*****COMMENTS on the Photos of the February contest - Theme "Shadows" *****

[Mira]

Please make your comments here - they are welcome and appreciated.

[Solly Mack]

1. How're you feeling today? Thank you for doing this under such

unexpected (to say the least) conditions. It's above and beyond the call.

Congratulations on your win!




...and so it begins.

[Callalily]

2. Yeah! So glad you entered

"The Window"! That's a great photo.

I'm still struggling on my choice. It's between the Roses photo I posted a few days ago (Mira likes that one, and I value her input) and The Atrium, which is so sunny and pleasant.

[Solly Mack]

4. That is a quandary because both are great.

I'm nervous about it. (The Window) Oh well...it's done now. lolol

I still wasn't sure myself...just went with it.

[Richard D]

5. It's the one I would have chosen.

Gonna be hard to beat, IMNVHO.

[Solly Mack]

6. Thanks, Richard D!

I appreciate you saying that.

[alfredo]

8. This came to mind when I saw your entry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un1pNtmYguA

[Solly Mack]

9. That's a neat shadow trick!

Thanks! Wow.

[alfredo]

10. Teller is one of the greatest ever.

[Solly Mack]

12. Just saw your entry. I really like it. Put me in the mind of the blues song.

Love the house. Would very much like to see the insides.

[alfredo]

14. I have a feeling it belongs to the people who own this restaurant

Stella's Deli: http://www.stellaskentuckydeli.com/
Stella was the owner's dog.

[Solly Mack]

15. Oh wow. I adore old houses.

So much to see and appreciate in that photo.

[alfredo]

20. Thank you. Today I went to a 60 year old diner, took some

images, and accidentally left my camera at a liquor store. I went back and got it.

[Callalily]

3. You are such a trooper Mira!

My hat is off to you.

Hope you are coping and hoping that you heal fast with no repercussions.

:hug:

[Mz Pip]

7. Hope you are feeling better.

You seem to be oing pretty well with one hand.

It's snowing like crazy in Yosemite today. No shadows, no visability as far as taking photos goes. I've got a few days to change my mind if I get something I like better.

Looks like we're off to a good start!

[alfredo]

11. Let's hope for a speedy recovery.

[Mira]

13. Alfredo

look here
http://gallery21.com/serigraphs_eyvind_earle.php
go to page 5 and look at this man serigraphs of red barn/tree/shadow

for me to go straight to it at google means it made a lasting impression!
AND SO DOES YOURS.

[alfredo]

21. The one entitled "Ruby" blows me away. The darker shade

of red reminds me of a pigeon blood Ruby I had.

I see you are becoming the permanent host. Congrats on your Turdus Migratorius butt.

[JohnnyRingo]

16. I enjoy photos that chalenge me to figure out how they were done

"The Window" and "Morning Sun" accomplish that feat nicely.
Well done.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. Thank you, my dear JohnnyRingo!

Actually, it was quite simple. The window is in my living room, in a corner as you can see, on the east side of the house. There's some shrubs outside, next door, and they cast this shadow across the window.

All I did was take the picture. I can't remember now, but I might have increased the contrast. I did crop it to make it more dramatic too.

That was it.

I like its stark drama.

[Solly Mack]

19. Thanks! My set ups

Lights out with a small lamp at the back

[JohnnyRingo]

24. I see it now

I wasn't thinking along that line, but the simplicity is an art of it's own
You have a great imagination to see the final production and implement it so effectively.
Nice

[Solly Mack]

27. Thanks. That's an awfully nice thing to say.

Course, now the mystery is gone. lol

[handmade34]

18. rest that arm as much as you can...

good job

[juxtaposed]

22. I really like the first posted, I wish solly had got the top of the flower but,

still a great image.

All that I've looked at are just wonderful, well executed, all of them!

[Solly Mack]

25. I'm truly enjoying all the entries too.

Love your blinds.

I like that we all bring something different to each theme.

[Solly Mack]

23. Cassandra

WOW!

[Cassandra]

31. Thanks and...

Wow back at ya!

[Solly Mack]

37. I am just happy the people in the group like it. That means a lot to me.

I honestly don't expect it to do well in GD.

[Mira]

26. you guys are rising to the challenge of the theme, i am happy to see such variety

and thank you for bringing in the entries quickly.
my sillyness in reminding you every day of the impending shadow submissions seems to be paying off - we'll get our 30.
really fun studies, the photos are!!!

this is me pretending i'm not high as a kite

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

28. I have a question...

is a reflection the same thing as a shadow? I'm series :) :bounce:
No really, I am..........

[Mira]

29. my opinion:

no

when i posted this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x85402

i pondered the same thing over photo number2

for myself i clarified the answer to say, a shadow is a duplication of an object thrown from a light source, off set from the original.
a reflection is when a surrounding area picks up the image and because of properties of its own reflects it.

in the case of the gallery, it was the shiny floor wax. were it gravel there would have been neither reflection nor shadow.

that was my decision on this valid question before my injury reduced me to limbaugh thinking.

i hope others chime in, i don't trust myself much.

havin' fun though.

[Blue_In_AK]

32. Well, okay, then, I guess I'd better change my entry

because it doesn't fall into this definition. Clarification, please?

[Mz Pip]

41. I think I'll change my entry

The swamp is in the shadows; the light source is behind the trees but I can see whre some might consider the photo more appropriate for reflections rather than shadows. I have something that is definitely "shadows". I don't want any confusion either!

[Cassandra]

30. I was wondering that, too.

Mine's kind of half and half.

[Mira]

33. to cassandra and to blue:

i see you are questioning your entries concerning the difference or the overlapping of interpteting "shadow" versus "reflection".

first i re-read my own interpretation and then i thought i'd start googling and studying.

then i realized not all things are or need to be black and white, and i think it's everybody's decision for themselves.
i do not want to lose either photo in the submissions, because of something everybody can look at differently and i think they are simply perfect as they are.

[Solly Mack]

34. Just MHO but I see shadow in both.

Cassandra's offers both reflection and shadow. The underside of the flower is hidden, so the reflection is a reflection of a something in the shadows. The flower is reflection in the water BUT the petals overlap forming shadows against the other petals. The lily pads offer shadowed edges and not mere reflections.

Now look below the water...there are shadow places where the greenery is hidden from the light. Shadow need not be as stark as shadow puppets against a white wall...shadow is also light creating a shape and definition of something hidden by the lack of light... shadows isn't just blocking light but also the lack of light..places where light doesn't reach...Which brings us to Blue's...there's light...it helps define...but the main portion of the offering is in the shadows. Look how the clouds interrupt the moon causing shadow rays dispersed among the rays of light...the clouds themselves contrast between light hitting them and when it doesn't.


I agree...they're perfect for the theme.

I did some reading and studying of reflection/shadow because the colored bottles I use show up in color even in shadow...and I wanted to be sure. I am by no means an expert but from everything I've read and from all the examples I've studied...both photos have shadow....making them both about the theme.


But that's just my humble opinion.

[Blue_In_AK]

38. Thanks for the clarification, Mira and Solly.

I'm glad the shot gets to stay. I'm kind of fond of it, and it was pretty tricky for me to get, given my bad eyes, having to shoot with manual focus, and the fact that it was DARK. :)

[Earth_First]

35. Still haven't found or shot anything I'm willing to submit...

I may sit this one out...

I did, however purchase a new lens today! I picked up a 70-300 IS USM 4-5.6 for $150 bucks on craigslist!

Great submissions so far!

[Solly Mack]

36. "Multi-colored Shadow" How cool is that?

Love it!!

[Brickbat]

39. The photo I entered, "Forward," is more than 10 years old and a scan from a print.

It was a random shot and when I got it developed I thought it was hilarious. I was annoyed about the shadow over the eyes but have come to really be fond of the photo. I always thought it looks just like an old constructivist poster.

I don't usually explain my photos, but this one was always a little different, I thought.

[alfredo]

40. I like it.

[Brickbat]

43. Thanks very much!

[alfredo]

45. I like the composition too.

[Mira]

47. i like it too

[Brickbat]

57. Thanks!

[Turborama]

42. It's 5 AM here and I was having a lot of difficulty picking which one of many choices I had

It's full moon here and over the past couple of nights I have been getting some great night time shots of this lovely orange flower next to this temple outside where I live. I'll post some of the day time shots I took of it of it tomorrow.

So... in the end I just went for the one that made me feel the most emotion - not sure if that's a good idea when you've been up all night but hopefully it worked.

I originally uploaded an extremely heavily compressed version (it was about 14.7KB) and when I saw it I thought nuh huh, I need to try and get a better qual version up before the time limit runs out. However, my crappy uploadability on the satellite connection I have meant it took forever and I only just got it in on time. It's been a very long night, need to crash.

Night everyone...

:hi:

[Turborama]

46. One of the "Moonflower" shots I was having trouble choosing from...

I prefer the composition (plus the hazy clouds take out some of the moon's glare) but Moonflower seemed less in focus. Night-time shooting is a very new deal for me and I am really curious and excited about exploring it further.



I have whole bunch of other daytime and twilight shadow shots I took over the past couple of days, but I chose Moonflower because she is taking me in a new direction.

BTW both pics are "as taken", no touching up whatsoever.

Also, on edit, any feedback/advice about night-time shooting gratefully received

[Turborama]

48. At the risk of looking like I'm 'talking' to myself, here's Moonflower during the day...

I tried to add it as an edit to the post I'm replying to earlier, but I'm having serious issues again with upload stability & speed (satellite connection issues).

Close-up of Moonflower Sunbathing




Also, for a bit of fun, here's...

Henry Chillaxing

[CC]

51. Not talking to yourself....

That is a pretty Moonflower and the photo of it under the full moon is hauntingly beautiful. Henry looks so comfortable. Looks like you are enjoying your new camera. :) Oh and did go read about how you were adopted by your 4 legged crew. A big TY for not only letting them stay but for fighting so hard with Josh and not giving up.

[Solly Mack]

53. Love the flower!

The cat photo made me smile.

[Mira]

44. i'm so amazed at how in two days we're all but filled up

thanks for stepping up and speeding it up

a number of regulars are still missing - so i make an offer you can refuse:

this submission thread is up til sat afternoon. we may fill up in no time and some wish they had entered - so i'll consider accepting up to 10 more and run 4 threads. if its less than five addtl ones i'll tell them to save them for another time - five or more we run them.

i can do it.
if it does not happen that's ok too, of course.
i want to learn more about playing things by ear - and let go of being stuck in tradition.

one way or another, we're doing great. and isn't it just amazing how different the photos are from "Winter"

[Mira]

49. The time has come - i'll go lock the submissions

nothing new has come in, we are at 30.
Will post the threads on Sunday.

i'm quieter for a while, ok. - struggling a bit with my broken humurus.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. Please take care of yourself, my dear Mira...

You are such a trouper! I am amazed at how well you're functioning...

:hug:

[Mira]

52. it was the narcotics

now that i'm addicted, not so much

:rofl:

[dixiegrrrrl]

54. So glad you have not lost your sense of ....humur.

[juxtaposed]

55. I liked most of them, Calla-lily looked good too with the long above shot

But I think they all are good.

[Solly Mack]

56. My husband favors Richard D's entry.

and he really likes Blue's, Johnny Noshoes' and WJMS's.

Like me, he's tired of seeing mine. lol