My last few shot of the course.

[coffee]

Ya, I think I've done it. This last assignment was a bugger. But last night I put the finishing touches on it and am just about to turn it in. Here are the last two for "City at Night". These were taken downtown Minneapolis. I'm not thrilled with the sharpness of the buildings in the spoon shot, I might have to see if there is a sharper one of that, but the other I'm pleased with. Any CC or advice on these anyone can give? Thanks

[jerryph]

The pictures are really nice, but lack a little sharpness. I'm pretty sure you used a tripod, but was it rock solid? Did you try going smaller on the aperture, perhaps F/16 to help the DOF and sharpness?

That huge spoon is an awesome subject and it is really well composed. I think it's the better of the 2 shots. :)

[coffee]

Hi Jerry thanks. Yes I use a tripod. I had a little wind to contend with when these were taken, so the highest ap I went up to was f8 to shorten the shutter time. I wish I could have gotten someone in the spoon picture so you could tell how big that sculpture really is. I would say the handle is over 30 feet long.

[dkippen]

Joseph -

I love both of these shots. And of course, I can attest to how big the spoon is. I like the second shot better with the Mpls skyline in the background. You did have security guards with you when you took this didn't you??? I assume the first one is the Basilica? I love the glow from the lights.

[coffee]

Thanks Deb. No hehe no security. This was the first time I've been in that area, I did feel out of place certainly. I was there to almost midnight finishing these up, so I was looking over my shoulder the entire time. First time in Loring park too. Now that is scarry because there is so many dark little hiding places for someone to jump out at you. I had one guy ask me if I wanted to go with him and start a fire. I'm like what?? I had to ask him three times what the heck he said cause I was sure I wasn't hereing him right. Strange. Then to make matters worse, I locked my keys in the car. :-( But I did leave the windows cracked enough to force my arm through and get it unlocked. I bet people were scrared of me at that point. Hehe

[dkippen]

You are one brave soul!!!!!!!!! That certainly is not one of the finer areas of Minneapolis - I won't even go down there during the day by myself. During the day, it's pretty, but after dark it's very scary. In either case, these are both very nice shots. I'm glad you made it out safely.

[coffee]

I hope I can get a little feedback on a few changes to the two top photos. I changed the white balance to both. I think it look the colors are more true. Also on the Basilica, I cropped some and took out some fluff, and on the spoon tried to sharpen the buildings a little. Thanks for any help.

[dkippen]

Joseph - on the 2nd Basilica, the front entrance seems to be more washed out. I do like what you did to the "spoon" picture, the cherry seems to shine now. Very nice.

[coffee]

Thanks Deb, and you are right. the lower part of the Basilica is lighter. That was due to the white balance change, and not any adjustment to the exposure. I don't like that part as much, but love what the WB change did to the rest of the photo, especially the sky. Thanks for pointing that out though. I hadn't noticed that before.

Oh Deb while I have you here: I'm considering one more try at the landscape part of Assignment 13 before turning this in. I have some from the Minnehaha Falls that I like, but are not craze about. Is there anywhere in this area that has great landscape possibilities, without going back to Loring Park. hehe Thanks

[dkippen]

Joseph - let me think about that. How far do you want to go and when?

[coffee]

Ok Deb that would be great thanks. I did go ahead and sent in my last assignment tonight, so I won't be needing the info for an assignment, but would like to do more landscapes.

[dkippen]

Good luck on a high score.
For more landscapes - what about some of the state parks? Reasonably close to the metro are Taylors Falls, Wm. O'Brien, Afton, Lake Maria (Monticello).

[LensBaby]

I like the second photo so much better than the first one. (it is nice as well but I like the subject better in the second) The cherry on the spoon has really nice lighting on the top. Did you do that in photoshop? Good job, and I am glad you still have your camera...oh yeah and your car. hehehe

[coffee]

Thanks for the comments Sue. The lighting you see at the top is actually water. This sculture is also a waterfall. And with a 4 second shutter it looks like light. Thanks again.