Post Challenge: OMG! I can't believe I got a ribbon. I hate pictures of myself so it must have something to do with my thoughts about the image. Thanks for all the kind words and comments.
This is NOT a particularly great image, but I figure that since I dropped my Nikon D70 earlier this week, I am obligated to enter a crappy image in a current challange as penance for my sins. My silly little P&S cannot control exposure worth anything and the focus and details are really diminished under low light conditions.
I shot this in my basement and tried to make it look a bit like a subway platform or other urban area where street performers may be. I pulled out the same 'costume' I used for the 'A Cold, Lonely Goodbye' from earlier this year
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I set myself on the floor, grabbed my trumpet (the trombone really didn't seem like the right instrument for improv-ing on the street - how many trombone street musicians have you ever seen?). I shot from a tripod and had the camera on 10second delay.
Processing: Adjusted levels, desaturation using Hue/Sat, Noise Ninja for contrast/sharpness. Save for web. Noise ninja, USM. Adjust Bri/Contrast Save.
I really was limited by the quality of the original JPEG and tried to use as soft a hand as possible to not give this one too processed of a look - not sure it came off especially well. I just hope this can score better than a 5.5.
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 61 Avg (all users): 6.5990 Avg (commenters): 7.7500 Avg (participants): 6.4444 Avg (non-participants): 6.6062 Views since voting: 6067 Views during voting: 352 Votes: 202 Comments: 47 Favorites: 2 (view)
Excellent - who knew your basement was so - urban! Great job in setting it up and modeling. Self portraits are tough - really nice work. We like it here on the left coast!
Congratulations on your first blue! Awesome lighting and contrast in this photo. Funny how you thought it might score a 5.5... Works the other way around too, when you submit a photo you think will blow everyone away and you get a mediocre score.
Congratulations on your 1st-Blue, hope to meet you at the next GTG.
You grabbed the right instrument and had me convinced it was out in the streets.
My friends kept telling me for a long time after I upgraded to my D200, that I got my highest with my Sony-F707. IMHO, More proof, again, that it's more then just the equipment. I probably could've gotten my 1st=-Blue with a P&S, but I may not sell any 20" x 30" prints.
I'd have never known it was a basement - very convincing! I think the lighting played a big part in that - very much looks like a street light. Congrats on the blue!!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations on the BLUE Peter,,,Way to nail that first ribbon. Just want you to know that I am genuinely excited and thrilled for you. Could not have happened to a nicer person (and to think I knew you when you were 'just' pccrose.
Great shot wonderfully executed and pp'd (especially given the camera you were using). Have a celebratory drink courtesy of your English buddy
I just love the textures in this shot! The concept of street smarts in nice and clear, and you have a few dollars in his suit case. This is by far the best shot I've seen! Nice idea and the suttle contrast just blows me. This is good B&W work to. If this shot was in color... It just wouldn't click in my mind like this one does.
Pocket Change Improvisations 
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