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Home Sweet Hole
Home Sweet Hole
scalvert


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Miniature (Basic Editing I)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Aug 2, 2004
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/20
Date Uploaded: Aug 3, 2004

I stated in a forum thread that it would be possible to make something big appear miniature without using perspective trickery. This is where I stand by that assertion. I had a tiny elephant figurine that would have been all-too-easy to prop up on a peanut, so this one is just for fun.

The "mouse hole" is a 4x6 foot sheet of cardboard with a plotter print glued to it to simulate wallpaper. I taped a strip of paper to the edge to give the cardboard some depth. The crayon is a 4 foot plastic piggybank, and the furniture is kid-sized. The mouse ears are construction paper and bobby pins. The setup work was enor-mouse.

Nothing fancy about the processing- crop, USM, levels, a little shadow/highlight filter, a saturation boost, and desaturated the yellow channel slightly.

I haven't a clue how this will be judged, but it should be original at least, and I expect some interesting comments. ;-)

Statistics
Place: 4 out of 240
Avg (all users): 6.8612
Avg (commenters): 8.4324
Avg (participants): 6.5253
Avg (non-participants): 7.0440
Views since voting: 6343
Views during voting: 438
Votes: 281
Comments: 55
Favorites: 27 (view)


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AuthorThread
01/12/2007 01:05:16 AM
Man oh MAN!

The family portrait on the wall is PRICELESS!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/30/2005 10:49:53 PM
Simply amazing :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/03/2005 06:11:46 PM
This is just too cool...!! Great thinking..!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/26/2005 10:00:34 AM
what an innovative piece of work. i admire the time and thought you put into it, showing the depth there can be to photography - the actual 'photography' element here is secondary. your imagination made the shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/17/2004 05:19:48 PM
Super!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/13/2004 08:12:17 PM
I like this one very much but the first thing that came to my mind was this being a view from WITHIN the mousehole, not viewing INTO it.. must be the lighting and the wallpaper? (you do need the lighting to be darker on "this side" for the picture to be convincing)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/13/2004 01:25:15 PM
Scalvert's image " Home Sweet Hole "

Since photography is mainly a realm of light and shadow I am fascinated with images. Where others look at an image to digest subject matter and topic...I approach images in a different manner. I look first and foremost at the light-shadow relationship, or the visual impact or visual content of these qualities and then I study the subject. Most efforts fail because there is an over preoccupation with subject matter. No, I am not one that exclaims this picture subject matter stinks or is good. First I look at the light-shadow relationship. This is by far one of the main traits of a wonderful picture. It is with light and shadow that the photographer speaks. To prove it, consider those simple images in black and white that win you over immediately. They have magic and stated in very simple terms. Why the strong impact? Because you are observing the lowest denominator in all its glory. Everything is simplified. Reminds me of the computer industry that is based on the simple principle of off and on or one and two. From such simplicty we see a miracle end result.

Now look at Scalvert's image. Notice how the light draws you at a rapid speed to the subject. Look at the thumbnail. Very impressive. Blow it up and you are invited into a wonderland. This is a unique and inventive procedure to fool the eyes of the viewer. I looked at this picture and it took me 24 hours to figure how it was done. It is brilliant not only on account of its cleverness, but the dramatic lighting with the placing of the crayon at its very first footstep.

Some of you may say, yeah, it is nice, but it is so contrived. Look again, it is contrived. It is a mind teaser, but then on sheer photographic strenght is well above average. The lighting is simply superb and it shows someone who is interested in creating an illusion but has not lost the primary object of using light and shadow. if you want to improve on your craft, forget the novelty aspect of the photo and study the lighting.
Study the composition and tell me you can not benefit by learning from it. Why the angle of the crayon and the low angle if the camera view.

You are looking at the end result of a very creative genius. Someone that takes the time required to make the illusion complete, but also one that understands the principles of good photography. I am proud to have the pleasure of commenting out of the blue on this image. It is by far the most attractive in the miniture challenge. dan
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 11:45:54 AM
I really loved this one, it creates an interesting illusion. The lighting is lovely and the framing of the subject with the mousehole is perfect.

I might've tried shooting lower on the floor myself, but then I wouldn't have enough imagination to think of something as original as this in the first place!

I gave it an 8, but in retrospect it deserved a 10. I never had enough time to go back and change it. :(
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:46:45 AM
Hi Shannon,
As I stated during the challenge:
Your submission has a few "twists" to the illusion, and had to spend a little time studying it.
I did figure it out, and applaud you for the task and completion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:30:53 AM
Very creative and cute. I love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:18:33 AM
Doh! Missed by .008. The funny thing is, I've been thinking all week that this would probably place fourth. Oh well, at least it shows that voters aren't as narrow-minded as some have suggested when it comes to challenge interpretations. ;-)
08/11/2004 12:13:01 AM
soooo close I was rooting for this one
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:11:04 AM
Don't you just love 4th place? ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:08:56 AM
Fantastic. You are a photographer with great gifts...Congratulations on your 4th place finish. I love this image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:08:21 AM
as always, fantastic work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/11/2004 12:04:07 AM
Well, I thought Blue, but just missed it. Congrats absolutely!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
08/10/2004 10:59:15 PM
Could be a winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 10:51:25 PM
Maybe I'm dense, but I'm not seeing what is miniature in this photo?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 07:44:28 PM
Voted earlier, returning for comments.

A brain teaser. The floor and the crayon are just beautiful. Bumping to next level.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 03:31:28 PM
Nice composition & lighting.
Your submission has a few "twists" to the illusion, and had to spend a little time studying it.
Well Done & a well-deserved ((7))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 02:22:18 PM
Wow! Fantastic set up, nice use of perspective. The best so far and by far! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 01:45:12 PM
great idea
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2004 12:36:42 PM
One of my two top picks. Now how did you shrink the poor little girl? Composed beautifully. Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 08:36:19 PM
LOL. That's great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 11:50:46 AM
Interesting setup. I assume this is a playroom.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 03:58:51 AM
LOL, very cute shot!! The perspective here is brilliant, great lighting to focus my attention on the little girl (sorry, meant mouse) Well done!! Full marks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2004 03:31:51 AM
Awesome! One of the best in the challenge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2004 05:47:39 PM
It's a fantastic optical illusion. I would guess the crayon is way OVERSIZED rather than miniature, due to its relationship with the wood. But I still like the image a lot - one of the most creative in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2004 05:44:02 PM
The crayon really makes this shot. Excellent dof. Can't wait to see who the brilliant photographer is.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2004 04:29:55 PM
Very clever idea, excellent execution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2004 03:47:11 PM
fantastic. Definitely met the challenge with this one and well composed. Wish I was as good as this. Has met the wow factor in my opinion as well. I gave this a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/07/2004 11:53:12 AM
Very clever :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/07/2004 10:38:50 AM
Very cute indeed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/07/2004 10:32:27 AM
Well done! I hope it does well 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 11:55:41 PM
Wow. Great idea and executed so well. Not only is this an artistically crafted scene it is also an evocative and engaging image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 05:50:28 PM
fabulous…should be a 12 but 10 will have to do
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 01:30:46 PM
Wow this is good!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 04:24:44 AM
truely fits the challenge....nice shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 03:02:50 AM
This is exceptional :) This is one of the few photos I have seen lately that leaves me with questions about how it was done.... GREAT work :) = 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2004 01:37:10 AM
I think this might be the inverse of the challenge, but, it is an interesting shot. So, giving the benefit of the doubt on the challenge, I do think you needed more light on the crayon, because that, in conjunction with the mousehole (errr, door?) are what provide the mindbending scale. Mouse ears on the model are a nice touch.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2004 01:06:33 PM
Not bad, but does it meet the challenge? Overall a bit too dark.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2004 04:35:13 AM
Hillarious and very smart. I love it. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2004 02:05:43 AM
UHHHH HOW LONG DID YOU SPEND DOING THIS? is that a life-sized mouse hole? holy shit. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2004 01:26:21 AM
This is the best of all the prospective shots, indeed the best shot of the whole challenge, IMHO. Love the attention to detail, that the child is holding a stuffed mouse and the mouse painting, as well as the crayon for size. I will love to hear how this was done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 11:11:21 PM
You've got my miniature vote. Great special effect. I loved the reflection of the portrait on the wood floors. My attention was initially on the light and shadow mouse hole shape. I hated the flower wallpaper.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 09:06:12 PM
this is an awesome setup and pic. But I don't see the subject as mini. Unless the child is really only 1" tall. How did you do it?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 08:03:36 PM
This has to get a ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 04:39:46 PM
Wow! This one gets a 10+ in my book!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 04:39:12 PM
An exceptional photograph but there does not seem to be anything miniature. Still should do well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 04:39:03 PM
Very nice, great lighting, good composition, the title is superb. Very good DOF. Clever to use a oversized thing as the crayon to make everything else look small. This one is so packed with good ideas that it deserves a 11. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 11:31:51 AM
Wow! This is amazing! Very creative!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 11:08:29 AM
Cute shot!!! I love it!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 08:19:20 AM
Well done perspective! Not just a simple picture of something miniature!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 02:00:32 AM
I can't quite figure out how this was done. I'm sure we'll all want a full explanation after votiing. Nice shot. I'm thinking it looks like a fake wall was constructed of foam or something and a giant plastic crayon is used.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/04/2004 12:18:01 AM
very interesting perspective! and its funny that the boy is wearing mouse ears :)
really cute!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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