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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Best of 2006 > 1st: Stubble by Abstract
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12/11/2006 Abstract

1st: Stubble by Abstract

I am sure all guys can relate the feeling of the roughness.
For girls lets leave it at the fact that...stubble had to go immediately after the shoot upon my wife's request (translation: order).

Used two different backdrops with a lamp lighting the white board.
Only one 500W shop light on my left.
Post process is bw conversion, curves, 2 pass of usm
and partial selected gradient blurring on sides to get shallow dof feel.

Canon PowerShot S1 IS
f/5.6 1/50 sec 6mm full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge20-Dec-2006 23:19
A most excellent portrait. Extra points for self portraits. The Yin and Yang theme sprung to my mind before reading the comments below. The light fall off is perfect as is everything else here. A little closer shot would've been preffered for this challenge theme but how can I complain, since I doubt that would make the shot better.

-Techo
ctfchallenge18-Dec-2006 15:01
Vyonne and Jano...thank you for your nice comments.
I must agree, it was tempting to have a closer crop to enhance the stubble, Jano but then i shot this photograph with yin-yang concept (requires balance in B&W areas of background and face), so did not change it. -Abstract
ctfchallenge18-Dec-2006 08:11
Nicely done Abs, Yvonne
ctfchallenge18-Dec-2006 04:36
Great image Abs - i like the way you used the light to accentuate the stubble. I would like to see it a little closer though...closer crop? Neverthesless, great take on the topic and well done. jano
ctfchallenge17-Dec-2006 19:57
Thank you Cat and Bill.
Bill, the lighting was set to have completely dark side with just a hint of face-features outline, so there is hardly any details in the original. when i tried to brighten the right-eye-whites, it felt a little out of place. thanks for the comment and suggestion though.
-Abstract
Bill Warren17-Dec-2006 01:13
Wonderful composition-- makes me thin it's a mime portrait. I would suggest a slight touchup of the right eye to make it pop just a bit more.
ctfchallenge15-Dec-2006 17:02
Great take on the topic. -Cat
ctfchallenge15-Dec-2006 15:00
Thank you very much Aam for the comment. My wife says, I look "angry" in this shot (i wasnt trying) but I have no intention of kicking anyone's body parts hehehehe :)
Mary Anne, I decided on high-contrast when i chose two diff black and white background. I am glad you liked the photo. -Abstract
ctfchallenge15-Dec-2006 03:39
The light and contrast really make this photo, Abs. Very well thought out and executed.
--Mary Anne
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Dec-2006 21:25
You kick some behinds with this photo, Abs. Excellent work (aam1234)
ctfchallenge14-Dec-2006 14:50
Thanks Sharon, aam, Lee, Britt, Neo and "ctfer". I am glad that people liked this light experiment. it was a bit difficult to get the light properly but i had fun setting up. -Abstract
Guest 13-Dec-2006 22:40
Great idea and brilliantly executed.
ctfchallenge13-Dec-2006 19:10
Very rough endeed! The contrast adds to it.
Guest 13-Dec-2006 19:07
Wow J, awesome! Looks like married life is agreeing with you!
Guest 13-Dec-2006 17:19
A creative and well done photograph.
aam1234 13-Dec-2006 17:10
This is more fabulous than it first looks. Great work Abs.
elips13-Dec-2006 15:03
Fabulous! Get shot and great "feeling" of stubble! Good work! ~Sharon