Out with the old, in with the new

[steevdavis62]

This is a photo i just took, of one of my brand new golf balls and an old, dilapidated ball.

Trying to show how pointless it is, players always wanting the newer shiny balls. When both balls really still play exactly the same...

I guess only a golfer would appreciate that interpretation of it, but i think its a nice shot anyway. Critique welcome?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62342462@N00/2245925980/" title="IMG_5629 by steevdavis62, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2395/2245925980_9ebbe70333.jpg" width="500" height="256" alt="IMG_5629" /></a>

Camera: Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

[Nicole]

Trying to show how pointless it is, players always wanting the newer shiny balls. When both balls really still play exactly the same...


Kind of like photography gear, huh? ;)

The tops of the balls seem to be a bit blown out, but I can't decide if that fits or not. I like the narrow crop to the picture, and even the tilt. I think it's well suited to black and white. The only other thing I would've considered is lighting the balls with some external lights from the side to avoid getting the blown out highlights and to avoid using the flash head on. Even desk lamps work :)

[steevdavis62]

Yeah trying to get the whole ball perfectly exposed was very hard, because they are so white and reflective. But i agree i think the crooked camera angle gives it a quirky vibe that isnt bad.

They where actually both almost brand new balls. They fun part was taking one and throwing it in the ground and rubbing it on concrete and generally trying to destroy it, to make it look older :)

[JFSanders]

My Dad walked by and said you were blasphemous for suggesting that new balls did not play better than the beat ones. :D

I like the tones on the balls themselves but the dark shadow in the upper left is loud. A more diffused light would calm down the highlights and also lower the camera to a more parallel plane with the face of the balls.

I take that back about lowering the camera. It looks pretty low to begin with.

[steevdavis62]

Tell your dad, apart from my intentions in taking this photo i just baught 2 boxes of brand new balls for myself... LOL

Do you really find the dark corner distracting? For me it almost made the photo. I thought it added a texture, make it more the just a photo of 2 golf balls. But i appreciate your comment. I wonder what other people think?

[JFSanders]

Not distracting just a little too intense. I think I would like it better if it were not broken in the middle by the light patch and connected with the other shadow.

I do like the tilt. And I like the concept. Tells a nice (blasphemous) but interesting story. And he said "penance paid" :D

[steevdavis62]

Alrighty, ill try and maybe adjust the light about in photoshop when i get a chance, make it lest contrasty and more even. Maybe a bit of doging and buring could help make more even colours...

Does the ball possibly look like it has 'fake' wear. Because its more scratches and lumps of dirt, rather then real club face tears and grass stains?

[xxpinballxx]

scientifically speaking a ball thats shiny and new plays alot better than a scuffed up and old beat up ball. A person like Tiger or Phil can tell a difference and given the velocity and rotation its not hard to figure that a clean new ball will spin faster and go farther due to the less wind resistance.
Sorry just had to get that out....
I really like the tilt of the ground and the B&W treatment.
I think the dark corner is a distraction but not to the point I cant keep focus on the balls.
I think that a bit of playing around could get some more range out of the B&W's....maybe getting a better separation foreground and background.
Nice set up and im also interpreting the upward angle and the new ball being on the rise is saying something.....
title works good for this shot!

[steevdavis62]

Thanks pinball. I agree at a professional level, new balls do play better. But for the amateurs, it is more about status then about how the ball plays.

Point to note, i went out for a round the other day, and lost both of these balls. So NEITHER plays well.

Yeah, i like the incline as well. When i was taking the photos, i took heaps on the flat. And it didnt do any special for me. But i tilted it, and it just jumped out.

[OU1247]

My husband would love that shot!
Nice vision!