Canon Thursday Photo 2011: #29

<p>Ooooooooo, that's cold water!</p>

<p><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5955518465_c2584968b9_o.jpg" alt="" width="1023" height="758" /></p>

<p>I went to a baseball game last weekend and brought the camera along to get some action shots. I found out how difficult it is to get good shots.<br>

The batter made contact on this pitch for a single.</p><div></div>

<p>With the heat, and having to wait patiently for my new computer to be delivered, I haven't got out much. However, I am still posting on Classic Manual Cameras, and you can't get much more "classic" than this camera with the Zeiss Biotar 58mm f/2 and the Angénieux 35mm Retrofocus lens - one of the early wide angle lenses that would clear SLR mirrors.</p>

<p>Taken with a Canon EOS 20D with the EF-S 17-85mm this last week.</p><div></div>

<p>Wow! I think this week is even better than last. I'm blown away! I'll take<strong> Lupo </strong>and<strong> Ken's</strong> photos for dinner. That pizza looks amazing and I have a weakness for IPA's. <strong>Robert</strong>, I wouldn't worry about posting too many bird shots, they never get old. This one is phenomenal and if its only the fourth Ibis sighting in PA then you must feel fortunate to have been one of the lucky few to witness it. I remember how I felt after shooting the Whooping Cranes. <strong>Randall</strong>, great shot of the frog. Did you do something different in post? It looks like a painting almost. HDR maybe. Not usually a fan of that type of stuff, but I like it here, well done. Too many great shots to comment on, keep 'em comin'.</p>

<p>Gerbera Daisy growing in a pot.</p><div></div>

<p>Hello everyone. I recently got hooked to this forum and this is my first contribution to this thread. I've been wanting to do this for a long time and am glad that I did it... finally! :)<br>

This is a shot from few weeks ago at Navy Pier in Chicago.<br>

Settings: 17mm @f/6.3, ISO 1600<br>

@ Ken Papai: BJ's has some really great Beers! I'm a big fan :)</p><div></div>

<p>a flower</p><div></div>

<p><strong>Scarecrow</strong>. Where the corn grows tall, and the sun is hot. Would you save her, even though every fiber in being says leave her to rot? Be forewarned that there are two sides to every story. Either one of them could mean freedom, or something else more.... gory.</p><div></div>

<p>Impressive work folks. I see everyone has upped their game. My personal favs:<br /><br />Jeff, "Women love me"... funny.<br />Randall's Froggy. Those textures hit it.<br />James skills in floatation and landscapes.<br />Mark's grasshopper. Love that lens, but I know it takes some skill to work it's magic ;)<br />Dean's flowers, nice composition and excellent skill in using the 50 f1.4's bokeh magic.<br />Mike and his "Branching out". Good use of balance.<br />Ricks demonstration of why it's important to wear protective knees pads while racing motor-cycles.<br />Ken, for making me thirsty for another beer... (heading to the fridge now).<br />Bruce's Fogbow (I'm sure it something special to witness that event).<br />Robert's timing in capturing the expression on the cold water dog.<br />Jessadang's Flower. I like the composition and glowing center is a nice touch, it pulls you in.<br /><br />Keep shooting.</p>

<p>It's been extremely hot in the Midwest regions of the U.S. This beautiful sunset is the end to another hot and humid day.</p>

<p>Nothing new this week, but I was inspired by Ken's beer flights, so here's one from a couple years ago at the Hard Rock in Biloxi.</p>

<p>BTW Ken, did you try the Nutty Brewnette? My favorite BJ's flavor.</p><div></div>

<p>I photographed the Hogspear Captains and Subalterns Tounament at Tidworth Polo Club. It's the second oldest polo tournament running. <br />This is the winning side, the Queen's Royal Hussars.<br>

<a title="Queens Royal Hussars by Peter Meade, on Flickr" href=" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5953964686_5711500c55_z.jpg" alt="Queens Royal Hussars " width="640" height="426" /></a></p>

Well done everyone for the effort!<br/>

I really enjoyed seeing everyone's photos again. :-)

<p>Climber. Canon 1dmkIII, 85 f1.8 ISO 640, 1/1000 @ f6.3</p><div></div>

<p>Looking at the entries yesterday, and thinking I didn't have anything to submit, when the phone rang and my shooting buddy is playing hooky from work and wants to go to Point Reyes. We packed lunches and had a fine day at Abbotts Lagoon.</p><div></div>

<p>A few comments and stuff from me that stand out: (these recent images, # 50 and higher only)</p>

<p>Marcel - a beautiful rose (and photo!) from an uncommon angle<br>

Bruce - very cool fogbow. My monitor at home really displays this one better.<br>

JDM - the angle you chose of that ancient camera makes it look bent or twisted!<br>

Rohin - nice Navy Pier but keep your images here of max size to 700 px<br>

Jessadang - interesting and different colors. Kept my attention more than most.<br>

Pete - wow! A scarecrow! She doesn't scare me but I love your composition. Well done.<br>

James - nice brew capture! Backlit. Thirst quencher from a Tourist Trap, LOL! (I've been tio the Aquarium in Biloxi)<br>

Tony - nice angle of the wall climbers. Well executed. Love it.<br>

Jim S. - seashore at Pt. Reyes. I LOVE this area and like your photo of it a lot. (I spent one day over 4th July this summer picnicking at Coast Camp... I mean drinking wine and some picnicking...)</p>

<blockquote>

<p>JDM - the angle you chose of that ancient camera makes it look bent or twisted!</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Perhaps you are not familiar with the Exakta? By some standards, it is "bent" - it has a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above, you know.<br>

You are looking at what most people agree is the form of the very first 35mm SLR, here, so it is all the other cameras that are 'bent', not this one. :)</p>

<p>Another week of great photography. Keep up the incredible work. For some reason I decided to jot down a few thoughts as I sat here looking through them again.<br>

 

<p>Nathan - Always look forward to your bird photos. I can’t get a kingfisher to stay still long enough to get a shot<br>

Randall - WOW!<br>

David - a couple of nieces were just in Paris. Wish I was too. Stared at your shot for a while.<br>

James - I love mountains. Been to Jasper once and want to go back.<br>

Mark - Wonderful colors. Almost doesn’t look real<br>

Phil - What river? Makes me think of the LA river.<br>

Dean - Love the light and combination of colors<br>

Robert - even if there have been a few more, consider yourself one of the lucky few and thank you for the nice capture.<br>

Bill - I love raptors. I’ve seen ospreys catch fish, but never eating.<br>

Rick - Motorcycle road racers amaze me. Wish I could go watch some, I’ve only been to auto races.<br>

DL Anderson - I usually avoid Tahoe due to the crowds. I may have to go back in the winter. Beautiful.<br>

Ken - there is a BJs just down the road from me. I like their porter.<br>

Nimesh - Love the surreal feel.<br>

David - Excellent. I love watching coyotes.<br>

Robert - love the “oh @#$*, what have I done” look<br>

Rohin - I have been trying to get a good night shot. Good job.<br>

Pete - I don’t know what to think, but am drawn back. Nice job.<br>

James - making me wish I had a cold one right now.<br>

Tony - Nice. Was there an observation area or did you have your belayer hang on while you got the shot?<br>

Jim - Making a note to myself. Get out to Point Reyes. I have lived within a couple of hours almost my entire life and have never been. Been all around there, but never Point Reyes. Nice shot.<br>

I'm looking forward to next week's installment</p>

</p>

<p>I'm late, late, late! trying to make sure I can upload a re-sized photo!</p>

<div></div>

<p>Hi everyone, sorry for running late. Been so busy. Here's my shot of the week. I really like this one, though it was hard to pick, I got a bunch of cool ones I want to share. Anyway I thought this was a fun a shot. Rock'n'Roll! I will have this one much larger in the Portfolio if anyone cares to look. It loses a little detail at 700 pixels.</p>

<p>Canon 40D - Sigma 50mm F1.4 - @F4 - Shutter Speed 1/25 Sec - ISO 100</p><div></div>

<p>Daniel, it's the Army Corps of Engineers <a href="http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/pm/johnlfpp.htm">Johnstown, PA Local Flood Protection Project</a>, constructed at the same time as, and second in size to, that of LA. For decades after it's construction, the heavily polluted rivers became the elephant in our living room, largely ignored by the locals and access prohibited by the project. That began to change with the rise of EPA standards and the local economic collapse of the '70s and 80's. The drastic drop in industrial pollutants encouraged some to pursue proactive cleanup methods for the remainder and today one of the rivers, the Stonycreek, supports a growing population of fish and aquatic fowl, and fledgling <a href="http://benscreekcanoeclub.com/rendezvous/">recreational opportunities</a>. There's still a ways to go on the Conemaugh.</p>

<p>Ken and Daniel. Thank you both. The model is my step-niece, and just starting her career in modeling. It was a gift for her birthday to have something "unusual" and different from the normal agency stuff. It was just after sunrise (when the sun was out of shot), and already 85 degrees with 100% humidity. I had a two man crew (to set and steady props and hold flash), including her Mother along with. Timing is important, if we waited for a break in the heat, the near ripe corn could have been harvested and the scene lost. Having spent three days scouting to find the perfect spot, it was all up to her to follow directions, and get into character make the shot work.</p>

<p>We also did a second set at sunset by a lake, using reflectors instead of flash to achieve a more back fill and focus on silhouettes. I'm sure it was a learning experience for her, and despite the heat, a lot of fun. Again, working in less than desirable conditions, taking directions, (sometimes under duress) and learning to be in character. It was a good recipe for a job well done. I am proud of her.</p>

<p>Ken and Daniel, many thanks! Yes there is an observation area with coffee bar, luxury, must try one from up the wall one day.</p>

<p><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5958349575_5747ce68f7_z.jpg" alt="" /><br>

5D2, 17mm, ƒ/8, 1/350th, ISO 100 - adjusted</p>

<p>Wish the fences weren't there.</p>

<p>Well I never expected my capsule critiques to be so popular. I do enjoy seeing your photos, and they just keep getting better. Nathan (and others), thanks for the recognition, although I'm not after any exposure or accolades; I just enjoy doing this. If it helps someone to see something different in their photos or an alternate way of making that shot, that's terrific! Again, I emphasize I am not an artist; so if I miss your artistic talent, I can assure you it's just me. So here we go.</p>

<p>@ Nathan - I've already said it, but I'm very jealous of that kingfisher shot! You worked hard to get it and the results are great. Very nice shot!<br>

@ DS Meador - closer...get closer. You could probably crop this one to fill the frame with the biker more. Nice action shot!<br>

@ Jeff Spirer - hey, look at that...she's signaling for a right and left turn simultaneously. Great caption.<br>

@ Robin Smith - good diagonal placement of trees in frame. I like the bluish light on the right side of the in-focus trunk.<br>

@ James Dean - I like how you tilted the camera for this shot. Good action shot and the tilt makes more of an impact.<br>

@ John Crowe - horizon just a bit too close to center? Nice shot for such a gloomy day.<br>

@ Randall Farhy - okay, you're going to have to share your post processing technique on this one. Love it!<br>

@ Andres Court - such a dark bird. A little fill flash might have helped lighten up the head/eye a bit.<br>

@ Vladimir Wegner - nice sky and clouds. Good placement of walkway in frame. I wonder if a lilttle closer and lower angle would work?<br>

@ David Huff - perfect position for that shot, David. Now let's see you get one with the entire moon lit. ;-)<br>

@ Mark Anthony Kathurima - the flower in focus on the left is just a bit too far away from the rule of thirds point. The flower "peeking" in from the right is slightly distracting. I like the colors in this one, Mark.<br>

@ James G. - good! Lens flare is a distraction at both upper left and lower left.<br>

@ Dan Ferrin - two for the price of one! Very nice shot, Dan. I don't like the unfilled space on either side of the stem. If you could do it over, do you think placement of the thistle would work better lower in the frame?<br>

@ Daniel Harris - is it just me or does the upper half of this photo look b&w? I'm missing a strong point of interest; makes my eyes wander around looking to land somewhere.<br>

@ karen wiltshire - I like this one, karen. DOF is fine in this shot. You have the flower head in good focus which instantly invites my attention there. I like the diagonal composition; how would something below the leaves on the right to connect to the edge of the frame look? <br>

@ Lupo - crusty? You? Who are you kidding? Your photos, while superb, are doing nothing for my waistline. Well, actually they are doing something to my waistline, but it's not good. Maybe you should shoot a glass of skim milk and an asparagas spear. ;-)<br>

@ Louis Meluso - I started out using the ring flash but I often ended up with lighting that looked a little flat. This shot actually has depth. Nice work. Finally got the MT-24EX and am much happier with that one.<br>

@ Spencer Chrouser - that's a nice moon shot. Exposure is perfect. Maybe a tad too sharp?<br>

@ Michael Sowell - other than the nice rich color, what did you want me to see, Michael? I'm slow tonight.<br>

@ Phil B - interesting shot with the different angles. How would this one look if you cropped a bit of the foreground and the vertical post at the far right?<br>

@ Lee Derrickson - not quite at the rule of thirds intersection but still a good macro shot, Lee.</p>

<p>Stay tuned for the next batch.</p>

<p> </p>