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The End of the Beginning
The End of the Beginning
Dr.Confuser


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2007-08 (Expert Editing)
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Date: Aug 23, 2007
Aperture: F/9
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/90
Galleries: Black and White, Digital Art
Date Uploaded: Aug 29, 2007

 Photographer’s Notes
This may not be a very approachable image, but I’m happy with how it turned out. Here’s the story.

I was recently in Iceland and took a picture of a neat sculpture in Reykjavik in a sculpture garden near the large cathedral. It's called Thor Wrestling with Age by Einar Jónsson. For some reason, it “spoke” to me and I wanted to use it as a DPC entry. Trouble was it had a crappy background. So I spent literally hours isolating the sculpture from its background using Photoshop. Next, I found a dark moody sky from my trip that seemed to fit the mood of the sculpture and I dropped it behind the isolated sculpture. The rest is simply levels and curves and fractional opacity.

I’m willing to bet this is a one-of-a-kind photo in the challenge. Looking over my portfolio, I am happiest shooting photos that are unique … I would rather be innovative than boring, and as a result, I often submit photos that play to “critical acclaim” but score poorly. Maybe this will be one of them. Maybe this will be a breakout photo.

Post Processing
Background (8311)
• Resize Image (Bicubic smoother)
• Flip Horizontal
• Correct color (Curves layer)
• Enhance Mid-tone Contrast (Curves Layer)
• Blur (Gaussian Blur)
Foreground (8432)
• Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
• Extend the Sculpture Base (Clone)
• Sharpen (USM)
• Correct Color (Curves Layer)
• Enhance Mid-tone Contrast (Curves Layer)

Final Image
• Resize (Bicubic Sharper)
• Save for Web



Camera Data
Foreground Image
• Nikon D200
• 2007/08/23 11:46:57.0
• Compressed RAW (12-bit)
• Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
• Color
• Lens: VR 24-120mm F/3.5-5.6 G
• Focal Length: 28mm
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
• 1/90 sec - F/9
• Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
• Sensitivity: ISO 200
• Optimize Image: Vivid
• White Balance: Auto
• AF Mode: AF-S
• Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
• Color Mode: Mode III (Adobe RGB)
• Tone Comp.: Normal
• Hue Adjustment: 0°
• Saturation: Enhanced
• Sharpening: Medium high
• Image Comment:
• Long Exposure NR: Off
• High ISO NR: Off
Background Image
• Nikon D200
• 2007/08/22 13:29:16.2
• JPEG (8-bit) Fine
• Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
• Color
• Lens: VR 24-120mm F/3.5-5.6 G
• Focal Length: 40mm
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
• 1/1000 sec - F/10
• Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
• Sensitivity: ISO 100
• Optimize Image: Vivid
• White Balance: Auto
• AF Mode: AF-S
• Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
• Color Mode: Mode III (Adobe RGB)
• Tone Comp.: Normal
• Hue Adjustment: 0°
• Saturation: Enhanced
• Sharpening: Medium high
• Image Comment:
• Long Exposure NR: Off
• High ISO NR: Off

Statistics
Place: 361 out of 503
Avg (all users): 5.3933
Avg (commenters): 5.4000
Avg (participants): 5.4245
Avg (non-participants): 5.3182
Views since voting: 1171
Views during voting: 277
Votes: 150
Comments: 6
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 09/14/2007 07:21:32 PM
Critique Club feedback:

You did a very nice job planting the cloudy sky in the image. Until I read your notes I thought it was real.

It is a very interesting looking statue. I think that cuts both ways in that it is nice to look at, but is really also someone else's effort on display.

On another note, this would make a stunning piece in black and white, all the moreso with that sky you added.

Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/05/2007 09:25:23 PM
Looks like something Rodin might have had a hand in...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2007 10:38:57 AM
Cool statue, where is it?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2007 11:05:39 AM
Interesting sculpture. Very moody with the dark clouds in the background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2007 04:40:08 AM
Nice shot - Like the tones - but the overall sharpness lets this down.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2007 12:09:17 AM
Most of the appeal of this piece relies on somebody else's talent, not yours. Good clouds, though.


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