I apologize for the lack of a post yesterday, but I was "fasting", if you will, from the internet. Actually, our internet and part of our cable TV went out Friday evening, so I wasn't able to post Saturday's photograph. I haven't missed a post for almost a year, if I'm counting right. I won't feel so bad now if I miss one now and then. ;)
The Lensday challenge for this week is "self portrait", which I was not planning on participating in...until I got a bright idea.
After having dinner with Abe, I went over near ASU and shot some night photographs which you'll be seeing in the next several days. On the way home, I decided to try the self-portrait shot. I set up the tripod in the car and hooked up the remote shutter release cable. I tried it several times without much luck. I decided to turn on the flash. It would be interesting to know what the people on the freeway thought when they saw a bright flash in the car next to them...but it worked. I desaturated the portion in the mirror, though it is not completely monochrome.
Definitely a more artistic shot. I'm not sure if it's any good or not, but I must mention that this is one of the main reasons photoblogs exist: experimentation.
categories: night people
April 24th, 2005 at 4:48 AM
Agreed! This is very cool. I think it captures the feel of driving alone at night very well in fact. And, of course, the long shutter with the flash made for an excellent combo of still and motion. The desaturation works well in the mirror as well. Experimentation turned up an excellent photograph!
April 24th, 2005 at 7:07 AM
Very cool. 10/10. It looks like something out of an action movie.
April 24th, 2005 at 9:07 AM
i love it. it's very different from anything you've done before. very vivid in a different way. well done.
April 24th, 2005 at 10:59 AM
this is totally a great idea! i've seen this kind of shot done before but nothing like this with the dramatic colours contrasted by the duotone reflection. the flash is a great idea, i would not have thought about it myself.
April 24th, 2005 at 3:09 PM
Wow
April 24th, 2005 at 3:19 PM
Woah. This is an amazing shot. The black and white with color looks awesome.
April 24th, 2005 at 5:26 PM
this is really cool. wowsa. I'm thinking James Bond . . .
April 24th, 2005 at 5:31 PM
woah, sweet
April 24th, 2005 at 10:40 PM
Yeah - absolutely wicked. I love it. Maaaaybe you desaturated yourself a bit too much - but maybe not. I love the cold look it creates in the interior of the car - it juxtaposes powerfully with the rich warmth outside.
Gives you almost a "Terminator" look. I give it a 10. :)
April 24th, 2005 at 10:42 PM
Only just realised that your steely eyes add to that whole juxtaposition. I guess it was your expression that lead you to try the desaturation?
April 24th, 2005 at 11:02 PM
Thanks for all the wonderful and encouraging comments!
You can't see the expression on my face, but I didn't know that at the time, so I was as cross and serious as possible. I guess it shows...lol
As for the desaturation levels, I didn't want to desaturate it too much either, and for me it probably would have been less, but I wanted there to be a distinct difference between the two areas from the first glance.
Just a technical note: I almost never simply desaturate; it's usually a combination of channels, which is what I did here. It usually gives it more contrast, and I'm able to fine-tune the monochrome image using color input channels.
April 25th, 2005 at 12:46 AM
Fantastic! It must have been a challenge to sit that still for 10 seconds. This is extremely creative. The burst of colors contrasted by your still, cropped and desaturated facial image is very dynamic. This is a "wow" shot, plus quality. Impressive!
April 25th, 2005 at 1:49 AM
got the same thoughts, but not that great idea ! Congrats... this is a great arrangement
April 25th, 2005 at 2:49 AM
Wow what a great idea.
very nice.
April 25th, 2005 at 3:12 AM
excellent idea, that expression!!! cool, controlled eyes contrasting against the random crazyness, colours and movement from the outside of the car.
April 26th, 2005 at 1:10 AM
Completely amazing, especially considering how you pulled it off. Very cool!
April 26th, 2005 at 8:52 AM
This is super cool! It's got such contrasting elements: the reflection looks so classic and serious and the colored lights are so modern and fast. great work!
April 26th, 2005 at 5:16 PM
this is amazing! wicked shot and effect! cheers for your comments! :)
April 27th, 2005 at 7:52 PM
Very original shot, Ryan. I really, really like it. Wonderful ingenuity, man.
April 28th, 2005 at 10:05 AM
Very cool shot, beautifully done. Like all the different things that are going on here, the b&w versus the colors, the light effects... Nice...
May 6th, 2005 at 8:09 AM
Brilliant idea! Great shot, too!