Jan Handman  

Mother Earth's Plea by Jan Handman

January 2018 - Mother Earth's Plea

January 2018 - Jan Handman

Original 1

January 2018 - Jan Handman

Original 2

January 2018 - Jan Handman

Original 3

About the Image(s)

Several years ago I started looking for naturally occurring letters of the alphabet in Mother Nature. It's quite addicting once you start searching small flowers and large cloud formations for lower case and capital letters. I only allow myself to photograph a letter if it's formed naturally, rather than "making" a letter with natural materials. My stash file is large and I thought I had saved all my letters in my main file, but somehow I don't have the original "P" and "A" photos that I used in this combo that I did a couple of years ago. I didn't really do much with each photo except add detail and contrast in On1 Effex. Then I just placed the letters on a black background and added a vignette. May 2018 bring Peace, Joy and Prosperity to each of you!

This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted

Helen Sweet   Helen Sweet
Ah, yes, peace on Earth, a wish to all. As a Californian I'm especially aware of the challenges we face in the upcoming year. How clever to save and use the naturally occurring letters.   Posted: 01/01/2018 13:03:36
Georgianne Giese   Georgianne Giese
(Group 77)
This is a very innovative idea. I especially like that it is creative using natural, undistorted elements. As has been said here, 'creative' photography is more than just composition. Though this is a composition, it does not distort or hide the original components, but instead, uses them in a meaningful manner just as they are!   Posted: 01/01/2018 15:07:10
 
Your concept is great. But the composite feels unbalanced both in brightness between the 5 frames and in color. (I wish the first E was complete but clouds are not all that cooperative!) I duped part of the cloud image to complete the E and then converted to B&W as a possible variation.   Posted: 01/03/2018 19:11:42
Comment Image
Jan Handman   Jan Handman
I've been searching for letters in clouds for several years, and they're pretty few and far between. And since my only "rule" for myself is to not alter the letters I find, the incomplete E was the best the clouds could do to accommodate me. :-) I do like your B/W version. Thanks!   Posted: 01/04/2018 09:50:44
Steve Estill   Steve Estill
Well you've already provided the Peace and Joy for 2018 - hopefully the prosperity will come later!
I like what you've done here. The concept is excellent and you've found some excellent letters - I liked the cloud 'E' when I first saw it.
Maybe a texture could balance the colour - I used Topaz Texture Effects > Muddy River at reduced opacity.
Thanks for the message and thanks for a very fine image.
May Peace, Joy and Prosperity be yours too.   Posted: 01/04/2018 13:35:17
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Candy Childrey   Candy Childrey
A good and hopeful message for all of us , Jan. we can only hope. Your image is lovely and well thought out. I do wish the first E were complete, but your self imposed rule doesn't permit that. the natural feel to the whole image is soothing.   Posted: 01/06/2018 21:39:54
 
Great idea, Jan. The cloud E seems out of place because of the colouring so maybe another plant as the E at the end would make it more cohesive. Wonderful idea though.   Posted: 01/19/2018 03:41:17