Photo Assignment 02/09/08

[SNC1923]

OK photographers, vacation's over. It's time to get back to some photography. Since it's been a while, we humbly remind you of these simple rules:


Photos must be shot between Fri. 02/01/08 and Sun. 02/10/08.
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 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: "Winter"

Many of us are suffering from cabin fever and simply can't ride. Others of us are be inundated by torrential rains. Some of us live in sunny locales and are gleefully riding day in and day out. What does winter mean to you? Try to avoid walking out the front door and shooting the snow in your yard; instead, take your time and compose a thoughtful photograph that says, "This is my winter."

This assignment may prove to be a challenge for those of us in the Southwest and Southeast. Remember, this photo doesn't have to be stereotypically winter, but should say "winter" nonetheless.

TIP: If snow predominates your photo, trying overexposing (as much as two stops). This will render the snow bright white instead of a dull gray.

Now put your galoshes on and get shooting.

[PAULBACH]

An opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. :clap

[lamble]

...and it's not due until the 2nd of September?
Then I remembered, you do dates wrongly!

All of our local snow melted yesterday. Local in terms of immediate walking, there's still plenty up in the hills. Looks like a ride out and a Gerber plug in are required.

Now yesterday....

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/249694876-L.jpg

[Mika]

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

[Gil]

NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!NOT FAIR!!

I am in Orlando, Florida. Not a sign of winter here. Well, there are many snowbirds in Winnebagos and that's a sure sign of the season, but nothing else...absolutely nothing comes to mind.

Maybe a picture of Edgard Winter?

[bmwdean]

Gil,

Even in Tucson we got snow on rare occasions.

This photo is an example from a year ago, but is NOT my winter submission. It almost lasted until noon:

[lamble]

As Tom said, remember to overexpose to compensate for the white snow.

Good point, well made.

Of course the other tip is...hide under the decking, then synchronise sticking a twig up a birds bum to taking the shot. That way the beak will be open!

[bmwdean]

My submission for February 9:

Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon Sunday morning in the winter sky above the Sonoran desert.

[Voni]

Amazing!!!

Voni
sMiling

[bmwdean]

Amazing!!!

Voni
sMiling

Thank you.

You are a sweetheart.

[r11rs94]

Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon Sunday morning in the winter sky above the Sonoran desert.

I was looking at the very same thing on my way to work at O'dark thirdy this morning.

[grossjohann]

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X08e8xOrI/AAAAAAAABSk/UtCnYDSvdzk/s800/DSC02073.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162801867787418290)

[grossjohann]

I was stuck in Berlin this weekend, so I thought I'd take some of the ubiquitous tourist snap-shots.

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X1ge8xO0I/AAAAAAAABTI/qQbFDy9iPyg/s800/DSC02091.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162802486262709058)

I should have used a fill-flash here, but I only had a few seconds to setup the shot.

[grossjohann]

I'm not sure that this one works with the theme, but this widow's winter sadness was palpable to me.

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X1Qe8xOwI/AAAAAAAABS4/4SdKvZqtASk/s800/DSC02081.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162802211384802050)

[grossjohann]

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X1ke8xO1I/AAAAAAAABTM/PATFdZmMIAo/s800/DSC02095.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162802554982185810)

How many times have you been here? I suppose some ideas transcend cultural boundaries.

[grossjohann]

(consider this the answer)

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X1zu8xO6I/AAAAAAAABTg/fF5lGqw44x8/s800/DSC02110.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162802816975190946)

[grossjohann]

(...and here: the question)

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X12e8xO7I/AAAAAAAABTk/8wpFKiD0m9w/s800/DSC02109.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162802864219831218)

[grossjohann]

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X1be8xOyI/AAAAAAAABTA/xvv21owgen8/s800/DSC02085.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/Berlin030208/photo#5162802400363363106)

[franze]

Alex, love the bones and beer shot. Doing a CSI on that stein I'd say it took 6-7 trips to your mouth to finish it. When the head sticks to an empty glass, yowser, that's some good stuff! For the bones, well, from what I've seen the Germans don't have a wide variety, but what they do, they do very, very well. You know, I've seen lots of pictures of full plates of food, but the empty plate/stein......that's a powerful message. It's kinda like, yo, you missed it, it was goooooood.

[grossjohann]

Alex, love the bones and beer shot. Doing a CSI on that stein I'd say it took 6-7 trips to your mouth to finish it. When the head sticks to an empty glass, yowser, that's some good stuff! For the bones, well, from what I've seen the Germans don't have a wide variety, but what they do, they do very, very well. You know, I've seen lots of pictures of full plates of food, but the empty plate/stein......that's a powerful message. It's kinda like, yo, you missed it, it was goooooood.

And it was, good. Thanks for the great comments. I had walked for several k past countless Imbis and vendors. I nearly stopped for some spiced wine at an open Antique bazaar, but I had a focus: Louisen Brau in my old neighborhood. We moved the business across town, and all I wanted was a German Pils and some Pig’s former knuckles.

I thought for a while about how to present the meal. I wanted to try something different, but the image of pig remnants may not have been appetizing to some without the view to the past.

[rocketman]

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/winter/winter005-1.jpg

RM

[kartcon]

While we don't get any snow here, it does get chilly from time to time. This past Saturday the Main Street merchants hosted another street party. As you can see everyone is in long pants and/or jackets. The man in the center of the frame, facing the camera, even has rosy cheeks!

http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/DaytonaWinter-007.jpg

This crowd was tame compared to Bike Week, which is less than 4 weeks away! If any of you photo-geeks plan to come and would like to meet up, contact me.

Art
aka Kartcon

[MLS2GO]

I go to Basketball games at Mizzou Arena to watch my Missouri Tigers. Here's a few pics taken from my seat handheld no flash with my D 80 and my 18-200 Nikon lense.
The first I panned with the flag to keep the flag in focus in the pregame routine.
http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250594662-L.jpg

[MLS2GO]

Appparently Truman the Missouri mascot likes Canon.
http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250595588-L.jpg

[MLS2GO]

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250596424-L.jpg

[MLS2GO]

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250597279-L.jpg

[MLS2GO]

Shooting free throws. No 30 for K State is Michael Beasley a freshman widely considered to be the best player in the country and next year's number one pick in the NBA Draft.
http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250598534-L.jpg

[Voni]

We mostly see those mare's tail clouds in the winter out here in the desert.

Voni
sMiling

[bmwdean]

We mostly see those mare's tail clouds in the winter out here in the desert.

Voni
sMiling

Voni, if I may repay the compliment, I think your photo is one of your best to date. It is very well composed and focused. All the lines draw your eye to the figures in silhouette.

There is a difference between a "snapshot" and a photograph. Your photograph illustrates that well.

A fine visual composition :)

[Voni]

Thank you, kind sir.

Voni
sMiling

[darcym]

Winter. Not a Beach Day. San Diego, CA.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/doomscribe/dof/NotaBeachDay.jpg

[darcym]

Ride out the storm
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/doomscribe/dof/Seagullstormsurf.jpg

[grossjohann]

Ride out the storm

This is a wonderful image.

I really enjoy the compatibility of color (or lack there of) and the light area of the clouds which serves as a background for the gull which otherwise may have been lost in the surrounding darkness.

How did you keep the lens dry?

-Alex

[Voni]

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250597279-L.jpg

And this had me holding my breath too!

Voni
sMiling

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/250804150-L.jpg

Coming in, or going out?

The taupe indoors is slightly less dull than the weather outside....but only slightly.

[OfficerImpersonator]

Winter means skiing in our house.

The 3 year old's first lift ticket...

http://dvandkq.net/images/20080203-001.jpg

The 3 year old's second chairlift ride (dad rode with him on his 1st ride, and took pictures of his second ride)...

http://dvandkq.net/images/20080203-025.jpg

[darcym]

This is a wonderful image.

I really enjoy the compatibility of color (or lack there of) and the light area of the clouds which serves as a background for the gull which otherwise may have been lost in the surrounding darkness.

How did you keep the lens dry?

-Alex

Thanks. I have a large lens cover, which is meant for a bigger lens but was ok if a little cumbersome yesterday on the smaller lens. It's made by LIGHTWARE and it covers the lens and the camera.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/121442-REG/Lightware_RC100_RC100_Rain_Cover.html

I wasn't entirely successful at keeping the front of the lens dry, as there was some light rain and a lot of swirling wind and I wasn't as diligent as I should have been at wiping it down. So ended up with some spots on other photos. Challenging conditions but I actually had a break in the clouds for the seagull which afforded a small amount of light on the bird for a brief second or two.

[PGlaves]

Plow? What?

[BeemerMike]

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250596424-L.jpg

Thank you for the memories!

Mizzou Class of 1981.

[bricciphoto]

:blush I didn't read the assignment entirely, so what did I do? I went out in the backyard and shot a pile of snow. :uhoh Anyway, I attempted to mimick sunlight with an off camera flash shooting before dawn using a gold reflector. :scratch

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/251538610-L.jpg

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/251538607-O.jpg

[130253]

Winters Oppression
11883

[redclfco]

I will confess. My 13 yr old son Sam took this shot today...

Thought you all wouldn't mind if I included it as my #1 shot since we are blood related!:p

[Voni]

You've got competition!!

Nice shot!

Voni
sMiling

[SheRidesABeemer]

I will confess. My 13 yr old son Sam took this shot today...

Thought you all wouldn't mind if I included it as my #1 shot since we are blood related!:p

LOL, more than half my trip report collection was taken by my daughter Lisa...I don't really even know how to figure out who took what! :dunno

[franze]

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/251855274-M.jpg

[franze]

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/251855282-M.jpg

[oldpaul]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/2248121761_aec587660a_b.jpg

[Voni]

SWEET!!

You really captured it!

Voni
sMiling

[thtduck]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2249942711_f4b4d7cddf_b.jpg
Taken on NC HWY 215 just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway with handlebar mounted camera. Al on his 2007 R1200RT.
EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photo_exif.gne?id=2249942711)
Link to an enhanced version on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/htimberlake/2240637702/)
Link to a video of the same ride, mostly of John in front me going north on HWY 215 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rp4f8gNBtE)

[redclfco]

Winter on your nose and all around you....

[redclfco]

The lawnmower snow blower thingy is in the way. "Let us out!"

[SheRidesABeemer]

Lisa and I had fun hiking in Mines Fall here in Nashua looking for winter.
It was abundant. More pics in Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/srab/sets/72157603651597068/) .

Winter
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2252360229_85f052e815_o.jpg

My Winter
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2252360365_109a89f964_o.jpg

[OUTBACKUFO]

Top of Aspen Higlands Peak, Aspen Highlands Ski Area
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/highlands.jpg


shot with my little Nikon Cool Pixs 4300 (?) forgot the EXIT info... just on auto mode... finally some sun in Colorado...been a snowy year

[redclfco]

Outback...Wow...what a shot! Hey, I have to ask, don't you mean Maroon creek? It was my old haunt, looks pretty familiar! Great job, good picture!

[OUTBACKUFO]

cant remember instructions for weekly photo assignment oops

[OUTBACKUFO]

How to keep you bike Clean


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/srwan2.jpg


The real way to keep you new cycle clean when hauling it over mountain passes:laugh :p

[OUTBACKUFO]

redclfco: Yep cant spell ... finally got some sun out this year.... only have skied 3 days so far... normally upto 20 by now... though will be a great back country spring ski season... going to be tough motocycle or ski...:scratch :laugh :dunno

.

[grossjohann]

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R65W3jaQcuI/AAAAAAAABX0/5DlKNwz4eEw/s800/DSC_6537.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/BackyardWinter2008/photo#5165161335038702306)

[KBasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252624532_nnhhc-XL.jpg

[darcym]

Start of the Team surfing challenge.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/doomscribe/dof/Team-Challenge.jpg

This is the kind of winter day we love in Southern California. :usa

[37071]

The sun came out; so perhaps it will warm up. Maybee not enough.

[wuli959]

The sun came out; so perhaps it will warm up. Maybee not enough.

thought it was one of those new fangled clocks that provide temp ;)

[bensonga]

Taken near the small boat harbor (such as it is) here in Anchorage this morning. We have had about 10 days of sub-zero weather lately. It was minus 2 degrees when I took this photo at noon. On the plus side, the skies have been sunny and we're finally getting more hours of daylight as we climb out of the long dark days of winter.

Anchorage International Airport is located on that land in the far distance is . The brownish haze is pollution. It can be very noticeable here in the winter.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[darcym]

Clear Winter days, crazy warm, perfect to take the old bike for a ride to the top of a mountain. :)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/doomscribe/dof/_MG_3596.jpg

[bmwdean]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252624532_nnhhc-XL.jpg

This photo I really like, perhaps 90% or so because of the fabulous subject -- my all-time favorite motorcycle -- a slash-2 :) However, it does need Hella signals and Albert mirrors instead of those Bumms, and could use a 3.5" rear tire and painted hubcaps, rather than stainless. (Yeah, I know -- picky, picky, picky.)

The composition is a bit unusual in that the motorcycle is pointed out of the photograph, not into it, drawing your eye away from the hill and cows. But, that's o.k. I like it anyway.

As regards the "Great White North" thermometer photo, I offer this photo taken here in Tucson this afternoon:

[almostblue]

Today. Along Hwy 128 near Cloverdale, Calif.

[KBasa]

Today. Along Hwy 128 near Cloverdale, Calif.

I love that road. :bikes

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253263830_duiN6-L.jpg

I had high hopes for this week's assignment, but I'm left disappointed with my meager effort. Normally, Bakersfield is socked in for the winter, devoid of any direct sunlight and blanketed in chronic cold, wet fog; however, this winter, we've been cursed/blessed with constant sunshine and temps soaring into the 60s. I've taken some nice pictures, but none that really say, "winter."

I had to go to a conference last weekend and snapped this shot of Pyramid Lake, just south of the Grapevine. Taken with my Canon S80. Contrast is too low, exacerbated by the fact that I was shooting almost directly into the sun.

[Voni]

We feel your pain, Tom.:dance

This winter has been the best weatherwise we've ever had

- nestled in the Big Bend Country of Texas. Only snow was one morning after Thanksgiving.

Voni
sMiling

[KBasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252622543_JLUTF-XL.jpg

[SNC1923]

Both are great shots, but I really love this second one, Dave.

[bmwdean]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252622543_JLUTF-XL.jpg

In this view both the cow and the BMW are heading out of the frame. That provides some compositional balance. I like this shot better than the first one you posted. It has some serenity.

In the ideal world, I think I would have preferred them both coming into the frame. But, sometimes, you take what you can get! And this time you done got good.

(But, darn, those hubcaps are too shiny:))

[SheRidesABeemer]

I like the first one better, but would have opted to put the bike on the right side of the picture and looked down the road on the left. The cows don't add to shot but I think the road would have. Either way the bike steals the show. :dunno

[bricciphoto]

I like both of Dave's shots just the way they are (minus the little bit of cow peeking in on the right edge of the frame). They may be breaking a couple design rules, but as is they aren't cliche.

[thtduck]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252624532_nnhhc-XL.jpg

Wow! Nice photography!!!:thumb

[KBasa]

In this view both the cow and the BMW are heading out of the frame. That provides some compositional balance. I like this shot better than the first one you posted. It has some serenity.

In the ideal world, I think I would have preferred them both coming into the frame. But, sometimes, you take what you can get! And this time you done got good.

(But, darn, those hubcaps are too shiny:))

Thanks. And I hate the stainless steel hub caps more than you know.

But I've got an R100 in a bunch of pieces right now, so happily operating motorcycles have to wait for a bit. :D

Not my photo, but the results of yesterday's efforts:

http://nixels.smugmug.com/photos/252993904_9J8LM-M.jpg

[KBasa]

I like the first one better, but would have opted to put the bike on the right side of the picture and looked down the road on the left. The cows don't add to shot but I think the road would have. Either way the bike steals the show. :dunno

I tried this, but didn't really care for it. :dunno

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252627990_xhweo-L.jpg

[bmwdean]

... I hate the stainless steel hub caps more than you know.

Happily, solution for you is at hand. From Vech's store:

36 31 4 038 275--$48.00--hub cap silver exact reproduction R50-R69S

http://members.aol.com/vechbmw2/partno.html

They also show up on eBay from time to time.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I tried this, but didn't really care for it. :dunno

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252627990_xhweo-L.jpg

I see what you mean, getting the bike broad side is a lot of its appeal.

[KBasa]

I see what you mean, getting the bike broad side is a lot of its appeal.

Yeah. I tried getting a view from a slightly higher perspective, almost framing the bike from above, but I couldn't get enough of the mustard blossoms in to really make the picture interesting.

[bensonga]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252624532_nnhhc-XL.jpg

Aarrgh.....you're killing us Northerners here Dave! Green grass, blue skies, warm temps...beautiful old Beemer on the road. That's not WINTER....that's paradise!

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska
Warmed up to 8 degrees here today....forecast calls for another 8-10 inches of snow tonight.

[bmwdean]

I was photographing our "Romeo and Juliet" pair of saguaros today. When I looked at it on the computer, I realized there was a suggestive form in the foreground that completed a romantic trilogy ...

[SNC1923]

Had a lot of responses to this week's assignment, a really mixed bag. I thought the theme of "winter" would be simple, but as usual, I was surprised by the great variety of interpretations. I was nearly locked out by unseasonably beautiful weather.

Let's get to it, shall we?

Up first is Lamble, whose submission is technically a day early, but I'm including it anyway.

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/249694876-L.jpg

I like this image. For one, it's unusual in that these are both flighty creatures that are had to capture under any circumstances, but to get two in one frame is a coup. I do object--as has been pointed out--that the poor bird has a stick up his bum. The depth of field is pleasing, drawing attention to the bird. It's a nice shot.

BWMDean is here next with one of his desert panoramas.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370587_BWdNX-L.jpg

Undeniably, this is a beautiful image. I've said before that cacti were iconic images--easily recognizable and both symbolic of and representative of the American Southwest. Using them in silhouette against a night sky is really inspired. The subject matter, Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon are also really interesting, at least to me who is not in the least astronomically inclined. This is a nearly monochromatic shot, entirely blue, and therefore the various shades really contribute to the image's quality. The moon is quite overexposed, but that it really hard to deal with. Had it been exposed correctly, the foreground may not have been visible. One other observation is that it's hard to tell what, if anything is in sharp focus here. The subject matter makes this less important than it would be in most other images. Was this manually focused at infinity? Was this a long exposure? Be interesting to see the exif on this. . . . In any case, it's an impressive, beautiful image.

Grossjohann gave us a number of images to consider this week. This one, above all, speaks to our theme:

http://lh4.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R6X1Qe8xOwI/AAAAAAAABS4/4SdKvZqtASk/s800/DSC02081.JPG

This is an immensely powerful image, and a very touching one, besides. This woman, looking away from the camera, her hair covered against the element and age, is in the winter of her life. She is sitting with seemingly neither a place to go nor a schedule to follow. The giant, mute trees dwarf this tiny woman in the same way I would imagine others in her life--forgotten co-workers, busy grandchildren--do. This photo really says winter to me. The image is characterized by an overall lack of sharpness. Slow shutter speed? Not sure what that's about.

Rocketman is back with another shot that says "winter."

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/winter/winter005-1.jpg

This really brings to mind the death that winter portends each season. This is a difficult subject, colorless, complex, seemingly uninteresting. He does an admirable job with a difficult subject. It looks cold and bleak. Winter.

Karton has a patented Florida winter shot this week.

http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/DaytonaWinter-007.jpg

These are the sort of shots the drive our midwestern and eastern members crazy. "Oh, they had to put on jackets!" :laugh It's an effective crowd shot, the intensity of which is heightened by the compression of the telephoto lens. I like the composition: including the banner at the top tells the story. This isn't just a random crowd. When taking shots like this, with so many people, there are dozens of opportunities for something to go wrong, someone to turn away, raise their hand, whatever. This one's pretty good. The foregrounded woman on the right even works to emphasize how crowded it is here. Still, you can take two or three dozen shots in a situation like this and have a hard time find the one that's just right.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250596424-L.jpg

MLS2GO brought us a nice basketball series this week. Perhaps not iconically winter, but a wintertime pursuit, nonetheless--indoors no less. There were several nice shots, the one of the crowd with bated breath was nice. This one, however, is my favorite. The pretty young woman is so in her moment, and she's a wholesome, healthy beauty, that which is typified by the grand tradition of cheerleading. Her smile is absolutely beaming. Her bare midriff is quite appealing, too. How great is it that you can't count her ribs and that she has a mole or two? She actually has a figure. I'm not crazy about the head in the foreground, but it is framed perfectly. I also like the hint of motion apparent in her arms. Again, I'd be interested to know the camera/exif info here. Just curious. DSLR? Long lens?

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370590_vctNj-L.jpg

I have to agree with Jeff Dean: this is one of Von's finest submissions to date. I also think it's one of this week's best. He's right when he says this image highlights to great effect the difference between a snapshot and a photograph. This is a great image. First, it breaks a rule to great effect. It's perfectly symmetrical and dead-center. The interesting sky and foreground allow for this, though. This image doesn't need trickery. I love that the people are so tiny on this amazing and dramatic landscape. The rough trail, barely visible, does lead the viewer's eye right to the subject. AND I learned that they're called mare's tail clouds. Who knew? Congratulations on such a fine image, Voni. Great stuff.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/doomscribe/dof/Seagullstormsurf.jpg

DarcyM is back with a couple of California winter shots. I really like this one. I've seen a lot of gull shots--and taken more than my fair share--but this is a really good one. The bird, in mid-flight, is sharp and clear. It is off-center and against an interesting background that certainly says "winter." In addition, the background is just out-of-focus enough to throw the subject into sharp relief. The framing is perfect. Consider how much less interesting this would be were the pier not peeking into the right corner. It adds a splash of color, balance, and story element. This is a very successful capture.

I should add that the windshield shot is a bold effort and successful. It's a powerful image from a simple concept. Also very nice.

I've got to get ready for work. More later.

[bobs98]

Tahoe

[SNC1923]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/250804150-L.jpg

Lamble posted a second shot, this one in the time frame, that I think is worth mentioning. Pleasingly composed, well-exposed, and thoughtfully crafted. It was clearly designed for this assignment. It definitely says winter. Nice.

http://dvandkq.net/images/20080203-001.jpg

Dvandkq brings us two winter photos, the first of which I'll comment on. How do you not LOVE this photo? On the one hand, it's one of those classic family snapshots that will be cherished down through the years. Even catching Mom looking slightly away, a minor imperfection that characterizes these sorts of shots. On the other hand, it's well composed and very well posed. Posing is one of the key downfalls of any photo of people and this one shines. It's also a spot on exposure in very difficult conditions. Most meters (or photographers) would have underexposed this shot turning it a muddy gray. Really great--very cute--picture. You're getting your boy off to a great start.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370592_QzKrX-L.jpg

Paulglaves is back this week with a wonderful submission, seemingly a cross between Lamble's and Dvandkg's. First of all, this is funny, and I like funny photos. It's hammy and contrived, clearly for the photo assignment, but very effective. It's also a clever use of some really great weather when trying to get a "winter" shot. The exposure is good and the colors, great. I like that it's composed between the two trees. The horizon's a bit tilted, but that matters so little in a shot like this. Would make a pretty funny avatar. . . .

http://bricciphoto.smugmug.com/photos/251538610-L.jpg

Bricciphoto is back this week with a really interesting submission. By his own admission, this is also a highly contrived shot. Instead of going for humor, however, he has attempted to mimic sunlight in the predawn hours by using an off camera flash with a reflector--a gold reflector. The result is impressive. This puts me in mind a bit of some of the lighting effects that Bluestune has done. The addition of artificial light can really help to make a good photo great. This is a decidedly winter-like still life. The shadows, the snow, the various shades of brown, the focus on the dead leaf all combine to craft a well-executed and successful image. I like this better than the second, probably because it is close up and seems to have a center or point of interest.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/254722389_Ddjg4-L.jpg

130253 joins us with a very powerful image indeed. Man, this says, "winter" for sure. This is nothing more than a shot of two dormant trees against the backdrop of more trees and sky, but it is really a compelling image. This seems to be all about light. The subject is in silhouette, and is enormously complex with hundreds of branches. It's really hard to tell what kind of sky that is, but one's imagination fills in a dark, cloud-filled wintery sky--at least I do. It would appear to be rendered in B&W, but I've been wrong about that so many times before, I hesitate to say so. It's quite an image. Very nice.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/251855274-M.jpg

Franze is back with his mysteriously titled "19/20." This shot invariably reminds me of the previous posting by 130253, being of a barren winter tree. It is similar in so many ways, and yet a completely different photograph by virtue of its different and very unusual perspective. I've observed this as a bit of a trend in Franze's work. He's not afraid to point his camera at an unusual angle. This results from, I think, keen observation and trying to see things in ways unintended. This reminds me a bit of the dog seen through the elevated opaque walkway a few weeks back. Like the previous photo, for a rather simple nature still-life, this is an impressively compelling image.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/251855274-M.jpg

I was delighted when I saw this image recorded by Oldpaul. Like some others, this appears to be an image created for this assignment. To a rider, this image says "winter" like no other except, perhaps, for a snow-filled driveway. What impresses me that most though is his thoughtful attention in crafting the image. So many photographers would have shot the bike from the side, battery tender on the ground, wires draped across the bike. Yawn. Oldpaul chooses this rather unusual perspective, filling the frame with the bike, but focusing on the subject, the charger, which is placed rather incongruously on the saddle bag. B&W is a good choice here. I don't think it would be as effective a mood in color. The plain background is an excellent choice, and this photo could have fallen prey to all manner of exposure problems: black bike, white background. He handles it very well. It's also an MZ Skorpian, that's worth 50 bonus points right there. Nice shot. You might think of sending this to the Tale Light section of the ON. "Wintertime Blues" or something like that.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2249942711_f4b4d7cddf_b.jpg

Welcome to Thtduck with his first submission (if I recall correctly). GREAT shot. 1,000 bonus points for a having a wintertime shot with a ridden motorcycle. Well done, sir. This certainly says winter to a rider. Now, I'll say this: It's framed very well, though slightly off kilter. That can be fixed in post-processing. But this is a handle-bar mounted camera and I'm the first one to declare that these are not a good idea, can't get a good picture, blah, blah, blah. Thtduck has clearly proven me wrong, and he's captured an image where he may not otherwise have done so. You always have to exercise extraordinary caution when doing anything while riding, especially taking a picture. Having the camera mounted seems like a very good way to avoid the hazards of inattention. Really cool, very successful image. Nice.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370566_x2sVq-L.jpg

Redcflo is back this week with a great wintertime shot. This is a nice portrait of his dog, but with the snow covering his coat, his forlorn expression, and the coups de gras, the bit of snow on his nose, this certainly say winter. It's fun picture that stirs an emotional response, too. Not easy to do in a photo. I will say again, as I have before, that this shot is characterized by a really low contrast. I encourage you to explore your camera's menu to see if there's a way to boost that. The bunny picture by Red's son seems like a really good capture, too. They never let me get that close. . . . .

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2252360229_85f052e815_o.jpg

Nice to see Gail this week with two fine submissions. I'm a Lisa fan to be sure, so it's difficult not to choose the picture featuring her, but this one is a stunning winter landscape. Great vertical composition, and symmetrical besides. It's slightly underexposed (is the snow gray or white?). But the trail revealed just beneath the canopy of the trees is perfect. This looks like a greeting card (I mean that in a complimentary way) or a photo to illustrate a story. It's really nice.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2252360365_109a89f964_o.jpg

Oh, what the hell. Here's Lisa. Isn't she great? I admire her and Gail's relationship and their adventures together. . . .

[SNC1923]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/highlands.jpg

Outbackufo knows how to use a camera. This is another L3 (location, location, location) shot. It's a stunning landscape. The orange rope is a bit distracting. Gondola/lift cable or what? Beautiful blue sky. The exposure is spot on, but I'd like to see that horizon a bit higher, I think.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/252624532_nnhhc-XL.jpg

Nice to see Kbasa again this week with another beautiful photo of the beautiful /2. You know, Dave claims not to know his way around a camera, but I think he's a sandbagger. This is nice stuff, and not his first. This shot already generated a bit of good discussion, so I won't rehash that here. I want to point out the drama of the wide angle here. Because Dave has a smugmug account, I could go to his site, do a search for week-old pictures, and find the exif for this shot. I was able to confirm that this is shot with a 28mm (actually 27mm) wide-angle. He has three shots from this view, but this is easily the most dramatic--the bike is closest to the camera and consumes more of the frame then the other two. The sunlight is falling on the beautiful lines of this bike and the rolling, green hills provide a nice counterpoint to the black and chrome motorcycle. Pictures like this are why we have the adjective, bucolic. It's an especially nice shot, Dave.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370552_t2Xpg-XL.jpg

There were a few shots this week that really jumped out at me, and this is one of my favorites. This is a great shot. Apparently contrived for this assignment is at once both poignant and funny. The only technical problem is that it's a tad underexposed. The meter sees all that white and closes down the lens. By adding 1 EV, the snow and thermometer would be more white. However, that is greatly overshadowed (pun coming) by the inclusion of the shadow in the composition (pun unintended). For a simple set up, it's a great composition. So many of us would snap the shot without really paying attention only to see the shadow leaving the frame in the final photo. It may or may not work great as a stand-alone photo, but it's a fabulous response to this theme.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370558_3xfVC-XL.jpg

Bensonga brings us a picture this week that could only be titled "Brrrrrr." This shot looks cold. The aspect of this photo that stands out to me the most is its composition. The boat is placed at one of the intersections of the imaginary horizontal and vertical lines of the "rule of thirds." It's a golden mean composition. Now there are three other points in the photo where the boat could be placed and still conform to these rules, but this is the best choice. The boat is entering the photo and the foreground is filled with ice and hazards. It's a really effective choice.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/253370543_2PqwE-L.jpg

Almostblue joins us this week with a beautiful landscape of a vineyard. He seems to be suffering the same fate as Dave, Jeff, and I: beautiful weather. It doesn't really say "winter" to me, but it might to a vintner. It's a very pretty scene, well composed and well exposed. I like that the mountains don't bisect the image. Could do without the fence post. A nice image nonetheless.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/254715602_VwEim-L.jpg

Our last shot this week is a decidedly wintery scene from Bobs98. This is an interesting photo. I like the tiny red skier, though he/she might be more impressive if a bit larger, or even if the photo were a bit larger. What's with you guys and the tiny photos? This photo features a really strange sky, totally overcast, but not infinite; you can see it breaking up as it approaches the mountain peaks. It almost gives the effect of a mirror image. Pretty interesting.

That's it for me. Thanks for all the nice shots and for participating. I've been running a bit slow as work has taken a bite out of my life, but I think I have it all under control now. I'll put up a new theme on or before next Friday. Thanks for your patience.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Tom thank you for taking all the time to do this. Your comments are educational not just about our own shots but others as well.

ps. Dave take the tank bag off next time. ;)

[bmwdean]

I second and third and fourth Gail.

You have started something that may have become more than you envisioned originally.

That's what I did in Chicago in 1972!

Thanks for your efforts -- and for your gentle critiques.

[crgrbrts]

...and no tattoos!

Lovely, just lovely. Thanks for the treat.

Craig
yet another Mizzou alumnus (J-School, Class of - gulp - '68)

[bobs98]

Thanks Tom! This is fun when I get the chance, I usually see the topic after the week(end) is over. We happened to be skiing out at Tahoe all last week.

[KBasa]

Tom thank you for taking all the time to do this. Your comments are educational not just about our own shots but others as well.

ps. Dave take the tank bag off next time. ;)

:ha

I shoot them like they are.

[SNC1923]

Tom thank you for taking all the time to do this. Your comments are educational not just about our own shots but others as well.

ps. Dave take the tank bag off next time. ;)

You're very welcome, Gail.

I second and third and fourth Gail.

You have started something that may have become more than you envisioned originally.

That's what I did in Chicago in 1972!

Thanks for your efforts -- and for your gentle critiques.

You're most welcome. And for the record, this is all Swider's fault. :rofl

I'm sure glad you guys did get together in Chicago, and thank you for that. What's it up to now? 40,000? Probably never in your wildest dreams, eh?

Thanks Tom! This is fun when I get the chance, I usually see the topic after the week(end) is over. We happened to be skiing out at Tahoe all last week.

The pleasure is mine. Sounds like you had a rough week. Hope things get better. :laugh

[KBasa]

I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Tom and Rocketman for putting so much time into this. It's really a wonderful community within a community, isn't it?

[jackie]

http://magnedengineering.com/images/blog/snow_diego.jpg

[grossjohann]

This is an immensely powerful image, and a very touching one, besides. This woman, looking away from the camera, her hair covered against the element and age, is in the winter of her life. She is sitting with seemingly neither a place to go nor a schedule to follow. The giant, mute trees dwarf this tiny woman in the same way I would imagine others in her life--forgotten co-workers, busy grandchildren--do. This photo really says winter to me. The image is characterized by an overall lack of sharpness. Slow shutter speed? Not sure what that's about.

Thank you, Tom, for keeping this going. As many others have pointed out, this is a wonderful addition to the MOA community, and if nothing else, is something I look forward to every few weeks.

To the shot: I'm not sure what happened. EXIF shows F/5.2 at 1/125 sec, so it was not likely the speed. I think I simply didn't take enough time to focus properly. I felt a little self-conscious photographing such a touching moment, so I did snap and run…relying on the autofocus to take care of everything for me. More of an infraction having violated her privacy and flubbed the shot, I suppose.

Again, thank you,
Alex

[130253]

Thank you, Tom, for your kind words. I was hesitant at first about sending this photo in. As you thought, the photo is in B&W, color would not have worked. It was a raw, windy, dark clouded, wintery evening.

Let me add my thanks to you and Rocketman for this wonderful forum!

[SNC1923]

Thank you, Tom, for your kind words. I was hesitant at first about sending this photo in. As you thought, the photo is in B&W, color would not have worked. It was a raw, windy, dark clouded, wintry evening.

Let me add my thanks to you and Rocketman for this wonderful forum!

Everyone is being so nice! You're very welcome. Rocketman and I are enjoying this as much as all of you seem to be. He was quite accurate in assuming there were a lot of people here who are interesting in photography as an adjunct hobby to motorcycling.

Yours was a really dramatic photo. Not sure what your hesitancy was, but I hope you post again and often.

[BeerTeam]

Barb, some friends and I went on a sleigh ride Saturday. I took some photos and I was thinking the theme "Winter" was a two week photo assignment. When I went to post them I noticed that the assignment ended last week. Well, here they are, my homework is late and the photos have no BMW motorcycle in the winter scenery.


http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/255527924_5YWit-XL-1.jpg

"The Hill"
F11 for Full Screen


:dance
.....Oh what fun it is to ride in a two-horse, open sleigh

[BeerTeam]

:dance .....Over the fields we go


http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/255520583_iere3-XL-1.jpg

[BeerTeam]

http://klasjm.smugmug.com/photos/255521132_sorTG-XL-1.jpg



:dance Dashing through the snow

[SNC1923]

Damn, Santa, you sure take great pictures.

All three are wonderful (even sans BMWs) but #98 really grabs me. I like a photo with an unexpected or otherwise incongruous orientation. The exposures in #99 and #100 are just spot on. The snow is bordering on overexposed, but the result is the bright white we see with our eyes rather than the dull gray the camera wants to produce. And your colors are always so vivid and rich. Really, really nice stuff.

And FWIW, it's never too late. I'm glad people are still posting and I'm sure others will enjoy looking at, or even commenting on, the late submissions.

[SNC1923]

http://magnedengineering.com/images/blog/snow_diego.jpg

I like this photo submitted by Jackie. It's so much more interesting that it would have been had the horse not been included. It is somehow colder when considering the horse.

It's a classic example of snow underexposure, too. The lightmeter is fooled by the reflection of the snow. As a result, it underexposes the snow and renders it gray and the horse in near silhouette. By opening up one or two stops (+1 or +2 EV) the snow would be white(r) and the horse's face, visible.

Something to shoot for before the snow melts. A successful winter-themed photo nonetheless.

[MLS2GO]

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250596424_qaSMS-L.jpg

Hi Tom you asked about the exposure etc.
It was a D80 with the 18-200 VR Lense with the flash turned off. It was at 95mm 142mm equivalnet. The exposure was 1/60 at 400 ASA. I couldn't help the head I had to take the shots from my seat in the Arena. Thanks for keeping this going! I just got back from Hawaii, collecting my 50th state on a motorcycle. I will after I get the pictures sorted do a ride report. I have 450 alone of whales. There must be a few good ones in there.

[adsinger]

Canon XT test shot with new Tammy 28-300 in local park.

alan.

[SNC1923]

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/250596424_qaSMS-L.jpg

Hi Tom you asked about the exposure etc.
It was a D80 with the 18-200 VR Lense with the flash turned off. It was at 95mm 142mm equivalnet. The exposure was 1/60 at 400 ASA. I couldn't help the head I had to take the shots from my seat in the Arena. Thanks for keeping this going! I just got back from Hawaii, collecting my 50th state on a motorcycle. I will after I get the pictures sorted do a ride report. I have 450 alone of whales. There must be a few good ones in there.

Thanks, Bob.

Many would argue that 1/250 sec. is the slowest you could handhold this shot given your focal length. If this was handheld, I'd say your VR is working just fine, thank you very much. It also explains the slight motion in her hands. It's a great capture.

Congrats on your 50th state. That's quite an accomplishment. I rode for a day or two in Hawaii, but I've only got 16 states, I think.

I'll look for that ride report--sounds interesting. Awfully hard to take bad pictures there, isn't it?

[SNC1923]

Adsinger:

Welcome! That's a beautiful shot. It's a pretty strong endorsement for Tamron as well.

Be fun to play with the exposure on this. I'd like it a bit darker, I think, but I notice that I have a tendency to underexpose. Nice image no matter how you slice it.

Post early and post often.

[1024JLC]

Winter

[MLS2GO]

Thanks, Bob.

Many would argue that 1/250 sec. is the slowest you could handhold this shot given your focal length. If this was handheld, I'd say your VR is working just fine, thank you very much. It also explains the slight motion in her hands. It's a great capture.

Congrats on your 50th state. That's quite an accomplishment. I rode for a day or two in Hawaii, but I've only got 16 states, I think.

I'll look for that ride report--sounds interesting. Awfully hard to take bad pictures there, isn't it?

It was handheld from a sitting position. In a previous obsession I was a Competitive Pistol Shooter. Another Friend with the same previous obsession also shares the camera obsession and we have found that the same attributes that lead to being a good pistol shot lead to better than the standard ability to hold hand held. Breath control, right amount of grip pressure and a smooth release.