"Time"

[Didache]

Hi all .. I'm working on some stuff for another local competition. This one is run by the local adult educational college and has cash prizes, as well as a rather nice trophy (I won it two years ago). This year the set theme is "Time". This is one of the things I came up with

As always, any comments (or ideas!) are very welcome.

Cheers
Mike

[MB1]

It is a clever concept and the composition is really good but I think you have too much back-light. The reflections on the jars and the clocks are a little strong for my taste.

Of course that is being very, very picky.

BTW what is the tomato doing there?

[retroactiv]

I guess I'm just lost on this one, other than the clock being there I don't see how the subject has anything to do with time.

With the lighting I don't know if the problem is the backlight or the lack some more fill lighting on the spices and clock.

[MB1]

I guess I'm just lost on this one, other than the clock being there I don't see how the subject has anything to do with time......

Think, "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme/Time."

[CanonFan]

I like it a lot - very clever. I do, however, wonder why the tomato is there.

[Lori11]

I love it! SO clever! Maybe retro is to young to remember the song

[Didache]

Thanks guys for your kind words. The reason for the tomato was because I thought, when I shot it, that it needed a little splash of colour. In retrospect though I think it distracts rather than helps. I will be reshooting it tomorrow - with a little more frontal light and minus the tomato. I will keep the fresh rosemary though.

Cheers
Mike

[ChowChi-Ching]

I actually like the Tomato, with it being cut it gives the feel of cooking vs just spices sitting there......Plus, I think it needs that color
I got the thyme/time instantly and thought it was clever

Also, I like the backlight alot, I think it gives it a bright clean look.

I would leave it as is!

[retroactiv]

I must be... Because I'm still lost... But I'll cheer you on in your contest

[Greg McCary]

Nice shot Mike. I think you will do fine in the contest, good luck you have a winner here.

[Didache]

Here's another version I did this morning with different light and minus the tomato.

retroactiv - it comes from an old song popularised by Simon and Garfunkel in the late 60s (I think):

Are you going to Scarborough Fair,
Parsley, sage, rosemany and thyme,
Remember me to one who lives there,
she was once a true love of mine.

So it's a pun on thyme/time. Anyone over a certain age will get it.

Cheers
Mike

[Addies Granddaddy]

Hi Mike. Your second version is better, but now seems a little flat, but that could be the way I'm looking at it. The Simon & Garfunkel wordplay is really creative. Looks like a winner to me.
John

[AgingEyes]

Hi Mike. Your second version is better, but now seems a little flat...

I agree. The first one is more interesting. The lighting and shadow of the first one give a better sense of depth to the shot. Perhaps just have to tune down some of the reflections.

[Overbeyond]

Nice different type of idea Mike but I honestly thought it is a little too obvious. I would be inclined to remove "Rosemary" and just leave the gap. But you have photographed it ever so well and of the two I would go for the second one.

[Frog]

I like the first better, Mike. Why did the clock turn lavender in the second.
Appears as though you'll have to make the choice.

[Didache]

Thanks again guys. I am going for the second I think - the tomato bothered me as not necessary and distracting.

frog - yes, it was a little lavender (thanks for pointing that out) - I have corrected that with "remove colour cast" before printing (it prints up really nicely almost like an advertising shot).

I have, however, done a more subtle one (Tom!) - a variation on my recent tulip shots. I was trying for the contrast between the fresh and wilted flowers as a metaphor for the passage of time.

Cheers
Mike

[PrevailingConditions]

I like the background on the first one better. It seems to have a better gradient whereas the second one seems flatter. Very clever play on the song - will the judges catch it? It definitely has the advertising shot feel to it. Maybe you could market it to the spice company.

PC

[Ptax]

I prefer the first one. Even though the tomato might not be in the S and G song, I think the splash of color it adds makes it a worthy element. I also like the color of the background better in the first one.

Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[retroactiv]

Mike I do like that second Simon and Garfunkel shot. Yes I am to young, but it is a great looking shot, I wish you the best of luck in your contest. I think if you're going to reference the song, you need to keep the tomato out. My logic on it is with the amount of people that have heard the tune asking why it's in there when you take it to be judged, they are going to be asking the same question possibly detracting from what you are trying to convey with your photograph.

But that is just my 2 cents, take it or leave it.

Chris

[gahspidy]

Mike, as usual your clever ideas and fine execution make this very enjoyable to look at. I do like the second setting best, without the tomato slice but I like the lighting better in the first. I agree that there need be more key lighting on the subjects. It appears that there is stronger backlighting than the key or fill in front. I also think i prefer the lighter yellow color of the first attempt.
Good stuff, Mike.

[Len J]

I like the first one.

Very clever and nice exposure.

len

[JoshuaD]

Have you considered editing out the "dried"on the bottles? I find it a bit distracting. I love the idea though. I find the first composition more pleasing, but it's close either way.