Yes I'm an idiot, but I'm back and I have pictures

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/05/2006 08:09:38 PM · #1

After yet another study in mediocrity I have come to realize my place right smack dab in the middle of the bell curve! I have had some personal issues that I have been dealing with and unfortunately had to step away from DPC for a while... Well, I've caught the bug again and started taking some pictures and entering challenges... my first two entries had rather dismal scores, but the competition was spectacular and my choices poor. Now... on to the idiot part of this thread....

My wife and I took our annual anniversary trip to beautiful Charleston, SC a couple of weekends ago.... What better place to capture great images of water! Well, there is this great new bridge that was built recently (the longest cable-stay bridge in North America) and I was experimenting with my cool new remote release and long exposure night photography. Hence my challenge entry:

The next morning I got up bright and early... 5:30 AM to be exact... for the sole purpose of taking pictures. It was Sunday and the last day to shoot an entry for the challenge. It was a crisp, cold morning and the sunrise was spectacular.

I managed to get this image of the fountain at waterfront park.

I hurried home, did quick edits of my bridge picture because it was a cool night shot and my first attempt to boot.... Hurry... edit... post... done... water entry submitted!!! Whew... that was close!

Monday... edit and print the images... OMG... the fountain shot turned out pretty good!!! Take it to work.... confirmation... it is pretty good. Homer Simpson moment... DOH!!! Why the hell didn't I submit that image instead of the bridge?!?!?! Oh well... que sera. The bridge did OK... my normal middle-of-the-road.

This isn't a rant or a complaint, I'm perfectly happy with my score, not happy with my choice, but that's another issue entirely. The main point of this thread is to tell a slightly amusing story and to try to drum up a few comments on some new-to-me techniques I tried in Charleston. Please feel free to be as honest as you like and comment away... I will trade C4C.

Other night shots....

and my first "ghost" attempt...

In the heart of South Carolina, I also felt it was appropriate to capture this rare offering from mother nature...

Thanks for listening... and for those of you who comment... thanks in advance, I'll return the favor.

-Lee

saracat

Pentax K10D

04/05/2006 08:15:16 PM · #2

Left a couple of comments.

yeti

Pentax K-3

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

04/05/2006 08:18:23 PM · #3

Night Pier is fantastic. All my attempts at night shots come out with so much noise the neighbors throw shoes at me n sic their dogs on me. I gotta practice more those are nice photos.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

04/05/2006 08:22:20 PM · #4

The bell curve beckons you! :P

ETA: At least you got 17 photographer favorites. I have yet to get one.

Message edited by author 2006-04-05 20:23:22.

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

04/05/2006 08:26:01 PM · #5

Originally posted by yanko:

The bell curve beckons you! :P

ETA: At least you got 17 photographer favorites. I have yet to get one.

YOU are an awesome photographer and I would add you as a favorite in a heartbeat but I made it a habit when I started DPC not to add any favorites, either photographers or photos... I change my mind too much : )

vxpra

Pentax K100D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/05/2006 09:18:11 PM · #6

Left you some comments. I can't believe these are your first attempts at night shots, very well done (I'm speaking from experience of alot of black frames).

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

04/05/2006 10:17:42 PM · #7

Thanks for the kind words guys.... Just finished watching Lost and now I'm off to bed... I will return the comments tomorrow.

yakatme

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/05/2006 10:17:51 PM · #8

On the water fountain shot, one thing that just reaches out and smacks me is that it is that the horizon appears to not be level. I see this often (although this is not an extreme case) and I can't believe that this isn't noticed while post processing.

Take a look at the difference, minor as it is.

---

your shot as posted....and your shot as I see it leveled

or maybe it's just my own pet peeve

Oh yeah, the good news: Great shot. I like it and I think it would have done well with the beautiful colors of the sky.

You and I have two characteristics in common: Get up early just in case there is a shot not to be missed, and then choose the wrong shot to enter into a challenge.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/06/2006 09:52:57 AM · #9

OK, I think I got everyone back for the comments... If I missed you, please let me know.

Oh, and btw... badabumpitybump for the day shift.

Still offering C4C... act now while supplies last! ;-)

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

04/06/2006 10:10:52 AM · #10

Hey cat, I don't know if it means anything, but I actually had noticed that you haven't been around for a while.

The new pics are stunning additions to your profile. VERY well done!