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Alice, where did the rabbit go?
2nd PlaceAlice, where did the rabbit go?
CNovack


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Looking Up From Underneath (Standard Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Location: Outdoors under a makeshift set with sod on top
Date: Sep 16, 2018
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Emotive, Animals
Date Uploaded: Sep 16, 2018

 I've had this idea for a while and it was on my To Do List. I have been making Meme's with our family dog to send to my eldest daughter while she is away at collage. Sharing this one and if it makes ya smile - fantastic!

Behind the Scenes
This turned out to actually be a three person job. Curious? Here, let me set the stage.

Picture this: Two dining chairs dragged to the grassy backyard spaced four feet apart. The seat portions face out to give good space between. Next insert two, sturdy, long metal poles through the decorative spaces on the top portions of the chairs. Then, place a large plastic lid 30 X 24 on top of those metal poles. One now has a flat platform suspended on the poles 3 1/2 feet above the grass.

Why the large plastic lid from an under the bed storage container? Well, I didn't have a outdoor glass patio table. So I made do. Cut out a large hole in the center of the lid. Next is 1 yard of textured brown fabric placed on top of the lid lining the hole and then allow the excess to fall down into hole creating a 'circle'/curtain/tunnel to the bottom. To complete the rabbit hole set, I placed two strips of sod grass around the hole.

Now I scoot under the platform and lay in grass under the 'tube/curtain' of brown fabric looking up to the hole above. Yeah, it looks pretty good! The folds in the fabric take on the look of thick tree roots...it is like I am down a rabbit hole.

So a couple of challenges - the dirt from the sod would sometimes fall into the hole. So I had to keep the camera lens and body covered with a large sheet/napkin until ready to take a few shots. And learned the hard way to wear glasses to keep dirt from my eyes.

O.K. natural light from sun is getting lower in sky so it is now or not today. I have my husband pick up and hold our little dog on the platform because it is not wide enough and I don't want him falling off. Sirius is not interested in the chew bone and can't figure out where I am calling from to look down into the hole. He will sometimes take a quick glance but decides I can't possibly be down there and looks away.

So my youngest daughter now is called to help. She stands on other side of platform to give Pupper some dog treats. Happy that he is getting tasty treats, I now have my daughter toss a small piece of treat into the hole when I say I am ready. Sirius sees treats go into hole and looks down. After about 24 minutes of trying on and off, this was the best of all the photos.

I know it's not perfect with blown highlights and such, but really, I am happy with it, it makes me smile. And Sirius is happy too with all the tasty treats he got:-)
It is unlikely I will use this same set up again because of all the falling dirt. My camera did get some dirt on the polarizer lens which a blew off. I had to clean some dirt off the camera body. My face and neck was an absolute mess with dirt that had fallen down into the hole. My eyes are likely to tear for the next several hours to flush out all the specs of dirt.


[Sep. 25th, 2018 10:51:39 PM]

Been watching the score go up and down a bit and then up again on and off during the week - pleasantly surprised and happy to see that other's enjoyed the whimsical and cute vibe of Sirius's portrait. Thank you for all the votes and comments!

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 44
Avg (all users): 6.9800
Avg (commenters): 8.6667
Avg (participants): 6.3000
Avg (non-participants): 7.4333
Views since voting: 1784
Views during voting: 123
Votes: 50
Comments: 12
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-7D
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro for Canon
 10/02/2018 09:46:22 AM
Well done. Thank you for detailing the setup and execution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot A4000is
 09/26/2018 11:45:07 AM
Yes nice job I have another suggestion dig a whole put a mirror at the bottom and then snap from an inconspicuous spot next to the dog
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 09/26/2018 11:00:03 AM
Wow, you really put in a lot of effort on the setup for a virtual ribbon. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 09/26/2018 08:30:29 AM
Nailed it; love it! I am a sucker for doggie shots and I know first hand how difficult they can be, lol. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 09/26/2018 08:27:35 AM
Congratulations, Chrystyne. Very creative and entertaining; it certainly did make me smile!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 09/26/2018 04:29:17 AM
Wow the things you do! I have to say I've never done anything like this, a big congratulations on a marvellous image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 09/26/2018 12:47:32 AM
Go Sirius!!

Go Team Chrystyne!

I love this!

Thanks for the story.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 09/26/2018 12:30:35 AM
Chrystyne, you crack me up. What a great shot, and story to match.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 09/26/2018 12:07:12 AM
You win, Chrystyne. I was lying on my back, too, but no falling dirt in my face or camera :) Delightful shot and yay for Sirius! Congratulations to both of you as well as to everyone else involved. It takes a village :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-70D
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
 09/25/2018 04:07:28 PM
first of all...what a cutie pie! the photo captures the viewer with uncertainty, story and mystery. doesn't even need a title. the photo says it all. well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/25/2018 07:53:35 AM
Adorable. In my top 3.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 09/20/2018 04:50:52 AM
It's all in the tongue :P

Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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