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It's a Blue Christmas Without You
1st PlaceIt's a Blue Christmas Without You
bledford


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Classy Holiday Decorations (Advanced Editing III)
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: Chico, CA
Date: Dec 19, 2004
Aperture: 3.5
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/60s
Date Uploaded: Dec 19, 2004

 Last minute entry change. Took a completely different approach to the same subject as another shot I was going to enter. There's just something I like about this shot more than the other. Maybe after the challenge I will post the alternative. I expect about, ummm, 5.77. LOL.

Edited after challenge to add:
It was a simple enough shot. I took the silver ornament (the whitish areas are "frosted") and put it on a white posterboard on the sofa. Then, I used my currently favored technique for bouncing light. I have left over white melamine from a woodworking project. I have about 4 different sizes. I used a large (2' by 3') rectangular piece held about 6 inches out of the frame, at a 45 degree angle to the poster board.

Post processing was very simple and consisted mainly of conversion to grayscale, duotone to get the blue, and cloning for hairs/dust/scratches. I actually didn't do any cropping.

Equipment: 300D on an old tripod (replaced now by my Xmas gift of a 3011B), kit lens (I still adore this lenses versatility), 550EX, aforementioned posterboard and melamine reflector.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 137
Avg (all users): 7.1747
Avg (commenters): 7.9474
Avg (participants): 6.9275
Avg (non-participants): 7.3505
Views since voting: 8071
Views during voting: 392
Votes: 166
Comments: 51
Favorites: 23 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/14/2007 10:26:49 PM
This is just stunning, and so so simple, that it works a treat for me..... Adding it as a favorite.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/11/2005 07:27:40 PM
oh i just love this. love the duotone and the title which real adds. great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/02/2005 12:28:46 AM
Hey! I never give a 10/10 cause I was always taught nothings perfect, so how's about 9.9/10. great concept and excellent construction. Congratulations....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2004 03:11:17 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon, and a bluey at that!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2004 10:35:35 PM
so soothing look. congrats. would like to know your lighting techniques.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2004 07:13:11 PM
Originally posted by binkyat3:
WOW! I truly love this photo. What a wonderful crisp and clean shot and the color just pops out at me. Perfect in every way and even an emotion evoking shot. VERY deserving of the blue ribbon. Congrats!

I'm humbled by your comments. Thank you.

Message edited by author 2004-12-29 00:13:29.
 12/28/2004 03:54:53 PM
WOW! I truly love this photo. What a wonderful crisp and clean shot and the color just pops out at me. Perfect in every way and even an emotion evoking shot. VERY deserving of the blue ribbon. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2004 11:27:56 AM
What a winner!!! Blue ribbon for a blue Christmas. Kudos all around!!! The angle, the shadow, the clarity - it's all A-1. Way to go.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2004 05:12:31 AM
GREAT.
the color, oh the color, it's amazing.
you really deserve the medal.
congrats...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2004 02:48:42 AM
I love the simplicity of this photo. It really looks like it is waiting for another ornament to lie beside it. Great idea.
AJFI
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 06:22:35 PM
Congratulations on your first ribbon and first place. Well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 04:35:04 PM
Congrats on your first ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 01:31:28 PM
Congratulations on your first and blue ribbon with this elegant entry. Beautifully done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 09:34:33 AM
Congratulations on your first and blue ribbon! Beautiful blue photo, too!

Message edited by author 2004-12-27 14:34:48.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 09:14:53 AM
Originally posted by ahaze:
congrats- glad my prediction came true. Sorry it wasn't helpful ;)

;) It's OK. It's my little way of acting like I have some power over something. "You're not helpful! Bahh! No checkbox for you!"
 12/27/2004 08:43:03 AM
congrats- glad my prediction came true. Sorry it wasn't helpful ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 08:21:11 AM
And here's the alternate entry I made mention of in the details:
12/27/2004 08:18:50 AM
Wow! What an awesome thing to wake up to this morning! I really did not expect this to do as well as it did, but I guess simplicity is key here at DPC.

It was a simple enough shot. I took the silver ornament (the whitish areas are "frosted") and put it on a white posterboard on the sofa. Then, I used my currently favored technique for bouncing light. I have left over white melamine from a woodworking project. I have about 4 different sizes. I used a large (2' by 3') rectangular piece held about 6 inches out of the frame, at a 45 degree angle to the poster board.

Post processing was very simple and consisted mainly of conversion to grayscale, duotone to get the blue, and cloning for hairs/dust/scratches. I actually didn't do any cropping.

Equipment: 300D on an old tripod (replaced now by my Xmas gift of a 3011B), kit lens (I still adore this lenses versatility), 550EX, aforementioned posterboard and melamine reflector.

Thanks to all for the comments. :)
 12/27/2004 07:11:04 AM
Superb tone & detail with simplistic beauty!
Congrats on the "Blue" Brad!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 06:13:22 AM
hey Brad: Congratulations on your blue with this silvery entry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 03:40:40 AM
Congratulations on your blue! You score distribution is very interesting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/27/2004 02:52:25 AM
Very cool Blue Brad - pun intended. ;-) Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:44:24 PM
Way to go! Beautiful, simple image that shots "Classy"!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:30:43 PM
I can't believe it! I finally picked a winner! :) Yeah! And congratulations to you, too. Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:30:14 PM
Congrats, very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:22:05 PM
Bit of a surprise for you! Nice win
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:12:28 PM
Glad I finally picked a winner! :) Beautiful shot and certainly deserving of first place.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:05:23 PM
Congratulations!!! Beautiful shot! :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:04:27 PM
Congrats on your first ribbon Brad! Well deserved. Your shot was my top pick, in fact.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 07:03:20 PM
A great first win!!!!! Congrats.

Message edited by author 2004-12-30 01:17:49.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/26/2004 04:08:45 PM
Simple and classy. Not keen on the ribbon, but otherwise a very nice image indeed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 10:03:38 AM
Really beautiful and decadent. I love the blue shadow and the overall effect. Would make a beautiful christmas card.10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2004 03:23:53 AM
Very nice
 12/25/2004 08:47:46 PM
Simple and elegant. Maybe a little hotspot on the top but well done. One of my top picks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2004 07:31:14 PM
Simple-looking ornament made to look classy by excellent photographic technique. Very well done. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/24/2004 07:51:32 PM
a nice little composition
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/24/2004 12:24:35 PM
Returning for comment:
My favorite in this challenge and in general. this is absolutely beautiful. It actually made me feel blue and I think it represents beautifuly the whole essence of the holidays: being together.

Beautiful lighting, nice details. Well... just perfect in any way. no doubt - 10 !!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/24/2004 10:08:18 AM
Very nice, yet sweet and simple. The work of a pro, nice job :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/23/2004 08:56:20 PM
Simple, elegant, effect.

Technically beyond reproach (well, almost. Reflection a bit strong on the ornament)

Artistically beyond reproach.

Border could have been more subtle but not sufficiently detracting to be an issue at all.

Congrats on a well deserved ribbon (well that's my prediction :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/22/2004 07:17:54 PM
Nicely conveyed emotion in this shot. Technically good. Bumping up to 8.

Message edited by author 2004-12-30 01:18:10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/22/2004 03:00:52 PM
simple and good....
maybe a bit less blue?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/22/2004 12:31:47 PM
classy and blusey.
nice image.
a top ten at least, i'd say.
but what do I know???
my favorite so far.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2004 05:04:56 PM
Great colors and composition in a perfect shot for this challenge. Really nice job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2004 02:59:24 PM
I could look at this photo for a long while. Actually I have. It's simple, classy and beautiful ! I love the ornament sitting in thirds. I love the softness and color. VERY nice ! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 03:08:19 PM
The image is obviously classy and engaging - and your title really adds a clever creativity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 11:19:15 AM
Simple, but very effective. I like the lighting and the colour.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 10:39:19 AM
We have a winner.
 12/20/2004 08:41:09 AM
nice composition
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 08:37:19 AM
My most favorite of the challenge. I love the simpleness of it and especially the blue hue. It just has a glow to it that I love!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 05:49:30 AM
Very nice tone. Probably would have worked better as a verticle crop; the positioning of the bulb and your angle allows for this without having it look too centered, I believe. I think this will do very well none the less.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 12:26:16 AM
Awww, this would make a great christmas card :)

10, good luck...
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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