This current set of shots made me realise something about most of my recent photography, not in terms of content, but in terms of the circumstances under which they are shot. A lot of the stuff that I post is shot under flat light, of one sort or another – dull days on the beach, portraits with bounced fill-flash, and so on. All these recent shots though were taken under quite different conditions. All were quite dimly lit – this one, for example, was a six second exposure – but in each case the light was directional (albeit diffuse). In this sense the light becomes much more crucial to the photograph in that it becomes a component of the scene rather than just a source of illumination. That sounds pretentious, and I could probably have put it better, but what I guess I'm trying to say is that it was a good experience to spend some time shooting under different conditions.
Oh, and I couldn't think of a title for this one either.
Update: I'll reply to individual comments later on today, but in the meanwhile I wanted to say something about an issue that some of your have raised: i.e. was this staged? Yes, and no. I did move the tray, but only by a few inches to centralise it on the tiles. Had I not done so, in my opinion at least, the shot wouldn't have worked. Arguably, as quite a few of you have assumed that this is a contrived shot, it doesn't work like this either; but it seemed like a good idea at the time :-)
captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter cropped?
10.58pm on 20/10/06
Canon 20D
EF 17-40 f/4L USM
32mm (51mm equiv.)
f/8.0
6s
aperture priority
-1/3
evaluative
100
no
RAW
C1 Pro
no
comment bynferreira at 08:15 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
I agree with you. Experimenting it's the best way to learn new things about photography and avoid some photographic clichés. We grew as photographers and as creatives.
About today's photo, it's very different from the rest of your work (as you've said) but very Chromasia at the same time.
comment by Paul Courtney at 08:27 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
Hi Dave,
Another interesting shot here. Really good colour range and nice angles going on to highten the interest. I love the way that the clear bowls show through the tile colour beneath. These last set of shots have all had really unusual lighting, as you said, but yet, even out of your usual setting you have managed to bring the best out of both the situation and yourself. Well played.
As for the title, how about ' Quarter past'
comment by Jennifer at 08:38 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
'Condiments of the seasoning' - as my Dad says when putting salt and pepper on his Christmas dinner! Colours very good and I'm not gonna complain about the state of my kitchen floor again!
comment byRamsey at 08:56 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
I like the way the bowls and the shakers are positioned at an angle to the tiles and also the textures. Very warm photo.
comment byPsychodudu at 09:04 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
It is encouraging for me to hear that you are still reaching, testing yourself, and whilst being pleased with the result of the image, you allow for further improvement, welcoming the discussion, inviting debate.
I have to say I'm still not "feeling" these images, I appreciate the artistic side of it, but it's too contrived for me. I know you said you like yesterday's and today's images the best, and I'm left wondering if there's something I'm missing....
comment bypeter at 09:32 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
It's great to discover new things and play around with ideas to see what happens. This is a pretty straightforward shot, but what makes it work for me is the soft light. Nice one.
comment by Shervane at 09:42 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
Stunning! Magnificent symmetry!
And I like like the effect of fading out in the corners of the photo.
comment byRies at 10:16 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
Like the colors and lighting very much. Experimenting makes photography so great.
comment bySysagent at 10:49 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
Did you place the condiments holder in this position Dave or was it like this when you found it?
Like the wierd mood and content of this shot, it should be really crap with whats in it but it isn't at all, it's almost interesting!
:-)
comment bysniper at 11:27 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
as always David, nice shot but the last one was better in my humble opinion :) greetings from Poland.
comment bysniper at 11:28 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
*previous was better ;]
comment by Arthur at 11:40 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
It’s always the light that really makes a photo... :-)
comment byJohn at 11:40 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2006
Rich colors and lighting. Much different than your usual "stuff."
comment byAnil at 12:25 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
I like the saturated colors but more than that the composition. An almost perfect diagnol the tray makes!
comment byJohn Zeweniuk at 01:08 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
I'm loving the subject matter and the execution combined. I've seen shots with similar subject matter that hasn't interested me but these are quite nice. I love how the tray works with the floor, not so much in imagery as in culture and time if that makes any sense. I'm really intrigued and fascinated by this and presents some food for thought.
comment by steve at 01:40 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
this feels staged. the previous post may have been staged as well, but it didn't give the same contrived feeling. it really worked for me, this doesn't. but the talent is evident.
comment byRyanT at 01:43 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
In my opinion, the last 2 were much better. I can appreciate the symmetry and the somewhat dramatic lighting in this one however it isn't engaging to me. This is a condiment tray on the floor. Also, you mentioned "the circumstances under which they are shot". The scene may have been really cool but of course none of us were there. I try to disconnect my emotions and feelings after the fact and ask myself, is this engaging or interesting if I hadn't been there. I think you really captured something in the previous 2. With this one it's almost like a "you had to be there".
comment byGabriel Loeb at 02:29 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
I love the detail of the lines in mud on the floor, but for some reason the fact that the subject is centered on the tiles bothers me. I'm not sure if you found it there or placed it there, but something about it irks me. On a more positive note, the grit is awesome, and the highlights in the metal are very visually appealing to me.
comment bymooch at 09:02 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
I dislike this. Was it shot in situ? Doubtful, all looks rather contrived and the subject ain't hot either.
comment byFantom Poet at 09:03 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
I really do like the colours and the lighting of this shot. I however do agree with several of the comments above that it feels too staged, I think this is due to the fact that the placement of the condiment tray on the tiles is too symetrical, a little too much perfection in an imperfect scene.
comment byultimoscatto at 09:44 AM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
wow
comment byKarl Baumann at 08:24 PM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
nice composition and cool colors :)
comment byPaul at 09:45 PM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
I appear to be in a minority here but i like this, good use of lines, colour and shape
comment bydjn1 at 11:54 PM (GMT) on 25 October, 2006
Thanks everyone; and it's always interesting when something gets a mixed reaction, not least because it gives me something to think about for the future.
comment byChris at 10:51 PM (GMT) on 26 October, 2006
How about 'Condiments of a Past Season' or 'Relish in the Past' as a title?
A little contrived I know, but at least they are topical.
This current set of shots made me realise something about most of my recent photography, not in terms of content, but in terms of the circumstances under which they are shot. A lot of the stuff that I post is shot under flat light, of one sort or another – dull days on the beach, portraits with bounced fill-flash, and so on. All these recent shots though were taken under quite different conditions. All were quite dimly lit – this one, for example, was a six second exposure – but in each case the light was directional (albeit diffuse). In this sense the light becomes much more crucial to the photograph in that it becomes a component of the scene rather than just a source of illumination. That sounds pretentious, and I could probably have put it better, but what I guess I'm trying to say is that it was a good experience to spend some time shooting under different conditions.
Oh, and I couldn't think of a title for this one either.
Update: I'll reply to individual comments later on today, but in the meanwhile I wanted to say something about an issue that some of your have raised: i.e. was this staged? Yes, and no. I did move the tray, but only by a few inches to centralise it on the tiles. Had I not done so, in my opinion at least, the shot wouldn't have worked. Arguably, as quite a few of you have assumed that this is a contrived shot, it doesn't work like this either; but it seemed like a good idea at the time :-)
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
Canon 20D
EF 17-40 f/4L USM
32mm (51mm equiv.)
f/8.0
6s
aperture priority
-1/3
evaluative
100
no
RAW
C1 Pro
no
I agree with you. Experimenting it's the best way to learn new things about photography and avoid some photographic clichés. We grew as photographers and as creatives.
About today's photo, it's very different from the rest of your work (as you've said) but very Chromasia at the same time.
Hi Dave,
Another interesting shot here. Really good colour range and nice angles going on to highten the interest. I love the way that the clear bowls show through the tile colour beneath. These last set of shots have all had really unusual lighting, as you said, but yet, even out of your usual setting you have managed to bring the best out of both the situation and yourself. Well played.
As for the title, how about ' Quarter past'
'Condiments of the seasoning' - as my Dad says when putting salt and pepper on his Christmas dinner! Colours very good and I'm not gonna complain about the state of my kitchen floor again!
I like the way the bowls and the shakers are positioned at an angle to the tiles and also the textures. Very warm photo.
It is encouraging for me to hear that you are still reaching, testing yourself, and whilst being pleased with the result of the image, you allow for further improvement, welcoming the discussion, inviting debate.
I have to say I'm still not "feeling" these images, I appreciate the artistic side of it, but it's too contrived for me. I know you said you like yesterday's and today's images the best, and I'm left wondering if there's something I'm missing....
It's great to discover new things and play around with ideas to see what happens. This is a pretty straightforward shot, but what makes it work for me is the soft light. Nice one.
Stunning! Magnificent symmetry!
And I like like the effect of fading out in the corners of the photo.
Like the colors and lighting very much. Experimenting makes photography so great.
Did you place the condiments holder in this position Dave or was it like this when you found it?
Like the wierd mood and content of this shot, it should be really crap with whats in it but it isn't at all, it's almost interesting!
:-)
as always David, nice shot but the last one was better in my humble opinion :) greetings from Poland.
*previous was better ;]
It’s always the light that really makes a photo... :-)
Rich colors and lighting. Much different than your usual "stuff."
I like the saturated colors but more than that the composition. An almost perfect diagnol the tray makes!
I'm loving the subject matter and the execution combined. I've seen shots with similar subject matter that hasn't interested me but these are quite nice. I love how the tray works with the floor, not so much in imagery as in culture and time if that makes any sense. I'm really intrigued and fascinated by this and presents some food for thought.
this feels staged. the previous post may have been staged as well, but it didn't give the same contrived feeling. it really worked for me, this doesn't. but the talent is evident.
In my opinion, the last 2 were much better. I can appreciate the symmetry and the somewhat dramatic lighting in this one however it isn't engaging to me. This is a condiment tray on the floor. Also, you mentioned "the circumstances under which they are shot". The scene may have been really cool but of course none of us were there. I try to disconnect my emotions and feelings after the fact and ask myself, is this engaging or interesting if I hadn't been there. I think you really captured something in the previous 2. With this one it's almost like a "you had to be there".
I love the detail of the lines in mud on the floor, but for some reason the fact that the subject is centered on the tiles bothers me. I'm not sure if you found it there or placed it there, but something about it irks me. On a more positive note, the grit is awesome, and the highlights in the metal are very visually appealing to me.
I dislike this. Was it shot in situ? Doubtful, all looks rather contrived and the subject ain't hot either.
I really do like the colours and the lighting of this shot. I however do agree with several of the comments above that it feels too staged, I think this is due to the fact that the placement of the condiment tray on the tiles is too symetrical, a little too much perfection in an imperfect scene.
wow
nice composition and cool colors :)
I appear to be in a minority here but i like this, good use of lines, colour and shape
Thanks everyone; and it's always interesting when something gets a mixed reaction, not least because it gives me something to think about for the future.
How about 'Condiments of a Past Season' or 'Relish in the Past' as a title?
A little contrived I know, but at least they are topical.