Orbiting Neptune, Window View: No, I have not been on a space mission to the outer planets. To create this image, I used a video camera eyepiece I recently found discarded on the...

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

No, I have not been on a space mission to the outer planets.

To create this image, I used a video camera eyepiece I recently found discarded on the street, and pressed it up to my camera's lens. Also, I used a small LED flashlight for lighting and a coiled up guitar string as prop. As a final touch, I added the background stars in editing, painting them in individually at variable sizes, and then softening them with the blur tool for a more realistic glow.

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Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Quite creative and well done 2c4.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

rook2c4 wrote:

No, I have not been on a space mission to the outer planets.

To create this image, I used a video camera eyepiece I recently found discarded on the street, and pressed it up to my camera's lens. Also, I used a small LED flashlight for lighting and a coiled up guitar string as prop. As a final touch, I added the background stars in editing, painting them in individually at variable sizes, and then softening them with the blur tool for a more realistic glow.

A fascinating concept with imaginative accomplishment!
I suggest that the spacecraft window, the slight arc of Neptune in its lower quarter, and the suggestions of stars are perfect.
The mystical smoothly flowing (almost ) random coils are effective...except that the windings of wire on the string, and the two kinks in the coils emphasize the incongruity of proportion between the massive scale of Neptune's arc, the stars, and the segment of observed cosmos....and what is resolved as the tiny scale of the details of the coiled guitar string. I think that a smooth-surfaced coil would work far better because it's distance would be more ambiguous (at least to any players of stringed instruments who may view the image....)

I really do think your concept is wonderfully fascinating and very much hope you will pursue its development further.

Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Very interesting and creative!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Frank2013 wrote:

Quite creative and well done 2c4.

Thank you, Frank2013!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Uuglypher wrote:

A fascinating concept with imaginative accomplish... (show quote)

Dave, thank you for your analysis. The guitar string is supposed to represent external cables of the spacecraft just out side of the window, although I'm not sure if it visually translates well as such. A difficult project to pull off convincingly, for sure.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Linda From Maine wrote:

Very interesting and creative!

I'm glad you liked it! The reason I posted this image in the FYC section was to encourage others to explore the creative possibilities with simple everyday objects, and that these objects can sometimes take on a new identity or meaning when presented out of context.

jim hill Loc: Springfield, IL

rook2c4 wrote:

No, I have not been on a space mission to the outer planets.

To create this image, I used a video camera eyepiece I recently found discarded on the street, and pressed it up to my camera's lens. Also, I used a small LED flashlight for lighting and a coiled up guitar string as prop. As a final touch, I added the background stars in editing, painting them in individually at variable sizes, and then softening them with the blur tool for a more realistic glow.

Hi Rook,

The very first thing I look at when viewing any work of art is the form. This is a fascinating example of "form follows function". The function in this case being the construction of a piece that attracts the mind of kindred artists no matter what the medium. Once I gazed upon this I needed no further analysis. The form itself opened up a realm of possibilities into which I could cast about - my mind ablaze with different scenarios.

Because my sight isn't what it used to be I missed the stars. Maybe that's a good thing for a truly love the dynamic space and little white dots might have been a distraction - only maybe.

Truly an amazing construct!

jim hill Loc: Springfield, IL

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rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

jim hill wrote:

Hi Rook, br br The very first thing I look at whe... (show quote)

Thank you for the compliment, Jim.

While constructing the image, the first thing I asked myself: Stripped of all description and context, does the image still have visual appeal? Will it be effective as a purely "semi-abstract" artwork? This is where form and composition obviously become the deciding factors. How each individual viewer then interprets the image or discovers meaning in the image is not important.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

In a forum that is in danger at times of becoming hackneyed humdrum and lacking in creativity along comes a wonderfully conceived and thought out piece such as this. Dare to be different more often please.
at risk of upsetting you I do not see this as art or abstract but a very well thought out and executed model which makes it no less valid in my eyes.
Sit back and wait for for Pixar or one of the other animation houses to call you.
Whatever its called great work.

jim hill Loc: Springfield, IL

rook2c4 wrote:

Thank you for the compliment, Jim.

While constructing the image, the first thing I asked myself: Stripped of all description and context, does the image still have visual appeal? Will it be effective as a purely "semi-abstract" artwork? This is where form and composition obviously become the deciding factors. How each individual viewer then interprets the image or discovers meaning in the image is not important.

I think you left off a couple qualifiers at the end of your final sentence. Maybe you meant to add, "to me."

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

jim hill wrote:

I think you left off a couple qualifiers at the end of your final sentence. Maybe you meant to add, "to me."

I meant in respect to the intrinsic value of the image. Adding "to me" to the sentence would suggest I don't care what viewers think or feel about the image, which certainly isn't true.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Billyspad wrote:

In a forum that is in danger at times of becoming hackneyed humdrum and lacking in creativity along comes a wonderfully conceived and thought out piece such as this. Dare to be different more often please.
at risk of upsetting you I do not see this as art or abstract but a very well thought out and executed model which makes it no less valid in my eyes.
Sit back and wait for for Pixar or one of the other animation houses to call you.
Whatever its called great work.

What a very generous and encouraging compliment!

In photography, sometimes you have to push the boundaries a little, or else it becomes repetitive and tiresome. Although there are plenty of photographers who are quite satisfied photographing the the same bird feeder and its feathered visitors over and over again, year after year. But that's not for me.