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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 178: Still Life (hosted by Frank & Martin) >> Challenge 178: Eligible > edit image
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23-SEP-2008 Helen Betts

2nd place - 1818
by Helen Betts

Washington, D.C.

I was wandering the streets of Capitol Hill today looking for interesting "still" things in people's gardens and on their stoops when I came across a wonderful collection of old implements hanging on a fence. The owner then came across me and wanted to know if I lived on the Hill, which I do. He seemed satisfied and left, but then his tenant came home and invited me into the yard to see the rest of this guy's collection. These were my favorite pieces; the wrench is marked "Mfg. 1818 U.S." as near as I can tell.

Sony DSC-H5
1/80s f/4.0 at 31.3mm iso80 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time23-Sep-2008 16:53:00
MakeSony
ModelDSC-H5
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length31.3 mm
Exposure Time1/80 sec
Aperturef/4
ISO Equivalent80
Exposure Bias-0.30
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Alopa 07-Oct-2008 00:07
I really like the textures in this shot. Wood color matches perfectly to tools color.
Guest 06-Oct-2008 08:56
The symbols on the Soviet flag (how could I forget it, I saw that uncountable times during my childhood) are the sickle and the hammer. The sickle goes from left-bottom to right top and the hammer in the opposite direction. Lovely image, the rust makes it! Cheers, MCsaba
Katherine Stanback's Photos28-Sep-2008 00:43
Very nice composition - I love the lighting and all the different textures!
Guest 27-Sep-2008 21:34
I like everything about this image and wouldn't change a thing! The lighting is just perfect and really brings out the texture of the old rusty tools. I don't know why, but I really like photos of old rusty stuff :-)
Helen Betts24-Sep-2008 20:40
Thank you all for your kind comments! It sure does look like a Soviet flag, doesn't it? The guy seems to be quite a character, so I wouldn't put it past him to have done that deliberately. I was thinking about printing this up and giving it to him (if I can remember where his house is!) and will mention the screws because they definitely detract from some wonderful old implements/tools. And Glyn, I can see cropping above that knot, but I also like the elongated composition because of the angle of the tools.
Glyn 24-Sep-2008 20:15
Hi Helen. Somethnig that gives me extra enjoyment from your picture is the way you brought out the subtle horizontal lines on the planks ... I am assuming saw-marks. They add an extra dimension to the texture of the scene. I was wondering about cropping it above the lowest wood-knot but the energy of the scythe handle goes straight to the corner as you have done it here.
inframan 24-Sep-2008 19:12
Neat composition & crisp details. Love the old tools. Just wish the guy would replace the phillips head screws with just some old box nails that didn't detract so much. Do you think you could talk to him? :))
Franky2005 24-Sep-2008 18:56
Also my first thought was on the Soviet Union's flag. : -) Love the classical composition. Great find!
jrdu 24-Sep-2008 15:11
It looks like a communist flag. This would suit Saskatchewan where I grew up amidst the oil and wheat. I like your definition of still life, Helen.