"Time" - another idea

[Didache]

Hi all .. some of you will know that I am working on some possible competition entries on the theme of "Time". A lot of the entries will no doubt contain clocks etc. I was hoping to be a little more creative (you may have seen the Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme/Time one.

Anyway, this is a draft of another idea I had this morning ....

The deadline for the competition is this Friday, so I have to get my skates on!

Cheers
Mike

[MB1]

I like the way you laid out the titles so they are not all top to bottom.

I don't really get that the flower adds to the theme except as a composition element. Perhaps if you had some petals falling/fallen off.

[Didache]

MB1 - the flower does indeed provide just a compositional element (just dvd backs would hardly make a picture). However, I really like the idea of a few fallen petals - so thanks for that

Mike

[Frog]

Good idea but I like the parsley, sage.... better.
I agree that a few fallen petals would help.

[Didache]

No sooner requested ...

Mike

[SpeedingSphere]

I think the petals need a slight shadow in order to pull that off. They look too ps'd in at the moment.

I second frog.. I care for the parsley sage thyme photo much better.

[readingr]

Petals nicely posed. One thing that I can't decide that works or not is the DVD with the writing the wrong way round.

Other than that indecision a really good piece of work.

One thing I did wonder as well was whether a slightly dying flower would work better? showing the passing of time.

Roger

[retroactiv]

I really like this idea better than the first idea you had (that and I didn't understand it). I do have to agree that most of the photos will have clocks or something of that sort in it, in my opinion the one with the petals on the ground is a winner.

[MB1]

....in my opinion the one with the petals on the ground is a winner.

Maybe a nice lens cloth (only used once ) would be a suitable reward!

[Didache]

Thanks guys

Here is a reshoot I did after dinner, this time with REAL petals!! Actually, this is quite a good example of how I approach these things: first I shoot some drafts, to see if an idea will work and what the problems are. Then I reshoot and, if necessary, reshoot again. I don't think I have EVER done a still life type of shot first time round.

Oddly, the dvds are all correct - I downloaded the covers from a CD cover site, apart from Once Upon a Time in the West, which I own anyway (one of my top 10 films ever, incidentally).

the first prize is £100 (about $200). I won it two years ago .. about time I won it again methinks

Cheers
Mike

[retroactiv]

that one is better than those above you are making great headway... After re-looking at the original with petals the petals look like pink seeds, this is much better in the petal department.

[Frog]

Just an idea...what if you put the petals in the micorowave maybe about 20 secs to make them look wilted....no idea if it would work or not.

[readingr]

Mike,

I have to agree with frog - you need something to convey the passage of time, wilting the petals would be perfect,.

Roger

[Greg McCary]

I am not sure I get the flower. I know it adds a colorful element but I think the other element should have to do with time. What about an old pocket watch at the top of the stem instead of the flower, just a thought? As far as what you have, compositionally it's perfect as always. Good luck if you win buy a round for Rufus, Tom, Roger and Paul

[SmartWombat]

Many microwaves need a large body (of water) to absorb the energy, just putting the petals alone in there could result in an end-of-microwave experience.

I'd suggest steaming them, they'd definitely wilt !

[Didache]

Time is against me on this .. I will go to my local florist tomorrow and ask for an old tulip .. they tend to look pretty droopy pretty quickly .. I'll post the results.

Cheers
Mike

[Frog]

I've got some old daffodils if you want to pay the postage :wink5:

[Greg McCary]

Time is against me on this .. I will go to my local florist tomorrow and ask for an old tulip .. they tend to look pretty droopy pretty quickly .. I'll post the results.

Cheers
Mike

I think that will work better. I hope you make it in "time" LOL

[rylan]

I've got some old daffodils if you want to pay the postage :wink5:

LOL thats funny!

[Didache]

Thanks as always for the suggestions and the critique. Here's what I think will be the final version: complete with one dead rose! (I just put the rose in the oven for 10 minutes and the same with some rose petals).

Some of you might remember the other competition I was doing stuff for (on the theme of "unity") - last night they asked if I would judge it! (so I will have to find another use for the pictures I prepared for it )

frog - you are hilarious

Cheers
Mike

[Overbeyond]

I think that last one is the best of the bunch; better I feel with less fallen petals though.

[readingr]

Mike,

Now that's what I wanted to see. One thing I particularly like and not sure about at the same time is the linear progression of the leaves as if they fell at different stages of the flower leaning over. I think a bit more of a random fall or just take one of them out will make it perfect.

Roger

[Didache]

Thanks Tom & Roger .. yes I agree. I've cloned out the third petal - much better!

Cheers
Mike

[GB1]

Hey Mike - Very good idea. They're all very nice, but the second one you posted is my favorite. The background's stark white works for me but note that I'm a white-background lover, and some may find it too bright.

When I first looked at these w/o examining the video text, I thought it was a Time shot because the colors and use of the flower signified another ear, like the 60s and early 70s. Seemed like VW bugs and flowers were popular about then (or so I've heard )

G

[jamiebug]

I like the last one best. I would agree with the fewer fallen petals theory. I would go with the odd number thing they often use in floral theory