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The Little Match Girl
1st PlaceThe Little Match Girl
faery


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Window Shopping (Basic Editing)
Camera: Olympus E-400
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom
Date: Dec 23, 2008
Aperture: f/4.6
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/60s
Galleries: Emotive, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Dec 23, 2008

Mid-summer here in Cape Town. The frost is tooth paste splatter - the house is smelling particularly minty at the moment. All home bakes - we take Christmas really seriously in this house. My diningroom door, garden umbrella in the background, draped with winter fleece sheet - at least something was really wintery in this shot :-P Yeah I know they didn't have electric lights way back then in Victorian Europe when the Little Match Girl was first around...poetic license.

Post Challenge: Oh my Goodness!!! I am speechless. At 10.00pm the night before I nearly pulled this entry because I was a little embarrassed by its "chocolateboxness" and posed-ness. I was surprised by the new sensitivity of DPC voters to "posed" shots and I tend to agree. Have a personal agenda to try and do well with outdoors/in the wild photos...my 2009 resolution :-)

Oh and (almost ashamed to admit this) the light on her face is a flashlight which my son is pointing at her - it was trial and error so as not to get a hard spot of light which tended to make her look like Rudolph. Found he had to kneel down low and point it up at an angle to diffuse the edge of the "spot".

But happy to accept the blue ribbon. Thanks guys!!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 63
Avg (all users): 7.1760
Avg (commenters): 8.5926
Avg (participants): 7.0833
Avg (non-participants): 7.1852
Views since voting: 16035
Views during voting: 551
Votes: 267
Comments: 65
Favorites: 7 (view)


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AuthorThread
01/06/2009 12:19:04 AM
It is your model's expression that carries this beyond the chocolate box. (Loved the notes).

ETA: Details and lighting just the right degree.

Message edited by author 2009-01-06 00:21:36.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/04/2009 03:01:48 PM
Toothpaste splatter eh? :) Nice creativity and big congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/03/2009 10:25:24 PM
I've only just started voting but missed this Challenge. But in looking at this challenge this shot immediately grabbed me. I, too, wondered how the "posed" aspect would hit with the folks here. For me, posed is just swell. I am really delighted this one got the blue! It is such a beautiful compostion and image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/01/2009 04:41:52 PM
What a great portrait and model! Congrats on the blue and far better than my efforts at capturing same! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/01/2009 06:47:35 AM
I don't know the story (i hope to get to know of it soon), but I do like the picture! It was interesting to read your description.
Congrats on the wonderful shot, set-up, and the subsequent blue!

Happy New Year!
:-), Vikram
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/01/2009 02:28:54 AM
The little match girl is a story that has moved me for many years. I didn't get to vote in this challenge, but I am very glad this won. It is a beautiful setup and compliments the story well. I would have never guessed her face was lit by a flashlight. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 08:23:51 PM
I knew this would be the winner when I saw it. Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 07:30:05 PM
I think the expression on the girl really makes this shot jump up beyond the others. Not technically perfect, but far surpassed in raw emotion and sense of presence. It is a wonderful change for front page images.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 06:15:06 PM
Powerful. Scintillating. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:47:14 PM
I'm not sure why I didn't comment during voting, but this photo got a 9 from me. Excellent job and very deserving of a win! Keep up the good work.
Oh! and I am not a fan of frames but this one happens to be particularly well suited.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:37:52 PM
Caroline, this is so beautiful, huge congrats on your ribbon. Btw, love your notes on the making-of, especially the toothpaste spatter ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:34:24 PM
I absolutely love shots that were cobbled together with things like toothpaste spatter and children holding flashlights. A hearty well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:31:29 PM
Congratulations; sorry my first comment was too blunt for you. Btw, I think real credit goes to your daughter here, who is apparently quite the young actress.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:00:46 PM
Very deserving win. Love it!! Congrats on your Blue Ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 10:46:19 AM
Fantastic!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 10:45:22 AM
Congrats this was my pic(forgive the pun) to win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 10:39:45 AM
I knew this was the winner on first look. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 10:05:37 AM
A fantastic rendition. There was no doubt about this one scoring high. Certainly well deserved Blue! Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 09:41:48 AM
Beautifully creative. Congrats on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 09:29:54 AM
well done :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 09:18:59 AM
I knew this would be the winner, congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 09:05:36 AM
WOW! This is a museum piece! CONGRATULATIONS on perfection in a them that is tough to get technical perfection.

P.S. I just read how you got the shot, and I am even more in awe. Your creativity is brilliant, and I think the sensitivity to set-up shots is only when it is executed so flawlessly that it doesn't LOOK all that set-up. You NAILED it! Congratulations again!



Message edited by author 2008-12-31 09:08:49.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 05:33:36 AM
Congratulation on a beautiful photo. I thought it would be a winner!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 05:10:38 AM
Lovely shot. Congrats on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 04:31:16 AM
Congratulations Caroline. Baie mooi en 'n ware wenner. Very nice and a real winner. From an ex-Capetonian.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 03:26:32 AM
Way to go, Caroline!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 01:36:41 AM
Love your notes!! Sounds like you guys had a blast doing this and you certainly convinced me it was winter! Congrats on a well-earned blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:58:47 AM
very, very well done.
Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:53:06 AM
you are one fierce toothbrusher! congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:47:10 AM
Congratulations on a great shot...I love the light on her face...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:38:54 AM
I was one of those 10s! Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:30:09 AM
Well done! Congratulations on the ribbon Caroline!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:26:30 AM
This was my top pick its just perfect! Congratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:22:10 AM
Great shot...Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:20:25 AM
Congrats on your first blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:19:28 AM
congrats what a way to finish 08 huh?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/31/2008 12:10:38 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win. This shot is gorgeous.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/30/2008 02:52:19 PM
Brilliant. Hope for top 3 for you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/29/2008 09:27:21 PM
Ribbon winner! Excellent work far surpassing the rest. 10 (first in a while and only one over 7 in this challenge).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/29/2008 02:38:25 PM
The frame is a mistake, but otherwise nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/29/2008 12:22:35 AM
I gave you a 10
Beautiful image with warmth and colour very nice Good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/28/2008 10:54:46 PM
I really like this picture, especially the coloring and layout.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/28/2008 03:57:43 PM
Great photo and great Christmas story. Thanks for the illustration...9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/28/2008 03:08:10 PM
I think you nailed it. I'll see this one in the top ten, if not a ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/27/2008 06:33:35 PM
Good shot!!! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/27/2008 04:51:12 PM
just precious
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/27/2008 12:37:21 PM
great lighting and textures you certainly captured the mood and told a story
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/27/2008 01:32:58 AM
Beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/26/2008 11:20:32 PM
That is so beautiful. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/26/2008 08:26:53 PM
Beautiful shot, I would like it better without the window frame competing with the girl.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/26/2008 05:44:25 PM
ehhhh this photo combines the challenge with the Christmas and a Christmas fairy tale. the composition is good, the colors seems naturals, there aren't technical errors.... there are all the ingredients for a great result. like the smooth tones of the image, the sharpness is exactly balanced.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/26/2008 05:13:01 PM
This has to be one of the winners. I think it is outstanding in every way.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/26/2008 02:09:13 PM
Beautiful, moving...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/26/2008 09:23:32 AM
To contrived
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/25/2008 10:23:18 PM
Woah, an amazing shot. Beautiful colors and fantastic composition. I love how the ice on the window is a frame for her face. Definite ribbon contender here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/25/2008 08:57:06 PM
Should be in the top ten at least.. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/25/2008 04:13:14 PM
This is almost perfect. Just the tiniest bit more light on the eyes would have made this a 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/25/2008 12:21:08 AM
nicely shot, the frost on the window really adds to the shot. none of us can relate to what she is selling, perhaps in a modern version she could be selling prepaid cell phones :) /7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 11:52:56 PM
(No vote) Well done Caroline, looks beautiful. I love the warm tones reflected on Lily's chin - she really looks cold out there (which is an accomplishment because it was probably 30 degrees celcius!).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 07:08:02 PM
very clever and cute...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 04:38:11 PM
Best of Show. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 11:16:00 AM
Spectacular! Without a doubt. . . blue. BOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 03:49:15 AM
Great work, although it is bordering on being a little too 'staged' IMO (but that is being very harsh)

This is my No.1 pick of the entries - 10 - should easy ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 01:24:47 AM
Staged, but very effective
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2008 12:19:59 AM
Not quite the subject but for those whom know the story it is very powerfull and well done. As I do know the story I will go for a ten!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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