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Loss of Composure
Loss of Composure
classicalnut


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Self Portrait IV (Advanced Editing IV*)
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Location: South Florida
Date: May 16, 2006
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/60
Galleries: Emotive, Self Portrait
Date Uploaded: May 18, 2006

 I feel any good photograph strikes a balance between light and dark... what is seen and what is not seen. In the same light, I seek in myself a balance of emotions... and whatever tempest surges inside, I try to control what is seen on the surface.

This self-portrait exposes my struggle to maintain such composure after months of inner turmoil. In the face of deep loss... as hopes and dreams for the future crumble... so crumbles my self composure. Yet, I continue the struggle for control... and beneath the cracked surface remains much more I can't show you.

Though I've been lurking around this site for a while now, this is my first challenge submission. The self-portrait theme inspired me...

I covered my face in mud mask from Walgreens and set up in the dining room with a single bounced strobe. My laptop computer controlled my 30d on a tripod.

Processed in Photoshop CS with multiple masked adjustment layers for levels and saturation. Liquify filter effect used sparingly to enhance the mouth expression slightly.

Statistics
Place: 8 out of 236
Avg (all users): 7.0599
Avg (commenters): 7.9778
Avg (participants): 6.8864
Avg (non-participants): 7.2105
Views since voting: 5609
Views during voting: 557
Votes: 284
Comments: 53
Favorites: 7 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/01/2006 11:36:40 PM
An image that is both strong visually and emotionally. Great delivery. Congratulations on your top 10 finish.
 05/27/2006 07:19:56 AM
Congrats on your top 10 finish. Great shot!
 05/26/2006 07:21:10 AM
This is amazing. Such emotion. I get a sense we're going to be seeing much more of you in the coming weeks.
 05/26/2006 01:35:53 AM
LOVE this! Congratulations on your top 10 finish. So well deserved. (Actually thought you would be in top 5 or ribbon.) WTG!
 05/26/2006 12:33:14 AM
Congratulations! It still makes me want to weep...I can't look for too long. You conveyed your emotions a little too well:)
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/25/2006 10:05:22 PM
The bloodshot eyes are what finishes this shot off great. Its great to see the dedication to an idea for these challenges. Well done.
 05/25/2006 08:28:27 PM
One word. Lotion ;) Great shot!
 05/25/2006 08:18:59 PM
So, you mean a career as a model is not all it's cracked up to be?
 05/25/2006 06:07:45 PM
The eyes could have been brought out a bit more but otherwise... perfection!
 05/25/2006 04:02:04 PM
great detail of the stuff on your face. I hope it got off allright ;)
 05/25/2006 02:02:35 PM
Awesome really Awesome!
 05/25/2006 01:34:37 PM
This cracks me up! Love the dry sense of humor. Very effective. Teriffic lighting. Please stay away from me! Do you know Mummy? Bumping up.
 05/25/2006 12:59:24 PM
textures and all! 10
 05/23/2006 04:11:06 PM
From the get go I liked this shot, it just keeps growing on me. Great treatment of the eyes and hair to match the texture. Top notch shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2006 11:25:08 AM
Very Cool! 10!
 05/23/2006 06:51:38 AM
There is something primordial about this! I saw those eyes and wanted to cry!!! It's freaking me OUT!!!!! My eyes are actually watering!!! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2006 12:41:58 AM
Creepy,Creative, -high score - well done.
 05/22/2006 08:58:45 AM
Very imaginative, and wonderful detail.
 05/21/2006 09:50:10 PM
Hello, lotion? :P Nice image. Super detail and tonal range.
 05/21/2006 08:24:28 PM
looks itchy; I love the texture; expression, and bloodshot eyes.
good work.
 05/21/2006 01:51:59 PM
Super make-up job, I hope that's make up, my favorite so far, lighting is just right with good DOF. The redness in the eyes works with the title. So you get a 10 from me. Congrats in advance.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2006 01:05:07 PM
Sheesh, well done ( in a very messy and sad, way of course). For some reason I never find the blurred upper body appealing in this type of photo. Of course, what the heck do I know. Great photo regardless.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2006 10:13:06 AM
creative, well done
 05/20/2006 06:32:39 PM
this is so cool
 05/20/2006 01:30:21 PM
I'm wondering how many skin care comments you have for this lol great idea and good lighting - good luck.
 05/20/2006 12:52:47 PM
very cool.. looks like you didnt use a filter to do this
 05/20/2006 12:25:18 PM
Wow! This is a very creative self portrait.
 05/20/2006 11:31:03 AM
hihihi, what a preparation... Good picture :o)
 05/20/2006 09:27:57 AM
I love this image. I have done this type of thing as well (with a mud mask) but the photos were never this great. I think it is your lighting. Very understated, soft and somewhat dark. Really compliments the expression created by the flat mouth and the red eyes. Great job. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2006 03:14:35 AM
This is great. I recognize your face, but I forgot your name :S I love this one, beautiful textures. One of my favorites in this challenge.
 05/20/2006 03:13:22 AM
whoa! creepy. j/k. very dramatic.
 05/19/2006 11:29:15 PM
looks like kiwiness self portrait II? still really good though! 9
 05/19/2006 11:05:53 PM
Great tones and lighting the effect is incredible. Red eyes are perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2006 10:54:45 PM
Great texture!
 05/19/2006 10:42:21 PM
very good...great light and sharpness and a great title...well done, you should be proud of this...expression is terrific
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2006 08:51:43 PM
excellent. 10.
 05/19/2006 02:10:51 PM
Nice DOF, light, and composure!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2006 12:56:43 PM
Amazing in every way, 10 from me and going into my favs.
 05/19/2006 11:37:03 AM
Not bad, a tribute to Kiwiness I assume, I did the same thing in the "textures IV" challenge. This shot is far too dark though and the red in the eyes really stand out in a not so pleasant way... Still gave you a 6 though, I like the lighting, well except for it should have been stronger that is, hehe :)
 05/19/2006 10:45:41 AM
ouch this looks like it hurts! cool SP well done
 05/19/2006 10:45:29 AM
get some lotion man!
 05/19/2006 10:32:52 AM
the mummy lives...very creative and interesting
 05/19/2006 10:29:26 AM
Fantastic! So well done... This took some work! Wow...
 05/19/2006 10:17:47 AM
Ever see the movie "Thinner"?... Very good.
 05/19/2006 09:48:51 AM
Tone is great....very cool... love the cracks
 05/19/2006 09:44:58 AM
This must have been hard to do. Well done!
 05/19/2006 09:25:36 AM
Good job.
 05/19/2006 08:49:07 AM
Nice mud mask!! Love the lighting and the texture. This is really a good one. Bumping up on 2nd review. Good luck. ;~D
 05/19/2006 06:07:04 AM
looks ewww but awesome at the same time!
 05/19/2006 04:56:33 AM
Did you try smiling? The whole lot cracks and jumps off when you do :) Nice work.
 05/19/2006 03:04:19 AM
Incredible image! Very powerful. I can feel the pain. Nicely done. <8>
 05/19/2006 02:23:54 AM
i told you to use more moisturiser. :) ok i know its supposed to be a serious composition, it is. looks like a sad clown. (that fell in the
elephant mud hole) ok i'll give you a 7. may bump to 8. :)
 05/19/2006 12:58:42 AM
Excellent job. Nice out of the box image. top 10.


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