April 2006 winner - Action

[colinwheeler]

Well, going diving next week so while testing the new casing for my Ixus I caught this one and thought it would be an okay opening volley.

[playthefilm]

that's a great action pic!

[BGoff]

really like that, great use of the under water case alredy

[Toasty]

Excellent, bet you can't wait to try it out on your dive!

[Bristol Pete]

Clever, very clever....Nice pic

[BAN5HEE]

Nice Pic!

[stevegreen]

Great shot, can't see us getting another underwater shot for this competition so it's on it's own in that sense. Great interpretation and a lovely action shot.

[colinwheeler]

Originally Posted by Toasty

Excellent, bet you can't wait to try it out on your dive!

Yes, previously I had a cybershot with underwater housing that I used. There are quite a few shots on my website from it.

But, you are perfectly right and although it is sad and most probably irritating my wife, I am still walking around the house in my fins, mask and snorkle in anticipation although I am only leaving on Tuesday night. I wonder if they are going to appreciate me going into work like that on Tuesday?

Thanks everybody too for nice words on the pic.

[colinwheeler]

Picture information for those interested:

Camera
Make Canon
Model Canon DIGITAL IXUS 750
Orientation Upper Left
X resolution 180/1
Y resolution 180/1
Resolution unit inches
Date/time 14/04/2006 18:06:57
YCbCr positioning centered
Image
Image description
Artist Colin Wheeler
Copyright
Exposure time 1/60 s
F-number f/2.8
Date/time original 14/04/2006 18:06:57
Date/time digitized 14/04/2006 18:06:57
Component config YCbCr
Compressed BPP 5
Shutter speed value 1/60 s
Aperture value f/2.8
Exposure bias value 0.00 EV
Max. aperture value f/2.8
Metering mode Pattern
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal length 7.7 mm
User comment
Colorspace sRGB
Pixel X dimension 3072
Pixel Y dimension 2304
Focal plane X res. 3072000/284
Focal plane Y res. 2304000/213
Focal plane res. unit inch
Sensing method One-chip color area sensor
Custom Rendered Normal process
Exposure mode Auto exposure
White balance Manual white balance
Digital zoom ratio 1
Scene capture type Standard
Canon Maker Notes
Macro mode Normal
Flash mode Flash not fired
Continuous drive mode Single
Focus mode Single
Image size Large
Easy shooting mode Unknown
Contrast Normal
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
ISO Auto
Metering mode Evaluative
AF point selected Unknown
Exposure mode Easy shooting
White balance Auto
Flash Bias 0 EV
Image type IMG:DIGITAL IXUS 750 JPEG
Firmware version Firmware Version 1.00
Image number 1001-0059

[electrolyte]

Excellent shot Colin - certainly a lot of action going on there!

[bowenjones]

Nice shot Colin
Hope you didn't have to hold your breath too long
I couldn't help noticing how much noise there is in the picture though (not surprising considering the conditions the shot was taken in).
Been a bit bored tonight so I had a little play with your picture in paint shop pro.
The top right quarter has a lot of noise in it so I selected that portion (not the bubbles though) with the freehand tool and applied the digital camera noise filter at 75%. I then applied the same filter to the whole picture at 40%. Finally, a bit of unsharp mask. The result is below.
If my messing with your picture bothers you at all then by all means let me know and I will delete my post

[colinwheeler]

Originally Posted by bowenjones

If my messing with your picture bothers you at all then by all means let me know and I will delete my post

Not at all. I appreciate the input. I like the effect that you have achieved although think it may have taken away too much from the tiling areas. There, s still a while to go so I an going to play with it further but am really grateful for the answers to how you did it because it really brings out the bubbles which were the entire point behind the shot.
Thanks.

[bowenjones]

Just by applying unsharp mask will bring out the bubbles more but at the same time it will enhance the noise. The approach that I took was rather aggressive but, with a bit more time, you can get the balance between losing some of the noise and keeping more of the clarity just about right. Glad you didn't mind me messing

[beachy]

great shot colin i really like it.

[Magslad]

Agree, great shot and the composition works perfectly. For my own personal taste, I like the post-processing that gives a bit more clarity to the bubbles, but either way a really nice shot.