JPG Magazine: Photos: "Watts Down?" by Jan Hoffman

Watts Down?

By Jan Hoffman

On 25 March 2008

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Over the past year we have replaced many of the light bulbs in our house with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and believe that we have made a small contribution in the energy conservation effort. Initially we thought replacing these bulbs would be easy -- not so! We have a number of decorative lamps where the CFL bulbs would not properly fit with either the existing lamp shade or the harp, or both. Most CFL come with adaptors to retrofit in a harp but they leave a lot to be desired. That issue, coupled with the challenge of safely disposing burned-out or broken bulbs, may slow the adoption rate for these energy-saving lights.
The photo was taken with a Canon Powershot G-7 looking down on a CFL bulb surrounded by a lamp shade.

38 Responses

On 25 March 2008 Farras Abdelnour said:
Beautiful photo. Didn't even realize it was a CFL bulb.
On 25 March 2008 Yasmina Baggili gave props:
Really awesome picture!!! And like Farras, I didn't realize what it was until I read your explanation. Great idea.
On 25 March 2008 Jean Pierre Vacherot gave props:
original perspective
On 25 March 2008 "Peggy.Sue" Harrington said:
jan, this is absolutely beautiful. superb photo.
On 27 March 2008 ian link said:
wonderful shot - the light plays beautifully on the winding bulb.
On 29 March 2008 Serge Golub said:
Beautiful and abstract
On 30 March 2008 Inbal R. gave props:
Very nice shot!
On 31 March 2008 Warren Mangione gave props:
Wow! It is the ying & yang symbol! Appeals to the Buddist in me. Yes, those bulbs are under fire now. Too bad. Very interesting shot.
On 2 April 2008 Caroline Kraus gave props:
Wow--I love this, beautiful shot.
On 4 April 2008 Natalie Franco gave props:
Perfect image for this theme
On 6 April 2008 Udayan Mishra gave props:
A+++
On 6 April 2008 Pascale Claus said:
Beautiful clean shot. Makes for a great abstract as well.
I agree with your commentary. We have replaced the majority of the bulbs in our house, but sometimes it's not practical, or they end up being too bulky. Disposal, indeed, often poses a problem.
On 6 April 2008 Nisa' Haron said:
Good work with photography & for being green!
On 6 April 2008 Grant McKinney gave props:
Brilliant
On 10 April 2008 Tammara Terry gave props:
cool
On 17 April 2008 Georges Maroun geomar said:
what a beautiful idea it seems like the logo of a section ...perfect view for a lamp.. courage ...
On 6 May 2008 Sherry Davis Johnson gave props:
Great shot! I'm down watt, too. There is some trouble, but 62 bulbs replaced translated to $180 month! I love CFLs.
On 6 May 2008 Jan Hoffman said:
Sherry -- Thanks for setting such a fine example for down watting; 62 bulbs is pretty darn impressive!
--Best wishes, Jan
On 10 May 2008 Pablo Cabrera gave props:
this is nice! This new economic light bulbs have an artistic side for sure!
On 16 May 2008 Emelia Isaac said:
wow! way cool!
On 23 May 2008 J Mac gave props:
this is so very awesome....
On 25 May 2008 Jason Platt gave props:
Creative and beautiful!
On 27 May 2008 Lucy gave props:
Wonderful point of view! Really cool!
On 2 June 2008 Josh Bangle added a link:
these really are beautiful objects huh. i took a pic a lot like this a few days ago. i do like yours better tho. great shot. (www.jpgmag.com)
On 12 June 2008 adniloj gave props:
I've like this shot & kept coming back to it; I'm glad to see it now as a theme entry Jan, it's a great one
On 13 June 2008 Natalie S gave props:
Jan, this is AWESOME - great entry and I'm happy you're conserving too! :)
On 14 June 2008 Laura Boston-Thek gave props:
Really great jan!!
On 19 June 2008 Laura Hartley gave props:
Superb, ndry highart graphic looking, Jan, you rock! UM, you light up my life??? (ugh!)
On 19 June 2008 Tammy Kimble said:
Kool!
On 20 June 2008 Sean-Michael Bryce said:
I love how at first the spiral design catches your eye, and then you are drawn out to the lamp fixtures and realize what you are looking at. I also love how it inspires people to go green!
On 22 June 2008 Bob Brussack gave props:
Excellent compo and tones.
On 29 June 2008 Stephan Sachs gave props:
awesome! YEAH!
On 1 July 2008 Arian Stevens gave props:
cool poto, nice swirl!
On 3 July 2008 Steven, Reynolds gave props:
Needs to be hung up on a wall in my house right now!!!!!!
On 6 July 2008 S Robertson said:
really wonderful composition! contrast, geometry ...all very well done.
On 23 July 2008 Edward M. O'Brien gave props:
Great shot!! composition,framing, lighting (no pun), all are great !
On 24 July 2008 Abbey Cahill gave props:
Love it.
On 26 July 2008 Timothy Patrick gave props:
Great shot!