Bron's Photoblog
In the wings...
Posted by Bron (Canberra, Australia) on 6 August 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Anticipation! Sam and his girlfriend Em wait to perform. Emma has just completed her honours degree in classical violin and plays brilliantly (I know I'm a little prejudiced - but she still does haha :)) And she makes GREAT cakes!!
@kairospix: Thanks kairopix - it was my first try at it!
Lorraine from Canada
Oh Brown, this is so spectacular, you really have a gift for Portraits :)
6 Aug 2007 7:45am
@Lorraine: Thanks so much Lorraine - I know just what you mean - it takes me a hour to make any sense at all in the a.m.!! cheers! :)) Thanks for the very lovely comment!
badala from Leiria, Portugal
Fabulous shot. The composition, light and color all work together.
6 Aug 2007 8:30am
@badala: Most kind badala - the background wasn't attractive but the subject had promise so I thought I'd try a spot of pp. :)
tyan from Singapore
wow Bron i dont know whether its a culture thing but mothers-in-law/perspective MILs are not so encouragin like you.The mothers-in-law tend to be more criticl,lol.What a lovely shot!
6 Aug 2007 9:56am
@tyan: Thanks tyan
As you requested, here's the cake recipe!
Em's amazing Orange Cake with Lime Syrup!!
Pre-heat oven to mod. slow (about 150 - 160 degrees C for fan-baked)
2 small oranges
1 & 1/2 cups almond kernels
1 cup caster sugar
6 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
Simmer the oranges in hot water for 2 hours
grind almonds to meal in a processor & mix with sugar
quarter the oranges, remove seeds process until smooth.
Keep motor running add eggs one at a time
add almond meal. baking powder & vanilla
mix.
put in lined cake tin bake for 1 hour.
Lime syrup
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup water
mix together well and simmer on very low heat until it reduces, Don't let it boil
This might take 5 or 10 minutes.
Use a skewer to poke a few holes down into the top of the cake. Pour the syrup over it
Leave to soak into the cake (the longer the tastier!) Enjoy!!
@tyan: I suppose I like to break stereotypes tyan.:) Em and I have been great friends since we met, long before she are Sam were partners (they've played together in bands for about 3 years but only been together since May.) She's so lovely - there's simply nothing to criticise!!
@JED: Thanks JED I felt it too - waiting with loved ones before a performance can be exciting!
SusanPEI from Summerside, Canada
This is a delightful picture. If you don't mind giving away any secrets, how did you get the background blurry like that? Amazing work that isolates and yet blends the people and surroundings.
6 Aug 2007 11:55am
@SusanPEI: Thanks so much Susan! I'm delighted to tell you how I did it.
In Photoshop Elements use the magnetic lasso tool to outline the figures.
Then in the "select" menu, choose "inverse"
Go to "filters" then "blur" then find "radial blur"
apply this filter using whatever parameters appeal
Zoom in fully and use "smooth" tool on a small diameter to get rid of any tiny spiky bits from the original lasso. They'll be very obvious :)
check brightness/contrast and apply a bit of "unsharp mask" filter if needed.
Check the cropping and you're done!
I hope this helps. If you have any questions at all please ask! cheers Bron
Candace from Emmaus, United States
I love what you done to this photo....awesome!
6 Aug 2007 12:34pm
@Candace: Thanks for your visit and comment Candace - much appreciated! cheers Bron
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
Wow, it'll be a long time before i can do this with a photo...truly superb piece, Bron! and lovely to meet Sam & Em! :)
6 Aug 2007 12:56pm
@Rebecca: Oh how lovely! I'm so pleased you like it Rebecca! Sam and Em say hi! :) :)
@Craiger: Thanks Craiger! cheers!
Markus from Reading, United Kingdom
Hi Bron, thanks for your comments as well, always encouraging! Another shot that keeps me in awe!
6 Aug 2007 5:55pm
@Markus: A pleasure Markus! And thanks again for your support - cheers!
red queen from Scotland, United Kingdom
Great capture - love their faces and the blur, too!
6 Aug 2007 8:04pm
@red queen: A new technique for me - always learning red queen! :D
@Double KK Photography: Thanks Double KK!!
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
I think this shot of your son and his girlfriend is just so full of personality and charm. What an excellent photo!
7 Aug 2007 2:01am
@Viewfinder: It glows out of lovely young people doesn't it? Thanks so much Viewfinder :) cheers
Bron
Harald from Frankfurt am Main, Germany
A great photo with an interesting background. Well done.
7 Aug 2007 6:15pm
@Harald: Thanks for your visit and comment Harald
Evie from Fairfax, United States
I love this. The blurred background is very well done.
7 Aug 2007 10:27pm
@Evie: Thanks - it was my first try at it and worked better than I could have hoped!
@Namor: Thanks Namor! I'm delighted to tell you how I did it.
In Photoshop Elements use the magnetic lasso tool to outline the figures.
Then in the "select" menu, choose "inverse"
Go to "filters" then "blur" then find "radial blur"
apply this filter using whatever parameters appeal
Zoom in fully and use "smooth" tool on a small diameter to get rid of any tiny spiky bits from the original lasso. They'll be very obvious :)
check brightness/contrast and apply a bit of "unsharp mask" filter if needed.
Check the cropping and you're done!
I hope this helps. If you have any questions at all please ask! cheers Bron
Panasonic DMC-FZ30
2/5 seconds
F/3.2
ISO 200
40 mm (35mm equiv.)