Thin Red Thread

[Plumcrak]

There is a story here so stay with me.
10 months ago a good friend of mine passed unexpectedly. David was the one person who encouraged (pushed) me to pursue my love of Photography. Being a professional photographer/artist himself, he provided unlimited advice. Not directed towards my photos but towards me following my heart. He provided unlimited advice and always answered my questions with a 2 part question of his own, just to make me think more.

David had two quotes that will stick with me forever;

"Create something every day."

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break."

David had one request upon his death, that his ashes be used in different forms of art. There is a friend that is creating a painting with his ashes mixed in, a sculpture mixing his ashes into clay for a Vase and then there is this...The Thin Red Thread.(Hence the reason this image is here in this section)
I really hope he is smiling down on me.........

[Plumcrak]

Second version...

[Urbanflyer]

What a good way to pay tribute ..thanks for sharing!

[Mike Buckley]

Such a wonderful story. The photos work well on their own (which of course is a compliment) but they work even better once one knows the background information. I hope the photos help provide closure for you as much as they surely will be moving to others who never even knew your friend.

[Plumcrak]

What a good way to pay tribute ..thanks for sharing!

Thanks Judith

[Plumcrak]

Such a wonderful story. The photos work well on their own (which of course is a compliment) but they work even better once one knows the background information. I hope the photos help provide closure for you as much as they surely will be moving to others who never even knew your friend.

Thanks Mike. I think somebody was cutting onions when I went through these.
The pain fades but the memories become more vivid!!

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Jon,

I am moved by the story, thanks for sharing.

Could the subject of this photo be re-shot?

Dave

[Plumcrak]

Yes it can

[Sergio M.]

A very thoughtful, sentimental, and creative memory in honor of your friend.

Sergio

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Jon,

The reason I asked is because I found the red thread quite easy to miss;

I can see that given the colour of the ashes and the need to see them requires a dark background colour and a saturated red is not naturally a bright colour.

I don't think the vignette helps - and in the spirit of the thread connecting to others, I wondered if better to see it entering and leaving the frame?

I also wondered whether a change of light source location (distance, angle, etc.) might improve the thread's visibility?

Perhaps a PP enhancement of it's colour and brightness?

Hope that's helpful, Dave

Or perhaps I'm missing the whole point you are trying to make - that the thread is there, but we often overlook it - in which case, please ignore me

[Rob Ekins]

Beautiful tribute Jon,

[Plumcrak]

Hi Jon,

The reason I asked is because I found the red thread quite easy to miss;

I can see that given the colour of the ashes and the need to see them requires a dark background colour and a saturated red is not naturally a bright colour.

I don't think the vignette helps - and in the spirit of the thread connecting to others, I wondered if better to see it entering and leaving the frame?

I also wondered whether a change of light source location (distance, angle, etc.) might improve the thread's visibility?

Perhaps a PP enhancement of it's colour and brightness?

Hope that's helpful, Dave

Or perhaps I'm missing the whole point you are trying to make - that the thread is there, but we often overlook it - in which case, please ignore me

Dave, thank you very much for your insight, all valid points to consider. The red thread is supposed to be invisible, which is the main reason I didn't want it to stand out and overtake the image. I still have this set up in the light box so I planned on revisiting and playing around some more. I just have to be in the right frame of mind for this subject, kinda emotional.

[mknittle]

Very nice Jon heartfelt for sure.

[IzzieK]

I can feel the pain in your story, Jon...but allow me to choose a version from the two -- I like the colour of the dust in the first one because the second one with the yellowish tinge doesn't quite make it for me whereas the first one has got that natural colour in it. I can relate to the colour of the dust as I just buried the ashes of my first rottweiler two days ago in my memorial garden with the other two rotties already resting there.

[Plumcrak]

OK, 2 more and I am calling it quits.

Full colour version cropped to 5x7 per a request;


B&W with the red thread cropped to 5x7 also



The red thread, according to Davids quote is "Invisible", which is why I prefer the B&W version.

[Mike Buckley]

The version to be considered "best" really depends on what you are trying to convey.

[Plumcrak]

The version to be considered "best" really depends on what you are trying to convey.

Mike, it is really just trying to capture a feeling inside me. Nothing anybody can say will alter that. I started this process very methodically, with very little emotion involved, and did not like what I was getting. So, I let my emotions take over and I gotta admit I like the result.
Sorry, just me rambling.