Blue bottle storing sea salt

[Mike Buckley]

Royal Jordanian Airlines gave this bottle of sea salt to my wife and me when we flew the airline in 2010. The salt is from the Dead Sea.

Considering how simple this image is, you wouldn't think I would have to go through so many compositions, lighting schemes and post-processing styles before I would finally get to this one, the only one that I like. I got lots of practice using the Delete key on all of the other images.

[Downrigger]

I'm in awe as usual, but this is perhaps my favorite of your many great glass object studies. A masterpiece in any museum. The spilt salt is such a wonderful contrast in texture and form and so perfectly hued for this.

I thought at first that terrific (how do you do that?) horizon was convex down, but checked with a straight edge and it's perfectly straight so it's either the silastic lenses in my eyes or an interesting effect of the light and composition.

[deetheturk]

Wonderful image Mike,well captured as usual!

David

[Donald]

Considering how simple this image is, you wouldn't think I would have to go through so many compositions, lighting schemes and post-processing styles before I would finally get to this one, ...

The fact that it looks so simple is down to the skill of the creator and maker of the image. I'm sure almost everyone on here will appreciate just how complex it was to set up and get right.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, guys!

I can only explain what happens with the horizon, Mark, not why: the closer the horizon is to the center of the image, the more it disappears. That characteristic has something to do with positioning a medium size continuous lamp with a round reflector at the center and the light falloff that occurs toward the edge of the frame. Someone who understands the physics of light better than I do will have to elaborate beyond that simple explanation.

[Stagecoach]

Perfectly executed Mike, simple but so good. I can not fully appreciate the work that goes into these as I have never tried anything similar but can imagine the effort it takes.

Grahame

[Rita]

I am in awe. This is fantastic.

[Brownbear]

Absolutely gorgeous! It reminds me of Mexican glassware. That blue colour is exquisite and you've captured it perfectly. I love the salt on the side. One of my favourite images of yours.

[chauncey]

I got lots of practice using the Delete key

Yeah...like you're the only one here that's ever had to do that.
That, my friend, is one of your bestest ever!

[FootLoose]

Mike, every other glass shot you have taken has simply been practice for this one. The colours grab my attention straight away and demand I examine this image up close (I hope everyone is viewing this picture in lytebox). I particularly like the symmetry and the fact that the axis does not coincide with the horizon. I also like the way you have balanced the composition by having the mound of salt overlapping the front of the bottle and then having the lid slightly behind the edge of the bottle. Very impressive work, Mike.

[IzzieK]

Lovely, Mike...When my hubby was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia he was given a beautiful bottle that contains oil from that country. They (the Saudis) called it "black gold". This one you can call "Dead Sea Gold".

[PhotoRob]

Really nice Mike.

[travis4567]

Excellent as always Mike.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

Considering that the sea salt is made from the Dead Sea, I thought you might get a kick out of a photo that I took there. Surely the matching color of the water and sea salt is a coincidence. Right? Wrong?

[Plumcrak]

Absolutely STUNNING!!

[ShaneS]

Lovely image Mike...I'm in awe of your dedication to your art and it really shows in your imagery. I often wonder what you will show us next and I am never disappointed.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Shane and Jon!

[bnnrcn]

Absolutely gorgeous Why not showing us more of it with different compositions ?

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks Binnur!

Why not showing us more of it with different compositions ?

Sorry, but this is the only photo I made of it worth keeping, much less showing.