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 This image was disqualified from the Shadows V challenge.
Tricycle
Tricycle
choltmeier


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Shadows V (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Location: My back yard, Minneapolis, MN USA
Date: Dec 21, 2008
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/125
Galleries: Still Life
Date Uploaded: Dec 21, 2008

 I was out for a walk early one morning and found this very old tricycle that someone was throwing away. It was so interesting and classic looking I had to take it home. I stuck it in my backyard for some future day when it might come in handy for a photo. Since then it has snowed several inches and the snow piled up on the trike. I was out with my daughter playing in the snow today and noticed it. I thought the spokes and the fence might make for interesting shadows. The only down side was that it was -9 degrees F, so I was only able to get about 3 shots off before my flash started misbehaving and my hands started to feel like someone was poking pins in them.

It was shot at night with a speedlight behind the trike with a home-made grid attachment to narrow the light beam. For post processing I wanted it to be sharp with sparkling snow but I also wanted a dreamlike quality. I achieved this through combining sharpening and a gaussian blur layer at 51% opacity.

Post Processing:
Camera Raw - exposure, blacks, white balance (shift to blue)
CS3 - sharpen, curves, gaussian blur layer at 51% opacity, add border, save for web

12/31/08 - post challenge (after red ribbon, before DQ)
Thanks so much to everyone for the comments and interest in this photo! I knew I liked the shot but always have a hard time predicting voter behavior... I was very surprised and pleased by the great response. I continue to learn so much from this site. Thanks to all who give their time and energy to make it what it is!

1/6/09 Post Disqualification
Hmmm... I have to say I'm both puzzled and disappointed by the site council's decision to DQ this image. Maybe someone can help me understand the rules better. How do I get more info?

There are two rules that seem related:
You may:
- Use filters or stand-alone utilities designed to preserve image integrity (such as Neat Image, Unsharp Mask, Dust & Scratches, and color correction tools). These filters must be applied uniformly to the entire image, and must not be used in such a way that their use becomes a feature. No “effects” filters may be applied to your image, with the exception of Noise and Gaussian Blur. -- I used Gaussian Blur only because this rule stated that I could
- Use only Adjustment Layers (or their equivalent). An Adjustment Layer is a special type of layer containing no image data that lets you experiment with color and tonal adjustments without permanently modifying the pixels. Adjustment Layers must be applied in Normal mode. -- I duplicated the background, used a Gaussian Blur on it and reduced opacity to 51%. If I can use Gaussian Blur, do I have to use it on the background layer?

Very confusing. It's a bummer to work so hard for something and get the rug pulled out by a very confusing rule. Any advice or clarification?
Disqualification Details
You may use only Adjustment Layers (or their equivalent). An Adjustment Layer is a special type of layer containing no image data that lets you experiment with color and tonal adjustments without permanently modifying the pixels. Adjustment Layers must be applied in Normal mode.

Statistics
Views since voting: 4261
Views during voting: 353
Comments: 39
Favorites: 10 (view)

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AuthorThread
 01/07/2009 07:52:59 PM
> I duplicated the background, used a Gaussian Blur on it and reduced opacity to 51%. If I can use Gaussian Blur, do I have to use it on the background layer?

Yes, that is the issue. You can't duplicate the background layer in basic, you can only use layers with no image data, eg a curves or levels layer and only applied in normal mode. So you can only use Gaussian Blur on the background layer in basic (and therefore no option to change opacity). Hope that makes sense, if not pm me ....

Fine to duplicate background layers in advanced and do what you did or apply layers in duplicate or soft light mode etc.

It's still a great image and a shame about the DQ
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2009 10:53:18 AM
wow that is a load of bull
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2009 08:41:05 AM
Sorry to hear about the disqualification, Chris.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2009 01:03:25 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved ribbon. I really love this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/03/2009 03:58:33 AM
I love this image. Congrats on the red ribbon!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/03/2009 01:59:16 AM
Congratulations on a job well done. Really liked it in voting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/03/2009 12:43:31 AM
Your efforts definitely paid off in spite of the bitter cold. It's amazing what we do to capture that perfect image. Congrats on your second place win!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2009 01:16:52 PM
This is a lovely image. These are probably the highest-scoring ribbon winners ever in a challenge. (my scoring. I gave this an 8)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2009 10:47:27 AM
This is GREAT! Congratulations! Definitely deserves a ribbon! :)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2009 06:56:01 AM
This shot has come out very effective, as it evokes a forlorn feel in a chill winter night. Well done! Congrats on red! Happy New Year!

:-), Vikram
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 09:39:38 AM
Well, thanks for going out into the cold for us so we could see this beauty of an image. Well done. Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 06:05:51 AM
Excellent image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 04:50:23 AM
This is a fabulous image, I love it. Congratulations on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 04:06:08 AM
This is so cool, I didn't vote but this would have been a 10 from me, home made grid attachments are great, I'm still experimenting with mine :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 03:33:20 AM
Congrats on the ribbon trifecta
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 03:30:51 AM
Congratulations, Chris! A perfect set of ribbons now!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 02:39:08 AM
Not bad for 3 shots! Congrats on a well-deserved/earned ribbon :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 12:56:38 AM
Congrats! Hope you didn't get frostbite! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 12:19:32 AM
Congrats!! Very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2008 12:09:35 AM
Congratulations on the red...I like to see fellow Minnesotans do well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/30/2008 11:05:44 AM
Quite lovely! Nice softness and good balance between the shadow and the object itself.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2008 12:35:56 AM
what an absolutely beautiful shot! almost eerie, i love it! /10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2008 01:49:46 AM
I really like how this one turned out. The blue gives a nice cool feeling, with just a touch of red on the bike itself. And the shadows work really well with the rest of the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2008 08:32:14 PM
great colors and mood here
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2008 02:57:21 PM
Lovely. The lighting on the wheel/shadow area is very nice, and the blue/red coloration is quite pleasing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2008 09:49:14 AM
very nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 11:42:03 PM
Love it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 11:29:11 PM
i really like this...shadow is a major part of the image...not like a lot of other shots. would love to shoot like this. nice moody colors...10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 09:02:23 PM
That is reall lovely. It looks like a story illustration. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 06:45:28 PM
Looks cold and the blue lighting and long shadow adds to that feeling. Nice shot with a good atmosphere.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 11:53:56 AM
Love the dreamy tones here. Effective use of the shadow.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 04:08:07 AM
Great image. Strong shadow with just the right amount of light on the tricycle. Lovely colours. Strong contender for a ribbon methinks, good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2008 02:31:34 AM
Nice concept. A lot of drama in this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2008 08:18:08 PM
Love that. Very artful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2008 02:07:25 PM
top 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2008 12:15:49 PM
quite eerie...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/24/2008 01:32:51 PM
Excellent use of shadows and gels
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/24/2008 12:21:03 PM
There is such an incredible mood with this shot. The lighting on this is Perfect. I can really feel the powder. Front page for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/24/2008 04:26:45 AM
I really like this, what a great shot well done 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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