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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 26: Wide aperture (Hosted by Anna Yu) >> Challenge 26: Eligible (Hosted by Anna Yu) > 6th Place
Iron and Wood
by Jon Stern
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10-OCT-2004 Jon Stern

6th Place
Iron and Wood
by Jon Stern

Laguna Beach, California

Canon EOS 10D ,Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
1/1000s f/1.8 at 85.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Victor Engel21-Oct-2004 18:57
I see what you're saying, Lonnit. The picture is reminiscent of a bunch of pictures my dad took with a medium format Exakta in the early 70s. He mounted the approximately 12 by 16 black and white prints on particle board. Over the years the edges of the particle board frayed, taking a bit of the edge off of the print as well. Perhaps that look is similar to what you are describing. -- Victor
Guest 21-Oct-2004 15:17
LOL! Isn't it great how taste varies? I figured it was supposed to be like a Poloroid transfer. If it is distracting you that much, then yes, that is a very bad thing. I still think that if the photo edges were properly applied so that it was the photo itself that had the ragged edges, instead of the way it is, where it looks like a photo laid on top of a background with ragged edges, you wouldn't be so distracted. I think it's a good border, just mis-applied. The ruggedness of the photo and the sepia imply to me that sharp crisp edges wouldn't relate to the theme of the shot. I'd love to see the edges reapplied properly and then get your opinion on it. Maybe you still wouldn't care for it, but I bet it would be much less distracting for you. :) ~ Lonnit
Victor Engel21-Oct-2004 01:01
Lonnit, To me the border looks a bit like a vinyl fitted sheet, as if the picture is the bottom of a mattress. In addition to your comments, I think it just doesn't fit the picture. Every time I look at it, I find myself trying to figure out what the border is supposed to be. I should be looking at the picture. -- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge20-Oct-2004 00:35
Love the shot and am fine with the border - just needs a retouch to the border where the edges are too perfectly straight (the upper left corner and where it reaches right and down from there. the lower left border is straight too.) I happen to really like the border where it is properly applied as in the right side of the frame. It is very organic there and looks very natural. I think this border, (when edited as mentioned) is an absolutely perfect choice for this shot. Perhaps Victor would like it better then as well. If not, I still respect his dislike for it. I, personally, think it has wonderful potential. ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2004 00:24
Thanks for the encouraging comments. Don't worry people, your cheques (US = checks) should arrive in the next day or so! ;-) Jon S
iso320018-Oct-2004 20:42
Yep - this is good. Nothing much to add that hasn't been said but for the record I like the frame. Presentation is always a matter of personal taste. I think it suits the style of the pic. Besides which, it's the image that's most important, and this is highly successful. Would work particularly well in a series.
Guest 18-Oct-2004 20:33
I like this a lot - this will be up there at the end...
Guest 17-Oct-2004 23:57
Great photo! I really like the tones and the grain. I'm still undecided about the border, normally I really dislike digitally created borders that are supposed to look like negative borders, but in your case it actually adds to the mood od the picture nicely. Might be interested to see the same image with a simple black border.
Well done, anyway! :)

Arthur
Canon DSLR Challenge16-Oct-2004 16:33
Gritty, grimy... Obviously your intent and you succeeded marvelously!

-Noel
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Oct-2004 16:59
I understand what you're saying Victor, although I think I'd rather work on some new images rather than spend more time on this one. I don't think people care that much about the frames on challenge submissions anyway. Not unless they're really bad and distracting. - Jon S
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Oct-2004 07:31
Let me clarify. In looking at the frame more closely, I see a conflict between the rough edge of the frame and the arrow-straight edge of the picture. By leaving the straight edge, I think you still have the modern and clinical nature of the border. I would suggest having one or the other, but not both. -- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge12-Oct-2004 20:36
I have 2 people on the board plus one person here at my work voting for the frame. So for the time-being I'm going to leave it, but thanks for the input Victor. I think it helps add to the antique feel I'm trying to create. The original seemed a little bit too modern and clinical to me - Jon S.
Canon DSLR Challenge12-Oct-2004 07:11
I don't like the frame you've added. -- Victor
Guest 11-Oct-2004 22:10
Love it. The opposing tones (left chain/right post, right chain/left post) are an unbelievable catch.
Canon DSLR Challenge11-Oct-2004 16:08
Powerful. I like the DOF, grain, and bold/heavy tones. "Feels" like iron. --Joe Reilly
Canon DSLR Challenge11-Oct-2004 11:54
I really like this one. My own instincts for shooting this challenge theme is to capture textures that fade into the fore and backgrounds due to narrow DOF. This photo captures it perfectly! -Ed Hahn