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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Best of 2005 > Shadows and Lights - 3rd Place
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06-OCT-2005 alexeig

Shadows and Lights - 3rd Place


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alexeig10-Oct-2005 19:47
Many thanks for comments everybody.
Jano: I have worked on noise in the water and hopefully I managed to reduce it
RK: I on purpose exposed original to the sky and I felt that I have to open shadows a bit
janewigginsphotography10-Oct-2005 11:39
Alexeig - Your original photograph (IMO) was more reflection vs. silhouette as I went back to my original description which stated... "Silhouette images show an outline of a subject which is dark or black against a brighter, more detailed background." (emphasis on the words "dark or black".)

This version now does show silhouettes of the subjects reflected in the water, on the horizon, and in the foreground. There does seem to be quite a bit of noise with this processing in the reflection of the sky on the water which is more apparent in this entry which I might try to reduce. Good job with the PP work here. It is a stunning photograph! jano
janewigginsphotography10-Oct-2005 11:15
Alexeig - first as to placing photos in pending (and this is said generally) - my original comment to this particular photo was in part: "...will leave this in eligible for a bit to see if anyone has any other opinions or perhaps I'm not seeing this correctly (and please comment if I or others are not) , otherwise ...".

Obviously there are other opinions besides my own. I agree that a host should not be slap happy and put photos in pending just because "in their personal opinion" a subject may not be on topic. Obviously there is much in way of interpretation of any topic.

With that said - and back to a host's responsibility, I do think there is responsibility to keep the topic and photographs on target - the main reason being that there may be voters who are not participants, with no real knowledge of the topic or subject matter, who just vote for what they see as the best photo, although that photo is totally off topic. As I see it, this reponsibility is more about being fair to all the submitters who have adhered to topic at voting time. I think to keep these challenges working, it is indeed the host's responsibility (although not always a pleasing one) to offer comments and to always keep the topic in mind when doing so.

I have in the past, and probably will in the future :) posted photographs which the host has stated were off topic or were a stretch to be on topic so I'm not immune. I had to ask myself.....why?

Will offer my comments to this resubmitted photo in next comment header .... :) jano
Rod 10-Oct-2005 08:32
The main problem when someone comes in half way through a conversation is they fail to grasp the facts Mark:-) Alexei posted the same shot as this with out the shadow treatment you're looking at. We could see every detail in every building & every reflection. So poor ole Alexei was set upon quite rightly for being off topic. He then re processed the shot into what you see above. After viewing the very excellent first off topic shot it was a shock to see it had turned into this. If Alexei had posted the above shot first off there would have been no problems as we wouldn't have had the excellent first shot to compare with. This shot was made on topic by ruining the first shot that could have won a reflection challenge.
Canon DSLR Challenge09-Oct-2005 14:42
Alex, I seem to prefer the original "http://www.pbase.com/alexeig/image/50427359" img.
- RK
alexeig09-Oct-2005 13:17
Rooood, I did NOT just pumped up the levels. It is postprocessed anew from JPG produced from RAW by Canon FileBrowser. This JPG is here:
http://www.pbase.com/alexeig/image/50427359

Rod 09-Oct-2005 10:47
If you like this Paul you should click on Alexs link to the original off topic shot he posted. It was very pretty. All he did was to darken the L out of it to create silhouettes. Compared to the original this shot that you like is a Barry Crocker mate.
Paul 09-Oct-2005 10:19
Everybody else is mad ( or has a different opinion) The sillohuettes leap out at me here and i find this photo strinking. The effect of the skies reflection in the water is for me a paradox. The houses are well lit and in good condition but the water reflection is one of old oil spills with a feeling of dereliction and abandonment. Very good
alexeig09-Oct-2005 05:09
Mary Anne: actually I like more the first version too
ctfchallenge09-Oct-2005 03:04
Alexeig, although this version seems to conform to the topic (reflections of silhouettes in the water), I think it looks too overprocessed, especially the noise in the water. Your original version was a far superior image, in my opinion.
--Mary Anne
Rod 08-Oct-2005 23:36
Come off it Alexei your original shot was not an interpretation of the topic of Silhouettes & shadows.(If you say it is for you then all I can say is, you’re no Oxford scholar mate) It was a very pretty shot totally devoid of silhouettes & shadows. I sometimes shake my head how someone can't grasp a simple topic such as Silhouettes & Shadows. The host has every right to send to pending shots that are so way off topic that they just get in the way of viewing on topic shots. Jano was 100% correct in her actions. I'm really surprised you have banged down the Levels to try & get this it on topic, it does this fine shot no justice at all mate.
alexeig08-Oct-2005 20:12
OK, here is another processing. I hope that is is shadowy and silouetty enough. Original frame can be found here:

http://www.pbase.com/alexeig/image/50427359

Original in the sense that it was shot in RAW and converted to JPG by Canon FileViewer using default 300D settings (+1 everything). It is this resized JPG which you see. It is full of shadows and silouettes as you can see.
Previous PS'ed version is found here:

http://www.pbase.com/alexeig/image/50427375

Your comments are welcome.

Mary Anne: many thanks for appreciation of my images.

Jano: Many thanks for comment. I do think that it is not a good idea for a host to remove images on the ground that he/she does not like interpretation of the topic. A host should give a topic and leave a total freedom of interpretation to participants. After that, voters decide if a given picture is relevant. I see already some images in eligible which for me are off topic and I am not going to vote for them on this ground.
I know, I know, some previous hosts (VERY small minority) did removed images. It was their mistake.

Cheers

Alex
ctfchallenge08-Oct-2005 16:11
It's a beautiful shot, Alexeig, but I have to agree with Jano that it seems to be off-topic. I haven't seen you around here very much, and it's nice to have you back. I've missed your wonderful images of Norway.
--Mary Anne
alexeig08-Oct-2005 08:07
OK, OK, I shall remove it in a while
janewigginsphotography08-Oct-2005 00:47
As much as I hate to say it, I have to agree that reflections are not the point of this challenge (hate to say it because this photo is so beautiful!). Perhaps there is a different perspective you can use and reshoot? I do see the silhouettes of the pipes in the foreground, but again they are not the main focus of this shot imo. I will leave this in eligible for a bit to see if anyone as any other opinions or perhaps I'm not seeing this correctly (and please comment if I or others are not) , otherwise I think it is off topic and will send to pending. :( jano
Guest 08-Oct-2005 00:40
Fantastic shot, those pipes at bottom are in silhouette, sort of.
Rod 07-Oct-2005 23:45
Can't see much in the way of silhouettes or shadows here Alexei, could you point them out for me:-) Lovely shot though init.
aam1234 07-Oct-2005 23:36
WAW