Skelton Then and Now

[fh1805]

This sequence can be dowloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/?4tn2fbgu0jz

The sequence is intended for viewing by local groups in the area where I live. I'm posting it here for some feedback (positive or negative) on the use I've made of the presentation techniques that PTE provides. The sort of questions in my mind are:

- Is the background an appropriate one?

- Is the use of pan and zoom appropriate?

- Has it been over-used?

But please don't restrict yourselves to just these questions. I'd welcome feedback on any aspect.

In this kind of sequence it isn't possible to produce perfectly composed modern images (you'll understand this point if you download and view the sequence) and I know that some of the modern ones need redoing in better lighting.

In passing it is interesting to note that the modern images of the High Street showing the Cooperative store, which were taken in August 2007, are already historic images. The store's facade was given a major facelift three months after I took these.

[morturn]

Hi and thanks for posting an interesting show

I personally find the back ground a little distracting, black with a 1px white stroke is my preference.

A very good use of the pan and zoom effect, very appropriate to the subject and commentary, I always say keep it simple.

I think your local viewing groups will be most impressed.

[jfa]

There is very little I can say about your AV Peter other than Very Well Done. I think you have succeed in achieving your aim of telling the story of the visual change, or lack of change of Skelton.

On your questions:

- Is the background an appropriate one? Yes, the right colour, although if you change anything maybe a shade darker.

- Is the use of pan and zoom appropriate? Very much so.

- Has it been over-used? In this case I think just right to tell the story.

Also I though the use of the arrow to highlight the point of interest very effective.

One point, I would like to see the inclusion of a map near the beginning so we can locate the village. I'm off now to check my atlas.

Did you think of trying the Load files into Stack function in CS3? This would allow you to align the old/new images and fade from one to another or using masks to bring part of the new image in over the old. Just an idea.

Again great show Peter, and if you don't mind I would like to show this to my camera club as it illustrates the sort of project a group of photographers with an interest in the history of their area could do. Another excellent example of the use of AV, photography and sound.

[fh1805]

Morturn,

Thanks for your feedback. With regards to the comment about the background where you wrote:

I personally find the back ground a little distracting, black with a 1px white stroke is my preference.

I find that the light output from a digital projector is so powerful that a plain black background shows up quite strongly as an area of illumination around the image on screen. I, therefore, surround my images with a coloured background that fills the entire 1024x768 pixel area of the projector. However, your suggestion of putting a 1px white border around the edge of a plain black background is worthy of experimentation by me to see if I like the effect. Thanks for the idea.

[fh1805]

John,

Thanks for your feedback. On the subject of a map, I would draw your attention to the following statement from my original post:

The sequence is intended for viewing by local groups in the area where I live.

My audiences will know where the village is. This sequence wasn't built specifically to share with a world-wide audience such as that found here on this forum.

For your benefit when using your atlas, the village's full name is: Skelton-in-Cleveland. If it is shown in your atlas, it will seem to be in Yorkshire, just a mile or so inland from Saltburn-by-the-sea. Saltburn is to be found on the coast between Middlesbrough and Whitby.

...if you don't mind I would like to show this to my camera club as it illustrates the sort of project a group of photographers with an interest in the history of their area could do...

Finally, yes, you have my permission to show this AV to your club's members. Please let me know how it goes down. And thanks for asking for permission before doing anything. Sometimes, when I "read between the lines" of other posts elsewhere on this forum I am left with the feeling that, perhaps, some folks show downloaded AVs at club gatherings without asking the author for permission first.

[Antbrewer]

Hello,

I do not know where Skelton is but I found the show delightful and very well done.

As was mentioned before the one thing that crossed my mind whilst watching was whether it would have been easy to superimpose some of the images so the 'old' fades out with the 'new' fading in.

The narration was very easy on the ears and even as a stranger to the area I found it very interesting to see the changes.

The background etc is down to personal choice.

A good show.

Anthony

[dpeterso]

This sequence can be dowloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/?4tn2fbgu0jz

The sequence is intended for viewing by local groups in the area where I live. I'm posting it here for some feedback (positive or negative) on the use I've made of the presentation techniques that PTE provides. The sort of questions in my mind are:

- Is the background an appropriate one?

- Is the use of pan and zoom appropriate?

- Has it been over-used?

Hello Peter,

You've put together an interesting show here. First of all, answering your three questions above, the only thing that didn't appeal to me was the color of the background. You are dealing with antiquity here, so a color less dramatic might work better. Personally, I'd go with some shade of gray with a texture. But as someone else already mentioned, if you like it, it's fine.

I don't know what else need to ne done to make it better. Possibly make the red arrows a little slimmer: they seem a bit out of proportion. Your narriation is great, good voice, calming, and easily understood. I'm planning a project of documenting an historical church that is being torn down to make room for the new. Your slideshow has given me some ideas.

Thanks for the submission Peter. Continue with your good work and sharing with us.

Dave

[Barry Beckham]

Peter

I think you have done a pretty good job here and I know a lot of work and research has been put into it. I do agree with others that the blue border is competing somewhat with your images, tone that down to a dark charcoal grey and take a little of the texture depth off too.

I thought your commentary style, delivery and the sound quality of it was just about perfect for this style of sequence, as was the music nicely in the background. I liked to be able to see both the images as I found myself looking from one to the other for comparison.

This sequence IMHO is also one of those that doesn't really need, the backgound at all really. Its one that needs all the space you can use so we get a good view of both the old and new image. It is one of those sequences that is perfect for a 1280*1024 monitor.

Its a great idea well executed.

[Peter S]

Hi Peter,

I don't have much to add as I agree with what has already been said. I liked the overall concept and thought the pan a nd zooms were fine. The music and voice over were also spot on. I found the background rather intrusive and would suggest a neutral grey as a better option. I quite like the idea of stacking in Photoshop so that an old image could be replaced by a new one as it gently faded in. This would of course mean that Barry could not switch his eyes back and forward between old and new but might be effective for just one or two images. Reducing the size and/or vibrancy of the red arrows is also worth consideration.

Very nicely done

Kind regards

Peter

[fh1805]

Anthony,

Thank you for taking the time to view and comment on my sequence.

As was mentioned before the one thing that crossed my mind whilst watching was whether it would have been easy to superimpose some of the images so the 'old' fades out with the 'new' fading in.

The reason I didn't try any superimposition of images was that I wanted the audience to be able to compare the two views at the same time.

[fh1805]

Dave,

Thank you for your comments on my sequence.

...the only thing that didn't appeal to me was the color of the background. You are dealing with antiquity here, so a color less dramatic might work better. Personally, I'd go with some shade of gray with a texture.

There seems to be general feeling that the background is in need of rework. I think I'll have to take this on board and try a softly textured grey as suggested by you and others.

...make the red arrows a little slimmer: they seem a bit out of proportion.

I showed the sequence to some friends at the weekend and saw it projected for the first time and I, too, felt that the arrows were a bit too large and a bit too bright. Another item for the "To Do" list!

I look forward to seeing your sequence on your local church once you have completed it.

[fh1805]

Barry,

Thank you for your feedback. I value your thoughts and insights.

I do agree with others that the blue border is competing somewhat with your images, tone that down to a dark charcoal grey and take a little of the texture depth off too.

The background seems to be attracting most attention in the comments. I'll have to try a rework as a grey colour and I'll also try reducing the depth of the texture as you suggest.

[fh1805]

Peter S,

Thanks very much for your thoughts.

Reducing the size and/or vibrancy of the red arrows is also worth consideration.

You're the second person to pick up on the arrows. I guess I'll have to try a bit of rework on them and see what I think of the suggestions in respect of these.

[denwell]

Nice One Peter!

As someone who knows the village well. but not as well as you naturally (- I'm an outsider!) I can only say that if I was among a local group watching the presentation, it would hold my attention due both to the 'nostalgic' element and the comparison with todays situation in Skelton.

Add to this your own dulcet tones and obvious love of your home town, I believe this to be a worthwhile project for us locally, also an excellent example of the use of PTE's features. The pans and zooms were spot on in my opinion - the only thing which jarred somewhat was the background (just to add to the other comments on this one). Maybe something more in keeping with the nostalgic style used. The 'tiled' appearance is a little too obvious to me. The arrows I feel were not too large ( remember the age of the potential audience!) and stood out well to highlight the changes in the village.

Altogether - well done I really enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing it again doing the rounds hereabouts!

regards

Dennis

DEN (NE UK) very near to Skelton

[fh1805]

Thanks Den,

I appreciate your feedback, especially as you have applicable local knowledge.