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Iaido
Iaido
v5planet


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Zen Photography (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: off the side of the road, 1/2 mile from my house
Date: Jul 26, 2006
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/1250
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Jul 26, 2006

 Rather significant post processing on this one. Edited in RawShooter Elements (exposure compensation, temperature, shadow contrast and highlight contrast). Converted to tif and exported to photoshop; converted to B&W by Channel Mixer (which also made the sky solid white). Cloned out several telephone poles in the background. Cropped, resized, converted to grayscale. Slight burning of highlights to make the grass less distracting, then saved for web.

I feel like this is my best submission to date and I have fairly high hopes for it. For those who may not recognize the second level of significance in this photo besides the minimalism, Zen appealed to the samurai class of ancient Japan above all the other interpretations of Buddhism. Zen required rigorous mental discipline, and there was a certain tranquility to be found in the sword. I try to capture it here in this rendition of an iaido practice session near sunset. No, my form is not the best. :)

This is my first time shooting in raw and I now understand why people love it.

Also, as a side note, my neighbors all must think I'm insane now. I'm willing to bet there's something about seeing a kid running around a field off the side of the road with a wooden sword and gi that makes the average suburbia resident raise an eyebrow.

Statistics
Place: 110 out of 329
Avg (all users): 5.8205
Avg (commenters): 7.5714
Avg (participants): 5.8137
Avg (non-participants): 5.8280
Views since voting: 1678
Views during voting: 308
Votes: 195
Comments: 14
Favorites: 5 (view)

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AuthorThread
 02/13/2007 12:23:09 PM
I love the lighting, the composition, the subject, everything. Glorious shot. The way the light is sort of coming through his clothes adds a perfect touch - it's not a harsh shiloute.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm FinePix 2800Z
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D
 08/07/2006 07:22:14 AM
I gave this an 8. Liked the simplicity and composition. Toning works well. Partial silhouetting with some light filtering through also gave this a little extra in my opinion. Liked the title - looked it up and learned something new, so thank you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
 08/07/2006 02:32:04 AM
nice work, I like how the person is lighted from the back and the overall minimalism appearance to this photo. This is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 08/07/2006 01:51:46 AM
Very nice job. Congrats on your second highest score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
 08/03/2006 06:48:53 PM
I keep looking at this image and I can't work out whether I want less sky and more field or whether you have got it just right. Still haven't made my mind up I'm afraid. I do like the processing and 'pose' :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 08/02/2006 06:02:36 PM
Do you train Iaido? Looks like pretty untraditional attire and no saya. Also, what kind of sword is that, I don't see a tsuba. All in all a pretty nice photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 08/01/2006 11:15:42 PM
balance self with sky
but not too balanced. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D50
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G
 08/01/2006 08:11:03 PM
I'm a sucker fo silloetes and this is really great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D70
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
 08/01/2006 07:52:49 PM
i like the high contrast look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 08/01/2006 08:38:59 AM
I love the use of silhouette and negative space. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D50
Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon
 07/31/2006 12:29:04 PM
I love this! great use of negative space. the silhouette rocks! 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 07/31/2006 06:58:45 AM
it's quite blurry...I like the choice you made to go b and w...the composition is OK, but the cropped legs bother me a little
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
 07/31/2006 06:05:22 AM
9- very nice B/W
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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