The Most Powerful Weapon in the World

[stsinner]

Thanks for the feedback.. I'll try again..

 

[usayit]

In my mind, what you are trying to accomplish is to use objects to portray the feeling of life or message... ie still life. I think it is difficult to accomplish when there is one main in animate object in the photo. If it was not for your title, my initial thoughts would be more along the lines of a product photo from a catalog. The focus would have been on the pen and not the message. The display stand doesn't look a desk so it further places emphasis on the pen...

I was kinda thinking of a presidential ballot with an "X" on it with the pen next to it. Or perhaps a document that clearly has the word "VETO". .. etc.. Maybe work in a holstered pistol which is also a symbol of power.

 

[pauliec]

The pen is really cool, I like it. I'm a bit of a pen guy myself, and I was wondering where you got it.

I just agree with everyone else in that the background color is distracting, it's a little too bright, a little too pink. It does nothing to complement the subject matter.

 

[stsinner]

The pen is really cool, I like it. I'm a bit of a pen guy myself, and I was wondering where you got it.

I just agree with everyone else in that the background color is distracting, it's a little too bright, a little too pink. It does nothing to complement the subject matter.

Thanks.. I got the pen on, I believe, September 25, 2001, about two days before Americans forgot what happened on September 11, and the patriotism was the strongest I have seen in my lifetime.. American flags were on everything, and I really wanted this pen for my business transactions, taking the cue from my father, who is now dead.

I bought it at an airport kiosk while traveling on business, and I just happened to be in New York for a stop-over.. I thought it was fitting.

Continuting this theme, since that picture didn't get the raves I'd hoped it would, I thought of this concept, instead:


Choose your weapon.

 

[stsinner]

In my mind, what you are trying to accomplish is to use objects to portray the feeling of life or message... ie still life. I think it is difficult to accomplish when there is one main in animate object in the photo. If it was not for your title, my initial thoughts would be more along the lines of a product photo from a catalog. The focus would have been on the pen and not the message. The display stand doesn't look a desk so it further places emphasis on the pen...

I was kinda thinking of a presidential ballot with an "X" on it with the pen next to it. Or perhaps a document that clearly has the word "VETO". .. etc.. Maybe work in a holstered pistol which is also a symbol of power.

Good point.. I like the idea.. I'm going to work on that one, because like no other time in history, the ink from a pen has fueled the sub-prime mortgage meltdown and sunk the economy.. It's a very powerful message if I can only pull it off..

 

[Aggressor]

Like usayit has already said before, but if you can have an official-looking document with just the signature blocks within the DOF and the pen positioned close, either in focus (subject pen) or oof (subject signature block). Anyways another idea to try.

I like the concept a lot though. It just needs to be communicated better.

 

[Josh66]

Choose your weapon.

I like the one on the far right.

I think the table/desk in this picture would have made a better background for the first one. Maybe with some paperwork waiting to be signed.

 

[stsinner]

I like the one on the far right.

I think the table/desk in this picture would have made a better background for the first one. Maybe with some paperwork waiting to be signed.

the one on the far right is one of the favorite pens I have ever had.. I got it in Switzerland-it's an advertisement for a paint importer, I believe, called Graf Lack. It was a give away from a Volkswagen dealership, and it's a Caran Dache, which I've never had before or had the opportunity to get since. . I need a refill for it, but haven't been able to find one due to the writing being worn off of the barrel of the ink cartridge... I think I'll have to order it from Europe.

 

[stsinner]

You could've made a $10 lightbox

I'm working on that.. I think I'm going to buy one for my optical slave flash, because if I build it there won't be a right-angle anywhere in sight.

 

[usayit]

the ink from a pen has fueled the sub-prime mortgage meltdown and sunk the economy.. It's a very powerful message if I can only pull it off..

There's a creative photo in that statement... run with it. Still photography (at least when I do it) is 90% conceptual and 10% actually making the photo.

Kinda reminds me of an assignment I had a long time ago. We drew a card out of the hat that had some sort of random word (most were emotions). Mine was something along the lines of love or warmth. It reminded me because it too had a pen.


[edit]

oooOooo just had a visual... . Dueler's box with two old pistols. One of the pistols missing and replaced with a pen of similar vintage (ink drawn quill perhaps). Hmm.. now where in the world do I get a dueler's box and pistols????

Man do I miss my classes...

 

[pauliec]

Thanks.. I got the pen on, I believe, September 25, 2001, about two days before Americans forgot what happened on September 11, and the patriotism was the strongest I have seen in my lifetime.. American flags were on everything, and I really wanted this pen for my business transactions, taking the cue from my father, who is now dead.

I bought it at an airport kiosk while traveling on business, and I just happened to be in New York for a stop-over.. I thought it was fitting.

Continuting this theme, since that picture didn't get the raves I'd hoped it would, I thought of this concept, instead:


Choose your weapon.

Nice collection.

 

[sabbath999]

I was thinking perhaps this:

 

[stsinner]

Nice collection.

Thanks.. The gold Cross pen and pencil in the middle are old. I inherited them when my dad died.

I was thinking perhaps this:

I like it, but I'll have to clean the plate and try again. Thanks.

 

[TheSon]

This is a horrible photoshop, but you get the idea (the paper says mortgages):

 

[Phranquey]

I kind of liked that it matched the walls.. It's actually a $7 cake tier from Wal Mart... I have what I have... Thanks for the critique...

You have what you have......? :scratch: You have more than you think.....like a piece of cloth, shirt, or something to lay over that $7 cake tier.....

I think that silver pen would have looked really good with something black, or dark gray, draped over your base. This would contrast your walls a bit, and the pen would pop a bit more...my opinion.

BTW, good idea. I would retry the shot unedited, with the mortgage paper.