Leaf Reflection

[alissasanderson]

OK, this is a photo I took this past fall. I took it as more of a curiosity shot than anything--I saw the leaf sitting there on the hood of my truck and I thought it looked interesting, so I took a few quick snaps before the wind carried it away. and headed home.

There is actually very little post processing done on this photo--a little cropping, and if I recall correctly I used the auto-levels feature in photoshop but it didn't change it much. It's been awhile

I'd really like to hear opinions on this shot, mostly because I'm not so sure of the draw. I posted it on my blog and on Flickr and immediately got people asking for prints. Folks said it was striking, and that it moved them. And I don't get it. I would have not called it one of my more remarkable photographs.

[KagoGrl]

I quite like it. I'm not usually one for still-life shots, but this one's neat. I think everyone likes the fact that it's a simple shot - there's nothing cluttering the background or distracting our eye from the leaf. And the leaf colours are vibrant without being overbearing. And the shadow is perfect... right under the leaf, a perfect mirror image from below.

A very nice capture! Good on ya for spotting it!

[Saralonde]

Really well-composed, simple, colors are good, sharp, and beautiful shadow underneath. That's why .

[Triglav]

All of the above...love this shot...well done

[sana]

I'm moved too. To me it represents more than just a leaf, it's a personification of a girl or even a human soul - shy, elegant and graceful. And the reflection... that's probably the striking element. C.G.Jung once said that we all have a shadow (speaking of the unconscient part of our souls). There's something in the way this leaf stands alone, half straightened up and half bended as if it's trying to hide its shadow, and still being exposed... I love this kind of photos (art) that have a message pointing at something beyond obvious.

[Oni]

[QUOTE=sana;11119]I'm moved too.
The simple elegance of the photo is very captivating. A true example of art in its understated perfection.
And I am also moved by this picture, for it makes me realize that my vehicle's hood would never be that clean. A sad truth of country living.

[alissasanderson]

@Oni...

I live in the middle of nowhere. My truck is always filthy, and being a work type vehicle mud on the hood and roof is not unusual. I had (fortunately for me, I guess) just washed the truck that day!

I have always liked the photo, I just never assumed anyone else would love it so much. And as I have others that are more striking color-wise or subject-wise it really threw me when this one got such attention. Thanks, everyone!

[jiminyClickit]

alissasanderson,

It is not the leaf on the hood that people respond to, it is the vision of the photographer who pointed and said "There. Leafness." You may be as unaware of your importance as the leaf was of its ability to stir.

[Digidave]

The following commentary is meant to be humorous & is not meant to be mean spirited towards anyone.

Originally Posted by sana

I'm moved too. To me it represents more than just a leaf, it's a personification of a girl or even a human soul - shy, elegant and graceful. And the reflection... that's probably the striking element. C.G.Jung once said that we all have a shadow (speaking of the unconscient part of our souls). There's something in the way this leaf stands alone, half straightened up and half bended as if it's trying to hide its shadow, and still being exposed... I love this kind of photos (art) that have a message pointing at something beyond obvious.

WHAT!!! IT'S A LEAF ON A SHINY HOOD!!!

This is the sort of thing that has always amazed me about art, & photography specifically. Since I picked up my first P&S camera a few years back, I've been browsing the web to get pointers on catching "The Shot" & I have seen some pretty weird stuff. You know the ones. A box sitting on a sidewalk & the shot will be taken at a strange angle or something similar. People will go nuts over it! All I can think about is, that's the sort of thing that I would have kicked out of my way to get the shot I was after! What the heck are these people seeing that I'm not!
They say 1 side of the brain is more for logic & the other side is more artsy or emotional. Is there a class or a Tutorial or something I can take to bring out that artsy side? I envy you people that can see that leaf in that way & I want to be part of it!
Maybe I'm just being overly logical & that is why I probably will always be just another picture taker & not a "Photographer". Is there counseling for this sort of thing?

[alissasanderson]

@Digidave:

That is exactly what I was saying! I thought it was pretty and all, and the reflection is kinda cool, and that's why I took the photo. I even figured some folks would like it just like I did. I just never expected the response that I got, and I am so glad that there are people here that could explain it to me. And I'm glad I can move and inspire people with my photographs, because that's what it's all about. I just wish I could do it on purpose!

I am so much more logical than I am creative, and I think it certainly hinders my photography in some ways because I don't "think outside the box".