Study Group 20 Member 7

Study Group 20
Norman Piper

Aavo Koort

Carol McDonald

Peter Keverne

Nancy Sams

Nellie Bretherick

Karen Mason

Norman Piper

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December Image: "Captive #8"

How I did it -

The original was shot at the century-old Victoria Baths, in Manchester, during a group shoot in the First Class Men’s pool. The whole building is being renovated, over a long period of time, by a group of volunteers. Photo shoots are one means of raising the funds needed for the work.

I cannot remember all the processing details, except that it involved much selective work in Curves, with a lot of added textures, overall toning and a dark vignette.

I have, of course, many other shots, but the problem with most of them was the regular pattern of ceramic tiles, in cream and dark green, behind the layers of grime. I made use of this to strengthen the impression of an unpleasant, prison-like environment.

COMMENTS:

It was interesting to learn of the background to where this image was shot – I trust the tiles were warmed first for the model. I like the grunge effect and I can see why you had to resort to using curves – certainly appropriate for the subject.

Aavo Koort	This is a very effective transition into a dark and eerie image. This could be a scene out of the current popular vampire movies. The upper part of the chain is almost lost. Could you bring it out more? It is an important part of the image.
Carol McDonald
Peter Keverne	It was interesting to learn of the background to where this image was shot – I trust the tiles were warmed first for the model. I like the grunge effect and I can see why you had to resort to using curves – certainly appropriate for the subject.
Nancy Sams	You certainly created a prison like situation with the statue and I would never have guessed it came from the Men’s Bath but then, on the other hand, yes it would come from the Men’s side of the Bath.
Nellie Bretherick	Your forgotten technique has transformed a rather static scene into one of helplessness and despair. Very dramatic.
Karen Mason	I like this a lot. Love the textures and the lighting effect. Might want to crop just a little more from the left or add a little more. I think this would make an interesting horizontal..all the dark grime gradually leading up to the girl.

Member Bio

Norman Piper - Biography

I am a frustrated artist but I can neither paint, nor draw nor sculpt, so I became a photographer and, right from the beginning, started to experiment in the darkroom, to produce different effects. When I found Photoshop 4, in the 1990’s, it was like opening a door into a whole new world. It changed my whole life and turned my photography into an all-consuming passion.

I have recently retired from lecturing on Photoshop techniques and from the Lancashire & Cheshire Photographic Union’s panel of club judges.

In 2000, traditional photographers, in Britain, were deriding their “electronic” brethren, so I founded a club for digital image-makers, SLIC, and have been its chairman ever since. SLIC are now active in the inter-club competitions run by the EID and CPID.

I love to enter international salons and other competitions and have gained my DPAGB (Distinction of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) with prints from electronic files and AFIAP with digital projected images.

My wife, Verna, and I, joined the PSA in 2007 and have each earned three stars in the Electronic Images Division. I am currently waiting for confirmation of my fourth EID star. My target is to earn a PPSA distinction before my 77th birthday.

Norman Piper

Webmaster: Robert B. Gorrill, APSA, MNEC