) top notch shots. The shot of Jeanne's parents is fabulous and I think changing too much in it would have diminished some of its draw. It's one of those shots that just sucks you into looking at the detail: eyes, hands, environment, etc. Classic example of a picture being worth a thousand words. It's also wonderfully lit. Everyone should have a shot like this of their folks.

Secondly, his self-portrait is successful because they are so hard to shoot. I'm not certain a smile would have improved the shot (I don't know Rocketman, so I don't have an insight into his personality). It's very reminiscent of a Daguerreotype pose, but in a digital age--and intentional or not it's a wonderful execution.

Splendid pics Rocketman!

:wave

Well dang, thanks a bunch! (all compliments humbly accepted. ;) ). It was fun luckily Jeanne and her Dad are both easy to work with, esp Jeanne because she is used being in the lime-light from her years of pro-am dancing, and her Dad is a very relaxed individual, esp in light of the challenge of taking care of his wife these last few years, another person from whom I have learned again what true selflessness is. I don’t think I’ve even seen him without the touch of a smile on his lips or that darn twinkle in the eye some are blessed with.

RM

OK, I’ll shut up now…..

RM

lamble

11-29-2007, 11:28 AM

Yikes.

I think I was clear in saying that her fashionable contemporary coiffure would have been as much in style then as it is now.

If it's dinner she wants, send her to California. I would be delighted to dine with her. She's lovely.

She is indeed lovely, but also complex. Try telling your lady she has a hairstyle similar to that her mother would have had, then once the touch paper has been lit, stand well back!

Now she's taken the hat off, if I can only coax her from beneath the bed, we should be okay.

A broom handle should do it, or throw a spider under....

rocketman

11-29-2007, 11:33 AM

lamble

11-29-2007, 11:43 AM

I'm not advocating a naked Rocketman pic, fer jeezy creezy sake I've only just got Mrs L out from hiding under the bed.
Naked as in, totally open to scrutiny.

Here's an example of an image of me;

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/224191753-M.jpg

Not only obscured by helmet etc... but also photoshopped beyond all recognition.

As I said, you are far braver than I to sit for a picture.

franze

11-29-2007, 02:50 PM

Hi, usually don't kiss and tell, but since you asked. The "shoes" in the air was shot with a flash outside at night. But to my family, these aren't shoes, this is what we wear when we're doing what we love best. In the upper right, that bit of red is my daughters ruby slipper, then there's my big black motorcycle boot, my wife's Nike running shoes, my oldest son's hockey skates, and up near the top, my middle son's soccer cleats. I would've liked to keep shooting this until I got it right but my crew was the two boys and I had interrupted their nighttime backyard suicide soccer shoot-out so this was the best I got. I decided on the up in the air shot because it's symbolic of the chaos that goes with these activities.

The shot of my daughter was natural lighting coming into her bedroom from a large glass balcony door. We are doing one of her favorite things, the community drawing. She draws on a blank piece of paper for awhile and then hands it to me. I add to her drawing and it goes back and forth. No topic or subject is pre-determined. It's the artists answer to the poets free verse. In this picture, that smile is telling me that she's happy with what she just drew.

I really appreciate the time you put into this. Keep going.

rocketman

11-29-2007, 04:41 PM