The first one, from May, was about the Color Yellow. Here Dodder, a stringy, yellow plant, floats in the river reflecting the storm above. (That black blob at the bottom may even be my reflection).
Looking back, it almost seems portentous: this might have been the last rain and river flow before our horrendous drought, the worst in recorded history, and the most predominant thing filling the river was this parasitic plant. I have never seen so much of it.
What I like about this shot is the abstract composition, layered depths of field, and emotional moodiness. It is at once mysterious yet accessible--you know what it is but you really aren't sure what it is. It reminds me of the Japanese Ukiyo-E "pictures of a floating world" style of woodblock prints.
The second photo was from October, the Letter C, of my chicken and cardigan. I love this photo for sentimental reasons--I would never have guessed at the time Avo, my favorite rooster would be gone in a couple months. He was always willing to pose and I only recently realized images of him fill about 25% of my archive.
Photographically it has wonderful color and detail from natural lighting--the eye shine is there and the comb almost glows and just enough blur for the cardigan to be a cardigan without competing with the main subject. I could have made this happen in Photoshop, but effortlessly it was taken in one clean shot without any post-production. Although I love Photoshop, my life would be a lot easier if I could take a better shot to begin with.
I think the eight months I have participated in Sunday Stills has helped me improve in how I think about, compose, and display my photography. Thanks for the opportunity Ed!
For more best shots visit Sunday Stills!
22 comments:
From today's NYT: HOUSTON — The worst drought to strike Texas in the last 50 years has broken, ending a year-and-a-half dry spell in which farmers and ranchers suffered devastating losses, climatologists and agronomists said this week.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/science/earth/09drought.html?scp=2&sq=drought&st=cse
I like that color in the photo of your last shot of the river flow. You took almost instinctively to digital cameras, apparently. You have a good eye.
I forgot to sign my anonymous comment ....bob
i like the two photos you chose for this weeks challenge :)
the chick photo is very crisp, i rather like it
Both are fantastic shots! I'll miss the pics of Arvo too..:-))
The second shot is definitely my favorite. Avo was a super subject and your composition was terrific. :)
Both excellent shots and good explanations from an artistic photographer.
I love the colors of the rooster shot! Very nice!
I like your Chicken. The detail and colors are great.
It's hard to pick! But I like the chicken portrait the best.
Both are excellent shots. Unique and full of clarity.
both shots are very good although I'm really drawn to the Letter C, with Avo the rooster and cardigan, I'm always drawn to RED, just love it. Yes, I always try for the glint in the eye.
Rooster shot is my fav. Love everything about it!
great job on both, but I LOVE the rooster!
The second is just wonderful, I'm beginning to like chickens, they are all so unique and interesting.
I have to say that the first one is my favorite, just because it is so abstract. Very interesting.
They are both great photos! I used to see something like that yellow stuff that we called mother growing over and killing plants on the hillsides near LA. Nasty stuff.
I like both shots, but the one of Avo is my favorite, because not only was he one handsome rooster and he is missed, but this is just a really great photo.
~Lisa
That is an amazing first shot. I can't believe how you captured all of the reflections. I love the color of the rooster against the color of the cardigan.
25% that the way it is with the one we love. I have al ot of photos of my kids and those are the hardest to go through and I can not through any of them away.
I will have some postcard for sale in a few day time maybe week not with the golden girl but with nature.
Maria Berg, Sweden
I like the color contrast in your second shot. It is very detailed and crisp. Nice job.
I keep looking at your Dodder pix, what is that pinkish thing? Is it a dead fish tapped in the plant? Is that why the Dodder is a parasite plant?
I loved both shots but especially the colors of the rooster. Your commentary was good too. I don't think along those lines with my photography...but should. It's all and education for me at this point.
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