Thursday 18 February 2010

Three IS a magic number!

Meet us. The Dunnits, to you. As you know, that's not really our surname, it's my sign-a-card name, as in Julia Made it. There's a few of us using Dunnit now. Feels good.

This photo was taken about 4 years ago. Believe it or not, we were lying on a (cold) white plastic sheet in front of a backdrop of cold white plastic at 10 o'clock one Sunday morning in our town centre. Miss Dunnit and I had been shopping the day before and had been talked into (by which I probably mean flattered into) booking a short session in this 'new' white style. Because it had been a good fifteen years since we had last succumbed to decent/professional photography, we decided it might be quite a good idea. It was mercifully quiet that Sunday morning, given that the 'studio' was the middle of the Chantry Centre, and the session was probably only 20 minutes long. Results were pleasing and it didn't cost a ridiculous amount of money (I'm guessing a special offer and lack of studio helped with that, but come on, how on earth can I really be expected to remember!). Some months later, I emailed the original photo to an online friend who had a website showing her skill at digitally manipulating photographs, She cleverly removed the bloody cow lick from my fringe that has plagued me all my life, a shadow from Mr Dunnit's face that made him look as if he was sporting a Hitler-esque moustache, and of course, had to do nothing to Miss Dunnit. Naturally. Then she did the cartoony thing. Emailed me about 50 choices. I chose. Then she filled in the background with beautiful colour, emailed me about 50 choices. I chose. And then she had it printed in about 50 kerjillion dots per inch on canvas. I chose a big one, 1 metre wide actually. Well, if you've got it...........
Mr Dunnit and Miss Dunnit were incredibly luke warm about the result. I just love it. It is in my workroom on the wall facing the doorway (no door) to the lounge, so it can be seen on approach. It makes me smile. Because it's us. But it's not. But it is. I like it so much that I remember to hoover along the top edge every time I do domestics. That's a good sign! Interestingly (no, really) most of our visitors fall into two camps - the men are very luke warm about it and the women like it and remark upon it. It doesn't matter of course,and I have no scientific evidence for my next statement, but it clearly is a girl thing, this sort of manipulation. I couldn't possibly comment about other sorts of manipulation. Now I know you can have a photo printed onto canvas easily, almost anywhere. But before you do, consider a bit of manipulation too, not from vanity - unless you too have a bloody cow lick to get rid of - but for fun!
I've told you all this because two people mentioned the picture as a result of my WOYWW photo yesterday. Sorry if I made your eyes glaze over. It's a skill. The moral is don't ask - there's ALWAYS a story!
The digital work was done by Gabi and her website was eggbean.com...but it's currently unavailable. I'm guessing that the arrival of a baby has caused a temporary halt to the business. If you're reading this Gabi, let us know!

17 comments:

CoventryAnn said...

Ooooh, am i first?.... I'm in the like it camp, but then being a girl that's only to be expected according to the Dunnit theory of photo-appreciation.:)

Charlie said...

Me too... I like it. SOrry I have been MIA but life got a bit busy at work and at home - I have a secret mission - hope to be able to reveal more about it soon. Love to see your work area - but still not brave enough to show mine. And when I do - I might translate your WOYWW into VMDOR meaning Show me your wednesday clutter in Danish. =0)

Carmen said...

I'm in the like camp too. You are far braver than me though posing for it in the middle of a shopping centre :)

Lyn said...

Oh my geeeeee, posing, for a photo, a family photo, and in the middle of a public place .... I'm impressed already! It's bad enough getting any of mine still enough for long enough, let alone in the same place together, it such a rarity for me that I am always the one missing cos I am the one taking the photo!

Apart from that, I love it - digital art in its own right and a family heirloom - who cares if anyone else likes it or not - it's unique, it's you and yours and it's art!

Spyder said...

very brave poser, great pic!
(Lyn)

Gez Butterworth said...

It is fabulous. I noticed it too the other day & thought you had painted it. :) What a wonderful keepsake.

Unknown said...

you were in the middle of a shopping centre...? i missed that bit! Are you mad? - Sorry don't answer that cos I know already (tee hee). Thanks for sharing. I have an idea for WOYWW - we should post an up-to-date pic of ourselves sat at our workdesks so we can see what we look like (I look nothing like my profile pic - a few stone gone on since then) but at least we can picture each other at work. Wonder how many takers on that idea??? tee hee. I'd probably be in my PJ's!!! At mo finding it hard to wear a bra as its squishing my ribs on the left so would have to put three layers of jumpers on (if you know what i mean!!!)

hugs

Paula x x x

stephanie said...

love that story, and of course the image. :)

Rosie said...

I like it too - it has real character! I've got one of those cow lick fringes too ... pain in the butt aren't they?

Claire said...

I love it & would love one of my lot on the wall & pound to a penny my DH would be lukewarm about it too.
x

Anonymous said...

Here I am, 50% of the nosy WOYWW's! Great photo and story.

Brenda

Ann said...

I reckon if you were in the photo wearing a low-cut T-shirt the guys would be in the 'I like it' camp! ;)

Lionessgirl said...

I do like the Picture, it's just expressing emotion over pictures of me are not something I'm terribly good at. And Yeah, it is a girl thing. Only boys who are posers take manipulated pictures of themselves, and even then it's only black and white...
:3

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Thanks for sharing Julia, lovely piccy :) Oo not sure about Paula's idea - I have to take at least half a dozon pics of self before I find one I like :-/ - one that doesn't make me look toooo old ;)
Anne xx

Smudgemakes said...

It is a great picture!! I am firmly in the 'like it' camp, too!!!

nerllybird said...

I love the pic. I have a friend - female - who always looks puzzled at the mention of Photoshop. She can't understand WHY. And she went to art school!

I am going to take a photo of my workspace soon! Watch this (work)space...

Carmen said...

Not like you to be so quiet for so long... just checking in to make sure you are ok and not poorly or anything?