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Cruisin' at the Cozy Diner
Cruisin' at the Cozy Diner
bledford


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Neon (Basic Editing I)
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: Chico, CA
Date: Aug 15, 2004
Aperture: f5
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/15s
Galleries: Travel, Advertisement
Date Uploaded: Aug 16, 2004

 I've passed this Cozy Diner sign twice a day for about 2 years now. It seemed deserving of some kind of photo op. My wife's car, a red 2001 PT Cruiser, was used. Originally, I wanted to use the polished aluminum wheels for the reflection, but the contrast was too much (i.e. the wheels were so highly reflective that metering off the neon sign reflection lost all detail in the wheel).

Used a tripod for the slower shutter speed, which was required to keep the ISO at 200. I still got some nasty noise in the red paint. If only I could clone out that dust below the "I" in "Cruiser".

It's amazing how poor modern paint jobs are. I was surprised to see how much "orange peel" was present in the fender/door panel. Oh well, it created a nice effect in the reflection of the neon. I expect this to score about 5.93.

Statistics
Place: 34 out of 222
Avg (all users): 5.7393
Avg (commenters): 7.2857
Avg (participants): 5.7170
Avg (non-participants): 5.7529
Views since voting: 1038
Views during voting: 370
Votes: 280
Comments: 18
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
 08/25/2004 03:00:30 AM
I agree, this should have done better. Its a creative idea, I gave it an 8...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/25/2004 12:06:08 AM
I'm just in shock that this did not do much better. I've looked over the top 10, and with no disrepect whatsoever to those photographers, I still believe this is THE image of this competition. It ain't a ribbon, but you've won my admiration and respect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
08/24/2004 11:58:09 PM
May be the only entry of this competition that I truly, deeply admire. A lot going on here creatively, for such a 'simple' shot. I love the interplay of colour & form.
Technical 3/3
Creative 3/3
Meets the challenge 3/3
Emotional 1/1 - evokes that 50's drive-in diner feeling - expecting a girl in bobby socks to rollerskate over and take my order any second
10 - well done, my only 10 of this challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/24/2004 10:27:39 PM
interesting that the last shot I had to vote on turned out to be my favorite in the challenge. I love the exposure and the colors in this image. Having the classic PT cruiser be the canvas for the neon lights of a classic diner is a great choice. only thing keeping it from a 10 for me is the bright hot spot over the "PT" - I would have cloned that out, but I realize you can't in an open challenge. well done, and I hope you get the blue ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/24/2004 08:44:05 PM
nice take on the challenge. really sharp
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/24/2004 12:04:36 PM
classical neon sign
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/24/2004 02:01:36 AM
Nice Colour
 08/22/2004 02:07:25 AM
I like how you captured the neon in a reflection on a car. Nice job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/21/2004 06:40:17 PM
Great composition with excellent colors. I love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/21/2004 03:10:47 AM
Very creative and well composed.
Shame this was an open challenge, as the white spots/lights
could stand to be cloned out to really make this shot pop.
Well Done ((7))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/19/2004 08:23:20 PM
Good work, interesting how the planes in the panels and the reflection. I am not shure if I like the DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/19/2004 01:41:21 PM
Nice image.
 08/19/2004 01:21:05 AM
Love the reflection of the sign in the bodywork of the PT. I don't know if many other people will also see the connection of the '50s-era diner to the retro styling of the PT (assuming the diner is one of those '50s style ones).

Two nit-picky things that I can see:
1. The spots below the I and the S in CRUISER.
2. The badge is not completely in focus and I would have liked to see it all in focus.

Good job overall. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/18/2004 09:45:09 PM
One of the best in the challenge, IMO. High points for creativity and imagination. Great execution. I wonder what the people outside the restaurant thought of you kneeling there buffing your car?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/18/2004 08:49:21 AM
Nice reflection
 08/18/2004 04:32:09 AM
I always enjoy reflections. It gives me a chance to imagine and create my own story behind the true subject before me. Of course the car brand is great but my attention is directed to the broken Y and the oval shapes being framed by the aggressive red and yellow lines above and bellow. I love a mystery and you've given me one that holds my interest Sherlock. Keeping the blue colours a mystery keeps me in love with the photo. Thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/18/2004 01:46:22 AM
Nice. Focus is great, neat composition. Only thing that bothers me is those 2 white blotches near the left, but hey, can't be perfect! Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/18/2004 12:07:05 AM
Good eye :) Reflections can produce some interesting images :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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