I stated in a forum thread that it would be possible to make something big appear miniature without using perspective trickery. This is where I stand by that assertion. I had a tiny elephant figurine that would have been all-too-easy to prop up on a peanut, so this one is just for fun.
The "mouse hole" is a 4x6 foot sheet of cardboard with a plotter print glued to it to simulate wallpaper. I taped a strip of paper to the edge to give the cardboard some depth. The crayon is a 4 foot plastic piggybank, and the furniture is kid-sized. The mouse ears are construction paper and bobby pins. The setup work was enor-mouse.
Nothing fancy about the processing- crop, USM, levels, a little shadow/highlight filter, a saturation boost, and desaturated the yellow channel slightly.
I haven't a clue how this will be judged, but it should be original at least, and I expect some interesting comments. ;-)
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Place: 4 out of 240 Avg (all users): 6.8612 Avg (commenters): 8.4324 Avg (participants): 6.5253 Avg (non-participants): 7.0440 Views since voting: 6750 Views during voting: 438 Votes: 281 Comments: 55 Favorites: 27 (view)
what an innovative piece of work. i admire the time and thought you put into it, showing the depth there can be to photography - the actual 'photography' element here is secondary. your imagination made the shot.
I like this one very much but the first thing that came to my mind was this being a view from WITHIN the mousehole, not viewing INTO it.. must be the lighting and the wallpaper? (you do need the lighting to be darker on "this side" for the picture to be convincing)
Since photography is mainly a realm of light and shadow I am fascinated with images. Where others look at an image to digest subject matter and topic...I approach images in a different manner. I look first and foremost at the light-shadow relationship, or the visual impact or visual content of these qualities and then I study the subject. Most efforts fail because there is an over preoccupation with subject matter. No, I am not one that exclaims this picture subject matter stinks or is good. First I look at the light-shadow relationship. This is by far one of the main traits of a wonderful picture. It is with light and shadow that the photographer speaks. To prove it, consider those simple images in black and white that win you over immediately. They have magic and stated in very simple terms. Why the strong impact? Because you are observing the lowest denominator in all its glory. Everything is simplified. Reminds me of the computer industry that is based on the simple principle of off and on or one and two. From such simplicty we see a miracle end result.
Now look at Scalvert's image. Notice how the light draws you at a rapid speed to the subject. Look at the thumbnail. Very impressive. Blow it up and you are invited into a wonderland. This is a unique and inventive procedure to fool the eyes of the viewer. I looked at this picture and it took me 24 hours to figure how it was done. It is brilliant not only on account of its cleverness, but the dramatic lighting with the placing of the crayon at its very first footstep.
Some of you may say, yeah, it is nice, but it is so contrived. Look again, it is contrived. It is a mind teaser, but then on sheer photographic strenght is well above average. The lighting is simply superb and it shows someone who is interested in creating an illusion but has not lost the primary object of using light and shadow. if you want to improve on your craft, forget the novelty aspect of the photo and study the lighting.
Study the composition and tell me you can not benefit by learning from it. Why the angle of the crayon and the low angle if the camera view.
You are looking at the end result of a very creative genius. Someone that takes the time required to make the illusion complete, but also one that understands the principles of good photography. I am proud to have the pleasure of commenting out of the blue on this image. It is by far the most attractive in the miniture challenge. dan
I really loved this one, it creates an interesting illusion. The lighting is lovely and the framing of the subject with the mousehole is perfect.
I might've tried shooting lower on the floor myself, but then I wouldn't have enough imagination to think of something as original as this in the first place!
I gave it an 8, but in retrospect it deserved a 10. I never had enough time to go back and change it. :(
Hi Shannon,
As I stated during the challenge:
Your submission has a few "twists" to the illusion, and had to spend a little time studying it.
I did figure it out, and applaud you for the task and completion.
Doh! Missed by .008. The funny thing is, I've been thinking all week that this would probably place fourth. Oh well, at least it shows that voters aren't as narrow-minded as some have suggested when it comes to challenge interpretations. ;-)
Nice composition & lighting.
Your submission has a few "twists" to the illusion, and had to spend a little time studying it.
Well Done & a well-deserved ((7))
LOL, very cute shot!! The perspective here is brilliant, great lighting to focus my attention on the little girl (sorry, meant mouse) Well done!! Full marks!
It's a fantastic optical illusion. I would guess the crayon is way OVERSIZED rather than miniature, due to its relationship with the wood. But I still like the image a lot - one of the most creative in the challenge.
fantastic. Definitely met the challenge with this one and well composed. Wish I was as good as this. Has met the wow factor in my opinion as well. I gave this a 10.
I think this might be the inverse of the challenge, but, it is an interesting shot. So, giving the benefit of the doubt on the challenge, I do think you needed more light on the crayon, because that, in conjunction with the mousehole (errr, door?) are what provide the mindbending scale. Mouse ears on the model are a nice touch.
This is the best of all the prospective shots, indeed the best shot of the whole challenge, IMHO. Love the attention to detail, that the child is holding a stuffed mouse and the mouse painting, as well as the crayon for size. I will love to hear how this was done.
You've got my miniature vote. Great special effect. I loved the reflection of the portrait on the wood floors. My attention was initially on the light and shadow mouse hole shape. I hated the flower wallpaper.
Very nice, great lighting, good composition, the title is superb. Very good DOF. Clever to use a oversized thing as the crayon to make everything else look small. This one is so packed with good ideas that it deserves a 11. Congrats.
I can't quite figure out how this was done. I'm sure we'll all want a full explanation after votiing. Nice shot. I'm thinking it looks like a fake wall was constructed of foam or something and a giant plastic crayon is used.
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