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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Poverty (Basic Editing I)
Collection: Good - Average
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Location: Westport, CT
Date: Oct 26, 2004
Aperture: f/18
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/250
Date Uploaded: Oct 26, 2004

 I don't like depressing images, so I tried a lighter approach to Poverty...

The REAL challenge was finding two moths in late October, but I managed. I used thin wires and hot glue to hold the wings outstretched (it was surprisingly hard to do). A co-worker was kind enough to model in old jeans, and I used ashes from the fireplace to get the hand dirty.

The model is actually lying down on black fabric, and the moths are propped up on thin wires inserted into the fabric and carpet below. This is my first entry using a new set of Alien Bees strobe lights at the office. I cropped the image and applied levels, saturation and unsharp mask.

I few details in the shot made me hesitant to enter this one: I totally overlooked the big kink in the pants, there was a tag sticking out above the belt loop that I had to crop out, and I broke the wing on one of the moths as I was setting up. Bummer. Oh well, it's just a game.

Statistics
Place: 30 out of 171
Avg (all users): 5.8785
Avg (commenters): 7.8421
Avg (participants): 5.7791
Avg (non-participants): 5.9149
Views since voting: 1512
Views during voting: 417
Votes: 321
Comments: 22
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 11/03/2004 05:42:12 PM
hey shannon , great job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/03/2004 08:09:03 AM
I had the camera set (incorrectly) to Adobe RGB, hence the dull color, and I think that hurt this shot. I'm suprised at the number of commentors who didn't understand the moths. Oh well...
 11/03/2004 12:03:38 AM
One of my favorites, what a shame
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/02/2004 11:02:11 AM
Awesome close-up. Great lighting, composition and staging.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/01/2004 09:51:04 AM
Excellent colours and composition. Nice crisp image. Good capture of the bugs. Still does not tell me much. Good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/31/2004 11:04:45 PM
I loved the symbolism of poverty wearing used clothing. Your depiction of a hand pinching an empty pocket had me thinking criminal pick pocket as a survival course of action. The substance on the hands adds character and the dark background enhances the shapes and focus on the various items. I found the insects distracting . The black background made me think that this was a created art photo. The hand was my favorite part of the photo. Thanks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/31/2004 04:31:28 PM
love the moths!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/31/2004 01:00:47 AM
great picture! However the finger nails look nicely kept. Are those moths?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/30/2004 12:58:48 AM
what a well done image humour with an underlying message
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/29/2004 10:29:59 PM
Clever concept. Love the bugs.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/29/2004 08:39:57 PM
You've paid attention to details with this one. I like the frozen action that the moths give and the dirty hands & jeans add to the concept. I voted a (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/29/2004 12:49:28 PM
great imagination with a very nice pic for effect
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/28/2004 07:36:16 PM
Cute, lighthearted take on the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/28/2004 07:08:49 PM
Extremely well done and creative! Focus, tonal range, lighting, all great! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 03:17:03 PM
LOL great concept, love the moths. The lighting is a bit dull, though. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 11:25:37 AM
Good! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 10:41:15 AM
One of my top picks very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 10:08:14 AM
Great catch of the flies!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 07:05:23 AM
Excellent photo, the most orginal idea I've seen so far. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 02:13:50 AM
fantastic comp, fantastic focus, fantastic idea....10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 01:59:34 AM
i like the moths - good touch :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2004 12:16:05 AM
Nicely done. Excellent concept and setup.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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