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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Canon SLR Challenges - FAQ >> CSLR - Best of... >> Best of 2006 > 1st Place
Alone
by CindyD (SIS-Q)
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26-FEB-2006 CindyD (Sis-Q)

1st Place
Alone
by CindyD (SIS-Q)

OK, thanks everybody. I threw a dart and
settled on the original with the stray
light toned down but not eliminated. lol
I could go either way on this one :)

Canon EOS 20D
4s f/8.0 at 10.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time26-Feb-2006 01:31:47
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 20D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length10 mm
Exposure Time4.00 sec
Aperturef/8
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias0.33
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Canon DSLR Challenge09-Mar-2006 01:28
No Tim, I would have loved to shoot this in Spain but this is the Sundial Bridge in Redding California. It was designed by Spanish architect Calatrava however, so maybe he has a bridge in Seville too. Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge09-Mar-2006 00:08
Cindy, is this the Alamila (or something like that) bridge in Seville? I seem to remember reading something about it..
Tim
Canon DSLR Challenge08-Mar-2006 04:58
I didn't follow this thread and it's developments but I really don't see how you could improve on this anyway. Tremendous visual impact! ~kt
Canon DSLR Challenge08-Mar-2006 01:51
I am soooooo glad that you chose this version! I know I souldn't care, but I did. Now I can vote early and often for this beauty....lol Best Wishes, Traveller
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Mar-2006 22:00
Thanks Tim and Cat. Tim you have a healthy attitude :)
Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Mar-2006 21:29
Cindy, this is simply gorgeous: iconic, wonderful, enduring. I personally have a minor preference for the original version. Life is full of blown highlights and clipped blacks and obsessing about them is I think an attempt to assuage fear of one's aesthetic abilities by focussing on the technical. A lot of great photographers, like a lot of great artists, make great work by having vision rather than flawless technique and you have vision in spades. Respect! Tim A.
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Mar-2006 16:41
In response to Traveller's questions posted under his midnight visits america: "What I was attempting is difficult, as was your bridge shot. But in different ways. I was a little curious how you did the set up. Did you see it in your mind's eye? Did you ask your daughter to dress up in an evening gown? Or was it an accident with some luck because she was there already? Either way, the image remains amazingly evocative. Honest people can honestly disagree, but I prefer the White version because it seems warmer to me. The green is a little more sterile, maybe even operating room like. But this is only my view, other people will see it differently...as is right and proper."

Traveller, I had really wanted to shoot the bridge at night for the perspective challenge. It is a fantastic location for perspective and I thought would have been a nice complement to the GGB shots in exhibition. However, that was not to be due to weather and other time constraints. So, when the low light theme came around my intention was to shoot the perspective shots I had wanted before - as the night scenes would fit the new challenge. My older daughter Sarah (sarahdiaz.us) has a style of environmentals where she puts a figure in the scene, but not necessarily shot as a portrait. She particularly likes to put the model in costume that makes the viewer wonder about the subject. I guess I've been missing her lately since she is across the continent at school because I was suddenly inspired to do a similar - "Sarahesque" shot involving the bridge and my convenient model - daughter #2. It isn't that hard to talk her into dressing up in that beautiful gown . . . lol.

I tried shooting her walking - looking down the deck, from various perspectives, and also under the bridge. But I chose this one to enter. I did set her up specifically as you see here, incorporating the fantastic geometry and lighting of the bridge. My goal was to have the geometry lead the eye to the figure, then leave a question. Why is she dressed up and all alone? Where is she? What is she thinking? Is she meeting somebody? Has she been abandoned? Has she left? What is she looking at? etc. I could have set some more sinister or dark mood easily enough, but don't really like to involve my children in such drama, even for art's sake. So, hopefully this is more than eye candy - but I fully agree it is not, nor was it meant to be a strong statement, more of a curiosity.

Your comments and comparisons on our images need no apologies - It doesn't bother me, I just found it odd since they are completely different.

I will need to make a decision soon about versions - I've been busy and put it out of my mind. Regardless the newer version will hit the voting booth I guess. Well, thank you as always for your considered comments. :) Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge02-Mar-2006 18:00
Cindy, This is wonderful work! I have not seen this bridge before in your photos but this bridge is a great find! -Cat
Canon DSLR Challenge02-Mar-2006 16:56
Thanks Bob, Victor, Lonnit. I think light pollution best describes it victor. There are strong lights under a glass deck - I always though a flare was a lens related issue that caused a chromatic abberation - that isn't what we have here, but I learn something new every day. I keep going back and forth but the edited version is growing on me. Perhaps something inbetween . . .Cindy
Guest 02-Mar-2006 11:11
My preference is for the original though its a close call. I think its because in both pictures you start with the bright whites which in the original get you close to the woman whereas in the revised one white takes you to the green which becomes a new idea that you have to get past.
Canon DSLR Challenge02-Mar-2006 06:08
I don't think overexposed would be the right term either, because the light comes from elsewhere, if I understand the scene correctly. It's flare or light pollution/contamination. By the way, my daughter likes the new version better. -- Victor
Guest 02-Mar-2006 05:29
Lovely image Cindy! I thought at first it was a cruise ship. Good work. :) ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge02-Mar-2006 04:33
Ok, fixed the burned out flare of blown black (say that 5 times fast) at the bottom of the original . . . although I can't get it to show the new image - I suppose it will eventually - so that eliminates that thingy from the discussion. lol. Interesting use of terms here. I've used clipped for both lost detail from too dark and too light - but tend to use 'lost' to describe something too dark, and either blown or clipped to describe something as too light. I guess the correct term for what we were seeing there with the bright haze over the black support would be overexposed . . . but not really clipped or blown.?? lol. Thanks Traveller - "Nick", Cindy
Traveller02-Mar-2006 04:04
Lordy, Cindy, You're going to work me to death. I have this image open in three different browsers now, writing in one and flipping back and forth between the original and the new version in the other two. I suppose if I was put on the spot, I'd take then new one, reluctantly.

I can live with the moire, especially since it isn't there in reality. The only thing that bothers me about the White version is the slight burn at the center bottom, pointed out by Michael, I believe. You do know that you could crop less than 10% from the bottom and this question would entirely go away. I see this as an acceptable solution, actually an elegant one, though I do understand why you might not agree.

Lastly, I was just funnin` you a little about winning both sides of this Challenge. I took the idea and ran with it, even knowing that you don't care about winning these things. But it is possible and I think that it would be, a "neat," accomplishment. I meant no harm. Best Wishes, Traveller
Canon DSLR Challenge02-Mar-2006 03:13
Victor - the moire on the railing is an annoying result of compression. The image is unsharpened and that effect does not exist when 'actual pixels' are viewed in the full size edited version. I've had some feedback privately and have equal numbers that like each version so far. lol. Thanks, Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge02-Mar-2006 00:36
Michael, You confused me by referring to blown blacks. In searching for what you were talking about, I discovered that MOST of the picture is blown blacks, by which I mean signal clipping -- 0,0,0. Then I realized you're talking about the flare keeping the black from being clipped. Now that I'm straight about that, I agree, the flare would better be gone. Now, which picture is better? I like the original better (even with the flare). I think the saturation of the green distracts too much from the lady. Another thing I find distracting is the moire from the railing. Some antialiasing might help here. Perhaps sharpening caused it in the first place. -- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Mar-2006 22:33
Sorry Olaf, didn't mean to snap - I was just irritated it came in oversize in the first place. You are being a good and dilegent [and effective] host and I know it hasn't been the easiest of challenges to manage. I do appreciate that.

Regarding the versions - thank you for the feedback. I go back and forth. Would you attempt to clean up the white even in the new version?

Thanks, Cindy
Guest 01-Mar-2006 22:07
Cindy, I've found the pending gallery an excellent way to 'get things done' quickly - but you take the prize on reaction time! I think it was in pending for about five seconds? I feel it is better to use the pending gallery from the start, rather than having to move images in there towards the end of a challenge.

As for the revised version vs. the originally posted one - I prefer the revised one for the exact same reason Michael seems to prefer the original - the brightness of the glass 'floor'. In my view, brighter areas attract attention and therefore distracts the eye more in the originally posted version. Both versions are excellent - we're splitting hairs here!
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Mar-2006 21:45
OK OK - fixed it Olaf - you might have just mentioned that instead of moving it around - would have saved work for both of us. I hate having to decide between hosing the exif or taking a guess on size - that image was showing 130k on my computer and it came in at 159 here! What a pain.

Michael - thanks - I'll leave both us a little while to get more discussion - I suspect it will just be a matter of personal taste - we will see if there is any consensus here. lol. Thanks again, Cindy
Guest 01-Mar-2006 21:27
Cindy, I really do like seeing the front and center bridge supports as strong black graphical elements (well, I would, wouldn't I :-). That being said, I prefer the "blown" highlights of the decking in the original, it was just the hazy black support which gave me pause. As you observed, I too think the original draws the eye to the figure more effectively which may well be due to less color detail in the decking of the original. -Michael
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Mar-2006 20:10
OK, Michael Puff and others - awaiting your feedback on this revised version. Ithin this is a really good exercise . . .Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Mar-2006 16:26
Traveller, I was just teasing you because of your comment about resenting having to choose. I'm not entering any more from this shoot - even though they are different enough from this one to appeal to different people - just because my gut isn't satisfied with them. I'm always happy to see some votes - I don't need to win. Besides, I have some ideas for a project while night skiing . . .if it would just stop snowing! An as for exhibition . . .well there are some fantastic images over there, I'm not too concerned about winning. But thank you anyway. Cheers, Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Mar-2006 16:17
Michael - yes that is blown - I can acutally see a pillar of hazy light in the original RAW - I was having one heck of a time between those bright lights and then the figure over in the darker area and in fact all the white bridge panels are blown - they should be green. When I get a change I will work on the black stripes a little to bring them back down - that should be doable. Thank you. Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Mar-2006 07:53
Cindy, truly, this is a delicate question. I will handle this with the discretion it deserves. Since you've going to win in Exhibition anyhow...lol...maybe it would be cool for you to win in Eligible also. This being the possible case, as much as I would love to see more images posted from this shoot, I trust your judgment that this is the...not necessarily the best or even the strongest...like your GGB series, I am sure there are many, many fine interpretations of this bridge and your daughter...but why split the vote? Stick with this image alone, it is a winner. And for whatever obscure reasons, I like to see you win...lol. Later, put together a complete portfolio on this subject when you can do it right. Just my good advice, (but then pay me for good advice so I always try to do my best {smile}). Best wishes, Traveller
Guest 01-Mar-2006 06:40
Cindy, this is ever so gorgeous. The visual architectural geometry is fabulous by itself but the addition of the figure takes the image to a deeply emotional level. I'm in awe. (*) A very minor nit is that the bottom center black panel frame is a little blown. I think it would be possible to burn that frame back to the darkness of the adjacent frames. I know it's nitpicky, but for me it's a tiny flaw in an otherwise perfect jewel. Kudos. -Michael
Canon DSLR Challenge28-Feb-2006 19:26
Oh Traveller . . . I have several others from this shoot I could post if you want a choice . . . ;) (I've restrained just for you) Cindy
Canon DSLR Challenge28-Feb-2006 19:07
Thank you Bob, I'm glad you enjoy this! Cindy
Guest 28-Feb-2006 17:18
I keep coming back to this. Lovely, lovely image.
Canon DSLR Challenge27-Feb-2006 15:05
Thanks for the feedback everybody. Michael - she is wearing a gold formal dress. It has some green on it in this pic due to the light reflecting from the bridge. At first I was going to correct that, but thought better of it since that is what the light was doing - I just left it. Thanks again, Cindy
Guest 27-Feb-2006 11:10
Cindy
I recognise the bridge from an earlier challenge so I knew right off this was you!
However, I think I was quite critical of that earlier image, but I have to say this one just blows me away. Absolutely fantastic.
Phil
Michael Kilpatrick27-Feb-2006 08:18
I can only endorse the earlier comments and add that this is a really arresting shot.
Very nicely done.
Guest 27-Feb-2006 07:30
Great job, Cindy!! Beautiful! Your daughter a natural model. What is she wearing?
- Michael Soo
Victor Engel27-Feb-2006 03:57
I really like this image. Despite the very interesting, bold, receding diagonal lines, they don't distract from the picture like you might think. In fact, they sort of direct the eye toward the lone lady. -- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge26-Feb-2006 19:34
Wow, this is really excellent! The colors, the tone, the mood, the title all working together. Best Wishes, Traveller
Victor Engel26-Feb-2006 17:34
EV is 2.3
Canon DSLR Challenge26-Feb-2006 17:06
Good morning Olaf! or afternoon or whatever it is there. Yes, I took a page right out of Sarah's book for this, lol. I still need to go back - the bridge was crowded and I wasn't having a good photo night - didn't get what I was after. Now we have snow predicted all the way down to Redding this week . . . sigh. Cindy
Guest 26-Feb-2006 17:01
So you finally made it to Redding... Looks like a SarahD project? Have you found your niche in photograpy: CindyD - the bridge photographer? ; )
Canon DSLR Challenge26-Feb-2006 16:41
Thanks Tiffany, Fly and Alexeig. . . Alexeig - you certainly have more than the ability to take pictures such as this! What you need in your town is a really cool bridge:)

This one is in a small city about 60 miles from my house. It was designed by Spanish architect Calatrava - who also designed the Olympics stadium in Athens. It cost 2x a 'normal' bridge to construct. But private charities and city government combined to make it possible and the tax payers ended up paying no more than a boring concrete structure would have cost - or so I hear. The result is not only a tourist attraction, but a place of wonder and beauty that the locals visit and enjoy in great numbers. It is even an accurate sundial at the summer solstice! Great things can be done when a community puts the effort in. Cindy
alexeig26-Feb-2006 16:32
This is amazing, Cindy. I would love to have a capability to take such pictures
Guest 26-Feb-2006 12:15
this is great!
Guest 26-Feb-2006 08:38
AWESOME image.