Question

[HorizonsDream]

Okay, so this is going to sound like a very odd question. Though, before I actually ask the question, let me give a little background.

The past few months, I've been joining what is called a photography scavenger hunt. Basically, 500 people (including myself) are all given a list of ten things to find with our cameras, and we are suppose to take a picture of it. We are allowed to edit the picture and stuff too. My problem is that I only have Jaded to help me out in deciding which version of the picture I take is the best before I post it up for the scavenger hunt. I could really use a few more eyes to look at my pictures.

I was wondering if I could post a few of my pictures on here, and perhaps get some input on which pictures you guys think are the best?

[Jenara]

Go for it, we'll both help.

[HorizonsDream]

Thanks! I'll make a new thread for the photos when I get the chance.

[Breila]

I'll have a look and comment, too.

[HorizonsDream]

Smoke 1

Smoke 2

Smoke 3

Smoke 4

Smoke 5

So my pictures are too big to actually post on these forms, and I'm not willing to crop and resize them as I think that loses the effect.

One of the things I had to find is smoke, so these are my attempts at smoke. The only that I actually have picked for the scavenger hunt is Smoke 3 so far. I actually can't use 1 or 2 because I have shown those pictures to the public on G+. I just wanted to show them off here because I think they are cool looking.

[HorizonsDream]

Hecate Shallow Focus 1

Hecate Shallow Focus 2

Hecate Shallow Focus 3

Hecate Shallow Focus 4

This one I probably have to explain a little. The thing I have to find is a shallow depth of field. This means that the background has to be blurry while the subject has to be in focus. All four of these pictures meets that requirement. Now, it is just a matter of figuring out which one I like the best. I'm leaning towards the second picture myself. Let me know what you think.

Also, this is my cat Hecate. She didn't like being my model.

[Breila]

Well, first let me congratulate on the pictures as a whole! You're really skilled with a camera.

For the smoke pictures, I would favor # 4, because 2 and 3 have such a linear flow of the smoke that, together with the color enhancement, they make me think of a flow of silk rather than of smoke.

And I like Hecate on picture # 3 best. It shows more of her character, I think. I like it when cats squint like this, and the sunlight in her ear adds a nice touch.

Oh, and I'd be interested in adding you to my G+ circles. You know my real world name, so you can add me to yours if you like the idea.

[HorizonsDream]

Thank you! I'm still learning a lot of stuff, but now that I have my new camera, I feel like I have grown so much in just a few short weeks as photographer.

I'm going to be changing the smoke ones pretty soon. I ended up taking like 30 pictures of smoke alone, and now I know how to do even more with them! I'm just so excited and proud of myself. I'll post what I got later on.

Breila, I don't mind adding you on G+ at all. I'll send you a message with my name and everything.

[HorizonsDream]

All right!

Earlier this evening, I took over 30 pictures of smoke. I still wasn't completely happy with the way the first few pictures turned out, so I needed to take more. I haven't played with all of them yet, but I have four more pictures that I'm happier with. So here are the final four! Enjoy!


Smoke 1

Smoke 2

Smoke 3

Smoke 4

I am leaning towards the first one myself. I absolutely love how the smoke turned out on that one. It reminds me of paint brush strokes. That actually gives me an idea to enhance that photo more. I need a paint brush.

[HorizonsDream]

Okay, so I decided to get a little more creative.

I took this photo of smoke and combined it with this paintbrush to come up with this finished photo.

What do you think?

[Breila]

hmmm... could you move the brush down so that it actually touches the green smoke?

[HorizonsDream]

After some consideration, I think I'll leave out the paint brush. It looks a little weird without the shadows. Though, I think that the original piece will be put into my scavenger hunt album. I'll get more pictures up once I have taken them.

[Jenara]

The picture is great, love the colours.

[HorizonsDream]

Thanks!

[Stik]

HD -
My brother's a photographer and graphic artist. If you'd like, I'll ask him to take a look at your work as well.