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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 18: Stones (Hosted by Karthik Murugesan) >> Challenge 18: Stones Eligible (Hosted by Karthik Murugesan) > 3 Way Stalemate*
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18-JUN-2004 Jonathan Nissanov

3 Way Stalemate*

Canon EOS 10D
1/180s f/32.0 at 100.0mm iso100 with Flash hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time18-Jun-2004 19:39:15
MakeCanon
ModelEOS 10D
Flash UsedYes
Focal Length100 mm
Exposure Time1/180 sec
Aperturef/32
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modeaverage (1)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Olaf.dk 29-Jun-2004 19:25
I am also looking at the two with a calibrated monitor (CRT). The two main points of improvement I see in Joe's suggestion are: color-balance (blue tint is gone) and perceived sharpness. The fact that it is slightly brighter is of less importance. In that respect both work equally well for me - although having read your explanation - having the shadow under the rock darker does help a bit (wouldn't have noticed had you not mentioned it). --Olaf
Jonathan (Yoni) Nissanov29-Jun-2004 17:38
Joe, I am looking at the two versions of the image side-by-side on an Apple calibrated LCD. There are a few subtle consequences of the brighter image. On the positive side, the rock does look better. Furthermore, the balance between the 3, which I initially felt needed the darker tones, is actually maintained. Also, there is more emphasis on the lower rock, which in my version is almost lost. Some of the intent, though, is degraded in my opinion. The eye is now drawn along the scissors to its tip-it should stop at the shadow of the paper on the scissor. The swaddeling potential of the paper is reduced-its flatter. It now looks like you are unpacking a present. Its more cheery. So, visually it is more pleasant to the eye, but I think at the expense of the message. Hmmm... maybe I am reading into the image more of my intents than it actually conveys.
Guest 29-Jun-2004 11:50
Great Idea and excellently executed.
I would have scratched my head at working out the best composition for this! - Adam
Guest 29-Jun-2004 00:59
Jonathan: It's all a matter of taste and preference. Take a look at my quick update as an example of what *my* eyes (i.e. sample size of one) wanted to see. I don't think the gestalt of the image has changed, just the forms made a bit bolder --> http://upload.pbase.com/image/30713480. Again, a matter of intent, taste, and preference. --Joe
Karthik Murugesan28-Jun-2004 22:56
I agree. Please go ahead and change it. - Karthik.
Jonathan (Yoni) Nissanov28-Jun-2004 22:16
Thanks. Anna and Joe, I am curious on why you feel stronger contrast-color saturation would aid. I wanted to avoid having any of the items dominate. If the paper is brighter it starts to dominate. While the rock was given a small part of the image, I hoped that with the shadows around that the sense of the mass comes through. Finally I wanted the eye to be drawn along the scissors not to the tip but rather to a circle encompassing the cutting site and the overhanging rock. Shadows on the paper are important to convey its ability to enfold the rock-since that is not really directly represented. Color wise, I initially shot it to yield a colder blue tone, I reduced it somewhat in PS because it was too harsh-I was not interested in making a positive statement that conflicts can be readily resolved but rather the negative one of endless unresolved conflict. The initial title '3-way stalemate' is really more appropriate then conflict resolution. I think I should change it.
Anna Yu26-Jun-2004 05:19
Good idea, ditto to Joe's comment about the contrast, great potential here with the lighting that you have.
Guest 25-Jun-2004 20:57
This is very good!
Debbi
Guest 22-Jun-2004 11:03
Drat. I had the same idea. Um... great idea! If this were mine, I'd look to boost the overall illumuniation, the contrast, and the colors. Nice.
Canon DSLR Challenge20-Jun-2004 14:51
Thanks. Initially I was thinking of kids settling an argument with this venerable method, but I don't have kids and 2 weeks is too short a time to germinate and raise them to an appropriate age and then there was the issue of what would I do with them once I got the shot. For the title, I toyed with "3 way stalemate"-hmmm still not sure its not the better title. --Jonathan Nissanov
Olaf.dk 20-Jun-2004 05:33
Hey, I had the same idea! Except I couldn't think of a graphically interesting composition containing the three elements: rock, paper and scissors. Paper defeats rock, which defeats scissors, which in turn defeats paper. I found it hard to describe the this circular interdependence in one shot. You have done it well! --Olaf
Karthik Murugesan20-Jun-2004 04:55
Jonathan: Very creative! - Karthik.