Last month I ran across a contest that had to do with the BlackBerry Storm. Although it is not really a picture contest, I was able to find a photo in my Storm that I thought was rather unique. I used the unedited picture and posted it as part of my entry. The reaction has been very positive – now we have to see if it wins! (As of this post, I am in 3rd place)
The picture was taken through the windshield of my car as I was sitting in traffic trying to get somewhere. Before I get started, I do NOT condone the activity of texting while driving, taking pictures, posting to twitter, facebook, taking videos or otherwise. With that out of the way, as I was sitting there (not, to barely moving), I noticed a rare opportunity. I grabbed my BlackBerry Storm and held it in what I felt was an “artistic” angle and pressed the shutter release. It was a cool picture. But, what I noticed was a rich blue color in the picture that was not as rich in the sky. The storm clouds were darker, the road signage was slightly blurred… It was a great shot!
When I showed the picture (and my contest entry) to a friend of mine, he asked me what I used to alter the picture – “Was it PhotoShop? Was it LightRoom? What was it, there is no way that came out of your BlackBerry without doctoring it!” I grinned and asked him to think about it. After a few moments, he figured it out and called it a “camera filter of opportunity.” Wow, what a great assessment!
So, how was it done – simple. Some cars – not all – have some sort of sun-screening material on the top edge of the windshield. In this case, I was in my Acura TSX, which has one with a blue tint to it. By holding my camera phone at just the right height and in that “artistic” angle, I was able to produce the shot you see below.
If you think this is a great shot – which I hope you do – I ask you to vote on it. Then, share it with your friends via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LiveJournal, Xanga, or just share this blog posting with others via email. The only way I can stay in the top end of this contest is to not only get votes, but also get it on as many social networks, blogs, etc. So, if you are going to share it, do so from the links provided after you vote. Thanks in advance friends!
