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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 48: The Real Me (hosted by JoseNoway) >> Challenge 48 Eligible Gallery > The Rat
by JoeSchmoe
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07-AUG-2003 © Joseph T. Thai

The Rat
by JoeSchmoe

I was born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of The Rat, which this necklace, given by my wife, symbolizes. According to the Chinese, Rats tend to be energetic, creative, charming, ambitious, alluring, inquisitive, witty, honest, thrifty, hard working, generous to friends, bright, happy, and sociable, but also may be over-critical, manipulative, small-minded, and gossipy. My wife says "not all true"--hopefully just the good, but she was suspiciously vague . . .

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1/40s f/2.0 at 10.1mm iso100 full exif

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Sony Forums Challenges15-Aug-2003 00:16
Nice shot Joe, I too like the selective coloring. And I too was born under the year of the rat (I have several rat carvings):-). Melanie (mlynn)
Sony Forums Challenges12-Aug-2003 07:12
Like the others, I'm impressed with the great job you did with this technique. I'm always fascinated by the ideas and traditions of different cultures and this one is no different. My "melting pot" sensibilities finds the idea of being able to claim the rat for a personal symbol totally fun and whimsical, even though I know it's deeper than that. Good for you for thinking to relate this tradition with the real you. --Nancy/JoseNoway
Guest 09-Aug-2003 14:45
I like the selective colorization, as does everyone else, but I also like the leading line caused by the shadow/light border running from the sweater to the rat. Reminds us that the necklace is attached to a person, not a mannequin. Eric Hatch
Sony Forums Challenges08-Aug-2003 19:54
I really like your style, Joe. I have been very impressed with all your entries in the last several challenges. Wonderful job of selective colorization here! I'm glad you explained why you are comparing yourself to a rat :-D. Lisafx
Sony Forums Challenges08-Aug-2003 04:10
You rats (hehe), thanks for the comments and suggestions. I've added a little more contrast to the B&W portion in response to your comment, Mark. I don't think I can achieve the same tonality in this image because of the different lighting (natural instead of flash) and clothing (white instead of black), and also I thought too much contrast might draw attention away from the necklace. But I'm glad you and others liked the tonality in the other image; it's definitely one I'd like to achieve again. JoeSchmoe
Sony Forums Challenges08-Aug-2003 02:48
Hey, us rats have to stick together! lol Whoever picked the animals for this originally.... thumbs down :-) Nice image, Joe. I like the selective color and the composition, would like to have seen the B & W portion take on the kind of toning you achieved in the shot of you and your child in the mirror. I know... you can't have everything. he he Mark J
Guest 08-Aug-2003 02:05
Nice selective saturation! Nice touch with the necklace, I was born on the year of the rat too!