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Arabian Flights
2nd PlaceArabian Flights
scalvert


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Fantasy (Advanced Editing IV)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Jan 21, 2006
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 100
Shutter: 100
Galleries: Humorous, Digital Art
Date Uploaded: Jan 22, 2006

A simple setup really... I printed out a photo that I took last year from an airplane as two huge plotter prints and taped them together. Resolution wasn't a problem because fuzzier details just look like a result of depth of field. The rug and my daughter were sitting on top of the print, and I put a fan in her face to get her hair blowing. A roll of bubble wrap under the rug gave it a wave (I should have used more). I placed a monolight with an umbrella on either side of her to minimize the shadows and took the shot from a ladder overhead.

Processing: Boosted the exposure and saturation in RAW. Rotated the image 90 degrees and corrected the perspective to get the edges square. Crop, levels, spot saturation adjustments, cloned out the seam in the paper and a few faint shadows around the rug, Noise Ninja on the background, and assorted dodging and burning to even things out. I blurred the background a little to reduce noise in the print and give a better sense of depth.

It sounds like a lot of editing, but HERE'S what the original shot looked like.

A bit of cosmic poetry... Arabian Flights is my 1001st photo to be chosen as a favorite. ;-)

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 109
Avg (all users): 7.8090
Avg (commenters): 8.7885
Avg (participants): 7.6901
Avg (non-participants): 7.8479
Views since voting: 29916
Views during voting: 662
Votes: 288
Comments: 140
Favorites: 97 (view)


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AuthorThread
01/19/2014 11:35:39 AM
Very clever - love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/12/2009 10:41:07 PM
wow, even *I* gave this photo an 8.

One of these days I'll get it dq'd though... ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/12/2009 10:19:38 PM
Fantastic shot!
Simple and clever! Beautiful result!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/21/2007 11:49:55 PM
Brilliant photo. And thanks for telling us how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/24/2007 06:51:28 PM
very great work!!!! I like it, congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/08/2007 09:29:44 AM
I just need to say, this is so creative. And done so well
Great work Scalvert
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 07:52:06 PM
This one still blows me away
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2006 11:51:13 PM
Great idea and setup! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2006 06:59:29 PM
Like I said, this is just way too cool! Great job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/19/2006 07:50:01 AM
Adorable shot. Graphicly great composition. BRAVO.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/12/2006 03:40:27 PM
or even better would be to have the carpet somewhat follow the curves of her body to give the impression that shes floating with it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/12/2006 03:39:36 PM
if you did this again, id say try to make the carpet more uneven or even put stuff underneath to not give it that flat look. it might look more like she was flying on it rather than flat and on a hard floor.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/06/2006 01:26:20 PM
Very creative!! congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 10:40:06 AM
Congrats Shannon! Great setup and wonderful result! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/04/2006 10:44:42 AM
Does she need oxygen at that altitude! just a great shot! Congrats on your ribbon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/04/2006 01:10:32 AM
Thanks very much for all of the detail on how you setup and post processed this shot. And congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/03/2006 07:53:05 AM
simple idea that produced an amazing image...well done on the idea and bringing it to fruition!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 11:45:39 PM
you sir, are an inspiration
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 09:46:52 PM
This is so great that it make me dizzy and takes my breath away. An excelelnt idea and so well executed!!! Makes me wish I had that idea. LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 06:56:37 PM
That's a bit of effort you went to, but the result was clever and rewarding - as usual. Nice one.
: )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 05:54:42 PM
Shannon thanks for sharing how you did this shot. Wonderfully imaginative - congrats on your Red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 08:34:39 AM
Fantastic photo, congratulations on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 06:32:28 AM
Wow this is amazing, so much work for a great result. well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 09:26:36 PM
Simply stunning!!! I love the picture so muuuccchh....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 09:20:40 PM
Cool shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 01:19:20 PM
Great shot! Great idea! I take this as a very first place!!! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 12:05:43 PM
Ohhh my... another amazing idea!!!! Congratulations, Shannon!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 06:59:18 AM
perfect. makes me want to buy a plotter. who needs a dining room table, anyways ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 06:26:10 AM
The creativity here is amazing. Excellent and congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 03:24:40 AM
Everthing that I want to say has already been said, amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/31/2006 01:29:15 AM
Great idea and great photography!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 09:45:28 PM
wow...this is fantastic!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 06:04:00 PM
I liked this one the best...great work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 05:24:40 PM
Nothing to say. You're a master. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 02:57:39 PM
i had a feeling this was yours. nice work as usual !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:44:44 PM
gorgeous. it's making me woozie!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:05:27 PM
Oh my!!! unbelievable!!!

you're a genius indeed!!!
______________
edit: the lamp genius, i think ;)

Message edited by author 2006-01-30 13:06:51.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:59:42 PM
genius
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 11:42:19 AM
I though you might do well in this challenge, and you did yourself proud, another brilliant setup. The wrinkle in the carpet is a nice touch, and I particularly like the pink plastic dress up shoes, it adds that extra touch of "let's pretend".

For the common good we need to get anyone who would vote this shot a 1 out of the gene pool.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 11:28:42 AM
Originally posted by deepfrog17:

...try and take it flipped around, like she is coming towards you instead.


I took several shots with her head tilted to show some face, but didn't think of turning the whole setup around (duh). I might just have to try that. ;-)
01/30/2006 11:14:25 AM
simply amazing. such an awesome idea. and well executed too. the only thing that bothers me on this one is i think it could have been even better if the little girls face was showing. maybe just a little side shot from this angle would have done it, or try and take it flipped around, like she is coming towards you instead.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 10:13:01 AM
Outstanding job... I wondered if this was yours Shannon! LOL Congrats on your well-deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 09:19:52 AM
This is amazing. You really have some creative mojo to come up with your ideas.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 09:14:53 AM
Master Scalvert at it again and this time with a clean execution of that universal yearning in us for a flying carpet. You certainly appear to ride one to success. Congratulations on your RED.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 08:54:24 AM
Congratulations on your win - incredible set up and superb results!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 08:52:02 AM
Where do you come up with this stuff? its bloddy fantastic. You should be the head of a huge marketing/advertising thinktank! Great idea, and as always, well executed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 07:45:01 AM
This is absolutely beautiful...my little girl loves it, too. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 07:29:44 AM
You need to blow this up (poster-size) for her room (of course, first she needs to take it to school for show-n-tell!) How proud she must be!

To be honest - I think you could make tons of $$ promoting it to grade schools for bulletin boards ("Reading Really Carries Me Away!" or something to that effect. This is coming from the perspective of a family of educators. I showed it to my daughter who teaches 2nd Grade and she really liked it!)

Message edited by author 2006-01-30 07:35:36.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 06:46:57 AM
This is amazing! Should have gotten blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 06:43:21 AM
awesome. love it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 06:42:31 AM
Should have known this was a Scalvert. You are so darn creative in coming up with ideas and executing them. Great job and congrats. on another ribbon. My top pick and only 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 06:06:39 AM
If I only had half the imagination you do ....... plus you have a willing model whenever you need one ! My eight year old daughter doesn't like herself on camera at all, a shame, she is so photogenic !
A big congrats on your RED !
-Lisa
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 05:49:24 AM
Just lovely, a cute concept and beautifully done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 03:08:49 AM
hi shannon. this is fantastic. such imagination. colours are very "fantasy". i hope i have 1/10th of your creativity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:59:36 AM
fantastic work .. congrats on a great imagination :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:55:12 AM
Looking at your comments on how you did this... I must say VERY creative. Good job and well deserved ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:48:09 AM
Its been a true joy watching the development of your work over the last 12 months or so. Unreal mate.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:28:31 AM
You created a magic and the tale of the flying carpet is alive.
The picture is airy, however it was a hard work ! This is the feature of the bests! - CONGRATULATION
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 01:24:19 AM
This should have placed first. The cloud really makes the whole thing work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:53:13 AM
congratulations...you should have won imho...you have an amazing imagination
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:52:04 AM
Had to be Scalvert, who else has this brilliant imagination! Congratulations, goes into fav's for sure :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:36:43 AM
Congratulations! Your creativity is amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:29:46 AM
You clever dog! I love this, scored it a 9! Well deserved ribbon, Shannon! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:24:00 AM
Congratulations Shannon! I thought I had written a comment on this one because it was amazing and I couldn't figure out how it was done! But I don't see it below :(

Anyway, it's fantastic, congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:21:08 AM
congrats on yet another ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:20:20 AM
I'm laughing at my own comment from during the challenge, congrats on the red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:18:17 AM
Absolutely amazing work. Congrats....again.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:15:49 AM
I thought that sweater looked familiar! Congrats on your red, Shannon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:12:37 AM
Awesome Shannon, just awesome. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:12:18 AM
Sweet shot! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:11:47 AM
Excellent shot, very well done. Congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:10:22 AM
WTG Shannon! Outstanding, as usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:09:38 AM
i don't know if I have ever said this.....

unbelievable. You are onto something special here, your creativity I mean.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:07:40 AM
Ahh....I sat looking at this one for ages during the voting trying to work it out. And now it is so simple. Fantastic job and very creative. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:06:57 AM
congrats on the ribbon! knew it was yours ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:06:14 AM
Shannon! I knew it! Congrats again!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:05:37 AM
amazing shot. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/30/2006 12:05:15 AM
congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/29/2006 11:49:42 PM
Wow! How on earth did you achieve this? A mural floor? Very realistic and excellent perspective. In my opinion, probably would have been better if the model had a longer hair moving in the wind. Additionally, if the model were to somehow show her face (even in profile), it would make a memorable portrait. A wonderful, surprising photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 10:38:14 PM
Hmm, looks suspiciouslt like Google-Earth. Very well done fantasy. One of the best. My top three.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 08:29:10 PM
This is really great. How did you do that? Would definately like to know. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 07:45:45 PM
For me, your photo is the only one worthy of a ten in this challenge. I really hope you get a ribbon. It's a terrific shot and exemplifies the challenge. Way to go!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 07:37:24 PM
This is very creative, I can't wait to see how you did this ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 05:38:14 PM
This is a very nice illusion, however, the rug looks a bit too flat, and the hands look unnaturally clenched. But cool how you got the scenery below! EDITED TO ADD: While going through the challenge entries one more time, and looking more closely at my ribbon choices (in which this is one), I wanted to also add that although this is a nice illusion, I now know what I feel is missing that would have really completed this shot. Had you had a fan to blow her hair back and the dress skirt a bit, and maybe propped up a couple of those long rounded pillows (although a bit harder in texture) under the rug, it would have given more of the illusion the rug was in flight as well as herself. Also that one tassle in front right that looks like it is hanging down, to me seems out of sorts. I think it really should have been blowing up or back as if the rug was really moving forward. I'm no master at illusions..LOL..but just thought you may like to know the little details I noticed that were out of sorts. Good luck! And if you don't ribbon, I would really be quite amazed. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 05:05:10 PM
Lovely job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/29/2006 03:31:38 PM
wow, great job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/28/2006 11:24:04 PM
I dearsay, that looks like a Mackenzie. I keep coming back and the only way I can figure you did this is with a huge plotter printer.... Can't wait to see how this was done. GREAT shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/28/2006 11:22:32 AM
Good job, it should be in the winners circle.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/28/2006 12:11:47 AM
OK, what can I say? I could say who took this shot but I won't however I can easily say that 10's will not need to be a fantasy on this photo. 10! it is, unbelievable creativity on this one. Enjoy your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 10:05:25 PM
This is so awsome if I could vote on it I would give it a 10!!! Adding to faves
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 07:51:47 PM
Well done!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 01:41:12 PM
Another smile, another concept well-executed. Thanks for the feel-good photo! I'd give it an 8!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 01:24:29 PM
OK...I've looked at this about 15 times and I think it the best of the lot. While I really wish that there had been some hint of the girl's face in the image, I can see where it might not make any sense due to the angle. It is well set up, the DOF is just perfect against the picture backdrop in which the clouds really make it work. I'd make a guess that it is SCOWL VERT but the color scheme has me thinking not, for some reason. So whomever it is, I hope you will be enjoying your blue....Hmmmm...color scheme, Pink blouse...Bored of Education...hmmm...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 11:02:50 AM
Incredible! Can't wait to read how this was accomplished. Terrific illusion - beautifully executed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 12:34:24 AM
thorough, down to the rug fringe! Fun image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/27/2006 12:14:04 AM
Stunningly realistic! You've got to tell us how you did it - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 09:15:47 PM
I love this, and would look forward to how you did this. Great job, good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 03:13:13 PM
Wow! This is brilliant. Would love to read your comments on how this was done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 08:29:05 AM
So cute girl and excellent composition ! A ten of course !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2006 12:26:20 AM
I really like the idea, but the lighting is too far off to make this illusion work. I think that even placing the magic carpet on a table to raise it up from the background would help you to pull off the illusion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 10:45:27 PM
Ahhhh nicely done. Reminds me of Mr. Scalvert's antics ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 10:07:52 PM
No shot like it in DPC. This is not just technique but done with superb good taste to awaken the magic of the carpet ride that resides in us all. If there did not exist a current voting irregularity I would venture to say that this image may score a very high place and one that will find its way into the favorites of many viewers. A strong milestone of achievement.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 01:19:58 PM
Very cool, could I use your carpet some time :) 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 12:57:59 PM
wow!you have just delivered the right one for the theme.wonderful concept and I think it was not very tough to execute.you should win the challange.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 12:00:21 PM
Brilliant! Great image. perfect!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 10:56:38 AM
this is really really funny. excellent work. i hope you took some where you can see her face, as those would be great family shots.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 10:13:20 AM
So creative, the best by far.. Great shot...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 09:59:59 AM
How did you do that?? Great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 08:53:28 AM
i must say that this is such a CUTE idea! HAhaha ^^
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 07:21:32 AM
Well done! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 05:38:39 AM
So magical, so good, so clever.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2006 02:41:11 AM
brilliant i love it if i could vote it would be a 10 definetly
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 09:06:42 PM
This is awesome!! I get goose bumps just looking at it!
This is truely my fantasy:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 07:28:20 PM
haha. Great take on the challenge. I love the set up... a perfect picture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 09:52:44 AM
Nice Idea and set up
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 09:43:44 AM
very, very good! deserves a ribbon for sure!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 08:41:14 AM
Wow, Very nice. Good imagination.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 08:23:58 AM
What a great fantasy shot, very well done. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 06:56:06 AM
And how is this done? This will be the winning picture. Dare I say congratulations on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/24/2006 06:40:49 AM
Wow! I hope to read a description after the challenge is over. very creative idea, well presented. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 11:03:36 PM
A wonderful fantasy but I wonder if it couldn't have been more dramatic if the view of the ground was less busy (allowing the patterns in the rug to stand out more)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 09:40:15 PM
Nice shot, I love the idea and your work. Great include using the smoke.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 09:09:13 PM
I assume this one is legal - it better be!: it's my only 10 for this contest and I adore it. The concept is great, the composition is fantastic, and the pink is just perfect. Her hair actually looks like it's being blown about. Your choice of everything from point of view to colors to pose is perfectly perfect. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 06:26:32 PM
Inventive and well executed, somehow I think you've done a lot of creative setups!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 06:12:48 PM
That is just too cool...!!! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 05:03:04 PM
Wow!! This is fantasy!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 11:27:50 AM
damn. cool shot. is this a double exposure?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 09:22:15 AM
how the heck did you do that? at least an 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 07:03:15 AM
Truly a magical shot. I predict a ribbon for this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 06:59:20 AM
Great idea ... the image even gives a feeling of vertigo!!! why'd you have to beat me like that? At first i thought the smoke was intedend to be like engine smoke from the contraption but then I realized -- a cloud obviously. Anyway, I'm guessing you used a table and a huge topo map and a fog machine ?? Who has a map like that?? I like the attention to detail also -- the bump in the rug, the perfect direction of the tassels at either end. I'm looking for something to keep this from being a 10. .... hmmm, you even pretty much used rule of thirds .. I can't even say the shadows are off ... Alright 10 ... Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 03:25:43 AM
a photo like this invites guesses about the technique-
my guess is that you must have a huge printout of an aerial shot of a suburban area-
if it's not that, then I have no idea how you did this.

I've ruled out projection, glass-bottomed airplanes, and huge LCD screens

I haven't been impressed with a technical tour-de-force so much since labuda's "Bodhisattva" -



Amazing work! It would be remiss of me to continue without adding this to my favorites! I look forward to seeing this on the front page.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 03:11:47 AM
Congrats on your blue ribbon. Fantastic shot.10 10 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 02:03:11 AM
Your pictures always look so professional - this is no exception. Good concept, well executed - the big cloud to the bottom right really "makes" it IMO, it gives it that quality of floating that's so essential here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 01:36:16 AM
my favourite shot in this challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 01:16:51 AM
flippin awesome!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 01:02:58 AM
scalvert I presume? very nice, would love to know where you got the background.... 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 12:38:39 AM
This is cool... I will definitely be curious as to how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 12:21:14 AM
very nice!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 12:20:30 AM
Great job! I would love to hear how you accomplished this shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2006 12:13:44 AM
well done .. looking towards a ribbon maybe
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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