It's summertime, though you would be hard pressed to find much in the way of sun, but here's Circle D's latest set of photographs. Would all members let me have their vote for their preferred image and of course do add your comments below or send them to me to be added.
1) Bill A
Fishing in decline: Dungeness, M9 with 90mm Summarit
2) Bill S
Hoverfly feeding: Panasonic G3 and old Leitz Varob enlarging lens - See note page for details
3) David F
Concorde's landing gear taken at Duxford: Leica M2 and 5cm Summicron
Diamond Jubilee Celebratio
Leica M9
6) Duncan K
Peterborou
7) Elaine J
Prefect, Not Perfect. Taken with a Lumix FZ100, with a Leica lens
8) Jim C
Wet & Windy in the North West: DMCL1 D Vario Elmarit
9) Malcolm R
Jubilee - Beer & Skittled. Panasonic TZ20
10) Phil C
Homage to Eggleston: Leica M6, Kodachrome, part of my 64 week series that ran to the death of the film in 2010.
Ascot 2012
12) Rob S
Botero's Medellín, Colombia, X1
Member's photographs listed in alphabetical order.
I think I've cracked it!
ReplyDeleteJust spotted a message in the corner of my usual browser (Firefox) to say it is unsupported, perhaps that's why I have never been able to add a comment in here directly? Anyway if you can see this I have cracked it, if not I'm cracked, perhaps I am anyway, what's wrong with that?
Great pictures this month guys 'n gals (well apart form your's Jim C - I'm heartily sick of those torches already - but I'm a miserable old Bu@@er so I suppose my thoughts don't count!).
I am really glad to see the Circle expanding and fascinated by lengths some of you go to for the sake of using a Leica or part of one, to make images. I've been busy trying to put together some digital slide shows recently, I settled on Boinx Fotomagico as the tool of choice and it seems to work really well, not that many alternatives available for a Mac.
I think the very wet Lady torch steward in black will agree with you Bill. Her expression says it all."I'm cold and Wet, I wish the torch would go out so I can go home for a hot bath"
DeleteNever mind Bill as a real old Bu@@er myself (80) we are allowed freedom of expression. It's what keeps us ticking over. Jim C.
Glad you have a sense of Humour Jim :-)
DeleteBill,
DeletePleased to see you've cracked it! Will take a look at the software you mention.
Phil.
No I haven't it's ended up in the wrong section again.
ReplyDeleteCan you move it please Phil?
Ah, no worries, it's okay here and does allow for replies. P
Delete2
ReplyDeleteThe colours are soft and warm which is a blessing with the weather we have had. Excellent result for a 70+ year old lens.
3
The detail in this is superb, I have enjoyed looking at all the pipes and hoses etc. Glad to see there are no oil leaks!
4
Glad to see HM taking time out, where’s Phil? Popped to the loo? Another oicture with gorgeous rich tones and lots to look at.
5
I can recognize the style in this, it relates immediately to your previous entry. Never have managed to get one single solid style myself; must be doing something wrong.
6
Considering you were half a mile away when you took this Duncan the detail is outstanding and the colours look perfectly natural too. Can’t help but admire your dedication to making fine images in difficult situations.
7
A sad sight, this is the forerunner of the 103E Prefect that was my second car, a wheezy old side valve which generated just enough power to either go forward or run the windscreen wipers, which proved interesting at times. Nevertheless it took me from Tenby to Brancaster one day before motorways and sat-nav. I suspect this sad sight is past saving since restoration costs will likely be much more than resale value.
8
Yet another wet summer day and while the onlookers all have wet weather gear the torch officials in shorts and thin tops look pretty miserable. I wonder who failed to think this through ad decided they would always be out in fine weather?
9
Your quirky humour is showing again Malcolm, it seems that every month you find some strange juxtaposition for us to wonder over.
10
Somehow the grass looks as though it’s a film prop, I suspect that’s the toy giving context and also perhaps the shallow dof. I can certainly relate to the association with Eggleston here.
11
Damned if I know what to make of this. What is he at? When did he land? Why? WHY?
Tonally superb and with perfect dof an intriguing image.
12
I had to Google this to learn more; I have said before on here that I believe photos of artworks should add something. This does, the contrast with the background, angle of view and processing all add to this image. I am not sure what the point of this sculpture is but it makes me feel like an underling beneath the feet and contempt of some bureaucrat or businessman.
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely shot Bill, beautifully composed and treated in post-production. It seems to capture the desolation of the area, looks to be well worth a trip sometime.
2) Bill S
Such inventive use of an enlarging lens. It works well and adds a certain something to the shot - great to see people experimenting with Leica gear in a digital circle.
3) David F
I was at Duxford last weekend, though Concorde is now indoors, along with most of their collection. An amazing place that has really come on in the past decade or so.
4) David K
Ha, this one needs a second glance. Good idea and I like the composition.
5) Del B
I love this sort of work, and this is a real cracker. Nice one.
6) Duncan K
Another inventive use of kit and one that helps ensure the best record is made of the statues.
7) Elaine J
Lovely tones and detail. I'm a sucker for rusting cars, at least in a photographic sense.
8) Jim C
Ah, only in the UK eh! The woman on the left certainly adds to the feel of the day. I took the kids to see it pass near our home and the weather was much the same, then whoosh.... it was gone.
9) Malcolm R
Another well spotted juxtaposition - so easy to miss. You'll have a series of these in time, could make for an interesting publication.
11) Robert H
Well shot and an interesting character in the frame. A good day out I guess!
12) Rob S
An interesting angle and the lighting and production work suit the mood, which seems to be a mix of oppression from the figure mixed with the light and airy blossom.
1) Bill A … Fishing in Decline: Dungeness
ReplyDeleteLooks to be a wealth of photo opportunities on the beach … The real 'box office' imagery in this composition is in the colours, shapes, disrepair and textures of the derelict hut … to my eyes the hut warrants a closer look and more prominence in the photo. The boats look as if they would be worthy of more than a few photos … An idea for a trip!
2) Bill S … Hoverfly feeding
Very interesting use of the ancient Varob … the soft image suits the subject matter and it's a pleasing composition … I'm intrigued by the use of the homemade lens hood … and I'm admiring the perfectly circular lens diaphragm … A good £fiver's worth.
3) David F … Concorde's landing gear
Very interesting hydraulic engineering study - well exposed and sharp - excellent record photograph.
4) David K … Tea with Her Majesty?
Amusing photograph but the boar in the foreground is rather too prominent and detracts from the main centre of interest i.e. HM … Well exposed but there's probably a better picture available within the scene.
5) Del B … Untitled
An excellent study of one lady's personal expression of her femininity … colourful, artistic and sexy … well captured Del and if a candid photo a very brave effort … good enough for a fashion magazine illustration
6) -
7) Elaine J - Prefect not Perfect
Excellent 'story' of the demise of an old banger … once someone's pride and joy … I can feel the textures of the corrosions … nicely exposed and composed.
8) Jim C … Wet and Windy in the North West
One for the participants to look back on as they brave the weather extremes of one of our British summers … well exposed and well caught moments.
9) Malcolm R … Jubilee - Beer & Skittled
Excellent, amusing … chalk and cheese … well seen … and well composed and exposed.
10) Phil C … Homage to Egglestone
Effective and simple … but personally I'd like to see the whole of the trike in focus.
11) Robert H … Ascot 2012
Amusing photo but I think the subject looks a bit daft … maybe the empty plastic glass is indicative of his mood … Personally I'd prefer to see one of the Ascot ladies wearing an outrageous hat rather than this gentleman … unless he's a celebrity?
12) Rob S … Botero's Medellin, Columbia
Not quite sure about the lamp post which appears to be perched on the sculpture's shoulder and I'd like to see some of the shadow lifted from under the brim of the hat - to make the eyes more visible.
Re Duncan K's comments:
ReplyDeleteThe 'pig' - decorated in flags to celebrate the jubilee - is in fact a recognised feature in Bath. Statues of pigs were placed all around the City a couple of years ago to recall the legend of the foundation of Bath. Prince Bladud contracted leprosy, was thrown out of the palace and became a swine herd; his pigs also caught the skin disease but were cured in 'bubbling' mud by the River Avon. Bladud went into the mud himself, was cured, returned home, became King and eventually moved his seat to the site of his cure - resulting in the creation of Bath. So, the pig in the photograph has key meaning!
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteGood illustration of sad decline and time moving on around Dungeness. Although a most interesting picture, there is little sign to me of the association with fishing apart from the boats in the background, which themselves might possibly also shown signs of decline and abandonment in fishing
2) Bill S
A lovely shot with attractive colours, which is nice to see during the miserable summer weather to date this year. Interesting to note the use of an enlarging lens in the composition
3) David F
Great detail illustrated in the shot of the landing gear. A reminder to me of the privilege I once had of flying back from New York on Concorde
5) Del B
Brilliant contrast between the black and yellow, which makes a great picture
6) Duncan K
Fine detail shown having regard to the (presumed) long distance to the subject matter
7) Elaine J
Really nice picture of another form of decline. Composition is good and the rust says it all. Presumably the vehicle was once someone’s pride and joy
8) Jim C
Very topical shot with pride and joy present despite the wet and, looking at the dress code of people at the back, rather cold and miserable conditions
9) Malcolm R
Super title and well spotted! Also well composed, notably with the barrels located between the two buildings
10) Phil C
Nice contrast of colours with the blue wheels and the green and yellow
11) Robert H
Certainly a change from seeing ladies’ headgear at Royal Ascot. The
gentleman looks as though he is having a good day and his red carnation and red poppy (?) hat blend well
12) Rob S
An interesting shot containing much detail. It is a shame that the lamppost ‘rising out of’ the statue’s left shoulder is rather distracting,
Hope you dont mind a little interjection here.
ReplyDeletePer David K's comment "little sign to me of the association with fishing apart from the boats" on Bill A's shot.
Just as in the picture containing the pig, the huts are a very salient feature of the fishing industry in the areas around Dungerness they were in many ways 'Trademark' features for the boat owners inside and out the housed much equipment necessary to use the vessels, the dilapidation of the huts and the lack of evidence of equipment and day to day usage portrays very well the decline. Both scenarios, the hut and the pig serve to show a picture cant tell a whole story if they show a local feature that no one outside knows much about!
Thanks,
DeleteThe following quote from the Dungeness website "Still very much a commercial venture for a couple of families on the beach. It is worth reflecting on the fact that in the past 30 years the number of boats has diminished from 25 – 30 to only 4 today – largely due to various European Union quotas."
1) A terrific sense of loneliness and isolation here. I like the well spaced out decaying sheds (why are old sheds so appealing?) and the boats set high and dry against the sky. Curiously the sea plays no part in the composition.
ReplyDelete2) An old lens, good light, vibrant colours and an obliging bee all combine in a very satisfactory image.
3) Complex engineering as sculpture. It is one of those subjects that rewards exploration with the lens. A closer viewpoint would tighten the composition.
4) She gets everywhere doesn't she! The siting of H.M. outside a Greasy Spoon with an upmarket tea & coffee emporium opposite is a neat and quirky idea but better without the pig I feel.
5) The colours are so well matched here that I wonder if the shot has been set up, if so well done, if not well seen and captured. An unusual image with immediate impact and a certain appeal.
6) Good use of the long lens, I particularly like the contrast between the well defined figure in the left and the faceless one on the right - and indication of the repair work that is going on.
7) An irresistible subject with just enough included in the frame (maybe just a touch off the top to get rid of that red line in the background?). A sad end or a restoration project for someone?
8) Amazing what the British do for fun. Another couple of weeks and the media will have to find something else to focus on.
9) -
10) I can see where you are coming from Phil but I am a long way from being a fan of Egglestone so, sorry but this just does not work for me.
11) 1st thought, "what a happy looking soul". 2nd thought, "background is cluttered". 3rd thought, "without the context of the background he would look a real idiot". Great fun - I like!
12) I suspect that the low angle from which this was taken has lent the sculpture a sense of menace that it might not have had if taken more conventionally. I am reminded of Goldfinger's valet/bodyguard Oddjob in the Bond movie.
1) Bill A.
ReplyDeleteI like the textures on the near shed with the hint of a lone Fishhing Boat hauled up on the beach. This certainly depicts Dungeness as a stark place. I think you have captured the mood of this particular landscape.
2) Bill S.
I find the Hover fly is too much to one side of the flower head it needs to be more central to give impact. Good strong colours of the flower head though.
3) David F.
Good strong graphic of Concordes landing gear. You have certainly filled the frame with your chosen subject. Good depth of field which enables your subject to stand out.
4) David K.
An amusing shot and well spotted. However I feel the pig in the foreground somewhat masks your main centre of attention, maybe you needed to move around a bit to the left.
5) Del B.
The contrast in colours makes this image. The black and yellow are really striking. Well seen and photographed. Simple subjects are always the best!
6) Duncan K.
The camera cpmbination you have chosen here has worked well for you. I think I would like to see the stonework toned down a shade to give a richer feel.
7) Elaine J.
I like the textures on this vintage car which have been rendered well. The subject certainly fills the frame. I like it.
8) Jim C.
A good record of the Olympic flame on its route around the country. It does look rather wet but at least everyone is more or less smiling.
9) Malcolm R.
This is rather amusing with the juxtaposition of the pub next to the Undertakers. Does this bring a whole new meaning to Skittled!
10) Phil C.
The K64 project has given you a bit of a challenge. The childs toy tryke fills the frame , is it really Bernies?
12) Rob S.
This really works in monochrome. The statue is quite overpowering but it is somewhat let down by that annoying lamp standard. Clone it out and it is very effective.
1) Bill A - This is a difficult place to photograph well. For me the digital tweaking has been overcooked and kills the atmosphere of this place. Sorry Bill.
ReplyDelete3) David F - A competent record shot of complex machinery. Done well with a camera that is not particularly suited to that kind of subject. Lighting is just right.
4)David K - Sometimes you have to grab a shot whist you can and risk the framing not being perfect. Good attempt at an amusing subject.
5) Del B - Very daring, it does beg a few questions. Part of the intention I suspect.
6) Duncan K - Now I know how its done. Thanks for the explanatory notes. It is important to record these things and this has been done well. Any corrections applied to the verticals. Is it worth trying two tripods with such a long lens and static subject ( and maybe a Sherpa or two?)
7) Elaine J - Nice shot , nice title.
8)Jim C - A moment well caught, the faces tell it all, a Leica shot.
9)Malcolm R- Well seen - and titled. Super lighting for it , another simple shot which tells a story.
10) Phil C - Different, good colours and lighting for it.
11)Robert H - Another moment well caught, great colours. Probably wise to have used a very long lens for this character.
12)Rob S - Not the usual tourist shot, a pleasing punchy image well framed to keep the statue and its location together. Its good but arguable there is too much detail in it. One of those occasions where ideally one would have liked to have cut the tree down first maybe?
1.
ReplyDeleteFor me too much ‘manipulation’ in PS, composition superb.
2.
What a monster, great photo.
4.
Lovely ‘record shot’ busy detail.
5.
Not sure I like this photo, to posed perhaps.
6.
Great photo, super lens detail, perhaps the top of the arched should have been included.
7.
Well it might be a Prefect but I would prefer ‘Perfect’, superb shot, well composed and lighting wonderful.
8.
A good record shot but too busy for me.
9.
Lovely photo, great fun and colours superb.
10.
Another good photo with lots going for it.
11.
Like this wonderful photo, only criticism is the lady in the blue hair band slightly detracts from the main focus of the photo.
12.
Very nice idea but the lamp post and the tree impose on the composition.
1) Bill A - Fishing in Decline: Dungeness
ReplyDeleteI know this area well (I might be buying a shop nearby) and this captures what it's like really well. Perhaps a little too washed out though.
2) Bill S - Hoverfly feeding
I've learnt something; I had't heard of an enlarging lens before. I like the composition very much. It would have been nice to see a sharper image perhaps.
3) David F - Concorde's landing gear
This is amazing. I really looked at the detail of this. Blurring out the background might help it a little more by making you focusing more on the landing gear.
4) David K - Tea with Her Majesty?
I like these 'captures' of a moment. As others have said a seperation from the pig and letting the people walk more into shot might have helped with the overall composition. I also have a personal thing about things being 'organic' and I tend to avoid staged sets but this has made be rethink.
5) Del B … Untitled
This is my kind of photo. I love the idea of bring two elements together. Excellent. The yellow does work on so many levels.
6) Duncan K - Peterborough Cathedral West Front
I'm afraid I'm not too keen on this type of photo. I wonder if an evening light would have added some depth to it.
7) Elaine J - Prefect not Perfect
I wasn't aware of a Perfect before I saw this. Nice idea and overall look. Knowing me I would have played up the rust a bit in the digital darkroom.
8) Jim C - Wet and Windy in the North West
This seems a long time ago so it's great such images have been captured for history. Shame the runners feet are not included and I might have tried to remove the camera on the left although I appreciate this can't be done with cropping in this case.
9) Malcolm R - Jubilee - Beer & Skittled
It's a little too 'pedestrian' for me I'm afraid. Nice title though.
10) Phil C - Homage to Egglestone
Such a simple composition but it works really well with the chosen depth of field. Nice, very nice. Works small and large which I wonder is a sign of a good photo?
11) Robert H - Ascot 2012
Echoing others it is a bit daft but fun. The depth of field is perfect but it's a shame you've got two people behind who are so close.
12) Rob S - Botero's Medellin, Columbia
1. Bill A
ReplyDeleteComposition and subjects are enhanced in P/Shop creating an excellent picture, P/Shop has created a new direction for photography moving it away from happy snapping.
2. Bill S.
What a very clever little Bee, did you ask it to sit on the third?
3. David F.
It would improve what is a very sharp technical subject if the background had been further out of focus
4. David K.
I don’t think HRH would approve of being upstaged by a Pig. The picture was well worth taking just for the humour.
5. Del B.
Where you very lucky to be there to capture a classic picture, or did you stage manage it? Either way it’s a great picture, composition, colour and shapes. It’s Cat 1. I wish I had taken this.
6. Duncan. K.
A master class in the use of equipment. Impressive detail on the statues from the 560mm Telyt, but only if you have the skill to apply it, well done.
7.Elaine J.
The shapes and colours are very attractive, the lighting is quite soft, strong side lighting would not produce the quality you have achieved.
8.Jim C,
9. Malcolm R.
You find pictures on every corner. This is a classic, all due to the council planning dept. You should have a good portfolio of quirky pictures by now to enter in the annual exhibition.
10.Phil. C.
Is this Acorns .> Oak trees. Did Bernie start by selling Motor Bikes and moved on to Cars. ??
11. Robert H.
Ascot Fun Day?? He looks smart enough to be a member of the Cabinet. How can you miss a picture like this. All technical details go out of the widow. That’s what cameras are for, T.D.M, by HCB.
12. Rob S.
I think Colour would have separated the background from the figure to give more impact .