Round 6 - DVXUser Photography Contest

[Jeremy Ordan]

DVXUser Photography Challenge: Round Six

Why?
Why is a filmmaking community doing something with photography? Simple... With photography you learn about lighting, composition, framing, blocking, and it is fun. Ask any of the 30 people who submitted for the first round to raise money for charity as well as participate in a community event and they will tell you, it was fun, plus:

It is very simple

The Rules:
*Take a picture, in the time period, that fits within the topic of the week on any camera with any lens that you want (D-SLR, Film, DVX, XL1, Cellphone)
*Post process the image in any way that you choose and see fit.
*Please do not post any images that are larger than 8" x 10" at 72DPI
*Email the image to DVXUser@stffilms.com along with any comments regarding the image
*Vote and comment on the images submitted
*The winner will choose the topic for next weeks photography contest.

Simple, right? Maybe too simple... So what's the catch? There is no catch! No cost. No one profiting. No one stealing your images and claiming them as their own. Nothing...

PRIZE:
*The winner chooses next weeks topic (example: landscape, macro, or anything) & if we exceed 50 entries I will make a $50 donation to Isara.com. If we exceed 250 entries, I will donate $250 to Isara.com which is an associates degree in Thailand (according to PK). Your participation can help give the gift of education. PLUS as added motivation, weekly participant and resident, well he lives here, Brandon Rice (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=6061) has offered to donate a copy of his film A Price Too High (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=57245) to the winner if we exceed 30 entries... Do you really need more motivation than that? Thanks Brandon!

This week's topic: A Night At The Cineplex chosen by Week 4's (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=69441)winner Scharky (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=491)
Details: submit an image reflecting drama, suspense, or action that looks like it is right out of a movie and tells a story
Due Date: September 20th @ 11:59 EST
Voting Period: September 21 - September 25th @ 11:59 EST
Next Topic Posting on: September 20th (by winner of Round 5 - Oooh, Ahhhh, Mmmm (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=70094))

Good luck everyone and I can't wait to see what you submit!

-Jeremy

EDIT:

Photos are available for viewing at www.stffilms.com/Photos

EDIT:

Here are this week's winners

1. Let me axe you a question http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_DSC_1954bloodfly1.jpg by MattinSTL (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=2356)
2. First Change http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_Firstchange1.jpg by Matt Grunau (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=6995)
3. After the theatre closes http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_night_at_the_cineplex_final_for_web.jpg
4. Look out! http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_ThisCouldBeBad.jpg by Horse Films (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=232)
5. Guilty Hands http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_GuiltyHands.jpg by Mikko Wilson (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=5548)

[Steve_Arm]

Okkeeyyyy... I'm googling Cineplex to find out.

EDIT: Looks lime I'm bailing out for this one.

2nd EDIT: OK, first read - then post :D, just read the description. Cool subject. One image a thousand words.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Why? It's just creating an image of drama, suspense, or action that conveys a story...

[HorseFilms]

This one should be fun.

[mikegrasso]

This should be a good one!!!

[Brandon Rice]

WHOO! Love this subject!

[mikkowilson]

Interesting. Can't wait.


- Mikko

[Mike McNeese]

VERY interesting topic this week! Can't wait to look forward to shooting something and then having it rain everytime I try to do something outside.

[Rich Lee]

great topic!

[Cynic821]

guess what just found after cleaning two huge trash bags worth of trash out of my 2 seater CRX? My tiny digicam!!

[MalcolmOng]

d'oh i think the one i submitted for the last one can be used for this one instead

[Jeremy Ordan]

Nope, the shot must be taken during the week of the challenge.

[Steve_Arm]

I have an idea, why not extend the theme and mimick a screenshot from some movie we choose? With respect to scharky who chose the subject.
Opinions?

[sonic freak]

Is the time deadline 11:59 noon or midnight on wednesday?

I sent in a pic late Wednesday night. I guess you didn't get it.

[Jeremy Ordan]

The deadline is the same that it always has been: 11:59PM Wednesday EST.

This is the topic for this week... winner chooses.

[Steve_Arm]

I mean an actual film like a Hollywood movie, not something that we made up. I'm confused.

[Jeremy Ordan]

That's an idea Steve, but it is all at the decision of whomever wins and I don't want to start a campaign for future topics...

[Jeremy Ordan]

Where is everyone at with this weeks topic? Personally, I have an idea but haven't even started to plan it out or try to pull it off.

[mikkowilson]

Ditto.

- Mikko

[Cynic821]

Since i have my digicam back, ive got several ideas, but no people to be in them, so i think im gunna have to think of something that doesnt involve people.

[Matt Grunau]

Ive got a crapton of ideas, but I don't know how far too push in any direction. I'm thinking satire, action, or horror. But a spoof is a tasty thought.

[Brandon Rice]

I got some pics today... it should work... Hey, let's get 30 people... then we can give out the DVD!

[MattinSTL]

Whoever chose this topic... you are singlehandedly responsible for me entering this week. Man you must be psychic... talk about things falling in place. I've been too busy for the last week and a half shooting a little something that may prove to be interesting... we had late nights every night... and a couple nights ago I snapped some shots. It's going to be really tough deciding on only one picture!

[Brandon Rice]

Submission just sent.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Well I have seen two people's submissions so far... once again, I have an unfair advantage, and all I can say is that the bar has been raised to new levels for this challenge. Incredible work by both of you (you know who you are).

Amazing stuff.... I'm f'd in the a for this one...

[Blaine]

Entry emailed.

[MattinSTL]

I'm officially in.

[Jeremy Ordan]

I'm officially in.

We shoulda known... You only enter every other one :)

kidding...

[MattinSTL]

You know I love you man... I really want to be 100% on these things... that week of 4 hours sleep per night really wore on me. The shot you saw from me was taken around midnight... then I packed up my stuff... drove an hour and a half home... took a shower... got in bed by 2am... alarm goes off at 6am... batteries all just charged up... load up and out the door by 6:30am... aaaarrrggh, repeat... SEVEN TIMES.

That's why I said whoever chose this week's challenge must have been psychic... I didn't think I'd be able to get in this week either... but ta'da!

[Jeremy Ordan]

Hey, you knew I couldn't let it go by without saying something.

[dan]

Entry emailed.
Best,
Dan

[Brandon Rice]

Nice, how many so far Jeremy? Let's hit the big 30!!!

[mikegrasso]

Sent mine in last night. This was a fun one to shot.

[Jeremy Ordan]

I only glanced quickly this morning but I know I have Brandon's, Blaine's, 2 others... I have seen Matt's but he hasn't emailed it. I haven't even taken mine yet.

[HorseFilms]

I haven't taken mine yet, either. It looks like another last-minute entry for me.:beer:

[Jeremy Ordan]

I haven't taken mine yet, either. It looks like another last-minute entry for me.:beer:

Do either you or I ever have an entry that isn't last minute?

[HorseFilms]

Do either you or I ever have an entry that isn't last minute?

I know. I start thinking about what I'm going to do on Tuesday, but don't really know until I'm shooting it Wednesday evening.:)

[Matt Grunau]

Mine's in.

[Steve_Arm]

heh... if you have been wondering where I am, I won't be submitting, I've been pretty busy this week and the last 2 days I caught a cold. Next round.

[JoshuaNitschke]

Hey what do you know, I got one in this time.

[HorseFilms]

I meant it when I said last minute.:)

[david jerome]

ok, just sent mine in with time to spare.

[Brandon Rice]

When will the photos be online Jeremy? If you need some help, hit me up.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Just to let everyone know, I literally just got in and have to be up in four hours to take care of some personal stuff so this weeks entries will not be posted until tomorrow. I have:

mine, mgrunau, mgettemeir, magic4000, joshua nitschke, horse, dave.com, dd, brandon rice, & blaine golden

If you aren't one of these ten I will accept until tomorrow evening when I get around to posting everything.

I'm sorry about the delay but this sort of personal stuff needs to come first... sorry again.

[Brandon Rice]

Understandable.... Can't wait, and let me know if I can help you in any way.

[Tom Marshall]

I completely forgot about this thing... next time, I'll be sure to enter... :)

[Brandon Rice]

You still have time dude... get your submission in before tomorrow night!

[Cynic821]

S**T! I was too busy working on my Horror Fest script that i forgot about this.... :( sorry bout that

[Jeremy Ordan]

Once again I just want to apologize to everyone for not getting Round 6 submissions posted last night on time... I will get all the submissions posted tonight when I get out of work. I am posting Round 7 right now. Sorry once again on the delay.

Also, just to make everyone aware, because of some problems I am going to have to initiate an approval for new members looking to register with the site. Between myself and people who are helping me admin the contest I will ensure that at least 3-5 times a day that approvals are given, but because of problems lately I need to initiate an approval system for new membership.

Sorry about the changes but sometimes one person ruins things for lots of people.

[Brandon Rice]

Approvals are all good... keeps the bad apples out. Lookin' forward to those photos!

[mikkowilson]

OH SWEET! I totally fergot about this round and haven't had a chance to enter. I was really bummed that I didn't get one in, but now it looks like I still have a chance! Hopefully I can get something shot this evenign and in before our Still Master Jeremy gets stuff posted.

- Mikko

[Brandon Rice]

Go Mikko, go!

[Peppe]

I sent a picture earlier today... but I didn´t read the rules carefully enough so just disqualify me with no further notice... As I can understand it, old pictures are not allowed, am I right?

I will take part in Round 7

[Matt Grunau]

Sorry about the changes but sometimes one person ruins things for lots of people.


Don't apologize. You were the one who started this, the one providing the web space, the one organizing it, and the one doing the lion's share of the work involved in maintenance. And what have you asked for in return? Participation, and nothing more. So don't apologize. Do what you see needs fit, and the rest of us are still all the more thankful and grateful for it.

Keep up with the good work, and thanks.

:thumbsup: :beer: :beer:


ps. I would have made that a three beer emote, but I want you sober enough to get the Challenge ready for tonight.

[mikegrasso]

Peppe

That is one of the points to this contest. It encourages you to get out and shoot something new within the week. So get out there and shoot ssomething for round 7. I already have my shot set up. This is a great way to help improve your shot and creativity.

[CR_OPSO]

Also, just to make everyone aware, because of some problems I am going to have to initiate an approval for new members looking to register with the site...

Sorry about the changes but sometimes one person ruins things for lots of people.

Sorry it's going to cause you extra work... but I appreciate you fixin' it!

Chad

[mikkowilson]

Whew, photos are shot. 10 mins thoguh PS and I'll have one on it's way!

- Mikko

[mikkowilson]

Okies! Entry sent!

A totally last minute entry this time done with very little planning and what was on hand at the time. However, by far my favorite to date.


- Mikko

[Matt Grunau]

I can't believe no one has asked about a release time!

I'll be the first:


Jeremy, is it ready soon?

[Brandon Rice]

oh, whoops, I asked in the Round 7 one.

[Jeremy Ordan]

I'm posting everything now and they will be up for viewing within the next 20 minutes... I'm sorry about the delay but like I said, a lot going on lately.

[Brandon Rice]

understandable dude...

[Jeremy Ordan]

Pics are up at www.stffilms.com/Photos

Here is what I am sorry for:

1. Sorry about the delay
2. Sorry that I withdrew my entry (I actually sold it today, so yay for me)
3. Sorry that I missed out on the contest that includes the best entries yet.

Regardless, brilliant work to everyone, go post, view, vote, comment... you know the score.

[Brandon Rice]

Whoohoo! Thanks dude, and no worries about the delay... sad we missed your submission...

[Jeremy Ordan]

sad we missed your submission...

My check book isn't though :)

Long story but after this thing is completed in two weeks I'll go into more details. Regardless, that had nothing to do with the delay, but congrats to everyone, there are AMAZING entries this week.

[mikkowilson]

Hey, fantastic looking photos this week, good work everyone!

And props on getting one sold Jeremy! Very nice!


- Mikko

[Tom Marshall]

You still have time dude... get your submission in before tomorrow night!

Windows sort of blew up on me so I'm using the Linux box right now... I would if I could, trust me... going to reinstall everything on Sunday, so #7 will see an entry from me... :)

[Brandon Rice]

Nice work everyone! I've commented and voted on all!

[mikegrasso]

Just wondering why my little blurb about my photos was not put along with it??

[Matt Grunau]

Me too, but there may be a way to do it on the page. I am looking into it.

I have voted on most, but not commented on any yet, because I have been shooting a local commercial all day, and was geting organized for the shoot late last night.

I promise I'll comment on people's work soon.

But from what I've seen, great work all.

[HorseFilms]

Yeah, there are some really fantastic shots this week. I love the theme this time.

[Matt Grunau]

From now on, if we want comments with our submissions, we MUST have them specified as such in the email we submit the pic in.

Best way to do it, and takes a little work off Jeremy, which he deserves.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Honestly the only way to make this easier is to just email the picture and description and title... That is the only way to make thing easier on me... It would also be great if your title was the file name... that would save a lot of time for me.

[Brandon Rice]

Yeah, I've been trying to do that... title and comments in email.

[dougspice]

Hey Jeremy, what's up with requiring a login to view the photos?

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Hey Jeremy, what's up with requiring a login to view the photos?
Since we are commenting and voting, requiring the login eliminates double voting I imagine.

[HorseFilms]

Since we are commenting and voting, requiring the login eliminates double voting I imagine.

It also helps keep random people from coming on the site and causing problems.

[mikegrasso]

When can we say what photo is ours???

[Brandon Rice]

TOnight, midnight, I think....

[dan]

I did vote on the pics but I did not comment on any. Was that a "must"? (I can go back and do it)
I only commented on the pic I entered as a response to all the questions/comments, sorry. Next time I'll know better.

[HorseFilms]

I did vote on the pics but I did not comment on any. Was that a "must"? (I can go back and do it)
I only commented on the pic I entered as a response to all the questions/comments, sorry. Next time I'll know better.

It's not a must, but it's appreciated. Either way, thanks for participating.:beer:

[dan]

No pun intended with "must comment". I just got late to the party and I did not know to what extent the comments can go. I go back and throw my 2c on each pic.:beer:


Edited latter:
Done deal. I left a bit of comment on each pic.

[mikkowilson]

So is it time to announce which picture is ours yet?

- Mikko

[Brandon Rice]

uh... I already did.

[mikegrasso]

Sorry for the large size I saved them as large format. So the one I submitted looks better in color, when I took the color out it blended all the shadows, so I work on one of the other phots I took where you can see the harsh light. This is more what I was going for. Just did not have the time to tweak.

MODERATOR REMOVED IMAGES BECAUSE OF SIZE

[MattinSTL]

Dude... you may want to resize those. If it was Pam Anderson I'd welcome those pixels.

[dan]

Well, congrats to the winner :thumbup: (and keep on shooting).

[mikkowilson]

Jebus Mike, those are huge!

...


So mine is "guilty hands"

http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/GuiltyHands.jpg

Took this one during the "over time" of the contest.
No the blood isn't Hershey's chocolate syrup, It's BBQ sauce. :)

Took it in my bathroom with the self timer using my tripod with the center post in the horizontal mode to get the 'pods legs out of the shot. It was hard to hit the shutter button with a clean part of my hand and then get posed correctly and still look natural after waiting for the timer. I need a shutter-release pedal!

One thing that bugged me was how little blood there was on my hands in this shot, but the later ones (with progressively more) didn't quite hit the right pose.

I'd have liked to have had the camera directly centered, but I couldn't quite fit myself in there any closer with the grip gear I had on hand.

I'm really happy with the way the CC turned out, I was going for a really dark, but blown out look with a grimy feel to it. Almost like a flashback. And I think i nailed that right on for a change.

These contests rock, I'm really enjoying working on one frame at a time and I can really appriciate it as good practice for moving video.

- Mikko

[Jeremy Ordan]

Congrats to everyone who participated. By far this week had the most interesting and unique submissions of any round we have seen yet. The difference between the top three finishers is .1 point, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2... amazing! Here are your top five pictures:
1. Let me axe you a question http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_DSC_1954bloodfly1.jpg by MattinSTL (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=2356)
2. First Change http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_Firstchange1.jpg by Matt Grunau (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=6995)
3. After the theatre closes http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_night_at_the_cineplex_final_for_web.jpg
4. Look out! http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_ThisCouldBeBad.jpg by Horse Films (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=232)
5. Guilty Hands http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_GuiltyHands.jpg by Mikko Wilson (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=5548)

[mikkowilson]

Sweet, placed 2 weeks in a row! :)

- Mikko

[MattinSTL]

I feel a little guilty... I would have put the other Matt on top.

Just so you guys know... my shot wasn't easy to get though. I took about 50 pictures in that setting. I had a bunch of gels with me for the shoot and I went through a few shades of red and orange, experimented with flash placement, and also aperature. Then once I was happy with the look of things it took another 10 or so snaps to get both Ari's and Sam's expressions to convey what I was going for with the shot.

I'll say one thing... cameras are freakin' great! Seems like an obvious statement right? Well what I mean is there have been many times where everybody was tired and totally zoned out and I started taking pictures of somebody... yelling at them and coaching positions and expressions... before you know it we're laughing and having the best time... then before you know it the entire cast and crew is in on it and everybody is laughing and having a good time. My Nikon has made me more popular then a bottle of Jack at summer camp.

For the record the only aspect of my shot that was comp is the blood... which is just water drops blasted in front of a blue screen... lit with the flash from the bottom... then in PS you magic wand the drops in one quick second with color select... chose the part of the drops where the light has them a different shade of blue then the BG... then adjust hue/saturation to take them from blue to red... then directional motion adjustment and make the angle of the blur coincide with the angle the drops would be flying... Did all that make sense?

Here's a fraction of all the shots that I took on or around that log... it was midnight. Pitch black except for flashlights... we had wrapped and all the lights were put up... this photo op was a last minute idea that was only supposed to involve me and Ari... but ended up including everybody.

http://gettreel.com/ariaxe.jpg

[MattinSTL]

Here's the other two I considered submitting:

http://gettreel.com/DSC_2081newsmall.jpg

http://gettreel.com/DSC_2082newsmall.jpg

[Brandon Rice]

Great job everyone.... I was snubbed again... The one question that will always remain... will Brice ever crack the top 5.... hopefully this next round, as I have something awesome planned!!!

[HorseFilms]

Matt, your shot was freaking cool! Thanks for posting how you did it.:thumbsup:

[Matt Grunau]

Hey cool. I came in second.

For the record, there was NO retouching in photoshop.


:beer: :beer:

[Blaine]

Well, here's mine. Yeah, I'm the one who didn't read the "Details". I saw the topic and went out to shoot it. When I saw what everyone else put up, I was confused, went back to the topic and OMG, I saw the details and that I had fucked up!

This was a nighttime shot on tripod without additional lighting. It was 1/2 second exposure. I actually forgot to bump up the ISO...

This is straight from the camera:
http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/528/Where_Is_Everyone_before.jpg

This is after a little correction in PS:
http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/528/Where_Is_Everyone_.jpg

And after reading Matt G's comment, I tried cropping...(something I don't normally think about...)
http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/528/Where_Is_Everyone_crop.jpg

Well, for the next challenge, I read the details, and who knows, I might even remember to do a little cropping...:)

[Brandon Rice]

Hey cool. I came in second.

For the record, there was NO retouching in photoshop.


:beer: :beer:

heehee... LOL!

[david jerome]

Congrats everyone. This one was mine.


http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/night_at_the_cineplex_final_for_web.jpg


I shot this at an old theatre in downtown Clearwater FL. One of the buildings in downtown not yet owned by the Scientologist. I took two separate shots. One with the girl in the skirt and one with the person sitting in the background. Put the shots together and B&W in photoshop. My sister and girlfiend were the models. I took about ten different poses for the girl and decided on the only one that didn't show her face. It seemed to fit the mood the best. I took the shot at night with street lights. I need alot more practice with shooting at night. It was rushed and a cop was scoping us out. Shot it in about 20 min. The story of the pic is a night at the theatre for the people that go there after it closes. The girl is a hooker that works that corner. The person in the background is homeless and sleeps there at night. They share the spot. Maybe there friends. Maybe the homeless guy or girl keeps an eye out for the hooker while she's working and she brings him(her) something to eat at night. I wanted to portray another side of life different from the ones that go to the theatre while it's open. A side that happens at the same place, but while the other side is sleeping. Am I sounding really cheesy here. Oh well, that was the motivation behind it, figured I share it.

[Steve_Arm]

Hey cool. I came in second.

For the record, there was NO retouching in photoshop.


:beer: :beer:

I think you will have to explain it then. Paint?

[mikkowilson]

I think you will have to explain it then. Paint?

I'd guess Gimp.

... though Notepad would be really hardcore. :eek:


- Mikko ... thinks pictures are for wussies, hardcode all the way.

[Matt Grunau]

I think you will have to explain it then. Paint?


That was a joke. That pic was photoshopped beyond all resonable measure.

:beer: :beer:

[Steve_Arm]

Dude! I fell for it!

[onyxmodels]

Congrats everyone. This one was mine.


http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/night_at_the_cineplex_final_for_web.jpg


I shot this at an old theatre in downtown Clearwater FL. One of the buildings in downtown not yet owned by the Scientologist. I took two separate shots. One with the girl in the skirt and one with the person sitting in the background. Put the shots together and B&W in photoshop. My sister and girlfiend were the models. I took about ten different poses for the girl and decided on the only one that didn't show her face. It seemed to fit the mood the best. I took the shot at night with street lights. I need alot more practice with shooting at night. It was rushed and a cop was scoping us out. Shot it in about 20 min. The story of the pic is a night at the theatre for the people that go there after it closes. The girl is a hooker that works that corner. The person in the background is homeless and sleeps there at night. They share the spot. Maybe there friends. Maybe the homeless guy or girl keeps an eye out for the hooker while she's working and she brings him(her) something to eat at night. I wanted to portray another side of life different from the ones that go to the theatre while it's open. A side that happens at the same place, but while the other side is sleeping. Am I sounding really cheesy here. Oh well, that was the motivation behind it, figured I share it.




Pretty kool shot...

[dougspice]

I hope your sister is the one you dressed up like a hooker... ;)