Second year of weekly prompts of https://52frames.com/ – each week the photographers are given a prompt of a type of photo to take. Below are the photos I have taken so far per these prompts. My profile can be found at https://52fram.es/huntzhogz to view comments I receive. I also post on instagram (see link at top).
Week 44 Baked: Soda BreadMy wife loves bread, but has a yeast allergy. In the middle of the move chaos we've been watching "The Great British Bake Off", and at least one episode featured Soda Bread (aka Irish Soda Bread). Inspired, my wife decided to have a go, and has become an occasional treat.
I took a few photos through the process of baking and the final product. In the end, I think this was the best. No additional lighting used outside of the overhead kitchen lights. While the background was intentionally blurred with narrow depth of field, I also applied a gradient filter to reduce exposure further, and also to remove a distraction upper-right.
I took a few photos through the process of baking and the final product. In the end, I think this was the best. No additional lighting used outside of the overhead kitchen lights. While the background was intentionally blurred with narrow depth of field, I also applied a gradient filter to reduce exposure further, and also to remove a distraction upper-right.
Week 43 Nature - Growing togetherI was walking around the wooded area of my property, paying more attention to the beauty on my doorstep. While doing so, I found these fascinating two trees - they practically merge together in places, but yet are distinct. Growing tall together. I wonder how old these two trees are, and how much life ahead of them.
I find this a fitting allegory of marriage.
I find this a fitting allegory of marriage.
Week 42 On the Ground: SlippedI was thinking about how to tell a story in the context of this weeks prompt "On the ground". The star of the show is this banana peel, so haphazardly tossed aside, on a very wet ground (and it was actively raining when I did this). The co-star is my wife's boots.
Week 41 - Panorama: Liberty Bay MarinaI was down to the wire with 7 hours to go. I visited one of my favorite marinas - Liberty Bay Marina (private Marina). Not to be confused with Poulsbo Marina or the yacht club marina.
Original image is 114 photos (38 x 3) using EV bracketing for HDR. Image processed using PTGui
Original image is 114 photos (38 x 3) using EV bracketing for HDR. Image processed using PTGui
Week 40 - A Quiet Moment: Solitude in SanctityThis weeks submission for #52frames "A Quiet Moment"
I'm titling this "Solitude in Sanctity" but what would be your title?
I'm titling this "Solitude in Sanctity" but what would be your title?
Week 39 - Modes of Transportation: DrivewayThis weeks #52frames is modes of transportation. I think a cool beautiful driveway to paradise counts?
Week 38 - Levitation: Just banana'sWe are in full swing of moving, which is driving us banana's, so this seemed like an appropriate subject for this weeks levitation challenge.
Week 37 - A Beautiful View: The Path Ahead Of UsMy wife and I found a new home we immediately fell in love with. The week of this #52frames challenge coincided with us closing on the home, and given the craziness of moving, has not left much time, so this is in one sense a streak saver, but I didn't want to throw this away. One of the beautiful features and everyday view that I'm looking to enjoy is this path through the woods. This weeks image also conveys the future together in our new home.
My wife and I stand as a "foreground interest". Subtle light rays were added during the edit phase. I really wanted to convey the feeling of massiveness of the trees and the trail, with the beauty that entails, vs zooming in on us.
PS, this also gives us space for a bigger studio in the Poulsbo area
My wife and I stand as a "foreground interest". Subtle light rays were added during the edit phase. I really wanted to convey the feeling of massiveness of the trees and the trail, with the beauty that entails, vs zooming in on us.
PS, this also gives us space for a bigger studio in the Poulsbo area
Week 36 - Blue Hour: Good morning, time to wake up52Frames submission for "Blue Hour" showing a beautifully lit home early morning prior to sunrise.
Week 36 - Blue Hour (Alt): Painted sunsetAbstract using ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) to capture the mood of sunset
Week 35 - Rule of Thirds: Coffee Brewed in Home Made MugIn March 2023, my wife and I had a pottery class where we made some mugs. This is one my wife made, where the inside goes so well with this cloth.
I wanted to go beyond just following rule of thirds for the mug, but also to give a sense of balance by counter-balancing it with a jar of coffee beans "spilt" over the cloth. The cloth and the beans gives two dominant colors - purple and brown (not quite yellow). Tried to pick a focal point and depth to ensure cup is mostly in focus while beans go out of focus. The high contrast of the mug and extra colors along with placement draws eyes to it as central focus, while the beans in top-right (also using rule of thirds) counter-balances it. Applied a slight exposure mask towards back to further draw eyes to cup.
I wanted to go beyond just following rule of thirds for the mug, but also to give a sense of balance by counter-balancing it with a jar of coffee beans "spilt" over the cloth. The cloth and the beans gives two dominant colors - purple and brown (not quite yellow). Tried to pick a focal point and depth to ensure cup is mostly in focus while beans go out of focus. The high contrast of the mug and extra colors along with placement draws eyes to it as central focus, while the beans in top-right (also using rule of thirds) counter-balances it. Applied a slight exposure mask towards back to further draw eyes to cup.
Week 34 - Rule of Odds: Caffe Darte TreMy wife and I discovered a new coffee bean that makes a great cappuccino, which has suddenly become part of our routine - may not be a good thing for our diet. My wife claims she tastes chocolate back notes with this new coffee.
For the composition, I repurposed very interesting tea cups as cappuccino cups. To spoil this picture, the cappuccino's were made for looks and not taste - using a different bean to get the water color. I created a mask for the cinnamon, but sadly over did it a little - oops. The "milk" is mostly water with a little milk and foam. Light was AD200 - I used kitchen roll as a make-shift diffuser, long exposure (1/10) to bring up background light, and focus stacking to focus on the drinks over everything else.
For the composition, I repurposed very interesting tea cups as cappuccino cups. To spoil this picture, the cappuccino's were made for looks and not taste - using a different bean to get the water color. I created a mask for the cinnamon, but sadly over did it a little - oops. The "milk" is mostly water with a little milk and foam. Light was AD200 - I used kitchen roll as a make-shift diffuser, long exposure (1/10) to bring up background light, and focus stacking to focus on the drinks over everything else.
Week 33 - Door: Photo tripSadly this week has been a busy week, so this is a last minute submission for the weekly 52 frames challenge.
I wanted to ideally tell a story - but needed something simple to execute. The idea here is getting car ready for a photography trip. Some elements here is trying to frame the door with contrast (i.e. me), and also having the bags hap-hazard, but adding some leading lines. Big challenge here is figuring the right crop. Seems tighter is better. I also used a color grading LUT for final look.
Overall, not happy with how this came out, but, not my worst.
I wanted to ideally tell a story - but needed something simple to execute. The idea here is getting car ready for a photography trip. Some elements here is trying to frame the door with contrast (i.e. me), and also having the bags hap-hazard, but adding some leading lines. Big challenge here is figuring the right crop. Seems tighter is better. I also used a color grading LUT for final look.
Overall, not happy with how this came out, but, not my worst.
Week 32 - Night Photography: Forest KitchenPhoto taken while "camping" last couple of days in Brinnon Washington. Not sure I can really call spending a couple of nights in an RV with electrical hook up "camping", but I can say that when the night draws in, it is absolutely beautiful. The problem with night photography is a source of light.
The campsite is intended for groups (I was there as part of a large group) and features a "cookhouse" - a place where the group can gather to eat. Late at night, that was one of the few sources of light, and the interplay between the light and the trees drew my attention.
The photo has been color-graded to have reds and yellow hues. I have also included non color-graded photo.
The campsite is intended for groups (I was there as part of a large group) and features a "cookhouse" - a place where the group can gather to eat. Late at night, that was one of the few sources of light, and the interplay between the light and the trees drew my attention.
The photo has been color-graded to have reds and yellow hues. I have also included non color-graded photo.
Week 31 - Distortion: Distorting Reality through Smoke and MirrorsMy concept here was "Distorting Reality" - my mind immediately went to how a magician uses smoke and mirrors to distort reality by making something hover in space. Now I don't quite have the magicians projector here (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_and_mirrors) but I had a lot of fun with this setup. I used a projector to project "Reality" (upside down) on Black reflective acrylic. A mirror below then reflected this to "Reality" (right way up). I used a smoke machine to disrupt the light and let the light reflect on the smoke rather than the mirror.
Week 30 - Water: RefractionThis weeks submission was an experiment in water refraction. I set up a glass of water on black acrylic (if I was to redo this, I'd use a mirror). A black V-Flat to the right, light to right, and light above.
Over processed in editing to give a more graphics feel to this rather than photo feel.
Over processed in editing to give a more graphics feel to this rather than photo feel.
Week 29: Shape With Light: BubblesInspired by a video I saw, I wanted to use light to shape these bubbles. I had intended for a very low key photo, but changed direction to highlight these very colorful bubbles.
Week 28 - Spoon: Hand carved by local artistWith this #52frames #52frames_spoon challenge, my mind immediately went to a local craftsman - Eric - who willingly brought a large collection of hand crafted spoons to my studio on Tuesday (9th). They were all amazing, and I had a hard time selecting what I wanted to photograph. These were three particularly interesting spoons, using the two whale tail to give some level of symmetry.
See more Woodwork by Eric
See more Woodwork by Eric
Week 27 Triangular Composition - M/V PuyallupOne of my personal challenges is to use the prompted technique to accentuate the photo - that is, the technique adds something to the photo somehow. I found that particularly difficult to find something that fits this weeks challenge, where also it would be something less if it wasn't triangular composition.
In Kingston, Saltair Beach Park has a very interesting driftwood log, so used triangular composition to frame the ferry.
In Kingston, Saltair Beach Park has a very interesting driftwood log, so used triangular composition to frame the ferry.
Week 26 - Negative Space: Last BiteThis week's challenge was Negative Space. I challenged myself that I needed to use negative space to help tell the story. I had a few ideas, but in the end, this one won - well that, and I wanted an excuse to eat some cheese cake. Please let me know if you think I used negative space effectively to help with this story.
Week 24 Abstract - Ferry unloading chaosIt's Sunday afternoon in Kingston. There's a farmers market that seems overly quiet. Music in the park, and maybe 20-30 people listening. Vendors around having a quiet afternoon. And then the ferry arrives. For 10 minutes it feels like chaos as crowds of people unload and worm their way into Kingston through the market. Soon, it dies down, and it's quiet again.
I'm dissatisfied with my submission this week - it was difficult to pull out the ferry crowd story from this, and probably on my list of redo's end of year. Multiple photos taken slightly different angles and time. Picked three for the composite, and used Photoshop mean to merge them.
I'm dissatisfied with my submission this week - it was difficult to pull out the ferry crowd story from this, and probably on my list of redo's end of year. Multiple photos taken slightly different angles and time. Picked three for the composite, and used Photoshop mean to merge them.
Week 23 Line from a song - I'll be watching youThe song - Every breath you take - written by Sting (The Police) generally seen as a love song, can be interpreted as very sinister when you think through the words. The specific line captured in this photo is "I'll be watching you".
My desire for this photo was to keep the subject anonymous - who is it looking out the window? What are they watching? By crunching the blacks - I've made the subject anonymous. By raising the whites, there is no definition of what is outside - a mystery of who they are watching through the window and why - who is passing by? Why is the subject watching them? Maybe its a neighbor passing by? Maybe a jogger? So many questions.
My desire for this photo was to keep the subject anonymous - who is it looking out the window? What are they watching? By crunching the blacks - I've made the subject anonymous. By raising the whites, there is no definition of what is outside - a mystery of who they are watching through the window and why - who is passing by? Why is the subject watching them? Maybe its a neighbor passing by? Maybe a jogger? So many questions.
Week 22 Shoot with a phone - A Kodak MomentWhat is more fitting for this weeks challenge of using a cell phone - that has become the camera of the masses - then to take a photo of the Kodak Brownie - well known for bringing the camera to the masses. This particular version is the Kodak Starflex, produced 1957-1964. It takes the "127 roll film" (now rare - some people adapt 120 film). I picked up this specific camera Saturday along with a sibling - the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash. Neither are in a condition to take photos, but after a clean up, they are now ready to be repurposed as props for my new studio.
Week 21 Details: Tartan - Hunter/ModernA Tartan is a quality woolen cloth woven into a pattern of plaid that is associated with a given Scottish clan. Wearing of Highland dress including a Tartan kilt was banned from 1746 through 1782 with risk of imprisonment.
The "Hunter" clan has two patterns, referred to as "Ancient" and "Modern". While visiting Scotland, I visited Lochcarron and placed an order for a tie in the "Hunter/Modern" pattern, which arrived in UK just before I returned. There's a video of the weaving process on https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/
What is particular interesting to me is how the blues mix in with the blacks and greens that when viewed at a distance gives an impression of different shades.
The "Hunter" clan has two patterns, referred to as "Ancient" and "Modern". While visiting Scotland, I visited Lochcarron and placed an order for a tie in the "Hunter/Modern" pattern, which arrived in UK just before I returned. There's a video of the weaving process on https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/
What is particular interesting to me is how the blues mix in with the blacks and greens that when viewed at a distance gives an impression of different shades.
Week 20: Reflection - Infinity MirrorsI was on vacation, touring in Scotland. One of the places I visited was "Camera Obscura" that opened in 1853. There were multiple interesting attractions that included mirrors, one of which was this triangular infinity mirror with constantly changing colors. (Additional context, an infinity mirror is where there are a number of right angled mirrors along edges in addition to main mirror(s), and usually some lights, so that the lights appear to go on infinitely whichever way you look)
My goal here was to focus on geometric patterns using the reflections of lights in the infinity mirrors. In post, I did some final alignment to balance the symmetry on this as much as I can.
My goal here was to focus on geometric patterns using the reflections of lights in the infinity mirrors. In post, I did some final alignment to balance the symmetry on this as much as I can.
Week 19 Wide Aperture - LibertyThis week, I noticed my wife's coin collection, and thought of using wide aperture to focus on a single coin. My nifty 50 is f/1.8, however when used with extension tubes for a macro photo, the depth of field becomes extremely narrow - to the point that I cannot get the whole coin in focus, so my goal was to get the head and eyes. I also had the camera mostly parallel to the coin to try and reduce the fall-off on the coin itself. I personally love the contrast of color between this $1 coin and all the other coins.
Week 18 Something I made - Like a house of cards...How many things are built like a house of cards? Almost but not quite right? Can collapse any moment? Just slap a little point on it...
While thinking about this weeks prompt, I remembered that as a child I used to build these houses of cards - and I was able to build it well. Not any more it seems. Sadly most things I build now are not interesting from a photo subject, so I decided to build something for the task.
While it may look stable, there's enough deviation from symmetry here to make you feel uncomfortable. I think that works? Maybe?
While thinking about this weeks prompt, I remembered that as a child I used to build these houses of cards - and I was able to build it well. Not any more it seems. Sadly most things I build now are not interesting from a photo subject, so I decided to build something for the task.
While it may look stable, there's enough deviation from symmetry here to make you feel uncomfortable. I think that works? Maybe?
Week 17 Leading Lines - Toppling DominoesThis week I decided I wanted to capture Dominoes toppling. It seemed easier then it was. I used the very versatile Pluto trigger configured to trigger on laser light. Used my nifty 50 to get a narrow depth of field as I wanted the center of action to be center of focus, playing on the "Leading path" concept that the line is infinite. Experimented on various trigger approaches (trigger just flash vs trigger shutter). Experimented with various delays. I think the result is somewhat minimalist?
Week 16 - Anthropomorphism: Egg with Pearl EarringThis week's submission was showcased in "52 Picks"
There is floating around on the internet a take of 1665 Girl with a Pearl Earring starring an egg (see pinned post below). I was keen to have my own version of that picture, and this weeks challenge seemed like the right time to try it.
Outside of the "obvious" face shape of the egg, something less obvious is the texture of the egg is like the texture of a face. It's worth zooming in to see. To the point that I used frequency separation during editing.
There is floating around on the internet a take of 1665 Girl with a Pearl Earring starring an egg (see pinned post below). I was keen to have my own version of that picture, and this weeks challenge seemed like the right time to try it.
Outside of the "obvious" face shape of the egg, something less obvious is the texture of the egg is like the texture of a face. It's worth zooming in to see. To the point that I used frequency separation during editing.
Week 15 - Technology: A-EyeAI is the new gold rush. Particularly where it overlaps computer vision. I have done research around AI back in the 90's, and is something I watch with interest. This weeks composition is intended to reflect how much AI is in our future.
Week 14 - Background: Mixing TechnologiesMissing the mark a little this week with a composite geek photo time. The concept was to replace the processor - the heart - of the Raspberry Pi with a more powerful computer scaled down of course. This has a juxtaposition of higher-end technology with lower power technology, and a fully enclosed computer with the circuit board of another.
Week 13 Minimalism: Weathering of timeAs time passes in a marriage, our outside may show the weathering of time due to trials of life. The inside though is a testament to hearts of love. The soft smooth radiant enduring tender love may be hidden, but is ever present. It is also important in marriage to lean on each other.
Rings are lit with an off-camera flash, with snoot and violet filter. Per suggestion, I heavily reduced saturation.
Rings are lit with an off-camera flash, with snoot and violet filter. Per suggestion, I heavily reduced saturation.
Week 12 Chaos: Tangled YarnAnother busy week, but I'm determined to avoid throwaways. I had a few ideas in mind, and this one was something I could achieve in the short few hours left to deadline. I raided my wife's yarn supply, tangled them up, and took a stacked focus macro approach to capture the details among the chaos. Cropped to achieve some balance in the chaos. Almost naturally back & white, but I do like the hints of color in this.
(Focus stacking uses 20 photos, each different distance using a focus slider. Lens used with a macro tube. Single light source to the left)
(Focus stacking uses 20 photos, each different distance using a focus slider. Lens used with a macro tube. Single light source to the left)
Week 11 Road: Hood Canal Bridge (Submitted)Hood Canal Bridge is an impressive floating bridge. It spans 1.5 miles of water. 1.2 miles of the bridge is floating, and subject to a tidal swing of 16 feet at times. It is the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin, and third longest floating bridge overall. This bridge is a critical link for many parts of the Washington peninsula.
The photo was taken with my DJI Mavic 3 drone. It was a bright day and I was hoping to try long exposure shots so used a 1/512 (9 stop) ND filter. However in the end, opted for a lesser exposure rather than EC. This would have been a different story at night, but due to hectic life, it was a late contribution.
The photo was taken with my DJI Mavic 3 drone. It was a bright day and I was hoping to try long exposure shots so used a 1/512 (9 stop) ND filter. However in the end, opted for a lesser exposure rather than EC. This would have been a different story at night, but due to hectic life, it was a late contribution.
Week 11 Road: Hood Canal Bridge (Alternative)Hood Canal Bridge is an impressive floating bridge. It spans 1.5 miles of water. 1.2 miles of the bridge is floating, and subject to a tidal swing of 16 feet at times. It is the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin, and third longest floating bridge overall. This bridge is a critical link for many parts of the Washington peninsula.
The photo was taken with my DJI Mavic 3 drone. It was a bright day and I was hoping to try long exposure shots so used a 1/512 (9 stop) ND filter. However in the end, opted for a lesser exposure rather than EC. This would have been a different story at night, but due to hectic life, it was a late contribution.
The photo was taken with my DJI Mavic 3 drone. It was a bright day and I was hoping to try long exposure shots so used a 1/512 (9 stop) ND filter. However in the end, opted for a lesser exposure rather than EC. This would have been a different story at night, but due to hectic life, it was a late contribution.
Week 10 Symmetrical Composition: Symmetrical SeasoningMy wife and I saw this salt and pepper set at a restaurant and decided to buy a set. It also seemed a great choice for this weeks prompt that I could do inside. I did decide to spice it up a bit and add a little asymmetry, but balancing it with the pepper spill and salt spill on opposite sides of the salt and pepper. However I believe I achieved making sure this does not distract from the symmetry, but rather adds to it so it doesn't just look like a mirror.
Note, black acrylic used as a mirror that also adds another level of symmetry, however not flagging EC as it doesn't quite hit the mark.
Note, black acrylic used as a mirror that also adds another level of symmetry, however not flagging EC as it doesn't quite hit the mark.
Week 9 Move the Camera: Sunday Scramble Wall ScrabbleThis week has been an eventful week, and original ICM idea didn't pan out (excuse the pun), so I decided to play with a scrabble board I have on my wall. Simple approach - I started zoomed into the writing, and started zooming out about 1/2-1 second after pressing shutter.
On the plus side, I practiced some ICM this week.
On the plus side, I practiced some ICM this week.
Week 8 Complementary Colors: Blueberries and OrangesI was experimenting with a couple of options this week - the other was a violet drink with a lemon, and this is a macro photo of a simple pairing of a couple of fruits. An alternative crop is included below.
Macro is with a 200mm lens with extension tubes, and a slider to allow me to take a collection (~60) photos and perform photo stacking on them. Photo was then processed in Helicon. The white over-exposed spots caused some problems and I had to do some cleanup in-tool.
Maybe this could count as product photography? I almost grabbed a fruit bowl from the supermarket to do this shot - but I feel like I would be stretching it.
Macro is with a 200mm lens with extension tubes, and a slider to allow me to take a collection (~60) photos and perform photo stacking on them. Photo was then processed in Helicon. The white over-exposed spots caused some problems and I had to do some cleanup in-tool.
Maybe this could count as product photography? I almost grabbed a fruit bowl from the supermarket to do this shot - but I feel like I would be stretching it.
Week 6 Unexplored: Abandoned Logging CampWho knew that this weeks prompt would have me signing up for membership to a local attraction? I took a look at Google maps and started browsing for possible places to fit the bill, and noticed that there was a botanical garden practically around the corner from where I live, that I never knew existed. Bingo!
As soon as I passed by this old car driving into the location, I knew I had to check it out. The place has a lot of potential for future visits (hence membership), however right now I decided on this vehicle as the subject in what was described as a "recreation of an abandoned logging camp".
Minor editing this week, removing an obvious power line, a plant tag, and some selective color adjustments to draw out the car more. Sadly no opportunity for EC.
As soon as I passed by this old car driving into the location, I knew I had to check it out. The place has a lot of potential for future visits (hence membership), however right now I decided on this vehicle as the subject in what was described as a "recreation of an abandoned logging camp".
Minor editing this week, removing an obvious power line, a plant tag, and some selective color adjustments to draw out the car more. Sadly no opportunity for EC.
Week 5 - Shoot from below - Take me to the artAn Icon of Seattle is this hammering man, towering over the streets. Taking a photo from a distance flattens the height, whereas taking a view from below pointing up makes it like this art piece towers over the tall buildings in the background, exaggerating the height to make it look as tall in a photo as it feels in life.
Week 4 - Scene from a movie - Little Red GhostIn this alternative movie, Little Red Riding Hood didn't quite make it, and continued to haunt the woods to warn other unsuspecting souls.
Week 3 - Black and White - Fuel InjectorThis is a close up and inverted photo of a Volvo engine fuel injector on a boat.
Week 2 - New Technique - Forbidden RedThis week is about learning and applying a new technique. Glass is not an easy thing to do well - there are approaches to avoid glare and to draw out the outline of the glass.
Week 1 - Self Portrait - Helping HandsThis week is about re-introducing ourselves and having courage to take pictures of a model that is always available - us. This is a composition of three photos all taken around the same time.
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