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Defying Winter
Defying Winter
Dr.Confuser


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Best of 2009 (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Location: Seattle, Washington (USA)
Date: Sep 14, 2009
Aperture: f/20
ISO: 200
Shutter: Various
Galleries: Architecture, High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Date Uploaded: Jan 21, 2010

 Photographer’s Notes
When I present a photo here, I don’t hold anything back. So, in the 20 challenges I entered in 2009, you’ve already seen my 20 best. This challenge entry, then, is probably misnamed. It should be Next Best of 2009, but I digress.

So I think I figured out how to score well in a challenge:
• Gray Moody Skies – Check!
• Highly Saturated Colors – Check!
• HDR – Check!
• Iconic Subject – Check!
• Unusual Point of View – Check!
• Imitate Successful DPC Member Caba – Check!
• Get Feedback to Refine PP – Check!
• Killer Title – Check!
Nah, I’m just messing with you. Everyone knows the way to score highly is to cheat. Nah, I’m still messing with you. The way to score highly is to develop a good eye, master your camera, master your post processing tools, and shoot relentlessly. Three out of four – Check!

I had a hard time choosing between two finalists. Here's the out take. Which do you prefer?

I had fun with this one. Hope you enjoy it!

Post Processing
• HDR 7 Originals (Photomatix)
• Tone Map (Photomatix)
• Select Needle (OnOne Select Pro)
• Needle Contrast (PSCS4 Curves Layer)
• Needle Brightness (PSCS4 Curves Layer)
• Select Sculpture (OnOne Select Pro)
• Saturate Sculpture (PSCS4 Hue/Sat layer)
• Select Sky (Invert Needle and Sculpture Selection)
• Darken sky (PSCS4 Overlay Layer)
• Build Composite (PSCS4 Layer Comp)
• Multiply Composite (PSCS4 Multiply Layer)
• Lighten Sculpture (PSCS4 Overlay Layer)
• Desaturate Sculpture Slightly (PSCS4 Hue/Sat Layer)
• Darken Needle Slightly (PSCS4 Curves Layer – Masked)
• Remove Remaining Sensor Dust (PSCS4 Clone Layer)
• Sharpen (PSCS4 USM)
• Resize (Genuine Fractals)
• Border (PSCS4 Stroke layer)
• Save for Web (PSCS4)

Camera Data
• Date: 2009-09-14
• Camera: Nikon DS3
• Lens: Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
• ISO: 200
• Aperture: f/20
• Shutter: Various

Statistics
Place: 122 out of 445
Avg (all users): 6.1323
Avg (commenters): 7.4167
Avg (participants): 6.0800
Avg (non-participants): 6.3158
Views since voting: 979
Views during voting: 432
Votes: 257
Comments: 33
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 01/30/2010 05:05:14 PM
Greetings from the Critique Club!

I'd love to offer you a solid critique of what you could "do better to improve" this image, but I fear I cannot. I love it just the way it is. Marvelous composition and as I mentioned during the challenge, excellent DOF for this. I suspect a handful may not have liked the processing - perhaps a bit too Topaz'ish/tonemapped for some - but I think it worked wonderfully! You certainly paid a great deal of attention to detail with your processing to bring out the very best the picture had to offer - I applaud you for your vision and perserverence. And while your other choice is very good, too, I like this one best. Very nicely seen, captured and presented - definitely worthy of a "Best of" in my opinion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2010 06:32:26 AM
I'm in the camp where I thought this would have done better, 6.5 maybe. Oh well, shows what I know!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2010 06:11:26 AM
A great shot, but you're no caba. :P I would have gone with your other choice of photos, but based on the results in this challenge, it might not have placed much higher. Both great shots though. Any score over 6 in this challenge is something to be very proud of.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2010 04:42:42 AM
The comments throughout the challenge say it all about this gorgeous shot. Congrats on the Posthumous as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 10:41:54 PM
So robbed, imo... I agree with Ja-9. Brilliant work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 09:43:50 PM
So cool...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 07:43:58 PM
this should have done much, much better...such a stunning shot...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/28/2010 05:46:31 PM
I really love the colors of those "columns" whatever they are. Very well captured and processed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 01:09:50 AM
I love abstract art like this - how you have combined the tower into the scene and allowed the art to overwhelm and reach new heights above really is fantastic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 12:10:17 AM
What in the world.... This is 100% original. Great work here. Just need an eye that thinks outside of the box. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 09:37:52 AM
very interesting effect!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 09:04:47 AM
Nicely seen--i really like the different perspective.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 04:19:57 AM
Quite an exceptional and interesting image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 03:53:47 AM
love the way how the space needle is framed, this is someplace that I would love to visit, but I don't think I could get near as good of a shot as you did...super clarity and colors...well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2010 10:20:54 PM
interesting image in the way that its lines lead you from the bas e to top and the structure in the middle is great
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2010 04:36:42 PM
At 1024x768 and a scroll mouse, this has a really cool effect. The Space Needle seems to grow.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2010 04:26:16 PM
Excellent HDR , wonderful perspective , lots of impact , 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 05:39:51 PM
Experience Music Project!! You captured a wonderful perspective for your title as the panels do seem to be in control. Striking colors and drama. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 02:26:01 PM
Interesting and unique take on the Space Needle shot. Very creative, beautiful detail......7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 09:36:37 AM
great take on this shot, nice to see someone take a new pov on this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 06:06:38 AM
I like the framing on this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2010 02:58:05 PM
Nifty perspective and good control of DOF for this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2010 05:41:34 AM
The angle does it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2010 04:52:15 AM
Nice angle to shoot from. Nice leading lines, as I scroll down to take in the whole picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2010 03:51:30 AM
Can't pinpoint exactly what's missing here...nonetheless, it has a certain charm to it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 12:52:04 PM
Amazing perspective - really effective. I do like this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 07:25:27 AM
You've dwarfed the Space Needle!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 04:42:33 AM
Pretty cool art and a good perspective.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 04:35:20 AM
Nice architectural lines the flow up towards the sky. I like how the Needle is centered between the the ribbon-like structures; almost like a curtain being drawn out and the way so the observer can get a better view. Love the colors of the yellows/orange/and dark reds that leap off the grey winter sky. I like how the vertical crop plays into & complements the vertical shapes of the Needle and the ribbon structures. The title does not speak to me like the photo does - when I look at your photo I think 'The Sky Within Our Reach'.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 08:34:06 PM
fav space needle of the challenge. Nice work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 05:05:10 PM
Great perspective, and the use of the copper coloring framing the black and white image is very good. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 02:21:35 PM
Very cool abstract feeling shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 09:38:53 AM
Monolith of the PNW. You really caught it all in this shot. Wonderfull shooting. I really like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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