Still Life: twig, moss, ball of dirt...

A friend recently told me of a man he knows who is into this thing called dorodango. It's an old playground pastime in Japan, sort of like our mud-pies here in the U.S.
Except instead of a heaping pile of mud with maybe some oak leaf garnish, you end up with a beautiful glass like shining orb. The only ingredients are dirt and water, and no tools are required to produce them.

I figured I'd give it a go, these are some pics of my first attempt.
The first was lit by the on camera flash (don't laugh, and go easy on me, I'm still shooting w/ a 4 MP Kodak Easyshare) the second was shot using a shutter speed of 4 seconds, and a flashlight, the third was shot using only available light ( at about half an hour after dusk, so dark that even with the flashlight the camera wouldn't AF,...it was really just photo-roulette) and then posted the begeezus out of.

I guess, maybe, I should have put this in the critique section...?

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Originally Posted by zen

I guess, maybe, I should have put this in the critique section...?

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You could do that - and maybe get more responses. However, I just saw the images as I've been out quite a bit today.

Now for the comments! I have to say I really like this image. I like the creativity, the subject matter - and especially what you did with a few "elements."

My favorite is No. 2. I think you did well on the composition and the "lighting." The blending color is also nice.

Good job! :thumbsup:

Liz

Thanks Liz , that's my fav. also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zen

Thanks Liz , that's my fav. also.

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I would post it in the Critique forum too in view of what you're looking for......I think you will get more comments. :thumbsup:

Liz

The second seems the best to me, also.
I'd do some rather serious cropping from the left almost to the branch fork.

That's awesome. I've been wanting to try it ever since I watched the Mythbusters episode where they were attempting to polish poop.

Nice shots btw, w/ modest equipment.

A little fyi for those not in the know- http://www.dorodango.com/

BM

love love love the last one!!!

my only comment would be that if you selective focused/blurred in photoshop, feather the edge a little more.

can you explain the mudpie process a little more? I'm a little confused....

durrr...missed the link posted.

Thank you Adina,...it was all I could do to Shadow/Highlight some image out of that capture. LOL

the middle one ends up looking like some ancient native game. Way cool!

I'm very intrigued by the process of making these things. Was it frustrating?