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Fallen but Redeemed
Fallen but Redeemed
Dr.Confuser


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Broken (Advanced Editing II)
Camera: Nikon D70
Location: Kirkland, Washington, USA
Date: Dec 11, 2004
Aperture: F/38
ISO: 200
Shutter: 2 Seconds
Galleries: Still Life, Floral
Date Uploaded: Dec 11, 2004

 Photographer’s Notes
Some time ago, I broke the kit lens that came with my Nikon D70. This subject suggested itself to me as I was thinking about the challenge theme. Originally I was going to compose a still life with the parts, but I didn’t find a pleasing arrangement. And I was struggling with the various notions of broken: 1) Some thing that was broken; 2) A broken spirit; 3) A broken heart; or maybe 4) Broken soul. The last three spoke to me more than simply some thing that was broken. But I also wanted to get in the notion of hope. And frankly I wanted to shock people a little bit.

Thinking about shock value, I thought about how clean we try to keep our lenses and that dirt would increase the shock value. Not just dust, but really dirty dirt. I was looking at the lens sitting on my desk and thought it looked a little like a small pot you’d put a small plant in. What if I filled it with dirt and put a small plant in it?!? So I got a little potting soil from my wife’s supply, and cut off a little baby spider plant from quite a prolific mother plant (with my wife’s gracious permission, I might add). And I potted it in the broken lens. I think I’m on to something!

I wanted a plain background that would not distract from the subject. Backgrounds are something I am struggling with. And I wanted a color that would add to the shock value. I used a piece of reddish orange construction paper, set it on the counter and curved it up against the wall to get a sort-of gradient effect.

So at this point, I had the beginnings of what I finally produced. I shot 26 different angles, apertures, and exposures and set to work editing. What you see is the final result using some pretty minimal editing.

Now for a title; I promised myself several months ago I would never, ever, never use the words of the challenge theme in my title and recently renewed my vow. About this time, the color of the background made me think of broken spirits in the sense of the damned. That led me to think of hell and the fires of hell. So instead of the word “broken” I used “fallen.” Ironically, this was literally true because the lens broke in a fall. The little plant still gives me hope. So while fallen, it was also redeemed by hope; hence the title – Fallen but Redeemed.

Sorry to ramble.

Post Processing
Rotate
Filter; Gaussian Blur; Shadows
Clone Stamp; Removed Specks
Adjustment; Levels; Green channel; Plant
Reduce Noise; Neat Image
Canvas Size; Print Aspect Ratio
Image Size; 640 Pixels Tall
Filter; Sharpen; Unsharp Mask
Save for Web


Camera Data
Nikon D70
2004/12/11 10:03:35.8
JPEG (8-bit) Fine
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Lens: 105mm F/2.8 D
Focal Length: 105mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
2 sec - F/38
Exposure Comp.: +0.5 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Vivid
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Color Mode: Mode IIIa (sRGB)
Tone Comp: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: Auto
Image Comment:
Noise Reduction: Fixed Pattern

Statistics
Place: 11 out of 177
Avg (all users): 6.1407
Avg (commenters): 7.6667
Avg (participants): 6.1856
Avg (non-participants): 6.0980
Views since voting: 1864
Views during voting: 302
Votes: 199
Comments: 28
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 07/25/2006 11:49:45 PM
I am a big fan of this image and what a creative use for your broken lens. One thing I woudl recommend though is smoothing out the kind jaggy/noisy darker red upper-right corner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/22/2004 05:03:17 AM
Greetings from the Critique Club,

What a high impact image you have created here. And certainly fits the challenge well.

First impression comes from the red background that works well to highlight the green foliage and to give the image that extra punch, good choice. The composition is good with excellent camera angle I would have only adjusted that slightly by turning the dish clockwise a tad to give more impact by viewing the dish through the lens more (does that make sense?).

I like the lighting it is good but you could have added some more from left front to shed a bit more light on the broken lens. I also feel that the soil/media and the writing on the lens could have been a little sharper for a better image.

There is nothing like seeing a broken lens to invoke feelings amongst photographers so you were on a real winner to start with and with a few minor adjustments I think you would have had a ribbon.

Congratulations on a very good image and good luck in future challenges.

Kind Regards

Tim Sturt

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 05:30:55 AM
Great idea, nice work, you beat me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/20/2004 12:26:15 AM
Congratulations on your 11th placing. This idea was simply ingenious.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/19/2004 08:22:15 PM
Some people spend too much on their props : )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/19/2004 02:10:35 PM
lol, funny idea. i didn't enter this challenge but thought about using my broken sigma lens for a shot. i don't think it wouldn't have turned out as nice as this though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/19/2004 03:48:50 AM
Clever presentation and wonderfully creative! Scores well artistically, and there is nothing that I would suggest for improvement, technically.

One other comment. I wonder how this would look against an orange or yellow-orange backdrop...or perhaps an ivory backdrop. I think the red works, but to me it clashes with the theme of redemption.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/19/2004 12:52:11 AM
Oh, the poor kit lens! What did you do to it! Very funny. Good composition and focus. Not sure about the saucer but that is being a little critical. Good job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2004 07:34:02 PM
Interesting idea. I doubt we'll see any others like this. 7 for the idea alone.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2004 01:36:26 PM
Woa, What happend With This Lens, I could Have Used It!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 05:46:08 PM
I use Nikon lenses to whipe my ... dog ... mhm... Funny shot :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 05:34:33 PM
ouch
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 04:54:03 PM
Very cool, i would make the background a different color. It dominates here, and it should instead highlight the green of the plant. Thanks for a cool idea of what to do with old lens =)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 03:38:47 PM
This is great! I haven't had anything this sad happen yet, but I'll be sure to think of this when it does! :) BOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 01:48:41 PM
Hehe... thats an idea... nice pircture but i would used different background... bit too flasy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 12:09:02 PM
I can't believe you did this! Why must people keep breaking things :( Nice shot, excellent background/idea/focus/originality, hell, this is a high rated photograph from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 09:40:10 AM
What a neat idea and I love the colors. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2004 04:51:03 AM
Composition: 7, Technical: 6, Appeal: 6, Challenge: 5, Overall Score: 5 (weighted)
 12/14/2004 12:26:21 AM
Haha... that's great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 08:53:23 PM
glare on saucer is distracting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 03:34:38 PM
Good use for decorating.Like the gradiant background accenting your potted broken lens. The magnifying dish is a nice touch too. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 01:27:08 PM
Cool, I want one too! :)

Creative and well executed. I wonder what lens you used. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 12:54:10 PM
That's pretty cute!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 11:11:09 AM
Cute! great colors and composition... well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 05:09:03 AM
Can I assume that you didn't break the lens for DPC?
It's a great idea and you have made it work well. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 05:06:00 AM
Very funny! And this is a seriously well done photograph. The colors, composition and focus are outstanding. Greatjob!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 04:46:03 AM
Man, I cant accept you did this. Smokeeditor? Bad I say BAD! 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/13/2004 03:34:51 AM
wow
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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