weekly Manc Man 52/2012 -WEEK 15 - Departed

[Dark Knight]

Vice - a very thought provoking image... the world isn't all roses and rainbows, reflects the theme real well Darren :theme:

 

[Manc Man]

Hi Darren.....great reshoot of your Magical shot....think you nailed there...great work mister

Vice....hmmmm....to the point , def ion theme...like the simple colors....maybe not a strong week but hey , you're still in the game....kinda hoping for a really inspiring theme this week

Cheers Lynne had fun doing my magical re shoot.
Vice - not happy.

Vice - a very thought provoking image... the world isn't all roses and rainbows, reflects the theme real well Darren :theme:

Thank you DK, here is to an easier theme this week.

 

[zeb]

Cheers Mark
Me thinks murder is a vice

VICE
An evil, degrading, or immoral practice or habit
Wicked or evil conduct or habits

I would say murder was evil and immoral.

Agree with what you say but it just doesn’t sit comfortably with me but it defiantly hits home. Don’t think there is much wrong except as mentioned the clipping

 

[Manc Man]

Well here goes it. Didn't want to take a shot of a door so i opted for this panorama, quite happy with it for my first go.
Entrance - Entrance road to the farm yard, entrance gate to the field and entrance road /path to the farm house.

enlarge for best viewing.




Not one of my best, but to be honest getting bored with challenge and photography. This could be my last theme.

WB updated

 

[The goblin]

Not one of my best, but to be honest getting bored with challenge and photography. This could be my last theme.

Oh no really? Any reason? I know the themes have been a bit of a challenge but fingers crossed the difficult ones are out the bag now!

I think vice says it all! I'm not sure murder fits into a habit! Yes definitely immoral, but then again there are the odd serial murderers

Entrance, I think this is a lovely shot! Gorgeous blue sky and crisp sharp. I really like the panorama and it fits the theme. Initially I thought the car on the left looked wrong but it's a farm, they have cars! Whose farm is it? They might want a good pic for a website or something!

I'd say this shot is a good reason to keep snapping away

 

[Manc Man]

Oh no really? Any reason? I know the themes have been a bit of a challenge but fingers crossed the difficult ones are out the bag now!

I think vice says it all! I'm not sure murder fits into a habit! Yes definitely immoral, but then again there are the odd serial murderers

Entrance, I think this is a lovely shot! Gorgeous blue sky and crisp sharp. I really like the panorama and it fits the theme. Initially I thought the car on the left looked wrong but it's a farm, they have cars! Whose farm is it? They might want a good pic for a website or something!

I'd say this shot is a good reason to keep snapping away

Thank you Marsha for your kind words of support.

the farm is where my sister in law keeps her horse, funny enough i was asked by someone on the farm if i would be willing to take some portrait shots of her horse and dogs (dogs in back of the car) Russian terriers, 2 very well behaved dogs. stayed in the car even when horses and kids were all about them.
I have agreed to do the portraits, but told her i would do the for free, she justs need to pay for the cost of the prints - fair enough i think.

 

[Southdowns]

Cheers Mark
VICE
An evil, degrading, or immoral practice or habit
Wicked or evil conduct or habits

I would say murder was evil and immoral.

Yeah but it's not really a conduct or habit, more an act. But it's a minor point because it's the photo that counts and yours is good.

Entrance is nice. I like the treatment you've given it, and think its bang on theme.

It's a shame if you're getting bored, because id like to see more of your photos, but if you're not enjoying it, what's the point? It's meant to be fun

 

[Manc Man]

Yeah but it's not really a conduct or habit, more an act. But it's a minor point because it's the photo that counts and yours is good.

Entrance is nice. I like the treatment you've given it, and think its bang on theme.

It's a shame if you're getting bored, because id like to see more of your photos, but if you're not enjoying it, what's the point? It's meant to be fun

Cheers Mark, enjoyed taking the panorama as it's the first time i have done it. TBH i never took the shot it for the theme, it was only after i thought to myself it fits the theme quite well.

 

[snorton]

Hi Darren

Shame you are getting bored with the 52, but I know where you coming from. Certainly hard keeping up and feeling obliged to post in other threads too, but you have submitted some stunning pics so far fella, I'm keeping my fingers crossed you stick with it fella .

Love your panoramic shot for Entrance. Panoramic is on my photoshop bucket list

 

[michael23]

Very nice panoramic for entrance. Having done this project last year, I can certainly say it is well worth the effort and seeing it through to the end, at that time you get a great sense of achievement from it.

 

[Manc Man]

Hi Darren

Shame you are getting bored with the 52, but I know where you coming from. Certainly hard keeping up and feeling obliged to post in other threads too, but you have submitted some stunning pics so far fella, I'm keeping my fingers crossed you stick with it fella .

Love your panoramic shot for Entrance. Panoramic is on my photoshop bucket list

Very nice panoramic for entrance. Having done this project last year, I can certainly say it is well worth the effort and seeing it through to the end, at that time you get a great sense of achievement from it.

Cheers Guys

Must admit doing the panoramic was easier than i expected.

Darren

 

[lizzy23]

Hi Darren very nice panoramic, you're right best viewed large, i love the detail at the larger size

 

[blondie606]

Hi Darren

thats a corker of a panorama.....never tried one but want to....& if thats your 1st attempt I'm well impressed mister Hits the theme in several ways so all in all a great image for the theme


I can symapthise with you, having had a ball doing this projest last year I find myself struggling big time this year ,boredom may be the root of it...having to shot an image for a theme that doesn't inspire can become very much like hard work . I can only say 2 things more :
a) it's your decision & all on here would support you if you decide to stop .
T'would be shame as you've posted some great images

b) having completed last years 52 the sense of achievement is fantastic , looking back at where I started I can see how far I've come ( stop laughing, I have improved...honest ).Added to that is I have made many new friends through this challenge....I'm sure you will have as well


Whatever you do , it's been great having you as part of the team & I wish you well in whatever you decide

 

[kirkers1978]

Hi Darren, nice take on entrance, have been thinking of having a go at panoramic but not had a chance yet!!

I do agree with you, got talked into doing this with my mate, he's given up already!! find myself thinking about it a fair bit wondering what to do for the theme each week. Out of all the themes so far, only one I enjoyed doing...hope you stick with it

 

[Manc Man]

Hi Darren very nice panoramic, you're right best viewed large, i love the detail at the larger size

#
Thank you Liz

Hi Darren

thats a corker of a panorama.....never tried one but want to....& if thats your 1st attempt I'm well impressed mister Hits the theme in several ways so all in all a great image for the theme


I can symapthise with you, having had a ball doing this projest last year I find myself struggling big time this year ,boredom may be the root of it...having to shot an image for a theme that doesn't inspire can become very much like hard work . I can only say 2 things more :
a) it's your decision & all on here would support you if you decide to stop .
T'would be shame as you've posted some great images

b) having completed last years 52 the sense of achievement is fantastic , looking back at where I started I can see how far I've come ( stop laughing, I have improved...honest ).Added to that is I have made many new friends through this challenge....I'm sure you will have as well


Whatever you do , it's been great having you as part of the team & I wish you well in whatever you decide

Thank you Lynne

Hi Darren, nice take on entrance, have been thinking of having a go at panoramic but not had a chance yet!!

I do agree with you, got talked into doing this with my mate, he's given up already!! find myself thinking about it a fair bit wondering what to do for the theme each week. Out of all the themes so far, only one I enjoyed doing...hope you stick with it

Cheers Neil.


Strange this, i look at my photos and think the are parc (backwards)
this stood out moot to me on a recent meet up in Salford / Lowry center, i looked at tother peoples photo and thought to myself the look great, then looked at mine and thought - well you know what i thought
it it just me or do you look at your own photos and think the same. After reading some of the comments i sometimes ask myself are people just being kind or are they seeing something i am not...........

I found this week theme so easy because i never thought about it. the funny this was i took the panorama shot while waiting for someone to arrive with a cup of coffee for me, it wasn't even taken with the theme in my head.

Just like to say a big thank you for all you kind comments, it is much appreciated.

Darren

 

[posiview]

... After reading some of the comments i sometimes ask myself are people just being kind or are they seeing something i am not...........

Hi, Darren, bored with the 52 and photography....sounds like you're in a place where we've all been.

My best advice...fight through it. Really, it will work. Another few tips...have a break, say 4 weeks, don't pick up your camera (I bet can't manage 4 weeks ).

Then come back to the 52.

Also, pick a genre of photography that you've never done before and give it a go.

In answer to your question, above, yes, I do believe people are too kind. Giving compliaments is quite easy, giving constructive criticism isn't so easy.

Stay with us...and in...38 weeks you'll have made a real accomplishment

 

[posiview]

With regards your Entrance. Several entrances there and good use of the pano.

I had a quick Auto edit in PS and the white balance looked better, it's blue in your.

Cheers.

 

[Manc Man]

Hi, Darren, bored with the 52 and photography....sounds like you're in a place where we've all been.

My best advice...fight through it. Really, it will work. Another few tips...have a break, say 4 weeks, don't pick up your camera (I bet can't manage 4 weeks ).

Then come back to the 52.

Also, pick a genre of photography that you've never done before and give it a go.

In answer to your question, above, yes, I do believe people are too kind. Giving compliaments is quite easy, giving constructive criticism isn't so easy.

Stay with us...and in...38 weeks you'll have made a real accomplishment

With regards your Entrance. Several entrances there and good use of the pano.

I had a quick Auto edit in PS and the white balance looked better, it's blue in your.

Cheers.

Cheers Andy

would be hard for me to put a camera down for 4 weeks as i take snaps at work 2 - 3 times a week.

I would rather someone tell me my shot is rubbish and why its rubbish so i can learn from my mistakes.
If all i get is good feedback i am not going to improve my skills and that the reason i took the challenge.

I will have a look re this evening re white balance edit

 

[Delta Skies]

I also agree with the need for a tweak to the WB. Nice shot though. I've only played with panorama's and that was without any specialised software. What did you use?

 

[blakester]

First panorama I've seen in this years 52, so for originality.
Its well exposed, sharp and strong composition, the only minor crit is that it has a blue hue to it.
I agree with Andy on giving compliments is easier than honest critique, I dont know what the answer is Darren. From my own point of view, I am only getting to know (if you like) the others doing a 52 a nd wouldnt want to be too critical of others until such times as I think i know the person or should I say know what level of critique to give. I am sure by the end of this, we will have a better sense of the individuals concerned and can adjust our critique accordingly. I think it is all too easy for some people to be keyboard warriors on internet forums but I find it easier to treat people as if I was speaking face to face, and thats where the difficulty in critique arises.
I do hope you stick with the 52, it will be an accomplishment to finish. Apologies for the long post, just my thoughts. Iain

 

[Manc Man]

I also agree with the need for a tweak to the WB. Nice shot though. I've only played with panorama's and that was without any specialised software. What did you use?

I used CS5, going to play with WB this evening.

 

[Dark Knight]

Entrance - Great to see you posting a panorama, I am a novice and not done one myself before, but to me looks very good

Getting bored... nah don't be so silly, we have had some tough ones but we will have easier weeks i too I hope, if they were dead simple we would get equally bored too.

Keep at it Darren, I enjoy seeing your pics, would be a shame to see you give it in

 

[Manc Man]

I also agree with the need for a tweak to the WB. Nice shot though. I've only played with panorama's and that was without any specialised software. What did you use?

First panorama I've seen in this years 52, so for originality.
Its well exposed, sharp and strong composition, the only minor crit is that it has a blue hue to it.
I agree with Andy on giving compliments is easier than honest critique, I dont know what the answer is Darren. From my own point of view, I am only getting to know (if you like) the others doing a 52 a nd wouldnt want to be too critical of others until such times as I think i know the person or should I say know what level of critique to give. I am sure by the end of this, we will have a better sense of the individuals concerned and can adjust our critique accordingly. I think it is all too easy for some people to be keyboard warriors on internet forums but I find it easier to treat people as if I was speaking face to face, and thats where the difficulty in critique arises.
I do hope you stick with the 52, it will be an accomplishment to finish. Apologies for the long post, just my thoughts. Iain

It's hard for me to give critique on people’s photos as i am not that experienced in photography. Don’t get me wrong I can spot a good photo when I see one, but take this picture.
Think the count was 7 or 8 comments and only 2 point out the WB, this is where I get confused to is it a good shot or a bad shot. Guess that where my inexperience comes to the surface.
The joys of photography I guess…….
Re long post dont worry about it - nothing on TV anyway. Made for a good read.

 

[Manc Man]

Entrance - Great to see you posting a panorama, I am a novice and not done one myself before, but to me looks very good

Getting bored... nah don't be so silly, we have had some tough ones but we will have easier weeks i too I hope, if they were dead simple we would get equally bored too.

Keep at it Darren, I enjoy seeing your pics, would be a shame to see you give it in

Cheers DK. Had fun doing the panorama, can see me doing some more in the future.

 

[Dark Knight]

Cheers DK. Had fun doing the panorama, can see me doing some more in the future.

That's sounding nice and positive

 

[The goblin]

I tend not to spot stuff like WB as I'm pretty clueless too! I didn't even notice (until it was pointed out) that one of my vice shots was off!

I think we all see different faults. I can spot a wonky shot a mile away!

Oh I'm always thinking my shots are rubbish, especially of my kids, I'm getting quite disheartened in that area!

Onwards and upwards though, the break idea sounds good. It might be what you need.

First panorama I've seen in this years 52, so for originality.

I did a panorama for industry

 

[blakester]

I did a panorama for industry

Slinks off to have another look at Marsha's thread.

 

[Manc Man]

I tend not to spot stuff like WB as I'm pretty clueless too! I didn't even notice (until it was pointed out) that one of my vice shots was off!

I think we all see different faults. I can spot a wonky shot a mile away!

Oh I'm always thinking my shots are rubbish, especially of my kids, I'm getting quite disheartened in that area!

Onwards and upwards though, the break idea sounds good. It might be what you need.



I did a panorama for industry

i am a member of that club - clueless

from memory was your panorama looking across a field looking at some industrial chimneys

 

[Southdowns]

It's hard for me to give critique on people’s photos as i am not that experienced in photography. Don’t get me wrong I can spot a good photo when I see one, but take this picture.
Think the count was 7 or 8 comments and only 2 point out the WB, this is where I get confused to is it a good shot or a bad shot. Guess that where my inexperience comes to the surface.

Hi Darren. Mine was one of the "like it" comments, and I understand your difficulty. I'm inexperienced too.

But, the issue isn't experience, it's taste. I tell people if I don't like thier shots (though I try to be constructive), and in fact think I've done that with a couple of yours. The fact is though that I like your entrance shot WITH the incorrect WB, which I referred to as "treatment" in my comment. The blue tinge gives it a hazy lazy kind of feel that I like, and "correcting" it spoils it for me. It's technically better, but not artistically, and there's no such thing as right or wrong artistically.

Also, I for one am ALWAYS disappointed with my own shots. I often really like them in thier own right, but then see someone else's effort and think I might as well give up, because I'll never be that good! I dont think its possible to feel the same way about your own shots as you do about others, because you have no element of surprise (no wow factor!), and are too involved in the process to just step back and enjoy it as an image on screen. I think you just have to judge your own pics against your other pics (am I improving?), and against what you hoped to achieve.

I too understand why people are "kind" when commenting, but MUCH prefer honest reactions. I NEED to know how others perceive what I'm doing, because as I said above its difficult to see it myself, and because "if you like it, that's all that matters" isn't good enough for me

 

[fazer]

Magical is a great idea with second attenpt adding that little bit extra.
Vice, a difficult theme and shows lack of enthusiasm but well shot. I'm sure we will all suffer in the weeks to come.
You've bounced back with a great idea for entrance. Pano pushes you to look further into the area. Well thought out. The WB has improved the shot no end. Only crit would be to pull back a tad to show more of the curve in road, and clone out objects in front of car.

 

[Manc Man]

Hi Darren. Mine was one of the "like it" comments, and I understand your difficulty. I'm inexperienced too.

But, the issue isn't experience, it's taste. I tell people if I don't like thier shots (though I try to be constructive), and in fact think I've done that with a couple of yours. The fact is though that I like your entrance shot WITH the incorrect WB, which I referred to as "treatment" in my comment. The blue tinge gives it a hazy lazy kind of feel that I like, and "correcting" it spoils it for me. It's technically better, but not artistically, and there's no such thing as right or wrong artistically.

Also, I for one am ALWAYS disappointed with my own shots. I often really like them in thier own right, but then see someone else's effort and think I might as well give up, because I'll never be that good! I dont think its possible to feel the same way about your own shots as you do about others, because you have no element of surprise (no wow factor!), and are too involved in the process to just step back and enjoy it as an image on screen. I think you just have to judge your own pics against your other pics (am I improving?), and against what you hoped to achieve.

I too understand why people are "kind" when commenting, but MUCH prefer honest reactions. I NEED to know how others perceive what I'm doing, because as I said above its difficult to see it myself, and because "if you like it, that's all that matters" isn't good enough for me

Magical is a great idea with second attenpt adding that little bit extra.
Vice, a difficult theme and shows lack of enthusiasm but well shot. I'm sure we will all suffer in the weeks to come.
You've bounced back with a great idea for entrance. Pano pushes you to look further into the area. Well thought out. The WB has improved the shot no end. Only crit would be to pull back a tad to show more of the curve in road, and clone out objects in front of car.

Cheers guys.

 

[*Sarah*]

Hi Darren, I'm tied between the two now - The first is a little blue which you have corrected in the 2nd, but it looks like its lost a bit of oomph!!

It was a good idea doing a panoramic and something I must try one day!

I think the reason that people maybe aren't always as critical as we want is that they (myself included sometimes) don't want to upset someone! When you don't know someone personally you don't how much they can take and sometimes its not easy explaining things by writing as it can be taken the wrong way. Some may be just starting out in photography and feel they are not experienced enough to comment. I myself would like people to be critical as thats how we all learn ( we don't have to listen).

I have recently picked photography back up again and one thing I wanted to achieve by doing this challenge was to learn more editing skills and to take more variety of photos as normally I do landscapes. Though after all the table top shots recently I can't wait to get out and get some landscapes now!!

 

[Manc Man]

Hi Darren, I'm tied between the two now - The first is a little blue which you have corrected in the 2nd, but it looks like its lost a bit of oomph!!

It was a good idea doing a panoramic and something I must try one day!

I think the reason that people maybe aren't always as critical as we want is that they (myself included sometimes) don't want to upset someone! When you don't know someone personally you don't how much they can take and sometimes its not easy explaining things by writing as it can be taken the wrong way. Some may be just starting out in photography and feel they are not experienced enough to comment. I myself would like people to be critical as thats how we all learn ( we don't have to listen).

I have recently picked photography back up again and one thing I wanted to achieve by doing this challenge was to learn more editing skills and to take more variety of photos as normally I do landscapes. Though after all the table top shots recently I can't wait to get out and get some landscapes now!!

Thank you Sarah.

I couldnt understand where the blue hint came from as i took them in raw and opened in PS and stitched together ands added a frame. didnt do anyother edit. then it dawned on me this evening what could add a blue tint to a photo....................... silly me the WB on my camera had been set to tungsten, someone at the farm was asking me about the various setting on my camera, i took several photos of the same subject but only changed the WB so she could see have each shot would differ, never changed it back..... the words RODNEY YOU PLONKER come to mind.:thumbsdown:

Re C and C, i have seen the error of my way.
if i want true C and C i should post my shot in one of the relevent forums and not rely on one of the 52 team to do it.

Darren

 

[Southdowns]

The WB setting on your camera doesn't have any effect in raw though. It'll affect the preview images that are included in the raw file, used to display thumbnails etc, but not the actual raw data that PS uses.

Unless, that is, PS is opening the preview instead of rendering the actual raw data? I don't use PS, instead using Lightroom which is a true raw processing app. Someone who knows PS will have to answer that one.

 

[Manc Man]

The WB setting on your camera doesn't have any effect in raw though. It'll affect the preview images that are included in the raw file, used to display thumbnails etc, but not the actual raw data that PS uses.

Unless, that is, PS is opening the preview instead of rendering the actual raw data? I don't use PS, instead using Lightroom which is a true raw processing app. Someone who knows PS will have to answer that one.

But if I don't do any edit in camera raw it will open as shot in camera?
Need to search google me thinks. I didn't edit in raw due to me using 5 shots, didn't want to risk a slight edit difference between shots.

 

[Southdowns]

Yes, but if it's the raw file you're opening, the camera's WB setting (and scene style etc) will have no effect, because raw is raw; it's what the sensor sees before applying any processing to it, except noise reduction. So if you do no editing (changing WB) in Camera Raw, you'll see what the sensor saw when it's passed to PS.

In other words, you could set the camera's WB setting to tungsten and take a shot, then set it to flash and take another, and the images would look identical if taken from the raw file.

Try shooting a couple of shots in raw+jpeg, with different WB settings, and you'll see that the raw ones stay the same, while the jpeg ones respond to the setting.

So no, if you use raw, having the WB set to tungsten won't be the cause of the blue tinge.

Or at least that's my understanding

 

[posiview]

...because I'll never be that good!

Hi, Mark, I snipped to quote the above...you made a lot of good comments but, come on fella, you got to believe that you will be as good as many of us on here if you keep at it.

I'm not sure how long you've been photographing, but would be interested to know

I've read gargantuan amounts of books, magazines and internet articles. Watched thousands of podcasts, Youtube videos, I signed up to Kelby Training (highly recommended!) and then some. As a result, I have improved but have a lllooonnggg way to go.

Keep at it...

Cheers.

 

[Southdowns]

I'm not sure how long you've been photographing, but would be interested to know

Well, I bought my Sony A200 second hand in November 2011, which is my first DSLR. Before that I've always enjoyed taking photo's with my compacts, but only really snapshots like everyone else does. Any stand out shots that I got then were definitely more luck than judgement.

Thanks for your comments. I do feel like I'm improving slowly, but I'm not sure anyone can ever be as completely satisfied with their own stuff as they can be looking at someone else's, can they?

 

[posiview]

Well, I bought my Sony A200 second hand in November 2011, which is my first DSLR. Before that I've always enjoyed taking photo's with my compacts, but only really snapshots like everyone else does. Any stand out shots that I got then were definitely more luck than judgement.

Thanks for your comments. I do feel like I'm improving slowly, but I'm not sure anyone can ever be as completely satisfied with their own stuff as they can be looking at someone else's, can they?

So, you've had a 'proper' camera 5 months .

That's no time at all. Just spend 15 minutes going through all your submissions and there's been a real improvement. Your entrance #299 is a cracker: depth, composition and a great structure.

I'm never 100% satisfied. Sometimes I'm 90%, but then I'll look again after a week or so and see areas that I could have improved - which is good!

Anyway, I won't embarrass you any more.

Cheers.

 

[Southdowns]

No, please, embarrass away! I can take LOTS of that kind of embarrassment; very kind, thanks.

But, possibly not in Darren's thread!?