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Light Rock, Lead Balloon
1st PlaceLight Rock, Lead Balloon
scalvert


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Oxymoron (Basic Editing III)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Oct 14, 2006
Aperture: f/5.0
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Humorous, Children
Date Uploaded: Oct 16, 2006

I actually thought of this concept several months ago. Not for any specific challenge, but just as an interesting visual contrast. Then along came Oxymoron... ;-D

The "rock" is several blocks of florist foam glued together, scraped into a rough rock shape, then sprayed with stone-textured paint. It's suspended from a pole my wife is holding outside the frame with very lightweight fishing line. The balloon is simply filled with water, but the grass was longer than I would've liked. I sought out these great twins for the shot so people wouldn't complain about me using the same models all the time. Thanks, boys!

Processsing: Well, the original looks pretty much like this as-is. Converted from RAW, Channel Mixer for saturation and USM. Maybe some trivial HSL and Levels adjustments.

P.S.- there's a third oxymoron here since those twins are "almost identical." ;-)

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 155
Avg (all users): 7.1944
Avg (commenters): 7.9667
Avg (participants): 6.9868
Avg (non-participants): 7.2689
Views since voting: 16297
Views during voting: 604
Votes: 288
Comments: 84
Favorites: 33 (view)


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AuthorThread
06/13/2012 09:34:58 PM
that is so clever, cute kiddoes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/17/2010 08:24:56 AM
This is so clever and well done! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2008 07:27:34 PM
haha i love it. simply brilliant! i cant stop laughing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/06/2007 09:41:52 PM
Every time I run across this shot it makes me break out in a huge grin. First because it is magnificent ... second because our oldest son had that same fiery beautiful hair when he was that age. Now he's an old man of 27, still beautiful hair ... just not so young!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/25/2006 12:31:12 PM
great concept !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/30/2006 10:52:27 AM
congratz, great colors and idea ...
very good photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/29/2006 08:59:25 PM
Speak about someone who is so fine tuned to the voter's fancy! Again, congratulations on your Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/28/2006 10:03:48 AM
this is an amazing piture, the only thing is, is that the wind is blowing to the right and the rock is perfectly straight up[not flowing with the wind] but other then that it is amazing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/28/2006 05:47:55 AM
you're full of ideas cuz! congrats, cutest little model.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/27/2006 10:06:05 PM
Great idea; wonderful execution. congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/26/2006 01:33:30 PM
What an excellent idea and a wonderful outcome. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/26/2006 08:14:44 AM
This is a great idea and photo, but I think it would be more effective if the boys were wearing the exact same kind of jeans. Then it'd look like possibly the same child, two poses. Sounds kinda nitpicky I know, but to me it's distracting....Congratulations on your blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/26/2006 06:19:06 AM
So what else is new? Congratulations Scalvert...another favorite in my folder [rolling eyes]smile[/rolling eyes]
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 08:26:17 PM
So clever... and ya gotta love the redheads (I've got 3 of my own)!
Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 07:53:53 PM
Yes, there is a book in your work someplace and I hope you find it. Not only do you have good ideas and good execution, you also (for example, as with this one) choose just the right light for the tableau.

Well done. As usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 07:46:41 PM
This is really cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 04:41:58 PM
Brilliant as always! That "rock" is amazingly convincing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 04:26:35 PM
Congrats Shannon. I didn't vote on this challenge but was looking forward to see what color ribbon you'd win this time!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 04:01:44 PM
Great idea, congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:14:43 PM
So funny, congrats on the ribbon.

Very fun creative idea per usual. I saw it and said "Bet it is Scalvert". Just goes to show even with new models your style shines thru.

That said, it's cause lbs for lbs you enter more creative shots than any one photographer. And if anyone thinks that's a bad thing...they're crazy!

I think you should print out all your whimsical humorous shots and display them at a gallery somewhere. I think people would get a great kick out of it all.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:08:39 PM
Congratulations on your blue ribbon!!! You must be thrilled!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 11:54:53 AM
Look at you getting all sneaky with the models and stuff. :) I have to say, these adorable little guys are perfect for the setting you chose. Beautiful colors.

Message edited by author 2006-10-25 11:55:16.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 11:46:44 AM
So, not only are you a ribbon winning photographer, but a sculpter now? LOL Nice work again man. Your creativity never ceases to amuse me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 11:42:42 AM
Wow, Shannon, great shot - and what luck with the 'almost identical' twins!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 10:56:50 AM
This is sooooo awesome!!!! Congrates on the blue!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 09:45:45 AM
I know this is a rant, but how in the world could anybody give this a 1,2, or a 3? The twelve 4's mystify me, but I can live with that.

Your imagination and creativity never ceases to amaze me. Keep up the great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 07:47:32 AM
Congrats on a well deserved ribbon. Wonderful idea and finding those twins just adds to what seems to be a mountain of a capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 07:38:05 AM
I had this one picked for the blue, and guessed it was probably you! Great shot! Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 06:50:33 AM
yet again!
congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 03:44:59 AM
Congratulations on this! Is surely was the best one!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 03:37:12 AM
Congrats, Shannon, this had to ribbon. Another fine example of your great sense of humour and your artistic qualities.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 03:29:16 AM
Hehe that is very cool!!! Congrats on your well deserved blue Shannon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 03:03:46 AM
a well deserved blue ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 02:22:36 AM
Very clever !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 02:21:16 AM
Another classic scalvert ! You are my hero.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 02:11:47 AM
Shannon, Shannon, Shannon...you are a glutton for ribbons! Well done, and deserved...excellent image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:52:18 AM
Terrific, clever and creative. Wouldn't expect less. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:49:57 AM
Rock on, Shannon! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:44:49 AM
That is a well deserved Nr.1! You are so creative - thinking how the rock can go up! And those two redheads go so well with the background...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:30:57 AM
You are just soooo creative Shannon. Great shot - those twins are just too cute for words. Congrats on your blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:24:26 AM
Classic. Love the Rock. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:23:15 AM
I Knew it!
You sign your submissions by the way:
They are well-thought out, perfectly composed, details right on and lighting just right.
Congrats on yet another *yawn* ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:15:18 AM
Now, this picture is amazing.
I like it a lot.
And the twins are ADORABLE!
Congrats.
Well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:13:31 AM
Yep. Good one :) Many congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:11:13 AM
hey, your fantasy scares me! great! i wish I could do the same with my thoughts!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:10:22 AM
Man you are the king! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:08:16 AM
Congratulations Shannon! This was my #1 favorite!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/25/2006 12:07:27 AM
Congrats on your Blue Ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/24/2006 09:46:33 PM
WOW THIS IS SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope this ribbons, at LEAST top 10. You gotta tell me how! LOVE IT!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/23/2006 07:42:43 PM
Nice story
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/22/2006 11:51:12 PM
Great shot. Love the facial expressions! Creative photo - nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/22/2006 11:12:19 PM
Nice idea and execution. The twins and the props are great. Wish you had shot with larger aperture and less DOF to blur out the background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/22/2006 12:35:37 AM
Such a creative composition. It is a very pleasing image to watch. I like how the boys look so entertained with the props. What else can I say? One of my favorites here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/21/2006 04:10:50 PM
What cuties! Great color and composition. Good luck. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/21/2006 04:03:47 PM
Hehe funny idea, i give it 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/21/2006 02:43:11 PM
wow 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/21/2006 05:45:41 AM
Brilliant! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/21/2006 05:26:03 AM
This is great! Love to see how you did this is basic editing!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/20/2006 11:36:44 PM
Funny!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/20/2006 11:28:27 AM
Meets Challenge - 2
Lighting/Processing - 2
Composition - 2
Overall Impression - 2
"WOW" factor - 2
Score: 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/20/2006 11:01:09 AM
This deserves to win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 09:52:42 PM
nice trick 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 04:59:27 PM
Very good setup, well done...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 02:47:52 PM
wow! nice one. I think just the "light rock" part in itself could have been sufficient and high impact.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 10:39:15 AM
Very well composed, fun shot. The off centeredness emphasizes the failure and disappointment of the lead balloon, which makes us laugh. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 08:15:40 AM
Very clever... nice picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 06:40:21 AM
I like how the string around the rock is visible ~ good idea alltogether!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/19/2006 01:16:40 AM
Very creative and a nice presentation as well. It would be nice to see just a little more of the baloon and a different color might have helped as well. The kids are cute, expressions are good as well. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 08:52:42 PM
VERY neat image. I am interested to know how you did this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 06:13:16 PM
I love the expressions on their faces. Too cute and appropriate! I can't imagine how long it took to get those just right!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 04:19:34 PM
How did you accomplish the floating rock? This is really good, the red headed kids are perfect for the surroundings.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 01:27:41 PM
Very interesting picture, but not quite an oxymoron :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 11:35:29 AM
That's great - and I'm boggled as to how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 11:05:28 AM
this is too cool.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 10:44:49 AM
great! Very clever.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 09:38:13 AM
Funny I love it its so cute!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 08:55:53 AM
great picture !
Other than the oxymoron itself... the color of their hair and the trees is an awesome match... in contrast to the grass
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 08:51:52 AM
smart! can't wait for the explanation how you did it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 06:36:04 AM
Looks a bit soft to me, but clever idea
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 04:58:45 AM
fantastic! where do you get rocks like that?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 04:50:23 AM
Bravo!
This is perfection.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 01:55:03 AM
Great idea - can't wait to hear how it's done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 12:54:26 AM
bizarre!
This has to do well
7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2006 12:18:07 AM
HAHHAHHA!!! AWESOME!!! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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