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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 105: High Contrast (Hosted by Melbob) >> Challenge 105: Exhibition > 6th Place
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Michael Puff
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31-AUG-2007 Michael Puff

6th Place
untitled
Michael Puff

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
1/125s f/7.1 at 28.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 27-Oct-2007 05:09
Thanks Michael. This is wonderful, I like the lighting, setting, model & positioning of, as well as the composition. Dramatic!
Guest 25-Oct-2007 05:05
Thank you all so very much for the comments and compliments.

Cat, the image was taken in natural light and it's the shadow of the stairwell wall on the right. I know what it is and didn't give it a second thought, but it's interesting that you mention it viewing the image without knowing it's physical context. I easily see your point. If I get a chance before the challenge is over, I'll try a bit of dodge/burn on the shadow line and see how well I do with it.

Traveller, as we've discussed, I don't analyze my own images but had I tried to come up with a title then I couldn't think of anything better than Sisyphus...thank you for putting it into a single word.

Kelly, the model was in a stairwell and I was standing about 8 feet above him on a ledge (yeah, even at my age I do silly things like stand on ledges). The stairwell is about 8 feet wide, hence the wider focal length.

Several of you have mentioned an uncoventional composition. There is very little cropped from the original composition...just a tiny bit off the top and a little bit of stairwell wall off the left. It's interesting because I actually put a rule of thirds grid on the image when doing the crop (yes, Lonnit has had an impact on me, LOL!). The model's neck and right shoulder are along the upper thirds line and his spine is along the left third's line. I think those are positions of strength both compositionally and for the body. At least, that's my thinking...the rest is just gut instinct for what appeals to my eye.

Again, thank you all. -Michael
Guest 24-Oct-2007 20:25
Excellent!! I wouldn't expect anything short of that from you Mr. Puff!

There is one very small thing I am noticing which you might have missed or may be its intentionally let go... The right edge (my right) has an almost vertical shadow (may be due to a sidewall) running parallel to the edge, unlike the left edge (my left) which has a nice oval gradient. I wish I could see a gradual oval shadow/gradient on the right side too.
-Cat
Canon DSLR Challenge24-Oct-2007 12:43
Beautiful B&W.Unconventional( my perspective too) composition work here...
Elena
Guest 21-Oct-2007 02:01
striking.
Photogenix20-Oct-2007 00:37
Love the unconventional(just my perspective) composition. -RK
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2007 21:19
Very nice Michael! - seconds to all posted praises - but, given the perspective I'm intrigued to see the focal length as short as it is and can't help but wonder what were you standing on? - Kelly
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2007 16:26
Dang Michael - you always come up with such fantastic shots it makes me wonder why the heck I bother picking up a camera! :-) Very emotive, great lighting and wonderful processing! CJ
Julie Bird19-Oct-2007 11:04
Masterly placement within the space here Michael. Great gradients of grey. Julie
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2007 09:29
Fabulous first entry, very good indeed. The bar is set, time to jump or duck. -Najinsky
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2007 09:24
Sisyphean is the word that comes to mind...for no particular reason, but there it is.

Great, as always from you. Best Wishes, Traveller
mcbit19-Oct-2007 06:01
A hard act to follow!
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2007 05:51
Fantastic Michael, you have set the bar really high to start us off.

I love the way you use light and textures, you are a master at this. ~Regards Melbob
Canon DSLR Challenge19-Oct-2007 05:32
Excellent first entry! -- Victor