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Scissors and Thread
Scissors and Thread
CarpeNoctem


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Square Crop (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: My basement - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Date: Mar 4, 2006
Aperture: 4.5
ISO: 100
Shutter: "5
Galleries: Still Life
Date Uploaded: Mar 4, 2006

 Inspired by the same title from Ansel Adams. I am an old school zone freak. While I never see this photograph on the net, it is one of my favorites from AA.

Of course, I just can't seem to hit the qualities he presents in his work.

I used layers to make adjustments to:

1. Levels - Set the black and white points.
2. Curves - I needs a touch more contrast.
3. Shadows and Highlights - to cope with some aggressive highlights.
4. Desaturate - To get a black and white.
5. Sepia Filter - I am trying to use Duotones but I can't seem to get it right yet.
6. Healing Brush - even though these are brand new scissors, I had a couple of really hot spots on the left blade that I 'healed'. The rest of the scratches are 'character'.
7. USM - I made a layer for this, but ended not sharpenning; seemed to halo at very low settings.

Statistics
Place: 254 out of 369
Avg (all users): 5.1827
Avg (commenters): 6.8000
Avg (participants): 5.1000
Avg (non-participants): 5.3117
Views since voting: 1572
Views during voting: 260
Votes: 197
Comments: 7
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/18/2006 06:11:02 PM
Greetings from the Critique Club...

Hi CarpeNoctem :)

I always appreciate the study of classic photographers in one's own personal journey to improve. Ansel Adams was a definitive master of both the photography and printing process. I'm glad you have chosen him as a subject of study. You will learn quite a bit and delve into some subject matter that you may not have otherwise :) You will find inspiration in Edward Weston's works also.

This photo, as presented, doesn't seem to create much visual appeal. I think your background surface and perspective on the shot may be contributing to that. Depth is important, and this photo is rather two-dimensional. I don't think the viewer found much interest in the presentation...

John Setzler
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/11/2006 04:18:09 PM
mmmm bit weird but like it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2006 02:35:24 AM
interesting idea. On my screen the thread has lost some of its detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2006 08:56:54 PM
Great texture and tone...nice deep velvety blacks...a very appealing simple composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2006 08:11:01 PM
AWESOME PHOTO!! REALLY LIKED IT. DETAILS ARE GREAT AND REALLY CATCH THE EYE!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2006 01:38:26 PM
This is a clever, unusual shot. The dark textured background has a beautiful tonal range and the juxtaposition of the brightness of the scissors and string completes it well. This would make a beautiful fine art print. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/06/2006 06:14:29 AM
interesting subject...quite sharp...get it? a joke
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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