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sweeping in the rain
1st Placesweeping in the rain
ursula


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Diagonal (Basic Editing)
Collection: 2006
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon
Location: Trail, BC
Date: Nov 26, 2006
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/80 sec
Galleries: Abstract, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Nov 26, 2006

 - Shot RAW, converted in PSCS2

- cropped and rotated to straighten
- Adjusted levels
- Converted to b/w using channel mixer
- Adjusted contrast/brightness
- Resized, sharpened and neatimage
- Toned just a smidgeon
- Saved for web

------

Before pressing the shutter. Hmmmm.

I've been making images of these seed pods for a couple years. They are the seed pods of the tragopogon dubius, or Western Salsify, a weed to some :). The original inspiration comes from an image I saw in a magazine (B&W), a lot like my "delicate".



I collected a bunch of them in the Spring, but they keep falling apart. This was the last one, and it is gone now. There's something beautiful to me in things that are ephimeral, that are glorious one moment and disappear the next. Anyway.

I haven't been inspired for challenges lately, but I have been trying to enter something because of the WPL. Diagonal is a good subject to me, I tend to do a lot of images on a diagonal axis. I like the flow of diagonal. Also, I just got the D200 and was trying out the macro lens on it, so I decided to make a few seed shots.

The sweeping motion is intentional. These little seeds look like delicate brooms, or fancy dresses at times. I was trying to get the feeling of sweeping the water off the baldosas early in the morning like they used to do it in Argentina when I was a kid. That's a very diagonal kind of activity, everything moves sideways and at an angle, brooms, water, people.

The image isn't natural at all - it's totally set up. By a window, white Bristol board on the table, a lamp to the right (light from outside is dim this time of the year). The water is sprayed on. This is the 6th or 7th frame. I made a few more afterwards, but none was as good as this one. This is the only one with the horizontal line at the bottom, like a sidewalk, and I really liked that! IMO it anchors the image, sort of makes a bit of a story out of something that could be just air and water. A little bit like trying to be on solid ground. So many of these closeups look so disenbodied, like they're just floating there - so it is the line at the bottom that made it for me.

I almost didn't enter it, took it down, put up a different one (a couple frames earlier than the final entry):



left that one for a couple days, but finally, at the last minute, went with the one I liked better (I figured, what's there to lose). I didn't think it would do all that well, it's not concrete enough for DPC, it's not a meaty or important subject (like people or so), it's not funny, or in your face, and the DOF is really, really shallow, and all sorts of other negatives.

To me, if anyone were to say it what would hurt most is the comment that it isn't meaty enough, no really important subject, just something "pretty". That sort of hurts. I like pretty. I like to try and find beauty in all sorts of stuff all around, there is so much of it. I want to show the beauty of people also (one of my earliest inspirations in photography is the book by Life magazine, "the story of man"), but I don't like limiting myself to one subject.

BTW, thank you so much for all the comments, favourites, votes, all of it. I'm honoured.






Statistics
Place: 1 out of 345
Avg (all users): 7.4660
Avg (commenters): 9.1250
Avg (participants): 7.4158
Avg (non-participants): 7.5143
Views since voting: 13702
Views during voting: 349
Votes: 206
Comments: 113
Favorites: 161 (view)

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AuthorThread
 09/30/2012 02:04:48 AM


NEW SHERPET 'JEWEL' AWARDS TO THIS AWESOME IMAGE IS ONE OF THREE THAT I AM GIVING MY SHERPET 'JEWEL' AWARD OF EXCELLENCE DUE THE THE TALENT AND AWESOME PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THIS PHOTOGRAPHER... FROM SHEZ...

CONGRATULATIONS URSULA XOX

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/23/2010 05:20:16 AM
This is beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/22/2010 07:40:20 PM
this is just stunning
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2009 04:52:36 PM
Very nice job!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2009 03:22:07 PM
This is really amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/16/2008 11:34:14 PM
121 favorites to date. Darn impressive. Moreso is the commenter average. I revisit this one from time to time - mostly because I just enjoy looking at it, taking it in. But also to try to get a feel for what to look for, how to "see" in macro.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/11/2007 03:23:04 PM
i know this was posted in 2006 but i have only just looked at it..and wow..i also love these weeds!!there so delicate and stunning and you have captured what to me is the softed moment.made the hair on my arms stand to attention.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/02/2007 06:38:25 PM
Incredible shot Ursula, been a long time favorite of mine, i actually want to favorite it again :), great tones and everything, just a great shot, absolutely love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2007 10:08:47 AM
nice work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2007 03:02:26 PM
Simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2006 06:32:03 PM
At first glance (thumbnail) I thought it was picture of a slip dress! Great texture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2006 06:41:23 PM
Magnificent in beauty and delicasy. Very nice work Ursula! Congratulations on your Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/12/2006 06:51:08 AM
Superb! This is art, not just pretty. Something to aim for. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/12/2006 05:35:51 AM
Very nice work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/10/2006 08:54:18 PM
Ursula, a beautiful image. I love the variations in tone and the balance between clarity and soft focus. I agree that beauty is often in small overlooked things.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/10/2006 05:37:25 PM
Wow, another one from you. If I had seen it I'd have guessed :). Amazing how you manage to make such everyday things look so beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2006 10:58:13 PM
Stunning image - a really excellent composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2006 12:57:16 PM
fine work

;}



Message edited by author 2006-12-09 17:58:00.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2006 12:24:47 PM
Beautiful photograph, congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2006 07:10:07 PM
Another excellent piece of art!!! Keep up the good images coming through!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2006 05:42:13 PM
This freakin' rocks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2006 06:23:40 AM
Originally posted by hopper:
1 more ribbon ties you with Heida for "top dpc female"

:)


Thank you! Only because Heida quit entering challenges, otherwise I wouldn't have a chance :)
 12/08/2006 05:36:46 AM
1 more ribbon ties you with Heida for "top dpc female"

:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2006 07:27:57 PM
Another great macro from Ursula! Very creative idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2006 05:00:51 PM
Congratulations on a very nice picture!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2006 08:53:25 AM
Ahh, you want to know about the important stuff, eh? Well, I'll try. Not right now, but I'll try to put stuff like that in the notes. It is what I like to see in notes also.

Originally posted by Gordon:
Congrats on a great image. Well done.

On reading the 'Photographer's comments' above, I find I'm more interested in knowing something about what happened before you pressed the shutter.

What drew you to this subject, how was it when you found it, is it all entirely natural/found, how did you approach finding the final composition, what first caught your eye, how much did it take before you 'found' this final frame, that sort of stuff. If you have time, it would be really interesting I think (well, at least for me)
12/07/2006 07:56:58 AM
Congrats on a great image. Well done.

On reading the 'Photographer's comments' above, I find I'm more interested in knowing something about what happened before you pressed the shutter.

What drew you to this subject, how was it when you found it, is it all entirely natural/found, how did you approach finding the final composition, what first caught your eye, how much did it take before you 'found' this final frame, that sort of stuff. If you have time, it would be really interesting I think (well, at least for me)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2006 06:56:28 AM
So soft and so beautiful! I love this shot!

Message edited by author 2006-12-07 11:56:40.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2006 02:25:39 AM
How enchanting! And I'd like to ditto everything mpeters said -- it is so true! Congratulations!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 09:02:13 PM
You have one of the most gifted photographic eyes here at DPC. Your ability to take the ordinary and transform it into something full of beauty and grace is beyond question. I"m sure this is some kind of seed pod or something, but in your picture it looks ethreal. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 02:12:51 PM
beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 02:02:11 PM
This is amazing! Congrats on such a beautiful photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 01:44:00 PM
Absolutely stunning! Caught my eye immediately. Absolutely flawless in every way. Well Deserving of the first place. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 12:12:10 PM
I just knew this one was you! Congratulations!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 11:17:12 AM
congratulations on yet another GREAT photo! I just keep adding your pix to my favorites. You have an uncanny sense and ability... I am sooo jeolous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 10:09:45 AM
Congrats on the blue! What a visually interesting photograph in all aspects!! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 09:33:34 AM
Wow!! what a fantastic image. perfect in every way. Congratulations on the blue. Certainly deserved!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 09:04:01 AM
Congratulations on winning the blue ribbon with very beautiful photograph Ursula, it's a real stunner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 06:56:12 AM
Beautiful and delicate. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 06:47:57 AM
Fantastic shot! Congrats on your blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 06:41:31 AM
Exceptional - a work of fine art. Congratulations Ursula.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 06:16:45 AM
Oh....WOW! (speechless)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 05:30:57 AM
you have done it again! congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 05:01:29 AM
congrats and i hate you. :P :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 04:40:47 AM
Congrats on your well deserved ribbon ! This is just beautiful !!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 04:22:58 AM
OMG this is AMAZING!! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 04:17:18 AM
Fantastic shot Ursula, thats all there is to say.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 03:54:59 AM
This is so good Ursula. Wish I can take pictures like this. Fave.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 03:50:07 AM
Gorgeous Shot!!! Congrats on the blue ribbon!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 03:35:49 AM
Oooh -- way to go, lady!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 03:23:10 AM
Stunning shot and far the best in the challenge. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 03:06:34 AM
Congrats! A breathtaking shot :0
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 02:27:38 AM
Congrats! Just beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 01:53:29 AM
Remarkable work! Well done and congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 12:47:00 AM
Happy to see you cop another blue, especially with an image that fits the theme so well. One question: why b&w? I think I would have liked this more with some subtle color in it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 12:26:07 AM
Ursula, what a magical image! Well done! You rock!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2006 12:22:31 AM
way to go girl...... you're a winner all round
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 11:34:53 PM
Got to love this, outstanding work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 11:24:47 PM
This left me speechless. It's just so beautiful; the title, the sharp, crisp focus, the bokeh and diagonal lines...

It's simply stunning work, you've outdone yourself, Ursula. And that's hard to do, when it's you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 11:15:59 PM
sooooo beautiful light and gray tones, congratulations, well deserved
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 10:23:47 PM
Congrats Ursula, another very well deserved ribbon. Great, very distinctive style.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 09:54:11 PM
should have guessed your distinctive style. Well done. Easily the best of the challenge!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 09:16:45 PM
this is so sweet! congrats! and just adding to the many awesome shots. i love the bokeh on the left and the droplets 'veiled' on the right. a new second personal best for you too. congrats again!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 09:14:28 PM
What a great shot! It could only come from one....Congratulations Ursula!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 09:11:25 PM
beautiful. Well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 09:08:10 PM
I'll just say "wow" and leave it at that. Magnificent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 08:49:46 PM
A Masterpiece
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 08:42:09 PM
your images are amazing, they don't even seem to be a photograph more a "image" like I see it but am I REALLY seeing it or thinking it? is it a vision in my mind or something my eyes are really seeing. Just lovely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 08:24:12 PM
Congratulations Ursula on your first place ribbon! This is such a stunning image and you deserve this. My personal favorite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 08:09:43 PM
Excellent!-Love your work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:58:30 PM
Stunning!
Now put that macro away!!
jk
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:55:53 PM
Yep, had this pegged as a winner. Only gave out two tens this challenge. The other came in 20th. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:50:03 PM
Beautiful work, Ursula. Congratulations on a fine win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:49:01 PM
wow! congrats, this image is gorgeous!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:42:11 PM
Yes yes yes, my pick for the "Blue", and so deserved with such a stunning image again Ursula.
Definately Tops in my book, and my only "10" in this challenge.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:39:48 PM
stunning, they look HUGE
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:36:20 PM
Gorgeous, Ursula. Mono was perfect for this and it accentuates the diagonls to perfection....but...I'd love to see the color outtake. Big congrats on your BLUE!

Message edited by author 2006-12-06 00:36:46.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:35:37 PM
Vintage Ursula
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:34:49 PM
I thought this was yours - it has the special "Ursula" quality ;-) Exceptionally beautiful shot and huge congratulations on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:26:00 PM
Congrats!!!!! I voted your photo a 10. I'm so thrilled for you! Well done!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:23:12 PM
Excellent shot ursula! congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:22:42 PM
Superb!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:18:47 PM
These macros of yours are so amazing. I'm learning lots from you, Ursula!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:17:38 PM
As always, so beautiful in an elegant way. COngratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:12:47 PM
What vision you have! So happy this got the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:07:25 PM
Congrat on blue ribbon..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 07:07:11 PM
I knew that was yours. Just awesome.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/05/2006 02:05:00 PM
Very nice one here..... perfect actually, from one of my favorite photographers.....I love this so much.....and just wish I could bump it up, but is is already as high as I can go.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2006 10:58:00 AM
SWEET SHOT
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2006 11:23:28 AM
very beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2006 07:43:16 AM
10...is this you Ursula? If not..no matter..still a really beautiful composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2006 06:58:26 PM
stunning
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2006 07:06:04 AM
good use of DOF, very artistic, excellent tones
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2006 07:05:15 AM
!! how cool, absolutely wonderful! 10, 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2006 04:16:12 AM
light and delicate, sweet image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 10:52:12 PM
Nearly missed this beauty. Nice blend of drops and circles of confusion in lower left. Maybe tighter crop, except that would eliminate the general gist.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 09:24:27 PM
Perfect 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 05:30:44 PM
Stunning, the b&w tones are excellent. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 01:22:56 PM
This is absolutely divine. I can't think of a single thing I would change. Perfect. Which brings me to my vote...a rare 10 from me. (It's not that I'm a troll by any means but hey...you gotta save your 10's for the best of the best and this is it!). Wonderful job and my pick for blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 11:43:44 AM
excellent!! great lighting, composition, feel, etc. I don't have alcue as to what they are, but I love the geometry. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 06:42:55 AM
Gosh this is beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 03:27:23 AM
Photograph catches elements far too often unseen.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2006 03:04:31 AM
This just screams "ursula"! Wonderful capture. Just a beautiful image overall. Would love to see this in the top 3. Bumping up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 05:27:12 PM
beautiful...abstract enough to drift with...perfect tones!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 03:14:56 PM
Beautiful. I hope you detailed the work you have done here. 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 02:10:56 PM
ohhhh, this has become one of my favorites. This is perfect imho. 10 ((good bokeh!!))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 09:37:53 AM
A 'signature' piece. I recognize the 'style' of this master's art. Beautiful work as usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 07:57:00 AM
Plus: subject, detail, bokeh, focus on diagonals
Minus: weird horizontal line at the bottom
Score: 7 (8, without that line)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 06:01:04 AM
Oh yessssssss,,, nicely done...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 04:50:58 AM
Pretty, creative, nicely lit and something to see in almost every pixel. Very nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2006 12:09:37 AM
Damn.. I'm going to have to actually vote on this challenge so this 10 counts!

I love it. Straight to favorites. I never give 10's. This flu is doing strange things to me!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2006 08:51:34 PM
great job filling the frame and magnificent clarity.10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/28/2006 07:33:45 PM
Please leave comments on ''how to do this'' in your notes when you win!! Wonderful shot! Again, PLEASE leave instructions on how to set this shot up. Thanks...and oh...10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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