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Pocket Change Improvisations
1st PlacePocket Change Improvisations
bassbone


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Street Smarts (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon PowerShot S200
Location: Basement
Date: Nov 20, 2007
Aperture: 2.8
ISO: 50
Shutter: 1/10
Galleries: Black and White, Self Portrait
Date Uploaded: Nov 19, 2007

 Post Challenge: OMG! I can't believe I got a ribbon. I hate pictures of myself so it must have something to do with my thoughts about the image. Thanks for all the kind words and comments.

This is NOT a particularly great image, but I figure that since I dropped my Nikon D70 earlier this week, I am obligated to enter a crappy image in a current challange as penance for my sins. My silly little P&S cannot control exposure worth anything and the focus and details are really diminished under low light conditions.

I shot this in my basement and tried to make it look a bit like a subway platform or other urban area where street performers may be. I pulled out the same 'costume' I used for the 'A Cold, Lonely Goodbye' from earlier this year
.

I set myself on the floor, grabbed my trumpet (the trombone really didn't seem like the right instrument for improv-ing on the street - how many trombone street musicians have you ever seen?). I shot from a tripod and had the camera on 10second delay.

Processing: Adjusted levels, desaturation using Hue/Sat, Noise Ninja for contrast/sharpness. Save for web. Noise ninja, USM. Adjust Bri/Contrast Save.

I really was limited by the quality of the original JPEG and tried to use as soft a hand as possible to not give this one too processed of a look - not sure it came off especially well. I just hope this can score better than a 5.5.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 61
Avg (all users): 6.5990
Avg (commenters): 7.7500
Avg (participants): 6.4444
Avg (non-participants): 6.6062
Views since voting: 5652
Views during voting: 352
Votes: 202
Comments: 47
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
 11/30/2007 11:15:37 AM
Wonderful image, congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2007 07:52:33 AM
Excellent - who knew your basement was so - urban! Great job in setting it up and modeling. Self portraits are tough - really nice work. We like it here on the left coast!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2007 06:14:02 AM
Awesome! Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 07:34:02 PM
Way to go!! Congratulations on your blue ribbon, you really deserve this!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 02:53:30 PM
good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 01:38:05 PM
WTG, Peter! Congratulations on your blue! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 01:19:15 PM
True I've never seen a trombonist street musician, but I'd be glad to be the first if you want to take that picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 01:17:56 PM
Congrats Peter! I'm not surprised at all. Excellent mood and texture to this shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 11:05:40 AM
Congratulations on your first ribbon! And a blue one at that. It's a great idea for the challenge and I love how this looks in black and white.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 09:21:22 AM
Oh Peter!!!! I'm so happy for you! What a long overdue blue ribbon for you. This is just awesome! Many congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 07:34:31 AM
You definately deserved this, congratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 06:57:59 AM
6.5 blue ribbon, well deserved and overdue but not even one of your top 5 scores.. AMAZING!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 06:20:04 AM
Congratulations on your first blue! Awesome lighting and contrast in this photo. Funny how you thought it might score a 5.5... Works the other way around too, when you submit a photo you think will blow everyone away and you get a mediocre score.

Glad this worked out for you - well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 04:34:12 AM
Congratulations on your 1st-Blue, hope to meet you at the next GTG.
You grabbed the right instrument and had me convinced it was out in the streets.

My friends kept telling me for a long time after I upgraded to my D200, that I got my highest with my Sony-F707. IMHO, More proof, again, that it's more then just the equipment. I probably could've gotten my 1st=-Blue with a P&S, but I may not sell any 20" x 30" prints.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 03:47:59 AM
Nicely done! Add yourself to the illustrious very few who have blue ribboned with a P&S!!!! Mucho congrats!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 02:59:14 AM
Way to go Peter! Congratulations on an excellent photo!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 02:17:38 AM
Well done! Glad to see this ribbon my friend. First of many to come!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 02:07:36 AM
Congrats on the Blue Peter!!!!! I am so happy for you to finaly recieve your first ribbon and a blue. Great shot and Huge Congrats again.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 01:08:08 AM
Look at you, Mister Fancy Pants with a blue ribbon now!

This was very believable as a street sidewalk. You look very calm for a timer photo, heh. An excellent black and white, my friend.

Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2007 12:58:09 AM
I'd have never known it was a basement - very convincing! I think the lighting played a big part in that - very much looks like a street light. Congrats on the blue!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 10:55:17 PM
congratulations for this well deserved blue!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:57:16 PM
Quality and processing perfect for the challenge. (Great penance too).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:48:18 PM
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations on the BLUE Peter,,,Way to nail that first ribbon. Just want you to know that I am genuinely excited and thrilled for you. Could not have happened to a nicer person (and to think I knew you when you were 'just' pccrose.

Great shot wonderfully executed and pp'd (especially given the camera you were using). Have a celebratory drink courtesy of your English buddy

This has put a smile on my face, thank you
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:47:28 PM
Wow! Your first ribbon, Peter! So pleased for you. Big congrats on winning with this great image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:47:21 PM
Nice! congrats on the blue and 1st ribbon, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:26:22 PM
Congrats on your first ribbon! And let's hear it for P&S ribbons! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:23:20 PM
Peter...I am so excited for you. I bet your head will explode when you see this ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:12:45 PM
Shows what you know, huh? Congratulations on the well deserved ribbon and such a fun image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:05:23 PM
Peter!!!! Woo HOO!! What an AWESOME photo. Perfect for top honors! MEGA CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:05:16 PM
Congrats on the bluey. See... I KNEW you had a ribbon! ;-P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:05:16 PM
COngrats, I can imagine your jaw hangin' open. Loved your earlier shot too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:04:55 PM
Peter, congratulations! I knew this one was the winner! Who needs an SLR? Way to go!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:03:46 PM
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S mate, as you have your first BLUE ribbon.....
I think is is actually your first ever ribbon.....

Well done Peter.....

Message edited by author 2007-11-28 00:05:03.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 07:03:14 PM
Nice job Peter! Congrats on the ribbon!

Message edited by author 2007-11-28 00:05:18.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/27/2007 06:52:46 PM
Love the lighting on this. The composition and pose of the model are good, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 05:41:03 PM
One of the better street performer images in the challenge. I guess it's the lighting that "makes" it. Bump to 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/27/2007 04:02:54 PM
A tough way to make a living, but it fits the challenge and looks sharp and well lighted.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/26/2007 05:47:25 AM
Think you're going to get some crit on the darkness of this instrument, etc.. 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/26/2007 04:09:09 AM
I love the light/shadow in this photograph it works really well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/25/2007 07:08:07 AM
I just love the textures in this shot! The concept of street smarts in nice and clear, and you have a few dollars in his suit case. This is by far the best shot I've seen! Nice idea and the suttle contrast just blows me. This is good B&W work to. If this shot was in color... It just wouldn't click in my mind like this one does.

Good Luck and I hope this gets a ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/24/2007 07:52:57 AM
Love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2007 07:45:46 PM
I like your title. Great contrast too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2007 07:34:17 AM
absolutely fantastic. beautiful lighting and outstanding composition. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2007 02:15:38 AM
This might be the Ribbon, right here. Good Luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2007 09:02:11 AM
that is sweet. Harsh shadows just add to this pic. my only ten
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2007 02:41:26 AM
good subject, too strong light which makes you focus on the wall instead of the man. bw conversion is powerful and has contrast which i like.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/21/2007 12:20:03 AM
best one in the challenge...hope you ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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