My friend Desley from Musings of a Frequent Flying Scientist has challenged me to join in the 5-day B&W photo challenge, where I must post a black and white photo each day for 5 days and nominate someone else to join the challenge. I’d like to nominate my friend and master of B&W Andy Townend from Belgian Streets to join the challenge with me.
These photos are also my #13 of Photo101 Rehab. They were captured with my Olympus EM 10, early morning before sunrise. Edition with PickMonkey: Effects B&W; Focal Blur at edges, cropped it and increased definition. The original photo (photo 3) is also a bit dark and without much contrast between the birds and the tree branches. That’s what I liked, as it could look like a painting.
To join the B&W challenge, you must post B&W photography for the next five days, and each day nominate another photographer to enter the challenge.
And.. if you didn’t know yet what the Photo101 Rehab is, you still can do.
Once upon a time there was Photo101 course with daily assignments, which ended on November 30 and for that we miss it ever since.
Bloggers from all over the world connected as a strong community; sharing photos, chats and tips, and everyone added a special touch to the course, making it addictive.
Some of us, including me, didn’t want to say goodbye, and started feeling the first addiction’s symptoms, as described by inmate Albert nty6x at his blog Passionately Curious.
“Withdrawal symptoms may include the incessant need to carry your camera everywhere with you, the need to wake up in the wee hours to take photos during the golden hour, and checking up on others you met during the course to see what their newfound knowledge has brought fruit to.”
I had to think of something to resolve this.
Welcome to the Photo101 Rehab Center; especially dedicated to some confessed addicts: my fellow blogger and first ‘patient’ Andy Townend, as well as Mara Eastern, Cardinal Guzman, DesleyJane, Justine, Amy, Teresa, Albert, Terri, Giving Thought, Ellen, Nalinki, Mariangeles, DwayCrafts, Lucy, Terri, the newcomer Bampa’s Views, and to all others not yet confessed photo101 addicts.
The Rehab rules are simple:
Opening time: Add your link from 04 to 31 December 2014.
Themes: You only need to choose a technique you want to explore or already master but want to share. It is a free theme but bring with it an explanation of the technique you used, as well as any editing effects, so we can all learn from each other.
Vote: If you want you can vote on the photos you like the most. At the last day (Dec 31) of the Photo Rehab you can vote on the top 10 and celebrate.
How to register: Create a post with your photo, and add it here by using the link below.
Have fun! And thanks for participating.
Here is the link, click below to check all photos and even better, to join us!
Sights & Insights 
Good idea to show the before and after. I was hoping/counting on that Lesley or Justine would challenge you and Andy for this. Now my next hopes/wishes goes for Mara & Teresa 🙂
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Yes, great. I’m never sure with all these effects ad this was already a difficult pic to work with for its luck of contrast. But I don’t know why I like this somber view of birds early morning. ;-).
Mara has been approached but it’s too busy with work. Maybe later…
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Lucile – this is stunning. I really love the effect of the light through the tree. I love the silhouette look and I can’t decide between the horizontal or vertical shot – they are both coolly dramatic!
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Ah, you’re lovely. I truly think this one is not so good as it is missing some contrast; but as I said yesterday I had to lower the bar after your gorgeous photo. 😉
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Great shot, I prefer the horizontal shot, it feels more atmospheric and highlights the birds better I think. It is a very brooding shot, the blur helps with that.
And thank you, very happy to take on the challenge, more soon! 😉
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Thanks, Andy. Yes, it does; the original is by far still my fave… and the brooding inspiration I got walking on some Belgian Streets.
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That is a great Monochrome picture. But I think I liked the uncropped version better. Just my opinion 🙂
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Your opinion counts. 😉 Somehow, I keep liking the original better. Even if it is breaking the rule of thirds.
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Haha. Its not always true that rule of third is beautiful. But cropping cut some of the branches as well. So I thought the original looks nice
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I just replied to Andy’s comment saying that this is my preference.
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Great pic! Love the drama it creates. What might the birds do next……..
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They were just saying: let’s get the heck out of this country…it’s too cold. They sent a whatsApp message from Africa…
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ROFL! You sure it wasn’t cos you were shooting at them?
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Hum…just texted them. Wait a sec for the reply.
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Them dead. 😂
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No reaction so far…do you think that…😢😢😢😢😱guilty!
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I may have had a glimpse of them here enjoying the summer 😉
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That is good news! Say hello to them..
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I was going to set up the Inlinkz on my W.Q.W. do you pay for that service? By the way, I love all of your photos! ❤
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No, I use the free link.
Thank you! 🙂
Ps. Had to re-follow you…i missed seeing your posts on the reader abd a few more people I follow. Then found out many more cases.. Talked to engineer but nobody knows why.
Strange…WP IT is not well lately.
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How do I get the free link Lucile?
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Same place. Let me look at the site and give you the steps. Just a sec.
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first go here.
http://blog.inlinkz.com/step-by-step-guide-on-creating-an-inlinkz-linkup/
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And create an account with them to be able to use it.
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I sent them a message. This is the message I keep getting: “Trial linkup cannot have closing time of more than 60 days since your account registration. Please extend your account.” You have to pay to extend your account 😦
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Ops. That means you can create fir free up to 30 days only. I used 30 days and didn’t get a message.
Why don’t you start with 30? Affer that you create a new link. Is that an option?
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Here is the reply: “the thumbnail linkups are considered a trial which expires after 60 days.
If you create text linkups you will be able to create them normally.
If you want, I can remove your account so you can create a new one
and take advantage of this 60 day trial starting today.
All the best,
Maria, InLinkz.com”
This sounds like a lot of work to have to create a new account every 60 days. I wonder what the text link up looks like?
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It’s totally different the what I did…and I didn’t get any of these messages. Maybe I created a text? Let me check
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They may have changed the settings. It was easier when I did it.
I followed the tutorial i sent to you.
It is their way to make us a paid client.
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This is beautiful, Lucile. I slightly prefer the uncropped photo, but of course the other edits you did to it brought up the best in the picture. Whether the birds are ravens or crows or what, they remind me of Poe’s poem The Raven, and the overall atmosphere of the picture is pleasantly Gothic. Great job, humanoid!
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Thank you, Mara. I do prefer the original as well. I’m going to apply the same effects on it as you suggested. Not sure about the birds though. Dr. Google showed me ‘The Raven’; perfect fit with the photo…Had I known…
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Love this! The original is perfect and gives the viewer the scope of the height and grandeur of the tree… But the closeup is great because it gives life to the birds… It’s a Halloween -esque kind of shot, I think, because these birds seem to have a crafty idea in mind… Hmmmm..
Really super shots. Love B & W!
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It’s definitely suitable for Halloween! Have to remember to use it next year! Thanks, my dear! Have a lovely day!
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Great idea!
Happy Thursday to you too!
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