Woohoo! I ribboned in my own challenge suggestion! Yes, that's a real, wild frog. My original idea was to make a unicorn out of a narwhal tusk, but it didn't work out, so this was plan B.
I went to Toys R Us and bought a nice Barbie doll for myself (ahem) to get the gold crown. Then I went across the street to a pond and tackled a bullfrog barehanded (I got lucky on the size). For that extra touch, I waded out knee-deep in muck (ewww) for some lily pads and water lilies. Now for the hard part... to corral the little rascal, I filled a large Rubbermaid tote half-full of water and put a black t-shirt in the bottom to simulate deep water. I placed the lily pads in the tote and, after much deliberation (hmm.. staples, hot glue?) tied on the crown with the wire stripped from a garbage bag "twist-tie." It turned out that whenever I had the crown strapped on, the frog froze completely (in utter embarrassment, I suppose). The shot was taken indoors by a large window, with sunlight filtering through a tree outside.
EDIT- Yes, the frog was released back into the pond unharmed (and still a frog).
I had two outtakes that I couldn't decide between, and ended up swapping the photos about 8 times in the last 15 minutes until the deadline cut me off. I've posted them in my portfolio if anyone cares to comment. Thanks for the votes and great comments everyone!
Statistics
Place: 3 out of 104 Avg (all users): 6.9952 Avg (commenters): 8.8889 Avg (participants): 6.9242 Avg (non-participants): 7.0280 Views since voting: 10992 Views during voting: 428 Votes: 209 Comments: 64 Favorites: 29 (view)
Normally I wouldn't look twice at this shot - but after reading through your description it ends up in my favourites. You are insane (I mean that in the complimentary sense... if that's possible :P).
Thanks for sharing the info on this shot. Great work and imagination. I took a look at your two outtakes and I still prefer the one you finally submitted. Keep it up dude.
I'm definetly putting you on my Favorite Photographers list. I'm seriously considering buying a print of "Drainpipe Creatures" if I could get a print. I'm very impressed with this Photograph. 10. Congratulations on your ribbon Shannon!
If I was a member you'd have gotten a 10 for all the trouble alone. Not too many this dedicated to the art. But the picture is also outstanding. Congratulations on your ribbon.
this is a great shot! Not to ake away anything from the 1st & 2nd place, but I certainly thought this should have beat out the other shots. Regardless, you continue to scoop up ribbons! Congrats on another great shot!
Shannon, you're one of the guys I watch closely because our site statistics are close, but man you've been on fire! Absolutely excellent job once again. Perhaps choosing you as my "arch enemy" wasn't a good idea ... I need someone with less talent :)
This is definetly too funny!Sounds like a lot of work,what a great effort!I`m glad no animal was harmed only possibly taught how to be a crossdresser! I won`t tell you what we used to do to bullfrogs when I was a kid but I am still ashamed of it!
I'm not a full member yet -- trying to get a few more open challenges under my belt before I do that, but if I had been able to vote this would have been my favorite one. And thanks for all the info about how you did the photo -- that helps those of us who are new to photography and also assures those of us who are animal-lovers!
Congrats on the ribbon. After reading your comments I definetly think you deserve one for the effort. You set the standards high for the rest of us by going the distance in your shots.
Scalvert, you are hot. Yes, I missed this image with another and so you remained at my placeholder of 5. I am sorry. But hey, these things do happen, I promise to be more careful. The important thing is that you scored yet another. This makes you a master+. Congratulations for this lovely and endearing image with such wide appeal.
Ok. I normally go, "What? Another FROG?" But, I had to laugh. What in the world was this frog thinking with that little crown balanced on its head? The focus, composition and coloring were all really great. Nice photo.
Perfect submission for this challenge!
Focal point falls right wher it should, and the dof on the flower ensures the viewer goes there. Very well done. ((9))
Hey, the best of all frog photos! :-) He has wonderful eyes and the crown fits him well. :-) The flower adds a nice element to your greens and has a beautiful shape, but I am not sure about the position. I can't explain why. Alltogether a great shot, and I love it. :-)
Wow, you managed to crown a frog???? Congrats! Also for the composition and photographic execution otherwise. GC (PS: you could put him out somewhere to a public garden pond and wait for a candid shot on somebody trying to give a kiss:)
If this crown wasn't illegally photoshopped in I believe you have a ribbon winning prince of a photograph in your hands here. I can't image how you possible got it to wear it!? :) 10
ONe of the best I've seen in any challenge ever. IF you don't get first place I'll be totally surprised. Amazing job. I love that it's original, fits the challenge, plus it's pitch perfect photography. Lighting, composition, everything is perfect.
Hoppily Ever After
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
