The Red Arrows at Chatsworth Country Fair

[Photorob]

Some images taken at Beesley Moor overlooking the Chatsworth Estate, with the Red Arrows performing their first Public Display after the loss of #8 Airmen Jon Egging. Performing in a 8-aircraft routine as a mark of respect, the show brought crowds in from all across the UK, applauding the RAF & team's decision to normalise flying as much as possible into the rest of the final 2011 season and beyond.

 

[cgipson1]

The huge distracting watermark catches the eye, and that is all you see. It is sharp with hard contrast.... and really gets in the way. Nice subject, wonderful pilots... but they aren't the main subject in these pictures.... your watermark is.....

 

[tirediron]

Agree! ^^

 

[Photorob]

I've had issues with individuals stealing images of mine without permission, hence the use of the watermark for any images I upload onto the internet these days. Obviously the origional images come without it. But I just don't take the chance anymore, sorry if that 'grates' anyone but i'm limited to what else I can do other than not show anyone anything.

 

[cgipson1]

I've had issues with individuals stealing images of mine without permission, hence the use of the watermark for any images I upload onto the internet these days. Obviously the origional images come without it. But I just don't take the chance anymore, sorry if that 'grates' anyone but i'm limited to what else I can do other than not show anyone anything.

With "Clone" and "Crop".. watermarks don't really help anymore, unless you put them right across the main subject.... waste of time, imo.. and seriously detracts from the photo. I would suggest embedded digital watermarking if it is that big an issue.

 

[gsgary]

don't you mean Beeley Moor, they came over our house on the way

 

[gsgary]

I've had issues with individuals stealing images of mine without permission, hence the use of the watermark for any images I upload onto the internet these days. Obviously the origional images come without it. But I just don't take the chance anymore, sorry if that 'grates' anyone but i'm limited to what else I can do other than not show anyone anything.

I don't think anyone will be stealing these, they are all washed out and out of focus

 

[cgipson1]

I've had issues with individuals stealing images of mine without permission, hence the use of the watermark for any images I upload onto the internet these days. Obviously the origional images come without it. But I just don't take the chance anymore, sorry if that 'grates' anyone but i'm limited to what else I can do other than not show anyone anything.

I don't think anyone will be stealing these, they are all washed out and out of focus

I was going to mention that.. but was trying to be nice!

 

[Photorob]

Yes that was the style I was aiming for, well not being out of focus but jets flying at some 250mph BELOW you most of the time coming at all directions, it's a little hard to find the balance between getting the perfect shot and watching ahead of what the other jets are doing so to position yourself ahead of time to get the next frame.
The washed out color was aimed in differentiating myself from the thousands of 'perfect' pictures of the Red Arrows that are out there. I don't care if a million people hate my pics anyway, if one person appreciates them it's worth it all. So shun the haters..I made the effort.

 

[cgipson1]

So shun the haters..I made the effort.

I love comments like this... lol! The "haters" are always wrong... right?

 

[Overread36]

I think your desaturated style works better in the black and white that you posted first, rather than in the colour. At least in the black and white it harkens back a little to the film era and an older age of photographer; whilst with the colour ones most appear simply to be the result of forced to shoot through thick glass and detracts from the overall appeal - taking on more the appearance of accidental lack of understanding at the shooting/editing phase rather than a clear creative choice by the photographer. I can certainly sympathise trying to re-create an older appearance in photos taken with modern gear and even trying for a more artistic line in desaturation use, but at the moment I think you've got to work more on the capture and then again on the editing to move away from the accidental appearance and more toward a deliberate choice appearance.

I'd also say the first has the most appealing composition - a clear leading line with space to move into and a good capture of the swirl from the smoke as, I assume, then change direction.

The others appear more haphazard in composition - the 4th for example - is somewhat split between sky and the land, making it feel like two separate entities and what with the focus directed at the plane in the lower half one feels that the block of sky above should be at least cropped out and, when originally taken, should be the spot where the plane and blue smoke should be.


As for the watermark I'm of the opinion that a stylised signature or symbol is pointless unless the person using the symbol has put enough into marketing that its a well known brand. Nike can use their symbol to show their wears because of such a marketing move - whilst for the smaller time professional and amateur its pointless as it serves no meaning to the viewers. Better is a short name or website address - things that can lead back to you the creator and clearly identify the "who" that the copyright is claiming to protect.

I also second the points regarding its somewhat gaudy display, especially in light of the desaturated appearance that you are trying to perfect.