Spinning Wheel Photo

Photographer’s Note

The earliest illustrations of the spinning wheel come from Bagdad (1237), China (1270) and Europe (1280), and there is evidence that spinning wheels had already come into use in China during eleventh century.

The spinning wheel replaced the earlier method of hand spinning with a spindle. The first stage in mechanizing the process was mounting the spindle horizontally so it could be rotated by a cord encircling a large, hand-driven wheel.

The great wheel was one of the earlier types of spinning wheel. The fiber is held in the left hand and the wheel slowly turned with the right. The great wheel is usually used to spin wool, and can only be used with fiber preparations that are suited to long-draw spinning.

The treadle wheel that we see in the image is powered by the spinner's foot rather than their hand or a motor. The spinner sits and pumps a foot treadle that turns the drive wheel via a crankshaft and a connecting rod.

By the way… The spinning wheel you see here was made for my great grandmother and is dated 1880, photographed as the morning sun was peeping through the window and creating some shadow play!

(some of the facts: Wikipedia)

Buin, pierrefonds, besnard, Budapestman, UlfE, yedirenk, Philippe, vasilpro, Kielia, jean11-3, josepmarin, belido, saxo042, jaywalker, Longroute, plimrn, stego, edytungkal, cknara, AiresSantos, Angshu, papagolf21, gracious, ruisc_pt, paura, lrw1966, skippy007, maltese, Graal, jhm, didemay, gunbud, danos, Cricri, mvdisco, Charo, ChrisJ, shevchenko, cfreire, rey316, dip, MLINES, Scharan, Didi, JCG, emjleclercq, jafadabret, ophelcia, saylan-cb, clio, serp2000, flory, ellelloo, riclopes, scroller, balatrek, swiatopelk777, jusninasirun has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Buin (37474) 2009-03-15 5:14

Hallo Pablo!
Wonderful! This play of light and shadow here is fascinating as the tiny bit of colour is. A truly not everyday photo with a great nostalgic atmosphere. A picturesque scenery...
Greetings from cool and rainy Germany - and have a nice Sunday!
frank

besnard (30526) 2009-03-15 5:33

Bonjour Pablo
Une belle compostion originale avec une belle maitrise de l'ombre et de la lumière.
Merci pour le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

pierrefonds (26137) 2009-03-15 5:36

Hi Pablo,

The light is projecting the shadow of the spinning wheel on the wall. The two colored pieces of wood are standing out. The scene is giving a nostalgic sensation. Have a good sunday.

Pierre

devimeuxbe (55865) 2009-03-15 5:54

Hi Pablo
amazing shadows on this wall. The contrasts are perfect.
Well done
Bertrand

rodgerg (23793) 2009-03-15 6:10

Hello Pablo,

Excellent, very original and very creative shot with this incredible play of shade. A superb graphic effect and a very good framing. Congratulations.
have a good sunday,
Roger

Pascale (10136) 2009-03-15 6:25

Bonjour Pablo
Vraiment superbe l'ombre sur le mur.J'aime beaucoup les contrastes et la composition .Excellente gestion des lumières .Bravo pour ce travail
Amitiés
Pascale

Budapestman (41618) 2009-03-15 6:25

Hi Pablo,
Splendid image with beautiful composition. The shadows on the wall are very nice, excellent shot. Have a nice Sunday, my friend!
George

delkoo (34220) 2009-03-15 6:28

hi pablo,

Here, you have handled it wisely, beautifully, and sincerely, it's a very well observed and axecuted shot..

best regards
didier

foozi (4695) 2009-03-15 7:22

Hi Pablo,
very nice and very graphical.
BW and colours all in one.
lovely piece of art.

regards,
Foozi

UlfE (8955) 2009-03-15 7:25

Hei Pablo,

Wonderful and very artistic shot. Excellent use of the natural lighting. An original shot and very different from most of the pictures in your gallery. TFS and have a nice Sunday!

Hälsningar

Ulf

yedirenk (7283) 2009-03-15 8:37

Hi Dear Pablo,
interesting shot!an elegant simplicity with incredible light management.a wonderful light and shadow game.also extraordinary clarity.well done.TFS
Best Regards

Cevdet

wolf38 (12712) 2009-03-15 9:24

Hello Pablo. A NEW motive. Actually I had expected a landscape. The spin wheel is very original. Light and shade complement each other outstanding. The multicolored picture elements work like small persons. For me this picture is a worth seeing photographic study. Best regards, Wolfgang.

Philippe (11771) 2009-03-15 9:58

Hi, Pablo. Very nice shadow which allows us to see most of the spinning wheel. The white wallpaper is a perfect canvas to that effect. The coloured parts contrast well with the rest of the picture and fill in nicely the darker background against which they stand out.
Have a nice evening,
Philippe

wishnugaruda (1265) 2009-03-15 10:08

Hi Pablo,
wonderful motive, remembering me to the fairy-tail The sleeping beauty, in Germany we call it Dornröschen. I like the shadow on the wall, it's excellent, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

vasilpro (8548) 2009-03-15 10:36

Hello Pablo,
Excellent light management, nice shadows, nice graphic photo.
Regards, Vasilis.

Kielia (8397) 2009-03-15 10:50

Hi Pablo,
a fantastic capture of these wonderful details of the spinning wheel and great contrasts of shadows and light. Excellent framing. This is really great art work (both, the spinning wheel and the image!). Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet

jean11-3 (2799) 2009-03-15 11:17

Hello Pablo, lovely shadow play where we only see the shadow and not the actual object.
The touch of blue from the spindles[?] and the texture on the wall adds extra interest.
Tfs, regards Jean.

josepmarin (33785) 2009-03-15 12:13

Hi Pablo,
There is an elegant game of light and shades in your composition, perfectly caught and with a magnificent graphism.
I like the visual effect of the photo, minimalist and strong.
It is an excellent work.
Best Regards,
Josep

belido (16341) 2009-03-15 12:16

Hi Pablo,

very good light play. That's the essence of photography...we all know but sometimes it's good to remember. Beautiful photo with a nice context. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

saxo042 (15514) 2009-03-15 12:47

Hi Pablo,
An extraordinary composition and a superb observation. The beautiful colours of the "real" details as opposite to the shadows create an unique composition!
Kind regards
Gunnar

jaywalker (12190) 2009-03-15 13:10

Hi Pablo, Beautifully composed with fabulous light, strong & bright throwing off brilliantly detailed shadows, a lovely tight crop with a little bit of mystery, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Longroute (9203) 2009-03-15 14:28

You really played with the light in this photo. The black darkness sorrounding the spinning wheel enhances the fine effect of the light that illuminates sideway part of the instrument and projecting a fine shadow of what is not visible.
Thanks to this play of light the photo has a good sense of space and depth. A very good experiment and solution to introduce this old machinery. Bravo.
Donato

barrufeto_77 (25715) 2009-03-15 15:36

Hi Pablo.

Excellent compo playing with the shadows. Really great.

A smart idea!

Rgs, Oscar

plimrn (19600) 2009-03-15 15:43

Hi Pablo,
This is a lovely still life; the chiaroscuro of sunlight and shadow adds drama to this well-maintained family treasure. There was a spinning wheel in Larry's grandparent's Nova Scotia attic. Happily one of his cousin's daughters took it home to treasure; she has sheep and spins her own wool.
HLJ, Pat

stego (22350) 2009-03-15 15:57

Hi Pablo,
Wonderful image, that combines a dreamy abstract compo with an effective presentation of an old daily life object that must "have" much little interesting stories to tell. The natural mix of colour and B&W is very attractive.
Regards, José.

edytungkal (4519) 2009-03-15 18:40

Its more like an artistic works and the result is great, maybe the handles could be more colourful. Anyway very nice shot Pablo, thanks for share it.

daniel

gneufeld (15167) 2009-03-15 20:22

Hi Pablo,
A fascinating piece of photoart taking full advantage of light and shadows with just a touch of color. Very creative and pleasing. Well done and TFS. Gerald

cknara (553) 2009-03-15 22:15

Nice composition Pablo.I like the way the shadows has been photographed.

AiresSantos (41920) 2009-03-16 0:02

Hi Pablo
Fine colours and shadows in this excellent composition. I like a lot how you framed it and light management
TFS and have a nice week
Aires

Angshu (33585) 2009-03-16 0:33

Hello Pablo
This is the symbol of Mahatma Gandhi, though his spinning wheel is a lot simpler. But I really liked how you composed it with the sharp distinct shadows looking like Chinese ink art work on the canvas. Something very different, very original & I liked it a lot
Regards
Angshu

papagolf21 (56233) 2009-03-16 1:57

Bonjour, mon ami Pablo,
Voilà une composition très intéressante et réalisée avec maestria !
J'aime beaucoup l'ambiance qui se dégage de l'ensemble.
Félicitations pour ce mélange subtil d'ombre et de lumière.
Amitiés.
Philippe

gracious (20017) 2009-03-16 1:58

Hello Pablo,
Beautiful image with the best displayed of light and shadows on the spinning wheel! and the subject had beautiful colour as well!
thanks for the notes and sharing
greeting
Tony

aadilj (17950) 2009-03-16 2:05

Hi pablo, I love the way you have nuanced and used the shadows and the lights in this superbly dramatic and well composed shot

ruisc_pt (6206) 2009-03-16 5:12

Interesting shadowed image.
The note is remarkable.
TFS Pablo.
Rui

paura (38278) 2009-03-16 6:55

Pablo,
Very very interesting composition here. The artistic execution are excellent also the techinical settings. well done!

Regards

Paulo

jmdias (19097) 2009-03-16 8:10

pablo

very beautiful work, using well ther perfect light and the shadows. I liked the graphism inside this compo. beautiful job

hugs

jorge

vincz (19039) 2009-03-16 9:47

Excellent one with the light, the shadows and the very seldom colors so well caught.

berek (28865) 2009-03-16 13:57

Hi my best friend on TE,

I think you are okay? I have a short break because of my work.
I can see creative work . beautiful shadows game and idea. well framed . have a nice week.

Burak

lrw1966 (1630) 2009-03-16 14:58

Pablo, Hi:

Marvelous your gallery and this composition. Really beautifully done with great details and clarity.

Congratulations
Larry

skippy007 (6967) 2009-03-16 15:46

Hell;o Pablo, A truly beautiful shot, almost BW but we see enough of the wheel to add the colour. I like the nostalgic atmosphere you created & so well captured, enhanced by your interesting & informative note.
Thank you
Santo

maltese (21535) 2009-03-16 22:55

Hello Pablo
Un très beau travail sur l'ombre et la lumière pour faire voir sans rien montrer de ce rouet!! On aperçoit égalemant les couleurs délicates sur l'objet.
C'est très bien vu!!
Amicalement
hervé

anducina (8085) 2009-03-16 23:40

Hi Pablo,
Excellent simple compo, the old blue spinning wheel and its shadow on the wall. Very well seen and interesting. Those old objects seem to have an own, mysterious life that connects us with the past...
TFS,
Andreea

Graal (57717) 2009-03-17 0:31

Hi Pablo,
amazing shadows and composition, good idea. An interesting theme and informations in note. Well done photo. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

jhm (82297) 2009-03-17 3:38

Hello Pablo,

Almost a fairy tale picture with this wheel and shadows.
Very well composition and presentation. TFS.

Best regards,
John

didemay (2431) 2009-03-17 4:02

Hello Pablo,
The colorful spinning wheel is beauuuuuuutiful. I can't believe that it is in your house...So precious, so valuable.
Seeing a small part of the spinning wheel but more of its shadow on the wall makes your photo awesome.
Best Regards,
D:)

gunbud (27787) 2009-03-17 5:10

Hi Pablo,
You did not leave your imagination home when you shot this lovely composition!
The silhouetted spinning wheel and the bits of blue and gold really makes this image pop.
Great bit of Norwegian history and I hope your great grandmother left a few blankets to keep you warm during the long Norwegian winter.

Regards, Tom

danos (32250) 2009-03-17 8:35

Hello Pablo,
nice the management of the lighting contritions,presenting us this spinning wheel and the play with the light and the shadow on the opposite wall.Informative your note too.Well done.

Have a nice afternoon,Danos

Cricri (43030) 2009-03-17 12:01

Hi Pablo
Bien vu et réaliser, bonne gestion de la lumière et les ombre sur le mur, original et intéressante image
Good evening for you
cricri

mvdisco (11474) 2009-03-17 12:28

Bonjour Pablo,
Beau jeu d'ombre et composition,
belle matrise de jeu et lumière,
belle présentation et détails,
Excellent cliché
Mes salutations
Michel

Charo (31665) 2009-03-17 16:36

Hallo Pablo,
Opprinnelig ta med flott komposisjon. Jeg liker den grafiske av skygger på veggen og sprute på farge hva gir dette bildet nesten distaff i B/W. Utmerket arbeid.
Med vennlig hilsen,
Charo

ChrisJ (70099) 2009-03-17 21:08

Hi Pablo

I like the shadow play on the wall at left. Excellent sharpness & graphism with a good contrast between the colourful spinning wheels, & the monochromatic backdrop. Tfs!

shevchenko (9862) 2009-03-17 21:27

Hi Pablo,
Creative pov to show selected part of the wheel with two standing parts look like standing statues. Color, lighting and shading all togather create an artistic photo, good contrast of color, well done.
Ally

cfreire (11647) 2009-03-18 7:01

Hi Pablo
Artistic and creative capture. The shadows created a new image on the wall and some colored piece added an attractive visual for the picture. Excellent job. Best regards, Consuelo

rey316 (1900) 2009-03-18 11:27

Hello Pablo,

Excellent POV and original idea
The contrasts are perfect.
Well done
Andrey

dip (12550) 2009-03-18 12:18

Hi Pablo,
wonderful picture,excellent seen and composed!
I like the contrast between light and shadow,just as the little bit of colors,
interesting note too,
very well done,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

MLINES (10868) 2009-03-18 13:18

Hi Pablo, This is a fine image which uses light and colour so well, what photography is all about. A very effective photograph which could come from a by-gone era. TFS. Murray.

Scharan (13951) 2009-03-18 13:51

Lindíssima foto Pablo!
Luzes e sombras maravilhosas.
Um trabalho realmente interessante e de muito bom gosto.
Parabéns!
GA
Vera

toto (18699) 2009-03-18 23:04

Bonjour,
belle photo de ce rouet et de son ombre.
Ce POV et cette réalisation donne une vue magnifique et votre photo NB avec cette touche de couleurs donne un plus agréable.

Amitiés Thomas

molla (6881) 2009-03-19 4:26

Don't know what happend. I wrote some critic about this "spin-rock" but it disapeard.
Anyway I like those shadows from the path where you can hear the special sound from the object. I like the "allmoge"paintetd details
have a nice Springwinter
ANders

carper (64612) 2009-03-19 4:32

very nice one Pablo,
the light and dark are great, technical very good photo job here, I like it my friend, have a nice day.
regard jaap

Giorgio (8680) 2009-03-19 5:18

- Superb composition Pablo, it's very in feelings, delicacy and poetry, good idea, it's very successful, bravo!
All the best.
giorgio

Didi (36044) 2009-03-19 9:50

Bonjour Pablo
Sleeping beauty picks her finger here.
Nice composition with interesting shadows.
Best regards.

JCG (25173) 2009-03-19 12:57

Hi Pablo,

This wheel is a beautiful collection object as well as you used to create these beautiful lighting. A picture made with an artistic eye, I like very much, well done Pablo and thank you for the interesting note.

With all my friendships and soon

Jean-Charles

emka (21217) 2009-03-19 13:07

Hi pablo, Very creative photo - instead of the spinning wheel we see here rather its shadow. It has beautiful colours and a part seems rather sharp. Luckily for you that your greatgrandmother did not hurt herself and did not slept for hundred years. Or maybe she met her prince?
At first I thought it was from a skansen but from your note I see it is from your family. Is it your home in Melhus? I suppose I went through Melhus but I do not remember it

Warm regards

Malgorzata
.

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-03-19 23:33

Hello Pablo
Something very different from you, but a very successful shot. Excellent shadow detail, I like the mood of the shot and the framing especially.
Regards
Jim

Nicou (44571) 2009-03-19 23:35

Hello,

Merveilleux jeux d'ombres et lumières, quelle image, pleinde de mystère de tons doux, fantastique.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

emjleclercq (14243) 2009-03-19 23:50

Excellent composition wth the shadow. And a very intimate view if you show us your great gradmother spinig wheel!

All the best,

Emmanuel

jafadabret (39441) 2009-03-20 5:58

Bonjour Pablo.
La lumière du soleil sur ce rouet plus que centenaire donne une image très artistique avec les ombres finement ciselées projetées sur le mur.
Excellente note également sur cet instrument dont Gandhi avait fait un symbole.
Bonne journée,
Jacques

batalay (20836) 2009-03-21 16:52

Hello Pablo,

The note informs the photograph very effectively, the stark shadow on the wall of the spinning wheel accentuates its lines. This is a creative and original photograph.

Warm regards,

Bulent

ophelcia (5329) 2009-03-23 12:59

Will I add anything new? Probably not:) But I like the composition especially the shadow, it's worth giving so many points,
Regards,
Gosia

saylan-cb (12726) 2009-03-24 9:57

Hi Pablo,
Very nice shadows and light a very beautiful compositions.I really like the graphic effect here.
Excellent work!
TFS/Regards

clio (22585) 2009-03-24 22:54

Hi Pablo,
Fantastic illustration for the tale of " The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood "!
I like the extraordinary, frightening shadows which contrast with brilliant blues and greens to the right.
It is a wonderful and very original shot.
Bravo!
Best regards
Diane

serp2000 (9375) 2009-03-25 4:37

Privet, Pablo,
Excellent artwork! I like this original composition,interesting information.

Best wishes from Ural,
Serghei

maloutim (3939) 2009-03-28 11:47

Hi Pablo!
The photo is a real work of Art, and the spinning-wheel and its shadow is really beautiful! I like the painted wood! You wouldn't have a photo of the wheel as seen clearly by any chance?
My mother has got one too, which she and my grandmother used regularly until the end of the 2nd WW! It's only varnished wood though!
Now, you make me think! I'll have to ask her if she knows when it was made.
TFS!
MarieLouise.

flory (4804) 2009-04-04 7:08

is well managed the light,Pablo!you must to be proud by this treasure of your family:)
excellent weekend,
Flori:)

xuaxo (5703) 2009-04-10 11:46

Hello Pablo,
Your photo is a piece of beauty. Very well done.
Greetings,
Francisco

ellelloo (4735) 2009-04-22 1:23

Hello Pablo,
This is great art of photography! A really beautiful and artistic photo with a very nostalgic touch with also a personal family history background. Everything must already have been said. This is simply a masterpiece! Bravo!
Lasse

clic (4063) 2009-04-22 7:21

Hello Pablo
Most artistic here are the dab of color amongst the mostly overall darkness and of course the phantomatic shadow on fabric!
I should work on abstractions.
Cheers.
Robert

riclopes (32969) 2009-04-23 1:17

Olá Pablo, it seems that you own a valuable piece of museum and the way you captured it, made it even more special. Superb artistic photo. That shadow gives a new dimension to the spinning wheel and I also love the fact that the texture of the wall is so visible.
greetings,
ricardo

bracasha75 (22009) 2009-04-24 0:16

Helo Pablo
The sadow is excellent and all photo remaind littl;e on the famous fairy tale
Good work
TFS
Cheers,Braca

marietom (31802) 2009-04-24 3:18

hello Pablo,

très bien vu, ce jeu d'ombres et de lumières. Belle composition.
Bonne journée
marie

hay_kes (28562) 2009-04-28 23:51

Hi Pablo,
A wonderful capture vith good lighting and shadows.TFS.
Greetings,
hAyAti

scroller (2883) 2009-05-11 4:36

Hej Pablo, a great shadow composition. The light gives a warm feeling, makes one feel very calm.
Hälsningar
/Stefan

balatrek (7419) 2009-06-01 13:14

Hi Pablo,

An unusual work in your gallery, perfect control of light to create these very interesting shadows, work simple but beautiful and creative.

Regards
José

jmcl (13721) 2009-06-22 7:47

HI Pablo,

I hope you and yours are well.

Wonderful rustic and moody scene ... the shadow is great .. even without the shadow the side light on the painted wood is wonderfully done.

take care,

John

swiatopelk777 (8264) 2009-07-09 3:57

Hi Pablo!
Amazing shadowplay. Excellent contrast. Good sharpness. Perfect composition.
Original image.
Greetings from Warszawa!

Bruno40 (6440) 2009-07-11 9:22

Hi Pablo,
Excellent control of light in this photo. I like the shadow and the light on the main object.
very smart composition, very artistic photo,
well done
Jorge

Urs (2756) 2009-09-03 23:03

That's a perfect Shadow play or Wayang Kulit in Malaysia with this traditional spinning wheel. What makes the photograph even more special is that the nicely painted handles of the spinning wheel can be seen - congrats Pablo, that was a great and successful job due to your clever light management. Also your note is well written. Sharpness and DOF are fine. Well done

Best regards
Urs

jusninasirun (10185) 2009-10-25 1:20

Hi Pablo: I was about to see ghost in the machine from the thumbnail. The highlight on the handle is amazing and the captured shadow is brilliant. Nice crafted image and thanks for sharing. Jusni

macjake (1554) 2009-10-26 6:19

Hi Pablo

I know this photo has already garnered alot of attention, but thats because it is deserving.
wonderful technical photo using light and dark and exposure, light management.
especially how the light is shinning on the wood.
superb work
Have a great day
Craig