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Challenge: Spheres (Basic Editing)
Collection: 2010
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3,5-6,3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] macro for Nikon
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Jul 12, 2010
Aperture: 9.0
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/400
Date Uploaded: Jul 12, 2010

 For some reason, I became obsessed with this challenge, doing four different shoots with my glass sphere. But I didn't like ANY of my results. I almost didn't enter. Finally, as I sat and pondered what to do, I thought of soap bubbles, but then fretted about how to present them.

Then it dawned on me that I had four playful foster kittens. Bubbles and kittens!! What could be better, right? Well, I didn't have time to go to the store for a proper bubble blower, so I had to make my own soap water, and fashioned the little wand by twisting some jewelry wire. Then I couldn't get the right soap consistency. I began to worry that I was losing my light (I only get about 45 minutes of good light in my office), and then that the kittens were approaching nap time and would care less about the lovely soap bubbles I was making for them.

Finally, I got it all together and started shooting, but quickly realized that auto focus wasn't going to cut it. I zoomed way out, chose a deeper focal depth, focused on the area where the light and the kittens and bubbles would (hopefully) all line up for me, and hoped for the best.

Then I had to blow bubbles, making sure they were big enough, close enough to the kittens, and in the light. Of course, when the kittens were paying attention, I couldn't blow a bubble to save my life. But if I'd blow 3 gorgeous ones in a row, they were off fighting each other and totally missing my handiwork. I almost gave up (my shooting arm was getting REALLY tired), and I finally got this one. I knew I had it even before I checked them all. There were several other fun shots, but this was the money shot, although I had to crop super tight to make it more about the bubble. I love how the shadow of the bubble frames Franny's little face. I wonder if anyone else will notice that detail...

Converted from RAW
HUGE crop
Sharpened, sharpened, sharpened
Silver Efx neutral
NN
Saved for web

I expect there will be some DNMC comments since the "sphere" is rather ephemeral, and not an in-your-face sphere. But I just love this shot and had to enter it.

[POST CHALLENGE]

Top 20! Yeah! Thanks for all the votes and wonderful comments. I love this little critter and the wonderful shot she gave me.

Statistics
Place: 18 out of 113
Avg (all users): 5.9420
Avg (commenters): 7.5000
Avg (participants): 5.7358
Avg (non-participants): 6.0130
Views since voting: 1054
Views during voting: 324
Votes: 207
Comments: 17
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/26/2010 11:44:34 PM
This is heartwarming and delightful! And it sounds as though you had a good time getting it, too. Congrats on a lovely photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
 07/26/2010 03:38:18 PM
WOW .. this is fantastic .. love the lighting and that sharp as bubble .. love the look on pussy's face & the reaching out is excellent .. great in b&w too .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/21/2010 02:31:48 AM
Well done, Johanna!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 07/21/2010 01:58:52 AM
Excellent. Scored this well, very engaging.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/20/2010 11:45:37 PM
how neat, I like this. good job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 07/19/2010 11:58:25 PM
Oh how I wish his/her right ear was lit too.. I usually don't like out of focus shots, but this composition appeals to me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/18/2010 10:59:27 PM
Lovely! And a fun way to tease your cat. :-) (Drive-by commenting only.)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
 07/17/2010 08:57:46 AM
I think this is a cool shot -- I wish you could see the sphere a little bit better. It's still dreamy and cool -8-
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 07/17/2010 04:57:51 AM
Kitty is full of character. I like the contrast in this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
 07/15/2010 12:45:17 PM
Good catch. Nice B&W.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/15/2010 09:13:44 AM
love this. i like the look of intent on the kitty's face. looks good in b&w 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon
 07/14/2010 09:48:48 PM
Great capture. The clarity in the face and the motion blur are perfect in highlighting the title of the image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D70
Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
 07/14/2010 12:54:06 PM
Wonderful!!! Perfect lighting and focus. Excellent idea, very creative. I am sure this one was difficult to achieve, thus the nature of the cat.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 07/14/2010 09:56:51 AM
Engaging, full of life and spirit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
 07/14/2010 09:27:34 AM
this is the cutest thing ever!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A330
Sony DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM
07/14/2010 03:05:29 AM
I like this picture a lot. I would liked to have seen the cat's paw in focus. Just my take though. In literature, there is no perfect reader. In photography, there is no perfect viewer. You have my highest vote. Even higher than mine.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-50D
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon
 07/14/2010 12:16:45 AM
very cute
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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