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Temptation
Temptation
essay


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: In the Garden II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Olympus E-30
Lens: Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital
Date: Feb 20, 2010
Aperture: 2.2
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/15
Date Uploaded: Feb 20, 2010

I envision this scene in the midst of The Garden of Eden on a high hill, standing far above all else, with dark skies all around and lighting only upon this small parcel of land, as if a stage.

Although initially apprehensive about including a 'rubber serpent' in my photo, I REALLY like how this element came out, with it's outline, head and eyes recognizable, despite shallow DOF. It's almost is as if the serpent is looking right toward us with great anticipation. Ironically, I believe it has become THE key element in the image.

I'm disappointed in having to use this fake tree, but it was the best I was able to muster on short notice. I took more than 100 photos, but this was the best balance of position and focus of all elements. On many of my subsequent set ups and shots I was able to eliminate some of the harsh reflections on the leaves and branches, but for some reason I was unable to duplicate the desired effectiveness of the other elements, particularly the serpent, so I stuck with this one.

Those knowledgeable of the Biblical account know that there was never any mention of what kind of fruit was on the forbidden tree; for whatever reason, man has decided it was an apple, so I too go with that in my photo.

As a serious student of both science and the Bible, I am convinced that this was a literal event with literal people. As for talking serpents, I know it's hard to get our minds around that, but the scripture clearly infers speaking. Not only are Adam & Eve not surprised, Eve has a conversation with it. Perhaps animals had the ability to speak prior to the fall of man. The scriptures do tell us that animals can be demon possessed, so perhaps it was by those means that Satan was able to communicate through the serpent.

In any event, I believe what the Bible says. By faith I embrace it as God's divine truth, though many believe this is foolishness. But when you weigh the evidence objectively (even from a scientific point of view), it takes far more faith to believe in Evolution than it does to believe in Biblical Creation and in the Bible itself.

Statistics
Place: 65 out of 160
Avg (all users): 5.3606
Avg (commenters): 7.2500
Avg (participants): 5.3276
Avg (non-participants): 5.3733
Views since voting: 621
Views during voting: 302
Votes: 208
Comments: 12
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/01/2010 10:06:58 AM
Yummy... and a snake! Neat.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/01/2010 07:55:16 AM
Took me all of a second to spot the (rubber) snake, nice idea, lacks a bit in oomph but waaay better than a lot of the snapshots I've seen so far.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/27/2010 10:29:26 AM
The blurry thumb is annoying me, but I like the idea. Would have been better with a model or self timer.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/26/2010 08:35:02 PM
Scalvert? :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/26/2010 02:41:46 PM
My second chuckle of this challenge ;). Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/26/2010 01:48:35 PM
Very well done. I can almost taste it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/26/2010 04:15:47 AM
I chose this as my winner because I felt all the elements were placed perfectly, and tell the story well. Nice work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/25/2010 03:45:55 PM
I really like the subject and the message sent. I don't know if it was possible to work around but the thumb in the foreground being out of focus is really distracting. Perhaps a more open hand with palm upward or even downward sort of reaching but not quite ready to pick the apple would have helped. Very nice touch with the small serpent in the background. I almost missed it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/24/2010 02:50:21 PM
I find the fact that the focus on the thumb is soft to be very distracting - otherwise I'd have given this a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/24/2010 12:46:17 PM
Snake in the background is awesome...! Nice touch!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/24/2010 08:44:20 AM
I do like this photo. If only there could of been more detail to the hand..but, overall nice idea!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/23/2010 07:50:48 PM
Great photo! I like the focus & exposure and the snake in the snake in the background is a nice touch. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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