Inspiring Photo: The "L" #7541827

The "L"

Uploaded: December 04, 2008 02:09:35

Description

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A driveby (coming home from Thanksgiving) shot of the elevated--(oxymoron?)--Subway in a dismal area of Rockaway, New York. It needed some cheering up, so this is actually a composite of five photos: a New Jersey sky, the original "L" photo, Amelia (the bulldog next door), a jetliner taking off from JFK Airport, and some homing pigeons from outside my office window. So...here's your challenge: What is wrong with this photo? Probably a LOT! But I have one thing in mind.
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A Digital Darkroom entry shot with multiple cameras. The main "L" shot was using my EOS 5D. Did some dodging and burning, cloning of "rust" on the elevated structure. Oh...and once the sky and "L" were combined, they were tone-mapped with Photomatix plug-in, and then subjected to a small dose of LucisArt.

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/320 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 84.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D

Comments

Manuel Barrera December 04, 2008

the light is coming from the right the shadows are to the left, great digital work, Michelle #1045931

Douglas Pignet December 04, 2008

Beautiful work here Michelle. Very nice comp and clarity,doug #6848171

Mike Clime December 04, 2008

Very creative work, Michelle, and I think it is very interesting. It's missing a shadow from the airplane. #6848182

Nancy (Peaches) Harker December 04, 2008

Fantastic DDR work Michelle, beautiful!!!! #6848211

Joseph N. DiGilio December 04, 2008

Cool image Michelle. Well composed and photographed. It's the shadows though. The pigeons told me. Their shadows are directly beneath them. The other shadows are long. The shadow from the jet is on the other side of the tracks, out of the frame. #6848228

Michelle Alton December 04, 2008

Almost "Bingo," Joe. I agree that the plane's shadow is out of sight appropriately. But the pigeon shadows are all "goofed up." They should've been larger, for one thing (pointed out to me by a fellow BP-er who got a preview last night). Michelle #6848244

Brett Dolsen December 04, 2008

I wouldnt have picked the shadows without a long study but I think the credit here is being able to blend so many shots to create an interesting image and the wonderfull perspective of the overpass!Brett. #6848252

Carolyn M. Fletcher December 04, 2008

It looks great anyway! Nice work! #6848264

Alan L. Borror December 04, 2008

Wonderful composite image, Michelle! I think some of the pigeon shadows would be cut off by the L if the sun is positioned where the light is brightest...still an amazing and interesting image photo! #6848299

Tammy M. Anderson December 04, 2008

Wonderful work here, Michelle. #6848306

Bill Wyatt December 04, 2008

WOW fascinating work. Excellent composite of many images. I love where your name is excellent work. Yeah I was taking a stab at the pigeons shadows not matching the particular bird. #6848344

Jeff Robinson December 04, 2008

You have done an Outstanding job with the Michelle! Jeff #6848425

Agnes Fegan December 04, 2008

A really fun combination of photos! Hey, my daughter flew in from California for Thanksgiving weekend; maybe she's on your plane lol! #6848520

Deb Koskovich December 04, 2008

How fascinating...I was actually going to say something about the size of the birds in relation to the plane, so at least I was kinda sorta in the right area, LOL! Just an amazing and super fun composite, Michelle!

Hope you are feeling much better today, but if you're anything close to what I was like when I had it, you're not.... #6848614

Wally Orlowsky December 04, 2008

Awesome composite, Michelle. Like Manuel, I was also going to say the shadow direction was off (though I think the light on the El is coming from the left). Also the pigeons must be very large to be so relativey big in the distance. And did YOU really construct this El in 2008? Finally, where is all the traffic? Great fun. #6848650

Jim Huffield December 04, 2008

Amazing work, Michelle. Jim #6849183

Carla Metzler December 04, 2008

Love this! Excellent! #6849430

Ron McEwan December 04, 2008

What can I say other than you won't get any negative comment from me. This looks to good to say anything but grand work on this one. #6849606

Tiia Vissak December 04, 2008

a cool creation! #6849854

Stephen Zacker December 04, 2008

Wow... what a mind you have :-) #6850011

Dianna Murphy December 04, 2008

Wow great job I think its fantastic the only thing I would change is the bulldog. Maybe move him back just a bit on the road. #6850124

Jeana Clark December 04, 2008

I think that this is Fabulous Work!!!
Outstanding in every way Michelle!!!
Very creative and kudos to you!!!
~J~ #6850128

Marilyn K. Lincecum December 04, 2008
Fantastic composite.. great comp, lighting, colors and detais. Beautiful work!! #6850435

Blair Boudreau December 04, 2008
Hey Michelle. Great stuff. Reminds me of the Dadaist painter, Giorgio de Chirico. Cool. #6850467

Leland N. Saunders December 04, 2008
When I first looked at this I thought it was a photo of a mural ... partcularly since the airliner is in such a steep climb ... However, on such a cloudy day, I don't think the pigeons would have cast shadows ... nevertheless ... Great photo ... Good work ... certainly captures a lot of attention ... !! #6850716

Blair Boudreau December 04, 2008
Oops... (senior moment). Blair here again, I didn't mean Dadaist... I meant Surrealist! Your photo is very surreal! #6850765

Barbara Waldoch December 04, 2008
I thought the shadows too, but in a different way. I have never seen a bird shadow like that (no matter what the shape). The bird would have to be flying *very* low to give such a shadow. These would be reflections, but you wouldn't get them on the road.
It's a terrific image anyway, Michelle! #6850816

Blair Boudreau December 04, 2008
I disagree on the shadows. I don't think it matters one whit if the shadows are accurate in this case. The picture is obviously very surreal and not meant to reflect reality. It's a moody piece and, IMHO, very well done. Kudos, Michelle! #6850854

Nadya Johnson December 04, 2008
I agree with Blair! Although the shadows are technically inaccurate, I don't think it matters much. This is totally Surreal. I love the post-Apocalyptic feeling here: very eerie, very bleak, very much the Forlorn City. Fact is, without the plane, this might be a vision of the world without a single human soul, one taken over by the birds and dogs. Brr! Chilling! (I might have left the shadows of the birds completely out, myself. But when you're working with Surreal images, you have to ask - "Do watches really melt?" LOL! So as I said, I don't think this vision's damaged in the least by the technicalities.) Great work, Michelle! #6850969

William C. Raco December 04, 2008
This is excellent, Michelle
I couldn't begin to do anything so imaginative
I hope you are feeling much better today
#6850978

Chua Wee Boo December 04, 2008
Excellent works,Michelle! #6851139

Michelle Alton December 04, 2008
Thanks so much everyone. I had a lot of fun with it, and I'm glad you enjoyed it too. It really WAS a desolate stretch of road, which led me to add the living stuff. I never seem to get shadows right, but I'm glad it didn't matter to my BP pals!
Thanks again! #6851237

Beverley Scott December 04, 2008
A great piece of art, Michelle, one that makes you study it. You've done
some wonderful DD here! Bev #6851245

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna December 04, 2008
Wonderful DD work, Michelle!!!! I would have guessed the shadows too!!!! :-) It makes for a very interesting image!!!!! Something about it reminds me of the Monty Python show!!! LOLOL
:-) k #6851387

william r. griffin December 04, 2008
Really love the tones you have been coming up with lately, this is an awesome shot here, tones really add to the pic, well done. #6851459

Patricia Ronan December 04, 2008
Great mix of images Michelle, I love where you placed you name, super digital darkroom work:) #6851543

Deborah C. Lewinson December 04, 2008
Wow, excellent image, Michelle, great perspective on the "L" along with outstanding DD work- this image makes you think!!!
Debby #6851678

Avril Young December 04, 2008
wow, you are a master at blending...OUTSTANDING DD WORK...I thought the smaller birds were wrong...but did not realize what was wrong...awesome work indeed Michelle! #6851964

Bonnie C. Lackey December 04, 2008
This is masterful, Michelle...fantastic tones - I might get rid of the bird shadows - give the bulldog a bit more room and put something strange or weird in his mouth...I shouldn't say "I might" because I wouldn't have come close to what you've done. #6851968

Patrick Rouzes December 04, 2008
Michelle, you sure have a brilliant imagination & creative mind to combine all those pics & make it work!!! A beautiful, unique & creative work here,my friend!!! Very inspirational!!! #6852330

Ujjwal Mukherjee December 04, 2008
Good question to get candid answers,Michelle :-)here it is... the dog and the shadow of the birds.....
Without these ..in my opinion, it would have been probably impossible to find out that this image is a composite ...wonderful work !! #6852693

Stefania Barbier December 05, 2008
gorgeous pov and capture!!!!! #6852996

KARU WIJESUNDARA. A.N.P.A.S. December 06, 2008
IT'S A FANTASTIC CREATIVE IMAGE MICHELLE.
KARU. #6858690

A P December 06, 2008
Shadows might not be correct but this is still an awesome composite, Michelle. Wonderful work my dear!! #6859133

Kaye Burazin December 06, 2008
Excellence in composition Michelle. Superb! #6859313

Kay Beausoleil December 06, 2008
Love the surreal quality to this image -- great work, Michelle! #6860248

Susie Peek-Swint December 07, 2008
Phew .. lots to look at and digest Michelle .. I'd have said it was to do with the shadows and enjoyed the thread about it ~ you could do a whole series of these! Apart from all that this is a terrific image with very creatively combined shots! #6861664

Sue Marshall December 07, 2008
The dog doesn't have a leash on that is what's wrong Michelle!!! LOL J/K :-)
Well I read all the comments so I know what really is wrong ~ having said that it is a brilliant composite you are so flipping creative!!! :-) #6862161

Mitch Spence December 07, 2008
Well, now, I was going to say that there shouldn't be any shadows at all on a day this overcast, LOL. But I love this composite and I don't care! #6862587

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer December 07, 2008
A very interesting picture, Michelle. So much to look at. Very beautiful work!!! #6865184

Graeme yew Chow December 08, 2008
A photo that tell the story and alot of nice works in PS, Michelle. #6865719

Daniella Puente December 08, 2008
A very good image with great composition and elements on it Michelle, each one adds to the image and like the tones very much! #6867446

Amalia Sylvia Arriaga Salinas December 08, 2008
Wonderful work Michelle!, Very well done!,
Amalia #6867610

Bill Knaps December 09, 2008
This Michelle is a true work of art. Beautiful. Bill #6870163

Gina Cormier December 10, 2008
Fabulous image and comp on this. Excellent color. #6875908

Mike F. Anderson December 10, 2008
I love it Michelle!!! #6876414

Tommy E. Burgess December 18, 2008
Outstanding Michelle!! Certainly hope to see this wonderful work again. #6910494

Gail Vitikacs January 21, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS Michelle! #7064193

A P January 21, 2009
Michelle I'm so glad to see this one on the list. I loved it from the moment I saw it. CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful Finalist

#7064275

Kristi A. Howson January 21, 2009
Congratulations on this wonderful Finalist and best of luck in the next round! Amazing work here Michelle! #7064785

Usman M. Bajwa January 21, 2009
Beautiful work. Congrats.
UB. #7065295

Tommy E. Burgess January 21, 2009
Congratulations on this outstanding finalist Michelle!! #7065313

Robert K. Bemus January 21, 2009
Congratulations on your Finalists, Michelle...all the best in the next round!! #7066090

Bojan Bencic January 22, 2009
Congratulations on your finalists, Michelle. #7066126

Vitor Dias January 22, 2009
Congratulations Again on your finalist Michelle.
rgs Vitor #7066704

Douglas Pignet January 22, 2009
Congrats again Michelle,doug #7067050

Jessica Jenney January 22, 2009
Congrats, Michelle on all your fantastic finalists! #7067460

Mike F. Anderson January 22, 2009
I knew this image would be moving up the ladder. I love it as much now as when I first saw it. Congratulations on your finalist, Michelle! #7067650

ALLEN O. HOWARD January 22, 2009
WOW! This garnered LOTS of attention! Congratulations on this obvious labor, Michelle! #7068400

Courtenay Vanderbilt January 22, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS, Michelle! #7068621

Stefania Barbier January 22, 2009
WTG MICHELLE, CONGRATULATIONS! #7069137

Tiia Vissak January 22, 2009
Congratulations! #7069335

Nancy (Peaches) Harker January 22, 2009

WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HUGE CONGRATS on your finalist!
Best of luck in the next round!

#7069502

Erin Appelbaum January 22, 2009
Fantastic finalist Michelle. Peter #7070268

Renee Doyle January 22, 2009
Congratulations Michelle!!! Wonderful! #7070525

Teresa Burnett January 22, 2009
And another huge congratulations on this wonderful finalist, Michelle!! #7070556

Nadya Johnson January 22, 2009
Congrats again on another fantastic finalist, Michelle! #7070726

Beverley Scott January 23, 2009
Congratulations on all your wonderful finalists, Michelle!!! #7071993

Debra R. Harder January 23, 2009
I knew we'd see this AWESOME image again, Michelle! Congratulations on another SUPERB finalist! Deb #7073047

Marijana Fajgl January 23, 2009
Another amazing finalist, Michelle! Congratulations! #7073622

Eivor Kuchta January 23, 2009
Congratulations on your finalist, Michelle! #7073628

Sue Marshall January 23, 2009
Congrats again Michelle on another brilliant finalist!! :-)) #7076856

Eugenio Diaz January 24, 2009
SUPERB!! Huge congratulations on your GORGEOUS finalist!
WTG!!!
FANTASTIC image!!! #7079464

Jeana Clark January 24, 2009

So happy to see this recognized Michelle...It's
Wonderful work!!!!!
An Excellent Finalist!!!!
Congratulations!!!!!
~J~ #7082107

Marilyn K. Lincecum January 25, 2009
Wonderful composite and I am so happy to see it again, CONGRATULATIONS again Michelle on a job well done !!!! #7087303

frank w. degenhardt January 26, 2009
Michelle- Stunning picture that got you a Finalist. Congratulations my friend. #7088984

Colleen Farrell January 27, 2009
This is wonderful, Michelle! Definitely surreal--like Nadya said, it has a post-apocalyptic feel. I love the elements you added. Big congratulations on a most well-deserved finalist! #7096486

Kim Andelkovic July 17, 2009
Amazing work and very well deserving.
Thank you for sharing what you did....you have great imagination. #7750295

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