[ravnostic]

My personal inspiration for the theme came from the series “Life after people”, which docu-drama’d the world if people were suddenly (and thereafter), just ‘not there’.

The series delved into the many canines and felines left behind, and what would happen to them. How many poodles would die? How many pit-bulls would make do? How various feline critters would retake up mousing, and reclaim those roots?

I do understand what you’re asking. But consider:

What a compelling image to find a dog abandoned on some lonely highway or rural road, matted, starved, dehydrated, and capture that moment on film…then post it in a contest.

Not for me. At least not in this venue–and it may violate some of the TOA in fark.com, in general. I’d have problems voting for such an image without a clear history of that animal’s rescue, and a continued and better life among caring people, providing a happy ending. I roll that way. If this were for National Geographic from something shot in a 3rd world country…another story, perhaps.

And there are homeless vets here (and abroad), and others. People abandoned by the rest of ‘quote unquote’ humanity. It’s not a light subject.

I’m reminded of a picture U-Man had a short while back; I don’t know if she was homeless, I remember him writing about how he told her she was beautiful, and asked to take her picture, and she smiled–it won the contest (the Stat’s Mgr is down for me right now, or I’d repost it); but that image gave me the feeling of abandoned, yet with hope. I don’t know that she was even homeless–but that’s the feeling I got from the image.

Because of that hope, I don’t think that sort of thing fits the theme (though, U-Man, to me it’s one of the best images I’ve ever had the joy of observing).

And without that hope–I don’t personally feel it’s appropriate for a contest in this venue, whether–God forbid–real, or ‘staged’.

In summary, I guess I’m saying “Abandon All Hope: Life After People” shouldn’t go there.

I’ll consider the mods’ weighing in, but I’d rather keep it inanimate.

//mean no offense.

[ravnostic]

There’s ‘extras’? What extras? I didn’t get a memo!! The last time I checked (which would be last monsoon season), I could get the animation, cloud-height info, radar lightning strikes, etc., with a few clicks.

What am I missing? Because if there’s more, I’m SO up for it. Hell, it’s 1/12th the annual cost of TotalFark, if I didz the maths right…

[ravnostic]

(I use http://www.wunderground.com for weather predictions – the animated NEXRAD map can include lightning strikes if you check the little box.)

We need a ‘like’ button here. I’m a big fan of wunderground.

[ravnostic]

It really is a fun one, U-Man. While I enjoy the ‘win’ as much (maybe more so?) than the next guy when I get it, the compliments received here from the people who REALLY make me want to continue to be a better and more creative photographer, mean way^10 more than a contest vote. 🙂

I second on Ranger Joe‘s muted canyon shot. I think that’s called using negative space, no? It’s really cool.

[ravnostic]

I’ll be down that way July 9th, 10th, maybe 11th, in about the same area. Not sure what my plans will be but would love to meet you.

[ravnostic]

To the first, a pinhole is like a super small f/stop, so depth of field is maximized; focus isn’t really necessary, vignetting often can occur (part of the allure, really), and use a tripod, because you’ll need long exposures even in full sun (and for dark scenes, plan on a minute, if not several minutes.)

To the 2nd, pm your email; my aunt sent me a spiffy pdf file with tips on taking pictures of fireworks (though ironically, the resolution of the photos in the file sucks–but the tips are valid.)

[ravnostic]

CISS It’s not luck; you thought of something that made a great picture without even having the/a theme in mind. THAT is ‘inspired’ photography–and a sign of a good photographer, IMHO.

[ravnostic]

🙂 I look forward to great images. Glad you decided to share your views of the world with the rest of us.

[ravnostic]

Thanks Orionid and oddmind! I had hoped it would be a ‘cinch to win’, but against some of these other photos (that duck critter kashari captured, U-Man‘s rocks-on-a-fingertip, (Be)CISS‘s bus shot, and speaking of the big O, OMG–that beer bottle ‘dame’ had me rolling!!) I’m quite happy it’s doing as well as it is. I love the creativity everyone’s brought; this contest is going to be one of my favorites of the year, for sure.

Oddmind, Flattery will get you everywhere! I hope you take any inspiration I’ve given and put it to good use. 🙂 You’ve posted some really nice entries since you’ve become more active; I look forward to more, and even ‘bettar’ ones.

[ravnostic]

You get to choose three. Which doesn’t make the selection process any easier, it seems…

[ravnostic]

*phew!*

//Breathes again. Dries a tear.

I worked quite hard on that photo, and I’m glad the reference wasn’t missed (I was hoping “Airplane!” was something farkers would/will still get.)

//thanks ennuipoet for saying you got a belly-full laugh. I feel all warm and fuzzy, as that’s what I hoped to accomplish.

//also really glad 20 other people didn’t go for the same reference–that was a big fear after investing so much time into the composition.

Getting the 1)monitor bank/tarmac and 2)plane with the right blur to imply a low f/ratio was not easy–in fact, I really wish I’d done more in blurring the tarmac.

[ravnostic]

The water bottle next to the monitor is part of the background image.

Here’s the original shot:

The plane got added in from another image, and most of the guy got edited out:

After the Kinko’s run, I just hung it upside down and put a chair in front of it. All the accessories in hand, I clicked the timered shutter, held my breath and tried to exhale to try to get a red face (with limited success), and there you go. It took about twenty frames; the ‘glue’ is acrylic paint, which I had to remember to turn so you couldn’t SEE that that’s all it was; the amphetamines were sterile gauze, same thing about positioning that), and getting a good ‘high’ expression without having my eyes completely closed turns out to be rather difficult.

Please don’t tell me the shot’s not legal.

please please please!!!

//edit–I’ll seriously cry, which won’t look good when I head to work in some 10-20 mintues. 😥

[ravnostic]

The picture is inverted. I compiled a couple images from the interweb and made the background, and had it printed at Kinkos (I queried Elsinore to ask if that was allowed, she said it was okay). It took way more hair gel than any one human should use to get my hair up (and I had to keep reapplying and redrying until I got the shot I wanted). Here’s the setup, though my extra stuff is back against the door again.):

I didn’t bother finishing the edit to get rid of the guy in the picture since that’s where I positioned myself. My photoshop skills aren’t the greatest, but I hope I captured the essence.

[ravnostic]

Who posted the theme this week? I’ve never seen boobies so fast and firmly posted!

[ravnostic]

What I always like about Orionid‘s themes are how they force me to look outside of any sort of box I might usually think within.

I’d say I wished I didn’t use the upside down clouds I did in “Clouds”, but what I really wish is I had another just like it.

I’ve settled on two archival shots and a third that I worked very hard on (5 hours of time), but that a lot of people may not ‘get’.

We never can tell what the votes will like. But it’s been fun, and I’m really glad we have O here to stretch imaginations in new directions.

//tip o’ the hat in your direction.

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