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Personal Failure
2nd PlacePersonal Failure
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: How to Change a Light Bulb (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
Date: Feb 24, 2015
Date Uploaded: Feb 24, 2015

[Mar. 3rd, 2015 10:57:21 AM]

What a frustrating challenge! My time was quite limited for this one: 3 available evenings, much less than what I usually spend on an entry. Nonetheless, I decided to give it a try, but the project was probably too ambitious, and the result is not as polished as I would have wanted to. Most of the time, when I am not totally happy with a result, I simply skip the challenge despite the work that went into it, and keep the concept for another time (too bad there is no such thing as a monthly 'Free Study' in expert editing!), but for some reason I decided to enter it anyway.

That being said, I believe the concept is not totally pointless: I suppose everyone experiences various feelings of failure in life. Sometimes, you really want to understand something, you really do, you work hard for it, but it simply is too much, too difficult for your brain to grasp, and you fail. From there, one can either stop, give up and try something else, or try over and over again, until some progress is noticed, and ultimately success is reached.

Choosing between those two types of behaviors is not that simple. If you keep striving, but still can't get where you wanted even after years of tries, you may regret all the time that went into it, that could have been spent on something more successful. Similarly, if you give up too quickly, you may regret it later. It obviously is a personal decision, even if the environment often guides you into one of the paths.

In my image, I wanted to symbolize that man, definitely trying to solve some problem (hence all the little characters, searching for answers), whose mind just failed. Here, he's starting to unscrew the bulb, but does he have any spare? Is he going to leave it, or not? You decide!

Thanks for watching, I am glad some liked it despite the "not-totally-finished" look it may have.

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 30
Avg (all users): 7.3659
Avg (commenters): 8.2353
Avg (participants): 7.1429
Avg (non-participants): 7.4118
Views since voting: 2533
Views during voting: 358
Votes: 123
Comments: 25
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
 03/12/2015 09:37:07 AM
Such a fun image! Congratulations on your red ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 03/08/2015 02:36:58 PM
You are simply brilliant!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Leica SL
Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black
 03/05/2015 02:23:50 AM
The brow furrow/thread is pure genius. The pov/perspective on you is unusual and highly effective.

Great concept and much better executed than you would have us believe!

I never tire of seeing inside your head and this time we are able to do that quite literally!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D5000
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
03/04/2015 07:35:33 AM
Another outstanding image, congrats on the red.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 IV
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 03/04/2015 04:28:20 AM
I believe you if you say this was not finished but still is a superb creation. I cannot believe this one didn't win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R6
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 03/04/2015 01:56:22 AM
Congrats on a great finish for a superb entry. Ah yes I know that concept all too well - have spent many hours trying to master various musical instruments with no success. Time wasted or not?! Anyway sorry to hear about your frustration with this one. Your creations are very time consuming and I am always amazed how you can turn these around within 7 days especially with a young child and a job too. Thanks as always for the background info.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM II
 03/04/2015 01:42:17 AM
Congrats once again :) Your creativity is mind blowing and then you got mad skills to follow them trough.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D
 03/03/2015 10:48:24 PM
Fabulous light bulb.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Pentax K50
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF
 03/03/2015 10:25:25 PM
Nice editing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 03/03/2015 08:22:05 PM
Clever, as always. One of my ribbon choices.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-Pro2
Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS
 03/03/2015 04:54:35 PM
Once again, putting my creativity and Expert Editing skills in the proper perspective. I am operating somewhere at the elementary school level and you have mastered the graduate school level. Thanks for illustrating what's possible. Masterfully done down to the smallest detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 03/03/2015 06:27:37 AM
a unique take on the classic "I have an idea" theme:
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 03/01/2015 11:52:00 PM
I like the one crawling out of your skull :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 03/01/2015 03:51:38 PM
You sure have a lot of light bulb moments!! Fabulous as always!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
 03/01/2015 12:29:12 PM
Amazing and very creative.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/28/2015 08:13:55 PM
Your mind scares me sometimes Gyaban LOL! If this is who it is again awesome as always you have this mastered.. I hope to be your competition soon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 02/27/2015 09:30:37 PM
Very fun! LOVE the top of the head being the base. And the expression and the hands on his "head". The characters... well... something's not right....

I think it's the one with his head in the upper right corner... stepping off into nothing instead of "fighting the edges" as the others are doing (except for the one who is falling and can't fight the edges). The others all look like gravity is working against them (as it naturally does), but with him... it doesn't seem to work.

When I hold my hand over that guy, I give this a 10. When I take my hand away, I give this a 9.

I have to take my hand away to vote... so... 9 it is.

Well done. The colors are so wonderful, too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM
 02/27/2015 05:59:46 PM
So brilliantly creative! Love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7R III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 02/26/2015 10:42:24 PM
Very nice 8 for me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 02/26/2015 02:45:26 PM
Wow...the treads blow me away...amazing picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D Mark II
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
02/26/2015 12:38:05 AM
Eeeuw.. Good one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 02/25/2015 04:55:37 PM
And it's another autoblue for Christophe! I don't know which I envy more...your creative ideas which you bring to life, or the technical skillz. Or all of the above!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 02/25/2015 11:07:29 AM
Top 2, I think the 2 girls changing edged you out for the blue, but I expect your score will be high as well. Great concept as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
 02/25/2015 08:16:34 AM
I love how the wrinkles in the head align with the threads of the bulb. A brilliant touch. As always, the thoughtful metaphors create an image capable of doing what art should do: challenge the mind.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 02/25/2015 02:27:14 AM
cool idea I like it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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