So This Is Christmas... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Up till my retirement in July 2003, I was the only Official Christmas Card Manufacturer in the Air Traffic Control Tower at Malmö-Sturup Airport... ;o) That meant trying to shoot some unique motif related to air traffic in an unique way, so that just that Christmas Card would stand out among all others.

This is my first try, which was shot in early November (due to production and distribution margins) in 1994. It shows the entire interior of the Control Tower - on a foggy day - reflected in a Christmas ball. However - being manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - this is how Christmas looks too...

Apart from the difficulties to get hold of a Christmas ball in early November, there were few problems shooting. The ball was placed 'head high' and the camera at the same level on a tripod. The main trick was to shoot at max zoom (210mm), to get away from the ball, thus making the reflection of the camera as small as possible.

The ball works as a wide angle lens, meaning you can get really close and still have a sharp image, but also showing much camera. On the other hand this means it's very 'forgiving', as motions don't affect too much; the reflections stay very much the same anyway, although shooting at a long range.

I used the self timer, to avoid shaking and also giving me time to sit down next to the camera during the shot. If you look closely, you're able to see the small Olympus camera in the dead center of the ball.

Merry Christmas to all of you!!

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Image scanned at 600dpi, cropped, adjusted brightness -5 and contrast +10, increased saturation +20 and reduced in reds -20, ran NeatImage 60%, resized for TE, retouched dust grains, sharpened more, framed and saved for Web.

Galmeida, JennHen, Tue, pamastro, nwoehnl, orme, kent_s, digi-mom, maphoto, dimotemps, jocke71, jassy, maloutim has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Galmeida (12559) 2004-12-22 20:09

For your beautiful and nice "Christmas ball" I have my last shot made in Vienna two years ago! A nice and funny photo gift of a "Music box". Good nice composition for this present times! Have a good holidays and Christmas time!

Tue (25608) 2004-12-23 4:11

Very nice picture. Good idea for a Christmascard. Well done!
God jul!

pamastro (7213) 2004-12-23 10:58

That's a good one, Kaj. I like the use of the ornament to double as a wide angle lens. The reflection's very well captured. And I see the camera now that you mention it. Otherwise I would have thought it to be some ATC contraption. I really like how the lines move around the outside of the tower, also, framing it. I also really like how it seems to free float against the foggy exterior. It really stands out in a surreal way. Like a magic crystal ball showing the tower. It was a great idea. So is the one that made the final cut? You should add this to your ATC theme as a unique view of the interior of one of these towers. I didn't want to add it since it is your photo and theme and perhaps you didn't want it in there. I think it would be a great addition, though. Merry Christmas.

nwoehnl (118) 2004-12-23 11:41

A creative idea, Kaj, and well executed - not only did you get a nice result but this is also a great lesson in wide-angle optics. Also I'm sure it's the most original way to present the interior of an ATC tower that can be found anywhere on the web. Well done. God Jul och Gott Nytt År to you.

Ebbe (9571) 2004-12-23 14:18

And the weather in Skåne is the same in November as on Christmas too I can see. Very creative shot, I like the panorama format of the windows in the ball and how the desk makes a full circle.

Nice too see how you guys manage to pass time ;o)

Ha en riktigt God Jul Kaj! Tyvärr har vi också fått Skånejulväder i år...

kent_s (1911) 2004-12-23 14:37

J.....t bra Bild Kaj.

What a great shot. Also the comment is fantastic really educating at least for me that's only the happy amateur in the TE-gang.

Thanks for sharing both the pic and the secret behind it

God Jul Kaj

digi-mom (1064) 2004-12-23 14:59

Such a creative idea - and you included almost the entire control tower. Lovely use of the golden color, as a sepia tone. I really appreciate your notes too. Happy Happy Christmas to you, Kaj! :o)

poulinp (4464) 2004-12-23 17:01

Good reflexion idea and nice choice of background. Original!

maphoto (8076) 2004-12-23 20:56

Well Kaj, this is a wonderful idea, very creative and well executed, the ball supended and the white surrounding, simply gorgeous.

Merry Christmas and beautiful moments with your familly, very original for Christmas, thanks for sharing.

orme (6746) 2004-12-23 21:41

This is a very creative and original shot, Kaj. I am amazed at the detail - even outside the windows! I have seen many company Christmas cards and this one definitely stands out. Very well done.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Porteplume (3255) 2004-12-29 11:40

What a wonderful idea dear Kaj... And your notes are always worth reading and make us understand how is your life in Skåne, which is very appreciable.

Tous mes souhaits de Paix, Joie et Santé pour 2005!

Amicalement - Viviane

Lolydodia (578) 2005-01-30 17:01

detta var ett riktigt häftigt julkort! Jag är säker på att dom uppskattade det. Skickligt taget och du ramade in kontrollpanelen perfekt.

Lydia

jocke71 (566) 2005-02-05 8:25

A very clever shot indeed, using the ball as a fisheye lens. I also like the fact that it covers all of the control tower and its view, thus emphasizing what an air controller must do at all times, to keep a 360 degree view on things.