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Calla Lilies for Mapplethorpe
Calla Lilies for Mapplethorpe
FranziskaLang


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Tribute (Advanced Editing IV*)
Camera: Nikon D100
Lens: Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Date: Jan 24, 2006
Aperture: 13.0
ISO: 200
Shutter: 0.8 sec
Galleries: Still Life, Floral
Date Uploaded: Jan 24, 2006

 At the end of last year I bought a little "Mapplethorpe Flowers" calendar because I love his flower shots. I like the backgrounds he uses, the vases, the simple arrangements and his lighting. I was going to try and copy his style for 2006. So, when the challenge came along ... of course I knew exactly what I was going to do. Unfortunately, I left it all to the last minute, so there are some little things that I would like to be better technically, but I am very happy with the spirit of the image ... came out just as I imagined. It's been a while since I've imagined a shot, and then executed it. Things that I think are like his shots: the Calla Lily (there are several in the calendar, the vase, the lighting (there are two shots that hae streaks of light going across the background, and the packing paper background (again, there's one with that in the calendar).

Technical ... cloned out dust spots, as well as the corner of a cardboard box that peeked into the image, but I think that would've been cropped with my final crop anyway. Levels, curves. Tried Neatimage but I think that would've taken away too much detail, so I didn't do that. Cropped. And that's pretty much it.

I wish I had just a little bit more detail in the flower and a tad less exposure. I wish I could get my reflections under control. Other than that, I'm very happy with the shot, although that usually means it won't score well. I'm hoping for close to a 6.0, but think it'll be more like 5.5.

Updated an hour or so later ...

Thanks to my husband, who thought the vase overpowers the image (but I couldn't find another one that worked), I added a 2nd lily and turned the vase so it's not quite as dominant. I agree it makes for a better image.

Here's a link to the calendar that inspired me: //www.amazon.com/gp/product/3832711287/002-7263475-9589601?v=glance&n=283155

Statistics
Place: 44 out of 188
Avg (all users): 6.1836
Avg (commenters): 7.2000
Avg (participants): 5.7917
Avg (non-participants): 6.3370
Views since voting: 1439
Views during voting: 352
Votes: 256
Comments: 17
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 01/31/2006 07:23:26 PM
captures his color shots well (even though there were fewer of those). I think he really makes a point of having the phallic stigma show though...7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 01/29/2006 07:48:42 AM
Soft background compliments, the strong flowers in vase.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
 01/28/2006 10:46:40 AM
Beautiful lighiting. The repitition of curve in the stems, lilies, light, and vase really make for a wonderful composition. Excellent colors too. Perfect tribute to Mapplethorpe 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 01/27/2006 08:45:01 PM
Love the curve of light - very nice! The vase seems to be a bit overpowering.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 01/27/2006 08:21:43 PM
I was almost certain Mapplethorpe does mostly BW. However, your interpretation of his work is superb. My suggestion is to probably have 3 lillies instead of two. Asymetrical compositions seem to work better in my opinion. The light source and patterns caused by your lighting is nice and soft and gentle. Good job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Mavica FD-83
 01/27/2006 05:04:41 PM
Delightfully refreshing. 10
Pentax Optio 33L
 01/26/2006 07:59:05 PM
Nice.
Canon EOS-20D
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon
 01/26/2006 02:12:27 PM
I'm being introduced to many new photographers on this challenge, Mapplethorpe is another that I'm not familiar with. I like your tribute photo, it's very clean, very simple and very elegant. I like the stroke of light accross the backdrop, is this a signature of Mapplethorpe, or your nice addition? Very nice!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
 01/26/2006 12:50:12 PM
Nice lighting. Well done image. 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2006 10:08:16 AM
Gosh this is a lovely still, everything about it. The background gives it a human touch, the skin of Mapplethorpe's models...-10-
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 01/26/2006 03:09:38 AM
even his flower studies had a sexual overtone not bad though 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
 01/25/2006 10:54:45 PM
fab lighting. well represented for this challenge.

P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Coolpix 990
 01/25/2006 08:31:11 PM
Lovely rendition of Mapplethorpe. Great shot and studio setup. Into faves.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Minolta DiMAGE F200
 01/25/2006 05:12:53 PM
Lovely. I really like the light and the color is beautiful. Very evokotative of Mapplethorpe. And you chose someone I've actually heard of which is a plus. :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
 01/25/2006 07:51:10 AM
like the lighting.. woulde have picked a one colour wase tho
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Panasonic DMC-FZ20
Panasonic DMW-LTZ10 1.5x Teleconverter
 01/25/2006 02:28:32 AM
Love Mapplethorpe and his work and the lillies would be one of his. Love the background here, the compositiona and particularly the cyc light
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 01/25/2006 02:10:15 AM
very good
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