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Mama Has a Squeeze Box (and 3 light sources...)
Mama Has a Squeeze Box (and 3 light sources...)
tanguera


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Rubber Ducky II (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2011
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: Nikon AF Nikkor -S DX 18-105 f3.5-5.6
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Date: Jan 16, 2011
Date Uploaded: Jan 16, 2011

 gyaban doesn't know it, but he shamed me into entering this challenge. So of course, it was VERY last minute. I had a vague idea of the tableau I wanted to create, and had nothing in the house I could use to make it, except for the mirror and the "stars" (which are part of a fiber optic hair decoration). I raced out to the toy store for a ducky, the craft store for props, and raced back, hoping that I could create something challenge-worthy with this bizarre assortment of items. In my mind I was going to cut out a circle in the starry background, cover it with tissue paper, and use my SB600 with a snoot on it to create the moon. But time was running short for so much craft so I just cut a circle of tin foil and stuck it on the bg. I used a white reflector camera right to get the moon to "shine". Thought about cloning out the visible optic fibers but the fear of DQ got to me.

One rubber ducky
Red item: rose on her head
String: tie around her neck
Vegetable: carrots in the bg
3 light sources: the moon (actually window light), the twinkling stars, and reflector on the right

converted from RAW
denoise
focused the face
adjusted levels, contrast
blurred the moon and the moon reflection
levels and contrast on the moon
dodged and burned reeds and carrots
shifted the hue of the flower to make it redder

[Jan. 23rd, 2011 01:18:54 PM]

Yeah, about that title... Referring to The Who's song, and intended to refer to the squeaky noise these duckies usually make when squeezed. This one, ironically doesn't squeak, but will tell you if the water is too hot. Although not by squeaking. The light source comment - a momentary lapse of confidence, since the lighting was so subtle I didn't want any DNMC comments and instead ruined an otherwise perfectly decent title.

[post-challenge]
Who'd have thunk my ducky would place 5th? The silliness was too much fun, and all your votes and comments, killer. Thanks.

Statistics
Place: 5 out of 66
Avg (all users): 6.5714
Avg (commenters): 7.8182
Avg (participants): 6.0952
Avg (non-participants): 6.7619
Views since voting: 3005
Views during voting: 398
Votes: 147
Comments: 29
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 01/28/2011 08:12:21 PM
Congrats, cool pic, didn't get the title at the time:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2011 10:23:13 AM
Big congratulations on your 5th place and high score!!!! This is so adorable. I love the way you used the carrots and the fiberoptics. The whole thing is so well thought out, built, composed, and lit, that I can't believe it was a last minute effort. You're awesome.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2011 03:32:10 AM
congrats on your Top 5 with this romantic scene
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 02:58:33 PM
Congrats on the top 5! Great image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 10:43:47 AM
Beautiful colors and composition
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 08:53:24 AM
This is so pretty!!! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 02:28:05 AM
You're on fire! Where do you get the energy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 02:01:14 AM
Congrats on the 1st HM - took a long time coming but well earned!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 01:44:28 AM
Wow, definitely a feminine touch with this one. Congrats, working your way to the top for sure ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 12:38:35 AM
OOO... now I'm not sure about the last min entry thing.. LOL.. This is really good! I stand by my initial comment.. Congratulations on your top 5!!!! Your on fire girl!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 12:21:32 AM
Pretty darn good for a last hour entry! Congrats on the HM.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 12:17:31 AM
Congratulation on the 1st HM!!

Message edited by author 2011-01-24 00:39:55.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 12:08:34 AM
OK, how does it tell you if the water is too hot?? Nice set up, beautifully done, and congrats on a star! I don't like that it moved your kitties off your top five, but I show seven across so I still see them. Besides, you're getting so good these days that replacements of your top five are fast and furious. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 12:02:14 AM
Yeehaw! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2011 12:01:51 AM
pretty ducky
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/23/2011 12:44:45 PM
Don't get the title at all but love the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2011 11:58:37 AM
Cute!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2011 10:33:20 AM
This is the ducky that stands out best for me. . Good luck. Sorry I can't vote.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2011 04:40:50 PM
Ooooh, I really like how the water reflection of the moon is slightly wavy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2011 03:17:05 PM
My favorite so far! Nice reflections and processing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2011 01:28:13 PM
Fantastic execution and wonderful idea. (not voting)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2011 10:14:25 AM
Love the lighting on this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2011 01:45:44 AM
I love the use of the fibreoptic lamp for stars and the creative vegetation. The out of focus water effect is a nice touch.

The concept is original and doesn't involve the poor rubber duck being macerated or 'souped', which shows good creativity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2011 09:02:51 PM
Hey this looks very like a setup for my cows! Nice reflection in particular. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2011 02:50:55 PM
Wonderful setup. Cute photo and in my top 5.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2011 01:47:30 PM
Very elegant. So simple, yet very charming!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2011 12:48:10 PM
Cute..lol. Nice work and touch to Ducky. Lighting works well
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2011 12:25:49 PM
Funny title. Very nice composition love the reflection.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2011 12:56:27 AM
Great job... Whacked Challenge, but you made a supberb photo out of it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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