Something a bit different - Do you like any of these?

[Mira]

I ran across a puddle of semi frozen water on a piece of light colored vinyl with some old leaves in it.
I took a few close ups and then used crop and a few sliders in picasa.
The color is as it was, just the contrast is heightened by first adding a bit of light and then using the shadow slider.

I think they are pretty, good for nothing, but fun.

[Elfin Yeti]

1. Good for nothing?

I beg to differ! I love the first one especially! Very nice! I use Picasa too and am amazed at how good it is in spite of being somewhat rudimentary.

[handmade34]

2. love the first one

(took liberties) also like it cropped some... :-) it would be interesting to offer a photo and create a contest around different manipulations of it...

[Mira]

9. WOW - interesting crop.

The first one is my favorite as well, then the second. I think they could both be used - in a stretch - for WHITE.
But I have one in abeyance as a favorite at this point that I took in Las Vegas.
(which tells you there is lots of snow involved in that shot).
:rofl:

[alfredo]

3. Some of the colors remind me of an artist called Kim Northrop.

http://www.kimnorthrop.com/

[Mira]

8. Gracias! Will study! Thanks. n/t

[alfredo]

12. She's a good soul too.

[Mira]

17. ...

:hug:

[Solly Mack]

4. I like 1 and 3

I disagree about the 'good for nothing'...if a photo can capture a moment and it is now 'frozen in time', so to speak...then your photos reflect that on more than one level....and that's art.

[Celebration]

5. They look like paintings instead of photos

Good paintings. The first one seems very eye pleasing.

I agree with Alfredo.

[Mira]

10. I'm thinking I might want to paint the first one. When I paint (rarely) I do large

canvases.
But first I want to do this one, Richard D said it's OK - his photo from Peru

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

6. my only critique is

and it is a very uninformed one, since I was not there... for my taste they are too straight on, was there any kind of reflection or shadow combination to be had?

[Mira]

7. AH S0! As I think about this my reaction is twofold

first: the flat appearance is part of what makes them a little different, yet it may not work well as a photograph as such, but only as an interesting image.

second: I may grab the camera and go outside and see how this setup looks this morning and see if I can get some dimension into the scene and preserve and improve the flavor.

Thanks!

[NV Whino]

11. These are just incredibly beautiful

Photographs like these are the kind that greeting card companies love--beautiful abstract image, plenty of white space for type. You could even ghost them back a bit and still retain the richness. Word of warning. If you want to pursue that route, card companies generally prefer vertical images.

[postatomic]

13. Sometimes you have to look beyond what the camera sees

If you don't want me messing with your photos just say the word.

First I leveled out the viewing perspective. Then I boosted the black levels, reduced gamma one step, increased the contrast center before adding a little more contrast. Then I brought out one of the colors hiding in the shadows.

I did a slight color adjustment and burned the leaves in the corner so they were not as distracting. Then I just did a quick cleanup. (this would be the most time consuming part)

This photo would look beautiful printed on metallic paper. It would really jump out at you. I changed the perspective and did a 5 x 7 trim trying to keep the composition pleasing to the viewer. (note: if you use a smaller aperture next time you can increase the level of detail)



All these are quite nice.
:thumbsup:

[Mira]

14. I just posted today's version LOL - Thank you for taking them so seriously

as to use them as a canvas for your creativity.
I barely understand what you are saying, I am a rank amateur when it comes to getting fancy. I only have decades of experience in lifting a camera and pushing the button with "auto" setting..
But I do have a good eye for selecting subjects and crops and that helps me.

You and I could make beautiful music together
(I would take some off the top of yours to the very rim of the top bubble)

Thanks for expanding my vision.

[postatomic]

16. Understanding what I did isn't important

Maybe a few people will do the A-B comparison and pick up a few things.

I firmly believe that the Creative Spirit is far more important than understanding all the boring technical crap. I learned a few things from your Creative Spirit. I'm constantly learning new things. That's what makes photography interesting. It's a constant ever changing personal enrichment.

:hi:

[MattSh]

15. As others have pointed out...

the first one especially stands out. Just something about that particular alignment of elements and colors, I guess.

And congrats for tweaking a few sliders too. While you did not post a "before the tweak" photo, just taking a minute to make some minor adjustments can often make all the difference.

Super well done.

[Alameda]

25. Yes, I love the first one

and can't really think of anything to improve it. It's perfect.

[Sheepshank]

18. wow, I really really like these

that's all.

[Alameda]

19. I'm a bit late in this thread, but I must say, they are beautiful!

You have a good eye. I'm curious, what equipment did you use, what camera, did you use an extra lens?

[Mira]

22. Thank you Alameda,

it was a Sony Alpha 500 - basic lens 18-55 or maybe what I call my Portrait lens 1.8-50. I simply shot straight down. When I got the feedback to give it more dimension I re-did it and shot at an angle and here is what happened, you may have missed it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x82012

Please come around to our forum more often, I don't remember seeing you before, but that could of course easily be my oversight.
Welcome to you - at any rate.

[Alameda]

24. I have been lurking a bit....lol....thank you for the welcome.

I have looked at that camera.....a bit out of my range now, as I've been one of the millions of unemployed for the last year.(went to work and we were all told to take our stuff home at the end of the day. Company closed, customers couldn't get credit to buy our stuff. Also, no COBRA is available when a company closes)
Anyway, if you are interested, here are some of my photos.

http://pets.webshots.com/album/573993559bHKaTL

I've been using a simple compact point and shoot a Casio XLM I like that it's tiny and easy to have with me all the time. I have had a wonderful SLR in the past, but it was so big and cumbersome it hardly got used.

[Mira]

27. I think it matters not so much what camera you carry

what matters is you carry one and use it and train your eye.
I just found the link you provided and from the first AWESOME photo to the last your efforts are phenomenal.
Keep hanging out, post stuff, and let us get to know you.

[CC]

20. Almost missed this.

I love the first one...as it is. Playing with them is fine but don't lose that one. I like the rest but the balance between the leaves and white is divine. I think it would work for the white contest but knowing you we will get a few more unique perspectives before the contest ends.

[Mira]

21. Thanks CC - did you see the follow up after some comments

and I tried to add dimension (WJMS's wish) and make them vertical (NC Whino's suggestion)?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x82012

These surprised me, it was such a simple little setup on my deck.

[dixiegrrrrl]

23. I wonder how the last one would look if it were played around with a bit?

I really like the strength of the colors and the swirls in it.

[intheflow]

26. Trippy!

Especially the third one! :smoke:

I love the first one most though. It evokes a feeling of loss in me, or or at least a feeling of stasis. Not so much as waiting for winter to pass as waiting for a winter of the soul to pass. I can't explain it, but it moves me contemplatively.

[Horse with no Name]

28. I REALLY love these

They are so Victorian.
Thank you for sharing.

[Mira]

29. Thank you so much, Horse with no Name.

These have found quite a few friends. Realizing this I considered using the first one as an entry for "White", and I suspect in the voting it would do better than the one I chose to enter.