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WC #325 - One Jewel

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted April 2, 20081,947 views12 comments

I do think the seed pods of the Sumac tree in front of my house are beautiful even though they play havoc with my life. This past year I have fought the baby Sumacs tooth and nail, and I'm still digging up new youngsters. I have no heart

I took this image this past January when there were perhaps a dozen seed pods hanging on the tree. This particular image did remind me of many ropes of necklaces with one magnificent jewel in the foreground.

I'm thoroughly intrigued with Wim's theme this week and simply had to add a second image. What fun we're having

Shooting Data:
Nikon D200, 70-200 f/2.8 lens, f/5.6, 1/250s, Aperture priority, ISO 180, Tripod

This is about 50% of the frame of one of the shots I took that particular day. I selected all but the seed pod to convert to B/W, copied the seed pod so I could add a shadow and a touch of lighting strictly for a more dramatic effect.

Thanks for viewing and leaving comments, folks.

Carol

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Danny on April 2, 2008 at 4:50 AM

Oh thats classy. Outstanding look to it, so sharp and yet a soft feeling to it at the same time. Look how that shadow makes this stand out and the copper and gold tones are wonderful. No way could I come up with a better title Carol. A natural jewel hanging off a necklace it is.

All the best Carol, love it to bits

Danny.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on April 2, 2008 at 8:52 AM

Carol,

I like this one. The pod glows and really pops against the bg, After seeing these image I think I'll always keep this desaturation approach in mind when I want to emphasize some aspect of an image. This is very nice.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Larry F. Lowell on April 2, 2008 at 9:27 AM

What a weekly challenge theme!! This looks like a golden pendant hanging from a necklace! Great shading! The eerie but subtle shadows on the left help balance the frame for me. Thanks for sharing. Larry

I should read the comments before I post!! Danny beat me to the necklace. Two great minds think alike!!

Registered on March 28, 2008, 24 Posts, 258 Comments

Comment posted by Kerry Leibowitz on April 2, 2008 at 11:50 AM

Very clever, Carol. The pod resembles a pendant. Nice work with the shadows.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 167 Posts, 5800 Comments

Comment posted by Wim Reyns on April 2, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Masterfully crafted Carol !, the seed really jumps here!

Wim

Registered on March 23, 2007, 54 Posts, 367 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on April 2, 2008 at 4:42 PM

Neat, Carol--i like it.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on April 2, 2008 at 10:11 PM

You outdid yourself with this one, Carol. Wow, but that's nice! A real winner in every way.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on April 3, 2008 at 1:32 AM

Carol,

In my mind, without question this is the most impressively processed image that I've seen of yours. this is outstanding. The copper color is immediately striking, but the shadow work and background really combine to make this a wonderful image.

From this vantage point, I really don't care what havoc the sumac have in your yard! Just kidding!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 3, 2008 at 4:21 AM

Very cool! Great addition to this week's theme!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Chuck Beatty on April 3, 2008 at 12:41 PM

The shadow creates the sense that there's a thin veil between the seed pod and the background branches. Very beautiful an unique image, Carol.

Registered on July 12, 2006, 82 Posts, 453 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on April 3, 2008 at 10:36 PM

Carol, this is just FANTASTIC! Great choice of subject with the color in the pod. Dynamite composition, and that shadow is a brilliant touch. BRAVO!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 6, 2008 at 6:37 PM

Carol, this is stunning, one of my favorites of your images.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments