I've passed this Cozy Diner sign twice a day for about 2 years now. It seemed deserving of some kind of photo op. My wife's car, a red 2001 PT Cruiser, was used. Originally, I wanted to use the polished aluminum wheels for the reflection, but the contrast was too much (i.e. the wheels were so highly reflective that metering off the neon sign reflection lost all detail in the wheel).
Used a tripod for the slower shutter speed, which was required to keep the ISO at 200. I still got some nasty noise in the red paint. If only I could clone out that dust below the "I" in "Cruiser".
It's amazing how poor modern paint jobs are. I was surprised to see how much "orange peel" was present in the fender/door panel. Oh well, it created a nice effect in the reflection of the neon. I expect this to score about 5.93.
Statistics
Place: 34 out of 222 Avg (all users): 5.7393 Avg (commenters): 7.2857 Avg (participants): 5.7170 Avg (non-participants): 5.7529 Views since voting: 1131 Views during voting: 370 Votes: 280 Comments: 18 Favorites: 1 (view)
I'm just in shock that this did not do much better. I've looked over the top 10, and with no disrepect whatsoever to those photographers, I still believe this is THE image of this competition. It ain't a ribbon, but you've won my admiration and respect.
May be the only entry of this competition that I truly, deeply admire. A lot going on here creatively, for such a 'simple' shot. I love the interplay of colour & form.
Technical 3/3
Creative 3/3
Meets the challenge 3/3
Emotional 1/1 - evokes that 50's drive-in diner feeling - expecting a girl in bobby socks to rollerskate over and take my order any second
10 - well done, my only 10 of this challenge
interesting that the last shot I had to vote on turned out to be my favorite in the challenge. I love the exposure and the colors in this image. Having the classic PT cruiser be the canvas for the neon lights of a classic diner is a great choice. only thing keeping it from a 10 for me is the bright hot spot over the "PT" - I would have cloned that out, but I realize you can't in an open challenge. well done, and I hope you get the blue ribbon!
Very creative and well composed.
Shame this was an open challenge, as the white spots/lights
could stand to be cloned out to really make this shot pop.
Well Done ((7))
Love the reflection of the sign in the bodywork of the PT. I don't know if many other people will also see the connection of the '50s-era diner to the retro styling of the PT (assuming the diner is one of those '50s style ones).
Two nit-picky things that I can see:
1. The spots below the I and the S in CRUISER.
2. The badge is not completely in focus and I would have liked to see it all in focus.
One of the best in the challenge, IMO. High points for creativity and imagination. Great execution. I wonder what the people outside the restaurant thought of you kneeling there buffing your car?
I always enjoy reflections. It gives me a chance to imagine and create my own story behind the true subject before me. Of course the car brand is great but my attention is directed to the broken Y and the oval shapes being framed by the aggressive red and yellow lines above and bellow. I love a mystery and you've given me one that holds my interest Sherlock. Keeping the blue colours a mystery keeps me in love with the photo. Thanks for sharing.
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