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scalvert


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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Fairy Tales (Advanced Editing II)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Aug 29, 2004
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/160
Galleries: Humorous, Animals
Date Uploaded: Aug 29, 2004

 Woohoo! I ribboned in my own challenge suggestion! Yes, that's a real, wild frog. My original idea was to make a unicorn out of a narwhal tusk, but it didn't work out, so this was plan B.

I went to Toys R Us and bought a nice Barbie doll for myself (ahem) to get the gold crown. Then I went across the street to a pond and tackled a bullfrog barehanded (I got lucky on the size). For that extra touch, I waded out knee-deep in muck (ewww) for some lily pads and water lilies. Now for the hard part... to corral the little rascal, I filled a large Rubbermaid tote half-full of water and put a black t-shirt in the bottom to simulate deep water. I placed the lily pads in the tote and, after much deliberation (hmm.. staples, hot glue?) tied on the crown with the wire stripped from a garbage bag "twist-tie." It turned out that whenever I had the crown strapped on, the frog froze completely (in utter embarrassment, I suppose). The shot was taken indoors by a large window, with sunlight filtering through a tree outside.

EDIT- Yes, the frog was released back into the pond unharmed (and still a frog).

I had two outtakes that I couldn't decide between, and ended up swapping the photos about 8 times in the last 15 minutes until the deadline cut me off. I've posted them in my portfolio if anyone cares to comment. Thanks for the votes and great comments everyone!

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 104
Avg (all users): 6.9952
Avg (commenters): 8.8889
Avg (participants): 6.9242
Avg (non-participants): 7.0280
Views since voting: 10647
Views during voting: 428
Votes: 209
Comments: 64
Favorites: 29 (view)

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AuthorThread
 05/26/2006 05:29:32 PM
Fabulous. Nobody else has your ingenuity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/08/2005 06:40:58 PM
Impressive work behind this shot!
And a well deserved ribbon! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2005 10:22:50 PM
Normally I wouldn't look twice at this shot - but after reading through your description it ends up in my favourites. You are insane (I mean that in the complimentary sense... if that's possible :P).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/10/2004 08:35:38 AM
Thanks for sharing the info on this shot. Great work and imagination. I took a look at your two outtakes and I still prefer the one you finally submitted. Keep it up dude.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2004 08:48:38 PM
Nice clarity and reminds us so effectively of the story. Super job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2004 01:35:24 PM
You deserve the ribbon just for the work you put in. Great photo, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2004 04:30:18 PM
I'm definetly putting you on my Favorite Photographers list. I'm seriously considering buying a print of "Drainpipe Creatures" if I could get a print. I'm very impressed with this Photograph. 10. Congratulations on your ribbon Shannon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2004 04:20:14 PM
If I was a member you'd have gotten a 10 for all the trouble alone. Not too many this dedicated to the art. But the picture is also outstanding. Congratulations on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2004 04:12:34 PM
you chose the right one for the challenge. congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2004 05:58:51 AM
Awesome .. Awesome !!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2004 01:28:29 AM
Another fantastic shot Shannon! Congratz!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 08:35:00 PM
My top choice in the challenge. Glad it ribboned.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 05:52:43 PM
What a Great Shot! Congratulations on Your Ribbon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 02:58:56 PM
this is a great shot! Not to ake away anything from the 1st & 2nd place, but I certainly thought this should have beat out the other shots. Regardless, you continue to scoop up ribbons! Congrats on another great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 02:05:23 PM
Fabulous idea and beautifully executed! Adding the water lily really added to the photo and your story is amazing. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 10:51:42 AM
Shannon, you're one of the guys I watch closely because our site statistics are close, but man you've been on fire! Absolutely excellent job once again. Perhaps choosing you as my "arch enemy" wasn't a good idea ... I need someone with less talent :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 10:01:42 AM
very clever, and worthy of a ribbon.

well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 09:16:15 AM
This is definetly too funny!Sounds like a lot of work,what a great effort!I`m glad no animal was harmed only possibly taught how to be a crossdresser! I won`t tell you what we used to do to bullfrogs when I was a kid but I am still ashamed of it!


Message edited by author 2004-09-06 09:18:10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 09:10:41 AM
Congrats on #3!! Cute shot!! :-) I'm always surprised when animals cooperate like this!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 08:19:59 AM
I'm not a full member yet -- trying to get a few more open challenges under my belt before I do that, but if I had been able to vote this would have been my favorite one. And thanks for all the info about how you did the photo -- that helps those of us who are new to photography and also assures those of us who are animal-lovers!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 08:04:31 AM
This was so cute ! I hoped you would ribbon with this one ! Congrats !!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 05:22:28 AM
Congratulations.
Nicely worked shot, a well deserved ribbon .

Gordon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 05:19:42 AM
A great picture, amazing work!
*clap, clap* :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 05:04:45 AM
Congrats on the ribbon. After reading your comments I definetly think you deserve one for the effort. You set the standards high for the rest of us by going the distance in your shots.

Great work, keep it up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 03:15:47 AM
Congrats on the red, I truly loved this shot! :-) Thanks for the description, too. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 01:19:22 AM
Thanks, Thamer. Everyone please note that tyt2000 is SERIOUSLY addicted. Frances is nearly on top of Tampa, and he's online. ;-)
 09/06/2004 01:05:55 AM
Man, you're on a serious roll! Congrats on yet another ribbon...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:34:30 AM
Great work Shannon. I hope the frog made it unharmed and you released him...you forgot that part of the story above!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:28:29 AM
Scalvert, you are hot. Yes, I missed this image with another and so you remained at my placeholder of 5. I am sorry. But hey, these things do happen, I promise to be more careful. The important thing is that you scored yet another. This makes you a master+. Congratulations for this lovely and endearing image with such wide appeal.

Message edited by author 2004-09-06 23:37:01.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:24:00 AM
LOL...cute shot. Ewww...the thought of kissing this creatures...ewww..

Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:16:57 AM
Congratulations, my favourite photo of the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:13:07 AM
Way to go Shannon!

Hey! That Water Lily looks familiar! LOL
I knew this would hit the top three.

Well Done!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:05:43 AM
Congratulations on your ribbon!! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:05:02 AM
my wife want's to know how you did it!

(I told her staples)

hehe
great shot and congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2004 12:04:06 AM
How did you get the frog to cooperate so well?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/05/2004 11:58:35 PM
Great idea and a surprisingly patient prince. (Wondering how many takes before you wore him out to sit still). Beautiful entry! Great color 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 11:53:05 PM
Very clever! Beautifully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 10:21:37 PM
My favorite for the Blue Ribbon. Great detail and colors - good luck to you. - 10 -
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 03:26:11 PM
Wonder what revenge his plotting for you!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 02:45:28 PM
I thought this was a really good entry. My only suggestion would be a little more fill light on the frog
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 02:42:23 PM
I like the frog's expression the best :)
Interesting composition and use of light -- one of my favorites this challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 01:53:04 PM
Ok. I normally go, "What? Another FROG?" But, I had to laugh. What in the world was this frog thinking with that little crown balanced on its head? The focus, composition and coloring were all really great. Nice photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 10:02:53 AM
Fantastic, lol :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2004 08:44:24 AM
Stunning all around - the clarity, the composition, the colours... everything. Well done - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2004 04:11:56 PM
Very cute spin on it, not like the other 20 pictures of frogs...8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2004 12:28:24 PM
Perfect submission for this challenge!
Focal point falls right wher it should, and the dof on the flower ensures the viewer goes there. Very well done. ((9))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2004 09:21:02 PM
That is great, what an awesome frog shot, and the crown is perfect ! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2004 03:08:36 PM
Hey, the best of all frog photos! :-) He has wonderful eyes and the crown fits him well. :-) The flower adds a nice element to your greens and has a beautiful shape, but I am not sure about the position. I can't explain why. Alltogether a great shot, and I love it. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2004 08:12:53 PM
Best frog in the challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2004 02:31:41 PM
How did you do it! My favorite frog photo in this challenge. :) He's a beauty and you do him justice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2004 06:37:58 PM
Your frog does indeed look "magical".
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2004 05:52:08 PM
Wow, you managed to crown a frog???? Congrats! Also for the composition and photographic execution otherwise. GC (PS: you could put him out somewhere to a public garden pond and wait for a candid shot on somebody trying to give a kiss:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2004 02:03:24 PM
Wonderful, and great title. Should be in the top 10. OK!! How did you do it?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2004 11:31:29 AM
I really don't see how this could lose. Congratulations :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 11:21:13 PM
This is my photo so far. Great detail & cute concept.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 09:43:30 PM
Great Shot! I can't believe you got that frog to keep that crown on. Too funny and fit the bill for the cfhallenge! Well Done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 04:04:52 PM
Lovely 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 11:46:29 AM
Good lighting, contrast and focus. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 11:20:13 AM
The best of the frog shots by far. Great clarity, good composition, and it looks like quite a natural scene.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 09:41:27 AM
Very good! You managed to get a crown on a real frog! That must've been tough!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 09:15:51 AM
very cute :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 04:31:01 AM
Excellent. Lots of shots of frogs, but this is the first 'dressed up' entry. Perfect.
I expect to see this in the top 3
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 12:42:56 AM
If this crown wasn't illegally photoshopped in I believe you have a ribbon winning prince of a photograph in your hands here. I can't image how you possible got it to wear it!? :) 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/30/2004 12:26:02 AM
ONe of the best I've seen in any challenge ever. IF you don't get first place I'll be totally surprised. Amazing job. I love that it's original, fits the challenge, plus it's pitch perfect photography. Lighting, composition, everything is perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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