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Pipes

© Kalena Randall

Pipes

Uploaded: July 12, 2013

Description

I haven't seen anyone smoking a pipe in a long time. I remember my grandfather enjoying his in the evening. These two young guys were sitting in front of a coffee shop in downtown Denton, TX. They were kind enough to let me take a photo.

Nikon D7000, 48mm, 1/60 at f8 ISO 2000. ISO was higher than I realized, but the photo came out nice. LR5 then to Silver EF Pro, and on to HDR Pro for light mapping and sepia toning.

(8/2013)

Comments

Stephen Shoff July 12, 2013

My guess these guys grew up in the era of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The HDR effect is a bit overdone for my taste. If the HDR is in a separate layer, you might want to reduce the opacity some to get a little more natural look, or masking out the HDR for the background elements. Alternatively, you could try using the SilverEfex structure control instead of HDR. #1535952

Dale Hardin July 12, 2013

This is something one doesn't see everyday especially with the younger generation. Did they mention what they were smoking?

Not really sure if you feel the look you were after turned out as you'd envisioned it, Kalena. So very hard to critique that part of it. If the HDR look is what you were after you succeeded, but if it was a natural look, then I think Stephen was correct in his assessment. #10765566

Kalena Randall July 12, 2013

Thanks guys, I did reduce the HDR effect significantly. It was lighter than the Silver Efx. I could go back in a reduce the silver Efx as well and see how it comes out.

Dale, I do want a light HDR photo mapping on this. Many street shots I've seen have some beautiful HDR effects. I, too, don't like the HDR to be over done. Just a touch is nice for me.

I thought the ammo box was pretty cool for carrying your smoking things!
#10765602

Beth Spencer July 12, 2013

I really like the story in this one. Yes this is a very unique shot, you don't see this very often. #10765652

Jeff E Jensen July 12, 2013

Well, I like it as it is, it's a unique image. #10765709

Kalena Randall July 13, 2013

Thanks, Jeff. I did redo the photo to see what it would look like. I took the HDR out all together ans used Silver Efx and adjusted it where I wanted it. I also went to the Nik Raw sharpener and made minor adjustments.

Stephen and Dale. I hope this one looks better to you. Personally, I like both! Guess it depends on the mood you happpen to be in. lol #10765963

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 13, 2013

Kalena what a fun image when I look at it its almost past and present, because of the way they are dressed. the first post I like it, as is because it gives you a older feel. your second shot has a more present feel to it. can't go wrong with either. depends on what you are going for.

great job on the editing. #10766017

Kalena Randall July 13, 2013

Thanks, Rita! It's my first attempt at Street Photography. I like both, too!

;-) #10766043

Dale Hardin July 13, 2013

Thanks for the redo Kalena. I also like both but prefer the second version. All a matter of "eye of the beholder" as is often the case. Good job. #10766140

Kalena Randall July 13, 2013

Thanks, Dale. I agree that it depends on the eye of the beholder, but I think it depends even more on what the photographer was wanting to portray in their image - what story they are trying to tell.

:-)

#10766189

Stephen Shoff July 13, 2013

FWIW...My preference is for Pipes 2. The contrast, tonal relationships and skin tones look more natural to me.
#10766544

Debbie E. Payne July 14, 2013

I am going to be on the side of image #1 for the more vintage feel, but also like the other one. Never hurts to treat one image in more than one way. Same with Dale and his branching out into different color casts.

I need to get more if these kinds of shots but still am not comfortable with asking or "the shot". Good for you, Kalena. #10767472

Susan Williams July 15, 2013

I really like Version 1, Kalena. If it were mine, I would remove the Oklahoma 2012 from his T-Shirt to make it more timeless.

Congratulations on moving into street photography. I really want to do it, but when the time comes, I hesitate and feel timid even though that is not my nature. #10768075

Kalena Randall July 15, 2013

Susan and Elaine, I thank you for your comments. I like both photos, too, but lean towards the first one.

As far as removing the Oklahoma 2012 from the t-shirt, Susan, I don't think I would have done well with that. I like to develop my photos in LR and I'm not an editor that can change things too drastically. Plus, I don't know how! lol These guys were kind enough to allow me to take the photo and I wanted to keep it as authentic as possible. I think it's sort of cool to look vintage and yet modern in little ways within the photo! #10768286

Peter W. Marks March 18, 2014

I think we can say I have come a little late to your gallery Kalena and this image!
I like this so much and have 'faved' it. Takes me back about 55 of my 75 years when I was a pipe smoker and practiced that far-away look of the smoker at peace with the world!
This speaks to me on so many levels as reminiscent of my own earlier life; and as a wonderfully anachronistic looking shot in which it is possible to imagine two old bearded gentlemen of the early last century contemplating how fortunate they had been to survive the first World War. I also see two young modern dudes , one thinking he would linger awhile before returning to the beach and the volley ball babes. The other having replenished his ammo box at the gun shop down the street thinking he has an hour or two before the sun goes down and he can return to the woods and his tree stand before the deer start to move.
Did I say I liked this? Nah, Love it Kalena! #11003072

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