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Judi


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Harsh Environments (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
Location: Australia
Date: Dec 25, 2006
Aperture: many
ISO: many
Shutter: many
Galleries: Emotive, Digital Art
Date Uploaded: Dec 26, 2006

 Wahooooooooooooooo...........finally I got it back. I really had trouble trying to figure out what the voters both wanted and would accept in expert editing.

Just to let you know my idea behind this image was pretty simple. We all have limitations. This image shows a man striving to reach his goals...and seeing the rain and golden rays of hope...the mountains of coolness...it is all there, so close...yet so far. He travels over cracked earth...the harshness of the environment around him...yet the temptation is right there in front of him. But his body has limits...as does his mind. His body goes before his mental state. His mind wills his body to keep going...but he can't do it. He has limits...as like us all.

I totally agree about the floating man....it bugged me from word go. But I was too stuffed to keep working on it. So I let it run...hoping no one would recognise it as my image...and thankfully...no one did.

So thanks again everyone....you all rock!! Even the ones who gave me the ones and twos without leaving comments!!!!

For the record...the photo of the man was taken on Christmas Day. He posed for it...he wasn't drunk...lmao!! The hills were photographed at about 5-30am (I think) on Boxing Day at sunrise with the rain above them and the foreboding sky. The sunrays were photographed about 30 minutes later with the same sky but about 20 kms from the sunrise shot. The dirt was photographed about an hour later and was actually a tiny bit of earth surrounded by grasses.

Here are the small sized originals and steps for processing.




A total of 5 images was used for this image. I joined the two dirt images together with masking and changing the hue and contrast to blend. I then brought in the mountains and duplicated, flipped and blended to reach across the image and then merged and blended that area into the dirt. The sky was brought in to meet up with the other sky and the rays blended into the surrounding sky and mountains. The man was then added and sized accordingly. His surrounds were masked out.

His leg and foot were rearranged to be more realistic. Then through a series of adjustment layers, Liquefy on the Mountains to straighten them, Highlight/Shadow, Levels, Curves, Brightness/Contrast, Selected Colour, Colour Balance, Hue & Saturation, Neat Image on the clouds, Dodge and Burn Layers, Gradient Map and Colour Fill (to alter the hue overall) the final result was achieved. Total - 9 sets, 69 layers.

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 116
Avg (all users): 7.0617
Avg (commenters): 7.8182
Avg (participants): 6.5574
Avg (non-participants): 7.2470
Views since voting: 11504
Views during voting: 566
Votes: 227
Comments: 107
Favorites: 17 (view)

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AuthorThread
 08/07/2007 04:52:06 AM
Very nicely composed, an exceptionally creative image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2007 07:12:50 PM
wow..... nice edit!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2007 09:49:07 PM
Another amazing work of art Judi. What I truly enjoy about your body of work is the thought and energy that goes into preparing, creating and producing each one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2007 12:03:21 PM
I love the idea, but the proportions just look wrong, body is waaay too big. It also seems like the lighting on the body should have been darker.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2007 08:06:47 AM
Pretty neat Judo, I'm proud of you and your red ribbon!!

Read through your workspace thingie, wow, pretty cool!

Lazzo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/08/2007 05:25:29 PM
Congrats! Lots of work and still maintained a very photographic feel.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/08/2007 04:46:43 PM
amazing amount of work! o_O
and congrats on well deserved ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 06:52:18 PM
You rock Aussie girl!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 06:45:02 PM
This is great. Your insight is unbelievable. Such an inspiration.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 04:48:00 PM
An amazing amount of work put into that one, at least it paid off with the red ribbon. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 04:40:56 PM
Wow! Excellent Indeed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 11:15:08 AM
Superb image, Judi. I appreciate the workflow description too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 07:09:56 AM
Judi got herself a ribbon :-) Nice job sweety, great photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 03:08:38 AM
An amazing photo. Thanks for the workflow information
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/06/2007 12:20:24 AM
This photo is indeed very impressive. and thanks a million for sharing how you achieved it, and it was very detailed. Thanks so much!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 06:24:30 PM
Judi, Judi, Judi!!! what an amazing image, just added to my faves...thought this might win and gave you 10...thanks for sharing how you took it and how you did a masterful editing job

The Mojo is here with Judi everyone!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 05:58:42 PM
Big Congrats on this wonderful piece!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 02:33:38 PM
MMMMMM, ya, that's gooood :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 02:27:39 PM
Originally posted by Judi:
....and has heaps of room for improvment...


I wouldn't go as far as saying heaps of improvement. Like I said fabulously done and thank you for the response.

And couldn't he have just slept on the grass while you waited for the light? Damn, selfish models. :)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 01:52:28 PM
Originally posted by vxpra:
Fabulous shot, well thought out and exectued. One question:
What do you think led to the "floating" look of the man? When I first saw it I really thought it was a bit of a lighting issue- ie standing out a bit much compared to the rest of the scene or maybe lack of shadows. But after looking at it more I think it might be a sense of scale. He seems almost a little too big for the overall shot.


Ok...it was a combination of things. On Xmas Day we had clouds...I knew what scene I wanted so I had to wait for the right lighting, no direct glare....in other words...the sun to go behind a cloud. Well late afternoon that finally happened...but my model had decided to go and take a nap. So after trying to locate his wife (who was asleep in another house), she then came to wake him up...then he wasn't dressed properly...so by the time he finally got his act together...the sun came out...I had no choice but to run with it. So that factor was taken into account. The other was yes...his scale was all wrong and has heaps of room for improvment...but as I said...I was tired and just let it run as it was. But it led for good discussion...which helps everyone.
 01/05/2007 01:48:20 PM
WTG Judi! Great shot & finish. Well deserved congratulations. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 01:26:54 PM
How on earth you thought to blend those pictures together in that way is beyond me. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 01:16:48 PM
Fabulous shot, well thought out and exectued. One question:
What do you think led to the "floating" look of the man? When I first saw it I really thought it was a bit of a lighting issue- ie standing out a bit much compared to the rest of the scene or maybe lack of shadows. But after looking at it more I think it might be a sense of scale. He seems almost a little too big for the overall shot.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 10:40:12 AM
congratulations judi! this is amazing. my favorite pic for this challenge as well.

great job :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 10:10:59 AM
Jaysus, you went all out on this one didn't you? And to think all *I* did for my red ribbon in the first expert challenge was draw a few birds :-) The bar's definitely being raised. Congrats on your trip back to the winner's circle!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 07:31:10 AM
Reading the description of the work you put into this image makes me glad my vote was a 10. In fact, I had it pegged to get the blue ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 06:39:14 AM
Awesome job Judi! Thanks for the step by step detail! You rock my world! Congratulations on the 2nd place!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 06:32:13 AM
Congratulations, Judi! Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 06:17:16 AM
Hey Judi, congrats for your ribbon!! one more to your belt.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 06:11:19 AM
Wow! This is awesome! Congratulations on your ribbon and kudos to your editing ability! Fantastic work!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 05:48:47 AM
Wow - Excellent!!! Nicely done!! Congrats on the red ribbon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 04:47:25 AM
Ok, after reading your post-processing, I'm even more impressed! Very well done indeed. Wish I knew how to do all that stuff. Great! Great! Great!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 03:42:00 AM
Congratulations on your ribbon!!!! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 03:33:19 AM
Wow, Judi, thanks for the details comments section, it's very intereseting! Congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 02:57:18 AM
This is awesome Judi! Congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 02:27:06 AM
This was one of my favorites. Congratulations on getting a ribbon for the exceptional photo!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 01:54:29 AM
Magic and very inspirational!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 01:11:29 AM
Woooo Congrats Judi!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 11:39:29 PM
Originally posted by Larus:
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by Larus:
Well about time you started to add to your collection again! Just kidding :) Congrats!


Thanks and I hope I didn't disappoint you when you found out I wasn't Kiwiness...hehehehe!!


Nope, had a hunch it wasn´t his. Post processing VERY far from bad but not quite up to his level :)


Hmmm...not sure if that is good or bad.....LMAO!!
 01/04/2007 11:19:59 PM
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by Larus:
Well about time you started to add to your collection again! Just kidding :) Congrats!


Thanks and I hope I didn't disappoint you when you found out I wasn't Kiwiness...hehehehe!!


Nope, had a hunch it wasn´t his. Post processing VERY far from bad but not quite up to his level :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 11:18:49 PM
Originally posted by Larus:
Well about time you started to add to your collection again! Just kidding :) Congrats!


Thanks and I hope I didn't disappoint you when you found out I wasn't Kiwiness...hehehehe!!
 01/04/2007 11:13:49 PM
Well about time you started to add to your collection again! Just kidding :) Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 10:54:51 PM
WTG Judi!!! Congrats on your red ribbon for this awesome work!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 10:10:37 PM
Congrats Judi, one of the rare occasions I didn't recognize a shot as yours!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:53:55 PM
Rock & Roll, Judi! This is great work! Congratulations!

Originally posted by Image Stats:
Avg (no camera): 0.0000

They're just jealous cuz they can't even take pictures. ;-P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:34:28 PM
Congrats Judi. Time to update your card again!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:28:11 PM
Well done and congratulatioms, Ms Used to be a Sandgroper! hehehe.
Wonderful image Judi!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:23:58 PM
Way to go Judi, you have done the hard yards and been rewarded, (applauding)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:15:39 PM
one of your best, congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:11:54 PM
Wow, I like your other shots but I never would have guessed it was yours. Nice work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:08:30 PM
Awe-inspiring!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 08:01:59 PM
Very creative Judi. Congratulations on a great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:45:20 PM
Your talents really shined on this Judi. Congratulations on your very well deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:38:14 PM
Congrats on the red, Judi. Amazing shot (I like the "floating" look ,-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:37:15 PM
clap clap clap
Congrats - and a to match your hair!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:32:18 PM
Awesome Judi! Amazing Image! Congrats!

ETA: Don't forget to update your card. ;-)

Message edited by author 2007-01-05 00:32:52.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:29:37 PM
Way to go. I'd have never pegged this as yours. AWESOME!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:24:34 PM
Congratulations Judi! I really liked the surrealism of this shot. Very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:24:23 PM
oh cool! nice work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:20:53 PM
Awesome photo, Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:20:16 PM
Congrats on your red ribbon, amazing pic!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:17:05 PM
Congrats, Judi! :) Wow - look at that distribution. You obviously REALLY hit home with 30 people!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:15:29 PM
Yes, Judi I realy loved this one, and so pleased it ribboned for you.
Top composition, top processing, and I love it a lot.....
I have come back, to add it to my favorites.....

Message edited by author 2007-01-05 00:16:47.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:12:00 PM
Congratulations on a great photo and another ribon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:11:21 PM
Congratulations!! Great Exposure..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:11:16 PM
That is an awesome photo. Very dramatic and well executed. The fact that it received 4s, 5s, and 6s from some voters demonstrates that fact that there are a lot of ninkomp-poops on dpchallege.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:09:12 PM
Way to go Judi! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:07:39 PM
Wooohooo....another ribbon! This is a bit different for you. Great work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:07:30 PM
Nice one!!! Way to go Judi!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 07:04:18 PM
And Judi does it again!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/04/2007 01:42:52 PM
The person looks like they are floating :) Very dramatic sky.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 01:13:20 PM
Well this is nice, I almost want to guess this is Gary´s work but processing not quite up to his usual level so if it is your´s, you got a little sloppy this time. Mainly the shadows and burning around the man give it away and the "a little over the top" sky and sunlight also not quite 100% to my taste. I still like this image a lot and gave it a 7 so don´t get me wrong and if this isn´t Gary, then at least I compared you to Kiwiness and that can´t be all bad :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 12:02:45 PM
Beautiful shot, one of my favorites in the challengs. From the ground to the sky its all right there. Lighting, contrast, and clarity are incredible, nice work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 10:35:12 AM
The person's lack of shadows makes him/her float about the ground.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/04/2007 04:02:32 AM
The right arm needs a shadow so it doesn't feel like it's floating. Otherwise great composition/edit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/03/2007 03:33:05 PM
great...the clouds are wonderful....8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/03/2007 03:31:13 PM
Excellent! What more is there to say. Oh yes....Blue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/03/2007 12:15:38 PM
Very dramatic, and excellent body position leading/pointing to the light. The boiling sky helps a lot too to contribute to the threatening theme, though the top half seems to speak of rain and moisture and the bottom drought/ thirst
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/02/2007 11:31:52 AM
I don't truly feel that your subject is lying on this surface. That said I don't beleave that is an over factor, I am voting expert editing more on an art bacis. The title is good and it fits the challenge. The sky is wonderful and the position of the subject gives and over all feeling of dispare, nice touch of the bare feet and dirt on subject. I like the darkness and the movement of the storm. Over all 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2007 12:54:35 PM
I think this is a fabulous photo, but I have to question the logic...I mean, it's obvious that those are storm clouds, and yet this person is lying on parched land that obviously hasn't seen rain in forever. I would think the storm clouds--usually an ominous sign--would here represent hope instead of desolation. I'd love to hear more about the story behind this photo. The incongruity is intriguing--but don't worry, I'm not letting THAT affect my rating.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2007 04:35:15 AM
This could be a game poster. Only nit I have is the hand looks like it's floating rather than on the surface.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2006 03:17:31 PM
Fascinating. (Taking Andrew Wyeth to the edge). Super contrasts of things, and balances.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2006 02:30:15 PM
I think this scene would be good on its own without the superimposed person... That sorta destroys the credibility of the image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2006 01:33:51 PM
Looks too processed for my taste...
TC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2006 10:03:56 AM
Looks biblical.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2006 05:14:59 PM
i love the composition, although the guy seems a bit streched out, anyhow great pic , 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2006 02:27:04 PM
wonderful 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2006 02:11:19 PM
Really a great job. "9"
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2006 01:32:06 AM
I love the sky of this image with the menacing clouds and rays of sunlight... but the body, whilst well posed, just doesn't seem to belong to the landscape - it's like it's floating above the earth rather than lying on it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 07:00:34 PM
The person looks pasted on, and probally is. I think the problem is that the person should be smaller, i geuss the perspective was different in each photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 04:10:05 PM
Well, I rarely vote in challenges I participate in and I'm not breaking my rule this time around. For this picture I wish I were...I'd give your photo a 10. I'm sure you must have used multiple photos but you've done a great job at hiding it. Good luck to ya!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 10:53:27 AM
it would be really cool if there were some lights (such as those in the background) lighting the subject
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 09:43:12 AM
I love this idea,and the colour tones and the composition. In terms of processing though, the body seems to me floating a few inches off the ground which is "unsettling" (no pun intended).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 09:25:13 AM
Great light rays and cracked ground. C'mon buddy...keep going into the light! :) Back to bump you up to 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 09:03:54 AM
Happy New Year! - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 08:27:56 AM
Awesome work!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 05:39:33 AM
WOW!! Striking image!! Wonderfully done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 04:55:42 AM
Very effective! Great composition. The sun shining in the distance (that will never be reached) through the foreboding clouds is a big plus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 03:29:53 AM
here's your winner, great job. this is amazing. 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 01:12:10 AM
awesome shot. Love it! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2006 12:02:04 AM
The winner maybe? This is very good photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 10:04:37 PM
people in our photos is good! love this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 08:47:47 PM
arty...almost like a painting...one of my favourites...10 from me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 07:41:36 PM
Very nice work. It still feels like a photograph even with the editing that has gone on
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 07:34:57 PM
Excellent photo, but it doesn't feel like the man is actually laying there. Nice colours and light. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 07:24:57 PM
WOAH!!!! That sky. That cracked earth. Holy cow. Terrific and perfect for the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 07:24:08 PM
Oh this is great! Love the rich saturation of colors -- and such a great job of depicting the barrenness.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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