A Jungle of Jewels

Gallery: FloraPosted October 13, 201082 views11 comments

I've been slowly reworking quite a few images so they reflect the knowledge and techniques I employ today.

This is a seed pod from a Tree of Heaven Sumac tree. Extraordinarily invasive tree that poisons the soil so that no local vegetation can grow.

I initially shot and posted this in a weekly challenge approximately two and a half years ago. So folks, those of you who are not into black and white can look at another version

Shooting details:
D200
70-200mm f/2.8 lens @ 200mm, f/5.6
1/250 s
ISO 180
matrix metering
tripod

Please feel free to leave any and all comments and suggestions.

Folks, if I'm a little slow in responding, please bear with me. I'm spending tons of time combing job sites, looking for full-time, part-time, and/or contract positions. How else can I go out and acquire yet a couple more lenses?

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on October 13, 2010 at 8:01 PM

I like the color version very much too Carol but I prefer the conversion. Love the texture and the reflective surface of the leaf. Striking comp and beautiful bg as well. Sorry, no suggestions.

Pat

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

Comment posted by Mark Windom on October 13, 2010 at 8:27 PM

I like both versions but prefer the B&W.....unless my monitor is off this appears to have a silvery/metallic tint to it which I really like.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 176 Posts, 2302 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on October 13, 2010 at 10:00 PM

Carol,
I remember your color photo of this, and I regarded it as outstanding photo art. I think this one stands on its own as a more realistic interpretation, even though the colors are gone. The fact that people like me can consider images drained of their natural color as completely natural is kind of strange. I wonder if people in future generations will regard all B&W images as completely artificial artistic interpretations of reality. Even if that happens, I am pretty sure they will appreciate such images, that concentrate on form, textures and tones so intently that color would be superfluous. (Must be getting close to bed time for me to ramble like that -- don't know if it will make sense in the morning.

)

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on October 13, 2010 at 10:08 PM

Carol, I like the color version

- don't ask me why, but I do. Not that anything is wrong with the B&W version but just my like I guess. My eyes perceive more depth in the color version (and its not due to the shadow there).

You do some excellent experimentation and give some real exercise for the grey cells

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on October 14, 2010 at 1:37 AM

Carol:
Awesome experiment! The seed pod looks like a metallic trinkets or jewelery. Both versions are excellent but the B&W is more engaging.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on October 14, 2010 at 7:43 AM

Great title and image Carol. The color version is very good but this is very exceptional. Tres magnifique.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on October 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM

I really like the BG Carol. The sheen on the seed pod is very nice too. I think for me I would crop a bit from the top, to just above the small 'y' in the branch. Nicely seen. Simple, yet effective.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on October 14, 2010 at 4:42 PM

Wonderful. Don't even want to compare with color version. Not that much into b/w usually, but THIS is great! Like the minimalist comp that seems to suit the subject so perfectly.

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

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on October 14, 2010 at 7:57 PM

I like the metalic look of the pod. Beautiful abstract.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 14, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Not reworked! Reborn!

You have given life to this piece of art.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on October 17, 2010 at 3:36 PM

Carol: I like the position of the leaf in the frame here but I much prefer the color version with its shadow. I guess I'm still B&W challenged.

>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments