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American Gothic Redux
1st PlaceAmerican Gothic Redux
timfythetoo


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Suburbia (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Date: Oct 11, 2008
Date Uploaded: Oct 11, 2008

 My first idea involved 2 and a half kids. Wasn't sure how to make a 1/2 a kid properly. So I went with my second idea. IMO - Aimee nails this shot. Her look is just so danged close to that of the original its almost creepy. I had originally wanted our white minivan in the pic, but to get the proper placemnt of us in the composition meant it had to go along with the roof of the house and sky. There were a couple of things I would have changed had I the energy and desire to go back and setup again to shoot. The door and window would have been centered in the shot, my hand would have been lower on the weed eater, and my lips would have been pursed together a bit tighter. I need to find some of the outtakes. We had a bit of fun with this one.

Anyways - Sunday night about an hour before rollover and I am sitting on a 6.75 with 34 comments and 3 faves. Didnt expect this to have the impact it did. I just knew I didnt want to shoot a straightforward picture of my neighborhood (no knock on those that did - there were some great ones). Besides, I must admit that I find a small bit of enjoyment making angry those people that despise seeing my face in any entry. You know who you are and I am winking at you. ;)

[Oct. 19th, 2008 11:34:18 PM]

Just some silly outtakes from the shoot.


Have I ever mentioned how much I love my wife and the fun that we have together?

Lighting details -
I used 3 speedlites all together with this shot. 580exII is on camera as the master only, 430 ex off silver umbrella camera left as the main light and another 430 camera left and behind as a rim light. It was getting a bit dark out, but I needed to wait for the sun to drop down far enough that we didnt have it right in our eyes. So the flashes light us up and the longer shutter speed (1/8 of a second - which is long for me and my portrait shoots as I would normally shoot at 1/250) allowed my background to be as bright as it is (since we were so far away from the house).

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 74
Avg (all users): 6.7697
Avg (commenters): 7.7333
Avg (participants): 6.8333
Avg (non-participants): 6.7535
Views since voting: 10706
Views during voting: 599
Votes: 178
Comments: 82
Favorites: 12 (view)

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AuthorThread
 10/24/2008 09:50:30 PM
Great love, great story & great image! You two are too funny! (ha!)

ETA: Love the outtakes!

Message edited by author 2008-10-24 21:53:46.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2008 09:47:52 PM
An excellent current day rendition of Grant Wood's American Gothic and very well portrayed. I noticed you even got your expressions pretty close to the original! Congrats on your first place win, it is well deserved!

Message edited by author 2008-10-23 21:49:26.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2008 05:26:02 PM
Wonderful shot, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2008 02:26:44 AM
Brilliant!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2008 03:32:11 PM
Great photo. I recently wanted to do this, but in my head, the original painting was skewed. I thought they both were golding something and I didn't know the pitchfork was in the middle. I wish I would have tried to find the original on my phone before doing my shot.

I do have a question...what extra lighting did you use for this, if any?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2008 11:26:09 AM
You and your wife seem like you would be a hoot to hang out with!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2008 06:33:59 AM
i think i've seen one illustration like this but dont remember the illustrator. Anyway nice job here :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2008 12:20:12 AM
I guess I am the only one that thinks this is just a Good shot. Above average, but not a ribbon winner. Sorry, This is an example of a shot being overated because of members recognizing you. You are very very talented and produce outstanding work. This is just average work based on what your capable of.

Same shot with different subject doesn't make top ten. Sorry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2008 10:46:11 PM
This is what it is All About! , Grand Job-Wm.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2008 03:37:27 AM
As I said before, you are such a good `ideas` man.. this is great. well done - again.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2008 01:31:52 AM
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the out takes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2008 12:20:41 AM
pure awesomeness, great idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 11:51:06 PM
Congrats for a great picture :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 05:19:48 PM
So well deserved!

You're right. I pulled up the original, and she NAILED it. Congrats! I've been showing it to people all day at work.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 04:02:33 PM
Now who would hate seeing your handsome mug in photos. Whoever they are. . .nanny nanny boo-boo with the blue ribbon, right :) (There must not be that many of them tho)

Congratulations! This is very clever for suburbia!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 03:49:13 PM
Oh thank you great one. I shall continue on my journey of the self portrait. I can feel the force calling me...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 03:43:45 PM
Originally posted by toddhead:
Cheater! How dare you do another self portrait.

Do not fret young Padawan. Keep on the path you are on and your SP's will garner the strength of the force as well. (besides you have more SP's than I in the last 10 challenges - well done!)
 10/20/2008 03:20:54 PM
Cheater! How dare you do another self portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 11:43:54 AM
Congrats Tim! Nicely done. I think that you're your own best subject! You seem to bring yourself luck! ;)

PS: The Tutu would have added a little something!

Message edited by author 2008-10-20 11:45:33.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 11:35:21 AM
Tim
I think this would have been a lot more exciting if you could have got one of the kids to hold the trigger on the weedtrimmer so that it was going at full speed.

I gave you a 9 during voting, but that would bought you a 10...and likely a trip to the emergency room.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 11:17:21 AM
D'oh! That's Timfy and Aimee?! I never woulda guessed!!!! :-) well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 11:12:51 AM
I don't know how you did it, but you did it again! I like the serious looks, version. With a face that gets 10's you should go into politics.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 10:01:01 AM
You two must be fun at parties.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 09:47:33 AM
Too Funny!!
Congrats on the well deserved blue!!
Love the outtakes!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 09:16:33 AM
LOL, you pair of twits.... congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 09:01:43 AM
Loved the out-takes! This is great!
Debbi
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 08:05:42 AM
Proficiat....really a deserving Blue Ribbon winner. Brilliant idea and well executed. The two of you are a wonderful couple.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 07:55:12 AM
You have to share this ribbon with Aimee. Her expression makes the shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 07:12:30 AM
Oh!! Fabulous image! I love that your images make me laugh! Congrats on another Blue! Now if you have any control over the 'little woman' ...who frankly scares the ...bejeepwers... outta me, with that stare! Maybe she could track down and take care of those two voters that thought it was worth a 1!

PS: I can't wait to see what you do with your idea of doing an image with the two and a half children.....:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 06:52:29 AM
Congrats on your ribbon. Very clever idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 06:44:36 AM
Way to go Tim, Congrats on another Blue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 06:27:40 AM
Originally posted by hotpasta:
You guys crack me up! Well done...is that the lowest score for a blue ribbon from you? What I am wondering, who is looking after the children??? :)

Nope - I have had lower. And what would make you think we have kids? ;)
 10/20/2008 06:06:33 AM
For me, the best thing about this whole shot was your statement right at the end, Have I ever mentioned how much I love my wife and the fun that we have together? Now that makes the shot even more excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 05:49:05 AM
Congrats! This is so funny!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 05:44:10 AM
Tim- Great work here and congrats on another Blue. I
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 03:59:07 AM
This is one of the ones I looked at during the voting period (didn't vote, though). My only criticism would be that it doesn't show the top of the house and some sky, as in the original, but it doesn't really matter.
The modern tool is a good touch - we call them Whipper-snippers in Australia. Definitely it looks much better without the guard.

Congrats on another blue ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 03:58:34 AM
Congrats on your ribbon, Tim. The outtakes are hilarious.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 01:20:33 AM
Congrations on your blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 01:12:55 AM
Congratulations Tim, I thought (well, it wasn't too hard to guess) it was you - fantastic shot, its perfect for the challenge. I love your sentiments about your wife!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:58:37 AM
CONGRAT'S on the BLUE.....
PRICELESS and you are both so amazing, and so talented.....

THANK YOU for being YOU.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:51:48 AM
Forget the one votes, I'm shocked by the number of 4 votes. This shot cracked me up and is well executed as always. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:39:48 AM
You guys crack me up! Well done...is that the lowest score for a blue ribbon from you? What I am wondering, who is looking after the children??? :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:27:18 AM
Congrats Timmy....once again. I have to say that I like your outtakes better....but for totally different reasons. Good reasons.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:09:05 AM
Congratulations, Brother! You have a great mind for concept, and a great eye for quality! On top of that, you are consistently favored!

You ARE Blessed! The LORD be praised! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:09:03 AM
Thats awesome, Grats buddy!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:06:18 AM
(nyah nyah to those who gave 1's)
Love the outtakes. Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/20/2008 12:02:51 AM
Tool cool, congratulations! Outtakes are hilarious!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/19/2008 11:48:14 PM
Good title, good update of the painting - well photographed - the stoic expressions really set this shot off.. should score very well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2008 10:44:01 PM
You guys just crack me up. Aimee's look is priceless. I can't tell if she is supposed to be upset with Tim or the weed-whacker...lol.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2008 10:00:28 PM
I like it. I was thinking American Gothic before I scrolled down to the title. Well done. I just Googled the painting and you did pretty well emulating it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2008 09:46:52 PM
That's laugh out loud funny. Very creative, lots to take in. An eight for you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2008 07:11:10 PM
LOL one of my favourites so far. Awesome remake :) 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2008 12:48:22 PM
Tim, I'll only comment as it's so obviously you and Aimee but I just want to say this is a fabulous image and sooo perfect for the challenge. Good luck with it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2008 11:21:29 AM
nice idea of the portrait in this challenge, never past by my mind as an idea
8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/18/2008 03:20:53 PM
Hilariously brilliant and perfectly executed: 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/18/2008 12:54:29 AM
This is great! Very funny. I think a shallower DOF would have helped with that red bike, but that may not have been possible. Great take on the topic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2008 03:35:00 PM
LOL that's awesome ....... great idea!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2008 08:01:59 AM
A most excellent shot that definitely says "suburbia" to me. My choice for the blue by a long shot thus far!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2008 12:03:01 AM
Ok, so cute! I'm sure that this is doing really well! what a cute concept.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/16/2008 11:27:51 PM
nicely done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/16/2008 09:14:13 AM
homer would be proud!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/15/2008 06:48:36 PM
lol, this one made me laugh. The look on her face!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/15/2008 09:06:33 AM
My vote for the red! 9!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/14/2008 10:11:41 PM
Phenomenal remake and great creativity! The color is perfect to match the feel of the original. Great job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/14/2008 07:03:11 PM
Wicked. Great idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/14/2008 05:08:52 PM
Weed wacker makes this shot - 8 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/14/2008 03:27:11 AM
Nice image - Like the PP soft tones ans sharpness to this. The background though is a little distracting with the bike coming out of the head etc.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 09:14:46 PM
Cool idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 03:15:00 PM
Excellent idea, I love seeing parodies of the classic A.G picture. Very well done too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 01:52:41 PM
Hmmm, the face looks familiar---can't quite place it. -3 points for safety violation. Guard missing from weed wacker. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 01:28:10 PM
awesome take here - a total riot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 01:24:22 PM
Cute.. . but I liked her better as the witch! (BTW: Congrats, Aimee. ) Need bib overalls, Tim. BOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 01:23:45 PM
I like your pitchfork :) Very clever, as per usual!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 12:45:24 PM
love it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 11:31:40 AM
OMG. This is wacked! Weed Wacked that is.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 08:34:00 AM
She's looking at the strimmer as if she knows someone's just been killed with it! Nice one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 03:00:07 AM
ROFL You guys crack me up. Love the weed eater. HAHAHA
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 01:20:12 AM
I think you needed hats - yep... definitely hats and perhaps wider left and right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 12:34:11 AM
you guys are so creative! LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 12:26:43 AM
Oh man I hope this wins. Best Laugh I have had in a while!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 12:24:01 AM
Clever idea!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/13/2008 12:23:23 AM
Great idea Tim. A classic. (no vote)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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