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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Still LIfe with Shovel, Natural Light (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2016
Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
Date: Apr 22, 2016
Date Uploaded: Apr 22, 2016

 I'm on vacation and have missed several really awesome challenges. I was not about to let another one slip by. Even one requiring a shovel....

We're staying at an incredible little hotel, and pretty much have not left the grounds (or the room for that matter) for more than meals and brief strolls. So on top of the fact that most of the staff has never seen us, when we finally emerge I ask one of the them if there might be an old shovel around that I could borrow for a picture.

I'm pretty sure that put me on the upper tier of their "guests who ask for weird things" list. But as we sat at the bar, drinking our drinks, here he comes bearing a giant grin and the perfect, grungy old shovel.

Now I just need to figure out what to pair it with to create a still life.

We head back to the room, me checking out every nook and cranny for possible "sets", to no avail. It's all beautiful and picturesque but not right for the shovel. Back in the room I look around, not really finding very much to play with either. Then I see the donkey on a little shelf near the bed, and I remember the little tequila service that is part of our "welcome back to your room" offering. I set it all up on the column next to the pool (yes, we have a pool in our room....), and have sweetie hold the shovel in place for it to get that tilt. I go back into the room to get my camera. When I return, sweetie has placed his sunglasses on the donkey. It's perfect.

It's the best I could do on vacation. I think it's adorable.

[Apr. 27th, 2016 09:45:09 PM]

I really wanted to enter this one. It's a better shot but didn't want any child-related DNMC :)


Statistics
Place: 26 out of 41
Avg (all users): 5.3810
Avg (commenters): 7.0000
Avg (participants): 5.1304
Avg (non-participants): 5.5250
Views since voting: 394
Views during voting: 131
Votes: 63
Comments: 2
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Sony Alpha a7R V
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 11/13/2016 07:43:49 AM
I enjoyed reading your notes on how you created this picture! When you mentioned tequila I suggested that you have been to Mexico, haven't you? But for me everything is remembering me of Greece, the donkey and the colours ...that is catching my eye and I actually feel that the shovel is secondary (the reason why this only got a 5 from me - sorry about that) If the challenge was "still life with donkey" I would have given a 7 or 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Sony Alpha a7R III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 04/30/2016 04:42:49 PM
Very artistic I give 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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