weekly GarethB's 52 challenge for 2019 - Week 51 & 52 - CHRISTMASSY & OUTTAKES - FINISHED!

[GarethB]

Cold revenge is a damn good shots imo, both are great and on theme. Good lighting and placement plus colours are great, my pic is the second image Gareth.

Many thanks Dave!
I'm glad you like them - the lighting took a while....I needed strong side light so that the letters (shadows) were visible on the ice, but that meant no real reflections to work with.
Turned out well enough in the end, I'm glad I added smoke....adds some mystery!

In the first one I think you are right there's something missing but the second one is spot on I don't think it needs the reflection, very clever idea too

Thanks for your input Allan, most appreciated!
Indeed, the first one was, more or less, what I had in my head when I first thought of it.
It didn't turn out quite how I imagined however.
It's funny how much different things end up in practice.
I tried adding some bits of fruit....cherries etc....that I had in the fridge, but because of the dark tile and the lighting, everything came out nearly black!
Honestly, the smoke was an after though, borne out of frustration more than anything....it's always the last thing you try that seems to work!!

 

[BobBCN]

I prefer the second, too. Great idea for the theme and well-executed!

 

[robj20]

I like Cold, to improve it you could try making the ice clear, google it.

 

[susiejb]

Yes, definitely the second one Gareth you've managed to give it a very mysterious feel, very cold and ghostly, spot on for the theme and well worth all your hard work.

 

[GarethB]

I prefer the second, too. Great idea for the theme and well-executed!

Thank you Bob, most appreciated!

I like Cold, to improve it you could try making the ice clear, google it.

Thanks Rob. I know what you mean about the ice.
I did look into how to get clear ice....some say to boil the water twice, which I did but that didn't work, some say to use distilled water, which I didn't have, and there was one specialist barkeeping site that said the ice should be frozen very slowly...using specialist equipment, which again I didn't have, so I was stuck with cloudy ice!
I even considered using clear resins to make a chunk of fake ice, but that stuff isn't cheap...and the laziness had kicked in by then!

Yes, definitely the second one Gareth you've managed to give it a very mysterious feel, very cold and ghostly, spot on for the theme and well worth all your hard work.

Thank you Susie for your kind comments, very much appreciated!

 

[lindsay]

As above, the second one with the smoke really emphasizes the theme idea. Well constructed and exposed.

 

[Deleted member 59779]

Both images are lovely. Being drawn to the first image shame no smoke on it. I do like the smoke in the second image but it doesn’t quite have the punchy colours in it the same. You have obviously put a lot of work into the image and those letters are brilliant.

 

[Nostromo]

Cold
Very nice (I'm not sure I like that word really), if I hadn't seen the smoke version I would have been happy with the reflection version, but i think the smoke (vape) does give the shot a little something extra.

 

[chrispp]

Definitely the second version, the smoke just gives it that extra cold feeling. Interested to know how you done the letters though ?

 

[GarethB]

As above, the second one with the smoke really emphasizes the theme idea. Well constructed and exposed.

Thank you Lindsay, I very much appreciate your positive comments.

Both images are lovely. Being drawn to the first image shame no smoke on it. I do like the smoke in the second image but it doesn’t quite have the punchy colours in it the same. You have obviously put a lot of work into the image and those letters are brilliant.

Thank you Mandy, for your very kind comments.
You're right, the first image is punchier, and the second lacks a little contrast....probably due to the smoke.
I really wished I could have made the reflections work in the second image, but it wasn't to be....maybe next time though!

Cold
Very nice (I'm not sure I like that word really), if I hadn't seen the smoke version I would have been happy with the reflection version, but i think the smoke (vape) does give the shot a little something extra.

Thank you Dominic, I appreciate your input.
You make a good point, it is a harsh word, but I spared you the arguably more unpleasant 'cold-blooded' image that I was going to do if this idea didn't pan out!!
It involved a similar concept, but with the addition of some tomato ketchup!!!
Now that I think about it, I probably should have done that ....aesthetically it would have been a bit gory, but without the weight of the word revenge!!
Oh well....maybe next time!

Definitely the second version, the smoke just gives it that extra cold feeling. Interested to know how you done the letters though ?

Thank you Chris for your kind comment, much appreciated.
The letters were made from cheapo, chocolate/icing moulds that I filled with water and froze.
Then I half filled a baking tray full of water and froze that....broke a suitable sized piece off, placed the frozen letters on it, and re-froze it.
I bought the alphabet moulds from the Lakeland shop in Norwich....here's the link.
It was re-frozen several times throughout the evening....I had about 10-15 minutes before the letters were at risk from melting and losing their shape.

 

[IanD]

I prefer the first and what a great image it is too - i'm loving people's interpretation of themes and this one is exceptional Gareth

 

[Scots_quine]

I like the second one and would be interested to know how you did the lettering.

 

[GarethB]

I prefer the first and what a great image it is too - i'm loving people's interpretation of themes and this one is exceptional Gareth

Thank you most kindly Ian, very much appreciated.

I like the second one and would be interested to know how you did the lettering.

Thank you very much Joan.
The letters were created by freezing water in some silicone chocolate/icing letter moulds, purchased from a Lakeland shop in Norwich - LINK HERE
After selecting a suitable sized chunk of ice from a previously frozen (and then broken) larger piece, I simply placed the relevant letters on this and re-froze again.
Owing to the ice melting during shooting and thence potentially losing the shape of the letters, I had only 10-15 minutes to take photos....so re-freezing several times was the order of the day!
Kept me out of trouble for a few hours!!

 

[Leebert]

Brilliant shot for Cold Gareth. Well thought out and well shot. The second one with the smoke is the one for me - it adds to the story.

 

[Manxmaid]

More excellent work from you, Gareth. You have clearly put much thought and time into this and it has paid off

Either image would work extremely well in isolation, but when set against each other my choice is the second as the smoke really accentuates the feeling of cold.

 

[GarethB]

Brilliant shot for Cold Gareth. Well thought out and well shot. The second one with the smoke is the one for me - it adds to the story.

Thank you Lee, I appreciate your comment.

More excellent work from you, Gareth. You have clearly put much thought and time into this and it has paid off

Either image would work extremely well in isolation, but when set against each other my choice is the second as the smoke really accentuates the feeling of cold.

Thank you Andrea, very kind of you to say so.
I'm glad the second image is the preferred by most....it's my favourite too. I was a bit worried that I had gone a bit too far pulling detail out of the reflection in the first image....upon close inspection, it looks a little noisy!

 

[GarethB]

Week 6 - Waiting.

(Click here to go back to the contents page)

This image carries with it a warning!

Do Not Try This At Home!

I had a lot of fun setting up this shot, and while it isn't going to win any prizes, I do think it carries an important message.
I took every precaution to make sure I wasn't in any danger.
So with that out the way, may I present....

An accident waiting to happen!


TP-52-2019 wk-6 - Waiting by Gareth Bellamy, on Flickr

How many health hazards can you spot?

Thanks for looking folks.

 

[Fuji Dave]

8
It all looks safe to me Many years ago as a little boy Mum was downstairs watching TV when she heard a big bang, it was me playing with a screwdriver and Live wires for over two weeks all I saw was orange so a lesson learnt. A good all round health and safety shot from you.

 

[Allan.H]

I’m off to give that a go nobody tells me what to do

if I don’t post an image this week something might have gone wrong

Excellent idea for the theme

 

[GarethB]

8
It all looks safe to me Many years ago as a little boy Mum was downstairs watching TV when she heard a big bang, it was me playing with a screwdriver and Live wires for over two weeks all I saw was orange so a lesson learnt. A good all round health and safety shot from you.

Thanks Dave.
8 is correct...I was planning to pack in a few more, but it would probably have ended up looking ridiculous....and as it stands it looks just fine!!!
Wow, you had lucky escape!! So....what super powers do you have now?

I’m off to give that a go nobody tells me what to do

if I don’t post an image this week something might have gone wrong

Excellent idea for the theme

Thank you for looking and commenting Allan!
I'm sure everything will turn out fine...
...keep '999' on speed dial...just in case!

 

[Manxmaid]

Clever and funny but with a clear message, too. Another great idea from you, Gareth

 

[GarethB]

Clever and funny but with a clear message, too. Another great idea from you, Gareth

Thank you kindly Andrea!
I had great fun trying to think of health hazards to put in the image.
Even though I made sure that the sockets were switched off (checked many times), I still felt a pang of panic due to the bare wires hanging out of the plug....and those matches!!

 

[chrispp]

Very creative Gareth, definitely fits the theme for sure ! The more you look you see the actual horrors ! The paper towel in the toaster I would never of thought of that !

 

[Zeus_757]

For a second I thought that was my kitchen. Great shot, definitely fits the theme.

 

[JonBowles]

Love it, but weren't you tempted to switch on the plug and see what happened? [emoji48]

 

[Zeus_757]

Love it, but weren't you tempted to switch on the plug and see what happened? [emoji48]

 

[GarethB]

Very creative Gareth, definitely fits the theme for sure ! The more you look you see the actual horrors ! The paper towel in the toaster I would never of thought of that !

Thanks Chris, I appreciate your positive comment.

The paper towel in the toaster I would never of thought of that!

That's probably a good thing Chris....I'm somewhat ashamed that I did think of it....that said however, I am particularly pleased with the Isopropyl Alcohol on the sandwich toaster!

For a second I thought that was my kitchen. Great shot, definitely fits the theme.

Thank you Garry for looking and commenting.
I'm sure there's a lot of kitchens that look like that....aren't there?

Love it, but weren't you tempted to switch on the plug and see what happened? [emoji48]

Thanks Jon!
Yes....who wouldn't want to flick the switch on that disaster....it isn't even my kitchen!....(sorry Mum!)
I even thought of syphoning some petrol out of the car so that the fuel vapours from the petrol can would show in the image....you know....for authenticity!!

 

[LC2]

Cold - Interesting explanation on how you created the ice, you do put a lot of effort into your shots.
I'm with the general consensus that #2 is the better one.

Waiting - 9 surely...
1. Petrol Can (open)
2. aerosol on hot plate thing
3. Gas on toaster
4. Matches in toaster
5. Cable hanging off work surface
6. frayed cable in plug
7. Matches holding bare wires in plug
8. Too many plugs in 1 socket
9. Kettle about to fall over

Again, plenty of effort gone in there, you could sell that to companies creating safety videos

 

[GarethB]

Cold - Interesting explanation on how you created the ice, you do put a lot of effort into your shots.
I'm with the general consensus that #2 is the better one.

Waiting - 9 surely...
1. Petrol Can (open)
2. aerosol on hot plate thing
3. Gas on toaster
4. Matches in toaster
5. Cable hanging off work surface
6. frayed cable in plug
7. Matches holding bare wires in plug
8. Too many plugs in 1 socket
9. Kettle about to fall over

Again, plenty of effort gone in there, you could sell that to companies creating safety videos

Thank you Tim, very kind of you.

You're right....it is indeed 9....I missed the cables hanging down!
Shame on me for not spotting it....all those public information films were wasted on me as child!

 

[rick448]

I've seen worse when carrying out some safety audits!

 

[GarethB]

I've seen worse when carrying out some safety audits!

Really?! That's shocking Rick!! (unintended pun!)

That image is about as bad as I could imagine without breaking out the hammer and making some 'precision' adjustments to the electrical outlets!

 

[rick448]

Really?! That's shocking Rick!! (unintended pun!)

That image is about as bad as I could imagine without breaking out the hammer and making some 'precision' adjustments to the electrical outlets!

Overall yes, but obviously not all on one worktop like that. You would be shocked what goes on in some workplaces.

 

[BobBCN]

Very inventive Gareth, A fun shot for the theme. I would never have thought of it, for sure. But you missed bacon and eggs sizzling in the frying pan with the handle sticking out, just waiting to be upended and thrown to the floor. That really would be a disaster!!!

 

[-Oy-]

That's just bonkers - and I like it

 

[GarethB]

Very inventive Gareth, A fun shot for the theme. I would never have thought of it, for sure.

Thank you Bob, most appreciated!

But you missed bacon and eggs sizzling in the frying pan with the handle sticking out, just waiting to be upended and thrown to the floor. That really would be a disaster!!!

You're absolutely right of course....but I didn't want to go too far, legally speaking....throwing bacon and eggs on the floor is against the law isn't it?!

That's just bonkers - and I like it

Thank you Dave, for looking and commenting!

 

[Turbo-G]

Very nice, abstract take on the theme - took me a minute or so to work out what was going on, plenty to take in! Well done, looks like you had fun too.

 

[GarethB]

Very nice, abstract take on the theme - took me a minute or so to work out what was going on, plenty to take in! Well done, looks like you had fun too.

Thank you Grant.
I appreciate the positive comment, and indeed it was a lot of fun!

 

[CliveH]

I think it's a disaster not an accident! Great idea well done.

 

[GarethB]

I think it's a disaster not an accident! Great idea well done.

You're absolutely right Clive!
Either expression works I suppose, though I went with 'accident' because it's the more familiar phrase....in my house at least....I'm more than a little clumsy!!
Thanks for looking Clive, I appreciate the comment.

 

[michael23]

Cold
The 2nd one for me, it works great, like the procrssing on it.
Waiting
Looks like a fair bit of work to get it together, a clever take on the theme and you have photographed it very well.