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Konica Minolta Users | all galleries >> KM Challenges >> KM C40 Repetition: Hosted by Ord >> C40 Repetition: Competition > +Dead Man's Hand by cbses
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12-AUG-2005

+Dead Man's Hand by cbses

According to legend, Wild Bill Hickock was was shot to death during a poker game holding aces and eights. Today that hand is known in poker circles as a dead man's hand.
Original intent was a color shot, so I took some poetic license with the suits. The fifth card was not known for certain.
Wish he'd had four of a kind, but the cards and chips provide repetitive, if not ordered, elements.
Critique, however harsh, is very welcome. Bob

Konica-Minolta Maxxum 7 Digital
1/60s f/36.0 at 100.0mm iso1600 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Konica Minolta Users15-Aug-2005 08:31
The sepia works well, but I don't like the grain. I just read the story of Bill Hickock (thansk for drawing my attention to it) and I think that the title "Dead man's hand" would also fit nicely with its multiple meanings. MCsaba
cbses 14-Aug-2005 21:21
Thanks for all the comments.
As a matter of fact, I already made a Sepia version with some added noise that I was debating over using - it'll go up right after I post this.
I hadn't thought about the tokens/chips. Although in today's game you buy the chips (ie. they represent cash), back in Hickock era I imagine they used the real thing. That presents me with a dilemma since any bills or coinage I have would probably look even more modern.
Hiding the 5th card is an interesting idea and does bolster the legend.
The hand is too delicate (my teen age son) - looks a bit rougher in the sepia version.
You're also right about the glass - I'd considered that and should have followed through. I don't drink except the occasional beer so I didn't have a shot glass handy either - probably should have a dirty saloon look too.
Alain, good call on the lighting too. The 7D doesn't work as well as my A1 with Sigma flash but I should have at least diffused it.
Many thanks again for taking the time to comment.
Time to break out the props and model again.
Bob
Konica Minolta Users14-Aug-2005 20:40
Nice entry, Bob. A bit busy but lots to explore. Good story telling quality. I think MCsaba had some good suggestions. I find the light a bit harsh, especially on the cards. A more dramatic lighting setup would be better in this case.

Alain
Konica Minolta Users14-Aug-2005 18:08
Bob, the idea is very good and the presentation is also good in B&W. Perhapst try to push the colors to the direction of sepia to express the past time better.

I have few remarks, but I do not know the original story, thus my suggestions may be wrong. First, the tokens on the desk look a bit artificial, using real bills would be more dramatic. I think the guy wasn't shot for the tokens, and the placement of the tokens look also unreal.
If the 5th card is not known for sure, perhapst it would be better to hide it on the picture as well (turned down, or covered by the hand, etc). It would give a bit of uncertainty to the picture.

The hand on the picture is too gently, not such that is suppoded from the "Wild" Bill Hickock. Displaying a dirty, coarse and unkempt hand would make the picture more dramatical.

And at last, there is a clean and empty glass on the picture. This looks also artificial, there is allways some remains of liquid left in a glass (just tried it with wine :). Showing a few drops flowing away would give a nice touch with its metafore to the life of Bill Hickock flying away.
Regards, MCsaba
Guest 13-Aug-2005 16:54
Bob, I like your two levels of repetition, both the obvious and the one Ord mentions about the repetitive behaviour of gambling. The elements, composition and choice of greyscale work well. Good image.
John
Konica Minolta Users13-Aug-2005 13:39
Before reading your description, I thought this photo was about the hard-luck self destructive gambler who repeats the same behaviour again and again until all is lost.

I think this one works well in B&W, and I like the way the picture tells a story.
-Ord