Discussion Weekly Competition #5 - Self Portrait

Just seen your entry, I'd be extremely happy (no...over the moon would be a better discription) If that was one of my posed studio shots

some REALLY good stuf there!
I don't see any harm if somebody does a "redo" or tweek on an entry...judging is on sunday, what's ther then is what gets judged......but I don't make the rules, just pointing out my thoughts, as i don't want to see too many rules on a fun project!
pity the judge...
a lot of talent, and creativity, and some loose interpetations on the theme, but all good.

I didn't think it was particularly good, hair was messier than I'd have liked and I had all sorts of problems, especially with lighting.

Tried a few things with a mirror first and had to then spend time getting focal length and distance right.



I really wish I'd been able to use my A28f2.8 but it is manual focus which makes it hard to be in the right place. I could have turned on the notification beep but that isn't accurate.

I'm furious and I want to log a complaint against this hilarious decision of the judge! I will hold back my member fee until an enquiry has investigated the case. I'm convinced that Galoot had insider knowledge and I won't rest until the leak is found. (I could tell you that I just had an anonymous phone call and Deep Throat has promised to pass on all the information, but I won't!)

I have to end here and look for some tar and feathers...

On a more serious note: I think this was a very good idea for the weekly competition and it has brought many of us to try ourselves in an unfamiliar genre. Well done Daniel! And I didn't envy you for judging this one, so many different approaches.

Daniel, on your judgement on my picture: The reflection of the Pentax user logo was the original idea (although I would have preferred to have it reflected off my eye) and the setup to get it right was quite hard (and would have been even harder if I wouldn't have resorted to the laptop monitor). I also didn't really plan to take the sunglasses but with the eye reflection not working well and my normal glasses being anti-reflection coated it was the only way out. So going through all that length and then not using the reflection seemed wrong to me.

I certainly enjoyed this competition and I think we have a deserved winner here. Galoot will see what a Pyrrhic victory he has won when judgement time for the next competition comes! (Of course only if the enquiry finds him not guilty of having insider knowledge; but as enquiries go I think it's a very likely outcome...)

This competition is getting better and better, and the latest one inspired some very creative shots.

Well done, chaps and chapesses.

G

I've just seen the results - congratulations to one and all. There are some very clever people on this forum. As for my measly effort I have to agree totally with the judge - it was done in too much of a hurry . Memo to self - improve your Photoshop skills (is there a recommended book on Photoshop?)

Good luck to everybody for this week's competition.

Howard

Howardj
adobe photoshop cs2 for photographers
martin evening
focal press

If it helps,

http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs2/purchase.htm

Cheers

Liam

Well done amoringello, but didn't I see you play Jack Jeebs in "Men In Black"?