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One Ring to bind them, and into trouble get them
1st PlaceOne Ring to bind them, and into trouble get them
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Good News/Bad News (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon TS-E 17mm f/4.0L MF
Date: Mar 27, 2014
Date Uploaded: Mar 27, 2014

[Apr. 3rd, 2014 06:16:29 PM]

"I don't know what went wrong. We were young, we were in love. Life was good to us. One day, I felt it was the day. We were walking by that imposing church, as I felt it in my pocket. I can't remember when or how I found this ring. I just had it, for ages. A simple, yet beautiful golden ring. As my fingers touched it, I felt an irrepressible urge: I just had to propose her. Here and now. I stopped walking, knelt in front of her, and raised the shiny precious thing. It was glimmering so intensely that the light was strangely reflecting in her eyes. She was smiling, slowly raised her hand, so that her fingers were just next to the ring. This is when everything started. I don't know what went wrong..."

I must admit it, I had great fun creating this image. I am a big fan of Tolkien's work: in fact I remember myself reading the "Lord of the Rings" on the way to the school, when I was 8 or so. It was such an incredible thrill to read all that epic adventure, it was almost like if I was part of it! I am happy I finally created an image on that theme.

It is important to me to include a story in each of my creation. But what about including two stories at once? Sounded like a very interesting challenge! Using the "Good news/Bad news" mechanism in a visual way is definitely tricky.

Technically, quite obviously, my wife and I posed for the main couple. But it became very interesting when I had to pose for Gollum! While I am not that muscular, I dare to say I am better looking than Gollum ;-) It was very interesting to deform my body to get that result: 'Liquify' is not just for fashion models, you can also use it to make one look ugly! What I tend to find a bit disturbing, is the fact the resemblance definitely exists... The things you do for the sake of art, haha! If you are curious to see a before and after comparison, here it is. Anyway, I also posed for the Nazgūl, and Saruman (can you find him?). As for Sauron's eye, it is entirely composed of fire photos that I made in my barbecue. Last but not least, that wonderful monument is the Church of St. Ouen, located in Rouen (France). If you come in the area, I strongly recommend visiting it, it is absolutely amazing.

Thanks for all the kind votes, comments, and favorites, much appreciated!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 33
Avg (all users): 7.8989
Avg (commenters): 8.8750
Avg (participants): 7.2500
Avg (non-participants): 8.0411
Views since voting: 2514
Views during voting: 377
Votes: 89
Comments: 39
Favorites: 12 (view)

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AuthorThread
 04/10/2014 01:49:22 PM
I'm impressed at the way you created Gollum. In the comparison you show how important are both the photo you have taken and the small details in your editing process. You are the master man :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2014 09:19:50 PM
Congratulations, Christophe. Absolutely brilliant.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2014 02:26:02 PM
Outstanding as usual!! Wonderful and so creative! Congrats on your ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2014 12:05:47 AM
Congratulations on a well-deserved blue for your remarkable image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 06:14:38 PM
I really appreciate the before/after. Kudos on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 02:56:46 PM
Brilliant! Congrats on a well deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 02:32:11 PM
I LOVE Lord of the rings, this is soo awesome! I so wish I could have voted in this one because I would have given a 10! Well done and this was so much fun to see as a challenge! I love the results! Nice job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 12:05:56 PM
As with Katie I look out and forward to what you are going to get up to. Another wonderful image and 10.
You are indeed a credit to DPC. Congratulations all round.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 11:31:27 AM
You are a Genius, an artist, a mind that well it's just not normal LOL... Meant in a GOOD way! You should be designing Book Covers, albums for rock stars ! My neighbor is a graphic artist, who illustrates books etc... He builds his stuff from scratch, and no limits like you deal with in DPC. I am going to show him your work, can't believe I haven't before.. I have to thank you because you have pushed me in the expert edit end, Always going thru my mind is What is Christopher going to do and how can I stay in the same ball park as him!! LOL Thanks again for a wonderful "story" a delight for my eye and senses, and Congrats on yet another blue masterpiece!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 11:31:00 AM
Pure genius!!

Edited to fix my bad spelling:)

Message edited by author 2014-04-04 11:32:24.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 10:18:43 AM
Congrats, this is one of my favorites from you recently.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 09:43:06 AM
Absolutely awesome....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 08:24:02 AM
Masterful job. Where else would Saruman be? Of all the scenes in the movie, I hated his the most. To me it looked more let a petulant 6 year old than the head of the order of wizards on middle earth!
What a great tribute to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. That church is absolutely amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 07:18:18 AM
you put so much effort into your work to the finest detail. No wonder you get the blues! lol Congratulations your work is so outstanding.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 03:57:24 AM
as always. congrats! ^_^
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 03:36:08 AM
Awesome work man, just spectacular!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 12:23:31 AM
Spectacular idea, fabulously composed and edited. Congrats on the Blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 12:08:02 AM
Congrats on first Christophe...well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2014 12:04:20 AM
Dammit Christophe!!

;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
04/03/2014 09:50:09 PM
great fantasy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/03/2014 07:02:30 PM
Fantastic, as always. Love the toning and the atmosphere!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/03/2014 02:30:01 PM
Great idea, execution, perspective, mood and details. My favorite in the challenge. One quibble -- the flaming eye lends a busyness to the upper left area; maybe smaller, if that wouldn't be untrue to the books.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/01/2014 10:55:45 PM
pretty wicked editing!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/01/2014 05:03:46 PM
Beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/31/2014 08:53:33 PM
Wow, what a composition
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/31/2014 11:22:10 AM
What can I say? A ribbon winner for sure. I like that the lightsource is realistic with the shadows. 10 from me. Congrats in advance gyaban ^__^
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/31/2014 10:56:29 AM
Christophe, you troublemaker! Beautifully done as always. Think I'll move to France, there's lots of gorgeous architecture there...;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/30/2014 08:54:17 PM
Loved the photo, although I do not think I understood the connection the the challenge topic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/30/2014 12:28:42 PM
The winner. Good image all round, love all elements.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/29/2014 10:47:23 AM
Spectacular editing, well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/29/2014 01:03:37 AM
Best in show again, well done, congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 01:34:47 PM
I'm glad to see that your wife is feeling well enough again to model.

This is perfect, as usual. Great attention to detail, as usual.

(commenting only)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 11:49:51 AM
The Gyaban Gollum is Killer- well played again.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 04:02:59 AM
Another masterpiece, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 02:17:17 AM
Exceptional edit again. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 02:15:41 AM
Bloody Harry Potter has a lot to answer for so has peter Jackson but this is a very professional work and a lot of work I am amazed at the depth of talent especially on this challenge well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 01:06:59 AM
She'd likely agree, eh ;-) Excellent concept and execution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 12:33:59 AM
OH My dear you Outdid yourself this time!!! This is beyond awesome, (and one of my all time fav book n movie) Who is Gollum? Is that U ?????
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2014 12:25:10 AM
Love the figure on the parapet. Wasn't aware they had Gothic architecture in LOTR :-) I do have to chuckle at Smeagol "golluming" in horror as he sees *his precious* being used as a prop in a romantic cliche :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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