NF-SOOC-2015 Day 30: Out with a whimper... by vignouse

NF-SOOC-2015 Day 30: Out with a whimper...

... and not just because I got pricked fingers gathering chestnuts! I had hoped to find a strong image to finish my month of nf-sooc-2015, but Mrs S and I are both feeling under the weather today so it wasn't to be ;-( But I did take a walk and gather some chestnuts which I'm rather fond of... although not until my stomach settles down a bit!

So, here we are at the end of the nf-sooc-2015 challenge and I believe some reflections are in order. But first I would like to thank everyone who supported and took part in this challenge: 38 of you are listed on the tag page with a total of some 350 images posted. Personally, I had fun and I learned a lot - I hope all of you who took part can say the same.

Some observations then:

1. I posted a lot of images I liked and some I was less enthusiastic about.
2. Those I liked wouldn't have been much improved by processing... they may even have been worse!
3.. Interestingly, I also feel that the images I wasn't so wild about wouldn't have been improved by processing either! They just weren't that good... and you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
4. At the beginning, I felt like I had both arms tied behind my back: only 50mm (equivalent) and no processing. So I started to look harder at what might make a satisfactory image within those limitations - and the harder I looked, the more opportunities I found.
5. The longer I spent looking in the viewfinder, the happier I was with the resulting image. The only times I wanted to crop or remove something from the image was when outside circumstances prevented me from choosing exactly the PoV and composition I would have liked - crowds, off-limit areas, etc.
6. Not being able to frame with a zoom forced me to look for other PoVs - I found getting down to ground level, to subject level, often produced images that I instantly liked.
7. Comparing the best of the month's images with those posted in earlier months showed me that I have developed an over-processing habit. Easy to do, and I suspect brought about by trying to 'rescue' sub-standard images.
8. I've also got rather sloppy about framing the image in the viewfinder - some errors can't be fixed in post.
9. The same goes for colour balance - I've got so used to ignoring it and fixing it in post... a luxury not available when you're shooting Jpeg.
10. The limited DoF of a 50mm lens wide open opens up many artistic opportunities that are not available with zooms.

Those are the highlights of my learning which I now need to incorporate into my standard workflow. I hope you, my fellow participants, have also have found these reflections useful.
A nice image to finish with - hope you feel better soon. I do like your comments and as such, will fav this image for two reasons. 1. Because I like the pic and 2. because I will be referring to your comments again to learn from them - thanks for that!
September 30th, 2015  
Firstly let me commend you on your 30 50mm sooc shots, they show your skill as a photographer, looking through them I can't spot the weak ones.
Now this is a different chestnut than we have here, spikes and more than one chestnut inside, look forward to seeing what you show us next...Cheers Richard...
September 30th, 2015  
I like the contrast between smooth and spiky. Lovely gentle tones and light.
September 30th, 2015  
I enjoyed every one of your NF-SOOC-2015 shots, and I thank you for creating the challenge. I love your image today, finding the light on the chestnuts so soft and beautiful.
September 30th, 2015  
A suitable visual résumé of your SOOC month. Whilst oft perceived as a prickly idea in principle...with patience and care...lo and behold what you have achieved. Inside this natural tough and practical outer shell, lies the startling discovery of these silky sweet chestnuts, a visual pleasure and a seasonal treat. A great end of your 2015 SOOC series.
September 30th, 2015  
Super focus, well done!
September 30th, 2015  
Superbe
September 30th, 2015  
I like the peek into the shell just showing the chestnuts. The light on them brings the eye right to them. Your observations were
September 30th, 2015  
A wee nest for a chestnut!
September 30th, 2015  
Your observations were interesting. Food for thought.
September 30th, 2015  
love this image and your words are helpful - thank you for the month of photos
September 30th, 2015  
There is something symbolic here as you might say you cracked the code of 50 mm and sooc. Not a perfect crack but there you are. If you and I are around next year and you repeat I would like to participate because I will have more time and no company well the last I can't guarantee.
September 30th, 2015  
I am amazed at your stamina , and endurance in sticking to this month long journey. I don't think I could commit to something for that long. Bravo. Well done!
September 30th, 2015  
Tom
Great contest and learning curve Richard. I loved the natural color and feel of your sooc images. Very sharp and clear without the white edges You and the X-T10 rocked. I do very little post anyway and have always liked what one can do with the Fuji in camera with the b & w. Thanks Richard
October 1st, 2015  
So cool.I love the texture and lighting as well as the comp. I've never seen chestnuts at this stage, only after, so this it's an extra super treat for me.thank you for sharing!
October 1st, 2015  
I like your final shot -- and your observations of the month were really interesting to read.
October 1st, 2015  
I enjoy the details and focus of your final shot. On a personal note, I worked this challenge for some shorter period of time (maybe a week, or slightly more?) and found it incredibly helpful, for understanding my camera more thoroughly and framing the shot carefully in camera. An extremely enlightening experience. Thank you. I agree with you, about developing the habit of "rescuing" a sub-standard image in post-processing. Thank you for starting and hosting this challenge. Much appreciated. I hope you and Mrs. S feel better soon.
October 1st, 2015  
Congrats on finishing your challenge. I enjoyed reading your observations and seeing most of the images that you posted. I like your close up of the chestnut -detail and lighting are great.
October 1st, 2015  
I like this, it's lovely. Hope you're both feeling better soon. And, I agree with Rosie's comments, by the way.
October 1st, 2015  
Bravo on finishing your challenge. I have enjoyed your images immensely and your accompanying notes. Thank you also for your comments and helpful tips. All the best to you and Mrs S.
October 1st, 2015  
I once made the mistake of picking one of these things up....Ouch! Lovely capture.
October 1st, 2015  
i thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, so much so i think i will continue using this lens combo some more this month, i learnt a lot about the camera just because i havent used that one much before but feel i only touched the surface of what the lens can do. it was so relaxing and satisfying posting straight out of the camera and i even enjoyed the lack of sharpness most of the time. i learnt to pay more attention to framing and especially getting horizon straight, got frustrated a lot trying to find the point of focus, i think i need to admit i need to use glasses sometimes as i do for reading now. , I learnt to zoom with my feet, and fell in love with the shallow dof available.
October 1st, 2015  
and your chestnuts are quite companionable in their little huddle
i do hope you and mrs S are feeling better soon...
October 1st, 2015  
Thanks for sponsoring the challenge this year, Richard. I arrived late but my last four images in September were all in the challenge. I enjoyed it and feel that my sooc work this year was better than my sooc work last year. Love this image of yours! Wonderful composition, focus and dof. FAV
October 1st, 2015  
You have had a really good month considering the restraints you put on yourself. I will have to try that too as it does teach you to take a photo as if you only have the one chance of taking it so it must be just right in camera., without post processing
October 1st, 2015  
Amazing capture with great detail, FAV
October 1st, 2015  
Wonderful capture, and hope you're on the mend
October 4th, 2015  
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