#51 - Household Items

On behalf of Nick (nvitalephotography) this is assignment 51: Household Items

A lot of photos are judged based on subject matter alone, not the techniques and skills required to capture the scene to its fullest potential. So for this assignment I want to switch it up. Your subject should just be a common household object, focus on the composition, lighting, DOF, etc. to make a winning shot instead of a winning subject. Now people with access to amazing landscapes or rare wildlife don't have an advantage due to better subjects. Get creative.

The following photos have been selected as finalists:

Name: Bgood
Motivation: While not technically a photo of an item. It captures the idea of the assignment perfectly. Using a common item to create something so unique. Awesome

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8...a2e881c1_z.jpg



Name: Bgood
Motivation: The lighting and pattern the books create is perfect, making a boring subject really stand out..

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/8...c801eb75_c.jpg



Name: Andrew Stringer
Motivation: This looks like it could be an advertisement for a high-end knife. A product shot that is actually unique.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...2f37d4c3_c.jpg



Name: CLS
Motivation: Looks so simple, but something about it just keeps me looking at it again and again.

http://community.the-digital-picture...3&d=1372248742


The poll will be opened for 3 days. Good luck!!

I like this idea and the reasoning behind it. I don't know yet what I'll try to shoot, but I like it :-)

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Originally Posted by Colin500

I like this idea and the reasoning behind it. I don't know yet what I'll try to shoot, but I like it :-)

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I was thinking the same exact thing, I'm going to have to take something new rather than rely on old stuff.

While I'm still trying to decide what new things to shoot for this assignment, here's one from a few months ago. While not technically a household item, it was shot in my garage with an incense stick. It's a composite image of several shots of the smoke from the stick.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8...a2e881c1_z.jpg
Ethereal Corpse by B_R_T, on Flickr

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bgood

While I'm still trying to decide what new things to shoot for this assignment, here's one from a few months ago. While not technically a household item, it was shot in my garage with an incense stick. It's a composite image of several shots of the smoke from the stick.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8...a2e881c1_z.jpg
Ethereal Corpse by B_R_T, on Flickr

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Cool

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Originally Posted by Busted Knuckles

Cool

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Very cool!

Are you sure it wasn't shot with Canons new X ray lens?

Amazing! A smoke terminator!

Thanks. It was fun to spend a bit of time putting it together. For the record, it was the super new Canon 50mm f/1.4 XRL lens, coming soon to airports near you.

Well, bgood, the Ethereal Corpse is easily the best entry so far. (It seems you've scared away the competition!)

Jon, it's such an honor to be the best entry so far...thanks for the support. :) Had a few minutes to mess around this afternoon with some books and a few flashes, so here's image #2 in the best so far series....a little light reading (pun intended).

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/8...c801eb75_c.jpg
Light Reading by B_R_T, on Flickr

Bgood.

I often wonder if you are a photographer or an artist, or does it matter? One thing is clear, that's your talent.

Just don't stop posting.

Agreed 3x. Really well done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raid

Bgood.

I often wonder if you are a photographer or an artist, or does it matter? One thing is clear, that's your talent.

Just don't stop posting.

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Thanks guys. I am constantly in awe of the art works / photography that is posted to these assignments. I really appreciate even being considered on par with so many of those shots. Thanks again for everyone's kind words. I am not sure if I will have much more time to play with this topic in the coming weeks (even though this one really intrigues me). So, here's one more from the smoke shoot I did a few months ago. Again, it's a compilation, using Photoshop, of a couple of the smoke shots.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8...9e977d6c_c.jpg
Of Smoke and Roses Composite by B_R_T, on Flickr

It's not easy to make household items look interesting. Brian has done a good job with his books. Here's my entry:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/8...a6b2e209_c.jpg
Household Chores by Andrew Stringer, on Flickr

I might find some time to shoot new shot(s) before the end of the entry period, in the mean time I'll start with this one, from the archives:

"Celebrate!"

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/6...366e907a_b.jpg
EOS 5D Mark II, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, 6 s, f/5, ISO 100

Let's try another one.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...2f37d4c3_c.jpg
Knife Under Running Water by Andrew Stringer, on Flickr

Neuro - love the cork shot. The context around it is perfectly framed. Andy, I can't quit looking at the knife shot. Great work.

Americo would be proud neuro;)

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Originally Posted by andnowimbroke

Americo would be proud neuro;)

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LOL... I was thinking the same thing;)

WOW - really creative.... I feel sooooo inadequate :) Well done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Andy Stringer

Let's try another one.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...2f37d4c3_c.jpg
Knife Under Running Water by Andrew Stringer, on Flickr

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The thing with the knife is cool, but you need a plastic tube to control the water.

I thought I might submit something if it's not too late.

I had a collection of cat whiskers that I knitted into a very small sweater. I think I may create a small doll or creature to wear it. Then I will take a picture.

Just bumping this thread as the deadline is coming up. I am trying to make time to shoot something for this assignment before the end of the month.....

Running out of time, still collecting whiskers....... :)

I had a look through the kitchen drawers trying to find something interesting. The grater looked like a good start and after I added some flash and smoke it ended up like this.

"Grater on Fire"
Attachment 1873

Grate pic, cls. :)

Great entries so far. Great Job Everyone.

Compared to the images already posted I feel so inadequate posting mine.

Coriander Seeds - Canon 60D + 100mm Macro at [Aperture : f14] [Shutter Speed : 13 sec] [ISO : 100] [Increased Color Temp,Clarity and Shadows in Adobe Camera Raw]

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/9...30780956_c.jpg
Coriander Seeds by DSLR Newbie Test Area, on Flickr

Not as artistic as Bgood but continuing with the Smoke theme here...

Single smoke image. Flipped 3 times to create 4 overlapping layers and a gradient color for some extra kick.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9...50291ea7_c.jpg
Smoke by DSLR Newbie Test Area, on Flickr

Thought I'd submit my entry before the deadline. My version of a household item. Taken with a 400D (sic), Tamron 17-50 2.8 (at 26mm) with a polarising filter. Settings: Iso 100, f 5.0, 1/100.
Raw conversion in DPP, BW conversion and contrast enhancement in Adobe Photoshop.

Don't have a website to upload from, so here is a downsized version.
Lars
Attachment 1875

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DSLR_Newbie

Not as artistic as Bgood but continuing with the Smoke theme here...

Single smoke image. Flipped 3 times to create 4 overlapping layers and a gradient color for some extra kick.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9...50291ea7_c.jpg
Smoke by DSLR Newbie Test Area, on Flickr

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Looks like a knee joint, with serious issues :)

I'll squeeze one in here, not a reflected self portrait, but a shot of the new espresso machine and naked portafilter.
Crema, anyone?
[img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/9...e853e0ec_b.jpg
The Rocket Man by Steve's Life, on Flickr[/img]

Thanks for viewing.

The entry-period for this assignment has ended. I have send Nick a message to select his favorites, hopefully we'll have a poll running soon. Good luck!

The finalists have been selected and the poll will be opened for 3 days! Good luck guys!

I have to say that it is the first time I have so much trouble to choose a winner. Great ideas and great pictures from every finalist!

And we have a winner: Congrats Bgood!! I'll contact you for the next assignment.

My apologies for the sloppy hosting at the moment. I'm having a very busy personal life right now(getting my own place). I should have more time soon :)

Congrats Brian!! Looking forward to the next assignment