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Jacko


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Clichés (Classic Editing)
Camera: Canon PowerShot G2
Location: Grand Falls, NB
Date: Feb 1, 2003
Aperture: F4.0
ISO: 50
Shutter: 1/640 sec
Galleries: Abstract, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Feb 1, 2003

 Always wanted to try a water drop shot. Thought it would be a great time to do it. Alot tougher than I thought. Had a real hard time getting the focus right. Wanted to add a little something by incorporating the chess board (another cliche IMO). I was pleasantly surprised to see the patten refracted in the drop.

Technical. I couldn't find my chess board so I had to print one out, which was better anyways because I could fit more squares in the frame. The squares are only 1/2 x 1/2 inches. Filled a transparent pie pan (pyrex) with water. Placed the print-out in a ziplock bag in case water would go on it, then placed the pan on top of the print-out. Used a turkey baster for the water drops and a 500W spot for lighting. I think I used brust mode on this one. 1/2 my trials were done with burst mode and 1/2 with single shot.

Used the histogram function in PSP to brighten up the white and darken the black. (not converted to grey scale). Sharpend using the sharpen function (unsharp mask made it glow too much). Too bad we can't spot edit ... some annoying white dots and imperfections.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 246
Avg (all users): 7.3532
Avg (commenters): 8.1190
Avg (participants): 7.2677
Avg (non-participants): 7.5000
Views since voting: 11742
Votes: 201
Comments: 71
Favorites: 89 (view)

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AuthorThread
 12/26/2003 11:37:27 AM
This shot is great, I also like the pattern that was reflected in the drop. Great Job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/23/2003 12:12:59 PM
I don't know anything about the competition or whatever it was that you entered this in, but I think the picture looks amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/21/2003 08:15:07 PM
Now thats a Nice Photo.
In my mind, this is a shot that shows photos are ART
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/14/2003 10:18:45 PM
...from Critique Club...

Hi Jacko (fellow Canuck) ...we meet again :)

FIRST IMPRESSION:
Excellent

COMPOSITION:
perfect...i think it works very nice. Excellent use of the rule of thirds.:)

TECHNICAL:
The focus on that splash is really quite something. The reflection on the top of the drop really makes the shot, IMO. Lighting is very nice, as is the DOF, which blurs out the background...well done :)

ARTISTIC:
Yes, it is a cliche alright, and you managed to pull off a terrific version of it. The use of the chess board (printout) was very creative. :)

OVERALL:
Great shot...looks great next to your blueberry :)

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB!

Cheers.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 03:38:06 PM
In judging I always give the three I think should be the winners my highest three scores. I figure if I can pick winners then I will recognize a winner when deciding my own submissions. This was one of my three picks.

Technical quality, meeting the challenge requirements and the stroke of genius to marry an unusual combination of "cliches" set this one apart from the others.

(For those who might be curious my other two choices this week finished 4th and 40th respectively. I'm still trying to figure out that last one)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 12:30:55 PM
Congratulations....very fine work and well deserved placement.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 09:17:53 AM
The pattern in the drops is what makes this shot special. I'm inspired. Thanks for sharing your methodology for capturing it (easier than I thought?). Congratulations on your first place win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 09:08:26 AM
Excellent - congrats on the win. I love the refracted pattern at the top of the drop - lifts it above the other's I've seen.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 08:49:05 AM
Beautiful shot! Well deserved win. The pattern in the drop really makes this shot!

-danny
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 08:26:22 AM
Congratulations! I knew it was tops when I laid eyes on it.
Thanks for sharing your technique.
Kate
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 07:42:23 AM
lol. somehow, in the inner recesses of my mind, i knew this would win .. people are such suckers for water drop shots, and this one is so cool with the checkers :) .. great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 07:27:31 AM
U de man! Vraiment une très belle photo!! Keep it up!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 06:17:34 AM
Hot shot! Nice work Jacko. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 05:48:57 AM
Mommy, mommy! They gave me another Purty Ribbon!

Seriously, thank you so much for the kind words and the generous votes. I really had fun setting up and shooting this shot. Woo hoo! No 1s.
 02/10/2003 05:16:00 AM
Incredible image. One of the two 10's I have ever given here. How anyone could rate this a 2 or a 3 obviously doesn't have a clue what cliche means. LOL. Every week we are guaranteed 3 or 4 chess board shots here and water drop shots are a dime a dozen. Great image. You are one of my favorites here, that's for sure... Dave
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 04:25:50 AM
Jacko, just outstanding and it really shows that you put effort into your image. Very well executed and certainly a work of art. Well done and keep up the fantastic work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 01:33:19 AM
Congratulations! I new this was the one! Beautiful work!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 01:12:41 AM
Another one jacko! Great Photo well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 12:34:15 AM
Congrats!! Great picture. Nice and clear.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 12:10:50 AM
Way to go, Jacko. You da man!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 12:09:54 AM
Classic Jacko!!!! Way to go. This is an outstanding idea and image ...

Bob
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 12:01:10 AM
awesome shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 12:01:02 AM
Another one jacko! Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
02/09/2003 11:16:27 PM
Very nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/09/2003 07:41:15 PM
wow! look at that detail at the top of the drop! i'm sure this is going to be close if not at the top this week!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/09/2003 06:13:38 PM
If you have time you could do a series of these, and snatch the different-shaped drops to represent the different pieces, and make a complete set. Would look great.Would be good done in glass...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/09/2003 05:47:52 PM
Very clever... Lots of fun too!! One of my favorites this week. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/09/2003 08:09:00 AM
The contrast between black and white and circle/square is super.
Very creative...inspiring. I would like to know how it was done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2003 08:19:04 PM
After 100 dribbly drops and chess DPC'ers still can never get enough. Interesting background and totally awesome checkerboard top droplet. Technically up to snuff in all departments. I also like the starburst kiss near the drop base as an added visual interest. I would ignore the few whiny remarks about certain squares not being more white. It's a terrrific image that fits the challenge doubley well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2003 12:05:17 PM
WOW!!!!!! What a freaky photo!!! I love it!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2003 06:24:27 PM
This one will become a DPC classic.

It captures two great photographic cliches in one that you'd never expect to see together. It meets the challenge perfectly and does it in dramatic and technically near-perfect fashion.

Hats off to this photographer.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2003 05:49:36 PM
Perfect combination. Good color and lighting. A winning photo! - 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2003 09:12:57 AM
Nice effect at the top of the drop.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 09:48:05 PM
Nice photo, but I don't quite see how it qualifies as a "cliche."
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 07:16:58 PM
Great idea and shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 07:13:20 PM
I reallt like the water waves that you got to work. The color also came out very nice. Good Work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 02:53:33 PM
Well done. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 08:14:23 AM
*wolf whistles*

*gasp*
9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 05:15:59 AM
Wow, that turned out exceptionally well. When first looking at it, I almost mistook that water droplet for a chess piece :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 05:09:08 AM
A combination of cliches. The idea is great. Well executed and looks like it gives us a little more effect than I would've anticipated with the checkerboard pattern at the top of the drop. Really really well done - Inspzil
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2003 01:47:31 AM
You came pretty close to perfection on this shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2003 10:35:15 PM
I don't understand this one. But I don't really like what I see. It's just not appealing to me. I think it is supposed to be water, thats why the background is not smooth. And I don't know what is in the center. It's just not personally my kind of photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2003 09:25:45 PM
great composition..I like the flowing circles of the black and white squares contrasting the reflected squares in the drop.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2003 05:25:30 PM
God, that is so cooool. Why can't I think of great ideas like this!!! The droplet with the almost perfect reflection in it is the topper! 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2003 03:00:26 PM
I like the position of the water drop. Great capture and very good job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2003 12:37:50 PM
What a great idea! Would have been perfect if the DOF was broader to keep the squares' edges sharp. Nice effect in the drop!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2003 08:27:23 AM
Awesome picture. I love the reflection in the water droplet. Probably my favorite of the week.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 11:17:58 PM
Now, normally I don't predict winners, because my tastes are not as most peoples. But for the sole reason of that refection in the water drop.... wow. I really hope this wins.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 08:31:46 PM
Nice combination of cliches. Impressive water drop, especially with the chessboard view. White specks or something detract a bit...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 07:31:19 PM
very nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 06:34:07 PM
Your backround takes this cliche shot to a whole new level. Excellent!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 03:58:49 PM
Yes.. definitely cliche and I'm getting sick of seeing all the damned water droplets and splashes and such. I really hope this is the end of splashes. I give you 9 because you got cliches right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 02:49:15 PM
This is amazing! From the thumbnail I wasn\'t too excited about it but the reflection in the splash/drops whatever you call it incredible. Excellent capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 01:16:12 PM
Definitely cliche! hehe.. lovely, well done. 10 -Annida
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2003 03:23:18 AM
Perfect. Could not have chosen a better cliche photo after the recent challenges. This would have won them both (lol). You made the water drop look just like a chess piece (but you already know this of course). My only recommendation is that you stop doing creative things like this and let some other people win for a while. jk. great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 10:14:15 PM
i'm purring...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 09:26:39 PM
very nice work! Excellent clarity and the reflection/refraction in the water tower is really neat :) = 10 - setzler
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 08:52:41 PM
I just moved this from 8 to 10, the more I look at it the more I like it. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 07:19:22 PM
great combination of the drops on glass above a pattern and the water droplets. I like how the drop looks kinda like a chess piece
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 06:52:18 PM
Nice, works really well with the checkered background. The distortions are excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 06:48:01 PM
Neat
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 04:49:47 PM
Nice, I really like the way the checker theme is continued in the drop itself.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 03:30:36 PM
Hee, hee, two birds with one stone...lol. Nice work. Good work, good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 02:36:42 PM
Yup. That's cliche! The refraction in the droplet is awesome! If you have enough resolution I'd try a closer crop of just that (for a variation) since it's so cool. Good, even lighting. Really neat that the droplet is right in the middle of a square too. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 02:10:25 PM
Good picture, very creative.interesting subject.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 01:40:35 PM
Someones stuck on the square thing aren't they. This is a good image. I really like the color of the chess board mixed with the water.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 10:42:00 AM
well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 08:24:02 AM
i have seen this photo allready?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 03:01:08 AM
Yes, this is so classic indeed! Well done!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 02:37:49 AM
oooh... is this an Amiga reference?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2003 12:13:59 AM
Very cliche and very well done! The reflection of the board in the very top drop really makes this photo for me. The border is simple and appropriate. A really good photo - the only critical comment is the reflection of the room where the drop meets the water, but it's only a minor thing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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