Study Group 18 Warren Davis

Study Group 18
Warren Davis

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December image - Prized Possession

How I did it - You may recognize the bull from last month. In hindsight perhaps I will call this my Bull Series.. Anyway this started with a photograph of a “wild” tulip which I discovered growing in front of the sign on a country road. It probably grew from the blown seed of a cultivated flower but, of course, that’s another story for another forum. I loved the bright red tulip all by itself in the grasses and so I isolated the red/orange tones of the flower in Lightroom and “transplanted” it to CS4 where I composited the same bull flipped 180 degrees. Of course the bull was too sharp so I added some blur and then sharpened only the tulip and pumped up it’s vibrancy to add prominence to the prized flower.

The original:

COMMENTS:

Laurie Thompson	If the bull has his way, I think the tulip will become lunch! He certainly appears to be contemplating that thought. I really like the black and white with the spot of bright color. The image works very well.
Ruth Rittichier	Very good use of the bull and tulip photos. Blurring the background/bull was a good idea. The tulip really stands out against the neutral background.
Phillipa Frederiksen	I do like the way you have such a strong focal point of interest in your image. You have composed it very well and have even managed to make the bull look quite mild in this image compared to the last one!...it must be the flower! Have a happy and safe Christmas!
New Member
Hillary Morin	An effective use of colour against a monochrome background to add impact, interest and focal point. Perhaps darkening the right side of the bull (in the background) would keep the viewer in the frame and not pull our eye to the edge. I'll look forward to more images from your 'bull' series!!
Peter Rowley	Simple and effective. The concept of something red in a subject reduced to monochrome is common, but works well here because the red (poppy) gives a strong impression of intrusion where the trespassing notice says otherwise. It reminds me of its symbolic meaning from other theatres where the red of poppy could be seen in the midst of forbidden lands in conflict.

Warren Davis

Biography

With the encouragement of Leonie Holmes at PSA, I have just brought the Mississauga Camera Club of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, into the PSA.

In my role as Liaison Group Leader I represent the club in a number of associations and interclub activities and so I am privileged to meet some wonderful photographers who share similar interests. Sometimes I attend meetings with representatives of other clubs, sometimes I teach new skills to others, sometimes I facilitate keen competitions within the region. I really enjoy stretching my knowledge and photographic skills now that I have the time to do so in retirement. My interest in photography started at a very young age, attending summer camp with a new Kodak camera in hand. I still have some of those images and they are vivid reminders of the fun and challenges of a first camping experience.

Many cameras, enlargers and lenses later I am still enjoying the same process. Seeing, recording, enjoying. The medium has changed somewhat and the goals have shifted but the elements of composition, color and form still prevail. And for me a youthful interest has morphed into a competitive, social and communicative outlet. That's what brings me to Study Group 18. I look forward to getting acquainted and sharing.

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