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The Sword in the Stone
The Sword in the Stone
moodville


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Book Titles (Classic Editing)
Camera: Nikon D100
Location: Kansas
Date: Nov 11, 2003
Galleries: Still Life, Studio
Date Uploaded: Nov 11, 2003

Originally wanted to title this 'Le Morte D'Arthur' but 1) thought some people may not understand it, 2) people wouldnt know the book, and 3) be a scene from it and not a literal representation of the title. I guess the plain old title will have to do!

Statistics
Place: 18 out of 231
Avg (all users): 6.5429
Avg (commenters): 7.7407
Avg (participants): 6.4964
Avg (non-participants): 6.5874
Views since voting: 4869
Votes: 280
Comments: 33
Favorites: 2 (view)


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AuthorThread
12/07/2003 12:18:41 AM
Originally posted by blindjustice:

fantastic... but the blade of the sword shows digital flaws. The focus could be sharper too.

Are those "flaws" a partial reflection of your face?

I think I'd have solved the "centering" problem by having the sword 10-30 degrees off from the vertical towards the right; but maybe that's because I remember once reading a version that had a drawing like that. I think I've also seen it where the sword went right through an anvil and into the stone on which it was mounted.

I like how you did the background, but the lighting does make it look a little like a museum exhibit, rather than a scene from a Middle Ages village.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/06/2003 11:30:00 PM
moodville,

Just for the record, I was an English major and had 3 semesters in Arthurian Literature. Le Morte D'Artur was one of several that I read. Although as you surmise, I'm likely an exception.

Just added to my favorites. Recently had opportunity to travel to Ireland and spent a fair time in cemetary's photographing celtic crosses. Thanks for the photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/18/2003 04:24:21 PM
I really like the background and the DOF of this shot, nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/18/2003 03:07:21 PM
Don't know how you did it but it's really good. My vote 10!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/18/2003 08:15:12 AM
Despite the centered subject matter, I like the composition and especially the colored background. I think what's missing is lack of visual detail of the interesting looking sword, which I think should be lit better. Also, more accoutrements of that period of history would also add more interest, such as, a draped robe or shield.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/17/2003 09:46:01 AM
Everything came together nicely here. I like the lighting and DOF. 9 -danny
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/17/2003 08:51:36 AM
Behold...Excalibur!
11/16/2003 08:18:26 PM
Great photo. I thought of this title, but didn't think I could do the photo that well. Good contrasting background. I might have tried a little closer crop to see if I could get more detail on the sword, but its still well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/16/2003 04:42:47 AM
well done
11/16/2003 12:34:09 AM
Lovely interpretation of this book. Love the mottled background that totally fits with the image. The shallow DOF is great in this shot. Sharpness is good. In terms of composition, I think it either needs to be centered or more off-center. The way it is now, it is kind of in between which makes it a bit less powerful. Othewise great photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/15/2003 04:47:04 PM
interesting
11/14/2003 09:51:39 PM
Good shot, very creative for the subject
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/14/2003 08:39:40 PM
fantastic... but the blade of the sword shows digital flaws. The focus could be sharper too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/14/2003 03:39:46 PM
The primary focus is lost in the background in parts. like the general composition, althought he rock is taking a lot of focus to the bottom of the frame.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/14/2003 03:30:49 PM
the background you used is very beautiful, what was it ?
the different textures in contrast to the smooth steel works very well :D
great job on this ! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/14/2003 02:35:36 PM
alright
11/14/2003 11:30:56 AM
oo wow! very nice! theres something about this picture tho that i cant quite put me finger on, but seein as i cant think what it is I wont mark u down!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/14/2003 11:24:00 AM
clean and good image
reflections are nice, composition gives a natural feel
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/13/2003 08:24:15 PM
great shot, funky blurred BG
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/13/2003 08:17:37 AM
Good lighting, background
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/13/2003 06:58:19 AM
The sword is gorgeous. I like the contrast of textures between the stone and the sword. The lighting brings it out well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/13/2003 04:39:38 AM
Nice lighting and exposure and I do like the background. Just the right amount of foreground rock included too. I'm not sure whether the decision to have the sword off-centre horizontally was deliberate - if so I think it needs to be more off centre than it is. As it is now it just looks as though you'd intended to centre it and hadn't quite achieved that.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 11:59:49 PM
nice, I think more lighting to frame the sword and less background lighting woudl have helped... nice colors.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 09:31:04 PM
Very nice one! I love the lights. I would have cropped perfectly centered. But I still like it very much. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 08:20:06 PM
I know that you're probably trying to play by the 'rules' of composition here, but I feel that this one would have been stronger if you'd placed the sword right in the middle. The detail is great though, and I like the use of DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 06:07:37 PM
nice dagger/sword, a favorite part of a favorite book for me, I wish the background were a little less busy, although I like the color
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 03:54:21 PM
Really pretty....I love the title/shot together. I would of like the bottom cropped a bit more to remove the harsh light there in the center. Background is killer good!! The sword is also awesome. Good luck in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 02:03:44 PM
nice, but I'd crop a bit different so the sword wouldn't be totally centered.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 12:49:06 PM
Excellent. Great background and lighting. This is the winner in my books.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 10:26:56 AM
i think this type of thing would have benfited from either a completely center or completely off center composition..it's kinda in limbo right now...exposure and sharpness are good and background color are nice as well...6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 01:51:37 AM
Niice capture, good DOF, but the composition could be more interesting (this one's centered, and the rock in front of the sword takes away from sword being the focal point.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 12:43:17 AM
Excellent photo. I love the way the sword & stone both pop against the background. Focus is great, lighting is good too. I really like the marbled look of the background, gives it an old-world feel. Very well done. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/12/2003 12:20:45 AM
This is a wonderful shot, I love the lighting and the marble effect of the background. great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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