Photographer’s Notes
Some time ago, I broke the kit lens that came with my Nikon D70. This subject suggested itself to me as I was thinking about the challenge theme. Originally I was going to compose a still life with the parts, but I didn’t find a pleasing arrangement. And I was struggling with the various notions of broken: 1) Some thing that was broken; 2) A broken spirit; 3) A broken heart; or maybe 4) Broken soul. The last three spoke to me more than simply some thing that was broken. But I also wanted to get in the notion of hope. And frankly I wanted to shock people a little bit.
Thinking about shock value, I thought about how clean we try to keep our lenses and that dirt would increase the shock value. Not just dust, but really dirty dirt. I was looking at the lens sitting on my desk and thought it looked a little like a small pot you’d put a small plant in. What if I filled it with dirt and put a small plant in it?!? So I got a little potting soil from my wife’s supply, and cut off a little baby spider plant from quite a prolific mother plant (with my wife’s gracious permission, I might add). And I potted it in the broken lens. I think I’m on to something!
I wanted a plain background that would not distract from the subject. Backgrounds are something I am struggling with. And I wanted a color that would add to the shock value. I used a piece of reddish orange construction paper, set it on the counter and curved it up against the wall to get a sort-of gradient effect.
So at this point, I had the beginnings of what I finally produced. I shot 26 different angles, apertures, and exposures and set to work editing. What you see is the final result using some pretty minimal editing.
Now for a title; I promised myself several months ago I would never, ever, never use the words of the challenge theme in my title and recently renewed my vow. About this time, the color of the background made me think of broken spirits in the sense of the damned. That led me to think of hell and the fires of hell. So instead of the word “broken” I used “fallen.” Ironically, this was literally true because the lens broke in a fall. The little plant still gives me hope. So while fallen, it was also redeemed by hope; hence the title – Fallen but Redeemed.
Sorry to ramble.
Post Processing
Rotate
Filter; Gaussian Blur; Shadows
Clone Stamp; Removed Specks
Adjustment; Levels; Green channel; Plant
Reduce Noise; Neat Image
Canvas Size; Print Aspect Ratio
Image Size; 640 Pixels Tall
Filter; Sharpen; Unsharp Mask
Save for Web
Camera Data
Nikon D70
2004/12/11 10:03:35.8
JPEG (8-bit) Fine
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Lens: 105mm F/2.8 D
Focal Length: 105mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
2 sec - F/38
Exposure Comp.: +0.5 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Vivid
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Color Mode: Mode IIIa (sRGB)
Tone Comp: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: Auto
Image Comment:
Noise Reduction: Fixed Pattern
Statistics
Place: 11 out of 177 Avg (all users): 6.1407 Avg (commenters): 7.6667 Avg (participants): 6.1856 Avg (non-participants): 6.0980 Views since voting: 2050 Views during voting: 302 Votes: 199 Comments: 28 Favorites: 3 (view)
I am a big fan of this image and what a creative use for your broken lens. One thing I woudl recommend though is smoothing out the kind jaggy/noisy darker red upper-right corner.
What a high impact image you have created here. And certainly fits the challenge well.
First impression comes from the red background that works well to highlight the green foliage and to give the image that extra punch, good choice. The composition is good with excellent camera angle I would have only adjusted that slightly by turning the dish clockwise a tad to give more impact by viewing the dish through the lens more (does that make sense?).
I like the lighting it is good but you could have added some more from left front to shed a bit more light on the broken lens. I also feel that the soil/media and the writing on the lens could have been a little sharper for a better image.
There is nothing like seeing a broken lens to invoke feelings amongst photographers so you were on a real winner to start with and with a few minor adjustments I think you would have had a ribbon.
Congratulations on a very good image and good luck in future challenges.
lol, funny idea. i didn't enter this challenge but thought about using my broken sigma lens for a shot. i don't think it wouldn't have turned out as nice as this though.
Clever presentation and wonderfully creative! Scores well artistically, and there is nothing that I would suggest for improvement, technically.
One other comment. I wonder how this would look against an orange or yellow-orange backdrop...or perhaps an ivory backdrop. I think the red works, but to me it clashes with the theme of redemption.
Oh, the poor kit lens! What did you do to it! Very funny. Good composition and focus. Not sure about the saucer but that is being a little critical. Good job.
Very cool, i would make the background a different color. It dominates here, and it should instead highlight the green of the plant. Thanks for a cool idea of what to do with old lens =)
I can't believe you did this! Why must people keep breaking things :( Nice shot, excellent background/idea/focus/originality, hell, this is a high rated photograph from me.
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