Challenge #213

[Grant]

John Earl has presented this Challenge with the tag line of "B&W Challenge?". The first part of the Challenges it to decide what it is all about . Once again have fun ...

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http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Challenges.html

Present and Past Challenges will remain Until tomorrow at 7:00 pm the then
the Present will be Past and new images will be posted as Present.

* Important notice to all the new people in this forum. This is not a
close shop you are all invited to submit an image. If you don't think you
are good enough this is your first mistake, I think most have found that
working on the Challenge has improved their personal level. So young and
old, hot shots and cool dudes now is you time to post.
--

[Grant]

The first images are now being posted and again they are all great.

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Present/index.html

Notes for viewing.

1). Clicking on the thumbnail will open a larger image.
2). Clicking on the larger image will advance you to the next larger image.
3). If you are using Internet Explorer F11 will toggle a full screen view

... gives the images a view they deserve.

--

[kimi_boo]

Nice Work Everyone!! I got stuck, but once I started playing it just kinda fell into something. :o

Bill, I am blown away by yours!! Looks like the original building.

Love the neon look of Hilma's.

Rita, how did you get your texture effect?

[Ritage]

Hi Kimi,

You're in luck, since I only did it this morning, I still remember - almost.

First I used the BUZZ Simplifier
then lightened with Levels
Paint Daubs Filter
Glowing Edges Filter on a duplicate layer, selected the edges and applied the selection only to the previous layer (deleted the glowing edges layer)
put the selection on its own layer and bevelled it
Then played around with Levels again.
Added a slightly darkened Platinum Gradient in Overlay Mode

Somewhere along the line the greenish tint appeared and was much enhanced by the Gradient.

I think that was it, or at least all I kept. Tried other steps in between which I discarded.

Rita

[billz]

Kimi - Thanks for the nice words. I like yours too ... a very mysterious quality!

There are really a lot of good early entries this week.

Bill

[kimi_boo]

Rita.. thanks for the info. I think I will find an image to try it on and see what I get. :o

Bill, Thanks for the nice words. :D

[Ward Grant]

Some great images so far.
While working on the challenge, I tried to make a realistic window without much success. I know I could place an object inside one of the window frames (let's say the large right window) to give the impression of stuff inside the store (much like Alex did in his Number 1). But how do you get a realistic glass effect on top of that?

As I type this, I realize there is glass filter (or effect) that I guess I should have tried. I looked on the web and saw tutorials on glass orbs, glass tubes, etc. but nothing on making a window.

[hudakore]

Nice Work Everyone!! I got stuck, but once I started playing it just kinda fell into something. :o

Bill, I am blown away by yours!! Looks like the original building.

Love the neon look of Hilma's.

Rita, how did you get your texture effect?
Whew! You have no idea what it took to find this forum (it was actually right in my face). Thank you for your kind comment on my neon signs in Challenge #213. I hope I'm on the right track now. :}

[Ward Grant]

Whew! You have no idea what it took to find this forum (it was actually right in my face). Thank you for your kind comment on my neon signs in Challenge #213. I hope I'm on the right track now. :}

Could I ask a follow up on the neon signs? Did you create those from scratch?
I, too, thought they made a very effective image.

[kimi_boo]

Ward, Nice Images! Can I ask what your store was?

[hudakore]

Could I ask a follow up on the neon signs? Did you create those from scratch?
I, too, thought they made a very effective image.
I have a habit of going out and taking photos of anything and everything I see. These go into my Photo Stock library in Documents. The neons happened to be from a store in my Detroit Doors and Stores series. Thanks for asking.

[Ward Grant]

Kimi
Remember Sam Drucker's store in "Green Acres"? Kind of a general catch-all store where everyone gathered to share stories and drink a cup of coffee. This is the kind of store I had in mind. I was going to fill it with aisles of goods, but I am not that talented.

[kimi_boo]

Now you did it Ward, can't stop thinking about... what was the pigs name? Was it Arnold? :p

[Red Sky]

Arnold Ziffle was the pig. He got the most fan mail than any other cast member, which I believed got Eva Gabor mad. Makes you wonder though, who would write a letter to a pig?

[kimi_boo]

Wonder how long it would have taken me to remember Ziffle.:eek:
Thanks Steven. :D

You haven't been around much. Every thing OK?

[chas3stix]

Arnold Ziffle got elected mayor if memory serves me right.....:D He was probably the smartest politician in town....:D:D
Chas

[kimi_boo]

Boy, are we showing our age. :o I always liked Mr. Hannie.

[chas3stix]

Was Green Acres a spinoff of Pettycoat Junction? Or was it the other way around?
Chas

[Ward Grant]

It seemed a lot of us went down Nostalgia Lane with John Earl's Black and White starter image. Let's see what is in store for us this week.

Alex-A nice, bright paint job in your #1 and I love the way you stocked the store. Nice wavy glass look in your #2.

Anne-I like the way you have turned the storefront in your #1, but your #2 has nice lights and shadows. I enjoyed your new overhead light above the door and the way you showed the lighting.

Barbara-Some dramatic waves and curves in your entires, plus I liked the way you presented everything in black and white. I think #3 is my favorite of the group.

Ben-Nice brickwork in your store. I like the way you accented the fair poster to add a splash of color to the image. Your #2 Coke sign is very authentic.

Bill-Very realistic brick and wood colors and nice details in your doors in #1. I see the Challenge Woody found a place to park in your #2.

Bob-I enjoyed your concentration on the old Coke bottles, especially the bottom view of #2. Very realistic with the raised letters.

Charles-I liked the way you left the building "as is" as far as brickwork and plaster. I think the blue gives a nice weathered look to the storefront.

Dave-Another "as is" presentation that is effective. Nice job of clearing the posters and stuff out of the windows.

Debra-I think the faded motorcycles is a great idea-really gives a sense of history. Love the little kid peeking out of the window. I think this is my favorite of the week.

Donald-A great restoration job in #1, even adding new junction boxes on the outside wiring and flourescent lights inside. Love the pipeline and BMX rider in your #3.

Ellen-What a great idea to turn the store into a tourist attraction. Neat way to blend the walls into the old stone works.

Hilma-Let's hope the new managers can make a go of the store. I loved the collection of neon signs in your #2.

Jack-I kept trying to push the doorbell, hoping it would launch some type of animation--perhaps you have spoiled us.

Jodi-Terrific background and electricity bolts with vivid colors.

John-A nice trio of very colorful entries. I think #2 is my favorite of the group with the old signs creating a nice focal point for the image.

Kimi-A dark and mysterious feel to your image. The tree in the front really adds to the effect. I like the way you worked your name into the old signs.

Malcolm-Your addition of people in front of the store really adds a nice old time feel to the image. I can visualize the proud store owner and his family having their picture taken in front of the store.

Marilyn-A nice way to frame the walking lady with the door and window frames. Great details and colors with the dress.

Pat-Looks like some of the original paint is fighting to the end to remain on the building. I think Father Time may be winning this battle.

Rita-Almost a tin type plate look to the image. I like the scratchy frame look and the softening of the window details. I believe there was a thread on this frame type on the PET forum.

Red Sky-Sorry your concert was cancelled, but a very dramatic presentation of Neil Young. Have to show my ignorance--is the April 1, 1972 a significant date?

Rusty-I'll have a slab of ribs, some potato salad and a big piece of pecan pie. I can smell those slow-cooked ribs three blocks away.

TAB-I like the way you added just a touch of color (or is that fungus) to the sign and top right windows. A neat use of spot coloring.

[kimi_boo]

Ward, you saw my name? :p ;) :D

[Rusty]

Ward,

John Earl is likely the only one to fully appreciate my image. Dreamland is a regionally famous BBQ joint in Tuscaloosa. I just had to do it when I saw where the original was taken :)

Rusty

[dsfisher421]

Ward,
Well, you made my day. Thank you.
The little boy is the only picture I have of my father as a boy. He's in the hospital getting a pacemaker inserted this morning after having a stroke or MS acerbation the end of last week. Doctors can't seem to agree. So he's in my mind a lot right now.
The man on the motorcycle in front is my husband from a "few" years ago.
Anyway thanks for taking the time to comment on all the entries.

[Red Sky]

Ward- Thanks for the comments to all. The challenge photo was such a great image it was almost a shame to do anything to it.
There was no significance to April 1 1972. I needed a date so I grabbed my anniversary (though mine was 1989 not 1972.) Harvest came out in Feb. 1972 and Neil was taking some backlash in the South for the song Alabama. The photo of him, which I'm sure you know came from After the Gold Rush and contained the song Southern Man, was used because I thought it was always interesting. I just thought the tour could have been cancelled due to the rednecks. That's the story.:rolleyes:

[chas3stix]

Ward,
Thanks for the kind words. Had a blast working on this photo.
Chas

[jstorck]

Ward,
Quote: Jack-I kept trying to push the doorbell, hoping it would launch some type of animation--perhaps you have spoiled us.

I did submit a flash presentation. The doors swung open to a lively colored club scene with a Coca Cola logo on the far wall. I believe Grant must have had a problem in posting. I notified Grant but did not hear anything. Flash is more difficult to post. You must insert the html file in the enlarged photo frame page link and insert the .swf file in the main web folder. 2 step process. Not quite like a standard photo.
Thanks for anticipating the animation. I'm sure I'll be back with another.
The flash animation allows you to accomplish alot more in a 100k file vs a .gif

[Ward Grant]

Debra, I'm sorry to hear about your father. I'm sure you know the people here will be keeping him in our thoughts.

Jack-Sounds like a neat image. I figured there had to be something besides the picture.

[Ellen]

Thanks Ward for the comments, I like the idea of Ned's but the new neighborhood looks a bit too tidy for me to shop there;)
As Steven said it was a great image to start with - I thought Billz's were swell, and I liked all the various restorations/deconstructions.

[Tom M]

Late entry.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bIFqiKU5X96QGTR2AAuWZrX7yYu6w_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bIFqiKU5X96QGTR2AAuWZrX7yYu6w)

[Ritage]

Ward,

Thanks for your comment.
I like your contributions to the Urban Renewal Project. All the other versions, too.
Rita

[Ritage]

Tom,

that's a wonderful glass ball.
I was experimenting with those a while ago, but never got anything really good. You're inspiring me to try again.

Like the background, too.

Rita

[billz]

Ward and Ellen - Thanks for the nice comments. The ruins with the tourists are wonderful, and I like the old-becomes-new effect of the old shop and the mega store. I think everyone had a lot of fun with this one.

Tom - That's a perfect illustration of the phrase better late than never! Terrific image!

Bill

[BobWarren]

Ward --
Thanks for your comments. I enjoyed your progressive paint and clean-up jobs.

Some other random favorites this week:

Barbara Wayne's tree-silhouette as clipping group
Ben Mill's brick wall Coke ad
Bill Z's restoration
Debra Fisher's ghostly MPs
Don McLean's digital calendar windows
Hilma Anderson's neon
Malcolm Denton's period people
Tom Murray's sphere

Bob Warren
http://www.rewarren.com/challenge/chl213.htm
RANDOM GALLERY:
http://www.rewarren.com/challenge/random.html