POW 9/ 7/ 08

[bob_marz]

Once again awesome shots everyone. No matter whether it is a very special scene, person, or thing or the most mundane subject, you guys really make great pics out of every opportunity.

 

I was only going to post one shot like was mentioned on the thread the other day, but my wife shreiked, "Come here and look at this thing!"

 

Well, it's dark now and I had her shine a flashlight on the subject and he ran away pretty fast so I only got a couple of quick shots.

 

Not nearly as nice of a capture as Peter's. Not as sharp or illuminated as I would like but it had a really neat body and coloration.

 

My wife looked it up on the internet and apparently it is a Marbled Orbweaver.<div></div>

[shots worth sharing]

Awesome portrait, Mis--really a tour de force!

 

Bob: did I mention that I hate spiders? ;~)

 

Duane: The reason I recommended shooting early and late in the day is that these are also prime times for fishing so I'm well acquainted with the enchantment of those times on the water.

 

Thanks all for the comments on my little experiment--I got some great suggestions. I think Peter & Haig are right that I have to start with the capture (not rely on pp) and that *something* has to be reassuringly in focus. And I will research tone-mapping, O Shiva--as much because of the bird as the suggestion.

[xpiotiavos]

just one this week:<div></div>

[snik75]

Mis - that is a LOVELY portrait. I am sure your colleague will be happy.

 

I went to the University of Wisconsin football game this weekend. I would have needed a wider angle to really capture it, but here's a LOT of people wearing red. :-)<div></div>

[snik75]

And I tried some off camera flash for macro - this isn't technically right, but I like how the ring lights up.<div></div>

[miserere_mei]

Adam, that is just plain FUNNY! I knew exactly what the pic was about even before I read your comment. Ha ha ha, what a wonderful capture, Adam. And extra brownie points for making it B&W ;-)

[ahanna]

I was away from civilization today so will post a bit late in the day. I'm also cheating a bit with a couple more photos from last weeks coast trip. Got a lot of shots I liked and want to see what you folks think. I am often surprised which photos people like and which are duds (obvious from the lack of response on some shots). It is a learning process.

 

I was going out to move the sprinkler in the lawn when I came across a feather oddly sticking up. I thought it might be an interesting subject and took a lot of shots from far away which did nothing for me upon review in the computer. I think this closeup is kind of neat though. Macro just increases the possible subjects exponentially.<div></div>

[ahanna]

Next was kind of a disappointment that was saved (partially) by going to B&W. I need to start carrying a soft brush with me to clean off dirt and spiderwebs. I always get busy and forget.

 

This is an Oregon grape that was on the coast.<div></div>

[ahanna]

Here is one more of my son playing on the beach. I think that was the most fun day he has ever had.<div></div>

[todd_phillips3]

I'm diggin your shots Andrew! Especially that Oregon grape. Never seen that before.. I love shots of rich textured leaves like that (or whatever it's called lol)

[xpiotiavos]

Mis: thanks for the comment! photos from my parents' kitchen/dining room will forever be b&w, due to the horrid

combination of incandescent light above our table and fluorescent overhead lights.

[xpiotiavos]

Andrew, that first shot is stunning. fantastic color and sharpness.

[guy_gervais]

Thank you for all the generous comments!

 

O Shiva: This first bird pic is stunning. Gives a whole new meaning to the expression "nature morte"...

 

Haig: That flamingo just pops out of the screen. Great pic!

 

Bob: Yes indeed, this should be in a fishing/outdoor sports mag.

 

Peter: Excelent! What detail!!!

 

Duane: Great shot. Love the clouds.

 

Markus: Great color on those skater/biker shot!

 

Garry: Nice macro! And what/who is "Frankenstein"?

 

Tood: Toucan shot is awesome! Colors are vivid!

 

Javier: Nice composition on the elevator shot. Well done.

 

Michael: That's a very good sport shot. Congratulations!!!

 

Patrick: Terry Fox - You really captured that expression very well.

 

Miserere Mei: 4 year old with manual focus? I salute your great skill.

 

Andrew: Oregon grape is my pick for this week. Gorgeous. But where are the grapes?

[pj_vesterback]

Duane - I'm glad to bring back memories. I was pretty young back then but I remember following Terry Fox's

journey. Waiting for him to come thru Thunder Bay. But the biggest memory I have of him was his interview from the

gurney when he stopped. It's pretty incredible what he accomplished and what he started. The monument that they

placed for him in Thunder Bay is fabulous and one of my favourite places to shoot. The cannon shot... is that from

Cabot Hill? I spent the summer when I was about 11 or so visiting relatives in Newfoundland. Good memories.

 

Todd - Thanks. I quickly looked at your stream too. Some great portraits and the Disney shots are wonderful. The

toucan above cracks me up. And the video with the rope is really kind of freaky.

[todd_phillips3]

Thanks Patrick. When I saw your comment on flickr about the toucan shot making you laugh I thought to myself that was the best comment I've ever had on a photo. ;-)

 

I don't know what's freakier though... A dude climbing down the side of a building via rope, or that ginormous sasquatch cat of yours!

[hinman]

I took a recent trip to visit my parents and siblings in Macau. A few pictures to share.

<br><br>

<p align="center">

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2826860066_32dc5c9919.jpg">

<br>

shot in a well located inside an art museum

<br><br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2826856952_caedea9db3.jpg">

<br>

lotus flower

<br><br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2826853392_e1586c32b3.jpg">

<br>

lotus flower

</p>

[jaophotography]

@ Bruce- No, I didn't use an 'Acme Lens.' :-)

 

@ O Shiva-I never noticed the greenery, but close inspection looks like it is in front of his ear. I'll have to work on that. As for the watermark, I never put it on my original file, and having it there keeps everyone friends...right? I didn't have it quite blended enough, so it is more visible than on Jack. Maybe I could have turned it more bluish-grayish-purplish?

 

@ Micheal-I like the look on the Tennis player's face. He is very concentrated on hitting the ball!

[guy_gervais]

Hin Man: The second lotus flower pic is a real winner! What lens did you use?

[hinman]

Guy, thanks! I shot both lotus shots with Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro and the first shot with Tokina AF 19-35 f/3.5-4.5.

[abe_hollander]

Nick, that's the way the Univ. of Maryland football games look like too.

 

Bob: I love the Marbled Orbweaver (despite being just a little freaked out by spiders. Not as much as my Dad, I've learned today, after all these years!).

 

I found one at our house a couple years ago, and was fascinated by the colors. I got a few shots using a P&S (from my pre-Pentax days). Since it's not POW, and I'm not at home, I won't post it, but maybe someone will start a spiders thread (web?), and we can find out who's REALLY an arachniphobe.

 

Peter, your fly-snack shot is killer! =)

[michael s.]

Thanks to many for the encouraging words on my tennis photo.

 

I'd certainly have appreciated a bump in iso, Javier, but I was at 1600 -- max on the K10D. :-)

 

Didn't get that camera to shoot action sports at night -- not what I usually photograph -- but I'll say that it and the inexpensive and light weight 50 - 200mm Pentax zoom allowed me to do more than I expected.

[personalphotos]

Another week of varied and interesting work. It's been a little tough to shoot beyond the backyard here as Hurricane Hanna dumped enough rain to wash out the road from our subdivision. Funny thing though, a new addition to the area is under construction and we will have another exit point next year. Right now I'm home till the work is completed. We are lucky when you see what's happening in the Caribbean today. Just a little rain and flooding.

 

So a couple of snap shots. Nothing artistic here for sure.

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/'><img src='http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8729/bighole1to5.jpg' border='0'/></a>

 

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/'><img src='http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/7430/bighole2tb7.jpg' border='0'/></a>

[personalphotos]

So to continue from earlier comments,

Jon, Love the shots of Jack. he's a beautiful looking creature and well captured. As said before, clone out that

grass over the right ear in the 1st image and it's about perfect.

 

Another great macro Garry. I still have to drop a lens sometime soon.

 

Not a bad start with the 50mm Todd.

 

John Paul, I like the fun capture of the bride. It almost looks like she's running away and the joke is on him. Fun.

 

Javier, they need an Academy to learn how to drink Cola in LA? Nice captures.

 

Micheal S, that's very good for ISO 1600. Maybe a touch dark but the action is well captured.

 

Patrick, that's one of the better Cone flower shots I've seen. I like the brighter spot in the background, it

makes the shot.

 

Doug, far from feeble. I like the shot and the disk that is visible makes it even better (Happy Days), how

fitting. good B&W too. It reminds me of a couple of the old diners we still have in this area and how you know

you are home when you sit down to the chrome edged table/chairs with the smell of fried food in the air. I need

a salad...

 

Miserere, great portrait. I love these shots that catch natural emotions without the subject's knowledge.

excellent conversion as well. Love the earring and chipped tooth. The smile and sparkle in the eye are winning

elements.

 

Bob, cool spider. looks Egyptian lol. Interesting markings.

 

Fun shot Adam. I've seen that look! he seems serious too. Just back away very slowly....

 

Nick, even as a rabid hockey fan living in Canada, I've only seen the "sea of colour" a couple of times. It's

awesome.

 

Andrew the feather is a great still life shot. Very nice in every way. The leaves are a cloning nightmare for

sure. The shot of your son and the clear joy he's showing instantly brought a smile to my face. Take full

advantage of these days, my youngest is now 19 and those days are important to you and him. Love the shot, it

brings back so many memories

 

Hin the second Lotus flower is very good. Nice colour and sharpness. Good stuff!.

[jgredline]

Peter, That is exactly the point I was making in the other thread. I love those two ''snap shots'' and in particular the first...The two strangers make that photo interesting to me...If they are not there, then it truly would be lacking..I also like that you caught your shadow in the lower right hand corner...

[garry_young1]

OK, some comments. Thought we were doing a separate comment thread?, but it seems not. If any comments offend, I blame the whiskey! So:

<P>

@ O Shiva - great dead meal! The post processed one that is!<br>

@ Haig - if only that flamingo was looking at you!<br>

@ Dave - definitely try an in camera attempt!<br>

@ Bob Marz - why on earth do you go fishing? You take such cool photos, forget the boring hobby, focus on the interesting one! ;-)<br>

@ Peter - arachnid rocks!<br>

@ Guy - 3 stunning photos! Great work! As for "Frankenstein", read this thread, http://www.photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00Qk9e<br>

@ Duane - love the first.<br>

@ Bruce - gotta find me some mist!<br>

@ Markus - unicorn's represent something, can't remember what right now! Like it.<br>

@ Trent - what a flower. Kinda somber for a flower. Nice.<br>

@ Jon - I tried to tame and raise a jackal once. Thing nearly ate my hand off every day, then abandoned me. Nice shots. PS - gotta find me some mist!<br>

@ Haig - preferred the disbodied hand, spooky.<br>

@ Garry - ho hum.<br>

@ Todd - I understnad the COMPULSION to use a lens!<br>

@ John Paul - yes, you did a bad thing. I will be doing a bad thing too this month. Hope to suck a nicely as you did! Good shots.<br>

@ Javier - Go street photography! Nice stuff!<br>

@ Michael - cool shot! You could and should share this on the sports forum's "what did you shoot this weekned?"<br>

@ Patrick - I want a DA* 300!<br>

@ Doug - feeble shmeeble! Happy Days makes it work.<br>

@ MIS! YOU GOT ME DUDE!!!!!!!<br>

@ Bob Marz - you see? Forget the floppy wet scaly things - look at that BUG dude!

<P>

@ Adam - you got the special mention of the week - that shot will stand forever as a capture of a person's nature - too seldom do we get these shots!!!

<P>

@ Nick - nice red, nice ring.<br>

@ Andrew - 3 stunners!! Really, really, really! Wish I saw that first one, wish I had composed that second one, wish I had captured my kids at that age!<br>

@ Hin Man - your reflection is left handed!!<br>

@ Peter Zack - good detail from foreground to background in the first, even into the clouds!! Second one sucks?<br>

<P>

Geesh - this is the last POW where I mention everyone - next time I follow Apostle Paul's advice - choose one that really rocks my world, and one that really rocks my nothing, and see what constructive advice and glowing praise I can come up with.

<P>

Again - the whiskey is the rogue here tonight! Be well all.