Contest - DPChallenge Forums

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

07/04/2006 09:17:08 AM · #1

I found out that our local newspaper is having a contest for the 4th of July. Our Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which appears on all the county marketing stuff, is having it's 100th anniversary this year. The contest is for the best photo of the monument taken on the 4th of July.

A couple of challenges here. First of all, the monument used to be pretty open, but now has a lot of landscaping and trees around it. Even worse, just to the right of the monument is a major 3 year bridge construction/replacement project, so there are cranes, orange barrels and lots of junk laying around.

So I got up early (5:30) thinking that would be the best time, since the front of the monument faces east. I wanted some of that pretty pre-dawn blue sky with the lights as well. There's a fesitval and fireworks tonight, so there would be a lot of people around there for an evening shot.

So I got there, took about 3 shots when this large pickup with a pull behind trailer pulled right up in front of it and started unloading flags! He was setting up all the flags around it for the ceremonies later today. Took up a lot of the best light time, but I tried to work around him.

Finally, He left and I got a couple with the flags. This morning, we had no sun - just gray, overcast, totally washed out sky. So for the one with the extra flags, I tried adding a bit to the sky. Does it look natural?

I also tried fooling around with the perspective tool - not really knowing what I'm doing, and would like to know if you think that looks okay.

First prize for this contest is $500, second $300 and third $150, so I think it's worth the effort. Thanks for any help and comments!

Judy

Edit to add updated shot: Is this any better?

Message edited by author 2006-07-04 09:47:29.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

07/04/2006 09:22:13 AM · #2

I like the 2nd one but it seems to be tilted a bit.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

07/04/2006 09:31:21 AM · #3

Originally posted by kdsprog:

I like the 2nd one but it seems to be tilted a bit.

I think it might help if I crop a little tighter at the bottom on that one. You can just see a bit of the road that runs right in front of it and it runs a bit downhill.

I could never get the lines of the steps and the rest of the building to appear not tilting at the same time. I posted a Q&A thread earlier this morning requesting help with the perspective tool, which is what I assume might help me fix that...if anyone can help. Thanks!

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

07/04/2006 11:08:18 AM · #4

i think it's a beautiful shot-- i like the second one the best (can't tell much of a difference between the 2nd and 3rd ones, maybe it's my monitor). :)

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

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

07/04/2006 11:22:30 AM · #5

Yes, I think the updated shot is much straighter. (Or seems that way, anyway LOL). Good luck in the contest!

07/04/2006 04:18:54 PM · #6

Okay...I'd like to be able to "pull" the sides out just a bit from the center (near the top), but the only thing I can find to do with "perspective" is bring a section higher or lower. I hope this is making sense.

I have just gone to "image" "transform" and "perspective". I have Elements 2. Am I missing something?

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/04/2006 04:34:03 PM · #7

Originally posted by jpochard:

Do you mean you want to correct a pincushion effect? Or is it the perspective you want to correct?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/04/2006 07:01:22 PM · #8

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Originally posted by jpochard:
Okay...I'd like to be able to "pull" the sides out just a bit from the center (near the top), but the only thing I can find to do with "perspective" is bring a section higher or lower. I hope this is making sense.

I have just gone to "image" "transform" and "perspective". I have Elements 2. Am I missing something?

Do you mean you want to correct a pincushion effect? Or is it the perspective you want to correct?

I have no idea what a "pincushion" effect is?

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

07/04/2006 07:08:33 PM · #9

I like the color in this one much better.

besides if you win they will print it and this one will print better on newsprint that the other one. It has more depth and it's much warmer.

Number 2 seems too flat (color) to me but I do like the added greens at the bottom.

cpanaioti