Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
- View Large
- Vote
Join to Vote
You must join ePHOTOzine to vote. - Comments
-
Bill in conversation with Captain Mainwaring, sitting by the river at Thetford where much of Dad's Army was filmed.
V1 was taken with my 50mm f1.8 lens, V2 with my standard lens. I would rate them both equally if it wasn't for the more distracting background in V2.
We liked Thetford. A number of places in Norfolk play the WW2 Experience card for all its worth. Sheringham had a classy coffee shop absurdly draped in camouflage netting, and several very unconvincing mock-ups of bits of aircraft sticking out of buildings. We were expecting the same in Thetford, given its claim to fame, but the town capitalises on it much more politely. There's an excellent (free entry) museum devoted to the series, there's Jack Jones Butcher Shop (pity about the plastic sign...), but that's about it. Oh yes, and the sculpture of Arthur Lowe/Capt. M, seated on a bench, looking out over the river.
Thanks for looking,
Moira
Edit: I realise that this may be a bit puzzling for non-UK members - explanation: here
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D90  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | 50.0 mm f/1.8 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 18 Sep 2012 - 12:40 PM |
| Focal Length: | 50mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/1.8 |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/125sec |
| Exposure Comp: | -1/3 |
| ISO: | 200 |
| Exposure Mode: | Aperture-priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | No Flash |
| White Balance: | As Shot |
| Title: | Conversation piece |
| Username: | 
mrswoolybill |
| Uploaded: | 11 Jan 2013 - 7:53 AM |
| Tags: | Black & white, Grumpy old men, Photo journalism, Portraits / people, Sculpture, Specialist / abstract |
| Votes: | 83 |
 | Variant - Tests |
Comments
Love version 2, it really looks like their chatting together.
yes..V2 has that knowing look...ahhhh the best clip ever......
Quote: "Dad's Army: Keep Young and Beautiful (#5.2)" (1972)
Mainwaring: I think we're going to have to split this platoon into two halves, you know. One half for those who are fit and strong, and the other half for those who are not up to battle standards.
Wilson: Yes, well, I tried that once, sir. It looked rather untidy.
Mainwaring: How d'you mean, "untidy"?
Wilson: Well, there were two in one half, and twenty-one in the other.
"Stupid Boy". well they make a happy but somehow discordant pair, I never took Bill for pompous, or strutting.
Dougie
V2 for me Moira.
Thank you so much Barbara, and thank you everyone who's called in here.
I might return to V2 and try to tone down or blur the background a bit.
Dougie, it was truly a meeting of like minds... 
Moira
Quote: I prefer No. 2 with Bill slightly less OOF creates a greater feeling of dialogue between the two.
I should have added - V2 is F8 at 38mm. I was trying to get a satisfying balance between the three planes. The background (pub in one direction, bridge and floating bar in the other) was not helpful.
Quote: they could almost be twins
Quote: I never took Bill for pompous, or strutting.
Quote: I didn't realise Bill had served in the home front - and to be given a statue in his honour - well my word!
Bill is paying careful attention to this page, and making notes...
"Don't tell him your name, Bill" 
The similarity is just a bit uncanny. Excellent crop in v1, Moira.
Dave
My o my now that is uncanny fame at last for Bill , I can hear the phone ringing from here. Excellent Moira, you both did well amazing capture.
John
Brilliant work and thought out image. Great use of DOF and use if the similarities between the two
I thought this one might get some interesting comments...
Quote: Tell me does the similarity go further than looks
Hmmm... He does tend to treat me as a silly girl quite often. Apart from that my lips are sealed as after 42 years of marriage I really don't want to risk divorce proceedings.
Edit: He has just commented that he is more of a Sgt. Wilson. Or that he's sometimes one, sometimes the other. Oh God, I'm married to a split personality...
Further edit: He has just added Clive Dunn for good measure. I'm panicking.
Quote: I think the worrying thing is that Bill does seem to be holding a conversation with, well . . . a statue. Do you not talk to him very much?
Bill might say that I talk to him too much...
And thank you to John and Ken for their UAs - it's a good morning! I shall work further on V2, I had an idea while traipsing round Tesco.
Moira
And John (lonely oxyx)'s UA! And it's not yest midday. Wow, thanks very much.
Four UAs, and Bill is chuffed for once because he's in them all!
Moira
Never thought of Bill looking like Captain Mainwaring before! Two excellent images, Moira, like both equally 
Trev
Brilliantly done, Moira !
I have a boxed set of Dad's Army I often dip in to, to brighten up a dull day. Fantastic series.
It'd make for an interesting exercise to match up your regular EPZ followers with the cast now, wouldn't it?
(Personally, I'd have thought your good husband more resembles Cptn. Square - not in look but manner, anyway !)
I've just watched the clip on YouTube and some of my grey cells were responding, so I'm wondering if I might have seen some of this when we were in Norway.
That aside, I don't think one needs to know anything about Dad's Army to appreciate the photo. One is immediately struck by the similarities of the faces - some might even wonder if Bill is actually looking at a recently unveiled statue of himself (yes, you are probably saying "heaven help me" at this comment!)
I've moused over these, back and forth - and am ending up appreciating v1 the more - Bill is slightly less in focus and that works better for me. Good luck on working that background in v2. I have a street shot with a similar distracting area and I ended up cropping close and vignetting, but it was never quite satisfactory.
Anne
I'm going with v1 and the growing row of User Awards
Helen
Many thanks to Helen - this is quite a day! - and to everybody else. I am just home from school and catching up with jobs here.
Quote: V2 looks more like they are "in conversation".
I agree. I shall work further on it...
Jennn, it was a long-running TV comedy series, set on the South coast during WW2.
Moira
Quote: V1: "At least tell me what I said!"
V2: "You're still gonna give me the silent treatment, huh?
Brilliant!
Ha ha, great stuff Moira, but I'm going for V2 on this one.
John
Coming in at this VERY late stage, I must admit that my 'hero' from the great British sitcoms is Norman Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine. This is perhaps unfortunate as I spend most of my time sounding off like Foggy Dewhurst and looking like Compo. Oh, dear . . .
Bill
V2 is the one for me, Moira, nicely done. I have one like this of my partner chatting to Lord Baden-Powell. He wanted me to take it so that he could send it to his scouting buddies. They still keep in touch. Quite astonishing really.
Very well thought of, acted out and executed, Moira. And very thoughtful of you to think of non UK residents. However I happened to have watched the series on BBC Prime. Your perfect cropping increases the resemblance, as the top of the hat of the captain is left out. I like both of them, and Bill really seems to be conversing in V2, and a little environmental intrusion doesn't bother me. Brilliant!
Like the reallt close-up appoach, gives dynamismto the image Moira!
Maggie
Awwww, this could be Bill's brother! Isn't there some resemblance? Both images are superb.
Johanna
I know it well, Costas. Interesting comparison. Questions rather than answers.
Sculpture, and photographing it, is a passion of mine. Thanks.
Moira
Two classic images Moira, I thought this was Woolybill2, the twin brother who Bill was in animated conversation with!
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Nikon Nation
Are you a Nikon owner? Check out Nikon Nation to find the latest Nikon news, reviews, discussion and photos on ePHOTOzine.
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
