Rather than showing an individual's defining feature, I decided to depict what makes humans different as a species.
Other than the brain (and I don't have an xray camera), I think the opposable thumb is generally considered the anatomical feature which most differentiates Homo sapiens from the rank and file fauna, and has enabled out "advancement" into a technological existence.
I had Isaac hold up a turkey femur in a pose copied from the end of the "Dawn of Man" sequence from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, when the ape discovers the power of the lever as a tool (club) and then tosses it into the air (dissolve to orbiting nuclear bombs ...).
Shot in full afternoon sun at the parking lot at work. One slight tone curve to darken the skin a bit, cropped to 3:2 ratio and reduced, one application of USM at 88%/0.8 dia/TH=5; JPEG=9/10.
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Returning for comments: I struggled with this one. After looking at this photo for quite a while, and finally recognizing that the model was holding a bone, I realized that you were tring to say that a human being's defining feature is the opposable thumb. What would have improved this photo greatly for me would have been to have a more recognizable bone - like one of those big knuckle bones that you can purchase for dogs in pet stores. Also, I know that it might be cliche' but the photo would make more sense to me if a big, burly, hairy, caveman like guy were holding the bone. This small, delicate hand made it difficult for me to understand what you were trying to convey. Lastly, I would have used a little more light to help dispell some of the shadow under the fingers. Your idea was excellent, but refining the execution would make this a much stronger shot.
Thanks for the comments! I looked for a bigger bone but couldn't find one in time ... that's a turkey drumstick. Isaac is kind of hairy for his age (like his dad!), but it doesn't show that well here : )
I thought about getting a gorilla hand (Halloween shops are open) but didn't get around to it in time.
Next time I try a shot like this I'll try to put a white sheet on the ground to reflect some sunlight up onto the underside of the hand.
Didn't vote on this challenge, but I would have thought that this shot would have come higher. Great idea and take on 2001, just a shame it seemed to go over so many heads.
great idea and a nice clean graphic presentation. the only thing I really don't like is the cut away part of the bone. It looks pretty gross and distracts from the idea.
Returning for comments: I struggled with this one. After looking at this photo for quite a while, and finally recognizing that the model was holding a bone, I realized that you were tring to say that a human being's defining feature is the opposable thumb. What would have improved this photo greatly for me would have been to have a more recognizable bone - like one of those big knuckle bones that you can purchase for dogs in pet stores. Also, I know that it might be cliche' but the photo would make more sense to me if a big, burly, hairy, caveman like guy were holding the bone. This small, delicate hand made it difficult for me to understand what you were trying to convey. Lastly, I would have used a little more light to help dispell some of the shadow under the fingers. Your idea was excellent, but refining the execution would make this a much stronger shot.
Is that an animal bone? And is an opposable thumb really what sets this person apart from the rest of humanity? Well photographed, but this shot doesn't make sense without an explanation.
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