Catherine Honigsberg  


Floatsam Ball by Catherine Honigsberg

February 2021 - Floatsam Ball

About the Image(s)

I spotted this on a winter walk on the beach on the Eastern Shore. We have a competition coming up labeled decay. What do you think?


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




Julie Deer   Julie Deer
Hi, Oh there are so many questions! What is it? Where did it come from? How old is it? Is it fragile? Great capture. Yes, I think it illustrates decay. I would try to darken the background a little to highlight the ball a little more. It looks like someone has taken a bite out of the moon. Well seen.   Posted: 02/08/2021 18:49:41



 
My first guess was that it was an egg, until I read the title.
I wonder is a bit less of a crop would make the story clearer.
The textures and the adjustments you've made to color work wonderfully. I like the way the ball is framed by the parallel sticks. Beautiful picture. Let us know how you fare in the competition!   Posted: 02/15/2021 04:58:16



Andrew Hersom   Andrew Hersom
Yes, it certainly fits the category, well seen. The background is a bit busy, which is OK but I think it is a little soft and IMHO really needs to be bitingly sharp (or else blurred). You don't say what aperture/shutter speed you were using.   Posted: 02/15/2021 04:59:31



 
I love the texture in this composition. The ball is sharp and nicely exposed. The ball's detail (sharpness) separates it from the background and makes it appear to come forward. I like that the egg/ball is a bit ambiguous, we are not sure which it is. I like that the viewer is left wondering what the story is, it holds my attention longer.   Posted: 02/20/2021 09:24:59



Henry Roberts   Henry Roberts
Catherine, I think this carries out your desire to create moody settings as outlined in your bio. My first impression of this was an egg, perhaps a gull egg on the beach, that had been pecked open before full development and eaten by another bird or an animal such as a fox or racoon. After further contemplation, I'm not sure if this is an empty egg shell or a broken ball. The sand and black material in the shell certainly do say decay for your upcoming competition. Great capture!

You might try holding back the highlights of the ball a little bit and reducing the brightness of the surrounding flotsam to center the viewer's attention.   Posted: 02/20/2021 14:47:20



Catherine Honigsberg   Catherine Honigsberg
Thanks.
I took your advice on the Blue Bow and won 1st place in abstract for novice 2 weeks ago!
  Posted: 02/22/2021 12:30:30



Andrew Hersom   Andrew Hersom
Congratulations!!   Posted: 02/24/2021 08:57:13