DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries

 
You are viewing 1st place.
2nd
Portfolio Images
The Artist
1st PlaceThe Artist
scalvert


Order a print of this photograph!


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Impressionism (Advanced Editing II*)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Lens: Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Nov 7, 2004
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/400
Galleries: Nature, Traditional Art
Date Uploaded: Nov 12, 2004

 How's THIS for incorporating impressionism into a photograph? No Photoshop filters, no paint, and no added sugar. ;-)

The 'canvas' is a sheet of plexiglass with petroleum jelly smeared on the back to create the brushstrokes. I wrapped white denim around thin strips of cardboard, inserted staples, then used hot glue (still visible) to secure them to the sides of the plexiglass. The 'easel' consists of a few blocks of wood glued to the top of the frame.

The toughest part was finding a decent background. A nice pond with a gazebo and water lilies would have been better. Most of my local landscape is rather depressing and lifeless right now- this was one of the last trees in my area with leaves still on it.

Processing: The typical crop, USM, saturation and levels routine. A little dodging on the arm and brush. I cloned around the edges of the hot glue in spots (and also some tape at the top left) to make them less obvious. Similarly, I cloned just a few spots to break up a tree reflection above the hand.

The biggest modification was hiding a small block of wood visible through the glass under the easel top. Rather than clone it out, I colorized it to roughly match the surrounding area, then cloned in a few spots to make it less obvious. The "paint" on the brush was similar- colorize the bristles, then use the history brush to fade it back.

I suppose I'll lose a few points for not making the entire photo impressionistic, and some people will assume I used a PS filter, but at least I achieved my interpretation of impressionism.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 39
Avg (all users): 7.3580
Avg (commenters): 8.3036
Avg (participants): 6.4194
Avg (non-participants): 7.4486
Views since voting: 18160
Views during voting: 919
Votes: 352
Comments: 116
Favorites: 120 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 09/02/2007 07:38:20 AM
you're a genius
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2005 07:46:10 PM
great idea ++++++++ ^ ^
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2004 05:04:51 PM
Scalvert, you sly soul. You, too, are a master. I had visited DPChallenge many times with my students to help them learn to critique works of art, to hopefully see beyond the initial image, before I became a member. I remember many of these pieces. What a talent you are!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2004 02:55:01 PM
it's perfect!..I love it!...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2004 06:52:00 PM
I have to admit, normally I'm not a big fan of Impressionism but this one is just fantastic! I figured out how you did it when I saw it but it still was just so perfect! The only thing that threw me was the easel backing but that was cleared up in the explaination. Fantastic job, wonderful work and I just love it!

Deannda
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/25/2004 04:03:13 AM
it's unbeleavable that you recieved 1,2,3 doom on them
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/24/2004 05:59:55 AM
I have to say I was fooled by this, but after reading how you did it it's so obvious. Great job on the trickery.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 11:47:53 PM
Congrats on the blue!!! Well done!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 03:06:39 PM
Hi Shannon

This was one of my top picks and a 10 I am pleased this did so well an amazing talent you have Great Idea.
Great work Congrats on the Blue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 02:05:48 PM
I am enjoying this site tremendously. I try to guess which submission is yours. Congratulations on your blue ribbon.
Aunt Sue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 07:28:54 AM
Congratulations! Like this really surprised me/us!!! We knew it was a winner, didn't we?!!!

We loved all the well deserved, great comments, too...especially Joanns..we've known this to be true for a looooong time...and Bren B's! Anxiously awaiting the next visual treat! J
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 07:04:46 AM
Well done, most excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 06:08:41 AM
You are not only a good photographer - but a magician as well! What a riot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 05:26:14 AM
Definately the hands down winner! No doubt about it. Beautiful. Reasuring that the picture which I chose as the blue ribbon did win it.

bethan
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 04:50:20 AM
Excellent! I loved the concept and execution. Thanks so much for adding in notes on how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2004 01:15:52 AM
I loved this shot from the moment I saw it, and immediately added it to my favorites. Coming back and seeing how you did it is even more creative and awesome than I ever thought.

Congrats on the blue, and the awesome photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 03:06:45 PM
way to go Shannon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 01:10:18 PM
WoW Shannon! Congratulations on your first Blue!! Another brilliant idea (first ingredient to successful ribbon wins) well executed and planned! Your creativity is endless! Great Work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 09:35:04 AM
brilliant!! never in a million years would I have guessed how you did this.. absolutely fantastic, a 110% deserved blue :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 09:13:09 AM
Congrats Shannon.
As being one of the more ingeneous takes in this challenge, the Blue was well-deserved. Thanks for the comments regarding how this was done.
Woo Hoo! A Blue for You!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 08:59:08 AM
Congratulations!

I have to say in my attempt to vote all the photos and challenges you fooled me! I tried to pride myself by voting all on entries in the challenges and not just the minimum 20%. But from now on I will have to take more time in examining the photos even if it means not voting on all entries. This is the sad part of having so many entries and so many challenges to vote on and not enough time. I get the feeling that alot of Photgraphers are going to have some great shots slip through the cracks because of this present condition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 08:51:44 AM
at a boy shannon ,this was my favorite
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 06:36:58 AM
Very good work. This was my favorite out of the challenge. I wish I had half the creativity that people like you have.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 06:25:19 AM
You are a GENIUS!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 05:01:26 AM
:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 05:01:10 AM
Congrats on a beautiful work of art.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 03:22:19 AM
Love it - great idea, great execution. Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 02:58:25 AM
Congratulations on the blue, this is very cleverly done, you fooled me!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 02:53:34 AM
of the ribboning shots, this is by the far the most worthy - it actually was creative! :D even better, then, that it took first. congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 02:52:06 AM
Truly an amazing shot having accomplished this in camera. Brilliant... Congrats on the well deserved ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 02:24:29 AM
Once in a while there is one picture that stands out as being totally unique, original and captivating. There was no doubt that yours was the one in this challenge. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 02:21:26 AM
holy S**T Shannon!!!

Your on a roll!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 02:21:18 AM
Well deserved win and after reading how you did it, I give it an 11 for being so darn cleaver. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 12:16:33 AM
Most excellent! Without a doubt the best image in this challenge. ;) Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2004 12:10:50 AM
Once again proving the old adage - "When in doubt, use petroleum jelly." Congrats, Shannon. I never would have thought of this and am amazed that you accomplished the goal of such a demanding challenge in camera. Really great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 10:46:06 PM
Clever clever ... A well deserved win!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 10:21:06 PM
You are just too smart :)
Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 09:54:38 PM
Had me fooled for sure!
I stand by my comment (the second bit anyway), but kudos on such a clever setup. Congrats on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:40:41 PM
Adding to the list: One of my tens:-)
Very creative indeed, well deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:39:09 PM
Congrats on the blue :-D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:23:46 PM
Congratulations -- even more excellent after reading the details!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:23:23 PM
this is an amazing shot

when i 1st saw it i somehow knew what u did but i thought it was that an actual peace glass with that texture oh well it was a good gess and u are very creative for having thought of the whole thing...(but i ramble)

great job awsome shot nice work getting the blue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:20:42 PM
Excellent excellent interpretation of the challenge!
I had fun figuring out how you did it!

Just a stroke of genius Shannon...well done
Congrats.

Randy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:18:39 PM
congrats, Shannon! this is an awesome shot and even moreso now that i see how it was achieved. well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:16:37 PM
I gave this a 6, not realizing what you had done... this is one of those instances that I wish we could read the process during voting, because I would love to bump my vote to a 10 for your inventiveness. I just thought you took a picture of someone painting! This definitely deserved the blue. Incredible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:14:47 PM
One of my tens, too. Brilliantly achieved - and my impression was that it was an actual painting. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:11:19 PM
One of my tens. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:05:09 PM
Shannon, you are a genius! Congrats on the blue, your first!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:04:56 PM
Wow, a BLUE! I have goosebumps. I has hoping for a top five, and would have placed Heida's shot about 20 places over mine. Thanks everybody!
 11/21/2004 07:04:31 PM
Congrats on your first BLUE Shannon!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:03:47 PM
Shannon: a hurrah for pulling this off. You are good. A well deserved in the blues leading the pack. Congrats on your well deserved blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:03:17 PM
incredible shot and even better reading about your fantastically creative mind to come up with any idea like this! kudos on a well deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:02:08 PM
Congrats Shannon! I love this! :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:01:55 PM
Your first blue! Congrats Shannon...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 07:01:20 PM
did i pick this or what! congrats, shannon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/21/2004 06:48:33 PM
I thought this was the most clever image in the competition. Very well done. 10 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 06:47:43 PM
This has got to be the best IMHO! Love how you managed to combine the impressionistic and the photographic without losing the integrity of either! Had to come back to this shot and bump it up (which I hardly ever do. Sometimes down but hardly ever up.) Oh and I just realized another reason I like it.... It kinda has a Norman Rockwell feel to it! Kudos and crossing fingers on a ribbon for this one!
TC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 05:57:38 PM
returning for comments:
A unique approach to both worlds. Here you have made a sandwich of an impressionism sliver between two slices of classical realism. Good work. Bumping up. And rebumping.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 04:43:38 PM
Very creative way to meet the challenge, nice colors...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 04:21:30 PM
Cool idea
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 03:37:57 PM
Such a great idea and angle!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 01:58:28 PM
Very interesting and creative approach.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 12:53:53 PM
Anxious to see how this was done...can't tell if you actually are paintiung on the surface or if it is just the texture of the glass. Beautiful effect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2004 02:21:31 AM
Invitational Challenge Level: Experienced

Challenge link: strong - if a little tacky.

Image critique: well conceived and executed. Photo does look a bit 'ordinary' though - can't quite put my finger on it. Technically good shot and you've thought it through well.

Out-of-challenge appeal: I'm sure they'll be plenty, but I don't need to come back to this one really.

Score: 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/20/2004 07:10:50 PM
Returning for comments.
This is one of the most ingeneous takes on the challenge.
Great composition & detail. I will be curiuos if this was done specifically for the challenge or if it is something regularly done by someone you know.
Well Done & bumping up another notch ((8))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/20/2004 06:03:35 PM
Clever idea. I like the colors, and the angles made by the edge of the canvas. I'm not sure I like that the top of the easel and the end of the paintbrush run off the edge of the photograph, but you may have tried having them show completely and it didn't look as good. :) Also in the realm of things I'm not sure about..the real leaves are a little bit out of focus, and I can't decide if that works because it implies that the artist is painting what he or she literally sees, or if it doesn't work because the artist should be seeing the world clearly and then transforming that vision into the blurred colors of the painting.

Those are just ideas and musings...I think the photograph is lovely as it is, and would be equally lovely if those things were changed. The two bits that actually distract me from the picture are the grey stripe at the top of the canvas, and the fact that the brush looks like it's hovering next to the canvas instead of touching it. It might look better if the bristles were bent a little, to capture the brush stroke as it's happening.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/20/2004 02:41:57 PM
Fun concept -- Thanks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/20/2004 01:38:21 PM
What a wonderful shot! Just beautiful, I hope you ribbon, a big 10 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/20/2004 06:22:25 AM
The painting is fantastic. I'd like to see it in full after the challenge.
I'm not over keen on the photo though - technically it is good, but nothing else really appeals to me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/19/2004 10:15:14 PM
Very unique. I think this is one of the stronger entries and should do well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/19/2004 06:15:36 PM
Very clever, but composition is somewhat imperfect. I guess again, it's just me and my personal issues with squares.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/19/2004 03:34:45 PM
Think is really well done If you really painted this which I think you did you have an awesome talent
Detail colour Idea and focus spot on One of the winners in my view
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/19/2004 01:34:28 PM
This photo is beautiful! I hope you post how you did this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/19/2004 09:59:45 AM
The colors are very pretty, I think the focus should have been on the leaves in the background. I think it would have made the eyes go towards the middle and not to the hand with the brush.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/19/2004 01:23:05 AM
The theme here is great and I see that the photo had to be validated, I think it would have been far better without the hand and paint brush.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/18/2004 04:35:35 PM
My favorite
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/18/2004 05:59:01 AM
Very clever!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/18/2004 03:40:28 AM
great!. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/18/2004 12:28:49 AM
I love it. Very imaginative. Creativity plus!
Excellent effort...Enjoy your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 06:46:32 PM
Very creative take on the challenge and well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 06:21:57 PM
Not bad, the leaves are a little blurry, and i dont feel that it works for the picture. I like the shot though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 05:20:36 PM
Beautiful shot... well composed and perfect for the theme... colors and dof are good too... congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 02:35:44 PM
Good composition. This photo combines the artist's impression of the foilage with the real foilage. The hand,brush and aeasel placement leads your eye into the photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 02:18:56 PM
love it and favorited 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 10:30:45 AM
That is so cool, creative. Tying impressionist painting to contemporary photography.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 08:38:17 AM
Being that I like to paint, I think this was a really good ideal you have here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/17/2004 12:31:31 AM
Such a difficult challenge to judge with "impressionism" being such a subjective thing.

In general, I just love this piece. It has an obtuse obviousness about being evidentally an attempt to define impressionism itself through the use of same.

There is something about the photo-clarity of the easil and artist's hand breaking the contrast of mother nature vs. the human, which I find somehow unsettling.

So hard to rate amonst the other great submissions! 9. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 07:03:12 PM
very clever interpretation of the artist painting a truly impressionistic picture.(7)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 05:14:18 PM
Never given a ten before this challenge. You guys and gals are awesome. Here is one of a few tens. Thank you for this photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 04:28:42 PM
I think this is brilliant. Considering the caliber of your competition, you should be really proud for coming up with an idea that puts of most of theirs to questionable shame. My favorite of this challenge by a long shot. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 12:57:26 PM
Can't wait to hear how you did this- whether that's an actual canvas or we're looking at a piece of glass. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 10:31:22 AM
great shot, very original idea, can't tell if the painter is painting with that effect or if it was done in photoshop...that is why I am giving you an 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 09:10:02 AM
WOW!!! This is wonderful! Yours is truely a creative mind. This is a sure winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 06:17:07 AM
Brilliant, well executed, truly unique 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 05:21:10 AM
Great work! What an imaginative depiction of Impressionism! I really hope this wins...

I only wish that the paintbrush and hand were lit/positioned slightly differently, but that won't stop me from handing out the first (and likely only) 9 for this challenge...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/16/2004 03:42:32 AM
Nice take on the theme and very well presented...Sure to be among the ribbons
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 10:01:06 PM
The clarity and color is outstanding. A wonderful idea, too. Good shot. (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 07:49:38 PM
very ingenious idea, nicely done :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 07:47:13 PM
Neat idea.
Waiting to see how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 04:33:07 PM
Oh NICE ONE!!! Incredibly clever shot. Great interpretation of "Impressionism"
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 04:09:11 PM
Top Three
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 03:54:27 PM
Very creative and well shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 01:55:56 PM
very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 01:42:00 PM
how clever. i'm going to mark this one up, just to help cover the cost of the glass. while some people will ps a shot to death, others will spare no expense in setting up a great shot. i hope others will appreciate the effort you made for this challenge, as well as the result you achieved. great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 07:36:28 AM
What a great idea and creative interpretation of the challenge. I really like it how the glass (I assume?) creates an impressionistic image of the leaves behind it and how you show the artist at work, with both the real subject and the "painting" of it. The touch of paint on the brush is a perfect detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 07:31:19 AM
Edit: WOW! you fooled me :) that is what I get for trying to do so much voting and not spending enough time reviewing each photo.

Message edited by author 2004-11-22 00:03:39.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 06:47:59 AM
Very nice final result no matter how it was achieved. Novel idea, well executed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 06:03:18 AM
Interesting take on challenge, but really goes against the spirit of trying to create the impressionist feel in the camera IMO. Nothing technically to fault about this photo. 4
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 04:08:41 AM
where's the shadow of the hand? It's a picture, in a picture..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 02:52:23 AM
Smart! Well-done comosition and colors. Should end up in the the top 3. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 01:45:05 AM
A most interesting and creative way to approach this challenge. The contrast in focus between the "real" hand the "painted canvas" and the subject leaves is incredible and captivating. A truly lifelike feeling. Very imaginative and unique.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/15/2004 01:13:05 AM
This is very very cool, good job! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/14/2004 11:07:31 PM
This is a wonderful foto, The creativity here and the thought that went into this are very good. The hand and brush could go either way, as far as leaving it in or not. In any case, 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/14/2004 08:45:47 PM
Very very clever indeed, I love it. Has to be in line for a ribbon. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/14/2004 07:28:27 PM
Very clever take on this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/14/2004 07:20:14 PM
wrong brush for impressionistic painting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/05/2025 11:13:09 AM EDT.