Yep, Woodward is were we decided on the photos that I was telling you about, no one wanted to do the urban scene. To me it was the same old place, beautiful park wanted to branch out a bit. The 2 squirrels I posted a while back were at Woodward. My sister-in-law lives a few blocks from there.
Pretzel's Snack-A-Day (365 for 2014)
- Thread starter Pretzel
- Start date
Day 13 - Monday the 13th. Worse than the infamous Friday?
Quite the disappointing day. Took my camera to work, as there has been a hawk gracing the back power lines, but alas... no hawk today. Plus, I took lunch late and had to go back early (that's how they abuse those on salary, eh?) so didn't get to drive around looking for pics as much as I would have liked. I did discover something that was a little out of the ordinary, though. It's a very plain, "blegh" sort of shot, but I figured I'd share the novelty. Perhaps this spring or summer, I'll be able to catch some matches and get some action shots!
Quite the disappointing day. Took my camera to work, as there has been a hawk gracing the back power lines, but alas... no hawk today. Plus, I took lunch late and had to go back early (that's how they abuse those on salary, eh?) so didn't get to drive around looking for pics as much as I would have liked. I did discover something that was a little out of the ordinary, though. It's a very plain, "blegh" sort of shot, but I figured I'd share the novelty. Perhaps this spring or summer, I'll be able to catch some matches and get some action shots!
It's actually very well maintained. So few leaves on the field, with a very windy day, so I'm assuming it's cleared on a weekly basis, if not daily. If the weather holds true for this weekend, I plan on running by again to see what's going on. If nobody is there, I'll bet things stir up a bit in the spring.
Wondering, now, if there are actual competitions, or if it's more like a local club, or just a rare little bit of land set aside "just in case". Might even have to go buy a cheap set and put the field to it's intended use!
Day 14 - Eye of the Beholder
Lunch break at work... I took my camera along today, as I had a newly discovered area I wanted to return to for some pics. On the way to my car, I spotted just a little something across the street. It was a scene I see every day, but there was just something "different" today, so I spun my bag around, pulled out the camera, dialed it in and snapped a shot. An acquaintance, on his way back in from lunch, said, "Cool shot?" I pointed over at the building I had just captured and showed him on my viewfinder, and he looked confused as he walked back toward the office. Obviously, he didn't see what I just saw... but of course, he didn't see what I *WANTED* to come out of the pic, either. He didn't see the idea that popped out in my head. Instead, he saw this:
Recently, during a discussion with a photographer friend, we had been discussing layer masks, and I've got a FaceTime with him scheduled soon so he can show me some of the techniques and tools he uses to do some cool things, like (what I keyed in on) adding dramatic skies. I had been thinking about "dramatic skies" all day, and changing the feel of a pic overall. First, I knew I need to capture a "dramatic sky" to work with, then I started thinking of what I could do to a sky to create the feel that I wanted. When I walked out at lunch, I glanced at the pic you see above and instantly saw, "Dark. Looming. Creepy. Stay away." Granted, at first, it was just the cloudscape that I thought I could convert, and I had the feeling I could take the fairly innocent picture I snapped and create that feel, my buddy just didn't see it in the same way. Enter a bit of artistic interpretation. Above, a moderately cloudy winter skyline that might bring a sprinkle or two. Below, as I dabbled with far more than the sky, we find a building on the verge of decay with the ominous feel of "something wicked is going on, I should go in the other direction." I kind of think that some of the shots from @TedG954, like recent pics of an abandoned penitentiary in Ohio, might have influenced my direction a bit... HA!
With a bit more practice, I think I can go out and nab a shot of the cloudscape I'd like to tinker with, and recreate it to enhance just about any skyline I shoot, should I choose to do more than just capture the moment.
WIN for Day 14!!
Lunch break at work... I took my camera along today, as I had a newly discovered area I wanted to return to for some pics. On the way to my car, I spotted just a little something across the street. It was a scene I see every day, but there was just something "different" today, so I spun my bag around, pulled out the camera, dialed it in and snapped a shot. An acquaintance, on his way back in from lunch, said, "Cool shot?" I pointed over at the building I had just captured and showed him on my viewfinder, and he looked confused as he walked back toward the office. Obviously, he didn't see what I just saw... but of course, he didn't see what I *WANTED* to come out of the pic, either. He didn't see the idea that popped out in my head. Instead, he saw this:
Recently, during a discussion with a photographer friend, we had been discussing layer masks, and I've got a FaceTime with him scheduled soon so he can show me some of the techniques and tools he uses to do some cool things, like (what I keyed in on) adding dramatic skies. I had been thinking about "dramatic skies" all day, and changing the feel of a pic overall. First, I knew I need to capture a "dramatic sky" to work with, then I started thinking of what I could do to a sky to create the feel that I wanted. When I walked out at lunch, I glanced at the pic you see above and instantly saw, "Dark. Looming. Creepy. Stay away." Granted, at first, it was just the cloudscape that I thought I could convert, and I had the feeling I could take the fairly innocent picture I snapped and create that feel, my buddy just didn't see it in the same way. Enter a bit of artistic interpretation. Above, a moderately cloudy winter skyline that might bring a sprinkle or two. Below, as I dabbled with far more than the sky, we find a building on the verge of decay with the ominous feel of "something wicked is going on, I should go in the other direction." I kind of think that some of the shots from @TedG954, like recent pics of an abandoned penitentiary in Ohio, might have influenced my direction a bit... HA!
With a bit more practice, I think I can go out and nab a shot of the cloudscape I'd like to tinker with, and recreate it to enhance just about any skyline I shoot, should I choose to do more than just capture the moment.
WIN for Day 14!!...and, the place I intended to go shoot all along.
A couple of geese and a couple of mallards talkin' about old times. The geese are here practically all the time, year round. I really came to get some pics of the mallards, but the geese always want to be the center of attention.
I eventually singled out the ducks, though, so I could catch a few decent shots. The mallard drakes have that classic color...
...but this little lady finally had enough, so she showed me that they have a little hidden color as well.
...and THIS guy... I don't think he's got his seasons straight. Isn't he supposed to be somewhere else until he can return to announce that Spring is around the corner?? He certainly was singin' up a storm, and Robin's red breast stood out well against bare limbs and gray skies.
A couple of geese and a couple of mallards talkin' about old times. The geese are here practically all the time, year round. I really came to get some pics of the mallards, but the geese always want to be the center of attention.
I eventually singled out the ducks, though, so I could catch a few decent shots. The mallard drakes have that classic color...
...but this little lady finally had enough, so she showed me that they have a little hidden color as well.
...and THIS guy... I don't think he's got his seasons straight. Isn't he supposed to be somewhere else until he can return to announce that Spring is around the corner?? He certainly was singin' up a storm, and Robin's red breast stood out well against bare limbs and gray skies.
Day 14 - Eye of the Beholder
Lunch break at work... I took my camera along today, as I had a newly discovered area I wanted to return to for some pics. On the way to my car, I spotted just a little something across the street. It was a scene I see every day, but there was just something "different" today, so I spun my bag around, pulled out the camera, dialed it in and snapped a shot. An acquaintance, on his way back in from lunch, said, "Cool shot?" I pointed over at the building I had just captured and showed him on my viewfinder, and he looked confused as he walked back toward the office. Obviously, he didn't see what I just saw... but of course, he didn't see what I *WANTED* to come out of the pic, either. He didn't see the idea that popped out in my head. Instead, he saw this:
View attachment 67046
Recently, during a discussion with a photographer friend, we had been discussing layer masks, and I've got a FaceTime with him scheduled soon so he can show me some of the techniques and tools he uses to do some cool things, like (what I keyed in on) adding dramatic skies. I had been thinking about "dramatic skies" all day, and changing the feel of a pic overall. First, I knew I need to capture a "dramatic sky" to work with, then I started thinking of what I could do to a sky to create the feel that I wanted. When I walked out at lunch, I glanced at the pic you see above and instantly saw, "Dark. Looming. Creepy. Stay away." Granted, at first, it was just the cloudscape that I thought I could convert, and I had the feeling I could take the fairly innocent picture I snapped and create that feel, my buddy just didn't see it in the same way. Enter a bit of artistic interpretation. Above, a moderately cloudy winter skyline that might bring a sprinkle or two. Below, as I dabbled with far more than the sky, we find a building on the verge of decay with the ominous feel of "something wicked is going on, I should go in the other direction." I kind of think that some of the shots from @TedG954, like recent pics of an abandoned penitentiary in Ohio, might have influenced my direction a bit... HA!
View attachment 67045
With a bit more practice, I think I can go out and nab a shot of the cloudscape I'd like to tinker with, and recreate it to enhance just about any skyline I shoot, should I choose to do more than just capture the moment.
Now that I like.
But … another learning curve so into the bucket (list) it goes.
I agree, the second shot is great. This is something I have seen but not sure how its done, need to add that to my long list of things to learn.
Day 15 - Preparing to Practice
Since I'm going to start working on swapping out skyscapes soon, I thought to myself, "Self... we'd better start shooting some skyscapes to practice with!" So I did.
1st, basically SOOC with a slight tweak to clarity and noise reduction.
Then a run through some B&W touches to have a more sinister theme if I want it.
Ok, 1 skyscape (turned into 2) available for transplant practice!
Now, while we waited for our son to get out of youth group, the wife and I went to an old highway bridge converted and kept up for pedestrian/bike use. Always wanted to take a shot or two at night, so here was my chance. When it's warmer, I might put some folks posing in different spots. 1st shot, right down the middle.
Then a shot down the outer edge. You can see the extensions for the lights sticking out from the side. Can't decide whether I like this one in color or B&W better.
Then, just for fun, we walked out to the middle of the bridge and I captured a shot of the Cityplex towers across the river. These used to be the "City of Faith" hospital towers, originally built by Oral Roberts, but they've long been converted to a different use.
There we go, that's all the mediocrity I can muster for one night. This bald man is tired and just wants his bed.
Since I'm going to start working on swapping out skyscapes soon, I thought to myself, "Self... we'd better start shooting some skyscapes to practice with!" So I did.
1st, basically SOOC with a slight tweak to clarity and noise reduction.
Then a run through some B&W touches to have a more sinister theme if I want it.
Ok, 1 skyscape (turned into 2) available for transplant practice!
Now, while we waited for our son to get out of youth group, the wife and I went to an old highway bridge converted and kept up for pedestrian/bike use. Always wanted to take a shot or two at night, so here was my chance. When it's warmer, I might put some folks posing in different spots. 1st shot, right down the middle.
Then a shot down the outer edge. You can see the extensions for the lights sticking out from the side. Can't decide whether I like this one in color or B&W better.
Then, just for fun, we walked out to the middle of the bridge and I captured a shot of the Cityplex towers across the river. These used to be the "City of Faith" hospital towers, originally built by Oral Roberts, but they've long been converted to a different use.
There we go, that's all the mediocrity I can muster for one night. This bald man is tired and just wants his bed.
Day 16 - Remember when...
Got the chance to capture my boy indulging in one of his loves... and I'm so glad he loves to read! Sometimes, I think YouTube and Netflix and Satellite TV has robbed our youth of so much imagination.
The first two photos are just different edits of the same shot. The third picture is a slightly different angle with it's own edit. Opinions? Not sure I really like the angles at all, but it was a quick idea and setup.
Got the chance to capture my boy indulging in one of his loves... and I'm so glad he loves to read! Sometimes, I think YouTube and Netflix and Satellite TV has robbed our youth of so much imagination.
The first two photos are just different edits of the same shot. The third picture is a slightly different angle with it's own edit. Opinions? Not sure I really like the angles at all, but it was a quick idea and setup.
Michael J.
Senior Member
Yes, the first one got the hit
Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
Pretzel,
You're going to have to buy yourself some faster glass to keep up with those croquet matches. I see a bunch of f2.8 lenses will bee in order for you!
WM
Day 17 - Moon over Bourbon Street?
Nah, really it was just over my small Oklahoma town, and it was low on the horizon behind some thin haze/clouds. Messed around a bit with sharpening, and for a display, almost feels... TOO sharp? Going to try and print it on a matte 4x6 though, as it was output sharpening, and I've heard you need to almost overkill for a print.
Added in a shot of the moon through the trees, which was the only way I could shoot it from the front yard. Had to wander a few blocks to get a clear shot.
Nah, really it was just over my small Oklahoma town, and it was low on the horizon behind some thin haze/clouds. Messed around a bit with sharpening, and for a display, almost feels... TOO sharp? Going to try and print it on a matte 4x6 though, as it was output sharpening, and I've heard you need to almost overkill for a print.
Added in a shot of the moon through the trees, which was the only way I could shoot it from the front yard. Had to wander a few blocks to get a clear shot.
Michael J.
Senior Member
Love those moon shots. You captured some emotions too.
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
I like the moon through the trees. Would love to see the effect with the moon in focus.
WM
WM