October Photo Challenge

[Rigel]

October Photo Challenge

The winner of last month's contest was Meurig so he chose the next topic.

Topic For October

Noise


Rules as they exist thus far:

Submissions are open from October 1st to October 24th and are limited to 2 per person.
Sky's the limit for resolution (though it's understandable if people don't want to share highest res originals if they don't want to)
Probably good to keep file size under 2MB
Photo-manipulation is okay [retouching, red eye, color balance tweaks etc] (in this case a before and after would be required)
Obvious photo-shopping is discouraged [no adding stuff that isn't there at all, or using canned 'make pretty picture' presets]
Content-aware deletions/fill-ins are cheating...:p
There is a limit of two entries per person

*Post your final challenge entry in this thread along with a link to a thread in the Photo Corner containing your entry.. along with the original image should you utilize any post processing

[Rigel]

Entries for October 2010

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This is Hawkwind, do not panic by Starbase1

http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-12-887121_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-12-887121.jpg)

Signal to Noise by Starbase1

http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-19-496087_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-19-496087.jpg)

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MI-26 by Jeremiad

http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-21-682233_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-21-682233.jpg)

Jones Falls by Jeremiad

http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-20-582671_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-20-582671.jpg)

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Rosetattoo by aussie3d

http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-22-807181_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-22-807181.jpg)

No Xbox by aussie3d

http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-22-807193_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/34-22-807193.jpg)

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[Starbase1]

These are the first signs of sonic attack:
You will notice small objects - such as ornaments - oscillating
You will notice vibrations in your diaphragm
You will hear a distand hissing in your ears
You will feel the need to vomit
You will feel dizzy
You will have difficulty focussing
You will need to breathe more rapidly
There will be bleeding from orifices
There will be an ache in the pelvic region
You may be subject to fits of hysterical shouting or even laughter
These are all sign of imminent sonic destruction

A bit more processing than normal on this to make up for the low light. Some levels adjustment, and a little unsharp mask and noise reduction. It's still very much the same image though.

(My new strategy, win by being the only person who enters!)

[Rigel]

I'm working on an idea!

[Meurig]

Nice ;)

I didn't mean for the subject choice to only be literal, mind you. Visual noise applies too, or anything that word conjures in your head really, so theres no reason for others not to submit entries!

[Starbase1]

Nice ;)

I didn't mean for the subject choice to only be literal, mind you. Visual noise applies too, or anything that word conjures in your head really, so theres no reason for others not to submit entries!

Oh, I understood it that way - but once I thought of this image, it was irrestistable! (Though I'll admit I only just noticed that I did noise reduction on an image about noise...)

[BillS]

I'd love to get back into this but since about the only day I have off is Sunday... Its been hard to get out with the camera.

[Starbase1]

Signal to Noise

As the man who came up with the theme has said we can be a bit metaphorical, here's one I took in the summer, of the Lovell Radio Telescope at Jodrell Bank, which I am titling "Signal to Noise".

One of the big problems with radio astronomy, particularly on a crowded island like mine, is the sheer amount of interference from terrestrial sources. Some of the most important wavebands are supposedly kept clear, (such as the microwave wavelengths near the hydrogen line at 21 cm).

But although this prevents deliberate use, (and is one of the reasons that all sorts of electrical equipment is tested for radio emmisions), every radio telescope has problems from unintended transmissions, from everything from dodgy car ignitions to wobbly microwave ovens, miles away.

Remember that the signals the radio telescopes are trying to pick up are about a trillionth of a watt.

To put it another way, the signal from the two Voyager probes is considered relatively easy to pick up. The power to the transmitter is about 15 watts, probably less than the light bulb in your fridge, and is sending a staggering distance of 14 billion kilometres, so far that the signal takes 13 hours to reach earth, travelling at the speed of light.

So if you are feeling a bit frustrated, waiting for a super duper mobile phone to get clearance, remember that's how mighty machines, such as this, get to listen for the faint whispers left over from the creation of the universe, and the deaths of distant stars.

Nick

[Rigel]

Thanks for the entry Nick!

Now that I've gotten over being sick in bed, I can get this updated.

And maybe get started on making one of my own.

[Jeremiad]

Sorry Nick, but I just can't let you win by virtue of being the only entrant. :D

My two entries for noise are as follows:

The first picture is of an MI-26 helicopter used to transport an oil-drilling rig to a remote location in northern BC near the Northwest Territories border. The first couple of loads of the day were the most entertaining, as the downforce from the rotors kicked up so much snow that it was more intense than a blizzard. I was no more than 15 feet from my truck and couldn't even see it from all of the blowing snow! I was wearing wrap-around safety glasses and still had to shield my face! This picture was the fifth load (I think), of one of the pipe sheds, which is about 40 feet long and weighs about 20,000 lbs. The two gents you see below are wearing snowmobile suits under their coveralls to keep warm and full-face snowmobile helmets to protect them from blowing debris. The MI-26 is the largest and heaviest capacity helicopter in the world and you feel each stroke of the rotors from within your body to the outside of your bones! I compare it right up there with watching jet-cars racing down a quarter-mile strip, and the MI-26 was definitely more entertaining to see. I have several more pictures of this incredible machine including an inside tour which you can view at http://www.pohlcats.net/albums/Rig99-heli/

The second picture is of Jones Falls at Owen Sound, Ontario. Sorry, it's hard to follow up such a visceral experience as the MI-26, but this is a beautiful picture. lol.

[Rigel]

Thanks for the entries Jeremiad.

Your description of the Mi-26 certainly fits with the Noise theme! The waterfalls are lovely and I can almost hear the water cascading over the rocks.

[Starbase1]

Sorry Nick, but I just can't let you win by virtue of being the only entrant. :D .

Rotten swine!
:p

Nice pictures, but I think the chopper might benefit from a bit of a contrast boost?

[Jeremiad]

I suppose for the purposes of making the picture look better for the competition I could do some tweaking to it. The photo just reminds me of how dark it is up north during the winter months, and how short the daylight time is.

So, if the moderators will allow, please consider this tweaked version as a replacement to the original submission.

Thanks guys!

[JVogel]

Took this pano in Big Bend, Texas. The end of the "Lost Mine" trail.
enjoy!:)
I did use photoshop to make pretties... sorry for breaking the rules.
The "After"
http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/-21-694912_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/-21-694912.jpg)

The semi "Before"
http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/-21-695185_tn.jpg (http://www.foundation3d.com/uploads/general/2010/10/-21-695185.jpg)

[Starbase1]

I don't see the connection with the theme?

[aussie3d]

Noise eh!!,.. hopefully this fits.. Image 1, front stage of aussie heavy rockers Rosetattoo, with little 5 foot, 1.5mt, tall Angry Anderson, belting out some LOUD aussie numbers (www.rosetattoo.com.au (http://www.rosetattoo.com.au) if interested).
Second is my two boys tonight in the back yard, after I told 'em, no Xbox for the weekend, were they pi----d or what.
Anyway hope they count..
Gary..

[Rigel]

Took this pano in Big Bend, Texas. The end of the "Lost Mine" trail.
enjoy!:)
I did use photoshop to make pretties... sorry for breaking the rules.
The "After"


Sorry, I'm going to disallow this entry as it has undergone too much post processing to comply with the rules.

However, it is a pretty picture.

:)

[Rigel]

Noise eh!!,.. hopefully this fits.. Image 1, front stage of aussie heavy rockers Rosetattoo, with little 5 foot, 1.5mt, tall Angry Anderson, belting out some LOUD aussie numbers (www.rosetattoo.com.au (http://www.rosetattoo.com.au) if interested).
Second is my two boys tonight in the back yard, after I told 'em, no Xbox for the weekend, were they pi----d or what.
Anyway hope they count..
Gary..

I'm not sure who looks like they're yelling the loudest, heh heh.

[Starbase1]

Shouild we be voting yet?

[Rigel]

Ah yes, you are right Nick. Thanks.

Been beat down by a virus and things being psycho at work so haven't had much free time lately (spending it in bed).

I'll get that set up.

[Starbase1]

Sorry, I did not mean to nag!
I asked because I missed a vote one time...

[Rigel]

Sorry, I did not mean to nag!
I asked because I missed a vote one time...

Wasn't nagging; it was a necessary and appreciated reminder.

:)