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MrAnalogy


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Silhouettes II (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G
Location: My bathroom.
Date: May 10, 2005
Aperture: F5.6
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/1000
Galleries: Emotive, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: May 15, 2005

 One of over 200 attempts to get the pose and timing right. The positioning was a challenge in itself but the hardest part was focusing on air while 7 or 8 feet away from where I'd be standing while the shots were taken.

Shot with the mode dial on Manual, I set the aperture wide open knowing that when I zoomed slightly, it would assure an out of focus background (sky with occasional passing clouds) and knew it meant relatively precise positioning on my part once the focus was set.

Then I programmed a macro button for the universal remote program in my Palm Pilot to fire the shutter every 3 seconds (camera set for remote with 2 second delay for the prompting 'beeps') and moved into position. I lit the cigarette in hopes of including a smoke swirl or two in the shot(s) and started the remote sequence. Then as soon as I heard the last warning beep, I'd strike a match and move it into position as if lighting the cigarette.

Every 4 or 5 matches, I'd go check the preview on the most recent sequence and return to my position for more shots till the cigarette was burnt too short to be a useful prop. Then I'd take a break from the smoky room and scent of sulphur and view the shots on the computer to assess the results and decide what I needed to try or do differently.

All in all, this shot was the final one after nearly 4 hours of off and on shooting and viewing and repeating it all again . . .

Statistics
Place: 14 out of 248
Avg (all users): 6.7562
Avg (commenters): 8.5833
Avg (participants): 6.7541
Avg (non-participants): 6.7583
Views since voting: 2194
Views during voting: 382
Votes: 242
Comments: 26
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 05/22/2005 08:54:08 PM
Another impressive image which got my highest vote. Yes, we know that smoking themes are not wanted here, but an image is an image and this one is very strong. I judge the artwork and its visual impact before I allow my likes and dislikes to interfere. Besides, I smoke. But this silhoutte is expertly executed. Congratulations on your top 20 finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/22/2005 04:39:08 PM
Great silhoutte which takes advantage of the flame to add realism. Very well done, you have my congratulations on this intriguing image. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2005 09:25:00 AM
A Client Eastwood type of shot.....love it....bump to 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2005 06:00:41 PM
My favorite of the challenge. Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2005 02:20:07 PM
I love you framing and the sky blue. Awesome image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2005 06:24:03 PM
Very nice. The striking match is a great aspect of this photo. Unfortunately, I think the smoke detracts. It looks like a smudge, and keeps taking my eye away from the man and the hand. Your cropping is dead on.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2005 06:38:06 AM
Great profile, for starters. Good job with a tough exposure. (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2005 06:34:39 PM
Excellent detail with the facial hair! 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2005 03:19:26 PM
a perfect silhouette. Very "minimalistic". One of my favorites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2005 08:34:24 AM
Cool! Like the match, flame and smoke as the only non sillhouettes in the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2005 08:03:40 AM
strong impact good composition and the smoke and match adds a lot - my only criticism would be the blue of the background - if its sky it could do with taking back a bit - good work though well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2005 06:30:56 AM
Very nice. I enjoy the way you captured the rutic look of the man. I like the unusual idea of having a colored peice on the silhouette with the match. While not a wow photo this is still very well done and very creative bumbing this one up 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2005 03:05:21 PM
I think the detail of the facial hair is excellent. Great photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2005 01:12:12 PM
This is really cool looking!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2005 08:23:32 AM
Excellent - just curious, did you try any different colors for the background?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2005 03:01:14 AM
Indiana Jones like! Good shot, nice colors, you caught the lighted match very well. The only thing is a few spots that look like they come from marks on the sensor of the camera or the lens, it would have been great if you had cloned those out.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2005 01:23:22 AM
Sharp and powerful image..one of my favourites so far.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2005 09:59:36 PM
Very good
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2005 06:17:26 PM
Nicely composed and interesting with the contrast between the silhouette and the flame. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2005 01:29:39 PM
This is one of my favorites! Nice Job the lighting, contrast and comp!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2005 10:31:24 AM
Just love the detail here. 10 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2005 07:55:02 AM
10 need i say more?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2005 01:00:14 AM
Great image it really caught my eye the match light adds another dimension to it.10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2005 09:02:55 PM
Excellent, was thinking the same idea, but chickened out. Not in this method though. Well done. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2005 08:30:05 PM
Excellent. Such detail...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2005 08:08:42 PM
very nice! only complaint is I would like the smoke to be more defined...8
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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