WARNING: Totally off-tangent rambling. I’m just way too exhausted right now to write a longer, more riveting post. Right. 
Well, I just thought I’d share with you this self-portrait which I did a few days ago as part of a photography challenge (via a group called Utata) and as my day’s submission for the 365 Days project.
For the challenge, the idea was to create an image based on 3 elements:
1) There must be an umbrella in the shot.
2) The photo must be indoors.
3) The final image must be in cinematic ratio.
The picture you see here became one of my submissions. Turned out that it made it to Flickr Explore’s Front Page. At one stage, it had the rank of #12 in the “interestingness” archives.
When I was submitting and thinking of a title, I just thought of the obvious - “Umbrella”. Then, Rihanna’s song popped in to my head -
Ever since, the lyrics of the song just got stuck in my head (don’t you hate it when that happens?!) -
"When the sun shines
We’ll shine together
Told you I’ll be here forever
Said I’ll always be your friend
Took an oath
I’mma stick it out ’till the end
Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella…"
(Lyrics from Rihanna, "Umbrella")
Anyway, a few days later, I found out that Mandy Moore also did a cover of the song. So, this didn’t help either -
And, of course, there’s this version by Australian Idol, Natalie Gauci (which I also enjoyed when I first heard it) -
Hmmm… what do you think? Which one do you like better? Or, don’t you like the song at all?
In any case, now that I’ve blogged about this, I’m hoping that I’ll finally get this song out of my system. But, if you have any other tips on how to cure the ‘Stuck Song Syndrome’ - I’ll be more than happy to read all about them. 
Oh, and yeah, I’ve received some questions about how I created the “Umbrella” image. If you’re interested to read more about some background info on the photograph, please read on…
How I created the “Umbrella” image:
1) Used Nikon D40x, with 18-55mm kit lens.
2) Used a Nikon remote control.
3) Considered the ‘umbrella’ element first and foremost for the conceptualisation.
4) Took photos near a north-facing window, with natural lighting.
5) Initial post processing was created using iPhoto. Just basic adjustments were done (including the estimated cinematic ratio via cropping).
6) Changed part of the background (made it darker) via Photoshop Elements.
7) Added blizzard layer/texture for the ‘rain effect’ via Elements.
Added some lighting via Elements.
Done.
Set-up, photo shoot and editing altogether took approximately 1 hour. Oh, and…
NO:
- I wasn’t really naked with this shot.
- That’s not a grown-up’s umbrella. It’s actually a kids’ one. Borrowed it from my son.
YES:
- I’m aware that this is not ‘technically perfect’ as a photograph. But, I am happy with how it turned out. And, I’m glad that some people enjoyed viewing it too.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Kari 02.16.08 at 2:48 am
I always get stuck song syndrome! It drives me bonkers!
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Shai Coggins reply on February 17th, 2008:
Kari: LOL. Yeah… they’re no fun at all huh? Unless I really love the song, maybe.
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Janet 02.16.08 at 5:07 am
The umbrella photo looks GREAT! Super job!
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Shai Coggins reply on February 17th, 2008:
Janet: Thank you! Appreciate your comment too.
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Nicola 02.16.08 at 8:59 am
Looks awesome! Well done you. I have to say I HATE that song with a fiery passion. It’s the whole umbrella-ella-ella-ella-ella-ella-ella thing that seems to go on for all eternity. I normally don’t mind a bit of Rihanna now and again, but that song, ugh, most hated song in the charts at that time. I think I made my point
have a great weekend Shai!
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Shai Coggins reply on February 17th, 2008:
Nicola: Thanks. And wow - really? You hate it that much?! Well, I must admit that I sort of heard it first through the Aussie Idol version (with the ella-ella-ella-ella thing ;-)). And, I liked it. So, since then, I was cool with the song. Even Mandy’s version. But, don’t worry. I won’t mention it here again.
Hope you’re having a great weekend too!
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Jeanne 02.16.08 at 3:25 pm
Wow! That’s a great picture! I wasn’t wondering about the umbrella (we’ve got a bunch of minis around the house) but I WAS wondering about those legs! Are those really your legs and, if so, how is that fair??? Very nice
My husband HATES this song but it’s been stuck in mine and our three kids heads for months. It had gone away but something tells me this post is going to make my “stuck song syndrome” flare up again tonight while I prep some weekend blogging. I’ll let my hubby know where to send the “thank you” note, lol.
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Shai Coggins reply on February 17th, 2008:
Jeanne: Hubby hates it? Really? Hope he doesn’t send me a TY note then.
And thanks for the compliment. Yeah… that IS a self-portrait, so for better or worse, those are my legs. (*blush*).
Again, thanks!
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toni 02.17.08 at 8:47 pm
Lovely! I’m sure you had fun jumping around?
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Shai Coggins reply on February 23rd, 2008:
Toni: LOL. Believe it or not, there was no jumping involved in the making of this photo.
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Robin Yap 02.18.08 at 7:25 am
I like Mandy Moore’s version. When I first heard Rhianna’s version, that ella-ella-ella was keeping me awake at night (ok maybe not that extreme) but like you, Shai, it got stuck on my brain for a couple of days. Then I would force another song to replace it that’s equally melodious and easy to hum. Sometimes that technique works but this one has not. I’ve actually not heard the Mandy version so thanks for posting it - I’ve since gotten stuck on her version (thanks a lot! - haha!). Actually after awhile, you get to like the song so its not that bad.
… was that rambling or what? did I even make any sense? just got back from another trip and I’m tired too….zzzzzzzz
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Robin Yap reply on February 18th, 2008:
I like Mandy Moore’s version. When I first heard Rhianna’s version, that ella-ella-ella was keeping me awake at night (ok maybe not that extreme) but like you, Shai, it got stuck on my brain for a couple of days. Then I would force another song to replace it that’s equally melodious and easy to hum. Sometimes that technique works but this one has not. I’ve actually not heard the Mandy version so thanks for posting it - I’ve since gotten stuck on her version (thanks a lot! - haha!). Actually after awhile, you get to like the song so its not that bad.
… was that rambling or what? did I even make any sense? just got back from another trip and I’m tired too….zzzzzzzz
oh your picture looked great…! good job.
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Heather 02.19.08 at 3:43 pm
Hi Shai,
I don’t even know which song it is, either version, so maybe that’s a good thing. Lol. I haven’t checked out the video links, though. Not sure I’m game. But vids always take so long to open for me, so I’m not likely to. Love the photo, too.
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Shai Coggins reply on February 23rd, 2008:
Heather: Probably a good thing.
Thanks for the kind words.
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Marjorie 02.22.08 at 5:31 am
Shai, that is a GORGEOUS photo. You’ve definitely inspired me to get back to my photography again. I have a Nikon D70 that I used when I was doing wedding photography, but since I’ve been doing mostly freelance writing it’s been in the back closet, pulled out mostly when I need to take photos for an article. Now I want to do more artistic stuff!
Cheers,
Marjorie
marjorieasturias.blogspot.com
myinnerfrenchgirl.blogspot.com
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Shai Coggins reply on February 23rd, 2008:
Marjorie: That is a great to know! Yes, please do take more photos. A love of photography is too difficult to ignore. I know I’ve tried for many years, but now I’m so glad to be able to give in. Sort of.
Let me know how it goes! And thanks so much for the nice feedback. 
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