2009.07.21 "Living Things" discussion

[Marushka]

I didnt see one so I thought I would start it.

Snark: What an adorable puppy. It made me think right away, (and this isnt a critique at all, just how my brain associated it), of my other very favorite flying dog thing: Falcor from the Neverending Story.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3744438211_7c1f4979a3_m.jpg

"Come for me Gmork, I am Atreyu!!!!!!!"

OK nonsense aside, its beautiful. The focus is perfect on the puppy's eyes.

Gnome Queen: Her face is a little bit dark, but the shot is really pretty. I like it.

Zanthian: Im sure its because I cannot figure out what that contraption is, but that bug looks huge. Really great capture!

[Snarkasm]

Oh my God, thank you. When I was taking it, I thought of Falcor. You just went up a couple notches in my book, dear lady.

GQ - very nice hair on the sis, and the film gives it a great nostalgic look. Very nice.

Marushka - Similar comments for you. The grain and the black and white give it real character, and the silhouette is nicely done. I might have cloned out that spot on the haunches, since it stands out a bit, but I like it overall.

Zanthian - Good sharpness on the shot, but I think the colors could be punched up a tiny bit more in post. The red on the beetle could really send a message. Quite good otherwise.

[Gnome Queen]

Snark- Oh haaaaayy! Your puppy has gotten so much cuter! Adorable shot.

Marushka- I love this photo. At first I thought that your cat was actually against a snowy background, and then I realized that it was black and white. It's a nice effect.

Zanthian- I'm amazed you found a bug that would stay put for this long! Cool picture!

Prime- RASPBERRY OM NOM NOM. Did you take this picture in your backyard and then process it a lot?

[primesuspect]

Snark: YOUR PUPPY. I EAT HIM. NOM

Marushka: Tthe only thing I don't like about it is something about the light around kitty's ears.. It looks fake (although it may not be). Otherwise, it's a very cute photo.

Zanthian: Welcome to the project :) I like bugs. I agree with snark: a little post would have gone a long way to bring the bug out more, but it's a good photo otherwise

GQ: Your sis. Hot. :p (no seriously, it's a good photo, but I already told you that)

My photo had no post other than a correction for white balance and slight desaturation. I took it in my backyard at night with a flashlight.

[Marushka]

WOW, prime. That's incredible. I thought for sure there was some serious post processing.

And snark, want a lil more?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3744437947_09de937f72.jpg?v=0

great feedback on my shot. I didnt even notice the spot, snark. thanks. And prime, good point about his ears. I found the "custom" black and white option in photoshop and was playing around with all of the individual colors to their black and white mappings. The ears were a funny function I think of really darkening the magenta. I just played until I didnt want to anymore, which usually means I should have stopped a while back :) Im sure their auto option would have done better.

[Gnome Queen]

I also thought that had tons of post processing. Wow.

[Snarkasm]

Ahahaha Atreyu. Well played!

Prime, 'tis a good nommy shot. The rear leaf is, for some reason, ridiculously distracting to me, though; it looks like a timed exposure and the leaf disappeared in the middle of it. It took me a minute to realize it was just the back of another leaf with slightly darker lighting.

Good color on the main berry, though, and good job going off-camera with the light.

[GHoosdum]

I didn't catch a good "Living Things" shot today, so I will submit this in the discussion only with the caveat that I cheated and shot this eleven days ago in honor of Brian:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghoosdum/3744467287/" title="Brian Rabbit by ghoosdum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3744467287_03c5537d45.jpg" width="500" height="358" alt="Brian Rabbit" /></a>

[primesuspect]

i hate you so much

[GHoosdum]

<3 Brian!

[Zanthian]

Snark - Love the picture. It really captures the casual feeling of the dog and the focus on the eye really makes it feel as if he is looking through me.

Prime - I am really impressed with this shot. The raspberry just jumps out of the image.

Marushka - Cat's are a curious bunch. Cute photo.

GQ- I like the colors of your shot, they aren't hyper. They add a calm feeling and a softness to an already attractive image.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I agree that some post work could improve the picture, but I don't have any software to do post work with or the know how ;)
My first goal is to learn the camera, then move on to post. Any suggestions on something cheap/free for post processing?

Oh BTW, the object the bug is on is the end of a sprinkle for the yard.

[GHoosdum]

I use Picasa, it's free and that's all I can afford.