4th Place

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" Iconic "
by jnconradie


23-MAR-2008	jnconradie

Messing about with smoke and lights...

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Canon DSLR Challenge		29-Mar-2008 12:44
this is just wonderful - Penny Street

Canon DSLR Challenge		29-Mar-2008 06:38
I think you have another winner on the way with this splendid image Nico, I hope you have some good ideas for the next challenge you'll need them ;-) Michael

jnconradie		28-Mar-2008 15:53
Thanks, guys! :-)

Canon DSLR Challenge		28-Mar-2008 06:57
Certainly is Iconic Nico! Great composition and interestingly 'provocative' treatment. Nice one, ~ Regards Melbob

Canon DSLR Challenge		27-Mar-2008 21:43
Outstanding. I can't really add any platitudes that haven't already been given. Very impressive. Scott

jnconradie		27-Mar-2008 17:09
Thanks for the comments, CJ and Cat. Good questions, Cat, and deserving of a reply! The bottle (in its empty state, but with a cap firmly attached) was sold here as a souveniere at some small sidewalk store. To the best of my knowledge these smallish bottles (250ml content) are not for sale in retail any longer. Well not in South Africa at least, as far as I know. In short, kind of felt I did not want to spoil it by removing the cap! :-) Kind regards Nico

Guest		26-Mar-2008 22:06
Very nice!! Great choice of color, shape and form for a logo/trademark! Wondering why did you choose an empty bottle ? Also why did you add the cap then? -Cat

Canon DSLR Challenge		26-Mar-2008 19:18
Lovely Nico, and thank you for posting the set-up too - I always learn something from your images! :-) CJ

jnconradie		26-Mar-2008 10:01
Sincere thanks, Najinsky, for those way too kind words. Regards Nico

Canon DSLR Challenge		26-Mar-2008 09:13
What a tour de force this entry is proving to be. You start off with a magnificent image, follow it with a winning defence of its status and then add an informative commentary that not only will help me with my own lighting quests, but also shows just how skilful you were from concept, through execution and finally presentation. Wonderful entry Nico. Regards, ~Najinsky.

jnconradie		24-Mar-2008 16:18
Thanks, everyone, for the kind and gracious comments. Thanks, Lydia, for the "ruling". For those interested in the technical details: I used three studio lights (all fitted with honeycombs), arranged around the empty bottle at approximate 120, 180 and 240 degrees, measured from camera position at zero degrees. The lights at 120 and 240 degrees were used to provide rim lighting and ensure that the texture of the bottle would be clearly visible. The light at 180 degrees was fitted with a violet/purple coloured foil and used to light smoke from a smoke machine. A silver reflector in front of the bottle helped ensure some fill light on the front of the bottle. The RAW image was enhanced through pseudo-HDR processing by means of "Dynamic Photo HDR" software. Further post-processing in PS Elements included curves, levels and noise-reduction. The colour is pretty much exactly as it really was. ... was fun! :-) Kind regards Nico

Vikas Malhotra		24-Mar-2008 15:44
Super super super Cheers, Vikas

Canon DSLR Challenge		24-Mar-2008 12:48
Your case is well stated, Nico. And I totally agree. Actually, this morning as I lay in bed your image popped into my head and I figured it out. The bottle is most certainly a trademark. I did my chores and came here right off to tell you and I see that you've already stated it very well. It stays. I do stand by my original statement that it's amazing, though. grin Well done. ~Lydia

Guest		24-Mar-2008 11:04
I'm with Nico on this. That bottle is considered to be the single most valuable trademark in the world. It certainly dominates the photo. I say this is very much on topic. Not only that but it's a cool shot too!

jnconradie		24-Mar-2008 06:08
Dear Lydia It is your challenge and therefore the final call is yours. I would like to respectfully submit, however, that your rules state, "Your image should have the logo or trademark as a central subject, not just vaguely visible, in the image. It doesn't have to fill the image, but it does have to be prominent in the image (at least one fourth of the total image)." Note "... logo OR trademark..." Since this contour bottle itself is indeed a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company since around 1915, my understanding is that I indeed have a trademark rather prominent in the photograph. Since your rules refer to "... logo or trademark...", I thought this would be fine. But I am happy to stand corrected. For interest,http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20060915_icon_anniversaries.html contains some of the history behind this trademark. As before, the call is yours to make. :-) Kind regards Nico

Canon DSLR Challenge		24-Mar-2008 02:03
Wow, this is amazing, Nico. Not really 1/4 of the image is taken up with the logo, though. sigh Perhaps a bit of cropping? Cool smoke and lights. ~Lydia