Photo Assignment: Weekend 01/05/08

[SNC1923]

It's a new year and interest in our photo assignments shows no sign of abating; however, knowing the road to hell is paved with good intentions, let's bear in mind these simple rules:


Photos must be shot this weekend: Fri, Sat, or Sun.
You must provide the EXIF information if asked. If you need help, we can show you how to find it or even link it to your photo.
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 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: "Close Up"

In keeping with requests for learning techniques, this week, please take a photo utilizing a close focusing distance, sometimes referred to as "macro." Most P&S cameras have a built-in macro setting, often the minimum focusing distance with the lens at wide-angle. DSLR cameras with zoom lenses often have this same arrangement. For DSLR cameras, you can buy close-up filters fairly inexpensively. Some of us even have macro lenses capable of focusing closely enough to reproduce a subject at life-size.

Very simply put, just focus as closely, or nearly as closely, as you can--no purchase necessary.

There are several factors you should bear in mind:


In many circumstances you will need plenty of light. Shoot outdoors or use a supplementary light source or reflector, white cardboard, for example. If you use a desk lamp, don't forget to switch your white balance to that light source.
Depth-of-field will be a factor, so shoot at a smaller aperture if you are able.
A smaller aperture will result in a slower shutter speed, so. . . .
you may need to use some form of support, i.e. your braced arms or a tripod. A small bean bag or similar item makes an excellent support.


By no means is it necessary that your photo be microscopic. Just get in close and shoot a detail of something. Bonus points for anything motorcycle related or any subject that is not immediately identifiable.

Now get out there and get close.

[bricciphoto]

Tom--great instructions on shooting up close. Don't forget DSLR users might want to experiment with extension tubes if they have them. I'll also add that exposure issues related to small apertures can be offset somewhat by trying to keep the subject parallel to the film/sensor plane, i.e. any tilt of the lens (or camera) relative to the subject is going to minimize DoF at most aperture settings. Keep your lens parallel and you might be able to pick up a stop or two--a spirit level in the hot shoe will help keep things in sharp focus (if desired).

If you're shooting outdoors, up close wind (any wind) will be a factor!

Happy shooting all! :p

[BONEY]

I've got a bit of spare time today, so I've already jumped in with both feet.

Pics uploading now.

[BONEY]

Rivets:

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2973-2/Macro+018.jpg

Exif:
Make Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Aperture Value f/2.8
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value 0 EV
Flash No Flash
Focal Length 5.8 mm
ISO Unknown
Metering Mode Center Weighted Average
Shutter Speed Value 1/30 sec
Date/Time Fri 04 Jan 2008 10:19:41 AM EST

[BONEY]

H1

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2988-2/Macro+023.jpg

(underexposed)

Make Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Aperture Value f/2.8
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value 0 EV
Flash No Flash
Focal Length 5.8 mm
ISO Unknown
Metering Mode Center Weighted Average
Shutter Speed Value 1/200 sec
Date/Time Fri 04 Jan 2008 10:22:40 AM EST

[BONEY]

Swingline

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3003-2/Macro+028.jpg

Exif:
Make Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Aperture Value f/2.8
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value 0 EV
Flash No Flash
Focal Length 5.8 mm
ISO Unknown
Metering Mode Center Weighted Average
Shutter Speed Value 1/100 sec
Date/Time Fri 04 Jan 2008 10:30:22 AM EST



By far the best image I took today. You can find the rest, if you're interested, here. (http://www.beachbus.net/photos/v/assignments/album/)

[rocketman]

Tom--great instructions on shooting up close. Don't forget DSLR users might want to experiment with extension tubes if they have them. I'll also add that exposure issues related to small apertures can be offset somewhat by trying to keep the subject parallel to the film/sensor plane, i.e. any tilt of the lens (or camera) relative to the subject is going to minimize DoF at most aperture settings. Keep your lens parallel and you might be able to pick up a stop or two--a spirit level in the hot shoe will help keep things in sharp focus (if desired).

If you're shooting outdoors, up close wind (any wind) will be a factor!

Happy shooting all! :p

Hmmm, I understand what you are saying here but I think that saying it will "minimize" the DoF might be confusing to some, the fact that the subject is angled, in and of itself can’t effect the actual DOF, (as that is a function of the camera lens, aperture and light) rather it would probably make more sense to say that any tilt will make the shallowness more apparent as it will make it harder to get the entire subject in focus when working the shallow depth of field of close up photography. By having it parallel as much as possible you can get a greater amount of the subject within the field of focus and therefore have a overall sharper image. Or as we learned from an earlier challenge, you can use the shallowness to your advantage by having only that which you want the viewer to focus on, in focus (sorry for the pun :laugh ) while taking that which you don’t want to be part of the main subject matter out of focus, though often with close up photography that effect is harder to achieve without it appearing that you simply miss-focused. there would need to be a very strong element that was the main subject, such as perhaps the eye of a bug, while the head and body was softened so that the viewer was drawn immediately to the main focal point of the image.

RM

[rocketman]

H1

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2988-2/Macro+023.jpg

(underexposed)



you should have just pluged it in, no problem with under exposure then!:laugh

I like the stapler, in the next one, very stark and it imediately grabs your attention! No question what the subject is there! good DoF for most of it as well.

Nice!

RM

[BMWDEAN]

Nikon D70
60mm AF Micro-Nikkor 1:2.8 D

Close up:

[bricciphoto]

Hmmm, I understand what you are saying here but I think that saying it will "minimize" the DoF might be confusing to some, the fact that the subject is angled, in and of itself can’t effect the actual DOF, (as that is a function of the camera lens, aperture and light) rather it would probably make more sense to say that any tilt will make the shallowness more apparent as it will make it harder to get the entire subject in focus when working the shallow depth of field of close up photography. By having it parallel as much as possible you can get a greater amount of the subject within the field of focus and therefore have a overall sharper image. Or as we learned from an earlier challenge, you can use the shallowness to your advantage by having only that which you want the viewer to focus on, in focus (sorry for the pun :laugh ) while taking that which you don’t want to be part of the main subject matter out of focus, though often with close up photography that effect is harder to achieve without it appearing that you simply miss-focused. there would need to be a very strong element that was the main subject, such as perhaps the eye of a bug, while the head and body was softened so that the viewer was drawn immediately to the main focal point of the image.

RM

I think I understand what you're saying. :dunno

Actually, all I am implying is there is a common belief that at small apertures (f/22, f/16, etc.--that Tom referenced) maximum focus will be acheived. This is true when the subject and sensor/film plane are parallel. It is not true if there is a shift in the two planes, particularly if the subject is curved, rounded, staggered, etc. So one could shoot an object at f/16 and depending on the angle of the lens/camera it could appear as though it was shot at f/5.6* or lower. Shooting close-ups with blur is a no brainer, just about any camera or person will do this with ease. Shooting close up with sharp focus and maximum depth of field is a lot harder to acheive without a bellows or a tilting lens, when the sensor/film plane is not parallel to the subject.

*In this example the photographer "wasted" several stops by shooting at f/16, which almost by definition will require a lower shuttle speed to acheive the same exposure at a given ISO. This would introduce the potential for motion blur, etc. :whistle

And thinking about this for a nanosecond longer, the converse of what I said is also true: if the sensor/film plane and subject are parallel, why shoot at f/16 when the same focus could be achieved at f/4 thereby providing a lot more latitude in exposure?

[grossjohann]

Swingline

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3003-2/Macro+028.jpg

By far the best image I took today. You can find the rest, if you're interested, here. (http://www.beachbus.net/photos/v/assignments/album/)

Welcome, Boney.

These are some great shots. I really like this one. The lighting is great, the image is sharp, and it makes the otherwise ordinary object much more interesting.

I wonder if you could find a way to eliminate your reflection. This is a classic issue... Some look for another angle which reflects something else (a white board?). Others try to disguise themselves to either blend into the surroundings, or make a less obviously human reflection. Since I’ve been made aware of this issue, I’ve become particularly sensitive to it…

Good luck, and keep posting!

-Alex

[BONEY]

I wonder if you could find a way to eliminate your reflection. This is a classic issue... Some look for another angle which reflects something else (a white board?). Others try to disguise themselves to either blend into the surroundings, or make a less obviously human reflection. Since I’ve been made aware of this issue, I’ve become particularly sensitive to it…


Or embrace it completely:

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2997-2/Macro+026.jpg

[grossjohann]

Or embrace it completely:

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2997-2/Macro+026.jpg

Not bad!

[rocketman]

I think I understand what you're saying. :dunno

Actually, all I am implying is there is a common belief that at small apertures (f/22, f/16, etc.--that Tom referenced) maximum focus will be acheived. This is true when the subject and sensor/film plane are parallel. It is not true if there is a shift in the two planes, particularly if the subject is curved, rounded, staggered, etc. So one could shoot an object at f/16 and depending on the angle of the lens/camera it could appear as though it was shot at f/5.6* or lower. Shooting close-ups with blur is a no brainer, just about any camera or person will do this with ease. Shooting close up with sharp focus and maximum depth of field is a lot harder to acheive without a bellows or a tilting lens, when the sensor/film plane is not parallel to the subject.

*In this example the photographer "wasted" several stops by shooting at f/16, which almost by definition will require a lower shuttle speed to acheive the same exposure at a given ISO. This would introduce the potential for motion blur, etc. :whistle

And thinking about this for a nanosecond longer, the converse of what I said is also true: if the sensor/film plane and subject are parallel, why shoot at f/16 when the same focus could be achieved at f/4 thereby providing a lot more latitude in exposure?

Ah, Ok I see what you're saying I guess I may have read it differently, and that said hopefully it may help clarify it for others (or maybe I'm the only one?:scratch )

thanks

RM

[SNC1923]

Or embrace it completely:

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2997-2/Macro+026.jpg

This is really a cool image. It reminds me of something someone would do in Photoshop. Notice the focus is on the camera in the reflection. Very, very cool.

[rocketman]

Lets play a game, shall we?

What am I? II

I am smooth, round shiny and hard.

I have a wall and roof (of sorts) and I am mostly hollow.

I never travel more than a few inches, yet have covered a thousand miles or more in a single day.

I spend most of my time stationary, yet when I do move, I move at lighting speed.

I operate under extremes of temperature and pressure, yet very very rarely ever fail in my duties.

Some of you will recognize me in an instant, others have never seen me, nor in all likelihood, ever will.

What am I?


http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/close-up/close-up-1-web.jpg

I wasn't quite sure about this at first, but it sort of grew on me...



RM

[lamble]

Anyone having a smugmug uploading problem, especially via picassa?

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240043671-L.jpg

[SNC1923]

Lets play a game, shall we?

What am I? II

Bullet?

[BubbaZanetti]

is anyone else having trouble uploading to smugmug this weekend???



(trying to get some "entries" up)

[rocketman]

Bullet?

nope, bullets never travel mere inches, nor do they travel a thousand miles or more, least none I know of.

hint: it is related to one of the bonus points you mentioned AND it meets both conditions above.

RM

[lamble]

Rocketman, it's got to be a valve head or a tappet hasn't it?
Which and on what part of the bike (engine pressumably) I can't tell from the shot or number.

[franze]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240043671-L.jpg

looks like you were rooting around the laundry basket of the Iron Butt riders.:blah

[rocketman]

Rocketman, it's got to be a valve head or a tappet hasn't it?
Which and on what part of the bike (engine pressumably) I can't tell from the shot or number.

it doesn't HAVE to be anything, does it? It COULD be nothing (though its not), remember this is supposed to be a close up so its probably not a piston or a freight train..

it could be un-side down or upside out, (but its not) can't be a valve face since they are perfectly flat and this obviously isn't

Can't be the valve seat side since the end of the valve stem in the center would be out of focus and there is no valve seat....(and its not a football either, if that helps:laugh ).

as for not being able to tell if it IS a tappet, isn't that the other bonus point value?( i.e. being not easily recognizable)

multiple guesses don't count (new rule I just made up! Ha Ha!)

you need to say with certainty what it is (second new rule I just made up:bolt )

but keep trying,,,, the truth will be reveled (or not.....:dunno )

RM

[rocketman]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240043671-L.jpg

I'm thinking wet storm (fly) screen....

(I certainly hope its NOT a screen full of underwear fuzz, but it COULD be I suppose):laugh

RM

[SNC1923]

is anyone else having trouble uploading to smugmug this weekend???



(trying to get some "entries" up)

18:21 and no problems. :dunno

[SNC1923]

OK, right off I'm going to acknowledge that I will be this week's post-whore. I just drug out two flashes, two light stands, an umbrella, a soft-box, a flashmeter, a tripod, and my camera with a 100 mm macro lens. I ain't goin' through all that without making you all look at some pictures.

I think mine are a bit more self-evident than RocketMan's, but he is, after all, an international man of mystery, baby.

So here goes:

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240091350-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240091350)

Yes, but a fastener to what? (This is too easy)

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093621-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240093621)

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240092954-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240092954)

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093162-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240093162)

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093386-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240093386)

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240092465-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240092465)

[rocketman]

OK, right off I'm going to acknowledge that I will be this week's post-whore. I just drug out two flashes, two light stands, an umbrella, a soft-box, a flashmeter, a tripod, and my camera with a 100 mm macro lens. I ain't goin' through all that without making you all look at some pictures.

I think mine are a bit more self-evident than RocketMan's, but he is, after all, an international man of mystery, baby.

So here goes:

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240091350-L.jpg

Yes, but a fastener to what? (This is too easy)

Looks like a tupperware fastener, I have spent the last week getting all too familiar with those!

RM

[rocketman]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240092954-L.jpg

way too easy! pencil shaving.

RM

[rocketman]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093162-L.jpg

Hmmm.... slide frame.

RM

[rocketman]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093386-L.jpg

clothes clip.

RM

[rocketman]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240092465-L.jpg

adjustment screw for a adjustable monkey wrench.

RM

[rocketman]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093621-L.jpg

the business end of an socket wrench.

all much too easy, better get out those lights, stands and umbrella again, dude!:stick

RM

speaking of which I'm thinking its time to get me a nice ring flash for stuff like this.

[SNC1923]

Five for six. Told you they were easy.

Not a socket wrench, at least per se.

P.S. I don't miss those fasteners one bit.

[rocketman]

Five for six. Told you they were easy.

Not a socket wrench, at least per se.

P.S. I don't miss those fasteners one bit.
Hmmm, well that one did have me wondering.....

I've discovered there are like 40 something on an LT and I've had to remove and replace the tupperware twice in the past week! Next time it stays off! Ha Ha!

RM

(international man of mystery!) Has a nice ring to it, don't you think>:laugh

PS this is actually really funny and somewhat apropos as having grown up living overseas, my friends and I would often refer to ourselves as "Internationals" when the kids state-side would give us a hard time about talking about all the stuff we did in such and such a country. They couldn't grasp that for us it was just like when they talked about doing such and such "in the woods back of Joe's house" it was just that our frame of references were more wide spread.
I guess they saw it as bragging, but for us it was perfectly natural. I learned pretty quick to be careful how i talked around the "homeies" (as we called them for lack of a better term) during home leave summers as a teen. Ha Ha!

[MLS2GO]

I just happened to be in the vicinity today when the Harley Davidson promotional train came through. Here's the caboose coming down a hill to the station.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/240144694-L.jpg

[MLS2GO]

One of the flatcars with the crated HD's on them. Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/240142594-L.jpg

[MLS2GO]

I saw my neighbors leaving on their HD. As you can see they are not the ATGATT types. Most people wouldn't put their Harley out in that much snow! I think they may be highcentered!

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/240157104-L.jpg

[SNC1923]

Those are great, Bob!

[MLS2GO]

This week was the excuse to buy that macro lense I have been lusting after. New Nikon 105mm. Just learning to use it. I already know I need a better tripod. Why does it always work that way in photography?

[franze]

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240065223-M.jpg

[franze]

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240068109-M.jpg


http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240092283-M.jpg

[rocketman]

This week was the excuse to buy that macro lense I have been lusting after. New Nikon 105mm. Just learning to use it. I already know I need a better tripod. Why does it always work that way in photography?


Yah mean kinda like motorcycling? one farkle leats to another?:laugh

RM

"International Man of Mystery" - SNC-1923:laugh

[Mika]

PHOTO ASSIGNMENT INDEX (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=277618#post277618)

[twintoaster2]

That is some good pic's how about this IMG_0103

[SNC1923]

John--thank you so much for putting together that index. That's really great, man.

Twintoaster, let's see that shot again. If you need any assistance in linking a photo, search for a thread on how to do that or PM me; I'd be happy to help.

Nice photos everyone.

Franze, you got some 'splainin' to do. :ear

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240327821-M.jpg

No points for guessing what it is.

I call this picture...Keep still you little sod, a flash has never killed a squirrel has it?"

Catchy title eh?

Clues to the other pic...

It's an old story.

The answer is there in black and white.

[SNC1923]

Statdawg:

Your two pictures are a study in the importance of background. Both are odd choices (as were mine, nearly identical table). The BG in the second photo seems to fight for the viewer's attention, no? In the first photo, the shoes jump out.

Interesting. . . .

[SNC1923]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240327821-M.jpg

This is really an intriguing image and I love the title. It's underexposed, but that works for this image which is simultaneously mysterious and self-evident.

We now know how you squirrel away the hours. . . .

[lamble]

I bet it was a tough shot with a tea cup in the other hand. Balance ?????????? :whistle


I did momentarily think about a liberal amount of superglue near the seeds, but then I just relied on taking lots and lots of shots. Some are much clearer but less interesting, others are just seed and an empty deck, or a paw or a bit of fur.

I prefer this one's proportions...the pic that is, not the squirrel, they are just rats in posh coats.

For such a shot, I'd use a camel back and sip tea through the plastic pipe..."one absolutely must find a way to imbibe, don't y'know!"

On that...saw Sweeny Todd last night. Depp is better than Dick Van Dyke at accents, "Cor blimey Mary Poppins!" but I fear my idea to launch a Brit pie shop may have been crushed by this film...should I sue?

[SNC1923]

I fear my idea to launch a Brit pie shop may have been crushed by this film...should I sue?

Bugger all!

Actually, I'd be your first customer. Any sausage rolls by chance?

[SNC1923]

The second one is too busy. The first one I thought was too much out of focus ? Or lack of depth of Field ?

I'm not looking at them under a loupe, but they both appear in focus to my weary old eyes; however, you are using two very different angles. The first shot is an oblique angle wherein the shoes recede into the distance, whereas the second shot is more dead-on from above.

This is what bricciphoto was referring to in post #2.

I still like the first shot better, FWIW.

[franze]

John--thank you so much for putting together that index. That's really great, man.

Twintoaster, let's see that shot again. If you need any assistance in linking a photo, search for a thread on how to do that or PM me; I'd be happy to help.

Nice photos everyone.

Franze, you got some 'splainin' to do. :ear


The more I looked at the Van Halen shot, the more it looks like it's been messed with. Kinda looks like one of those half-tone postives I made on Litho film back in the days of yore when I took a photo manipulation class at SJSU , but, it isn't. It hasn't been altered, shopped, processed, filtered, or had any freshness additives, preservatives, artificial colors or crunch enhancers. That's a hand held shot with a point and shoot 200$ camera. I'll let you stew on that. Same with the ode to Lamble shots.

[lamble]

Bugger all!

Actually, I'd be your first customer. Any sausage rolls by chance?

I do have sausage rolls, I make my own. I should have taken a close up of some of the mince coming from my sausage making machine, that would have either puzzled or digusted you all. I bought a smoker too, so I can smoke sausages and I have only three more months of dry air curing and I'll be able to try my first home made proscuitto.

I'll tell you this...if that little @#$%^#$ing squirrel had moved one more time, he or she'd have ended up in the mincer too.

I'm guessing a hazelnut stuffing?

[lamble]

The more I looked at the Van Halen shot, the more it looks like it's been messed with. Kinda looks like one of those half-tone postives I made on Litho film back in the days of yore when I took a photo manipulation class at SJSU , but, it isn't. It hasn't been altered, shopped, processed, filtered, or had any freshness additives, preservatives, artificial colors or crunch enhancers. That's a hand held shot with a point and shoot 200$ camera. I'll let you stew on that. Same with the ode to Lamble shots.


Franze, Please sir, please Sir, me Sir, me Sir , I know, I know, me, me, me, me, I know, please Sir, sir, sir , sir , me, me, me!!!!!

I won't tell!

[lamble]

For the close ups I ditched the DSLR as I couldn't get any macro images (almost certainly my and not the camera's inabilities) and resorted to an old Nikon Coolpix 4500 4 Mpixel 4x zoom. I'm more than happy with the results and it was a darn sight easier to work with, as it had an idiot proof macro setting. I'm thinking that I might prefer to take this with me on the S. America 3 cups trip, rather than the much larger and cumbersome (TOM...cumbersome, not cumberful) DSLR and a couple of lenses.

[kartcon]

Two of the bike in the morning sun.

Front Brake
http://quartermidgets.org/images/temp/macro001.jpg

Grill
http://quartermidgets.org/images/temp/macro002.jpg

And one of a thorny plant that was flowering.
http://quartermidgets.org/images/temp/macro009.jpg

Art
kartcon - Port Orange Fl.

[lamble]

Kartcon,

Welcome.

Can I say how depressed I feel, having seen your first offerings!

Firstly...how clean is your bike?
That depressed me straight away.

Secondly, flowers in bloom! That further rubbed salt into an already open wound.

Finally, the coup de grasse...bloody good pics!

I'm going to have to catch that damnable squirrel now and take it to the beauty salon, get it polished and add a flower to its hair, just to get something comparable to offer up.

Welcome!!!!

"Here squirrel, come to daddy"

[franze]

Welcome to the forum.

I agree, that horny flower towering shot is very good!

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240043683-L.jpg

This is what my close up was of...



an 1860 newspaper printers block of a high street where I used to live (It had changed, but not drastically by the time I lived there. I think the horse drawn carriage had moved!).

I'm sure some of you will be able to tell me how they tranfered a photograph onto an etched copper plate, and I'd be fascinated to hear the process.

[rocketman]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240043683-L.jpg

This is what my close up was of...



an 1860 newspaper printers block of a high street where I used to live (It had changed, but not drastically by the time I lived there. I think the horse drawn carriage had moved!).

I'm sure some of you will be able to tell me how they tranfered a photograph onto an etched copper plate, and I'd be fascinated to hear the process.

So I guess my guess as more than a little off, eh? (thou I did get the "screen"part right.):laugh

RM

[lamble]

How old is the High Street picture ? Because there are no Pakistani in the photo. :scratch

I'm sure there are lots of countries that don't have any representatives, some countries wouldn't even have existed as countries...Bangladesh, Iraq, Israel. There may have been a Prussian or two shopping though.

[SNC1923]

(TOM...cumbersome, not cumberful)

Where!? I can't believe I wrote cumberful. . . .

[SNC1923]

an 1860 newspaper printers block of a high street where I used to live

This is precisely what I was going to guess.

[lamble]

This is precisely what I was going to guess.

If that's true Tom, it's awesomeful!

Now there's a cumbersome word!

[SNC1923]

Art,

I'll add my welcome to the MOA Forum and our thread in particular. Glad to have you aboard. Post often.

:type

[SNC1923]

If that's true Tom, it's awesomeful!

Now there's a cumbersome word!

Perhaps I'm confused. It would explain the queer looks I get when I request a thimblesome of brandy.

Besides, cumberful is a perfectly cromulent word.

[lamble]

Perhaps I'm confused. It would explain the queer looks I get when I request a thimblesome of brandy.

Besides, cumberful is a perfectly cromulent word.

I'm full of acquiesentialness to your superior gramarphicational skills,

My humblest apologifications.

[SNC1923]

I'm full of acquiesentialness to your superior gramarphicational skills

Comparisons are odorous.

[jdmetzger]

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup2.jpg

[jdmetzger]

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup1.jpg

[SNC1923]

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup2.jpg

This is really neat. The DoF is used to great effect here. I love the receding numbers. . . .

[SNC1923]

Hmmm.... slide frame.

RM

More specific?

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093621-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=240093621)

No one?

[jdmetzger]

This is really neat. The DoF is used to great effect here. I love the receding numbers. . . .

Thanks Tom!

This week's photo assignment was extra helpful to me. After complaining that my camera doesn't have many photo options, I started playing with buttons and found all sorts of manual controls. Automatic or manual white balance adjust, exposure adjustment, ISO adjustment, color balance, etc. Really nice, actually. Now I just have to go back to all the places I've visited and re-take a bunch of photos. :laugh

[lamble]

No one?

It a Croxton's old unfathomable, double jiggle nut, hexagonal compression lathe circa 2005? :dunno

A wild stab in the dark.

[SNC1923]

It a Croxton's old unfathomable, double jiggle nut, hexagonal compression lathe circa 2005? :dunno

A wild stab in the dark.

Wow. Amazingly close.

[twintoaster2]

Sorry it has been so long posting any thing here it is. http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc319/2whlh3vn/IMG_0103.jpg

[jdmetzger]

Here is a pair of photos; both are the same thing (obviously). One is standard color, the other uses a setting on the camera called "color accent". I haven't played with it much. So far it seems "color accent" likes keeping green and another one, "color swap", leaves blues. I need to play with that quite a bit more. I used it on a number of photos; some with good results and some without.

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup3.jpg


http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup4.jpg

[SheRidesABeemer]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2173281035/" title="Berry Close by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2173281035_a05d015d6e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Berry Close" /></a>

No Photoshop, I didn't even crop it! (just resized it) :dance

[SNC1923]

Sorry it has been so long posting any thing here it is.

It certainly is close-up, though nowhere near the minimum focusing distance (thank God). The expression on the young girl aboard the sidehack is priceless.

[SNC1923]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2173281035/" title="Berry Close by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2173281035_a05d015d6e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Berry Close" /></a>

No Photoshop, I didn't even crop it! (just resized it) :dance

Hi Gail!

The DoF in this shot really adds a sense of 3-D. Those berries POP!

[grossjohann]

Some really great shots this week, Everyone. I was again a little distracted. I wasn't going to post, but I couldn't let everyone else have all the fun...


http://lh3.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4GU3f0UI4I/AAAAAAAAA9I/lgiQP59n84k/s800/DSC_6309.JPG

[grossjohann]

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4GZW_0UJDI/AAAAAAAAA-4/gIWiAQW8dTg/s800/DSC01981.JPG

[grossjohann]

Sorry it has been so long posting any thing here it is.

It certainly is close-up, though nowhere near the minimum focusing distance (thank God). The expression on the young girl aboard the sidehack is priceless.


Yup.

(There are just too many things to say which could get me into too much trouble.)

[grossjohann]

http://lh6.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4GZXP0UJEI/AAAAAAAAA_A/obNdfdEWKgg/s800/DSC01984.JPG

[BradfordBenn]

So I took some shots. Okay a bunch of them. I learned a few things along the way also. I am having some trouble getting the white balance tweaked in. Here are the 26 photos straight out of the camera (http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/gallery/4123575) - all that I did was run the RAW photos through Lightroom to convert to JPG for upload to smugmug.

So I understand the rules of not photoshopping, so here are the six keepers. But I wanted to improve the output a little more so I did white balance, crop, rotate, tweaks in Lightroom. I kept the file names the same so that they can be compared and "whipped".

I figured out that I need more light, and probably a better background solution.

My two motorcycle keys
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240546183-M.jpg
I did not like how close I got to them

Here it is cleaned up some - just cropped and white balanced
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240561715-M.jpg

So I did some closeups holding the camera instead of using the tripod
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240548393-M.jpg

Here it is a little cleaned up
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240561804-M.jpg

A few more keys cleaned up - white balance, crop, rotate.
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240561904-S.jpg

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240561955-S.jpg

So then I wanted to get Write to the point -
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240562019-M.jpg

Cleaned up
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240562019-M.jpg

Then it got a little skewed
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240550748-M.jpg

Cropped a little and WB
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240562114-M.jpg

Complete Galleries
Six Tweaked
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/gallery/4123815

Straight out of camera
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/gallery/4123575

[PGlaves]

Look closely!

[Voni]

This one's HOT!

Voni
sMiling

[Voni]

This one's not.

Voni
sMiling

[Voni]

Last one. But it's hard to stop.

Voni
sMiling

[rocketman]

It certainly is close-up, though nowhere near the minimum focusing distance (thank God). The expression on the young girl aboard the sidehack is priceless.

I think its been photo-shopped!:whistle :laugh

RM

(girl on the the side-hack? where???;) Oh, yeah, I see.....:laugh )

[wmubrown]

nope, bullets never travel mere inches
RM

Sure they do... from the clip to the barrel ;)

[PGlaves]

I think its been photo-shopped!:whistle :laugh

RM

(girl on the the side-hack? where???;) Oh, yeah, I see.....:laugh )

RE photo #89 - there might be a lot of "alteration" here but I don't think it was Photoshop - more like Dr. Shop.

[PGlaves]

No one?

RE Tom's mystery tool - Torx bit! Straight on the business end!!

[SNC1923]

So I took some shots. Okay a bunch of them. I learned a few things along the way also. I am having some trouble getting the white balance tweaked in. . . .

So I understand the rules of not photoshopping, so here are the six keepers. But I wanted to improve the output a little more so I did white balance, crop, rotate, tweaks in Lightroom. I kept the file names the same so that they can be compared and "whipped".

I figured out that I need more light, and probably a better background solution.

Cropped a little and WB
http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240562114-M.jpg


I took a look at these shots and saw a lot going on correctly. Good composition, excellent focus, etc. The white balance is really tough though. Like Brad, I also am learning LightRoom, an adobe file organizing software program. It offers the ability to substantially tweak your photos but doesn't even approach the complexity of PhotoShop, which is, well, cumberful.

Anywho, I took a stab at further tweaking the above image and came up with this:

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240797781-L.jpg

This is by no means perfect and I'm sure there are others on our site who are far more familiar with these programs. I can't remember everything I did, but for the most part I fiddled a bit with color temperature, greatly increased the exposure, reduced contrast (unusual for me), played with sharpening a bit, and really cranked "lens vignetting." Most zoom lenses vignette a bit, that is appear darker in the corners. This is hard to notice unless against a light background and you are looking for it. LightRoom has a correction for this under "lens corrections" of all places.

One of the chief difficulties with this image is that it's on a plain, white background. Camera light meters are engineered to register 18% gray reflectance. Anything starkly different than that (total white or total black) throws the meter off. I think the issue here was not so much white balance (maybe a little) but that your picture was underexposed because the camera's light meter was fooled. When photographing a plain white background (snow for example) one should OVERexpose by about two stops; conversely, a plain black background (a spotlit stage for example) one should UNDERexpose by about two stops. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but trust me on this.

Did you have it set for centerweighted or evaluative? CW metering is the old-fashioned system used by cameras for the past fifty years. The evaluative system is a light meter controlled by a computer program trained to correct typical lighting problems like backlighting, white or dark backgrounds, etc. They're very good, but far from perfect.

Post-processing is an art all unto itself and I've only begun to scratch the surface. I'd love to take a class one of these days. . . . . However, the knowledge about under- and overexposing high contrast backgrounds would negate the need for editing software to render the above image. Just sayin'.

[Burnszilla]

Salmander Ensatina
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/93221479_19730769e6_b.jpg

[PGlaves]

Salmander Ensatina
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/93221479_19730769e6_b.jpg

Outstanding photo - looks like it came from a box of "premium" gummy worms. Excellent!

[PGlaves]

Technical Question:

Sometimes when I click on "Quote" the reply includes the text and the photo I am replying to. Sometimes only the text shows up in the reply.

In #106 - no photo! In #109 I got the photo.

I'm guessing that it has something to do with an attached photo vs a URL referenced photo. Any clues??

[SNC1923]

Technical Question:

Sometimes when I click on "Quote" the reply includes the text and the photo I am replying to. Sometimes only the text shows up in the reply.

In #106 - no photo! In #109 I got the photo.

I'm guessing that it has something to do with an attached photo vs a URL referenced photo. Any clues??

Paul,

Your assumption about attached vs. URL is accurate, I think; however, in this particular case, in #106 you were quoting a message in which the photo itself was quoted. I guess it only works when you quote the message with the original URL'd photo.

Strictly speaking, not a torx bit. Sorry.

[SNC1923]

Salmander Ensatina
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/93221479_19730769e6_b.jpg

Bitchin'.

[lamble]

Tom, I whole heartededly concur...photoshop is indeed, full of cumber!

Burnzilla. Nice salamander shot by the way...did you opt for the superglue route to keep the beast in place, or do you possess a strange Dr Doolitesque mezmeric skill?

[Burnszilla]

Tom, I whole heartededly concur...photoshop is indeed, full of cumber!

Burnzilla. Nice salamander shot by the way...did you opt for the superglue route to keep the beast in place, or do you possess a strange Dr Doolitesque mezmeric skill?

He was quite slow. I think I woke him up when I found him under the wood pile.

[Burnszilla]

The monarchs are hangin' out in Santa Cruz...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2158473019_ee6171c13c_b.jpg

[SheRidesABeemer]

I took a look at these shots and saw a lot going on correctly. Good composition, excellent focus, etc. The white balance is really tough though. Like Brad, I also am learning LightRoom, an adobe file organizing software program. It offers the ability to substantially tweak your photos but doesn't even approach the complexity of PhotoShop, which is, well, cumberful.

Anywho, I took a stab at further tweaking the above image and came up with this:



No amount of tweeking is going to make that pen interesting. The shot lacks anything to pull the viewer in. A back drop might help.
Example on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorretine/77261727/)

[kbasa]

I've got nothing.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/240188357-L.jpg

[SheRidesABeemer]

I think you have a long life,prosperity and a good final drive.

[SNC1923]

I think you have a long life,prosperity and a good final drive.

And pruny fingers, no doubt from a prolonged hot tub stay. . . .

[Burnszilla]

New cool photography blog: http://www.ontakingpictures.com/

[lamble]

He was quite slow. I think I woke him up when I found him under the wood pile.

Woke him! I'm having none of that, where are his jimmy jams then? This is without doubt a stunt salamander and is used to photographic modelling, either that or....

Doped!

I bet he was out of his tiny mind on creosote or some such concoction.

It's an evil plot to get the better of my squirrel, who only sniffs at the nuts with mogadone on them and runs off when I approach with a hammer and six inch nail.

You can tell that salamander is off his head, look at that stunned look in its eyes. In his mind he's gettin' down with the fine lady salamanders.

And you got it to pose!
Probably tempting it with a drug infused insect.

Well Burnzilla, I challenge you to a squirrel off. Yes big and mighty squirrels, not little squishable lizards and insects. Something manly with sharp nippy nippity nip bitey teeth and scratchy pointy claws and stuff....

Oh bugger it, I'm just jealous of that fine pic.

I did have a humming bird pass by today, but it naffed off when the bloody squirrel showed up and before I could lock and load.

[SNC1923]

This is without doubt a stunt salamander and is used to photographic modelling,....

I believe the correct term for stunt-salamander is chameleon. Besides, what's the big deal? He's nothing but a glorified insurance salesman.










This post strives to be bitingly ironic and in now way intends harm or insult to salamanders, chameleons, insurance sales representatives or expatriates. No geckos were harmed in the crafting of this post; however, one squirrel was roundly trounced. Little bugger.

[lamble]

I believe the correct term for stunt-salamander is chameleon. Besides, what's the big deal? He's nothing but a glorified insurance salesman.


This post strives to be bitingly ironic and in now way intends harm or insult to salamanders, chameleons, insurance sales representatives or expatriates. No geckos were harmed in the crafting of this post; however, one squirrel was roundly trounced. Little bugger.

That's it...an out of work, resting salamander, depressed at not getting an appalling sitcom out of the TV commercials. I bet Burnszilla picked him up on the cheap...one desperate deal away from a career in lizard porn (come on, someone's bound to be into that sort of stuff) down on his sticky feet. Burnszilla offered a pile of wood (euphamisms can be applied liberally) to bed down in, in exchange for some 'artistic' photos.

It's a very sad world we live in.

you should be ashamed, you, you, you, squirrelists!!!!!!

[lamble]

Please excuse the last rambling...I've been editing a friend's christmas video. Other people's kids singing "Oh jingle rudolph bethlehem bells of holly" time and time and time again, has just tipped me over the bleedin' edge.

I think I may stop being their friend.

Do you think Burnszilla will be able to get discounted insurance for MOA members?

[Rapid_Roy]

Ok, here is the first one, I tried for dark and edgy.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060036.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

A pleasant scene.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060042.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

I liked this one too.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060039.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

I was torn between these two (no, not literally).
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060038.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

You can tell what this is, but I liked it.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060054.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

My wife liked this one.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060106.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

Chrome won't get ya' home.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060068.jpg

[ian408]

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/240391735-L.jpg

[PGlaves]

My wife liked this one.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060106.jpg

Colonoscopy?

[rocketman]

Rocketman, it's got to be a valve head or a tappet hasn't it?
Which and on what part of the bike (engine pressumably) I can't tell from the shot or number.

it doesn't HAVE to be anything, does it? It COULD be nothing (though its not), remember this is supposed to be a close up so its probably not a piston or a freight train..

it could be un-side down or upside out, (but its not) can't be a valve face since they are perfectly flat and this obviously isn't

Can't be the valve seat side since the end of the valve stem in the center would be out of focus and there is no valve seat....(and its not a football either, if that helps:laugh ).

as for not being able to tell if it IS a tappet, isn't that the other bonus point value?( i.e. being not easily recognizable)

multiple guesses don't count (new rule I just made up! Ha Ha!)

you need to say with certainty what it is (second new rule I just made up:bolt )

but keep trying,,,, the truth will be reveled (or not.....:dunno )

RM

Well since no one else is going to venture a guess I recon I'll let the cat out of the bag...

Lamble is in fact right, ( I was just funnin' with ya to see if anyone else would step up and say, With Certainty that in fact iT was!) :laugh its a valve tappet, lifter, shim, what-have-you (I've heard it refered to by several different names) from my 99 LT after the valve adjustment we did recently.
Note that I never said directly that it WASN"T, just never confrimed it WAS!

RM :bolt

[SNC1923]

Well since no one else is going to venture a guess I recon I'll let the cat out of the bag...

Lamble is in fact right, ( I was just funnin' with ya to see if anyone else would step up and say, With Certainty that in fact iT was!) :laugh its a valve tappet, lifter, shim, what-have-you (I've heard it refered to by several different names) from my 99 LT after the valve adjustment we did recently.
Note that I never said directly that it WASN"T, just never confrimed it WAS!

RM :bolt

Oooh, you are going to get such a beating. . . .:fight

[lamble]

RM, I knew it all along.
My only concern about my observation was with it being a 99LT. If you look very closely at the valve head, you can tell from the lathed grooves that the valve itself was made at least 6 months prior to 99. I'd venture so far as to say it was a Wednesday in mid March 98. Kurt Stanzielmeister, the valve head lather, has a very distictive swirl, but he was moved to sub frame welding in September 98, so it has to be proir to this and the June finger slicing injury that caused the move (it also ruined his saxophony playing career as G sharp was no longer viable, although opening jam jars became easier for him, strangely).

I hope you wasted as much time reading this rubbish, as I did rethinking what it could be. RM, there's a squirrel with your name on it!

[rocketman]

Is this a Photo Thread or a Chat Room ?


it is often a little of both and from where I sit its all good judging from the way these threads have fostered some fun and interesting photos.....

RM

[rocketman]

RM, I knew it all along.
My only concern about my observation was with it being a 99LT. If you look very closely at the valve head, you can tell from the lathed grooves that the valve itself was made at least 6 months prior to 99. I'd venture so far as to say it was a Wednesday in mid March 98. Kurt Stanzielmeister, the valve head lather, has a very distictive swirl, but he was moved to sub frame welding in September 98, so it has to be proir to this and the June finger slicing injury that caused the move (it also ruined his saxophony playing career as G sharp was no longer viable, although opening jam jars became easier for him, strangely).

I hope you wasted as much time reading this rubbish, as I did rethinking what it could be. RM, there's a squirrel with your name on it!


it was actually the Tuesday prior, but you were very close!:laugh

RM

[SNC1923]

Is this a Photo Thread or a Chat Room ?

This is a reasonable question, one that was posed to me recently in a PM by at least one other frequent contributor.

Some of us are having a bit of fun joking around in this thread (I'm as bad as any of us). And I'm sure that this sort of humor or goofing around is not to everyone's taste. Now I know, "If you don't like it, don't look," but we've got a nice thing going here and I, for one, would like to please as many of the people as much of the time as possible.

May I ask just a bit of patience? It seems that a Photo Forum is going to happen. When it does, we'll be able to start up multiple threads. Some can be for photos only--no comments. Others can be for general silliness. Some can be strictly bike-related, and others for more general photo stuff. I believe firmly that--with this group--things will fall nicely into place.

Right now we're all crowded into a rather small apartment. We'll be moving soon. I've been hesitant to start up any additional threads as I don't want to crowd "Campfire" (if that's even possible).

Hang in there. It's all going to be good.

[rocketman]

This is a reasonable question, one that was posed to me recently in a PM by at least one other frequent contributor.

Some of us are having a bit of fun joking around in this thread (I'm as bad as any of us). And I'm sure that this sort of humor or goofing around is not to everyone's taste. Now I know, "If you don't like it, don't look," but we've got a nice thing going here and I, for one, would like to please as many of the people as much of the time as possible.

May I ask just a bit of patience? It seems that a Photo Forum is going to happen. When it does, we'll be able to start up multiple threads. Some can be for photos only--no comments. Others can be for general silliness. Some can be strictly bike-related, and others for more general photo stuff. I believe firmly that--with this group--things will fall nicely into place.

Right now we're all crowded into a rather small apartment. We'll be moving soon. I've been hesitant to start up any additional threads as I don't want to crowd "Campfire" (if that's even possible).

Hang in there. It's all going to be good.

I agree that we want to keep these weekend assignments such that they will attract the most participants while I also see a need for maintaining a certain "light-heartedness", so as not to put off those who may be hesitant in posting for the first time. Finding that balance will be a challenge as we (hopefully) move to the new forum area. I was until now, unaware there had been any concerns expressed on this issue, but now being aware of such it may be that we will start parallel threads for each challenge, as was done on several others, one for posting the photos and another for the less formal chatter. I'm not sure how those could be linked to maintain relevancy between the two or whether that would even work to our advantage.

I expect the transition may well entail a certain period where we experience some growing pains. Perhaps a poll or two asking for input from the contributors might be beneficial once we move to our new home. I am hopefull the move will help to give this area of interest a more cohesive nature, which is why I proposed it in the first place.

I note too that as these have grown in participation the banter has also increased. This seems fairly typical of any group dynamics, as the members have gotten to know each other and become more comfortable within the group they tend to engage in more social chatter.

The down side of this is that it can put off someone from jumping in along the way, so we need to avoid the appearance of becoming closed or cliquish. These will be some of the challenges that Tom and I will face once the photo forum is finally(?) set up. And this is also an area where input from the group will be most welcome as the concept is to provide an area for the enjoyment and benefit of the membership of club as a whole, if it fails in that respect then it has failed, period.

RM

[Rapid_Roy]

I am constantly amazed at the stuff folks complain about on this forum.
However, I have to ask, will there be day passes available for the photography forum? :stick

[SNC1923]

I am constantly amazed at the stuff folks complain about on this forum.

I don't know that I would characterize it as complaining. We're a co-op: member owned and operated. Everyone has a say and most comments contain some merit, at least IMHO. We're a thoughtful group, don't you think?

However, I have to ask, will there be day passes available for the photography forum? :stick

For you? Absolutely. But no BBQ dinner.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/156840951-L.jpg

[franze]

I agree that we want to keep these weekend assignments such that they will attract the most participants while I also see a need for maintaining a certain "light-heartedness", so as not to put off those who may be hesitant in posting for the first time. Finding that balance will be a challenge as we (hopefully) move to the new forum area. I was until now, unaware there had been any concerns expressed on this issue, but now being aware of such it may be that we will start parallel threads for each challenge, as was done on several others, one for posting the photos and another for the less formal chatter. I'm not sure how those could be linked to maintain relevancy between the two or whether that would even work to our advantage.

I expect the transition may well entail a certain period where we experience some growing pains. Perhaps a poll or two asking for input from the contributors might be beneficial once we move to our new home. I am hopefull the move will help to give this area of interest a more cohesive nature, which is why I proposed it in the first place.

I note too that as these have grown in participation the banter has also increased. This seems fairly typical of any group dynamics, as the members have gotten to know each other and become more comfortable within the group they tend to engage in more social chatter.

The down side of this is that it can put off someone from jumping in along the way, so we need to avoid the appearance of becoming closed or cliquish. These will be some of the challenges that Tom and I will face once the photo forum is finally(?) set up. And this is also an area where input from the group will be most welcome as the concept is to provide an area for the enjoyment and benefit of the membership of club as a whole, if it fails in that respect then it has failed, period.

RM

Y'all are going to be the Mod Squad of this new forum. Don't over regulate it or try to be everything to everyone. Make it what you want and the people that are part of it will enjoy participating. IMHO you should have threads for beginners, intermediates, advanced photography as well as photoshop users and a photo gear thread. Yes that's a lot...............or, you could leave it just the way it is and have it spontaneous. I think it's working pretty good. This thread is attracting more people every time, it's low key, it's fun, and you never know what you'll learn. For example, I had an English minor, and sometime next week, I will use the word "cumberful" correctly, due to my keen attention to reading "between the prints".

keep up the good work!

[jdmetzger]

I don't know that I would characterize it as complaining. We're a co-op: member owned and operated. Everyone has a say and most comments contain some merit, at least IMHO. We're a thoughtful group, don't you think?



For you? Absolutely. But no BBQ dinner.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/156840951-L.jpg

There's not enough pork on that plate. Trust me. :D

[lamble]

Okay, here's my quid's worth.

Friday through Monday, we are all busy taking and posting pics. Late Monday through Wednesday nothing. Wednesday +Thursday critique time.

So Stat what's wrong with banter late Monday and Tuesday? It fills a void.

[SheRidesABeemer]

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/240391735-L.jpg

I really like the color and textures of this shot. Very nice. I'm partial to the nature shots. :thumb

[Rapid_Roy]

Colonoscopy?

:laugh I missed that, sorry.

and no.:whistle

[lamble]

Is a picture worth a thousand words ? Are Art Galleries noisy ?

I went to a birthday party at the National Gallery in London. :whistle

Plus Stat, check this thread...who throws stones in the glass pyramid at the Louvre?

[lamble]

Blasphemy in the National Gallery of all places. I bought a hash pipe at St. Martin in the Field so I guess that is proper ? :dunno It was never used and I thought it to be very interesting. Atleast that is what the Bobby said about it later at Heathrow.

Throwing stones at the Louvre ? I would bet the anti-Di Vinci Code Protesters from the Vlaams Blok ? Their fries are better.

This thread is similar to a class trip to an Art Gallery. I wonder if we are scaring anyone away since we are so clannish ?

I'd hope we aren't being clannish...the thread does seem to add new folk each week, and they are welcomed with open lenses.

I bought a scarf in St Martins and gave my old one to a bag lady...I bet she smoked it!

[bricciphoto]

I'll jump in from the cheap seats. I don't think this thread is clannish or too chatty. I’m not a chatty person so I hesitate to jump in most posts unless there is some technical aspect of photography being discussed. Speaking strictly for myself, I think it would be useful to have more time on the themes. I typically don't bother pursuing them because anything I've thought of shooting takes a little time and experimentation. It would be easy to just shoot a door knob ( :p )or something, but I don't want to do that just for the sake of doing it. By saying this, I probably have offended a few people, but it would be useful to have an "advanced" shooter’s time line as well as the usual Friday-Sunday. I used to have a studio area set up in my home, but it’s being relegated to other purposes now. By the time the weekend rolls around, so does real life and I simply can’t set-up the shots that I’d like to contribute in a few hours. I believe doing this would accomplish two things: set the bar higher; and give those learning the ropes of photography a bigger opportunity to learn technical skills and new (different) techniques from more advanced submissions (i.e. a few of bluestunes contributions) . The crossover between the two levels of the assignments would be very engaging and instructive in my humble opinion. And once the photo forum is established it’s important for all of us to remember, there are very few experts in photography. I’ve never met another shooter that didn’t teach me something new or learn a bit from my technique. The goal should be for all of us to be able to grow our skills while contributing something to the universal effort. We have a tremendous opportunity to create a unique motorcycling/photography symposium.

I have lots of ideas to help make this a good learning experience and look forward to what is to come.

And thanks Tom and Jeff for volunteering to moderate! :clap

[rocketman]

I'll jump in from the cheap seats. I don't think this thread is clannish or too chatty. I’m not a chatty person so I hesitate to jump in most posts unless there is some technical aspect of photography being discussed. Speaking strictly for myself, I think it would be useful to have more time on the themes. I typically don't bother pursuing them because anything I've thought of shooting takes a little time and experimentation. It would be easy to just shoot a door knob ( :p )or something, but I don't want to do that just for the sake of doing it. By saying this, I probably have offended a few people, but it would be useful to have an "advanced" shooter’s time line as well as the usual Friday-Sunday. I used to have a studio area set up in my home, but it’s being relegated to other purposes now. By the time the weekend rolls around, so does real life and I simply can’t set-up the shots that I’d like to contribute in a few hours. I believe doing this would accomplish two things: set the bar higher; and give those learning the ropes of photography a bigger opportunity to learn technical skills and new (different) techniques from more advanced submissions (i.e. a few of bluestunes contributions) . The crossover between the two levels of the assignments would be very engaging and instructive in my humble opinion. And once the photo forum is established it’s important for all of us to remember, there are very few experts in photography. I’ve never met another shooter that didn’t teach me something new or learn a bit from my technique. The goal should be for all of us to be able to grow our skills while contributing something to the universal effort. We have a tremendous opportunity to create a unique motorcycling/photography symposium.

I have lots of ideas to help make this a good learning experience and look forward to what is to come.

And thanks Tom and Jeff for volunteering to moderate! :clap

I have been thinking along those lines, not so much as in expert/novice but in starting another series that would run for longer durations, and encourage a peer-review process, since I know that for some short-term assignments can be limiting, not everyone has the time to devote in short notice. I've basically just been waiting for the forum to get set up.

And since you volunteered you will be called upon!:laugh

If there are other ideas people want to float, how about we take them back to the discussion thread started a while ago on this subject, shall we?



Photo forum discussion (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22293)

Tom? thoughts?

RM

[SNC1923]

I have been thinking along those lines, not so much as in expert/novice but in starting another series that would run for longer durations, and encourage a peer-review process, since I know that for some short-term assignments can be limiting, not everyone has the time to devote in short notice. I've basically just been waiting for the forum to get set up.

And since you volunteered you will be called upon!:laugh

If there are other ideas people want to float, how about we take them back to the discussion thread started a while ago on this subject, shall we?



Photo forum discussion (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22293)

Tom? thoughts?

RM

+1? I agree?

I think several of us have been holding off until a forum gets up and running. Once that happens, having multiple threads will be a lot easier. I think Bricci's suggestion is a good one. It could be a separate thread or this one could become that two-week or three-week time line. . . . I have a couple of ideas that I've seen on other forums that could be fun.

I guess that all for now. If I've something else profound to say, I'll go over to the proposal thread.

p.s. I just realized, we have five concurrent threads running about photography right now. And that's just screwing around.

Photo Assignment 01/05/08 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=278973#post278973) (this thread)

Photo Assignment Karma (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22783)

Photo Assignment Index (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=277618#post277618)

Photo Assignments 2007 Year-In-Review (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22625)

New Forum Area Proposal: Photography (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22293)

[bricciphoto]

RM--thanks. Didn't look at the other thread on the photo forum before my prior post. Sounds like you've been thinking what I was thinking. Sorry for missing that. ;)

Tom--thanks for rounding up those other threads. I've been a bit lazy on seeing/finding those topics. :blush

[Rapid_Roy]

I don't know that I would characterize it as complaining. We're a co-op: member owned and operated. Everyone has a say and most comments contain some merit, at least IMHO. We're a thoughtful group, don't you think?



For you? Absolutely. But no BBQ dinner.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/156840951-L.jpg

You right, I am sorry. Complain was the wrong word for Dawg, I was really thinking about the 42 threads about final Drives and Gillette sucking. I'll behave and follow da rules.

Now can I get the BBQ dinner?:laugh WOOT!:dance
BTW, Josh was right, there wasn't enough pork, unlike our gov't.:laugh

[SNC1923]

My niece: "Dang—it smells like updawg in here."
Me: "What's "updawg?"
My niece: "Nuthin'. What's up wich you, dawg?"
Me: :huh

[Rapid_Roy]

Dawg ?

Yes, about the chat room comment. When the Dawg barks, I listen.:wave
Dang, I'm chatting again. Alright, I'll stop now.

[Rapid_Roy]

Is everyone afraid to comment in here now, or are my pictures not even worth a guess?
At least Mr Glaves tried, Thank you. :wave

[rocketman]

Is everyone afraid to comment in here now, or are my pictures not even worth a guess?
At least Mr Glaves tried, Thank you. :wave

Pictures? there are pictures in this thread? well, dang..(or is that dawg?):scratch

Oh, you mean the woman (in front of the one) on the sidehack.........

RM

[SNC1923]

Better late than never, I suppose. Hope I haven't kept anyone waiting. It's a big thread this week with lots of posts; I may not get to everything, but if I skip one of yours and want some feedback, just ask. I'll skip my submissions. That should cut my task in half.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2973-2/Macro+018.jpg

Boney is up first this week with four really nice ones. I like rivets because it's unusual and not flat. Because the focusing distance is so close, there's a tremendous shadow in the LRC. Still, it has great texture and commands attention.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2988-2/Macro+023.jpg

This is also a neat close-up shot, an ordinary object rendered more interesting by virtue of its magnification. Background is perfect; anything but a plain background would have distracted from this rather intricate subject. Nicely lit, too. Perhaps a tad bit underexposed.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3003-2/Macro+028.jpg

Speaking of good lighting, this is a gorgeous shot. An ordinary subject, like we've seen 1,000 times before, but rendered in such a way as to make it an object of beauty. Someone commented on the photographer's reflection (I failed to notice). I think Bricci said one way to combat this is to wear all black.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/2997-2/Macro+026.jpg

This shot bears worth repeating simply because it is so damned interesting. It would be interesting to play with the depth of field on this to increase and decrease it to see how it played with fore- and backgrounds. This shot really grabbed my attention.

750/1,000 bonus points for listing exif info on three of four shots. Thanks.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803202-XL.jpg

Another vintage view from BMWDean (keep 'em coming!). I love the rich colors in this image, and the subtle signs of decay: a bit of rust, spots, scratches. I note that the speedo's configuration is upside down in comparison to more modern bikes, but it still called "VDO." It's perfectly composed, too. The bright sunlight is great, but I don't care much for the shadow. -50 bonus points because the two face-plate screws are not aligned. :stick

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/close-up/close-up-1-web.jpg

Rocketman's image this week took up and bested the challenge. Very close, not at all evident, and really nicely exposed. This, too, has a giant shadow, though here it may work with, rather than against the photo. Maybe. I love the texture and the soft, rounded edges, too.

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240043671-L.jpg

As an abstract image, Lamble's shot doesn't really appeal to me; however, it suits the assignment perfectly as did RocketMan's. Unusual item rendered in such a way as to keep it a complete mystery. I don't think it was unfair though, just tough. A good answer to the challenge. It's a bit like one of those psychology puzzles: is this a picture of a woman or a bird? Or a bit like a Rorschach test. Never mind what I think it looks like.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240091350-L.jpg

OK, I'll do a couple of mine. I really like this shot, the colors are really rich. It's pretty underexposed, better part of one stop, I would say. I would have liked to increase the depth of field, it just trails off at the end. I couldn't get any more oomph out of my two flashes.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/240093621-L.jpg

For those of you waiting with bated breath (:cricket sound effect) this is a hex tool for front wheel removal on '05s+

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/240144694-L.jpg

MLS2GO is here this week with three really nice shots. The one above is great: well-lit, nicely composed. The background is a bit distracting. I almost want it a bit fuzzier.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/240142594-L.jpg

I love the background in this shot. This is probably due to the fact that he's substantially closer to the subject here, resulting in a higher magnification. This always results in a shallower depth of field, especially in macro photography. If you look at the box on the side, you can see how razor-thin the DoF is. This lens has a nice bokeh, a term coined from Japanese to refer to the quality of the out-of-focus image that a lens renders. Some lenses are better than others and the really good ones are described with adjectives like "buttery" or "velvety."

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/240157104-L.jpg

What's not to like about this? A bit underexposed, but the colors are richer for it. See this and all of my photos this week. Lots of photographers will set their cameras to -1/3 EV to get this richness from slight underexposure. It's nice.

+375 bonus points for humorous descriptions. You really had me going. . . .

[Burnszilla]

I think the word of the week should be... Bokeh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh)

[SNC1923]

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240065223-M.jpg

This is an interesting image and I have no idea what it is. I see the homage to Van Halen, but what is this? The large patch in the center where the contrast drops off almost makes this look like a photo of a photo, though I wouldn't think that's what it is. He said it wasn't retouched and it was hand held, but he didn't say what it is. It's awfully interesting, but a compete mystery.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240068109-M.jpg

This is something, though I don't know what it is, either; however, it's a really neat abstract image and beautifully composed and exposed. If it's related to the third shot, I may have a guess.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240092283-M.jpg

These appear to be bells/chimes/pipes of some kind, in a church perhaps? One of those modern Swedish Unitarian affairs? Are all three shots of the same subject? The first seem darker than the latter two. You've got me going. . . . Do tell.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803250-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803243-L.jpg

I like these Dutch shoes by Statdawg. Could they have been closer? I don't know if you'd reached your minimum focusing distance or not. These two shots are very instructive for two reasons. First, note that one is shot straight on (downward) and the other at a somewhat oblique angle. I'll leave it to you to decide which works better, but I like that we can see and compare two different decisions. The second instructive aspect is in the choice of backgrounds. To my eye, the table cloth competes with the shoes for the viewer's attention, whereas the rich wood grain, which is fairly plain and a contrasting color to the shoes, accentuates the subject rather than fighting it. Thanks for the lesson, Dawg. Er, Mr. Dawg.

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/240327821-M.jpg

Straight away, Lamble gets 125 bonus points for his title, "Keep still you little sod, a flash has never killed a squirrel has it?". This is an oddly compelling photo. Dramatically underexposed, it's quite mysterious and yet absurdly familiar. We don't normally get close-ups of such skittish creatures, and if he's to be believed, Lamble went through Hell and back to get this. It's also a very unusual perspective, most squirrel shots (and the like) are either straight-on or straight-down. I really like the way that the subject and the background seem to meld, though not to the degree that the subject disappears. I also really like the highlight in the little bugger's black eye.

http://quartermidgets.org/images/temp/macro001.jpg

Kartcon started posting on our board with a bang, no? This is a cool shot. Like several wheel photos I can remember, this one has an ambiguous point of focus. Almost everything in the foreground (and there are multiple items) are out of focus. As a general rule, this just doesn't work for me. AF cameras allow you to choose your point of focus. Do that. In the photos defense, the complexity of the wheel assembly is rendered nicely with the receding depth of field.

http://quartermidgets.org/images/temp/macro002.jpg

Same thing here. Cool photo, but I hate that the logo is OOF. IMHO, it would have worked better to focus on the K1200 and let the honeycomb be just a tad soft. I might have tried to move to remove the bothersome reflection, though that may not have been possible.

http://quartermidgets.org/images/temp/macro009.jpg

This image is quite nice, especially given the high-contrast conditions. I'm not sure it has a central subject (the flowers in the LRC?), but it's got beautiful color. I love how the branches are lit in the open shadow. Very, very nice. The POF is in the foreground here and the background recedes. All is right with the world here.

Post more, Kartcon. Nice stuff.

[SNC1923]

I think the word of the week should be... Bokeh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh)

Thanks, BZ. Another especially lucid explanation with examples here (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=23924&highlight=bokeh).

[Gil]

Am I too late?

Shot tonight at Steak & Shake!

[lamble]

Tom,

Only one problem...since I tempted the squirrel with food, four of his mates have turned up too.

Thanks for the comments.

[wezul]

Am I too late?

Shot tonight at Steak & Shake!

Dude, that's a nice shot.

[SNC1923]

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup2.jpg

JDMetzger comes along this week with a couple of nice shots. I'm very impressed with the one above. I love the receding DoF here and the showcasing of such a common object in such a dramatic fashion. The background works well here, but form and texture, and that it is absolute--no edges, no clutter, no nothing. It's like a product shot and well-executed one at that.

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup1.jpg

Although less so, I like this shot, too. It's a bit like found poetry. Same comments above about a common object. I don't like that the foreground is so out of focus, though that's personal opinion and not right or wrong. Josh tried to focus on the infamous, and that's what's critical here. Given the chance, I'd bring the focus point a bit closer, but that's pretty picky. It's a neat shot.

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-closeup4.jpg

This is a well-crafted shot and one that actually tells a bit of a story, I think. I liked the rust in the full-color shot, but this selective color thing is really neat. Seeing the lock in B&W against a color background is actually a bit disarming. In contrast to the bottle cap shot, here the focus point is spot on. Good stuff, Josh.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2173281035_a05d015d6e.jpg

It's very nice to have SheRidesABeemer back after a prolonged hiatus. I already commented briefly on this shot. It's good qualities are evident; what it suffers from a pronounced lack of contrast. Not sure why. . . . It might just be the trick of the lighting in this shot. I know on my Canon Rebel XT I boosted the contrast quite a bit on the menu to affect all my shots. I know others do, too, but this varies from camera to camera. Gail has a rather busy background in this shot, but it's effectively muted by the shallow DoF, making the subject "pop" against the BG. Pretty nice photo.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242022166-L.jpg

Grossjohann is back this week with another good crop. This one is my favorite. Like others, this looks like a catalogue product photo--really nicely executed. The DoF here, like in almost all photos this week, is very shallow and the point of focus, in my opinion, is off. By way of suggestion, I would have focused on the "G" in Godiva or the "7" in 72%. I can't say why (or if this is even correct) but I just feel that it's generally better to have more out of focus in the background rather than the foreground. Of course, if this were a catalogue shot, it might have far greater DoF with the benefit of studio strobes. All that said, this is a great shot.

Take a look also at the key shot. It's a wonderful study in DoF, accurate focus point, and how shallow the DoF can be in macro photography.

It's very nice to have BradfordBenn stop in this week, especially since I happen to know he's swinging around a new camera. I'll comment on a one of his submissions as the pen has already been covered.

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/240561804-M.jpg

This shot meets the theme criteria perfectly. It's good and close, brightly lit, and in perfect focus. Now compare this to GJ's key submission:

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242025230-L.jpg

These are radically different photos of the same thing. (And lest you think I'm picking on Brad, I happen to know that he has big shoulders and is interested in learning). There are three primary differences here to learn from. One is the choice of background. Without specialized metering (a handheld incident meter), plain white or black backgrounds are good things to avoid. Two is the angle of view. GJ's photo is dramatic whereas Brad's is documentarian. It's always good to take a breath, look through the viewfinder (or at the screen) and think, "How would this picture look?" Finally, three is the lighting. Brad's lightsource is harsh and off to the side creating a noticeable shadow. GJ's lighting is more diffuse, even. These two pictures of nearly identical subjects tell very different stories. Much to be learned from this comparison. 500 bonus points to Brad for at least having the decency to use a motorcycle key; however, taking 250 back for using a Honda.

When you step up to a DSLR and are willing to take the reigns on multiple, unfamiliar controls, suddenly taking a picture becomes a great deal less simple. I love mine, but I find myself considering the purchase of a new P&S to just simplify some pictures. Each for its own purpose, I suppose.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803206-L.jpg

PGlaves is back with an intriguing close up. One of the dangers of providing feedback in these threads is laying bare my ignorance of the inner workings of motorcycles. I don't know what this is, though it looks like some kind of bearing. His reference to failure must indicate that it's part of a final drive. How am I doing? It's a good execution. The DoF is VERY shallow, and the lighting very harsh. Indeed, a good 35 or 40% of the subject is lost in blown-out over exposure. Flash? Maybe diffusing the light source may have helped. . . . It clear and detailed nonetheless, and communicates what you were photographing. Almost nothing is lost in shadow in spite of the object's rather deep recesses. Very wide exposure latitude in this shot; it can be impossible to squeeze in the entire range.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803210-L.jpg

Voni's back this week with three submissions, each of which I'd like to comment on briefly. The shot above is exquisite. The flames are actually out of focus, I think, but the rich, creamy color of the fire is wonderful. This is the sort of shot I get once in a blue moon quite by accident and would be hard to duplicate. The exif data indicates that is was shot at 1/200th of a second, so the fire is fairly frozen, but the OOF lends a really smooth quality that is really dynamite.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803228-L.jpg

I was able to spot the helmet here, but not right away. This is a good effort toward photographing something that's not immediately evident. RocketMan and Lamble had submissions that were really tough and mine were absurdly simple. Voni's hit a nice mean here. The exif reveals a shutter speed of 1/25th and the motion blur in her photo is evident. The camera moved and the shutter speed was too slow to freeze. Bump the ISO to increase the shutter speed.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/241803222-L.jpg

I love this image. Great texture and lighting. Shot at f/9.0, the DoF is fairly deep here, This just works on many levels. Nice shot.

[PGlaves]

Tom got that it was a final drive bearing - the failure prone large ball bearing to be exact. And in the earliest stages of failure with cracking and spalling in the race. The damage is faintly but clearly visible in the photograph - as somewhat squiggly white lines at about the 11:30 position of the bearing race - above the two balls. I couldn't make the damage show with available light so used the flash to illuminate the recesses in the bearing.

[SNC1923]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/93221479_19730769e6_b.jpg

Burnzilla's submission this week certainly garnered a lot commentary and deservedly so. This is a compelling shot of an unusual (to me) subject. The shot has an overall softness and I can't quite pinpoint why. I can't quite find the point of focus: tail? nose? eye? It might be slight motion blur, but it's hard to assess. It is--without a doubt--a great shot. The camera he uses is a truly pocket-sized camera that's very affordable. It's remarkable what good pictures it takes. I had a visitor over the holidays that purchased one on my recommendation and loves it, too.

I won't repost the butterfly shot, because the comments would be nearly identical. Great shot, a bit soft. The color is disappointing, but that probably has to do with the subdued light that it appears to have been shot in.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/240188357-L.jpg

In spite of his woeful remonstrance to having nothing, this is actually a photo of some merit, albeit of an ordinary subject. It's beautifully lit. Flash? It's bright, sharp, clear, well-defined. I'm guessing flash because the brightness on the hand/subject throws the background into near blackness. Very effective. 50 points for being funny and for submitting anyway. This group, as a whole, is good about that.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060036.jpg

Rapid_Roy snuck in with some real stunners this week. I LOVE this one. This is album cover art. Really moody, really nicely lit. Mysterious, evocative. . . . It's just a great shot, man. I have no idea what it is, but I really want to just look at it.

The next several shots are very similar in mood and equally effective, more or less.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1060054.jpg

Roy, himself, commented on how much he liked this shot, and I do, too. At first blush I thought it was a belt-buckle, but now, of course, I can see that it's a rally pin. All of ours are cloisnne. This is nice. The background has a bit of dust or lint. I get this a lot in my close-ups. Really have to pay attention to detail when you throw something under the microscope. The DoF here really accentuates the RT and it almost leaps out of the photo. Roy could have shot this from directly above, and everything would have been in focus, and the result would have been far less dramatic. Notice that the DoF is sufficient to make out where the pin comes from. I can see why you like this so much.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242040398-L.jpg

Gil, your image is too late, but how am I going to say no? I agree with Wezul's assessment. This is an especially nice shot and motorcycle related, to boot. Beautiful exposure, great DoF, and really nice highlights on the Indian emblem.

That's it, folks. Great week and some really nice photography. Feel free to follow up with comments or questions.

[Rapid_Roy]

I thought there were some awesome pictures this week from everybody. Close up is cool! :thumb

Thank you for the kind reviews Tom. I really appreciate them and your contributions of time for all of this An hour and a half of snapping pictures Sunday night and my son helping, and I liked about 8. The pin is on green velvet, I didn't see any lint, it might be the material. I will look closer. That also may be the black and white version, exif is still a mystery to me. With a pewter pin and that light, it's hard to tell.

[SNC1923]

Thank YOU Roy, and I agree, nice stuff this week.

EXIF data is simply your camera recording information such as your camera make and model, the ISO, shutter speed and aperture, if the flash fired, etc. This data is displayed in a number of places. In my smugmug account (photo sharing website) there is an exif link to each of my photos. In my organizing software, LightRoom, the exif data is also visible. Basically it's just information in the form of metadata.

[franze]

I remember a Van Halen Album that had their logo in stainless steel round pipe. Found this on the web.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240433970-M.jpg


Here's the subject of all three photos I posted. It is a clock at the Clock Museum in Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. It's existence pointed out to me by Lamble in the in between photo chatter on this thread. I've been to Chaux de Fonds about 10 times in the past three years to watch my son play hockey. The museum is a 10 minute walk from the rink. At the quarter hour, the colored panels begin to move in synch. There are speakers around the clock and a "heartbeat" drum session begins. Then the chimes start up. These are evident in the last picture, good eyes SNC! Anyway, it's a different sound, every time......... how's that for a pun. I apologize for the homeless guy in the foreground.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240247843-L.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

Stop posting I want to go to sleep and it is one in the morning here. You guys will not shut up. Didn't your parents ever teach you to leave sleeping Dawgs lie ? :stick Oh thanks for the review. But it is tough taking pictures with a human camera.

I couldn't sleep last night either. I kept hearing a dawg barking :stick
(and a owl)

[lamble]

I remember a Van Halen Album that had their logo in stainless steel round pipe. Found this on the web.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240433970-M.jpg


Here's the subject of all three photos I posted. It is a clock at the Clock Museum in Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. It's existence pointed out to me by Lamble in the in between photo chatter on this thread. I've been to Chaux de Fonds about 10 times in the past three years to watch my son play hockey. The museum is a 10 minute walk from the rink. At the quarter hour, the colored panels begin to move in synch. There are speakers around the clock and a "heartbeat" drum session begins. Then the chimes start up. These are evident in the last picture, good eyes SNC! Anyway, it's a different sound, every time......... how's that for a pun. I apologize for the homeless guy in the foreground.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/240247843-L.jpg


Inbetween chimes, the clock all folds down into a little red pocket knife size...clever these Swiss!

[Rapid_Roy]

Inbetween chimes, the clock all folds down into a little red pocket knife size...clever these Swiss!
I am not at all impressed, unless there is also a screwdriver, a file, a tweezers, a tooth pick, and a scissors. Then I would be impressed. :laugh

[Rapid_Roy]

Ok, here are the items I used for the close ups.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P1110107.jpg