St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

From VOTING http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-214512-1.html

The winners of Forced Perspective with 64 entries and (439) votes are...

1st place = Paradox with 27.40 points and (62) votes (1st) date taken 2011:11:09
2nd place = wowbmw with 10.06 points and (23) votes (2nd) date taken Unknown
3rd place = Indy5 with 8.96 points and (26) votes (1st) date taken 2014-05-26
4th place = Zelle with 7.33 points and (19) votes (1st) date taken 2013:05:24

Congratulations everyone - especially those who added a little more by telling us about their photos!!!

> http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest.jsp?pcnum=119 <
- Click (ratings) to see all the entries at once

Running Totals - Underlined equals multiple time winners
1st = fad2000, u02bnpx, PW4GDF, edlcsre, mcdykes, lifenprism, zuke, Robeng, Shaughnessy, gwigley, Pixelpixie88, Shaughnessy, qhorse, louelke, melequus, ptipton, PhotosBySteve, gene McKinnon, aerials, Mr T, Paradox
2nd = Fuzzycoach, GreyGeek, abby, Beaubeau, KWKathy, howlynn, DavidT, PeterM, gpro111, DavidT, mcdykes, lensbaby007, phys406, dragonswing, JimGuy, Raz Theo, photojack, rps, cat2560, kirk s, wowbmw
3rd = mcdykes, Moonsey, Ken Mahar, roger2012, plessner, mopinia, Gary K, Shaughnessy, Nikonian72, PW4GDF, bob44044, Tony R, jimmya, abby, wowbmw, Zulu inc, Songalolo, Scoutman, Captain Tom, cifuent, Indy5
4th = tjoyce0528, pithydoug, catfish252, plessner, kirk s, xen, DrPhrogg, Captain Tom, cat2560, bhatch, plessner, KWKathy, JoeS, ColdSnap, Wild Life, bob44044, Fuzzycoach, ColdSnap, Hoops12751, susano, Zelle

Grandson throwing the Moon


Might be too big to swallow.


Dropping in for a sweet treat!


As the usual for 'forced perspective' is humor, I thought we would take a drive out toward Palm Springs to a hole in the wall community called Cabazon. There is a Dino Museum that has been there for over 30 years and I know it would be perfect for the setup. My better half and I worked on this one together, the picture we entered was the best. I got on my belly and had her extend out until she was even with 'REX', had her extend out her coke and straw to offer 'REX' a cool drink, I told her to freeze at just the right spot and then I gently moved the camera to the desired position. To focus I used the best DOF on the Sony RX10 which was a F16, I then focused manually about a 1/3 of the way between her and 'REX', this is what was taught in the suggested links, focus is pretty spot on! When we got home we noticed 'REX' was on one side of the fence and my better half was on the other, fortunately she was leaning way out so we eliminated her legs/feet so you wouldn't notice the difference. I think the final cropped photo meant the task perfectly. We had a great time doing the task, we learn so much and heck, we ate at Ruby's diner, a 50's sort of place, great burgers, so when your zipping though I-10 just west of Palm springs say hi to 'REX' ... As I wrote so much you might need to drag down the frame to see all of the picture, the cars give a reference to the size.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

To help this weeks WPC 1421 - Forced Perspective CRITIQUE volunteer please visit http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-215074-1.html

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

An interview with wowbmw,

I really don't have anything to add to the interview I did a couple of weeks ago except for #6 so I did fill in that section.

1) How long have you been into photography and what got you started?

2) Do you have any formal training and what kind of photography do you do most?

3) In your opinion, what makes a good picture stand out from the rest?

4) What equipment did you use and was there any special setup? Can you walk us through it?

5) Do you post process your final images, and if so can you describe your workflow?

6) Who or what has influenced your photography and what inspired you to take your winning shot?
I saw a shot that one of my photo buddies took that was based on perspective at a time when a group of us were practicing perspective. Ever since, I have been looking for a composition that was similar because it brought a smiles to our faces. This was oh so close but the truth is, hers was better.

7) Would you change anything if you could do it again, and if so what?

8) What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

9) What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?

10) If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?

11) What lighting equipment, if any, do you take on a shoot?

12) If you couldn't do photography what else would you do?

13) Do you have any funny or interesting stories about your experiences?

14) Is there somewhere we can see more of your work?

15) Do you have any advice for the rest of us?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

An interview with Paradox,

1) How long have you been into photography and what got you started?
When I retired in 2008, I gave myself a retirement present of a Canon 40D. Over the 6 years, I have added lenses and equipment as my interest and needs have grown. I needed to take photos of my real estate listings.

2) Do you have any formal training and what kind of photography do you do most?
I have taken a couple of courses at the local community college plus read books, attended presentations at computer and photo conferences, watched videos on line and read the excellent postings on UHH. I have been taking real estate photos for other agents for their listings. Personally, I enjoy macrophotography and nature subjects.

3) In your opinion, what makes a good picture stand out from the rest?
Identifiable subject or the reason it was taken. Adhering to the list of attributes accepted as making a good photo. ie: rule of 3rds, leading lines, focus or proper lack of it, NOT over processed or made to look too far beyond what my eyes would see.

4) What equipment did you use and was there any special setup? Can you walk us through it?
Camera on tripod. Full moon night. For my vision of the photo, I should have been there the night before so he would have been illuminated but we learn as we do. I backed off as far as I could to get the perspective, stood in a convenient drainage hole to get the angle, telephoto lens, not enough time to attached shutter release cable as the moon was quickly rising and would soon be too high thus some blurring of the photo as I had to press the shutter with my finger. (another lesson learned). Yelled instructions to Cohen how to move, position, etc and he did a good job. This was my first attempt at such a perspective photo and I feel fortunate to have achieved the result. I tried other poses but none had the good alignment that his hand had in this one.

5) Do you post process your final images, and if so can you describe your workflow?
I use Photoshop. This one had little done except for removing dust spots as the lens or sensor needing cleaned. (another lesson). I do shoot in RAW. On real estate photos, I use a lot of the sliders in bridge then dodge, burn, perspective crop and sharpen in Photoshop.

6) Who or what has influenced your photography and what inspired you to take your winning shot?
I have learned a lot from my teacher Tom Brossart (google him). My advice is if you take a course, when given an assignment, bust your butt to do the best complete job you can. You learn by doing. Winning shot inspiration? I had seen similar photos but it was a last minute inspiration to go that night.

7) Would you change anything if you could do it again, and if so what?
Plan ahead for special situations like the full moon timing. Using a shutter release.

8) What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?
How to hide the cost from my wife. Seriously, she is a good supporter and does appreciate the money I earn from the real estate photos to offset my hobby that has become an obsession.

9) What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?
Domke vest, tripod.

10) If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
Canon 24-105. Needed for family, vacation, general use.

11) What lighting equipment, if any, do you take on a shoot?
I rarely use flash but when necessary, I have two Canon Speedlite 580EXII with supports.

12) If you couldn't do photography what else would you do?
Funny question. It insinuates that there is nothing else. Before photography, I did competitive target archery for 22 years and it was all consuming beyond work. Now, I would hike, do genealogy, teach, play Senior softball. Too many interests.

13) Do you have any funny or interesting stories about your experiences?
Not from photography. Lots from 30 years as a dentist.

14) Is there somewhere we can see more of your work?
On Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48263483@N08/

15) Do you have any advice for the rest of us?
Read photo books, articles online, when given constructive criticism, accept it, learn from it and don't get defensive. Buy the best lens that you can afford. Learn about your equipment and post processing software. Share knowledge and experiences with other photographers in a friendly and congenial manner.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I really like the "Frappucchino" dunk one. I thnk it would be even funnier had the lid been removed and you had taken a second shot of the subject's feet and cloned the feet into the mouth of the bottle.

The photo gave me a smile. :)