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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 49: Gracefully Aging (Hosted by Ann Chaikin) >> Challenge 49 Eligible > 1st Place Winner
Graceful by Nature
by MFC
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21-AUG-2003 MFC

1st Place Winner
Graceful by Nature
by MFC

I was on a short vacation during the last challenge & found this
small vase that's hand-crafted by a Smokey Mountain artist using a piece of fallen tree.
I liked the rough bark, the smooth shape, & the pattern of the tree's circular "growth rings".
The greenery placed within the dry vase has developed this warm brown color with time...
together they seemed a fitting reminder of the inherent beauty in natural aging.

Sony DSC-F707
1s f/8.0 at 9.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Sony Forums Challenges27-Aug-2003 03:02
Mmmmm mmmmm mmmm
I like this very much. - Shay
Sony Forums Challenges27-Aug-2003 01:43
Mike,
Beautiful composition, lighting and colors. I like the way the background gradually turns from light to dark. It is quite beautiful! Roberta
Katherine Kenison 24-Aug-2003 23:01
This is really beautiful - I love the color, and the wood texture.
Sony Forums Challenges23-Aug-2003 22:47
Smooth and elegant Mike, absolutely gorgeous! I like everything about this one; and thank you for sharing how you set it up. (Maybe one of these days I'll actually try to orchestrate decent lighting/ background myself :-).) Melanie (mlynn)
Sony Forums Challenges23-Aug-2003 22:37
MFC, this is my favorite of your postings this challenge. The warm tones of the vase and drying,(aging), foliage works beatifully together. I also like the shadows.---Deb
Sony Forums Challenges23-Aug-2003 04:22
Elegant and simple Mike. Love it. Ann C
Sony Forums Challenges22-Aug-2003 12:53
Beautiful! The colors and shapes work so harmoniously together. Wonderful lighting! Lisafx
Sony Forums Challenges22-Aug-2003 11:01
Vikas, a single small, round halogen desk lamp was used, positioned to cast the desired shadow pattern...and I wanted to illuminate the leaves while keeping the distant background (black poster board "on end") dark. Also, the glossy, plain, white backside of a greeting card was angled just in front of the vase (lower left edge of frame area) to reflect light back up onto the curved, lower vase structure...without using the card, the lower vase (bark) detail was lost in a much darker shadow cast. That's all I used...thanks. MFC.
Sony Forums Challenges22-Aug-2003 08:15
Stunning shot, excellent lighting, lovely details and warm colours. Would love to know what was your lighting set up for this shot. Thanks................. Vikas
Sony Forums Challenges21-Aug-2003 06:20
Lovely, Mike! The warm tones and the composition are exquisite - the drying foliage a touch of genius. Can you tell that I love this image? Bev
Sony Forums Challenges21-Aug-2003 05:53
Mark, I selected the vase & sharpened with these values...Amount 100%, Radius 1 pixel, & Threshold 5 levels. I sharpened the leaves a little less...Amount 85%, Radius .9 pixels, & Threshold 5 levels. I almost always use a tripod. There ya' go...and thanks. MFC.
Sony Forums Challenges21-Aug-2003 04:12
An endless array of props in your arsenal! :-) A beautiful image, MFC. Would you mind telling us what unsharp mask value you use in your sharpening of your images? (if you like, specifically this one?). Nice work. Mark J