1st Place 21 by Michael Puff by Canon DSLR Challenge

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21
by Michael Puff

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13-AUG-2007	Michael Puff

1st Place
21
by Michael Puff

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Guest		20-Aug-2007 23:09
Thanks all for the comments, deeply appreciated. Since several folks have commented on the light, I thought I should explain it. This is really a very simple composite. Everything inside the room is one image (shot in natural light) and the cloudy sky outside the window is the second image. The room is a bay window in a San Francisco victorian. It was just before sunset and the sun was low in the sky and sending very harsh direct light into the room through the left of the bay window. There was no augmentation to the light. The sky was shot just at sunset with the sun to the left. Post processing includes b&w conversion in Adobe Camera Raw, masking out the windows to replace the exterior view, curves adjustment layers, dodging and burning to bring out various shadows/highlights. I did burn down the sky to the right and dodged the left side of many clouds to bring up the highlights. Since it is a distant sky, I only tried to reinforce the natural direction of light from the left. I'd be interested in additional post processing ideas if any come to mind. Again, many thanks. -Michael

Canon DSLR Challenge		20-Aug-2007 21:49
Yes, all those things. He does look quite intimidated, in need of the support of his woman. As for the technicalities, what's the deal with the bright highlight? It would suggest yet another window the the left of the leftmost one. Makes me think that the room is round. If that is the sun coming in, then wouldn't the clouds on the right side be in highlight in the sides facing us? That is such a piercing ray of sun, yet it does not coincide with the lack of light on the clouds. I do like the image very much, but I do find the highlight consumes to much of my thoughts, although it adds to the story, as it shines on the man, giving hope for him in his hour of need. Very interesting story. Very well shot. The grapes are grapes, or perhaps not. Maybe they are represent the rain that should be showering down upon the umbrella, but instead, have been contained, once again, in protection and a positive future for the man. It is difficult, but he will get through this. I like the feeling of hope. ~ Lonnit

Canon DSLR Challenge		20-Aug-2007 20:10
Wonderful image Michael! I think of the umbrella as protection for the couple against all elements, physical and emotional. It's interesting that she has her arm protectively around him. You've given us a lot to think about with this very enigmatic image, and that's always good! CJ

Canon DSLR Challenge		18-Aug-2007 12:18
This is ART! When image speaks and makes you think and there is no definite answers only more questions ....that is ART. For me this image is about human deep need to find your "second half" so you can live "happily ever after" under umbrella of Reality.It is very poetic and very utopias. Because we are already whole but did not realized it yet... Very well done (but this is secondary,any image with a meaning (for me) is by far superior to any snapshot of reality however beautiful and professionally "done"). I like it a lot. Elena

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Aug-2007 02:01
This is really neat Mike. theFly

Vikas Malhotra		16-Aug-2007 14:40
Simply outstanding.... one of the best I have seen. Cheers, Vikas.

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Aug-2007 13:10
This really invites one to tell a story, it is a creation not just a photograph! Then the eyes move around this image and see a whole range of interesting subjects and a whole bunch of questions? I like your attention to detail and this makes one want to investigate! Was the light outside the window from the LHS ... the shadows on the wall would suggest so? Are the windows a prop from a movie set folded around?... but why the grapes and Chinese lantern?... How come light illuminates the outside frame of the open window?... I give in... my brain hurts! Love to find out how you did this Michael, you are so creative. I think I might take my camera gear out to the shed and crush it in the vice? That way, at least I'll get some satisfaction from the horrible crushing noises it makes! Did I mention in passing that this is terrific? Well it is! ~ Regards Melbob

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Aug-2007 09:05
Dearest Michael: Thanks for the kind comment under my peach...whatever that means...lol....I am glad that you didn't take offense that we see your image differently. I have shown this to several people this evening, hey it's a public site, and without my views being interjected...most people have seen the umbrella as a symbolic sheltering of the naked and frail (?) humans or humanity. Cool...I tend to show images as a kind of a break for people and just ask them what they think...it's good for everybody. PS (people like your work...lol) Best Wishes, Traveller

Guest		16-Aug-2007 02:36
New version uploaded to fix the umbrella problem which Dylan noticed. Dylan, thanks again! -Michael

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Aug-2007 00:18
Once again, Michael...awesome beyond my imaginings. You truly are creating art here. --Mary Anne

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Aug-2007 22:40
Ah, mere whimsy and a quirky way of seeing things? I think not, (and I think that not even you thinketh thusly), but here in our cozy confines have it your way, yet in the larger world, I would suggest a different tact, or, at a minimum, an enigmatic smile and a throw away line like..."You know what it means." Always looking out for your best interests, Michael. (grin) Best Wishes, Traveller

Guest		15-Aug-2007 20:51
Thank you Julie. Jim H2, LOL, naked friends are good and they are very kind to me. The grapes were already there and I liked them too, thanks. Dylan, thank you. I kept looking at the right tip of the umbrella and wondering what you were talking about. Suddenly I saw it and almost fell off my chair! Clearly I've worked on the image way too long to have looked at it and missed something that gross!. The shift must be on one of the layers and I'll fix it tonight. Traveller, you wax poetic and I thank you. But really, it's nothing more than a sense of humor and what my mom calls a "quirky way of seeing things". And yeah, umbrellas are an important part of life :-) -Michael

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Aug-2007 20:39
Well, Dylan, I think the umbrella is much more ambiguous that are they going out in the rain...Do they need if for their relationship...for their sexual relationship, considering the setting...do all couples need an umbrella at all times and in all places, even indoors in in the intimacy of their bedroom to survive the vicissitudes of modern life? As I noted, Michael is saying so much important stuff with this image. Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Aug-2007 20:08
Unbelievably grand, Michael...It is just not their nakedness, nor the absolutely perfect view and setting, nor even the nice detail of the grapes that makes this image...it is, of course, the Umbrella! A master stroke, seriously. Yeah, yeah, I'd like to say something important now and then, here or there...maybe I just don't have mind or the time for it...I'm not baggin` on myself....but rather simply giving the....praise is not a sufficient word... Damn...you're getting close to Genius, or beginning to live in that neighborhood. Really nice, Michael. Well thought out, well executed. Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Aug-2007 20:07
Well, life is not fair. But nude isn't what this image is all about. I see great light, and a well executed concept. It makes the viewer thinks a little bit. Why do they use umbrellas while sitting indoors? Are they about to go out to the storm? Why are they nude? What's the relationship between them? I doubt most people can come up with this setting even if they have well-built friends willing to pose nude. The right corner of the umbrella is shifted up during PP. Might wanna fix it, Micheal. -dylan

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Aug-2007 14:19
No fair, you with your naked friends. Why does a nude seem to automatically elevate a picture to a higher plane? Because most of us don't have naked friends, we take pictures of pets and plants. Then you come along with something like this and you have great art, while I have just have a picture of a plant. Its fantastic btw, and the little details are just great- were the grapes intentional or were they already there? Jim H2

Julie Bird		15-Aug-2007 10:26
Michael, this is a very attractive and clever image. Julie

1st Place21by Michael Puff

1st Place
21
by Michael Puff