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.
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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.
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