CH # 42 - I have been struggling

[winger]

I get fustrated with my self because my sports shots and all the other stuff dont compare.
Why do I suck at the rest of photograhpy.
That being said, this is an idea I am playing with.

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26833126-M-1.jpg

[purified]

That is so cool! I love that idea... and is that glass ball supposed to be something other than well... a glass ball? :rofl

Great setting, beautiful colors. The only thing that seems off is part of the hand is cut off... but then again that might only be preference. If there's any room to add a smidge of contrast without going overboard, you could try that as well and see how you like it.

Did you edit the blur on yourself? Because I'd like to see a version where the ball and hand is more in focus.

[winger]

That is so cool! I love that idea... and is that glass ball supposed to be something other than well... a glass ball? :rofl

Great setting, beautiful colors. The only thing that seems off is part of the hand is cut off... but then again that might only be preference. If there's any room to add a smidge of contrast without going overboard, you could try that as well and see how you like it.

Did you edit the blur on yourself? Because I'd like to see a version where the ball and hand is more in focus.
Yeah I was trying to think of some sort of symbolism for the glass ball but right now all it is is a glass ball that flips my images.

I didnt do much to it in post, well honestly nothing other than levels, I will post the orginal here in a 2nd, the DOF was set kind of low so I think it threw my hand out....I was just playing with the ball again now and it seems the straighter on from teh camera the better off it is.

Thanks for commenting I appreciate it.

[winger]

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26854191-M.jpg
Orginal photo

[winger]

some others:

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26856247-M-1.jpg

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26856249-M.jpg

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26856251-M-1.jpg

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26856252-M-1.jpg

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26856256-M-1.jpg

[purified]

First of all, I think you should keep the whole photo, no cropping. Second, I'd play with the colors a bit, brighten them up, make them more noticeable. In fact, I experimented with it a little myself.

http://pictures.greatestjournal.com/userimg/4362206/674280

EDIT: Oh, and that flag one is very good too!! It goes nicely with our upcoming holiday. :)

I hope it's all right that I'm playing with your photos. I just did a little altering to the flag one so you can just see what it looks like with a little brightening and contrast.

http://pictures.greatestjournal.com/userimg/4362272/674280

Make sure you put a border around your photos when you enter them too. It makes any photograph more noticeable. :)

[lpswimmer003]

The first thing I thought when I saw that photo is "That's how I feel!! Like someone has turned my life upside down!" How's that for your symbolism?

Great shots, I really like them. :thumb

[winger]

Thanks for the comments.

The more that I think about it the more I think I like the flag one.......
and the more I realise I need to send that camera in to canon to get what ever the heck is on that sensor.

Here is one I took tonight, much better than my firework photos last year....but still doesnt have the pop my sports photos has.
http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/27139997-M.jpg

And here is what I have come up on the edited flay one (see Erik I played with PS aren't you proud)
http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/27141388-M.jpg

I still feel like I am in a rut, creatively and ablity to turn out photos that grab people.
But my friend had a good point the other day, I have shot a TON of sports, so of course I am going to have alot of great photos, but I dont sit there and spend 3 hours on other stuff and gather as many shots. So maybe I am in just a smaller rut now.

[douglas]

Very cool pictures, that ball looks like alot of fun. The flag is my favorite, the perspective is great that along with more of your hand in the shot works for me.

Best regards,
douglas

[Netgarden]

I know the rut you speak of, especially lately, and have seen others say the same. Don't feel bad. Maybe we are like little kids that need one step backwards before moving up two....:dunno

I like your shots, the ball is cool, and I like the "surreal" look of the fireworks and building. Just be yourself, and do some fun things. The creative spirit does come back. Maybe you are impatient with yourself. I am of me. :scratch

I didn't even bring my camera with me to the fireworks show tonight...but I sure sat there and wished I had it with me.:rolleyes


Very cool pictures, that ball looks like alot of fun. The flag is my favorite, the perspective is great that along with more of your hand in the shot works for me.

Best regards,
douglas

[DoctorIt]

And here is what I have come up on the edited flay one (see Erik I played with PS aren't you proud)
My heart is atither. :D


I feel your pain. I'm on the verge of selling all my gear to pay off some house bills. I haven't had time to spend more than 5 minutes on photography since May or so. But I'll have a house, right? Just keep telling myself that...

[erich6]

I would go with the flag shot. It looks really good to me and the crystal ball effect is great. :clap

Erich

[Sandy]

I like the globe and flag the best. If you want to, try this on the fireworks photo:

Desaturate
Brightness and contrast
Small unsharp mask adjustment

I think it will give the photo more pop.

[winger]

maybe this shot better than the flag.

I may try to go out and reshoot the flag one if we ever get blue sky again, but the more I look at it the more I like it, I think
I dunno, you know how a slump and uncertainty go hand and hand.

http://winger.smugmug.com/photos/26833241-M-1.jpg

[purified]

Definitely the flag one is better. You cannot beat the lighting in that picture and in this one I can tell you took it somewhere shady or in the dark, and I don't really like the feel of it. But the dog is certainly cute. ;)