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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Canon SLR Challenges - FAQ >> CSLR - Best of... >> Best of 2006 > 4th Place
I.B.M.
by Vikas
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13-SEP-2006 Vikas

4th Place
I.B.M.
by Vikas

New Delhi, INDIA


other sizes: small medium original auto
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iso320019-Sep-2006 23:12
Great.
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Sep-2006 03:54
Nicely done! Flexible and solutions are not words I usually associate with IBM. :) The image also gives the impression of lost sense of direction. Sorry Vikas for the comments on the possible parody aspects, which I don't think you had in mind. It's such a striking visualization. ~kt
Canon DSLR Challenge18-Sep-2006 22:11
Wonderful it convey and communicate your concept in clean cut add~Mahmoud
Canon DSLR Challenge18-Sep-2006 21:06
Terrific ad Vikas! The copy works perfectly with the flexible pencils and I like how the tips point towards the IBM logo. Nice composition and lighting too. CJ
Canon DSLR Challenge15-Sep-2006 23:35
IBM just called... you're hired! Wonderful. ~ Lonnit
Vikas Malhotra15-Sep-2006 06:19
Mark, thanks a lot, appreciate your comments and actually been having a lot of fun with this challenge I have to confess. :-)

Cheryl, thank you :-)

Chris, thank you as always for your helpful comments. Have changed the type from before; let me know if the new one works. Regarding size, too small made the message/copy a little insignificant for me and hence went with this size.

Nico, THANK YOU; you are always so very kind. Thanks.

Phil, thanks for your candid comments and it’s perfectly okay to like or dislike an image; we are all different with varied sensibilities and that is what makes us all individuals; can you imagine a world where we all thought alike? Gosh that would be extremely monotonous IMHO. Regarding the photograph; I shot this in three ways; one with both the erasers and the tips in focus; only the tips in focus; the whole shot in focus and preferred this one to all the others as I wanted the tips to be in prominence pointing towards the IBM Logo. IMO this worked the best for the message I wanted to convey and hence went with this one. Regarding whether the ad would work for IBM or not, I really don’t know; I studied their earlier campaign, the one about the small planet and the current one about being special and frankly, the latest one I am not impressed with though the small planet one was great. However, I do think that if I were a potential customer for IBM, I may just about like this ad (or maybe I am biased?) ;-)

Thanks again.

Cheers, Vikas.
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Sep-2006 22:07
You know, I feel really bad about this... but this doesn't work for me.
It could be that I'm too close to IBM (I used to work for them, and still deal with them regularly) and it doesn't "fit" with the image I know of the company.
If I ignore that, however, I find myself wishing for more DOF - so that the erasers were in focus too. I don't *absolutely* know that it would be better that way, I just feel it.
Once again,apologies for apparantly finding fault in everything, but I'm enjoying watching this challenge immensely as the addition of words is really appealing to me...

Phil
jnconradie14-Sep-2006 14:26
Hi Vikas. No, unfortunately no crystal ball or the like.

My thinking was just that if I did work for IBM (or for any other company, for that matter) in their marketing department, and saw this work, I would have been in touch with you at the speed of lightning - before the competition does.

And you said this is the first time you are doing commercial/product type work? If I did not know you better already, I would have said, "You're kidding me, right?" :-)

Regards ~jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Sep-2006 13:47
Vikas, I think that what I am referring to witht he alignmetn of the text at the bottom has to do with the fact that there is a little drop shadow on the type, but not the logo, creating the illusion that it is slightly below the alignment of the logo. I would get rid of the shadow, as it makes the type less readable.

As far as the sizes of things, I think this works fine, it just might be more dramatic, and less usual if you shrunk the type considerably, so things were so balanced. Both the image and type are competing at pretty much the same level currently.

Chris
Guest 14-Sep-2006 13:16
This is AWESOME! :)
Cherylm
ctfchallenge14-Sep-2006 09:41
Vikas... I am just in awe of the skills you have honed in this type of photography.
If you are not already doing it, you should be!! (Doing ADV photography). Now...
Excellent composition, with a colorful, eye-catching design. The main object points in the direction of the most important part.... the company adv copy. Nicely done!
Cheers. Markjay
Vikas Malhotra14-Sep-2006 08:13
Larry/Judi, thank you for liking this one, appreciate it.

Nico, how did you know???? Yes indeed I did get an email from the company but that was only hours ago and you already knew? Hmmmmmm, are you an astrologer or do you have a special crystal ball that I could borrow? ;-) Thanks a lot, really appreciate your comment.

Gerald thank you for that vote of confidence, am flattered.

Cat, thanks a lot. Will remember the r if this one ever gets to print. :-)

Thefly, thank you!!!

Chris, thanks for your detailed comments, really apprecaite them. Regarding with the size of the copy, played around with smaller and larger and settled on this as the one seemingly most appropriate. Regarding alignment with the logo, went with the alignment of the bottom of the word 'flexible' with the bottom of the IBM logo. The 'y' and the 'p' are obviously then, lower than the IBM bottom but preferred it that way as opposed to having the bottom of the y and the p aligned with the IBM. Regarding the border, it should be uniform all around (50 pixels wider/higher) but will recheck when home this evening. Thanks a lot once again; you have been so very helpful.

Cheers, Vikas.





Canon DSLR Challenge14-Sep-2006 00:38
Nicely shot.

There are three comments that I have about the design of the ad, not the photo which is of course well done.

The biggest thing is the size of the type in comparison to the image. To me they both compete too much and the ad seems to balanced, I am not sure what you want to have my first attention. The second is on the type and the alignment with the logo, the type seems to be slightly lower than the logo, and I don't think that this what you meant to do. My last is the border, the sides are even, but not the same as the top and bottom, if this is purposeful then fine, but it seems like a mistake.

I make these comments fully knowing that this is not a graphic design challenge, but a photography challenge, so I am assuming in the end it is the photography that really counts in the challenge. I really like what you have done in this challenge, and the way that you have been pushing things, which you always do with your photographs.

Much respect,

Chris
Guest 13-Sep-2006 22:57
those are cool pencils. Well done of course!
Guest 13-Sep-2006 20:52
Nice and clean ad, colorful too!
Note: IBM logo is a registered trademark. You would have to include the 'R' symbol before its ready to go to the press.
-Cat
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Sep-2006 20:41
A convincing ad, great work. I love the clear concept. What I am just thinking about: Has anybody ever won three challenges in a row or will you be the first one? ;-)
-Gerald
jnconradie13-Sep-2006 19:00
Applause from my side as well, Vikas. It is really, really good. Simple... yet dynamic; elegant and colourful; a solid message, yet an off-beat method of delivery. I heard a rumour that the marketing people from this company have posted a note to you, offering employment! :-) Regards ~jnconradie
Guest 13-Sep-2006 17:41
Vikas, this is brilliant, also my favorite of your 3 but of course they are all excellent. Judi
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Sep-2006 14:27
This is really nice! Great colors. Clean and simple advertisement that presents a strong message. My favorite of your three. Larry