| Photograph Information |
Photographer's Comments |
Challenge: Cheater! (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Location: My home
Date: Nov 19, 2005
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 100
Shutter: 15s
Galleries: Sports, Political
Date Uploaded: Nov 19, 2005
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Put my sick son's antibiotic and some stomach soothers (OTC) on the wooden bench, about 80cm from the camera. Using normal lens (50mm) and the aperture of f/7.1, I walked some 3 meters behind the bench. (I experimented with f/3.5 but the bokeh was too much).
Cropped, applied the Draganizer action (Joey's favourite) because I considered this to be a dark topic, so grunge seemed appropriate.
Some dodging, burning, and cloning after grunge effect, resized, save for web and submit.
Lighting: the dimmed light came from the left on the bench. The player (me) was not directly illuminated by this light, but with the computer monitor running some dark screen saver.
Here is the unedited original shot (resized for DPC only):
I realize that the photo of a prescription drug will never end up on DPC homepage, but I felt that this is at least going to be original entry.
I am hoping for my best showing ever, i.e. to break 6.0. We'll see... |
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06/17/2006 05:40:18 PM |
| Very appropriate for this challenge! Very clear shot and good composition. |
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 Photographer found comment helpful. |
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11/30/2005 09:25:18 AM |
I was prepared to give an in-depth critique of this image, however, I see that someone has already given you one with good points, observations and suggestions. If you still would like an additional critique, PM me and I will return to this image.
Message edited by HBunch - removed Critique Club status. |
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11/28/2005 09:01:07 AM |
Srdanz - I almost wonder if the message got lost with the global community here at DPC? I think it's a great idea and certainly shouts "Cheater" - has been lots of publicity about it in US papers for sure. I like the composition, the only down side I have is I think you went a tad too dark for the basketball player. Monitor calibration is an issue here at DPC, and many voters may have had a hard time with this. Just a thought.
Smile and keep having fun! ;^) |
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11/28/2005 01:59:10 AM |
| Comparing the two images, can you see how you have given away nearly all of the luminosity of the original int he version you entered? I think this cost you a point or so, myself; the entered image is just so "dull", speaking in terms of tonalities. I suspect pulling the head out of the BG just a tad by dodging might have helped as well. It's a good concept and competent execution, but it's so murky, you know? That rarely works in DPC, where internal contrast is king. |
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11/28/2005 01:57:56 AM |
Hello Srdan. I'll be honest about my comments on this entry (similar to how I leave comments via the Critique Club). these are my opinions so take it with a grain of salt.
Composition:
While the subject of your entry is the performance enhancing drugs, the location of the "bottle" (for the lack of a better word) is a bit off and seems unbalanced. There is a tight space left for the pills on the right while an ample amount of space on the left of the bottle. The table's edge is also showing which doesn't lend to any substance to the composition as a whole. In your outtake, both edges are clear but this one is a bit "lopsided". the number "4" seems to be off centered from the bottle cap which also tends to sway the viewer's eye.
Subject:
The subject in itself is a good one. I myself entered a performance enhancing drug image and there's only two of us (as i remember) that entered an image like this. I would have bumped up the levels of the pink substance to make it stand out even more. I would have also probably scattered a few capsules on the table just for "show".
Post-processing:
I too was tempted of using the draganizer filter and contemplated on using the grunge filter as well. However, the subject has merit on its own even though for most people, this might seem a bit of a dark subject. What happened here, it seems, is that the daraganizer filter was a bit overused. This resulted in "splotches" of burned areas that at first glance makes it look "artistically" manipulated such as the Sumi-E effect in PS. At first, I thought it was splotches due to visible noise but then I realized that it was indeed the dragan filter.
My Final Thoughts:
Personally, I think that this image has a lot of potential behind it. The lack of a "visual interest" and the overdone PP might be where the pitfalls of this image comes in. I also noticed that you were aiming for a high mark of a 6+. From what I've experienced in my brief stay here at DPC, I try to get my voters to give me a 5 and 6 on their first votes and hopefully have them adjust it fittingly. I don't aim for the 10 since that comes few and far between. I try to avoid having the voter give me a vote less than a 3 although sometimes it's hard for some not to it seems.
This image meets the challenge in my opinion and your title is on the mark.
Rikki
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Comments Made During the Challenge  |
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11/23/2005 05:43:35 PM |
| nice composition, with the player almost in shadow in the back. |
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11/23/2005 01:08:22 AM |
| Great idea and shot, the athlete really looks young. |
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11/21/2005 01:56:34 PM |
This is very creatively and well done! One of the best in the challenge in my opinion.
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11/21/2005 03:02:21 AM |
| good idea there is some original thinking here 10 |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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