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1st Place Winner!
Reflections in Silver
by Helen Betts

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03-DEC-2002 Helen Betts

1st Place Winner!
Reflections in Silver
by Helen Betts

Okinawa, Japan

Silver candelabra and silver candles reflected in a mirror.

What a mess (as usual!): Ruined a black velvet coat I used under the candelabra (I was desperate, had nothing else suitable); went through several sets of candles and had to run out to a military base buy more; wax all over the place (found out they were not dripless candles); crooked candelabra that needed straightening (after I thought I had finally gotten what I wanted, of course); forgot to set white balance on initial tries (the candles were really pretty in gold) and had a terrible time doing it during the last session. Why do I get so obsessed with these things?? :-))

Sony DSC-F717
1/8s f/3.5 at 11.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: original small medium auto
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Sony Forums Challenges10-Dec-2002 09:18
Helen, great shot! Now, put that coat in the freezer and the wax will be easy to pop off once it's frozen! Do hope you get the coat back to normal...but the photo is a real stunner, so all is not lost! ~Nee
Sony Forums Challenges10-Dec-2002 03:33
Just got around to commenting on this one. Elegant and lovely. I totally understand your obsession... join the club. :) Ann C
Sony Forums Challenges09-Dec-2002 21:58
I like this image. It's so beautiful and elegant. Very nicely done. Great job Helen! florg
Guest 08-Dec-2002 15:58
Sorry about your wax problem - I know I dumped some on my counters but that came off easy.
I like this shot, the low light and the tones really bring out the candles and flame.
-david cappello
Helen Betts08-Dec-2002 02:50
Thank you for the comments, everyone, and also for the hints about getting rid of wax drips. The coat (actually, it's an old garment worn over a kimono for going out) is pretty far gone, unfortunately. I had a friend of mine in the States buy me a black velvet duster I had seen while home and send it to me; at $200, this turned out to be a very expensive photo! (What was that I said about being obsessed??) Helen
Faye White07-Dec-2002 21:14
Hi Helen - the is really lovely; I love the subdued colors and simple composition. I enjoyed the story too - I had similar disasters with one of my entries. Let's just say I'm no longer allowed to light candles indoors. :) -faye
Sony Forums Challenges07-Dec-2002 12:09
Hi Helen, this is one oustanding image Helen!! I just love the overall tone of the image.
Your placement of the candelabra in front of the mirror is very effective... creating the illusion of six candles where there are three. And Helen... you are NOT alone when it comes to being "obsessed with these things", it's the sign of a photographer who really enjoys what they are doing and at the same time takes it very seriously :-) Mark J
Sony Forums Challenges07-Dec-2002 01:05
Really beautiful, Helen, and elegant. I dripped wax on a red wool crepe skirt, put it in the freezer for a day, and it popped right off. Good Luck with the coat! Bev
Guest 06-Dec-2002 00:26
Very elegant. It also has a mysterious feel to it. I really like this. Good work.
Scott A.
W.C. VandenBerg05-Dec-2002 21:04
Gorgeous and classy! (A cleaning note: Here in the States there is a product called Goo Gone which is great on candle wax -- I once used it to get spilled wax out of carpeting.)
Sony Forums Challenges05-Dec-2002 16:53
your had work paid off...simple but beautiful. ~ kudbegud
Sony Forums Challenges04-Dec-2002 13:59
Beautiful image, Helen...very well done. I know what you mean :) MFC
Willem 04-Dec-2002 13:47
Well your efforts certainly paid off, nor sure it was worth your coat, but the image is beautifull. Nice soft glow and light.