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Professor DiPippo's Legacy
Professor DiPippo's Legacy
bassbone


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Chemistry (Basic Editing)
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Location: Salve Regina University Organic Chemistry lab
Date: Jun 6, 2008
Aperture: F7.1
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/20
Galleries: Still Life, Science and Technology
Date Uploaded: Jun 8, 2008

 I originally decided to go fundemental and display the beauty of crystals under the microscope. I recrystallized s-mandelic acid on a microscope slide by fast evaporation from 2-propanol. Mandelic acid forms beautiful crystals and the differences in the crystal habits (shapes) is quite remarkable.

I then ran into one of those fundemental data storage issues that left me totally unprepared. The digital camera on the Zeiss polarized light microscope we have in the lab does some funky data storage stuff and the file information will not store images immediately on snapping the 'frame'. Therefore, none of the pretty pictures - see below could be used....



Therefore, off to the backup plan....

I was visiting my wife's university this weekend for her 20th reunion and we decided to take a self guided tour of her old haunts. We happened upon the organic chemistry lab and laid out in all their glory were the tools of the trade, ready for the next class. The light was streaming in from the windows and the glass was side illuminated. The only issue was the door to the lab was locked and I had to shoot through a window at a non-optimal angle.

Dr. DiPippo was my wife's organic chemistry professor at Salve Regina. He was quite the character, full of life, full of love, full of enthusiasm about science and chemistry. He passed away this week after a battle with cancer. He will be missed.

Processing: Adjusted levels, curves, hue/saturation, noise ninja, sepia using hue/saturation, crop, save for web, sharpen, save for web.

I always hope for a 6, but figure will somewhere below that....

Post Challenge
Very happy that this scored so well - especially as this is really a chemistry shot that is really dedicated to a good man. Thanks for all the comments

Statistics
Place: 6 out of 62
Avg (all users): 6.7564
Avg (commenters): 7.7222
Avg (participants): 6.2800
Avg (non-participants): 6.7979
Views since voting: 2128
Views during voting: 514
Votes: 312
Comments: 30
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/18/2008 05:12:26 PM
The bile rises in the back of my throat as once again I see that despite my PB I am beaten in score and placement by my buddy from Conneticut. Then I pause for a moment and study the photo, I see a great image that is beautifully composed. A shot with lots happening in it but not overly busy. A picture with a gorgeous black and white conversion, rich tonal range and superb sharpness. I then sit back and sip gently on my celebratory glass of wine, I close my eyes and smile as I realise.....I HATE YOU! ;-)

Great image Peter and a genuinely touching story to go with it

Nice one
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 02:41:10 PM
PostLuminous Award WINNER!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 11:42:55 AM
Nice shot Peter!! I loved this one! Congrats on your placement.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 02:42:44 AM
The tones in this are reminiscent of hotpasta...oh, wait, that's me! :)

Well done, great image...glad this got in the top 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 01:22:50 AM
What a lovely tribute. The processing is perfect and nostalgic. Congratulations on a new profile page pic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 12:35:41 AM
My only 10 of the challenge. Congrats on the profile top 2. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 12:17:14 AM
This was my pick for 3rd position, I always loved chem lab, brought back some memories seeing the bench!

Congrats on a very good placing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 12:10:46 AM
Peter, very nicely done. After reading your comments, now I understand why you are so happy to have it on your profile page! Love the different polymorphs, BTW.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 12:05:21 AM
So close to an HM. Well done Peter.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/17/2008 08:57:35 PM
I like the shapes and their repetitions and placements along with the DOF. Would like to see this in color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 07:08:05 PM
Nice focus on this b/w shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 05:58:12 PM
I like this photograph. I want to look and explore it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 09:36:51 PM
Best one thus far. Doesn't look staged, definitely holds interest and makes me want to check back after the challenge for details on the shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 08:30:16 AM
Good photo a little on the dark side with the backlit lighting making it seem a bit flat. I do like the tone you applied and the crop. Focus is good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/15/2008 05:08:52 PM
Excellent!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2008 10:54:19 AM
Dramatic lighting and nice use of sepia toning (ie not overdone!), subjects are isolated through good use of depth of field. The cluttered feeling to the left makes me a little uncomfortable, but overall I think this is a solid entry - 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2008 05:23:57 PM
I love the BW, the DOF, and the feeling (glass, metal, surfaces) here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2008 12:34:52 PM
This is wonderfully rich - well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2008 09:48:18 AM
fantastic b&w conversion!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2008 02:27:06 PM
i like the color
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2008 01:03:39 PM
wonderful composition. just perfect, 10 points!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2008 08:38:35 AM
Very nicely done. Love the tone, lighting and exceptional composition! 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 11:56:27 PM
My top pick for this challenge - like the dutones, fits the challenge & obviously very authentic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 11:01:07 PM
A nice, authentic chem-lab feel, nice tones. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 05:46:01 PM
nice capture of a lab.... good comp and ellection of duotone..8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 05:03:25 PM
Absolutely superb, very abstract but powerful composition, great use of DOF and an amazing toning
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 04:55:22 PM
Lots going on in this picture, perhaps a little to much. The lighting and toning is good and I like the way the two taps mirror each other.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 04:15:53 PM
technically great and perfect for this challenge but a little too busy for me, 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 11:31:11 AM
I really feel that the black and white really adds to this picture! Very clean!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2008 10:50:21 AM
Reminds me of chemistry class back in high school.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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