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Temptation
Temptation
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: In the Garden II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Olympus E-30
Lens: Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital
Date: Feb 20, 2010
Aperture: 2.2
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/15
Date Uploaded: Feb 20, 2010

 I envision this scene in the midst of The Garden of Eden on a high hill, standing far above all else, with dark skies all around and lighting only upon this small parcel of land, as if a stage.

Although initially apprehensive about including a 'rubber serpent' in my photo, I REALLY like how this element came out, with it's outline, head and eyes recognizable, despite shallow DOF. It's almost is as if the serpent is looking right toward us with great anticipation. Ironically, I believe it has become THE key element in the image.

I'm disappointed in having to use this fake tree, but it was the best I was able to muster on short notice. I took more than 100 photos, but this was the best balance of position and focus of all elements. On many of my subsequent set ups and shots I was able to eliminate some of the harsh reflections on the leaves and branches, but for some reason I was unable to duplicate the desired effectiveness of the other elements, particularly the serpent, so I stuck with this one.

Those knowledgeable of the Biblical account know that there was never any mention of what kind of fruit was on the forbidden tree; for whatever reason, man has decided it was an apple, so I too go with that in my photo.

As a serious student of both science and the Bible, I am convinced that this was a literal event with literal people. As for talking serpents, I know it's hard to get our minds around that, but the scripture clearly infers speaking. Not only are Adam & Eve not surprised, Eve has a conversation with it. Perhaps animals had the ability to speak prior to the fall of man. The scriptures do tell us that animals can be demon possessed, so perhaps it was by those means that Satan was able to communicate through the serpent.

In any event, I believe what the Bible says. By faith I embrace it as God's divine truth, though many believe this is foolishness. But when you weigh the evidence objectively (even from a scientific point of view), it takes far more faith to believe in Evolution than it does to believe in Biblical Creation and in the Bible itself.

Statistics
Place: 65 out of 160
Avg (all users): 5.3606
Avg (commenters): 7.2500
Avg (participants): 5.3276
Avg (non-participants): 5.3733
Views since voting: 787
Views during voting: 302
Votes: 208
Comments: 12
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/01/2010 03:06:58 PM
Yummy... and a snake! Neat.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon
 03/01/2010 12:55:16 PM
Took me all of a second to spot the (rubber) snake, nice idea, lacks a bit in oomph but waaay better than a lot of the snapshots I've seen so far.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D90
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
 02/27/2010 03:29:26 PM
The blurry thumb is annoying me, but I like the idea. Would have been better with a model or self timer.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7R V
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
 02/27/2010 01:35:02 AM
Scalvert? :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 02/26/2010 07:41:46 PM
My second chuckle of this challenge ;). Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon
 02/26/2010 06:48:35 PM
Very well done. I can almost taste it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX
 02/26/2010 09:15:47 AM
I chose this as my winner because I felt all the elements were placed perfectly, and tell the story well. Nice work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 02/25/2010 08:45:55 PM
I really like the subject and the message sent. I don't know if it was possible to work around but the thumb in the foreground being out of focus is really distracting. Perhaps a more open hand with palm upward or even downward sort of reaching but not quite ready to pick the apple would have helped. Very nice touch with the small serpent in the background. I almost missed it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 02/24/2010 07:50:21 PM
I find the fact that the focus on the thumb is soft to be very distracting - otherwise I'd have given this a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
 02/24/2010 05:46:17 PM
Snake in the background is awesome...! Nice touch!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus SP-570 UZ
 02/24/2010 01:44:20 PM
I do like this photo. If only there could of been more detail to the hand..but, overall nice idea!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 02/24/2010 12:50:48 AM
Great photo! I like the focus & exposure and the snake in the snake in the background is a nice touch. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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