The hands belong to Mike Wilson, 1980 U.S.A.Olympic Gymnastics Team.

...and thanks, contrerasphoto!

you're the man!!! again, great!

Great shot...several layers of negative space, Dynamic.

Thanks, folks, for the postive comments and for helping this get featured.

I'm a bit embarrassed, because I don't know if I submitted a minimalist photo, or one that illustrates negative space (or both?).

I just picked one of about five images from my archives that *might* sort of fit one definition of the theme or another and which I thought stood the best chance to be featured. My lowest rating was for Relevance, 3.86, so that is a kind of justice, I guess...I mean, given all the grousing I've done over the theme.

You know, King, that's what I think the overriding philosophy of this site should be. Exactly this:
"I just picked one of about five images from my archives that *might* sort of fit one definition of the theme or another and which I thought stood the best chance to be featured."
This time around I found it a bit of a turn-off in general to see people commenting (sometimes in all caps) how I (or someone else) failed to comprehend the theme. I say to them, don't worry about that; think more about how you thoughtfully participated yourself. In other words, I appreciate the fact that you (King) struggled over which of your photos fit the theme; that's where the true learning takes place (cognitive dissonance, perhaps), not from someone barking at everyone: YOU PEOPLE DON'T GET IT. At one point, I read where one of the featured photographers (I forget who now) said, "I was almost afraid to post this one." Fear would be a sad outcome of this very cool WS venture.
Again, great photo.

eggplant (should we capitalize "eggplant" when it begins a sentence or is used as a heading?),

Thanks for your comments.

I did as much grumbling, complaining and grousing (as I like to say) over this theme as anyone, and probably more. My saving grace, in my opinion, is that I started a thread on this topic before I began my own participation in the theme. It is still there for anyone to read or contribute their thoughts:

http://groups.google.com/group/weeklyshot/topics?lnk=li&hl=en

I noticed after I was offline for a few days that the Tree theme didn't inspire much dialog among participants. Dialog, debate, the discussion of ideas, is one of the things I most value in WS. If nobody is talking, I usually attempt to get something going, and agitation is usually my style (which irritates some folks). I don't know what controversy I could have started over trees, but I would have attempted to contrive something.

In the long run, I think most of us benefit more from WS when we talk politely (mea culpa) about the theme and the photos than when we simply lurk about or share pretty pictures to look at.

I prefer the e. e. cummings, non-capitalization method.
I love thoughtful discussion, even heated debate. When it turns to preaching and delivering sermons, I turn and run. I associate your comments and cage-rattling with the previous, not the latter. I look forward to more of it. (good thread, too)

How can a theme go by without having a King featured photograph??? Lovely shot King, very impressive!!

I'll tell you how:
1) post images of transvestite ballerinas
2) steal images from other photographers, invert them, and post them as your own
3) wait until the last second to post your best work
4) post images that represent ironic commentaries on the theme (because only about half understand the irony)
5) post really grainy or noisy photographs
6) post images created with your scanner, just to irritate the WS Relevance Police
7) post "deep" photographs (that make people think); or, the easiest
8) post second-rate images.

Now, Ashish, let me thank you deeply for the compliment. However, my postings are inconsistent a poorly rated, much of the time, because I like to indulge in number 1 through 8 above.

For really consistent, high-quality work you have to look no further than (in no particular order) Dan Creighton, George Illes, Mark Kitaoka (pursang), Jarrett Gorin, Vernon Trent, Iron Flatline (all guys with no sense of humor) or Thelma Blizzard, my personal hero, who has a remarkable sense of humor--and I know I'm leaving out at least 1/2 dozen excellent photographers...feel free to post their names here.

..I meant 12 dozen photographers.

King....
For someone with more than half their submitted photos 'featured,' you sure have a funny way of definition consistent. :)

...and looking at the people you mention (for instance George) has only 17 of 83 featured.

Hunter/gatherer.

First, Ana, my friend, you don't count so good. I've been fortunate enough to have about 2 out of 5 images featured.

Second, I'm not saything that my best work is not worthy of being featured, but that I am more likely than some to post some stupid image--for effect alone--that has no chance of being featured and is not representative of my best work just so I will be nominated for "Class Clown" when the annual voting takes place.

The people I mentioned (especially the serious guys) are more likely to approach WS in a consistently serious fashion and attempt to post good work with dignity and respect for the process.

Third, I don't equate the proportion of featured images with consistency. Your work, for example, consistently represents your way of seeing the world. At your best, your images are great and/or iconoclastic; at your worst, you simply fail to be true to yourself.

...add Giancarlo Malandra, and...

Yep, I missed a few when I counted, but 2:5 aint too shabby. Not when you mention others who have a much lower ratio.

And if you don't think me to be consistent, then you don't know me very well. There are only a handful of times I posted 'for the lemmings' and not myself.

Maybe I just suck! ha ha!

Ana
I clear said that your work "consistently represents your way of seeing the world."

You don't not "suck" and I won't have you talking that way about youself.

Not smiling.

King: "You don't not "suck" and I won't have you talking that way about youself."

OH, I know that. I was just kidding about the place. No need to frown. I got my different drums all lined up here, ready to play.
:)
Smiling.

Well, this is surprising. King, after all that crying look what you've come up with!

I do believe this illustrates a very refined use of negative space.... I don't think there should be questions about that. Otherwise, a really great shot, high impact, and I love the square format.

I said I was embarrassed. What more do you want?

I wasn't crying...I was grousing. There's a difference.

Thanks for the compliments.

You know I jest. Good work. =)

King, A terrific image that for me hits the theme's nail on its head. Wow. You rock, hombre.

I should have added that I like being picked on by Ana! Way to go, Babe!!

Nice image! Also, for the record, I have a sense of humor ;) Although I would readily admit that it is only evident in one of my WeeklyShot submissions so far.

SeekingFocus: I know you jest.

George: Ana's an equal opportunity kind of person.

gorin-images: I consider you to be a genius and I don't usually associate genius with humor, except when I think of Steve Martin and Robin Williams (or Johnathan Winters...in my day), and I don't think of you as that kind of genius.

My joke was at your expense (and George's and Mark's and Vernon's and Dan's and Flatline's). I'm happy that you have a sense of humor. I hope the other guys do, too.

Why do you think Ana singled George out for special treatment?

"Why do you think Ana singled George out for special treatment?"

I'll never tell. :X

Ooh. I think she has a crush on me. But - shhhh! It's a secret!!

Might I say a 'dead ringer' for this theme! Yuk I know. But the images is fantastic!

Well, I just read through many of the comments that are the hallmark of Mr. King's work here on WS. I can say that not being featured is not a measure for me of whether an image is good or not. I also think that if you place a value on your work based upon weekly theme blogs, you will never achieve your best, which for anyone is not measured by others, but by yourself.

King is a great example for me in keeping WS and other contests in perspective. His image of the ballerina was one of the most interesting parts of WS for me. Good natured ribbing and an oasis in a sometimes too serious blog site.

And as far as ratios, it's good for handicapping horse races, but not good for judging your own progress through this thing we call photography. George Illes is one of the most talented photographers I know. Why? Because his perspective on life comes through his images and is unique in the most positive way. Unlike the everyday 'tortured' artist, George's art is about the positive side of life and is reflected in his work.

When several of us get together in early February, I hope to convince George, King and Jarrett to let me photograph them individually in a way that I perceive their personalities. I'll post them here on WS irregardless of the theme. They won't get featured for sure, but they will allow everyone here to see the people behind the ideas and talent.

Sorry King, but you used one of my shots to run off at the mouth. My turn!

Pursang,

I agree with you wholeheartedly about keeping things in perspective, about our growth as photographers, and about the "positive side of life" quality of George's work.

You have a way with both words and photography. You can have all the space on all my images as far as I'm concerned...but leave a little space for Ana's rebuttal.

I wasn't actually picking on George, I was picking on King. :)
I agree with Mark when he says that George's art is positive.
And Mark.... when you photograph those three guys in February, forget the 'individual photos.' Maybe that 'three colours' theme will pop up. Might I suggest three different coloured tu-tu's?
And there's always room for Ana. She's tiny.

Ana, I'll consider a group photo, but tutus are hard to find in anything but white. And although there will always be room for you and anyone else, King told me that you're *not* tiny! Just kidding, don't go off!

@gorin-images
I count at least two of your images that I have to smile at (baby reflection in faucet and mommy(?) extending popsicle). Which one did you have in mind?

He's probably thinking of the one where he's on the crapper! Maybe not, as he takes that time very seriously! ;-)

Pursang's right ;) That's what I consider the "funny" one. Thos other two that you reference are actually "serious" shots for me. And yes, that beautiful blur in the back of the popsicle shot is "mommy", my lovely wife Nichol.

gorin-images,
At the age of 62, I take my private time in la toilette very seriously. I thought that the other two images were charming and lighthearted and show your tender side...oops! Sorry, if you didn't want that to get out.

King, it's already out. In Santa Barbara no matter what public restroom you to to, Gorin's phone number is written on the wall. 'For a tender time, call...'