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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Best of 2007 > 4th: Torso by Rod
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09-FEB-2007 Rod

4th: Torso by Rod

Bedroom Brissie Oz

Canon EOS 350D ,Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
1/20s f/5.6 at 45.0mm iso1600 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Rod 11-Feb-2007 19:29
Thanks Abs:-) I agree about the lighting but flat light was the most flattering, & after about 38 years of marriage that was the most important consideration:-)hehe
ctfchallenge11-Feb-2007 16:10
an excellent example of a minimalist abstract image. nice composition and perfect placement/balance of curves. good choice of backdrop color too. although lighting did not appeal me at all. too flat/even for my taste. i personally would always prefer a single-source directional light (for an example, falling directly on the dip of the curve from top) that accentuate the curves in this kind of shots. excellent entry though. -Abstract
Rod 10-Feb-2007 05:48
I did use a flash Aamm but as a secondary light source, the tungsten was me main light as I wanted the warm tones. I'm not fussed wot you buy or don't buy Aamm but if you think you can get a white sheet to look white in tungsten light without changing the white balance then you have a bit to learn mate. I wouldn't know what colour the sheet would turn out all I knew is it wouldn't be white & it would be a warm colour, which it is.....mission accomplished whether you believe it or not.
aam1234 10-Feb-2007 04:47
Oh, I thought you used a flash. And since you were in Av mode it makes sense now.

As for WB, come on. The background is beige to my eyes, not white. I know I know, you will say you were going for that. But sorry, I don't buy it.
Rod 10-Feb-2007 04:39
Thanks Rich:-)
Rod 10-Feb-2007 04:37
Wot do you mean Aamm not normal? At F5.6 1/20th sec at iso 1600 was normal for a correct natural light shot & I used the flash as fill bounced off the ceiling. There's no such thing as wrong white balance if the colours are as what's wanted mate.
aam1234 10-Feb-2007 03:13
Why 1/20? That's not normal.

As for warmth, sorry, I can see a wrong WB, no matter how you put it.
ctfchallenge10-Feb-2007 02:38
Well done Rod. Rich
Rod 10-Feb-2007 02:08
But Aamm I wanted the warm look of the wrong WB so why would I go to all that trouble for something I don't want? This shot is in colour Aammm so wot mistakes am I hiding. The shutter speed is only 1/20 so iso 1600 was called for as I wanted the warmth of tungsten lighting & not a flash look. I can only try this shot in the daylight so I can use iso 100 which doesn't go blotchy when PP.
aam1234 10-Feb-2007 01:18
Hmm, no wonder why Paul hates B&W. If you guys use B&W to hide your mistakes then...I don't know. Not good.

Rod mate, using CWB is as easy as opening that beer can of yours. Forgot the exact sequence since I shoot Raw, but it goes something like this. 1- Shoot something that you think is white (a white/gray card would be great). 2- Go to the menu and choose CWB. The photo you just shot will appear. Choose it.

That's it!
Rod 10-Feb-2007 00:53
I tried B&W Jano but the iso 1600 made the skin look not so good & when I tried to burn in some shadow it just brought out blotchy type noise..............or older skin:-)
ctfchallenge10-Feb-2007 00:41
I like it Rod. I think the only way to improve it would be use some lighting so shadows fall on the right places.... or you could even do that and then convert to b&w...but I see no reason to reshoot really. It's simple and effective and the light and color is really pleasing to the eye. I like the shadows as they fall here. jano
Rod 10-Feb-2007 00:22
At our age it's really all done for ahrt only:-) Wot is the right WB Aamm? The tungsten light gives a really nice warm look especially to mature skin:-) So for me this is the right WB. I will try some more shots at iso 100 wiv correct WB & see how it looks, if it makes me missus look like she has elephant skin it will be all your fault mate:-)
aam1234 10-Feb-2007 00:09
Hey hey kids, don't have too much fun shooting these photos ;)

Seriously, try to get the WB right, you will be surprised.
Rod 09-Feb-2007 23:57
Thanks all:-) The overall tone of the shot was from the tungsten ceiling light so the backdrop had that warm look (body too). The darker parts are the folds from me holding it up I also moved the sheet during the shot to get some blur. In PP I dodged it to make it a lot lighter & had to blur it some more. I shot this on iso 1600 thinking it would look a bit more ahrty but I find I can't process the skin too much as it goes sort of blotchy. I might try some more shots on isi 100 for a more natural looking skin even though me & the missus quite like this Dolly Parton look:-)
aam1234 09-Feb-2007 23:50
A side note to my mate Rod. Normally I would point out the inaccurate WB, but in this case you got lucky you old (insert a nice curse here). The off WB background works well with the skin tone.
Brent 09-Feb-2007 21:38
Very nice Rod! The curves and tones are obviously pleasing, but even the very subtle background has great appeal. This one was worth all your work running around.
Charlie Beck09-Feb-2007 16:38
I tend to prefer images that are both simple and elegant. This image exemplifies both words beautifully. Well done.
aam1234 09-Feb-2007 16:37
Good work, mate.
Squared C09-Feb-2007 15:46
Very, very nice Rod. Very Edward Weston in color. I like the slight gradations of color in the back sheet. It gives it some texture and depth. Really great!
Rod 09-Feb-2007 14:05
Thanks Sue Anne but that word Senual:-)sounds like a cross between senile & sensuous:-)
sue anne09-Feb-2007 13:08
Senual Rod :)

For some time, Pbase doesn't say if flash is used or not in the EXIF info - a glitch, I usually just write it in on my Pbase info.

This one sure did make you excercise. :)
Rod 09-Feb-2007 12:46
Strange the exif doesn't say flash was used. I took it in manual mode & bounced the flash off the ceiling....clever a:-)
The missus had a right laugh as I used a printed page resting on her to focus with & once I pressed the shutter I had to whip the page away & run around the bed to hold the sheet up as a backdrop all in 10 sec.....I was knackered:-)