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Light
Light
haze


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Old Ways (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: Holland, PA
Date: Jan 26, 2008
Aperture: f5
ISO: 400
Shutter: 4 sec
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Jan 26, 2008

 My grandmother was taken aback when I asked to photograph her hands.. The previous week I had driven her to an orthopedic doctor.. the attractive man smiled at her bright face and politely explained the deterioration in a language she could not understand.. She smiled back... He... injected a clear liquid to tame the debilitating arthritis beast...

I composed this image as I watched the frail gentle skin, loose on her once strong, consoling hands.. It haunted my dreams. Today.. I finally asked her to let me take the picture..

The hands.. the primary tools of a woman who has lived through trials beyond anything I can possibly conceive.. through war.. through hunger.. through harsh labor..and true love.. through life without electricity refrigeration plumbing cellphones.. Hands that have known the earth.. Brought forth new life.. Molded minds and characters.. Charged energy waters.. Pulled sleds of laughing children through bitter cold Russian winters.. Menders of holes.. Bakers of deliciousness.. soothers of broken hearts.. healers of the sick.. Each breathing living inspiring moment inscribed in the crevices of her skin...

On the right.. a single valuable possession.. a symbol of her orthodox faith bathed in light.. the other hand consumed by shadow with bits of brightness to show the prevalence of light in the face of darkness.. through this small gesture.. her light is shared with those who are not fortunate enough to be a direct part of her world...... Have a beautiful day. Please share light with others..

~Jane

Statistics
Place: 86 out of 159
Avg (all users): 5.2149
Avg (commenters): 6.5385
Avg (participants): 4.9818
Avg (non-participants): 5.2834
Views since voting: 769
Views during voting: 361
Votes: 242
Comments: 14
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
 Comments Made During the Challenge
02/05/2008 02:05:09 PM
wow the light and dark hands wonderful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2008 11:29:00 AM
awesome one of my favs
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2008 05:02:02 AM
great photo. nice use of light/dark.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2008 11:42:50 AM
Eerie. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2008 06:25:49 AM
great lighting makes this photo a 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2008 02:14:56 PM
A nice image, maybe a little too soft for me. I'm not really sure what to make of it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2008 01:30:34 PM
the light effect has potential and I'd prefer if the cross was in focus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2008 07:04:56 AM
Beautiful composition and the contrast is just right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2008 04:29:40 AM
great shadows
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2008 12:04:39 PM
nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2008 11:00:11 AM
The focus seems a bit soft, but it is a good idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2008 05:24:34 AM
I love the lighting in this picture. It creates a very dramatic effect along with the cross and the wrinkled hands.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2008 03:55:49 AM
would have loved to have seen this without the spot of light on the left hand. the right hand is a little out of focus, but the emotion that plays to you with this shot is brilliant 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2008 08:21:48 PM
Focus is on the table, not the hands


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