***COMMENT THREAD FOR FEBRUARY CONTEST***

[Mz Pip]

Please post you comments for the February Contest here.

Submission thread is here

[alfredo]

1. The madness begins.

[Mira]

2. You posted my favorite of your watches shots

I don't know if I can compete now.
Back to obsessing about my entry some more
I'm serious, in spite of the icon
:rofl:

[alfredo]

3. I enter with no hope of winning any of these competitions. If you get one vote

beyond your own, your picture has worth.

[Mira]

4. Even if you don't - it has worth.

And there have been rare times when I was forced to vote for someone other than me, even in my own preliminary thread.
We are all in our own ways (you and me included) dedicated and awesome photographers.

[alfredo]

5. I have a different philosophy about my vote. I will PM what I do.

[Mira]

6. ......COULD IT BE....yes it could....

We are treated to

ROBB'S DESK

A red letter day on Democratic Underground

[Robb]

8. You're welcome.

:rofl:

Edited to add: although technically, while these things were on my desk, the photo is of said thing on top of a crate. Although being able to tell that didn't survive the crop. :D

[Celebration]

9. very COOL entry

Not only cool, but classy and comedic as well.

[Mira]

25. Every time I see it I count more C's. It is a simply

intriguing photo, with character and humor, and of course, extremely well done.

[dashrif]

7. First

still life ever I had fun setting it up and playing with lighting I used a 15 watt bulb in the back ground camera settings f10 30s shutter beercan lens in mostly dark room


I love the c theme and the pocket watches

[Cassandra]

10. I thought I'd go political this time.

Does it read as I'd intended?

[Mz Pip]

11. This is how I read it:

The victims may still have their pretty china and lovely linens that they bought when things were going swimmingly, but now they can only afford to serve catfood on them.

Is that about right?

[Celebration]

12. Yup, seems the way to me too

They have the trappings, but not the substance.

And they disguise it the best way possible.

I think this is awesome!

[Cassandra]

17. Thanks!

I tried this a few months ago with natural light (and it came out eh) but this is my first attempt with a collapsible (important in a small apartment) light tent and pro lights.

[Cassandra]

15. Exactly!

Thank you.

[Mira]

13. What MzPip said - and well done, too!

I hear they are saving a few cells near his for Chimpy Fucknuts and the Shooter.

[Cassandra]

16. Thank you

One can only hope about the Chimp.

[alfredo]

19. Your's made me laugh.

[Cassandra]

20. I just got accepted...

for health insurance that's less than half what I'm paying now (not as good a policy but you do what you can), so I figure I can return the can to the owner, who actually has a cat.

[alfredo]

21. My health insurance now takes 60% of my pension.

[Cassandra]

22. Do you need a can of catfood?

I have one to spare. :-(

[alfredo]

27. I am partial to Kibble and Bits

[Mira]

23. Congrats on the insurance acceptance,

and on having friends where you can "borrow" dogs in the snow, catfood, and as you will shortly see (because I'm about to enter my photo) there is a bird available, somewhere, in my house....................

[Cassandra]

29. If it's that gorgeous cardinal...

hang on to it.
Those eggs are lovely. They remind me that I used to make Ukrainian Easter eggs although I'm not Christian.

As for the insurance, I'm crossing my fingers that this will work out but I'm short on choices right now.

[Elfin Yeti]

73. I love it!

That is a perfect example of a picture being worth a thousand words! You nailed it!

[Cassandra]

96. Thank you!

Sorry to take so long to respond.

[Celebration]

14. Amazing entries so far

I am intimidated-- more than usual.

[Mira]

18. I'm intimidated right beside you...

I just changed my entry decision.
(if I dare submit it)

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

24. Damn!

There are some mighty fine shutter bugs here at DU. Glad I don't have to be juried in! :)

[Mira]

26. Just this minute got through admiring your pastels.

Beautiful arrangement of shapes, colors, and a perfect use of space as I see it.
Everybody wins by your participation.

[Xipe Totec]

28. A Candid Shot

Sharing a bottle of chocolate stout with my wife, while she cooks.

[dashrif]

30. WOW

Looking good and very nice subjects if I might add keep it up :applause:

[Cassandra]

31. Oooo...JeffR...

that's beautiful!

[JeffR]

32. I like yours better, but thanks!

I've had the shot in mind for a week or so, but didn't have a chance to shoot it until about an hour ago. At the rate this is filling up, I'm glad I could get to it tonight.

[Cassandra]

33. I've only been contemplating mine...

for more than 6 months. The lights helped immeasurably from my previous experiment.

[JeffR]

34. So much comes down to lighting with still life, as I've just discovered.

The lighting in yours is perfect.

[Cassandra]

35. Thank you!

:blush:

I'm less than happy about the reflection on the knife blade but I can live with it. :shrug:

[JeffR]

36. The reflection works because it picks up the top curve of the place mat

and leads the eye back to the payoff of the photo, IMHO.

[Cassandra]

37. Hmph...

I guess I'm a genius then. ;-)
I think the lighting in yours is very appropriate for the subject matter. The whole thing has a Victorian glow.

[JeffR]

38. Courtesy of 3 LED flashlights, as it happens.

The white balance gave me fits, as did the aperture setting. I finally settled on one of 22 attempts, and am looking forward to my entry sinking like a stone once the contest begins.:)

[HappyCynic]

39. Impromptu lighting

I love what can be done with flashlights and other impromptu lighting. For my "shot in the dark shot in the dark" photo (the one with the shot glass), I used a small flashlight and a paper cylinder taped to the end to get a spotlight effect.
I'm still working on my shot for this contest but I expect that in the unlikely case your entry sinks like a stone, mine will already be there waiting for you.

[JeffR]

51. Yours had better not be!

That's a terrific shot.

[Mira]

41. That's the spirit - bet you were not putting such a pall on your entries when

you recently won two in a row.

:dilemma:

[JeffR]

52. Can't recall

but probably.

[Blue_In_AK]

40. All of the submissions this time

are absolutely wonderful. It's impossible to pick just one. Good job, fellow groupies. :)

[Mira]

42. I second your observation,

which includes your fascinating photo.

I get the feeling that this subject has intrigued us to stretch into new dimensions. I had four ideas, and took easily 30-40 shots of each, and finally just DECIDED on one. It could have eaten my time alive, and almost did.
I had a great deal of fun, and learned a few things about lighting, and over doing, and under doing, and sharpness, and saturation..................

Though I could not say exactly what I learned, I think it will add to my store house of unconscious competence, that sometimes rears its useful head.

(there is no way I could describe how much fun this is, and no way I want to remember the time before I found you guys)

[Mz Pip]

43. I am loving this

These are wonderful, each one different. I know we aren't supposed to use the word stunning anymore, but these really are.

Stunning. Stunning. Stunning.

There. I said it. So sue me. :evilgrin:

Mz Pip :hi:

[hippywife]

44. Now this is the best theme EVER!

I was looking at all the submissions so far and it seems like this theme has pushed everyone to their most artistic nature some how. It's so hard to put into words what I'm trying to say.

They are truly fabulous! :D

[Xipe Totec]

45. I liked your Pesto in Progress

I could almost smell the basil.

[hippywife]

48. Thank you, doll.

I love your Quiet Dinner, too. The lighting is simply sublime. I liked your totally zen photo in the Lounge pic thread, too.

:hi:

[Mira]

46. I just re-visited the entries, and I have a suggestion:

Let's just repeat this theme until we get it right.

:rofl:
:rofl: :rofl:

[hippywife]

47. I love this suggestion

and according to strict parliamentary procedure, I second this motion. :rofl:

[alfredo]

49. All in favor, click your right mouse button

[hippywife]

50. Click! Click!

Did that work? Is this thing on? :rofl:

[alfredo]

53. It emptied my trash and ran the periodic command in my terminal.

[JeffR]

54. CC, that photo kicks ass.

There are many great entries, but that one is special because it reads beautifully as an abstract, which strikes me as very tough to do with a still life. Nice work!

[Cassandra]

56. I second that!

I was trying to figure out what to say other than WOW.

[JeffR]

57. I think WOW captures it very well.

:)

[CC]

62. Thank you all,

I didn't expect it to get much attention after seeing what was already submitted. Almost changed the name to "Now for something completely different." Terry is calling it "Target Dish ad." lol

[blueraven95]

67. I absolutely agree

CC, yours is amazing.

[Mira]

55. CC...since I first saw your photo

I have been sitting in a lotus position meditating on how to find the right words to tell you how I feel about it.
Now I show up to do so, and JeffR has already used them.
(it's one of my favorites EVER on this board)

EVER

[CC]

63. TY

Not sure what to say beyond that it was fun experimenting. Question is would it work as well with other dishes. Did not work with the teapot.

[Mz Pip]

58. We need some more entries!

The submissions thread is sinking... :-(

Mz Pip :hi:

[Mira]

59. There are some intimidating photos already submitted.

I have the suspicion a lot of frantic arranging and shooting is going on in some of our living quarters.
Truth be told, I never sweated an entry like I did this one, and I'm second guessing the one I put in the lineup.
But heck, I'm proud to be there and proud of having the guts to do it.

[Mz Pip]

60. You're probably right.

I think still life is probably as challenging for some as a portrait would be for me. I've got a gazillion floral and other still lifes and not one formal portrait.

But the beauty of these challenges is that they force you to stretch yourself and think outside your comfort zone. And that's a good thing for any artist to do.

[alfredo]

61. I kicked the submission thread to the top to make sure it gets noticed.

[pipoman]

64. Some great still life here..

[hippywife]

68. And I can't tell you

how please I am to see you enter! :hug:

[JeffR]

72. I second that emotion!

:)

[pipoman]

74. Thanks hippy and Jeff...

still life is my favorite!

[Mira]

65. The reason they are trickling in

is because this has crystallized into a thread of the best we can do, as it progresses.
I think we are
SO AWESOME

[Mira]

66. oheckyeah - if I remember your name correctly -

what an entry.
You are cracking me up because I have long maintained:

"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and I don't need no Valentine"

laugh with me, and I think your photo is marvelous.

[ohheckyeah]

69. Thank you very much.

I'll laugh with you! And yes, you got the name right!

It's my first entry and to say I'm intimidated is an understatement.

I need to get back into my photography. Ever since I went digital and gave up the darkroom I've had trouble getting motivated.

I miss the smell of chemicals. ;-)

[Mira]

70. YES I understand - caught this just before I need to turn in for the new week

I'm thrilled you entered. I love new blood.
I discovered the photo forum about a month after Obama got elected, and they have kindly taught me and cared about me since.

This place is a wonderful motivator.
We are kind to each other, and are encouraging, and if asked will give further opinions.

We think we are the best forum on DU :).
I love having you here.

I miss the smell of the chemicals as well. But I do not miss the cost of photography of the old days.
I'll be looking for your contributions, and I'm really happy you found us.

[ohheckyeah]

71. I don't miss the cost either.

I spent a fortune in paper. I had one photograph that was a white wedding dress with black boots....and as I'm sure you know, true black and white like that is the HARDEST to get printed so that there is detail in both the black and white. I think I printed that sucker 50 times. I was in the dark room until I was exhausted, but I finally got it the way I wanted it. I wonder just how much that silly photo cost me by the time it was all done. Fiber paper and all of the chemicals...hard to tell what it cost. It got an award at the college art show so it was worth it. I miss my classes, too.

[Mira]

75. Tindalos: Chilly and sweet dreams indeed!

The black candle simply slays me. What an imaginative entry.

[Tindalos]

77. This contest scares me

I don't recall ever being so intimidated by another contest as I am by this one. As each submission came in, each one so amazing, it was tempting to just chicken out.


--------------------------------

[Mira]

78. I'm still hanging out

should turn in. I think what we see in this one is like I said before an attempt at the proverbial stretch.
The stretch, once achieved, will never let us go back to the original dimension.

I think the reason the photos came in so slowly is not just intimidation, but also an attempt to arrange and do our individual best to match the quality of what is presented. These are, as I'm observing, photos we are slaving over to get right.

I know I did.
And I failed to the point of wanting a new camera. (blame something outside yourself :))

What you are saying, I bet, is that you are recognizing that you are called on to do the best you are able to at this time. And your peers are doing the calling.

Cheerio.

If I had managed a photo that might win, and if I did, I honestly would call for a second round of still life.
Because I'm watching a struggle to learn and be creative in action, and the watching is lots of fun.

[Tindalos]

90. This is true

It does feels like each contest stretches me further and I'm definitely not quite the same shape afterward. This one got to me more than usual because it's so far from my usual style. And yes, there came a point when the nit-picking had to stop and the submission made even though it wasn't quite right yet. I'm glad I did it. It's fun trying something new and even more fun to share the experience with everyone here.


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[HappyCynic]

79. Constant intimidation

I don't know if I'm more intimidated by this one than any others. I'm always intimidated by the fabulous entries. I don't think there's been a single one where I've felt anywhere close to confident. I just figure that if I chicken out due to the amazing entries, I'll probably use the same excuse the next time. And the next.
And I must say that your second place finish in the Winter contest should be proof enough that your entries are always among the amazing submissions.

[Mz Pip]

76. 4 more spots!!!

Less than 2 days left!

All of these photos are amazing. :bounce:

[intheflow]

80. Grr! I took a bunch of photos now my downloader won't work!

:grr: I have things I could post, but I worked so freakin' hard on the ones stuck on my card. :cry:

Ah, just as well. The competition is something fierce this time around!

[Tindalos]

85. Glad you got your downloader to cooperate

I like your elephant photo. Is it just me, or are the contests getting harder every time?


----------------------------------

[intheflow]

86. No, the elephant was an early run.

So dissatisfying to me I painstakingly set my kitchen for some lovely still lifes with citrus and flowers. They're still on my card. *sigh* But thank you for the compliment anyway! :hi: I agree these contests are getting mad-hard these days!

[Xipe Totec]

88. When I saw Elephant Spirit and Pepper Quail

What came to mind as an idea was a fusion of the two:

An Elephant made of eggplants, titled Baba Ganesh.

I like both of these pictures.

[Tindalos]

89. Can you copy directly onto the computer?

If you plug a USB cable into the camera and then the computer, you should be able to copy and paste the pictures directly. That's how I do it. No downloaders necessary.


-------------------------------------------

[intheflow]

92. I have some kind of usb port, but

it's not a standard size. I'm sure this camera came with a cable that performed just that function. But I got this the year I lived in Mississippi after Katrina. I lost track of a lot of things that year. I'm guessing that cable was just another lost thing.

[Tindalos]

95. Oh, I see

You should be able to get a replacement cable on ebay or somewhere if you can't get the downloader to work. Do you have a camera store nearby that you could ask? They might be able to help fix it or get you a cable.


------------------------

[Mira]

81. Schema Thing - I don't know you - but your peaches look like some of

the finest I have every met.
I love that golden photograph.
I have not seen your name here before, so if by chance you are here because I trolled and asked in the Lounge I will have done my best work for the day.
Welcome, or welcome back.

[Schema Thing]

82. Thanks. yep, you caught me in the lounge :)

[dashrif]

84. Schema Thing

are you an IT nerd? .........It takes one to....... :hi: Or maybe I received a Schema mismatch and need to recheck and rerun Dc promo :rofl: :rofl:

[Schema Thing]

87. nope....

I can only guess at what you're talking about :)


I always thought it would make a great band name - and since I'm not a musician, I have to settle for using as a screen name.

[dashrif]

91. the nerd in me says

that was unexpected.......... really its boring don't click on it http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms675085(VS.85).aspx">Windows Schema

I guess it was a http://support.microsoft.com/kb/838179">Schema Mismatch Error after all, quick run away before the nerd rubs off :rofl:

[Mira]

83. RushisRot

I love your name.
And also your photo. I do not host this contest, and the hostess is not around right now.
I think though it does not qualify for the theme of "Still life".

We decided after the theme of the February contest was voted on that Still Life meant recognizable object are arranged in a way to please the photographer.

The hostess may decide otherwise, but if I were she I would say hold it for another contest where it may be "macro" shots, or something else it would more fit into.

Hey,
you had an hour or so to find something. We have been struggling for close to a couple of weeks. I'm so pleased you showed up with a beautiful photo.

Poke around our forum, see who we are (the nicest damn people imaginable) and how we do things.
We have a contest every month.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

93. Casandra's title ROCKS!!!...as does the photograph!!!...ALL of the entries are GREAT!

[Cassandra]

94. Thank you!!

:blush: