January 2010 Photo Competition: Discussion

[Frank Lopes]

Thread is now open.

[Janet Petty]

Congratulations on the well-deserved win sharynideas. I like the theme you chose this month. It has a lot of possibilities. And now that I'm back close to 100%, I might just have to get out the ole' creativity and get busy.

Janet

[sharynideas]

Thanks, Janet. I was hoping to pick a theme that would appeal to a lot of photographers so that there would be more entries in January. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Shari

[sharynideas]

I posted the lamp, hoping it would generate more interior shots for January's contest. If you're like me, there have only been three sunny days so far in January.

[AFrazier]

A cool idea sharynideas . . . The shot you posted, it would be especially cool if you redid the shot by positioning the glasses so they magnify a specific passage, and let the sharp focus of the shot be on that passage; especially shooting it at 2.8.
It's a very nice shot already. But that would add some additional meaning to it, if you understand where I'm coming from.

[sharynideas]

Alex-Thanks for the suggestion. When I get a chance, I'll try it. I'm just learning. Don't know much about the mechanics of photography.

[sharynideas]

Alex-This was the best I could do. The glasses don't really magnify so I used them to frame. But to get close enough to read the words well, I lost the context. So I compromised.
I'd like to see someone try the shot who has the knowhow to pull it off.

[AFrazier]

You would do something similar to this. I shot this one about a year ago for a client. It was their theme verse for their online ministry.

Shoot it up close with a wide aperture. I shot this one at F/2.8, then did a multiply layer over top and masked the multiply layer to make the specific passage more bold. But the blurring everywhere else is from the aperture setting. The passage still stood out by itself. It didn't really need the bold. But I wanted to make sure that it drew the viewer's attention without fail.

The only real difference is that you would put the glasses down, with the arms opened up, so that the passage shows through one of the lenses.

[sharynideas]

I see what you mean, Alex. I'll have to give that a try. Basically, though I was just trying to get a backlit, indoor shot. I was hoping more people would post photos to the contest.
Shari

[AFrazier]

I hope you don't misunderstand me. I wasn't criticizing the shot you posted. I just thought the other would be a cool idea for a shot, now or at another time. I think about things like that all day, how this would be kind of neat to do, or that would make a really nice photograph, etc. So I hope you didn't take my feedback as meaning that what you posted was inadequate. Far from it. It's a great shot that provoked me to think, so in effect, in commenting on it as to a constructive upgrade to the shot, I was complimenting what you did.

[sharynideas]

Alex-No, I didn't take offense in any way. I think you were being very helpful. Like I said, I'm trying to learn all I can. You weren't criticizing. You were giving me new ideas. I like that.
RetouchPro is a very non-threatening forum. Everyone is very supportive. That's why I have enough nerve to post here. Most people are extremely knowledgable, and willing to share the knowledge. It's like getting an education from the very best teachers.
Shari

[Frank Lopes]

The voting period is now open.

[AFrazier]

You haven't unlocked the voting thread yet.

[Frank Lopes]

......and the winner is: Southbay!

Southbay has been contacted and will select the theme for February.

Congratulations!

[MiningArt]

A really nice sunset shot, congratulations Southbay.

[Southbay]

Originally Posted by MiningArt

A really nice sunset shot, congratulations Southbay.

Thanks.

It's rare indeed when I end up with a sunset that I like. I suppose like a lot of us, who've waited around for the sun to be in just the ideal spot, it's a relief once in a while to grab one that isn't horrendously over or under exposed.

I see so many well-done sunset shots...it's an ongoing challenge.

[sharynideas]

Congratulations, Southbay. I'd say you were in an ideal spot on that day. Where did you take the photo?

[CathyH]

Well done Southbay.

[Southbay]

Originally Posted by sharynideas

Where did you take the photo?

Early November '09, off the dock in Beaufort, NC. Nice little town for a 2-3 day stay. Interesting collection of historical homes, the Pecan Tree B&B was perfect for us, and the Blue Moon Bistro right across the street served up the best dining we've enjoyed in quite a while. Also worth shooting was the extra-creepy Old Burying Ground. Apologies for my sudden TripAdvisor moment...

[Janet Petty]

Congratulations Southbay! Well done and well deserved.

Janet

[sharynideas]

Originally Posted by Southbay

Early November '09, off the dock in Beaufort, NC. Nice little town for a 2-3 day stay. Interesting collection of historical homes, the Pecan Tree B&B was perfect for us, and the Blue Moon Bistro right across the street served up the best dining we've enjoyed in quite a while. Also worth shooting was the extra-creepy Old Burying Ground. Apologies for my sudden TripAdvisor moment...

No, don't apologize. In fact, I think it's a great idea for a new thread. I'd like to read about photogenic places especially if they're accompanied by a great photo like yours.

[CathyH]

I agree about the new thread idea. I think that would be really great information.

[philbach]

Congratulations, Southbay. Well deserved. Beaufort is a very interesting and historic place with all sorts of opportunities for great photography.