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Discovery
Discovery
fotomann_forever

Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Portrait with Spectacles (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Location: Red Roof Inn Tilman's Corner, AL
Date: Jan 8, 2008
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Portraiture, Nude
Date Uploaded: Jan 8, 2008

 Single strobe from the right of the frame with a 60 inch reflective umbrella. Nothing at all special about the post processing, minus a bit of softening via a faded Gaussian blur.

The idea behind the shot:
Well, the idea was not to oppose nudity and religion, as many of you obviously think. But rather that discovery can be made not in church pews with suits and dresses on, but also in cheap motel rooms with nothing on.

At this point everyone is probably expecting me to gripe about close minded voters, but no, I knew the shot was risky and the voters performed exactly as expected.

Love,
Leroy

Statistics
Place: 95 out of 209
Avg (all users): 5.4135
Avg (commenters): 6.1000
Avg (participants): 5.0125
Avg (non-participants): 5.5860
Views since voting: 7806
Views during voting: 904
Votes: 266
Comments: 34
Favorites: 4 (view)

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AuthorThread
 01/25/2008 11:26:21 PM
Holy Toledo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 11:12:00 PM
Hey Leroy,
It's a pleasure to look at this picture. You should be proud of this excellent work. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 06:50:51 PM
Leroy, I'm angry with myself for missing the voting on this challenge. You would have received another 10 for your efforts with this shot. I think that photography should challenge people to look hard into themselves and see the world as others do. This shot showes (to me anyway) the juxtaposition that people have with religion and nudity. People are often conflicted and ashamed to have such thoughts. Good on you to go against the grain and follow your creative side. You managed to piss off 38 people (12 royaly and wishing they could give you zero or worse no doubt) and still finish in the top 100. Now that's saying something. My hat goes off to you. Keep the faith my brother and hold true to your art.
I for one wish I had thought of that (and could find a model to shoot it) and I'm sure that I'm not the only one.

MAX!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2008 12:06:11 PM
Originally posted by zillahlewis:
Maybe people would have gotten the point better if it were shown to be a Gideon Bible? I don't know if that's true, but it's an idea. I do love what you did here after reading everything, though.


Ya know, when I rented the room, I was hoping that a Gideon Bible would be in there. Unfortunately and according to my luck, there wasn't. I hoped the curtains and rough fabric chair would be good enough clues. I did include the AC unit in some outtakes, but it just looked tacky and the composition was horrible.
 01/18/2008 01:26:30 AM
Maybe people would have gotten the point better if it were shown to be a Gideon Bible? I don't know if that's true, but it's an idea. I do love what you did here after reading everything, though.

For some reason, the photo itself looks Gospel-y. It's like the way the light is used is similar to what's been used in evangelists' shows and in photos for Gospel singers and Christian websites. Sorry I can't be more technical; I hope you get what I'm saying. Those types of photos tend to make me a little sick just because I've seen them so much, but I really like that the style of the photograph fits in with the idea behind it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2008 07:59:29 PM
You keep on pushing that envelope...that's where the real art is, imho and what I'm striving for (nowhere close yet). You gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelette, or however that terrible cliche goes :)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2008 02:25:16 PM
Originally posted by Quasimojo:
I'm sorry but to find this offensive on a photography site is really closed minded and in my opinion completely contrary to the photographic and creative process....and is really disappointing.


Nick, I appreciate your views and statements. I've found, however, that people in general are close-minded. It's not just religious zealots or "fanatics". All people are close-minded to some extent. Why else do I, myself, continue to force nudes on a crowd that obviously dislikes them? Is it because I am somehow more enlightened? No, it's not. It's because I'm stubborn.

Seriously, I know I could produce "DPCish" images and do well here, but I want to stand out and be known for MY style of photography, whatever that may be. I'm stubborn enough that I'll continue to take the lower scores, until
A) DPCers change (not likely)
B) I change (also not likely) or
C) I get lucky.
That in itself makes ME close-minded and fanatical about pushing racy images. But, so be it. I'm human, just like those that would be called zealots. We each have our views and neither is likely to change.
 01/17/2008 12:18:43 PM
Wow! I'm blown away this didn't at least reach a 6. The sheer volume of 1-4s pretty much indicates how strongly the DPC voters feel about the religious implications. Staggering. It's a woman reading the bible in just about a shirt - what's so blasphemous or distasteful about that? There is nothing sexual about the piece, explicitly or implicitly. She is merely reading a bible. Had the shot not shown 5mm of almost nipple then I doubt anyone would have blinked an eyelid, but ooooh there's just the tiniest bit of nipple. The naked body is not always some kind of pornographic or sexual device and calling it out in this manner is crying wolf on my planet. I'm sorry but to find this offensive on a photography site is really closed minded and in my opinion completely contrary to the photographic and creative process....and is really disappointing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2008 04:05:41 PM
I'm disappointed for you on this score. I still like it, even if only from the challenge it presents. I've read that same book, several times...but I still can't remember where it ever said you have to read it with clothes on, or that God is offended by the body He created. Hmmm.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2008 11:27:16 AM
Originally posted by eyewave:
Congrats on collecting 38 bible-troll votes ;-P
This would have made the top10 at any other competition, well done!


Funny thing is... I understand WHY it got the 1 votes, but not the 2s and 3s. If you're gonna hate, HATE. LOL
 01/16/2008 08:07:21 AM
Congrats on collecting 38 bible-troll votes ;-P
This would have made the top10 at any other competition, well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2008 07:23:56 AM
Now how did I know this would be yours.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/15/2008 10:42:12 PM
Half-naked Bible reading, now *there's* a hobby you don't see often...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2008 10:07:53 PM
I almost blew beer out of my nose, well done.

Great shot, it may get some low scores because of the subject matter. But not form me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2008 11:36:11 PM
I'm gonna leave this one alone on the comments... Besides, It's probably all been said already.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2008 08:18:17 PM
This should piss a lot of people off.

Would have liked some more color contrast, but that is personal taste.

9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2008 01:25:01 PM
Very odd.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2008 04:55:47 AM
Great title, but I fear that some members of DPC will have you pay dearly for associating the bible with nudity. The lighting is good, as is the DOF and I can fully appreciate the message you may have been trying to convey to the masses...Unfortunately, I fear that you will pay a hefty price for having dared to associate nudity with the bible. Good luck to you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/11/2008 05:21:01 PM
Interesting. Not many would have put this together. No reason why not, though. Cool concept, well executed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/11/2008 01:53:08 PM
Now...I think this is well lit, well composed, and titled correctly. BUT, may I quote Elaine from an episode of Sinfeld??? "A NIP!!!!?" having said that, a 7...but after reviewing the other entries I may raise my vote...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2008 10:35:21 PM
Nice idea. In my opinion you should either show the full breast and make it a nude or not show it and keep us wondering. It seems like you're right on the fence. Pretty picture. Not sure what to think of the bible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2008 08:09:10 PM
Good job, I would try maybe a diffuser to give the image that nice soft feel.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2008 05:23:06 PM
simple, tells a story, technically very good. Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2008 07:00:10 AM
It's over-exposed - there is too much highlight on the leg.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2008 03:44:54 AM
Hmm, reading the bible with just a shirt on? Different.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2008 12:01:40 AM
Great natural light shot.

I don't get it tho. She's a married naked woman reading the bible and discovering something? I'll have to check this one out after the challenge to see the whole story.

Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 10:32:51 PM
Well done - surprising, subtle contrast between the seductive nudity and the Bible
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 08:38:48 PM
never before have i seen someone look so good reading a bible.. lol.. very nice photo and model
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 08:28:59 PM
that's a pathetic attempt to get a 10. nice lighting but not a very tasteful idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 01:45:35 PM
Interesting approach. A woman whose body is showing parts which were commanded to be covered by the very book she is reading! Brilliant concept, may lose points from the religious members.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 11:46:17 AM
How holy are thou? not bad compositionally speaking, but the leg looks a little "hot" (lighting wise, but pun definitely intended)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 09:29:31 AM
sorry, the nudity and the bible.... don't really mix for me. Any other book and I would have liked the shot a lot better.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 02:55:35 AM
I don't really get where you were going with this image... she is scantily clad yet reading the bible and it is "Discovery"...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2008 12:43:12 AM
I'm sorry, but i laughed outloud when i saw this. i've seen people shoehorn some nudity but i just aint gettin this one....a woman reading the bible and a nipple slip? you're going to have to help me here...
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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