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Somebody's Shangri-la
Somebody's Shangri-la
RKT


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2007-09 (Advanced Editing V)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon
Date: Sep 26, 2007
Aperture: F9
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Architecture, Persuasive
Date Uploaded: Sep 30, 2007

 ...bleh...you're as fussy bunch aren't you...

First let me thank everyone for taking the time to comment.

For those who were disappointed by the car, my aim was not to replicate the past at all.

This scene was all happen chance, a drive by if you will...saw it, pulled over, got out and snapped a few...carried on. I've always loved this sign, it's so anti plastic. I didn't want to stick around too long because I was making the residents nervous with my camera. The motel is almost strictly populated by immigrant workers. I didn't dare turn my camera their way, not because I was afraid of them, but I didn't want to exploit them, my presence was discomfort enough. I loved how they were drying their laundry on the handrails, how many were sitting outside in the walkways trying to escape the heat inside, enjoying a leisurely day off.

I suppose at this small size some detail, like the flat tire on the offending car was not noticed. I was not trying to invoke the mid century at all, I was not trying to replicate a postcard. My purpose with this processing, a rather simple "curves" adjustment, was to add a harshness, a garishness to the entire situation. People live here, and the hard truth is, most likely, it's a better place than where they moved from. This place is quite possibly somebody's shangri-la.

Statistics
Place: 452 out of 503
Avg (all users): 5.0250
Avg (commenters): 6.0000
Avg (participants): 5.1429
Avg (non-participants): 4.6552
Views since voting: 905
Views during voting: 174
Votes: 120
Comments: 15
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
Fujifilm X30
Custom Made Pinhole
 10/10/2007 06:45:22 PM
And who says titles count for little, love this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon
 10/09/2007 10:02:50 PM
Oops, forgot to fave the absolute best entry of the challenge!

Oops, forgot to fave the absolute best damn entry of the challenge!

Message edited by author 2007-10-09 22:11:38.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 10/07/2007 06:36:13 PM
That single car in the foreground really tells a story. Love your title, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D80
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX
 10/05/2007 12:34:50 PM
Reminds me of where we used to vacation when I was a kid =) I don't care for the photo so much, but because it brought back some good memories, I will give it a 6.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Canon EF 22-55mm f/4.0-5.6 USM
 10/04/2007 10:24:20 PM
Your image brought back old family vacation memories. Perhaps if taken from a different angle - higher or from the ground up, it would be more interesting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
 10/04/2007 05:58:17 PM
The processing for this treatment is spot on. I just LOVE the yellow hydrant in the front. My only beef and you probably couldn't control it, is the two cares, without them it would have been a bit more 'retro' in feel, the cars are just a bit too 'modern' for me. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 10/04/2007 03:59:26 AM
Call me weird, but I kinda like this. It has a sleazy, lonely, Americana kinda feel to it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
 10/03/2007 06:12:38 PM
Interesting picture with a great title. I really like the processing on this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 10/02/2007 07:19:29 PM
Love everything about it except the car. It looks too mundane for such an interesting sign and angle. Still, very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
 10/02/2007 12:40:00 PM
LOVE the processing here. It works so well with the scene... an older motel...makes me wonder where it is. This is lovely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
 10/01/2007 11:56:25 PM
Low vote, lighting could improve this photo, a better defined subject as well (guessing its hotel sign). The car is distracting and doesn't fit the timeline sense of the picture ( the sign and feel is saying 60s/70s), 80s car in 90's era... if that makes sense
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 10/01/2007 02:27:18 PM
Love the high contrast.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D5100
Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon
 10/01/2007 08:25:14 AM
whites are to yellowish to me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon
 10/01/2007 07:48:31 AM
the coloring on this is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 10/01/2007 02:42:49 AM
Love the 60's post-processing. Too bad the car is circa '87. ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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