Sunset at Castle Hill - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/08/2004 02:53:33 AM · #1

I would like to thank everyone for voting and commenting on my 'Sunset at Castle Hill' photo, and for making it the 7th highest scoring photo on DPC so far!
I have to admit to being a little baffled, as it isn't one of my favourite photos, and I almost did nothing with it after post-processing, as I thought I'd overdone it with the effects and saturation. It was only when I posted it on Trekearth that I realised it might do well here.
My favourite photo that I'd actually taken during the month was this one:

this really captures the heart and soul of the place for me... but I'd be very surprised if this would have scored as well.
Some outtakes:

and, the original, which is bound to cause a load of controversy. I should emphasise though, that no dodging and burning took place, and all I did pretty much to get those vivid colours was curves adjustments. The colours were already there. If I have time, I'll post a how I did it thread:

Now then guys,
I'm using this win to launch sales of my prints... now is the time to buy, because ALL profits (Drew has very kindly agreed to donate DPC's profits) are going to a charity that my wife Kate (DPC user Eliza, and subject of many of my photos) is raising money for. At the end of the month, she will be cycling 400km down the Nile to raise money for the charity 'Women for Women', which looks into improving the health of women and babies (by researching miscarriage, genetic diseases, infertility and cancer). If there are any photos that you'd like to buy that aren't available, please let me know and I'll do my best to make them available. However, I'm only going to do this with my FZ10 pics, photos taken with the OptioS will just take too long as the quality isn't as good, and I'm out of practice with my Photoshop workflow for this camera.

Edit: Oh yeah, buy my prints here: //BobsterLobster.DPCPrints.com

Thanks again for this win and support, I'm really honoured!

Cheers,

Bob

ps, oh yeah, I'd like to add that I wish everyone could have taken place in this challenge. I was personally against this challenge being for 'masters' only, and believe that we should all just have monthly free studies (SC members, please don't respond, I know we've done this to death!). This would help us sell more prints, and allow us to look at some fantastic photography every month. However, I don't want this thread to become controversial, I just thought I would place my personal views here.

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 03:01:46.

groggyfroggy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

10/08/2004 03:05:37 AM · #2

Hey Bob your link is not working for me. I am new(ish) here and was wondering if you only had the 8 photos for print? Thanks in advance.
Edit: the link works

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 03:06:08.

10/08/2004 03:06:58 AM · #3

Originally posted by groggyfroggy:

Hey Bob your link is not working for me. I am new(ish) here and was wondering if you only had the 8 photos for print? Thanks in advance.
Edit: the link works

So far... I only started uploading a couple of days ago. However, if there's anything you want (taken with my FZ10), let me know!

saintnicholas_25

Sony DSC-P73

10/08/2004 03:16:58 AM · #4

BobsterLobster im a big fan of your work - jst wanna say congratulations on another Blue ribbon

ps. I love that cow picture in your prints

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/08/2004 07:53:26 AM · #5

Thanks :-)

nicoledb

Nikon D70s

10/08/2004 10:43:26 AM · #6

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

Are you sure this is the original?! It must be, judging from the cloud patterns. I'm amazed you got the tower so sharp in your submission, it looks rather soft on the original. And I'm guessing you cloned out the person at the door and the white sign and the antenna at the top. Also, did you do a perspective correction? I would be really happy if you get around to writing a How-did-they-do-that, that would be a great learning opportunity!

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 10:45:25.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/08/2004 11:33:08 AM · #7

I did do a perspective correction, and you're right in what I cloned out. As you noticed, I agressively sharpened the tower, not only by using USM, but by using the sharpen brush in PS. People seemed to like this effect on my photo of Victoria Tower from last year.

mirdonamy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/08/2004 02:39:53 PM · #8

How did you alter the perspective? I can't seem to do it. I took your photo (original) and tried to make it wider near the top (like your final) and I can't do it. I rotated counter clockwise a tiny bit to get it straight, but still, the top of the tower is not as wide in the original. And the door to enter the tower looks smaller in the final (lengthwise) than in the original.

I would love to know how you fixed those things! :)
Arie

ScottK

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/08/2004 02:47:59 PM · #9

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

ps, oh yeah, I'd like to add that I wish everyone could have taken place in this challenge. I was personally against this challenge being for 'masters' only, and believe that we should all just have monthly free studies (SC members, please don't respond, I know we've done this to death!). This would help us sell more prints, and allow us to look at some fantastic photography every month. However, I don't want this thread to become controversial, I just thought I would place my personal views here.

I was just wondering if anyone had noticed the irony of the biggest opponent of this challenge winning it. :) Nice work.

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

10/08/2004 02:49:49 PM · #10

all I can say is that it was a perfect choice, and well deserving of the blue!
great job bob!!!

Message edited by author 2004-10-08 14:50:00.

mirdonamy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/08/2004 02:51:50 PM · #11

And yes, i didn't get to tell you in my last post... but Congratulations on an amazing photo! You are an inspiration!!!

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/08/2004 03:42:13 PM · #12

Many thanks for the kind comments!

Here's how I do perspective correction:

Select All
Edit -> Transform -> Distort

I then dragged the top-left and top-right corners left and right respectively until I was happy! Quite a lot here, I should add.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

10/08/2004 03:56:40 PM · #13

Great photograph well-deserved ribbon

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/08/2004 05:31:51 PM · #14

Originally posted by ScottK:

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
ps, oh yeah, I'd like to add that I wish everyone could have taken place in this challenge. I was personally against this challenge being for 'masters' only, and believe that we should all just have monthly free studies (SC members, please don't respond, I know we've done this to death!). This would help us sell more prints, and allow us to look at some fantastic photography every month. However, I don't want this thread to become controversial, I just thought I would place my personal views here.

I was just wondering if anyone had noticed the irony of the biggest opponent of this challenge winning it. :) Nice work.

I was wondering too. Not quite sure whose point it proves though ...

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/08/2004 05:35:43 PM · #15

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

Edit: Oh yeah, buy my prints here: //BobsterLobster.DPCPrints.com

Thanks again for this win and support, I'm really honoured!

Cheers,

Bob

I especially remember and like Enchanted Forest. I think it's a good idea to keep the prices so reasonable too -- very enticing!

10/08/2004 06:01:51 PM · #16

Thanks,
I had no idea how much to sell them for, but as far as I can gather the prices are roughly around the going rate.
Don't forget folks, if there are any pictures you'd like to see for sale (not taken with the Optio S), please let me know!

10/10/2004 06:35:09 PM · #17

There are a few more prints for sale,
help a good cause!

Any feedback on which shots to make available as prints appreciated! (as long as they weren't taken with the Optio S... I'll do these later when I have more time)

A special thanks to Drew and Langdon who not only agreed to donate their profits to a good cause, but have made the prints available in lightning quick time. Don't they have lives?! ;-)

Edit: here's the link... //BobsterLobster.DPCPrints.com

Message edited by author 2004-10-10 18:40:56.