Peace (in chinese)
by nico_blue

Comment:
New technique, not sure. But a fantastic shot so I'll give you the benifite of the doubt.

Poltergeist
by cheekymunky

Comment:
If only the knife were sharper (no pun intended) this would have been a worth another point from me

What a big world it is out there!!
by debbybris

Comment:
I like the way you've used the harsh outside light to create the stark contrast on hi face. For me it fits the theme, its both doing something different but still achive a astetically pleasing result 10

Stroboscopic Portrait
by jonpink

Comment:
Strobe is not a ground breaking technique by its self, but I think you've put more into it to so that it fit the challenge nicely. You've used the strobe to create a true portrait that convays emotion the way a single shot wouldn't. Well done, you got my first 10 for the challenge.

Miracle in basic editing
by graphicfunk

Comment:
Clever effect, very much in the "spirit" of the challenge.

Painted by Nature
by akshayvh

Comment:
Lovely composure, it gives the feel of a silk painting with the flatterned shapes of the mountains. well done

Galactic Formation
by mycelium

Comment:
I can't wait to see what you've done here

The World Turned Upside Down
by slipintoshadows

Comment:
I like this, rotating the picture makes it feel like I'm look trough an ice window that is some how out of plane with the wall and echerish surreal effect. Definately in tune with the theme

Conspiracy Theory
by TechnoShroom

Comment:
Well done, this was my pick for first. Very dereved, it displayed the title perfectly

Brighton Beach Memoirs
by millsa

Comment:
Woo Hoo a top 10 finish on my first attempt, it can only be down hill from here :)

As for some of the questions, the shot was taken in the morning at Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia. Those "Hippy Huts", as somebody said, are bathing boxes where people keep their gear for a trip to the beach. Far from being "Hippy huts", Brighton is a pretty well to do area and one of these boxes would set you back a bit on the rare occation they come onto the market.

As for the shot, it was taken early in the morning when the beach was fairly empty and was in heavy shadow. I adjusted levels, saturation and USM to bring the detail out a bit, hence what I think is a little of an unreal look that I thought suited the title. I wish his foot was in the frame too, but when your model is 2 years old he doesn't take direction very well :)

Strangely enough having veiwed this on a number of monitors I get a vast difference in color, all the way from a little under to a bit over saturated ( I think the range of color made this more noticable than other photos I viewed, I'll remember that in the future)

6.651 I'm stoked, thanks to those who voted!

Tony