PCT: Out Of The Box (January 2011)

[PB PM]

I've been thinking that we need to do something a little different, to perhaps encourage more interest in the challenges, so I'm going to open this topic up. Out of the box is the theme, and one that I think everyone can take part in, from the person with a iPhone camera to someone with high end camera gear. The photo should literally be something that is being taken and/or coming out of a box, such as a new gadget, a pet, whatever.

The rules are simple, no heavy duty editing, such as HDR. The photo must be taken by you, during the period in which the challenge is running. Entries will be accepted from today until the 4th of February at 12:00AM PST. BTW, your photo wont be judged based on what comes out of the box, but rather on creativity. The samples aren't the best example, but that do give you an idea of what I'm looking for.

Sample photos:
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/Photography/Nikon-P7000/RD18661/1027670103_twG2B-L.jpg

http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/photos/835943248_QV4VH-L.jpg

Previous Challenge
Dec 2010 - Motion (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=35365)
Winner:PB PM
Runner up: GSpotter / Chinney
Creator: evan

Older Challenges
Oct 2010 - Outside the Frame (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=35197)
Winner:evan
Runner up: PB PM / GSpotter / Turtle / exkcdude
Creator: BuonRotto
Sept 2010 - Leading Lines (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=35076)
Winner: BuonRotto
Runner up: GSpotter, evan
Creator: PB PM
August 2010 - Refractions & Reflections
Winner: julesstoop
Runner up:PB PM
Creator: Gargoyle
Jul 2010 - Respiration and Photosynthesis (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34704)
Winner: Gargoyle
Runner up: Bryson
Creator: billybobsky
Jun 2010 - Self Portrait (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34547)
Winner: billybobsky
Runner up: Turtle
Creator: Chinney
May 2010 - The Delicious Dish (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34402)
Winner: Chinney
Runner up: AWR
Creator: Brad
Apr 2010 - Spring is in the air (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34241)
Winner: Brad
Runner up: billybobsky
Creator: GSpotter
Mar 2010 - Transportation (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34102)
Winner: GSpotter
Runner up: not specified
Creator: Dorian Gray
Feb 2010 - Abstract (or, in other words, "What the heck is that?") (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=33667&page=2#post670937)
Winner: Dorian Gray
Runner up: not specified
Creator: Chinney
Jan 2010 - Winter (original contest) (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=33667#post664199)
Winner: Chinney
Runner up: julesstoop
Creator: PB PM

[Chinney]

Well I guess this topic provides all the justification I need to check out the Apple store....;) except I am out of money after Xmas:err: . Maybe make this one a two-month PCT....

[drewprops]

I am SO going to win this contest.

[Robo]

Of course, my Lost box set unboxing (coolest unboxing ever, amirite?) was in December. :(

Now I'll just have to buy something else. Thanks. :p

(I do recommend the Lost box set to all box enthusiasts. It really is fantastically packaged.)

[PB PM]

We might have to drop the "must be taken during the period of the challenge" bit for this one. I don't want people to have to buy a bunch of new stuff just to win. :D Hey you could always unbox your groceries... :p

[Gargoyle]

Ohhh, might just fall in the time frame for our next company purchases... I wonder if I can get the local Apple store employee's to do something outside the box!

You see what I did there! ;)

[evan]

if you're not buying anything then you just might have to come up with something more creative... that's my plan at least

[Dorian Gray]

Gee, evan, don't be a spoilsport. I'll be buying something!

[Foj]

Here is my entry. Don't have a real camera, so I had to settle with photo booth. :D

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5355598868_28b1735c3a_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5355598810_18f209cdc4_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5355598760_f7e5273558_z.jpg

[Chinney]

What the hey is that?

[Foj]

Futurama dvd collection (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029XFNBC/ref=oss_product) in a really big Bender (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bender_%28Futurama%29) head.

[PB PM]

Normally I'd say one photo (for judging is the limit), but in this case I think we can allow a series of unboxing images. :)

[GSpotter]

Ok, not the genuine original unpacking process (I bought the lens last year). Instead I tried to be a little bit creative and packed my flash at the bottom of the box.

http://web.me.com/vwurst/applenova/unpacking.jpg

[PB PM]

Nice. Cool idea :)

[evan]

awesome!

[PB PM]

Only a few days left, so get your submissions in!

[Foj]

Not much time left. I'm a bit surprised/sad that there are only two entries. :( At least I'll have a 50% chance if no one else submits a picture.

[PB PM]

I can understand the limited entries, you cannot expect people to buy new stuff just for a photo challenge! It is too bad, but hopefully the next challenge draws more people in.

GSpotter: Your idea was original, and creative, I love it, clearly the winner.

Foj: I like your images, and they do fit the nature of the challenge.

[kdcny]

EDIT: Duh, now I see the 4am deadline. Whoops. Better luck next time, I guess...] ...I've wanted to participate in these for a while, and I've even taken some pictures for them sometimes... but I've never gotten around to posting them. So, here goes nothing:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/802791/forum%20posts/cereal-0.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/802791/forum%20posts/cereal-1.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/802791/forum%20posts/cereal-2.jpg

...I know that I certainly don't have much skill, but I thought it would at least be an interesting take on the "Out Of The Box" theme. I just got a DSLR last year, and I'm still trying to learn a lot in the few minutes I have here and there: any advice people could give would be appreciated. I know that my lighting wasn't great, and I couldn't quite get the perspective I had hoped for while a) holding the box b) maintaining focus and c) still reaching the shutter button. ::shrug::

[PB PM]

Good ideas, would have been in the running for sure. Real out of the box thinking actually. ;)

[Dorian Gray]

Sorry I didn't get a shot in here. I had two ideas: (1) hooking up my new NEC P221W monitor to a computer and running it while half-outside its box (somewhat like GSpotter's pic, but far less interesting in subject and lighting: I think what makes his photo extra interesting is himself looking into the box!), or (2) a Colgate toothpaste box I bough last week, which claims to be "Original" but also "New and improved" (in French, but never mind).

Idea (1) failed when I had to return the monitor because of a flaw, and (2) didn't quite materialise after seeing how good GSpotter's entry was. I mean, a toothpaste box.

I like kdcny's idea, and Foj is quite crazy. :lol: What on earth is that thing?

Must enter the next competition.

[turtle]

I didn't manage to make this one either. Kinda a hard month for me really. Not used to full time school and the job again.

[Chinney]

Sorry also about my own lack of entry. I really did not buy anything much in January, after the Xmas rush,...but if I had thought a bit more creatively I maybe could have interpreted the theme in an interesting way. Anyway, sorry about that PB.