In the Shadows

[CLKunst]

Alrighty folks~

A few months back I won a point and shoot camera from Shutterfly in one of their on-line sweepstakes. It's a sturdy little unit, a Lumix DMC-LZ3 and it sat in the box it came in for 5 or 6 months because I like my big camera and the exercise it gives me from hauling it around. () But after my visit with Rufus I became convinced that's it's nice to have a little pocket camera around just for snaps and things. And if I make something I like perhaps I can get back to that spot with the big camera and do it over properly. Luckily I had it with me this weekend when I was invited by a friend to the Indonesian Embassy in D.C. What a beautiful place! It's an old house, done up in the Louis XIV style and stuffed with antiques but then there are all of these gorgeous Indonesian displays mixed in. I almost screamed when I first saw this guy peeking at me from out of the shadows. . .

Comments and critiques welcomed. Suggestions cheerfully explored, but leave the editing to me.

[Don Schaeffer]

Spoooooky...maybe a little too dark though.

[jspot1980]

I have to agree with the shot being a little too dark. I'd love to see more of the detail. I think it's also a bit washed out on the left. :shrugs: I do love the mystery and spookyness of the shot though
Jason

[CLKunst]

Thanks for your comments Don and Jspot,
Spook and mystery is what this picture is ALL about. With a little p/s like this I'm really not going to be able to control a given situation as much as with my dslr, so it all comes down to conveying the mood. Really, I'm just trying to shake off some of my professional bugaboos and have some fun with it. Yes there are some highlight and shadow issues, some which I intentionally played up, but this is the way I wanted to see it. For you documentarians out there here is a flashed version of the statue with all the precious details ~ but where's my wicked oni? For me, it just doesn't carry the same impact.

[GB1]

Yikes. Scary alright. Guess that was the intention. Belongs in a sword and sorcery movie.

I like the lit one a little better but the dark one also has its merits. If you could just lighten it up a little, that might work too.

The little pocket cameras have their purposes and are ideal sometimes - you can take them anywhere, average people (non-model types) feel more comfortable around them, etc. You can them download the pix and edit as needed.

GB

[livin4lax09]

I like it. the lighting is intriguing and mysterious. It makes the figure seem more realistic. while the flashed version shows that it is indeed just a sculpture, the first version makes it look like a dancer/real person.

[drg]

A little less blue perhaps? I like the transition from light to dark, it adds to impact. Just less blue maybe . . .

[CLKunst]

GB - Yes, I am enjoying a little low profile liberation. It's a lot of fun to be the zany woman behind the big camera most of the time but the little bot is a relief in a way as I don't have to sweat anything but composition. Maybe I'll look into the new digi-Leica hmm? I hear they have no viewfinder. It's all lens and LCD screen.

Brent - Thanks! I'm glad you see it as I do.

CD - For you. Less bleu. I had a custom white balance going for fluorescent lights and didn't readjust before shooting this. Since I've got a blue mat as a background working as my desktop it looked kind of nice . . . but I can see what you mean. I also adjusted the highlights and shadows a smidge.

[drg]

That is also quite an eery image!

I do like this with less color. For me, this way it is a more ominous photograph.

[Don Schaeffer]

Yikes! That bright one really startled me. It would be neat to see an animated gift that went quickly from one to the other.

[readingr]

Why did you keep it in the box so long.

I love that first shot - it makes it look like a dancer in a costume. Excellent colour.

I take it your now going to use it more.

Roger

[MarcusK]

Well it's been a while since i was here, but i must say... that first posted shot is my favorite!

I like the blue tone, and the darkness actually... it may not suit some, but i think it reflects best the original mood, and reaction it caused in you!

Oni indeed... I would stick to the first!

Nice shot!

[CLKunst]

CD - Thanks! I had a chance to re-visit the embassy this weekend with my big camera, I'm posting a similar picture but from a slightly different angle as comparison between my initial shot with the p/s camera versus my K10D. [No contest.]

Don - I think that would be cool, perhaps I'll figure out how to do that. Good suggestion.

Roger - I kept it in the box because of my first contact with digital compacts 5 years ago; but the little Cannon Powershot that came with Rufus convinced me to take another look to see if it was comparable. Honestly, I'm pleasantly surprised. Sure it has it's limitations but they've made great strides in picture quality and power efficiency. It fits in my purse and I can carry it anywhere, especially places my big camera can't go. Of course in the end I don't think it can hold a candle to my 10D (see below) but it's better than the herniated disc I'm creating by carrying my big pack around everywhere.

Marcus - Thanks! I appreciate the positive input. The statue is very engaging.

[julsoph]

I can see why you almost screamed...lol! I like the darker shots a lot...definitely the dark adds to the creepy mood. My fave is the last one you posted. I like that you can see the whole statue, and the light is great.

Emily

[MarcusK]

No contest indeed... that last post is wonderful! great job!

[CLKunst]

" I like that you can see the whole statue, and the light is great."

Emily~~~

I'm glad you see that too. The lighting situation is almost exactly the same time of day as before, I just had a camera which could handle the light more appropriately with me this time.

Marcus K.~~~

Thanks again!!!