View Full Version : PCT: Respiration and Photosynthesis
billybobsky
2010-06-22, 17:53
Photographs are often processes in finding uncommon virtue in common sights. Some of the most intimate and interesting photographs I have ever seen add a poignancy to the everyday... and what is more everyday than respiration and photosynthesis?
As most of you know I am a scientist who works on the interface between biologic understanding of respiration and photosynthesis, and the energy capture and conversion application of that knowledge. Indeed, while I am ensconced in understanding these common acts, in my every day life they have become plain -- a passing curiosity. Plants used to fascinate me, the simple act of breathing was once amazing; but they are no longer as inspiring as they should be and I need your help to regain that inspiration.
Your mission if you choose to accept it is to take a photograph in the next month (before July 23, 2010) that encapsulates what photosynthesis and/or respiration means to you. I do not want to see heavily processed photographs (no cloning, hdr, etc) as submissions, but I am willing to accept minor touch ups as long as the original is included. If some of the technically astute photographers want to provide photographs that go beyond this guideline in support of their formally complacent submission, that is perfectly acceptable.
Very good photographs will include both respiration and photosynthesis; but the best (even those including only respiration or photosynthesis) will surprise me. I want you to stretch your photography palettes; give me stories not snapshots...
Good luck! :)
-Bruce
PS I will hold off on providing an image matching these criteria until the end so as not to bias your thinking...
First of all, Bruce? I thought your name was, um, Billy. Or Bob. Or Billy Bob. :o
"Hi, Bruce..." /findingnemo :D
Second of all, this is pretty much the weirdest PCT topic ever. :lol: But I like it. :) It's very appropriate for summer.
Third of all, it's vacation season. Maybe we could make this PCT run for five weeks, too, sort of like the last one? Then all subsequent PCTs could begin on the first of each month, which probably makes more sense anyway. Deadlines like the 23rd are harder to remember. What do we think?
Just rambling is all.
billybobsky
2010-06-22, 18:40
Yeah the name has a bit of a back story... Starting with my middle name (Robert) and my geographic origins both in my own life and ancestrally, throw in some lab humor and voila...
As for time, I am perfectly happy to let this go to July 31...
thegeriatric
2010-06-22, 19:24
Would that be Bruce as in Banner ie The incredible hulk? or am I totally off the beaten track. :eek:
Would that be Bruce as in Banner ie The incredible hulk? or am I totally off the beaten track. :eek:
Or as in Campbell? Or as in Springsteen? Or as in Wayne? :O
I'm sure billybobsky just loves that we're comparing him to other Bruces. :lol: Between these and the Finding Nemo quote, I think we've covered all the "he must get that a lot" bases. :D
billybobsky
2010-06-22, 20:33
Would that be Bruce as in Banner ie The incredible hulk? or am I totally off the beaten track. :eek:
Or as in Campbell? Or as in Springsteen? Or as in Wayne? :O
I'm sure billybobsky just loves that we're comparing him to other Bruces. :lol: Between these and the Finding Nemo quote, I think we've covered all the "he must get that a lot" bases. :D
I know a Bruce Wayne ... . People tend to prefer the hulk reference given the anger associated transformations...
billybobsky
2010-06-22, 20:33
Well that's a challenge!
Ah, but it let's you be pretty creative... at least that's my goal...
Well I'm in and certainly going to work to figure something out. One idea has already come to mind, but don't know if it fits in your challenge *really*.
To cover both the respiration and the photosynthesis angles, I'm going to take a picture of a couple, but then have their hands turn into trees and intertwine. What do y'all think?
Or as in Campbell?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/My_name_is_bruce.jpg
My humble submission, partially in honour of impending Canada Day:
http://bryson.albassamtheatre.com//Redblue.jpg (http://bryson.albassamtheatre.com//Redbluelrg.jpg)
I kind of liked the idea of a picture "about" photsynthesis that doesn't have any green in it.
The clouds look like a face, eating the top of the tree. NOM NOM NOM
billybobsky
2010-07-10, 06:46
Anybody...Anybody? Hello?
GSpotter
2010-07-10, 09:32
I have an idea, but didn't have the time yet execute it. And the current heat wave doesn't help with the motivation ... ;)
billybobsky
2010-07-10, 11:04
I think I am going to follow Robo's suggestion and make the end date of this PCT August 1... So there's still time heat wave or no...
Gargoyle
2010-07-10, 14:42
OK, If I understand the rules then we have to take the pictures after you have posted the entry - ie, cannot grab them from old images we already have.
Although I only read this today, technically I took this picture after you posted on the 22nd, so I think it's a valid entry - even if it was by chance.
http://ga.rgoyle.com/an/AN_PCT_July_sml.jpg (http://ga.rgoyle.com/an/AN_PCT_July.jpg)
I think I am going to follow Robo's suggestion and make the end date of this PCT August 1... So there's still time heat wave or no...
sweet! the awful rainyness finally left the southeast texas area so hopefully I can get out and get shooting in the coming weeks :)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4797736443_b873c57456_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18678497@N03/4797736443/sizes/l/)
finally got one! Took about ten minutes after walking outside for the condensation to get off my lens (holy water vapor batman, it's humid in houston!), but after that took this shot. Might replace this with another shot but I found it pretty funny and apt for the contest, hope you guys enjoy! :)
Is this a house or a forest? Not sure...
http://gallery.me.com/evan.wingfield/100018/IMG_0442/web.jpg?ver=12797736280001
billybobsky
2010-07-23, 22:10
I am seeing a lot of Photosynthesis, any respiration?
I am seeing a lot of Photosynthesis, any respiration?
I feel like I understand respiration fairly well (wikipedia helped supplement my 4-years-removed Biology AP class), but can't for the life of me think up a creative way to show it on film. Still have a week left though...
Gargoyle
2010-07-25, 17:02
My BBQ is breathing.... kind of!
onlyafterdark
2010-07-25, 18:03
I am seeing a lot of Photosynthesis, any respiration?
You are seeing it! Plants respire too.
:)
I really do need to take some more pics from work. There are some absolutely beautiful things blooming right now.
billybobsky
2010-07-25, 19:40
but net only after dark...
:err:
onlyafterdark
2010-07-25, 20:51
Heh, sorry, I didnt read your first post for this thread. Nice to know there are other botany geeks around these parts!
:)
billybobsky
2010-07-26, 19:18
Alright people, you've got less than a week. get those shutters shuttering or else...
Only A Few Days Left Aahhhhhh
onlyafterdark
2010-07-28, 11:06
Got a new camera yesterday and will take a bunch tomorrow. Can't wait!
:)
Got a new camera yesterday and will take a bunch tomorrow. Can't wait!
:)
great feeling :) what kind of camera?
onlyafterdark
2010-07-28, 13:45
Canon S90. There have been so many opportunities for great pictures in the garden at work that have been missed due to only having my N1 on me that I decided to get a compact to carry around.
It will be great for those days when I don't want to lug around the slr gear.
onlyafterdark
2010-07-30, 01:09
Ok, so here is what photosynthesis means to me:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_XO9DjTmfips/TFJsQvTIc7I/AAAAAAAABxE/fv4sgr4qzpA/s912/IMG_0013.jpg
For my job as it is right now, visual impact is the main driving force. In terms of this Clematis, the vivid colours and lines beg you to come in for a closer look. Your eye is drawn to it. It doesn't have to be a visually stunning flower, as long as it has some interesting characteristic that makes people stop for a second and take a closer look.
On a side note, I love this new camera. Even in the heat of the afternoon I was able to produce pictures that looked good. I am very happy with this purchase!
:)
This is my entry. A broken toe has made any future ventures difficult at best.
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/Flowers/FlowersPlant-Life/DSC0106/942996669_fSR6U-L.jpg
@PB PM Oh no! I hope your foot feels better soon :(
Pretty picture though. :) Except the spiderweb! *shivers*
billybobsky
2010-07-30, 18:28
Just for fair warning: entries will be accepted up to Midnight EST, Saturday July 31.
GSpotter
2010-07-31, 13:36
Sorry, no entry from me this time. I had too much work to do in the past weeks. I had the following weird idea for a shot with respiration and photosynthesis: Title: "Misguided help" - A closeup of a guy (with ambulance uniform), trying to do mouth-to-mouth breathing with a dried up sunflower...
Sorry, no entry from me this time. I had too much work to do in the past weeks. I had the following weird idea for a shot with respiration and photosynthesis: Title: "Misguided help" - A closeup of a guy (with ambulance uniform), trying to do mouth-to-mouth breathing with a dried up sunflower...
Aww.
If this was a conceptual art thread, you'd totally win! :D
billybobsky
2010-08-01, 07:48
I have a feeling that I may have made this challenge topic a bit too esoteric. That said, there were some very fine entries with a couple of photographs that really stood out.
First the runner up:
Bryson's maple/sky photograph. I think what gets me is the color contrasts between the sky and the cloud and the tree and the shadows even though, like most of the other photograph submissions, the subject was purely plants/photosynthesis.
And the winner:
Gargoyle's bbq picture. I don't know but for some reason I want to jump into the photograph, grab a fish off the grill and go walking into the valley below. While avoiding the subjects directly, this photograph captures both the recently respiring fish and green foliage almost invariably associated with photosynthesis. The puff of steam/smoke certainly adds to the aura and gives the photograph a feeling of action.
Congrats to Gargoyle and Bryson!
I feel bad that I too didn't get to join in the fun this time. Sure I could have shot something and thrown it up, but that doesn't seem to fit with the spirit of the challenges.
billybobsky
2010-08-01, 23:43
Did we ever figure out what we do in the situation that the winner doesn't come up with a new topic? Not that I expect this to happen in this case, but it strikes me that it could... I think it is obvious that it should fall to the runner up, but others may disagree...
The issue hasn't come up yet, so we never came up with anything. Having the runner up take over in case the winner has no ideas, or isn't available sounds right to me.
Gargoyle
2010-08-02, 16:32
Wow, Really!?! Thanks guys, I really wasn't expecting that as there are some really great photos!
As such I have really no idea about a subject for this month, but I am going to rack my brains for the next 30 mins or so - If I cannot come up with anything, then I'll let Bryson have a shot.
Back soon....
Gargoyle
2010-08-02, 17:04
OK, next one is up... Just over here! (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?p=700644#post700644)
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