Freedumb
by vawendy

Comment:
I really like your idea Wendy, it's a good one. Made me jealous I must admit :-) Thanks for choosing one of my photos, very flattering. I probably would have made it a bit differently, with Godzilla facing the sun as in the original photo. But then, in your version, he looks even dumber jumping backwards, so what do I know :-) (Not voting on this one, obviously)

The Artist
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by snaffles: Now all you have to do is win a Basic and a Minimal Editing challenge...*ducking for cover*

I already ribboned in many basic editing challenges and also in a minimal editing one.

The Artist
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by Giles_uk: what strobes do you use?

Thanks Giles! I used Elinchrom strobes, 2x400w and 1x500w, plus a snooted Canon 580exII flash on the earring.

The Godfather
by wernerH

Comment:
Congratulations on your first ribbon :-) Great achievement. Your outtake was also very good, you can congratulate your father in law, he did a great job too!

The Swan
by nickyb

Comment:
Congratulations on your new PB and your ribbon! It's a pleasure to witness your progression. Keep up the good work.

Frozen
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by kenskid: I hope you make you living doing this kind of stuff.

Nope. Not even trying, I'm not interest in being paid for that.

Frozen
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by adigitalromance: This is really believable blending and hard to believe it's a composite of so many photos. I really like how the clouds seem to be "pointing" to the model. Was this an intentional effect? If so, how did you get that effect?

Thanks a lot! Yes the clouds pointing to the model was a deliberate effect. I organized the different photos for that, by carefully choosing them were clouds were adequate for that. When needed, I also rotated / mirrored some shots. Moreover, I added some rays of light coming from the center to enhance the visual impact.

Message edited by author 2012-02-26 06:36:56.

Frozen
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by AllenP: Technically amazing and everything comes together extremely well! Love the mood and the tones too. I was one of the ones who thought it may not have been strange-looking enough, especially after going through all the super-strange looking entries, but I find this to be one of your best creations regardless of the challenge theme. The only thing I would have done differently was to make sure her hair extensions (in black) which seems like they were added in photoshop match the color of her actual hair (I am looking at the roots) which seems to be brown. I pick out these things because I usually zoom as much as possible in order to study a photograph more precisely (ctr-mouse wheel on mac as you know). Did I notice that correctly? Your dedication to your work is inspiring, Christophe. Oh, and of course when I offer an opinion on your images, I always consider what you are capable of so my critiques are based on gyaban-standards which are extremely high!

Thanks a lot Allen. Don't worry about saying what you really think about my images, critiques are always welcome, especially when they come from talented persons, and when they are not gratuitous (i.e. I tend to ignore "this is not photography" comments, since I am obviously not going to change what I like to do to suit everyone's tastes). About her hair, it actually comes from a single photo, but I also noticed that color problem. I applied a darkening filter on it: I suppose I may have moved its mask inadvertently. Will check and correct when time permits. Thanks again!

Frozen
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by senor_kasper: The light on her right appears to be backwards, but that is irrelevant given the overall quality of the result. Amazing! Congratulations!!

Thanks a lot! In fact the sun being right behind her, she should theoretically be quite dark. As a consequence, I decided to deliberately add (virtual) frontal light sources (mainly from her right). And since the sun's reflection appears right between her 2 feet, I went for that choice, which looks strange from an analytical point of view, but was what worked the best in my eye. Choices, choices...

Frozen
by gyaban

Comment:

Originally posted by HarveyG: There are a lot of EMO and / or Goth chicks out and about these days, visible in "normal" walks of life :) But one with three eyes...now that would be weird(er).

Thanks for your comment! I sure hear what you say, but my point was simply that looking strange does not necessarily imply wild physical mutations. Of course it was a valid option, I just chose another way which I believe is a valid one too, even if not being the most extreme one.