11th Place Fragile by jnconradie by Canon DSLR Challenge


19-MAY-2007	jnconradie

Natural History Museum

(The "straight from the camera" version is at http://www.pbase.com/jnconradie/image/79157778)

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS
1/2s f/5.6 at 38.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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jnconradie		25-May-2007 23:08
Thanks, Lonnit and shu. shu, I am off to the pharmacy to buy some "please let's remain humble" tablets to get my swollen head under control again! Only kidding. You are of course miles too complimentary but many thanks anyway. Regards jnconradie

Shu		25-May-2007 17:36
You are a genius!!! Thanks for the lesson. shu

ctfchallenge		24-May-2007 22:37
Well done. ~ Lonnit

jnconradie		24-May-2007 19:01
Many thanks, Elena, arn (wonderful to hear from you again!) and Cat. Your gracious comments are appreciated. Regards jnconradie

Guest		23-May-2007 20:40
Nico, Without your explanation, you would have kept me wondering for a long time how could you manage to take this photo with a 20D :) I can share Michael's "speechless speech!". Well conceived! (no pun intended) -Cat

Arn		23-May-2007 16:58
Most effective, well done processing - the contrast / light / shadows are very appropriate.

Canon DSLR Challenge		22-May-2007 17:21
O MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Nico, GREAT work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Elena

jnconradie		22-May-2007 08:53
Thanks, Vikas! :-) Regards jnconradie

Vikas Malhotra		21-May-2007 17:06
Certainly blew me away too........ Great one Nico. Cheers, Vikas

jnconradie		21-May-2007 07:03
Dear Michael, thanks. I am flattered. The subject is an "8 times life-size" (if I recall correctly) static display London's Natural History Museum. It had rather severe back- and side lighting, which caused overly harsh shadows (in my opinion). I thus processed from RAW to obtain 5 different exposures, which I combined to create a pseudo-HDR version of the photograph, effectively moderating the shadows somewhat, yet retaining a 3D feeling. From there, I messed with various blurred and sharpened layers, some vignetting of the same colour as the model... some levels and curves to boost contrast, a final bw converted layer to desaturate the photograph a little... until it looked like what I had in my mind's eye. ... not what I normally do, but when travelling it is not always so easy to find something African-ethnic to photograph..! :-) Regards jnconradie

Guest		21-May-2007 04:41
Frankly, this is just blowing me away. You must share the circumstances under which you created this piece...I know there's a story. Regardless of the story, this is stunning...the light is exquisite, the shadows rich, the subject totally captivating. Initially it left me speechless (a very rare occurrance!). -Michael