Photographer’s Notes • Many years ago we hosted an exchange student from East Berlin. Upon arrival, he presented me with a gift, a World War II German Gas Mask. I have wanted to photograph it for some time and the current challenge motivated me to do so.
• I was unsure which challenge to submit to: Something Old (and play it straight); or Something New (since it looks new, has original packaging, and has never been used). I fear the former will get lost in hundreds and hundreds of entries. And I fear the latter will get hammered (dnmc.) I ended up going with Something Old and re-edited the photo about 6 times between shooting and submitting it.
• I consider this a risky photo in that it doesn't seem to me like what DPC voters tend to like and vote highly on. So I am prepared for it to bomb in the voting. Still, I think it's technically good. I think it has some emotional content which observers may react to. I think it well matches the challenge. I hope it is arresting enough to slow a voter down if they are in "speed voting" mode. And I hope it doesn't get lost in a croud of sepia-toned "junk." In any event, I hope you enjoy it.
Post Processing • Convert from Raw (Nikon Capture 4)
• Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
• Crop
• Color Correct (Curves)
• Remove Distractions (Clone Tool)
• Brighten (Levels)
• De-emphasize Lens Brightening (Levels Layer Mask)
• Crop Further
• Convert to B&W (Channel Mixer)
• Increase Contrast (Curves)
• Mask Blown Highlights (Curves Layer Mask)
• Convert to Sepia (Filter)
• Dodge & Burn
• Resize
• Sharpen (USM)
• De-emphasize Webbing (Gaussian Blur)
• Increase Contrast Slightly (Brightness/Contrast)
• Save for Web
Camera Data • Nikon D200
• 2006/04/15 12:52:04.3
• RAW (12-bit)
• Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
• Color
• Lens: 105mm F/2.8 D
• Focal Length: 105mm
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Metering Mode: Spot
• 3 sec - F/32
• Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
• Sensitivity: ISO 400
• Optimize Image: Vivid
• White Balance: Auto
• AF Mode: AF-S
• Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
• Color Mode: Mode III (Adobe RGB)
• Tone Comp.: Normal
• Hue Adjustment: 0°
• Saturation: Enhanced
• Sharpening: Medium high
• Image Comment:
• Long Exposure NR: Off
• High ISO NR: On (High)
Statistics
Place: 52 out of 402 Avg (all users): 5.8768 Avg (commenters): 7.4000 Avg (participants): 5.7723 Avg (non-participants): 5.9804 Views since voting: 974 Views during voting: 273 Votes: 203 Comments: 11 Favorites: 1 (view)
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