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Neil Shapiro
{K:2032} 9/22/2003
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Superb image. I did think it was real until I read your description. Incredible real or not!
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Carlos Brando
{K:4637} 8/21/2003
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excelente, simplesmente excelente
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Kristina Kohut
{K:49990} 8/15/2003
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Fantastic capture! Very professional, superb quality and so beautiful!
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Jim McNitt
{K:11246} 8/13/2003
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My deep thanks to everyone for the comments on this image. Elizabeth asked how long it's taken. Writing my response probably took longer than the original photography. Here it is:
"Whales," went very quickly, in part, because from the instant I saw the sculpture I knew exactly what I wanted to do -- although I'm still figuring out HOW to do it.
The photography was about an hour. Half an hour for studies of the whales from different angles. Because of power lines and background clutter, the best shots happened to be from in the middle of an eight-lane highway -- which required dodging maniac Mexican bus drivers. Spent another half hour or so with the underwater camera rig. (Following Bob's comments, I also went back underwater and tried various methods for creating bubble streams -- although I think in the end, I may have to settle for digital technique to keep them in scale.)
The PS work took about three hours-- although my wife may say it was considerably than that. Selections are often the most time consuming part of a PS project. So I usually start with very rough selections, saving the precise selection work until I'm sure the image will work.
If I get stuck, I sometimes leave a project alone for a couple of weeks, couple of months -- and even years. Often, when I revisit later, I've picked up new skills that will quickly overcome what once seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.
In the case of the whales, I knew there was work which I couldn't finish in Mexico because I had neither the time nor the proper filters. Still, I decided "Whales" was far enough along to post for some opinions -- which is what happened. I never would have know about humpbacks streaming bubbles, for instance.
For the past week, I've been working on several related projects aimed at developing the tools I need to finish the "Whales." The light rays in "Drifting" and the motled gradient background (only a bit of which is actually visible) in "As Time Goes By" involve new filters and techniques which I'm studying specifically in order to apply to "Whales."
When I actually sit down to do the work, it shouldn't take more than a couple of more hours -- although there's been a fair amount of time spent researching and experimenting with new techniques and filters.
Again, thanks guys for the encouraging and helpful comments.
Best, -Jim
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Elizabeth Miller
{K:2766} 8/12/2003
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Jim, your work is amazing!! I've been staring at this for a long time. I don't know whether I'm drawn to blue, or trying to figure out how you do this. It's, I feel, flawless. I'm adding it to my favorites. Thanks for comments on my trumpet flowers. Let me ask, does it take you hours to do this, or am I just slow! lol
Elizabeth
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Gerhard BuschEFIAP/AFIAP
{K:18382} 8/11/2003
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Ich habe sie vor Hawaii beim Waalwatching singen gehoert.
Grandios!!!
Gruss Gerhard
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Bob Whorton
{K:2740} 8/10/2003
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Hi Jim,
Further to that - try to graduate the blueness so it resembles the loss of light at depth. Good luck with the bubble blowing!!!
Thanks for your comments too  )
Cheers, Bob
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Gregory Fiedler
{K:15439} 8/10/2003
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Jim, This is incredable! All of the work you speak of is really great, the water is superb! Congrats on a job very, very well done.
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Daniela Caneschi
{K:906} 8/10/2003
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Good work Jim! A fantastic blue...
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Fatma B.
{K:1864} 8/10/2003
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excellent work Jim.
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evreniz e.
{K:5484} 8/9/2003
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Super nice work :) Great..
Regards, Murat
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^j^ .
{K:8554} 8/8/2003
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I hope you don't mind me doing this Jim... I just felt like it !
> defocused
> added some reflections
> darkened the supposed to be deeper part of the sea
> added vigneting
Just my interpretation though !!!
???
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Dave M
{K:9043} 8/8/2003
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Simply and utterly outstanding.
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Lou Verruto
{K:1375} 8/8/2003
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:) This is really exceptional Jim. Love the deep color and the composition is spectacular. The PS is flawless.
Best,
Lou
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Mari Mar
{K:11469} 8/5/2003
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Well done, Jim! it looks very real. Bravo!
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Anna
{K:2994} 8/5/2003
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Very realistic and such a good PS work...
But I also think that BW is right about the bubbles. So... why not taking a self pic of Jim under water, making some bubbles to improve this picture? ;-))
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peta jones
{K:12615} 8/5/2003
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So realistic Jim. Amazingly well done.
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Richard Blount
{K:8015} 8/5/2003
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Before I read about these whales Jim, I added them to my favourites, I think you have done a remakable job on creating the undersea environment for them, they look almost real, it is one of the best composite images I have ever seen, I love it - Richard.
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Geza Farkas
{K:12412} 8/5/2003
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It is excellent work with lot of effort. That is wonderful experience of realization the picture in your head. Congratulation.
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Igor L.
{K:7432} 8/4/2003
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Nice capture, great lighting and nice composition.
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Carol Watson
{K:5185} 8/4/2003
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Awesome Jim! Very realistic!! Coulda fooled me!!
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Karen Siebert
{K:12076} 8/4/2003
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You have outdone yourself Jim. Absolutely wonderful. I am sure I will see many new creations from you as your creative juices continue to flow. Your ability to take photos and blend them together is just phenominal. Great job, perfect scores here.
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Bob Whorton
{K:2740} 8/4/2003
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Only thing that looses this otherwise outstanding composition down Jim, is the lack of bubbles coming from either mother or infant. Humpbacks are in constant communication with their offspring which causes them to exhale fine streams of bubbles.
Great job!
Cheers, Bob
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Craig Garland
{K:27077} 8/4/2003
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This is excellent Jim-- and I do think it really looks quite natural-- although I've had no experience shooting whales underwater;>). How many have? Composition and colors are excellent, and the shadow detail of the whales blends very nicely. I think the only thing that tipped me that this wasn't a single photo is its sheer perfection;>) Nice work!
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Mário Sousa
{K:16985} 8/4/2003
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beautiful photo
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Chris Spracklen
{K:32552} 8/4/2003
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Very beautiful, Jim. Deserving of far more attention!! Crystal clear, with strong vibrant colour. Excellent work. My first 7/7 of the evening!! Regards, Chris.
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Ronny Van Eeckhoutte
{K:12734} 8/4/2003
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Very cool!!!!!!!!!! Excellent lighting, composition and color
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Kaja Lund
{K:207} 8/4/2003
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Hi Jim, your whales are just perfect! Everything about this picture appeals to me, the light, the composition, the colors and especially the reflections on the whales are fantastic. Congratulations on a perfect photo!
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