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Square Root
Square Root
Sosigene


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Square II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Pentax *ist DL
Lens: Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF
Location: Montreal
Date: Jul 31, 2009
Aperture: f/38
ISO: 200
Shutter: 30 sec
Galleries: Abstract, Floral
Date Uploaded: Jul 31, 2009

The idea came from a very simple word play with the mathematical term "Square Root". In the picture, the dice become literally the roots of a young sapling.

I used long exposition and "light painting" technique to set an interesting mood and feeling to the scene.

This is my first submission at DPChallenge. Hope you will enjoy. ;)

Statistics
Place: 51 out of 67
Avg (all users): 4.6944
Avg (commenters): 4.6667
Avg (participants): 4.4615
Avg (non-participants): 4.7338
Views since voting: 667
Views during voting: 298
Votes: 180
Comments: 11
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
08/13/2009 11:39:11 AM
HI from the CC Club,

I laughed when I saw your title, fits perfectly.

I like the fact that you have humour going on, and the squares and the roots, it all adds up.

The first thing that I notice is that your shot is very small, remember you can use up to 640 on one side in these shots, so that they are bigger.

the second thing is your lighting. It is very harsh. When you are lightpainting something this small you will want your seconds to be a lot smaller. Here are a couple of 30 seconds lightpainting shots, this will give you an idea as to what you can achieve with 30 seconds. Also, with lightpainting it depends on what size light you have going on here. The below shots where done with a flashlight in a tube with some tissue stuffed into it to diffuse it.
.

Next your focus is a little off. When you are doing light painting it is usually done in manual mode which you have done.

Set up your shot, in normal whatever normal mode you use. with the lights on, focus, then flick your lens from AF to MF, go to manual mode. Then shoot. this will ensure crisp sharp focus. and always remember, paint what you want the camera to see.

You are also tilted, this can be seen as you have some of the wall and table meeting, straight this out.

Message edited by author 2009-08-13 11:44:08.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/12/2009 01:31:08 PM
I get the concept -- unique and a good take on it. Could have turned the dice to both showing "4" to make it even more "squarish."

I'd say your score was due more to the lighting and focus issues of the shot, more than the concept.

Good idea, though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/12/2009 12:50:34 AM
Originally posted by Sosigene:

And it seems clear that is is not enough to have a clever idea or a funny title to perform well at DPC. ;)

There are other rewards for a clever idea, such as my shoehorn for injecting a little humor into a non-humorous challenge.


And a high 4 is a normal first time score for many of us. Welcome to the madhouse!

Message edited by author 2009-08-12 00:51:41.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/12/2009 12:35:02 AM
Well... I guess 4.69 is not so bad for a first time!

And it seems clear that is is not enough to have a clever idea or a funny title to perform well at DPC. ;)
I'll do my best to get a better photo next time...

thanks for your comments.

Sosigène
 Comments Made During the Challenge
08/11/2009 12:41:54 PM
Clever idea, but let down by the lighting unfortunately. It's a bit harsh and illuminates the background too much. Maybe try softening it with some paper over the source and moving it more to one side?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/10/2009 09:41:06 PM
Some moderately blown highlights and I'm not fond of the color cast, but you get extra pointage from me for the humor.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/09/2009 12:55:55 AM
Funny title.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2009 11:05:58 AM
good idea that deserves better realization
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2009 09:37:09 PM
Cute play on words, but the image isn't the highest quality. Lighting needs to be redone, and the focus appears to be more on the wall then either the plant or the dice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2009 02:41:34 PM
Neat idea and I get the title. The light is somewhat harsh on the one dice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2009 01:05:01 AM
I love the math jokes in this challenge. Good concept, but a bit out of focus on the dice and plant, which I assumed are the main focus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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