1st: Breathe by Paul by ctfchallenge

ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Best of 2005 > 1st: Breathe by Paul


15-APR-2005	Paul

Run rabbit run, dig that hole, forget the sun.
And when at last the work is done, don't sit down it's time to dig another one.

Canon PowerShot G6
1/50s f/2.8 at 10.2mm hide exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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alexeig		19-Apr-2005 15:56
Great result

Andy		18-Apr-2005 21:16
I like this. The interpretation is good and technically spot on. You've obviously worked on the pose etc from other posts. It may well work equally well in b&w.

ctfchallenge		18-Apr-2005 19:20
Yes, this one is WAY better than the first version. \Oved

Guest		18-Apr-2005 07:19
"Hanging on in quiet desperation" (Time) comes to mind too when I see this. Actually, looking isolated at the image, that may even be the better title for this photograph. Strong, story-telling imagery - well done!

Guest		18-Apr-2005 03:13
Paul, just excellent.

ctfchallenge		18-Apr-2005 01:40
Great shot, really gives a sense of exhaustion. - RK

Guest		17-Apr-2005 22:58
It is a terrific shot Paul and I would like to add that you are doing a superb job of hosting this challenge. :-)

ctfchallenge		17-Apr-2005 16:21
Excellent work Paul. This close up is conveys the story much better than your earlier one. -Cat

Paul		17-Apr-2005 03:20
Thanks all, the sweat has gone and i am no longer a dribbling wreck. Yes, you were right.

Techo		17-Apr-2005 02:11
I can feel it! very nicely shot. About the sweat dripping from the chin, I would personally clone that out since if you haven't mentioned it, it can be a bit confusing to what that is since it doesn't look like a drop.

ctfchallenge		17-Apr-2005 02:07
Agree with all the comments, it's a great shot! -alexoki

ctfchallenge		16-Apr-2005 11:56
Nice work Paul. theFly

Paul		16-Apr-2005 11:21
Thanks Aam, As for the pose. It was friday afternoon and i'd just got back from work all grubby so dragged the tripod out into the yard and took up the pose. Nothing felt right so i went and got a big glass of iced water out of the fridge as i knew it would make me sweat and drunk it really quickly then straight away i started to move a big pile of compost in the garden. After a few minutes i was knackered and could feel the sweat breaking out so i lined up the camera and hoped for the best. I felt worse than i looked as the iced water was making my guts ache. All in the name of art eh? After a shower a a walk down the pub i was fine though. Regards Paul

aam1234		16-Apr-2005 11:12
Forgot to say, this is a prize winner in my book.

aam1234		16-Apr-2005 11:06
Agree w/ eosman, both photos are excellent, but this one is more special. Correct me if I'm wrong Paul, but you were really doing the work not pretending just for the photo, am I right.

Guest		16-Apr-2005 06:03
I like the first one and I like this one even better, great job!

ctfchallenge		16-Apr-2005 03:54
this one surely is much better than the previous version. very strong image. loved the way subject filled the frame. wtg Paul. -Abstract

Paul		16-Apr-2005 02:20
Thanks all but that's sweat not dribble. I shall leave it i think. Regards Paul

Nugar		16-Apr-2005 02:12
Hey! Very nice version! The picture tells a story on its own and it does convey the idea of "breath". I agree on the dribble, hadn't notice.

aam1234		16-Apr-2005 00:45
Paul you might want to do what Uncle rod suggested. Man! can't think with that thing is there. Hurry up Paul, this is a great photo.

Rod		16-Apr-2005 00:15
Gawd I've just noticed the dribble hanging off yer chin, that's gross:-)

Rod		16-Apr-2005 00:14
If the boss saw you like this he would tell you to bugger off. This works really well Paul, the change is a good move. I'm glad you took the twig out of your ear mate.

ctfchallenge		15-Apr-2005 23:37
I was undecided about whether to post this one instead yesterday but reading the comments and thinking about the title i think this one works better. Certainly no distractions apart from my ugly mug.

Rod		15-Apr-2005 21:56
amm, don't be so hard on yourself mate, you have posted some fine shots in the past. Photography is something to enjoy whatever level we're on so don't comprare your shots to others as such. Just enjoy how you are improving month by month & you are improving mate:-)

aam1234		15-Apr-2005 12:48
Paul is talented alright, no doubt about it -- wish I can say the same about myself :(. As uncle Rod pointed out, there isn't really any BH's, just little loss of detail here or there. If you ask me, I wouldn't worry about it much. I really like this photo, and there are so many ways to capture it, and all of them would be equally good.

Rod		15-Apr-2005 12:06
I can't see any BHs in this shot. There's colour in the handle it's light but not blown. Do you realise Paul that you have a twig growing out of your ear. You can blur the background in your photo editing program but you may as well re-shoot & get some practice. Very good shot Paul, at this rate you might be talented next week:-)

Paul		15-Apr-2005 11:44
Do you mean on the handle of the spade? That caught my eye too but the colour of it i think will always blow out and this photo was taken with an overcast sky just an hour or so before sundown. When i have a go at re-shooting i might just rub a load of mud into the handle to darken it, or perhaps put a hand over that part. Paul

aam1234		15-Apr-2005 11:27
While you at it, you might want to choose a later time of the day to re-shoot it (say, two hours before sunset or thereabout) as there is a bit of blown highlights (opps, stepped into Uncle Rod's territory :) )

Paul		15-Apr-2005 11:15
Thanks Aam, i'll give it another go before the challenge is over. Regards Paul

aam1234		15-Apr-2005 11:07
You are right Paul, I was referring to a blurry background. The photo will look even better when the background is out of focus. Can you re-shoot it? (it looks very good as is though). Another idea you can play with is to make the hand on focus and the person somewhat out of focus. This photos has many ways to play with, see which one you like best.

Paul		15-Apr-2005 10:39
Thanks Aam, When you mention about the depth of field and the background being distracting can you explain a bit more to help me please? I just had the camera in P mode and let it do it's thing but with a bit of thought and effort i could lock the focus so the background is just a blur i think, or is that not what you mean. I'm an amateur at this as far as the technical aspects are concerned. I was concerned primarily here with using the weeks grime from work and my generally slovenly appearance to show the endless and often futile nature of work as time passes and we all drop dead anyway. Then i went down the pub:>) Regards Paul

aam1234		15-Apr-2005 10:14
Excellent photo Paul, and really conveys the message of the song (if I understood it correctly). Unfortunately here is where a P&S suffers, with DOF, as the background is a bit distracting.

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