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Insanitea
Insanitea
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2011-02 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: Feb 28, 2011
Aperture: f/20
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/60 sec
Galleries: Humorous, Self Portrait
Date Uploaded: Feb 28, 2011

 I've always been fascinated by magicians and their tricks. I don't really know how they create their illusions, but I would imagine I had a similar approach on this one. This shot required significant planning time:
- First, the setup had to be designed on the paper. Several versions were studied, until a realistic option (technically and financially) appeared.
- From there, I researched on the Internet the hardware that could be used to achieve the wanted result
- Bought everything
- Built the setup
- Performed many tries, for numerous adjustments: position of my body, angle of the camera, lights, etc. About 700 shots were realized over 2 weeks. 3 of them were satisfactory. Funny fact, the submitted entry was the very last file on the memory card... Makes me feel a bit more comfortable about all the times I thought "It was ok, but let's do just ONE MORE session" ;-)

Of course, one shot, no montage, no borderline processing. I decided to play safe after my recent disqualifications.

Light setup:
- 1 softbox from the left
- 1 softbox from the lower right
- 1 gridded strobe on the wall, from the upper front
- 1 speedlite from the upper right, pointing on the legs

I am quite happy with the result, and I think this is definitely a progression for me: the non-empty background or the tea motion are interesting features that were lacking in some of my previous shots. I sure hope you'll enjoy it!

____________

After challenge edit:

Thanks a lot for all the fantastic comments! It is so meaningful to me when talented photographers like my work.

Statistics
Place: 5 out of 325
Avg (all users): 6.8874
Avg (commenters): 8.5600
Avg (participants): 6.7456
Avg (non-participants): 7.3243
Views since voting: 4407
Views during voting: 307
Votes: 151
Comments: 57
Favorites: 20 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/10/2011 12:29:57 AM
This is fantastic! I am always amazed at the creativity and effort that you put into your images. Congrats on the HM!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 09:28:42 PM
It's another great shot. You have a terrific mind for illusion style photography. 1's 2's and 3's...really?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 06:06:11 PM
This is amaaaazing - it hurts my brain trying to do the mental gymnastics to work out how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 03:48:12 PM
Originally posted by citymars:
Originally posted by gyaban:
Thank you! However, the fake room solution wouldn't work here, the tea wouldn't flow to the "ground". So the trick is something different this time ;-)

Hmm, so much for my theory, I figured you the "flowing tea" was plastic or something! Keep up the great work.


Tea is absolutely real. And hot :-) I drilled holes in both the cup and the spoon and screwed them together, but it wasn't very waterproof: I regularly had hot tea on the fingers, which was one of numerous reasons for a missed attempt.
 03/09/2011 03:41:43 PM
Originally posted by gyaban:
Thank you! However, the fake room solution wouldn't work here, the tea wouldn't flow to the "ground". So the trick is something different this time ;-)

Hmm, so much for my theory, I figured you the "flowing tea" was plastic or something! Keep up the great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 03:36:29 PM
Originally posted by citymars:
Fantastic. I gave this an 8 on first review and would have bumped it up if I'd gone through the entries a second time as I often do.

So you bought the materials and built the setup? Does that mean you are on you knees in a fake room you built? OMG, I'll never compete with that much prep, even though in a case like this I see it is worth the effort!


Thank you!
However, the fake room solution wouldn't work here, the tea wouldn't flow to the "ground". So the trick is something different this time ;-)
 03/09/2011 03:33:08 PM
Fantastic. I gave this an 8 on first review and would have bumped it up if I'd gone through the entries a second time as I often do.

So you bought the materials and built the setup? Does that mean you are on you knees in a fake room you built? OMG, I'll never compete with that much prep, even though in a case like this I see it is worth the effort!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 03:02:12 PM
great concept! love the effort you puted into this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 09:46:33 AM
Brilliant. I have no words to describe how good this work is... Congratulations. Still can't figure out how everything was done... Insane :)

P.s. can't believe there are so many dumbs, rating this photo so low (3, 2, even 1...)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2011 12:09:37 AM
I thank God that you have to work to be this good. :)

Still... I'm amazed that anyone can do this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 10:55:32 PM
Wow - baffling and so good. I admire your creativity and tenacity. I would never have the patience. Congrats on top 5 in FS!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 08:53:29 PM
Wow! I love your story of how difficult this shot was to get. It makes me appreciate its creativity and flawless execution even more. Congratulations on being rewarded for a job very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 08:26:59 PM
So clever. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 03:32:15 PM
It's good to see you moving away from the featureless backgrounds, which I always thought were limiting your shots. This one is exceptionally nice. Apparently there are some voters who don't recognize the evolution and think this is the same ol' same ol', as evidenced by the 18 low votes, but in the end your distribution is heavily skewed towards the positive. Well done!

Message edited by author 2011-03-08 17:09:30.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 03:30:40 PM
Wow! You have outdone yourself on this one. I'm working out the shot in my mind and I can't quite do it. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 12:26:19 PM
Magic! I just can't guess how. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 11:54:51 AM
Originally posted by bassbone:

I have sat and studied your shot and the one place in the photo that is interesting to me is near your arm and tie - as if a bit of minor cloning or cleaning up was done.


Thanks a lot for your kind comment :-)

In fact, the only processing that was done near my arm and tie was some hue adjustment (the tie was originally red). This is probably some poor masking that you detected: I spent much time on it, but the colors were so different that it really was challenging.
 03/08/2011 11:45:24 AM
This was my only 10 in the challenge. A wonderful example of creativity and photography as art. I was certain this would be the blue but it's nice to see another great image of yours as a comeback after the recent DQ's. You are truly an inspiration. Keep it up!

ETA: My profile view shows 9 images wide.. I see you have 8 blues and 1 red on your profile as I see it... you'd better try harder next time and reach for that full spread of blue across the page!

Message edited by author 2011-03-08 11:49:56.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 11:34:08 AM
Another great image, you are certainly one of the talented photographers.Congrats to you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 10:36:24 AM
This is a great shot all around. Well done and delivered. Your work is inspiring!

As others have said, I am also wondering about the low scores. It does seem some people must have voted 'illegally' and voted as if your shot broke some rule.

I have sat and studied your shot and the one place in the photo that is interesting to me is near your arm and tie - as if a bit of minor cloning or cleaning up was done. Maybe that is what people see? No idea - but no matter - it is against the rules to vote down based on a belief that the image doesn't meet editing rules....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 10:28:02 AM
This is amazing once again. You have a style that represents your interest in the "magical" … INDEED!
The scores of 1,2,and 3 are insulting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 06:26:39 AM
Congratulations on 5th! Your creativity and dedication to creating your visualized image are amazing!

This should have scored much higher and again I cannot think of any good reason for those low votes. :-(
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 03:06:23 AM
Those low votes are a a shame for this extremely well done image. Should have landed on the front page. However, congrats on the HM
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 01:47:01 AM
great concept and flawless, meticulous execution! Congrats again (after 1x :)), Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 01:20:21 AM
Another delightful, imaginative, fantasy of a shot. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 12:40:54 AM
Whimsical, creative, awesome! Congrats on the top 5!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 12:34:24 AM
What a brilliant image, amazing creativity!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 12:24:39 AM
i really cant understand all the low votes .. the only reason i can think of is jealousy .. you are in a league of your own .. your photographs always so imaginative and wonderful .. if you're not revered already you will be .. i think of old masters and then i think of you .. seriously .. i love your work .. !!
reckon this should'v beaten that silly old robberfly by miles .. but i'll count my blessings .. it'll probably be the only time i beat gyaban in a challenge ..
congrats on something amazing and the hm .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 12:20:12 AM
Awesome. Congrats!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2011 12:12:58 AM
As bohemka noted, back with a bang. The amount of time and though you put into your images is so amply evident in the phenomenal results you achieve. Bravo, Christophe. You are truly my hero. Welcome back.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/07/2011 09:54:33 PM
gyaban...glad to see you back...would like to know just how you do these shots...hat's off to you
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2011 09:26:08 PM
absolutely awesome!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2011 07:49:07 PM
I love your creativity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2011 03:48:52 AM
It's a measure of your success that I can look at this and just take it for granted. "Ahh... the gyaban image."

However, let me try to pull back from casual acceptance and try to appreciate anew. With that lens in place, the astonishing achievement of pulling this off is brought back into clear focus. I know you normally trick our eyes by making floors look like walls, but here with the pouring tea, you've added a new confounding element. Your dedication to crafting these images is just astounding. Even took the trouble to see to the coordination / coloration of the pot, tie and socks!

I gave you an 8 on my first pass, but really - what was I thinking, this is just in another league in terms of dedication and execution. I have corrected my error and bumped to a 10. I hope you haven't had many people fall into the state of casual acceptance as I did. We only have to stop and think about really trying to pull this off ourselves to be treated to a great big reality check.

Bravo. This isn't the sort of image I would normally 'favourite', but I have because really do admire the craft and talent so much here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2011 07:52:24 PM
You are a genius .. can you be my mentor? ! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2011 07:18:00 PM
Great stuff, sir. Great to see you back with a bang. Nicely color coordinated, by the way. Always impressive technicals and another head-scratcher. Very well done.

Oh, and awesome title.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2011 12:30:43 AM
I would love to just get a chance to watch how you set these things up. You seem to have a zero-G theme going lately.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2011 09:18:12 PM
so out-takes from commercial jobs are ok here? hm. of course its a 10, but really now.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2011 06:44:27 PM
Amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2011 02:08:36 PM
I have no idea how you did this, but it is brilliant. Love the lime green which really brings it alive.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2011 05:41:12 AM
Bumping up to my highest scoring group. One of the most creative images in the challenge and well executed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/02/2011 02:54:12 PM
you can't keep a good man down! (get it?)

Good to see you back
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/02/2011 02:53:42 PM
A masterful shot as always... I gave it a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/02/2011 10:51:29 AM
aah, you must be an artist of photography. this is a brilliant composition. hope this will do well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/02/2011 03:50:07 AM
Your Insanitea is very insane very good lighting love the expression on your face nice and sharp colors mix will..congrats your creativity is unbound
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 09:49:20 PM
That's hilarious! I am sure you are winning over the crowd. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 07:31:56 PM
Nice matching, tie, socks, and cup, you're French so your good at these things, very interesting pic Chris.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 02:03:02 PM
That is freaking AWESOME! Great use of the advanced techniques. Great contrasting colors.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 01:00:20 PM
Very creatively done. Quite a mindfuck. Can't wait to hear how you did this one Christophe.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 11:32:38 AM
belongs in a league of its own!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 10:43:30 AM
this is brilliant... not sure how you did it but wow.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 09:08:05 AM
Oh, I thought you were suspended (no pun intended). I can imagine how your setup looks, but i still wonder how you managed to let the tea flow into the cup (and where the remote shutter is).

Anyway, good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 07:21:14 AM
Like you said before, "Always with style!" Excellent job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 02:42:20 AM
Glad to see you back – and this is fantastic!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 01:38:20 AM
Can't wait to read the how you did it on this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 12:44:33 AM
fan frig'n tastic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2011 12:43:41 AM
The Mad Hatter!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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