DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
- Miracle! -
- Miracle! -
Imagineer


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Words (Basic Editing I)
Camera: Sony DSC-F717
Location: Advantage Design Consultants, London, UK
Date: Jul 13, 2004
Aperture: f8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 30 secs
Galleries: Emotive, Digital Art
Date Uploaded: Jul 13, 2004

 I wanted to do well in this challenge, so I put a little more than my usual 5 minutes into it. Actually - around an hour and a half.

Reflecting on existence and all its seemingly improbable complexities (as I frequently do) drew me to create a statement that encouraged people to contemplate and ponder how they came into being. Of course, it always ends in tears for me when I try to work out what was before the 'Big Bang' - but that's my problem and, as scientists frustratingly put it - 'it's irrelevant'!!
---

I wanted colours that really create dimension on the screen - an almost tangible 3D experience by setting red next to yellow against black. When lookiing at the light points for a while the image begins to 'pop' out at you.

I also chose to create the sensation of energy, light and movement. This was actually a gamble due to the low-light shot and noise this generated - which rarely meets the demands of many voters for ultra smooth 'NeatImaged' shots.

With spot editing I could have improved massively the imperfections and linear striations that appear in the background, but I'm much more fulfilled since this is basic editing. Moreover, it's a shot that I like and had fun creating. :)

I designed the type, warped it in Photoshop, printed the statement onto tracing paper, laid it over glass and shot on macro while painting with my little Maglite on both sides.

Edits:
> Levels
> Colour balance
> Hue/Sat
> Add a touch of noise to reduce effects of linear striations
> Subtle PixelNhance clean-up

Statistics
Place: 13 out of 253
Avg (all users): 6.2810
Avg (commenters): 7.8889
Avg (participants): 6.1200
Avg (non-participants): 6.3923
Views since voting: 2331
Views during voting: 575
Votes: 306
Comments: 33
Favorites: 21 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 12/10/2005 12:55:41 PM
this is just fantastic!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2005 08:47:18 AM
This is a great shot! Love the idea and setup for the photo!
Really original! Wonderful! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2004 10:23:27 PM
Greetings from the Critique Club!

This is a masterful use of painting with light, and would like to commend you on truly fulfilling your goal! You certainly produced an image that truly capsulates everything you hoped for, so congratulations!

I think the major reason your score wasn't higher here was because this image comes off as a graphic instead of photo. Not that I'm saying it was heavily post-processed or anything of the sort, I simply think this type of photo doesn't fall in with most forms of photography.

Personally, I think the effect you created here is magnificent and shows an incredible control of light (a significant achievement considering photography is all about light). You managed to take a simple idea, and make is spectacular through your use of light.

Compositionally, I think the way you organized the words seems a little unnatural to me. I like the fact that you placed the word 'star' dead center in the image, it really gives focus to the image. My eyes do however somewhat 'revolt' when it comes to the other words. The second word is very hard to make out, and the word 'dust' is unproportional to the other two words above 'star', which instantly draws my eye towards it. I think also, if you had cropped a little more off the left side, it be more eye friendly.

Overall, this is a very good image, unfortunatly I don't believe it will ever be received well in the photography world, because it is something that graphic artists and the such produce all the time! Your lighting skills are remarkable, and you set out to produce something particular and you did just that.

Good Luck!

Lee
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/27/2004 11:31:05 AM
Thanks David - great news, but what was before it exactly - in a nutshell?! :)
 07/27/2004 09:56:36 AM
Consider reading, " A Course In Miracles."
What was before the "Big Bang is NOT irrelevant.

cheers!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 11:03:39 AM
This is really amazing Jon

P.S. I'm gonna have to try this out

Message edited by author 2004-07-21 11:04:03.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 04:41:03 AM
ME too Markmyshots...
It's beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 12:57:31 AM
Damn, i wanted this one to win!....good job. I loved the photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 12:51:18 AM
Lucky 13! Next one is a ribbon for sure.
Great photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 12:49:01 AM
Hi Jon! I wondered during the voting if this was yours. I'm getting good at spotting certain members' work.
Congrats on placing so well! GOLDEN!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 12:28:32 AM
This is really cool, Jon. Very creative and well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2004 12:17:45 AM
A very good entry. Congratulations on your high finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/20/2004 07:32:48 AM
The image suffers from some noise, IMHO, but I'm curious to know how this was done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2004 10:29:45 PM
hope you'll post the technique - nice work - 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2004 11:49:53 AM
Nice job! How'd you do this?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2004 10:18:47 AM
Interesting effect, I wonder how it was done. You will have to let us in on your methodology. I think that this could be strengthened by adding more stars in the background, other than that, nice job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/17/2004 04:26:56 PM
Incredible. I'm 75% of the way through, and this is my personal pick for blue ribbon. Damn fine job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/17/2004 03:40:50 AM
a top 10, congrat: please explain how You did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2004 12:24:33 PM
Very well done. It's an interesting technique. The colors are nice, exposure is good. Composition may be a tad centered.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2004 07:10:43 PM
Very cool and eye-catching. Anxious to find out how you did it. Really love it! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2004 04:13:18 PM
WOW! This is beautiful! Don't know how you created it but it's really striking!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/15/2004 03:24:09 PM
Unusual effect. Curious to see how it was done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 10:53:31 PM
I see this photo's been validated, very cool. How'd ya do it???
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 10:12:31 PM
A little grainy, but a very neat image. Can't wait to see your explanation :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 09:31:47 PM
i think this might be my favorite so far! very unique! great job, 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 07:26:35 PM
Cleverly done with interesting results.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 04:45:09 PM
Cool photo! I like this effect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 03:55:10 PM
Almost magical.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 11:32:45 AM
Beautiful!! (10)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 11:15:31 AM
I think this one is very cool! abstract and strange, I like it a lot, Hope it does well - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 02:56:22 AM
nice effect i like it - 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 01:36:03 AM
Very interesting effect. Now I'm anxious for the challenge to end to see how this was done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2004 01:09:52 AM
How'd the hell did you do this! heh...nice shot! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/12/2025 02:46:42 AM EDT.