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scalvert


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Lucky 7 II (Advanced Editing V)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Jul 7, 2007
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/160
Galleries: Studio, Digital Art
Date Uploaded: Jul 7, 2007

 My grandfather showed me how to find four leaf clovers when I was 7 (coincidence?), so those are real. The hard part is shooting them fast enough because clover wilts in just a few minutes and then they won't stand up for the backlighting.

The trick here is the workflow: duplicate the image and convert one to grayscale with lots of contrast and detail, then hit it with a crosshatch filter to make the strokes (I tore one of the leaves on the last clover to make the drawing "incomplete"). Paste the original on top (in RGB mode), then erase the top layer at varying opacity to make the transition (FWIW, THIS is what it looks like with only the selective desaturation and USM).

I used a strong monolight at a distance behind the clover to backlight them and throw shadows and texture on the paper. A lower-strength light and reflector were placed in front for fill.

Additional processing: Levels, Channel mixer for saturation, clone small imperfections on clover, burn existing shadows on left and dodge them on right (to help the illusion of dimension), shift color of pencil and skin slightly, spot saturation/desaturation, USM and added vignette.

I hope this does better than my LAST Lucky 7 entry! ;-)

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 98
Avg (all users): 7.3490
Avg (commenters): 8.3438
Avg (participants): 7.1930
Avg (non-participants): 7.4148
Views since voting: 12731
Views during voting: 457
Votes: 192
Comments: 94
Favorites: 37 (view)

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AuthorThread
 07/25/2007 01:19:57 PM
Thanks for your answer. Unfortunately my own experience is that making this kind of verification takes a lot more than a few hours.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/25/2007 01:01:57 PM
The Site Council is well aware of challenge deadlines, and most editing questions are answered within a few hours. That was more than enough time for this Speed Challenge. Borderline cases that require discussion take longer, but that should also serve as a warning that you're close to the limit.
 07/25/2007 12:55:26 PM
This image is another sample of your great creativity.

I have been very much intrigued by the unanswered question arrised by senor_kasper in regards to how you were able to verify with the SC "well ahead of time" in a 24hr speed challenge.

On the other hand, bearig in mind you are a member of the SC, I think it should be very appropriate for you to provide an explanation asap.

Message edited by author 2007-07-25 23:54:28.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/20/2007 10:20:38 PM
Again a very nice piece of work. I would like to see the original and steps done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2007 03:18:59 AM
Cool, real 4-leaf clovers. I found my first one when I was 4 (coincidence?) and have found hundreds, maybe thousands since, even in a park in Paris. Havn't heard of many folks who can see them, but seen many try.
Can't say as it's brought me much luck, I think you found all the lucky ones :)
Love your work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2007 01:15:52 AM
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by metatate:
Is that not: "us(ing) distortions to create new effects or radically alter objects" ?


..........More to the point- I did exactly what I would encourage anybody to do if in doubt: submit it to the site council well ahead of time and ask for opinions. ;-)


I just read this thread and became aware of the little controversy originated by metatate's questions. The above statement by scalvert begs the question: what exactly does 'well ahead of time' mean in a 24 hour speed challenge like this?. I personally had an experience where validating one of my pictures during vote took the council several days. I know of at least another member who could not get an answer, prior to posting, for 4 days. Perhaps scalvert could inform us of the method used to check on this picture well ahead of time.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/17/2007 09:18:36 PM
Shannon,
I've been looking at the thumbnail for days and never bothered to open it. So glad I finally did. This is super! Your creativity continues to astound me. Nice work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 10:02:37 PM
Congrats ! Awesome photo and concept.
Now, just what did your grandfather tell you to do to find the four leaf clovers ?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 07:00:30 PM
I pay homage to the master!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 11:55:40 AM
Work of a genius.....I am a gr8 fan of ur photographs and an even gr8r fan of ur ideas.....Too good.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 10:52:20 AM
Congrats! Some really neat editing to go along with a great idea.
btw what's the secret to finding four leaf clovers!?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 10:44:07 AM
Very creative and clever...congratulations on winning the red ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 09:16:54 AM
so impressive, congratulations ...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 05:42:41 AM
Another excellent image Shannon congratulations. Thank you for sharing your processing details
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2007 12:09:16 AM
Fantastic! Congratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 10:35:12 PM
I was expecting something like this from you Shannon!!! Congratulations!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 09:29:09 PM
robbed of the blue, i do believe. :) excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 07:31:32 PM
very clever - Congrats on your ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 05:18:47 PM
Shannon, I won't argue why this should be DQ'd. I'll just bring up this photo when other people get DQ'd. Thanks!
 07/15/2007 02:26:38 PM
I get a yard full of 4 leaf clovers every spring. Most are gone now because of the heat. You just have to know which variety of clover to look in. Judging by the leaves on your colver, you have the same ones I do.
Anyway, congrats on yet another ribbon. It's always a pleasure to see your creativity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 02:20:56 PM
You are my official idol!!!!!!!! I love your work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 11:44:22 AM
I am not going to say how beautiful this picture is!
I will only say: I THANK YOU FOR IT.
Tareq

One of the tens is mine!

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 11:44:52.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 08:53:59 AM
How do you come up with these creative ideas? Wish I had your imagination. I absolutely love it. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 08:45:29 AM
WOW! Coolness! Love this shot, glad it place well. ;o)

so.... uh... how does one find four leaf clovers?? LOL!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 08:23:47 AM
Congratulations once again :)
One of my favorite concept shots. When I first saw this I thought the last 4 where printouts of a shot and the first few where real and you may have blurred the shadows a bit to make them look smoother on paper. Always fun to try and figure out the making of, of a shot. The final result is what counts.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 06:20:48 AM
One of my faves. congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 06:12:08 AM
you need a new 'ribbons' folder mate, the old one must be full up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 05:48:29 AM
You mean you validated your own shot *and* awarded yourself a ribbon? ;-)

Nice concept, great pp. Congrats on (another) ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 03:46:46 AM
you're such a pain in the arse. ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 03:24:06 AM
Shannon, obviously your idea for this challenge, like most others, kicked some serious butt so I'll just PM you my rebuttal which tears apart your seriously flawed reasoning. :P Again congrats on your 600th ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 03:23:51 AM
Originally posted by geoffb:
Some people tend to get bitter when someone else comes up with a great idea, and their only reactive solution is to get controversial.


Yeah that's the reason alright. *rolls eyes*

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 03:24:00.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 02:47:35 AM
you're truly an inspiration, once again. i hope to get 1/100th as good as you are one day. keep up the good work. perfection
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 02:32:55 AM
Congratulations on a red and an excellent photo. You constantly amaze me with your creativity and your photographic and processing talent. Now, are you going to reveal the secret of finding 4 leaf clovers? I spent a lot of time looking for them in 3 leaf clover patches as a child and never found one! I had to fake them with a 3 leaf clover and glue for the 4th leaf.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 02:28:32 AM
Well done and even more impressive with the details.

I have clover all over my yard, care to share your grandfather's secret? ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 02:04:23 AM
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by hotpasta:
looks like some controversy is brewing here already...


Oh, joy. :-/


Some people tend to get bitter when someone else comes up with a great idea, and their only reactive solution is to get controversial.

You had an excellent idea, and it was perfectly done.

Great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 01:54:31 AM
You are continually setting new standards with your creativity. Congratulations on another well deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 01:39:57 AM
Originally posted by metatate:
Do we really want to discourage efforts like this example from graphicfunk simply because it could be done with a filter in photoshop?


Artwork backgrounds are AT LEAST as controversial (trust me). I only used the technique here because the objects were separate, and I asked the Site Council for opinions to make sure it was OK before I entered. If it had been a single object as in Graphicfunk's entry, I wouldn't have tried it since that would require arbitrary effects within the object. The effect itself isn't even all that heavy since most of the lines were part of the leaf structure and visible in B&W (see the leaves on the left side). You could almost do this with B&W conversion and USM alone. In this case... could I desaturate an individual object in Advanced? Check. Could I apply a filter or texture to an individual object in Advanced? Check. I merely carried that through to more than one object. Heck, I even put a reflector on the right to minimize the shadows on the hand side photographically.

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 01:50:50.
 07/15/2007 01:14:33 AM
Many congratulations, quite artistic!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:57:19 AM
I'm sorry. I love your work and you're arguable the most influential person on this site. That's what makes this image ("luck of the draw") controversial. The entire "magic" here is a result of post processing. Do we really want to discourage efforts like this example from graphicfunk simply because it could be done with a filter in photoshop?

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 01:14:03.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:52:37 AM
Originally posted by hotpasta:
looks like some controversy is brewing here already...


Oh, joy. :-/
 07/15/2007 12:50:22 AM
Originally posted by yanko:
...wouldn't the end result change the "typical viewer̢۪s description of the photograph"?


Wouldn't the same be true of a series of objects going from color to B&W? Yet we all know selective desaturation is allowed. You're forgetting the context of the rule you quoted: "...use ANY editing tool to move, remove or duplicate any element of your photograph that would change a typical viewer̢۪s description." No objects were moved, removed, or duplicated within the photo.
 07/15/2007 12:48:39 AM
Originally posted by yanko:
So your grandfather was a leprechaun. Who knew? Congrats on your 600th ribbon!


Yep congrats on your 600th ribbon...

looks like some controversy is brewing here already...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:44:06 AM
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by metatate:
Is that not: "us(ing) distortions to create new effects or radically alter objects" ?


Nope. The clovers aren't distorted. No object or sense of motion was created and nothing significant was removed. Selective desaturation is a common technique on entries, and filter effects and textures are common, too (though usually ineffective). More to the point- I did exactly what I would encourage anybody to do if in doubt: submit it to the site council well ahead of time and ask for opinions. ;-)


Those tools are fine but wouldn't the end result change the "typical viewer̢۪s description of the photograph"? In other words, my description of this photo is an illustration becoming real. Would I hold that same description if I saw the original?

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 00:44:21.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:41:08 AM
Originally posted by metatate:
Is that not: "us(ing) distortions to create new effects or radically alter objects" ?


Nope. The clovers aren't distorted. No object or sense of motion was created and nothing significant was removed. Selective desaturation is a common technique on entries, and filter effects and textures are common, too (though usually ineffective). More to the point- I did exactly what I would encourage anybody to do if in doubt: submit it to the site council well ahead of time and ask for opinions. ;-)
 07/15/2007 12:23:05 AM
So your grandfather was a leprechaun. Who knew? Congrats on your 600th ribbon!

ETA: Huh. I guess I was fooled too. I thought it was a printout out re-photographed. I didn't think you could create the illusion of it coming to life after the fact but I guess that's part of the grey area in the rules where it's subjective?

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 00:42:01.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:22:44 AM
Is that not:
"us(ing) distortions to create new effects or radically alter objects" ?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:21:34 AM
TOPS IMO..... and so worthy of a ribbon.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:16:21 AM
Originally posted by metatate:
So this is a photo of a photo + the hand, correct?


No, it's not. It's a photo of seven clovers and my hand, with a PS filter selectively applied (basically selective desaturation + a texture). Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 00:21:23.
 07/15/2007 12:14:20 AM
another one? lol congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:12:14 AM
So this is a photo of a photo + the hand, correct?

Message edited by author 2007-07-15 00:12:32.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2007 12:01:47 AM
Congrats. Loved this one. Still do. I'm so glad you ribboned.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/14/2007 11:28:12 PM
Very creative and wonderful lighting and colors
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2007 01:29:49 PM
Very creative 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2007 10:49:46 AM
Interesting take on the challenge. The negative space on the top does not really contribute to the image. A different arrangement and a closer crop would be better in my opinion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2007 05:25:03 AM
Very very clever.
7, check
Lucky, check
Well taken, check

Superb 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2007 08:39:42 PM
I like this. I hope you have written down how you did the second to last two.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2007 11:39:55 AM
wow that is amazingly cool! how did you do that?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2007 09:46:03 PM
Very clever and very well done. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2007 11:30:12 AM
love! adding to favorites right away
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2007 07:10:32 AM
Pretty good. Like the idea but lighting could have been better.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 09:43:10 PM
Now that is cool. I like it. Very good idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 09:38:19 PM
this is a very cool effect, just perfect and one of my favorites
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 05:34:15 PM
I'm not sure how you did this but it's really cool. Great idea and execution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 02:58:29 PM
Great photograph and illustration of Lucky 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 10:03:37 AM
Not sure how you did this and it works under advanced editing but way cool. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 09:10:50 AM
This is extremely creative. What a great idea!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 07:13:04 AM
Very creative, I love it. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2007 01:17:40 AM
Seriously? How cool is this? Very modern MC Escher feeling this shot gives off; that deserves nothing less than 10. If I had to nit pick about anything on this shot I would have to pick the vignette is a little too strong IMHO.

(back for comments)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 08:06:44 PM
Wow genius idea!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 11:42:18 AM
what a creative and fabulous idea! this is a very neat shot that i'm still trying to completely figure out.. the shadows/lighting is brilliant! thumbs-up!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 10:51:46 AM
Absolutely clever! I gave it a 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 10:27:12 AM
Creative. I like the lighting and shadows.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 05:35:31 AM
Great
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 12:21:57 AM
Like the control of picture and the concept very creative!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2007 12:08:27 AM
.....! Stunning. 10 for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 08:58:02 PM
oh now THAT is neat
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 08:16:41 PM
this is quite nice, i like the idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 06:28:35 PM
Very nice illusion!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 06:12:36 PM
One of two that got 10 from me:D Absolutely faaabulous:D:D:D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 05:26:57 PM
this will be right up there I reckon...great image 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 03:19:05 PM
totally cool and creative! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 03:12:41 PM
nice idea for the challenge, well shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 01:29:44 PM
Clever. Looks like something in an advertisement for something turning from one thing into another.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 09:09:43 AM
very nice and captvating. the trail of leaves leads the eyes and its a wonderful idea
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 08:46:41 AM
clever
8
Jack
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 08:09:40 AM
Good picture, I like it, specially the transition from left to right. well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 07:40:09 AM
That's cool.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 04:59:59 AM
Superb. Captures both sides of the challenge and is startlingly original at the same time. My pick for the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 03:44:16 AM
Nice, clean, well-executed, creative, perfect lighting and detail! Nice job!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 01:59:49 AM
I love the concept, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 01:43:58 AM
What's the word I'm thinking of... Um... BRILLIANT! Yeah, that's it. Love this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 12:42:53 AM
This is great!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 12:23:47 AM
Good plan and great execution. Should score well for being artistically creative.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2007 12:13:24 AM
That's a really cool idea. The greens are nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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