vedagonzalez

Jellyfish

Magnificent jellyfish float in the tranquil, sunset-lit evening. Time is frozen for a moment on this truck’s rusted fender. May I remember to pause for suc...
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Magnificent jellyfish float in the tranquil, sunset-lit evening. Time is frozen for a moment on this truck’s rusted fender. May I remember to pause for such a moment each day, breathing in His tranquility, His peace, His shalom.
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Canon EOS 60D

settings

Aperture 8/1 ISO 400 Shutter 1/90 Focal Length 60/1

upload_date

Sep, 2016

Views

Likes

Awards

Top Shot Award 21

2020 Choice Award

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

I photograph rust spots on salvage automobiles, trucks, and farm equipment. This particular photograph was from an abandoned piece of equipment behind a friend's home in Coyote Springs, Arizona.

Time

Good strong sunlight works well with this type of subject matter. I also like open, directional shade. "Jellyfish" was photographed several hours before sundown.

Lighting

Even working with a flat or semi-flat surface, directional light is good, as it provides shape and highlights to little ridges of rusted metal. Texture is good.

Equipment

I use a Canon EOS 60D with a 60mm f2.8 macro lens. Sometimes I use a tripod; sometimes I don't. For this lens, I almost always shoot at f8 because that is the sharpest point of this lens (as I tested it).

Inspiration

When I tackle a salvage yard to photograph their rust spots, I rarely see the story immediately. Rather the color, composition, design, or texture is what attracts me. Later, when I rotate and flip it in Photoshop, that’s when the story behind the art pops out at me. So I then enhance the photo to let the story flow smoothly. However, that is what the photograph means to me; it very well could mean something entirely different to you! Here's the story behind "Jellyfish": Magnificent jellyfish float by in the tranquil, sunset-lit evening. Time is frozen here in this moment on this truck’s rusted fender. May I remember to pause for such a moment each day, breathing in His tranquility, His peace, His shalom.

Editing

Oh yes, post-processing is a big part of what I do. I shoot in RAW, so I always bump vibrancy, contrast, & clarity. Then, in Photoshop, I add layers that essentially burn & dodge to bring out the 'story' that I see in the image. Occasionally, as in "Jellyfish", I paint in a texture layer selectively.

In my camera bag

A mister, a micro-fiber cloth, and a cosmetic duster! All salvage cars are incredibly dirty and tiny spiders are incredibly busy, so I do what I can to lessen my time in Photoshop.

Feedback

What is your passion? What motivates you as a person? If you don't photograph from that, your photographs will never tell a story. The story is what grabs people and makes them take a second look. My faith in the Messiah of Israel, Yeshua, is what lifts me from the muck of life to joy unspeakable, peace unsearchable, love beyond bounds. I love His Word and have searched it for years, finding dew drops of refreshment, nuggets of nourishment, & light for living. Therefore, it is only reasonable that I see those things in the abstract images that I photograph of salvage cars. I call it "Rust to Revelation"! I share it as an extension of my faith.

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vedagonzalez

vedagonzalez

Jellyfish

Magnificent jellyfish float in the tranquil, sunset-lit evening. Time is frozen for a moment on this truck’s rusted fender. May I remember to pause for suc... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow vedagonzalez

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Magnificent jellyfish float in the tranquil, sunset-lit evening. Time is frozen for a moment on this truck’s rusted fender. May I remember to pause for suc...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.