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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Best of 2008 > 2nd. Still Puzzled ... by Michael Shealy
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04-FEB-2008 Michael Shealy

2nd. Still Puzzled ... by Michael Shealy

... after all these years.
v.2

Not nearly as good as, but fashioned after iso3200's Winning shot "Puzzled"
http://www.pbase.com/ctfchallenge/image/46313928

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
1/250s f/1.8 at 85.0mm iso3200
w/Wireless Remote Actuator full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 11-Feb-2008 02:39
I thought your first go was a smash, but this one with the suit is way better. Nice way of building upon the original too.
Rod 09-Feb-2008 07:38
I like this much better too but geez it's so hard to like a partial desat:-)
Britt 07-Feb-2008 15:10
This image has improved so much from the original Mike. I love the expression on his face and the dof is perfect! You have my vote. :)
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Feb-2008 03:39
Well done Mikey. Great cropping with the serious look contemplating the metaphysics of the cube. Veery arrrrty (as Rod would say... where's Rod anyway?) -tv
janewigginsphotography07-Feb-2008 02:41
I adore this with the suit!!! The original was a child....so as an adult I think this takes on a whole new flavor. Very professionally done. I love the desat also and the cube is nicely lite and bright. ano
ctfchallenge05-Feb-2008 04:43
Hehe, I know what you mean, Doug. Notice: it isn't solved (and never has been since I got it). Lydia, I've been busy doing this and that. One thing really cool is I'm planning to take a trip to Ecuador, all expenses paid, with a free side trip to the Galapagos Islands. Should be some photo ops there, eh?!! Might be able to compete with Rod's Capalaba(?) Awks. Anyway, I'm not sure what y'all are talking about "he's holding it away from his body", cuz so am I. His elbow is at his side and so is mine. What makes his picy so "standout" is the tones and lighting of that young skin. Nothing like it. I think he was closer to the cam and was using a wide angle, too. My 85mm gives more of a "portrait" look to the image, i.e. no distortion. I tried the Tamron 17-50mm, but its only an f/2.8 and I didn't get the bokeh/small enough DOF. Thanks for the comments. Cheers, -mikey
ctfchallenge05-Feb-2008 02:37
Hmmm... you got dressed. Hmmm... Considering... Yeah, I like this better. I agree that he's holding it away from his body... I think he's considering it before he accepts it... puzzled.

Where've you been lately, Mikey? ~Lydia
ctfchallenge05-Feb-2008 02:35
Looks good Mikey. My picture would be of me throwing it in frustration. -COAmature
ctfchallenge04-Feb-2008 16:31
I think an adult is OK. Sort of like the puzzled kid is still puzzled as an adult. Only niggle is that you are holding it away from you instead of holding it towards you - Debi
Rod 04-Feb-2008 08:14
To avoid the cliche look of a partial desat I wonder what it would look like all in colour with just the cube in B&W. I think this would make your skin look younger too. If not try tungsten light, it takes years off ya:-)
ctfchallenge04-Feb-2008 05:25
Thanks, J.V. & Lydia. Lydia, its an AF lens. All I had to do was set the aperture to f/1.8, take some readings to get the right shutter speed/ISO, half-press the shutter and wave the cube around. I could hear the AF work. When I did I knew it was "homing" on it ":^) .. this digital stuff is easy, hehe. I'm rethinking the whole shot, tho. I'm feeling kind of weird about it now. Its appropriate for a little kid, but an adult? I'm kind of a little kid in a way ... half a brain, you know, but ...[looks down, shuffles feet sheepishly] hehe. Cheers, -mikey
ctfchallenge03-Feb-2008 21:36
Great idea, Mikey! And well done. The DOF is perfect. I would have had trouble with that, I think. ~Lydia
ctfchallenge03-Feb-2008 04:53
Nice job. I think the selective color is a good touch. - J.V.