• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash...

© Michelle Alton

Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash...

Uploaded: November 28, 2009

Description


------
I met Sam on Thanksgiving Day on the observation deck in the Bog at Silver Lake Park. He's an old, weathered guy, probably in his Eighties. As I listened, he reminisced of a long-ago childhood, when he spent his days playing with his buddies in this wilderness, long before it had an observation deck or a boardwalk through the muck.
---
He taught me something: If I cake a thick layer of mud all over my body, the mosquitoes will leave me alone!
---------
Shot Raw, manual settings: F10, ISO:125, 1/60s, 50mm.
-------
((--DD entry--))
---

Exif: F Number: 10, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/60 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 125, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 50.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 50D

Comments

Michelle Alton November 28, 2009

It was a bright sunny morning, and I had to do some things to this photo to compensate for a large clump of blown-out clouds.
------

Used a colored graduated filter in Adobe Camera Raw. That made the sky look dusky, but didn't take care of the blown-out parts. So I took another sky and used the same filter on it; then brought it into PS CS4 and blended the new sky with the old. Voila.

Darkened the rest of the image slightly with Curves, and then dodged and burned here and there until I liked the final result.
-----
Reminded me of the old Jimmy Durante show. Remember at the end, when he walked off through a series of vanishing-point spotlights on the darkened stage? But first he turned to the camera and croaked out the enigmatic line: Goodnight Mrs. Calabash--whereEVER you are!
-----------


#1210173

Brett Dolsen November 28, 2009

There walks a wealth of knowledge and visions of the past!!Wonderfull composition and treatment Michelle!!Brett #8174268

Manuel Barrera November 28, 2009

As I get closer to eighty I find that I no longer consider it old;-) powerful image, Michelle #8174295

Lynne Morris November 28, 2009

Fantastic capture Michelle and such a nice story behind the image. #8174310

Douglas Pignet November 28, 2009

These guys really do have something to say, we just need to listen, kewl capture Michelle. #8174320

Dominick M. Dimacale level-addict November 28, 2009

Outstanding image and presentation of Sam and the elements, Michelle.

Dominick #8174404

Mike Clime November 28, 2009

Great pov, lead in with the boardwalk and nice treatment! I can just see you with mud all over your face taking pictures. LOL! #8174434

Jyri Vissak November 28, 2009

Cool find! Beautiful composition and tones! #8174496

Jyri Vissak November 28, 2009

Cool find! Beautiful composition and tones! #8174497

Gord MacEachern November 28, 2009

I have spent a good part of my life enjoying talks with elders, even first time encounters like this one. I always leave a little richer in mind.
Beautiful image and story Michelle! #8174582

Monnie Ryan November 28, 2009

Wonderful lines and composition, Michelle -- and a great story to go with it. Have to laugh about the mud, though -- years ago, some canoeist friends did exactly that to ward off the critters. But turns out the mud contained remnants of a few plants, most likely poison ivy or poison oak, so they ended up suffering more than they would have from the skeeter bites! #8174583

Ron McEwan November 28, 2009

Terrific image and background info. Remember take a bucket of mud with you the next time LOL #8174634

Nancyj E. Hovey level-classic November 28, 2009

Oh Michelle, this is such an emotional moving image, pulling clear from your heart strings, to your eye, for us to see what a moment it was for you.. exceptional work.. (even though we don't see any mud, lol)... excellent DD work... wow! a masterpiece to me... for sure! 8o) #8174658

Courtenay Vanderbilt November 28, 2009

Michelle, you never fail to bring a smile to my face with your descriptive stories! Wonderful image to start and beautifully enhanced! Your DD work is outstanding! #8174668

Tiia Vissak November 28, 2009

a cool shot! #8174674

Patti Coblentz November 28, 2009

Wonderful image with a great commentary...old is always what's ahead, not where we are...at least in mind, spirit, and wisdom, let's hope. Beautiful and enlightening work, Michelle!
Patti #8174823

Jack Ryan November 28, 2009

An excellent image to go with the interesting and heart-warming story. (Did you try the mud bath? Now that would make an interesting photo! And I'm old enough to remember Jimmy Durante's closing line..."Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!") #8174837

David Phalen November 28, 2009

I too have a clear memory of Jimmy Durante closing his show with "Good night, Mrs Calabash, wherever you are!"

Love the leading lines and DD work!! #8174898

Nancy L. Green level-classic November 28, 2009

WTG!!! You FOUND Mrs. Calabash!!! This one gave me my morning LOD, so much so that my husband wondered "What?" I LOVE this!!! <>< #8174920

Amy M. Wilson November 28, 2009

Great capture, dd work, presentation and lesson learned, Michelle! #8175151

Ann Coates level-classic November 28, 2009

Gorgeous shot Michelle and I bet it made this old man's day to be able to relive days long gone with you. #8175154

Carolyn Morgan November 28, 2009

I like the photo and the story makes it even more memorable ...
Have you tried the mud yet? #8175216

Reynaldo D. Reyes level-classic November 28, 2009

The image and words of wisdom combine, providing a powerful impact. As I near my retirement I'm starting to think about the same things too. Blessings everyone, wherever you are! #8175301

Carol L. Fowler November 28, 2009

Beautiful scene and story #8175332

Carrie M. Groseclose November 28, 2009

Beautiful, just beautiful Michelle! Such a fantastic story-telling image with outstanding DD editing and so wonderfully presented. #8175349

Renee Doyle November 28, 2009

Wonderful leading in lines and excellent dd work Michelle!!! Not too sure I like the idea of caking myself in the mud though :-) ..... Gorgeous work!! #8175363

Margaret R. Barry November 28, 2009

Beautiful composition, tones, mood and story, Michelle! #8175484

Karen Engelbreth November 28, 2009

Wonderful capture and story, Michelle.. #8175515

John Connolly November 28, 2009

WOW! Would I love to spend some time with Sam, Michelle! A fabulous presentation with amazing DD work! Well done! #8175647

Hal Bambrick November 28, 2009

Stunning WORK Michelle and Very Nicely Done!!!!. #8175690

Chua Wee Boo November 28, 2009

Excellent comp,treatment & beautiful capture,Michelle! #8175795

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer November 28, 2009

LOL! Good luch with your mud-bath, Michelle!! I loved this story. Wonderful image too. I didn't get the title, though... #8175836

Christine Lobsinger level-classic November 28, 2009

Beautiful Michelle, just beautiful.
YOUR words are the icing on the cake!!
A lovely scene with outstanding DDR work! It must of been great standing there listening to Sam! To me, a story told makes for the best pictures!!!
CHRISTINE
SMILING WITH YOU #8176230

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna November 28, 2009

WONDERFUL DD work on this outstanding image, Michelle!!! :-) k #8176335

Barbara Waldoch November 28, 2009

Terrific image, Michelle!
I am not sure about the mud
advice... :-) #8176462

Stefania Barbier level-classic November 28, 2009

I';l try the mud trick next time I see a lot of mosquitoes... :0) wonderful story-telling capture, Michelle! #8176519

Tommy E. Burgess November 28, 2009

Fantastic capture with excellent leading lines Michelle!! It always amazes me how many interesting people you can meet when out shooting. Wonderful work!
#8176571

Kate Jackson November 29, 2009

A wonderful momento of your meeting with this wise elder. Well worth all your effort on the sky. Great job there especially with all the trees. Would love to meet you with your mud on. Hope you don't get it all over the camera! #8176638

Dick W. Wyatt November 29, 2009

Your old enough to remember Jimmy Durante ? Love your title.
This is a great photo.. #8176652

Joseph N. DiGilio November 29, 2009

Nice work Michelle. I like the color of the sky and the lines in the path. This looks like a great place for a photo shoot.
Yep, rubbing mud all over you will keep the mosquito's away and everyone else too, except maybe the men in the white coats who may take you away.
"Ha,ha,ha, I got a million of em." #8177390

Laura E. Swan level-classic November 30, 2009

Okay NOW you got our attention with the MUD thing! WE WANT PICTURES! HAHAHAHA!

I WOULD PAY TO SEE THEM!!! HA!

Love this one Michelle. I'm a sucker for paths and people walking on them.

The curve of the boardwalk and your framing of it are terrific!

-Laura #8179563

MELODIE C. ROBERTS November 30, 2009

I Like This Mickey ;0) #8180004

Deb Koskovich December 01, 2009

This is simply wonderful, Michelle...I love the story that goes with it. I, too, have met some wonderful old codgers on my walks...and some not so old! They are always fascinating, and always a fount of information. I absolutely love that you captured this gentleman the way you did...and yes, I do remember the Mrs. Calabash line! #8181226

Mitch Spence level-classic December 03, 2009

I've never thought about blending the sky in that way. Nice job, and a nicely seen shot too. Now, when do we get to see the shot of you covered in mud? Looks as though everyone's ready to take up a collection to pay you to do it. :) #8188130

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

BetterPhoto.com Editor's Pick


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Michelle Alton.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.