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gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Emergency! (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: Apr 14, 2012
Date Uploaded: Apr 19, 2012

[Apr. 25th, 2012 04:34:49 PM]

This is no news: I like processing my photos, and usually spend a lot of time doing so. I found it to be very creative and technical at the same time, which is something I enjoy a lot. But before that, I actually take them! Also a creative and technical way of spending time, and even dangerous at times... This project almost cost me my camera.

After spending some time thinking about the challenge's topic, I concluded that it was not a good idea to depict a scene with too much fantasy in it, and decided to go for some kind of usual 'emergency' scene. This saddened me a bit, since (even remotely) realistic pictures are clearly not my cup of tea, but one can try new things from time to time.

In the middle of the afternoon, my wife and I took the car and drove an hour and half to reach the coast. I knew I wanted to take photos of waves at sunset, including some close-up at wide angle, so I had a spare pair of trousers and shoes with me. Once on the beach, I stepped into the water until the level reached my knees, and started to point the camera at incoming waves, pulling the camera up at the last moment. It went quite well, until a stronger wave lift me up, and made me fall into the water :) Fortunately, I had a good reflex and raised my right hand like a periscope to save my camera... When I emerged from the sea, I saw my wife laughing in the distance: I would have laughed too, but the water was a bit cold, and I suddenly remembered that all my spare stuff stayed in the car, 15 minutes away from there. This walk back wasn't highly enjoyable, but well, at least I will remember that day! As for the camera, it got quite wet nonetheless, covered with droplets, but fortunately the sealing worked well, and after some cleaning it was good for work again.

The day after, I looked at my shots, and sketched the composition. It took a whole evening to create the sea, merging various wave shots together, to obtain a dramatic background.
I also bought a cheap helicopter toy and shot it two times in my home studio, setting the lighting adequately so it would appropriately fit in the sunset scenery. In order to blur the blades, I shot them separately and frontally (totally flat): this way, I was able to apply a radial blur effect, and deformed them afterwards to fit the perspective. I also applied textures and created lights, in order to make the helicopters look a bit less like toys.
Finally, I took the pose for the castaway, and shot a piece of tree trunk to have a piece of wood to let him sit on in the middle of the sea.

I am very happy with the result, at least from an esthetic point of view. Granted, no mysterious concept, philosophical message nor theory to think about in that one, it is lacking in that regard. Another time.

Thank you all so much for the incredible votes and comments!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 37
Avg (all users): 8.4677
Avg (commenters): 9.4615
Avg (participants): 8.2222
Avg (non-participants): 8.5094
Views since voting: 9712
Views during voting: 566
Votes: 124
Comments: 83
Favorites: 18 (view)

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AuthorThread
 11/24/2012 12:35:31 AM
You are an incredible artist. Amazing work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2012 11:30:04 PM
Congratulations, Chrisptophe, on your win, your PB and brilliant score. The image is fantastic and your notes reveal why you succeed so well in your creative endeavours. I'm glad you didn't kill your camera.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2012 05:29:20 PM
very nice work man!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2012 12:29:46 PM
WOW.... Simply incredible. Although I look at the top 10 photos in each challenge every week, I haven't commented on anything in years. Had to for this photo though. Congrats on the excellent score, and more importantly, the excellent photo.

By the way, the three people who voted a "2" should be perma-banned from DPC. That score is despicable for this photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2012 06:25:12 AM
As Emergency Helicopter Pilot also, I have to say that your photo is amazing and unique. Thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2012 12:19:44 AM
How clever are you??!! Congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2012 10:19:24 AM
very well done!! Love your dedication...and the 4th highest score on dpchallenge! Wow!! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2012 11:04:36 PM
I'm sorry, I had to laugh as you described your story about being knocked over by a wave. The same thing happened to me on vacation recently. I'm glad to say I was able to periscope mine out of the water as well. My friends were laughing at me as I scrambled up on the beach looking like a drowned rat! I can laugh now too, but that day it was a little scary (all about the camera). Anyways, congratulations on a fantastic image. You never fail to amaze.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2012 08:45:43 PM
This is beyond extraordinary! Bravo Christophe !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2012 01:07:48 PM
WOW just toaly Wow on the work you did... I seriously did NOT think those choppers were toys.. You are the

Leonardo da Vinci of the Creative Photography world!!! LONG LIVE THE KING

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2012 02:45:10 AM
You are brilliant at this and have come up with a very believable scene
Congratulations on your Blue Top work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2012 10:58:13 PM
Congrats on your ribbon, PP, and site top 5 and thank you sooo much for another great write up on how you came to create this image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2012 10:39:55 PM
Wow - what a score! Congratulations on the blue and PB for another well done image. I need to take PP lessons from you! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2012 07:55:41 PM
fantastic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2012 03:20:55 PM
I have known it for you Christophe
congra
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2012 11:39:55 AM
Congratulations on the ribbon and new PB! Extraordinary work!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2012 08:06:49 AM
Originally posted by gyaban:
Originally posted by darkfact:
am I missing something?


Obviously, yes. The challenges on this website are run under different rules sets, and this one allowed extensive post-processing. RTFM.


+1
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 10:33:32 PM
Another PB! And with a ton of style! Congratulations on another extraordinary accomplishment. Keep em coming, can't wait to see what is next.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 08:39:39 PM
Originally posted by darkfact:


am I missing something? or is this website just dying?


considering he cant make use of stock images and has to generate all the images himself, I'd say its a step above "amateur digital art"

the thing that Gyaban does so well is he doesn't just throw stuff together like the rest of us do, he has mastered his lighting so it all blends perfectly.

im not a fan of completely put together shots , but you have to admit he is more than ten steps above most anyone else here as far as hos talents goes, and its not just composite images his creativity and quality are just as stellarand teh effort and time he puts in shows.

its not sucking up, its giving praise where its due.

but i digress, Gyaban, this is a fantastic image.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 07:20:11 PM
congratulations on the fifth highest score on here!
:-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 05:37:10 PM
Originally posted by darkfact:
am I missing something?


Obviously, yes. The challenges on this website are run under different rules sets, and this one allowed extensive post-processing. RTFM.
04/27/2012 05:19:35 PM
I don't understand the point of all the sucking up taking place.

This picture is photoshopped. Regardless of how much technical photography skill was put in place, it was all lost when extensive photoshopping and external objects were put on the photo.

Yes it may be artistic, but to me... this seems like amateur digital art. There is much better work on deviant art.

I haven't been here in a long long time, I recall back in the old days this website would restrict the extensive use of photoshop. I remember there was some rules about photos only having minor touch ups accepted. where did this rule go away?

am I missing something? or is this website just dying?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 02:43:34 PM
Originally posted by Giles_uk:
i was actually hoping he'd get the all time score, its a poor reflection on this site that the top rated image even if its teh site creator is an average at best shot, (submitted today it would struggle to pull a 4.8-5) i know voters have got a lot harsher which is a shame, so many great photos on this site.


When we get down to 2 entries in a challenge you'll see the highest and lowest scoring records broken.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 02:38:31 PM
FĂ©licitations pour cette accomplissement extraordinaire, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 01:34:16 PM
Originally posted by paulbtlw:
Highest DPC score in the last 10 years - it's fitting that it goes to you.

I think people sometimes look at your PS work but forget about the amount of dedication you put into each of the shots and the overall project itself.

I like some of your other composite work more than this one, but I'm really pleased to see an image from you in the all-time top images.

I actually think you will beat this score - perhaps even very soon.

Well done.


i was actually hoping he'd get the all time score, its a poor reflection on this site that the top rated image even if its teh site creator is an average at best shot, (submitted today it would struggle to pull a 4.8-5) i know voters have got a lot harsher which is a shame, so many great photos on this site.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 01:19:29 PM
Amazing! A convincing and amazingly created scene.
Inspiring as always.

Since this is DPC and we like to have perfection …
The only flaws I see:
The guy is too dry.
The log isn't immediately convincing or obvious.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 10:06:37 AM
Congratulations Christophe! Your figure in the water seems lacking compared to some of your other work (still ten times better than I could do) but other parts of this image are brilliant. Love the glow of the helicopters!
Sometimes the best shots put your camera at risk. I took a trip to the coast myself last month and almost lost my camera to the water too- three times! :P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 09:49:39 AM
Lovely work and yep, I know a few people who would also throw themselves between their camera and danger! Great job and congrats on the blue! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 09:30:05 AM
This is very impressive. Just when i begin to think my skills are approaching intermediate, i feel like a beginner again and its an awesome .. bittersweet feeling.

Message edited by author 2012-04-27 09:32:12.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 08:41:29 AM
It's actually my favourite one of yours because it is real so-to-speak. I love your creativity. You are a master processor! :))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 08:37:36 AM
The score says it all....congrats Christophe! I'm sure you will beat this score such is your dedication and skill level.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 07:21:50 AM
I am always amazed at your creativity and continue to be; looking forward to more. Congrats.!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 06:00:14 AM
Now this is in the spirit of the challenge. I understand your generally leaning toward more fantasy and perhaps you have "bent to the trend" in this instance but it shows how dedicated you are to this "new" calling of yours. Superb vision as always, and for me, my highest vote in this challenge. Un travail remarquable, bith sur le terrain et dans la chambre noire numérique, Cristophe.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 05:55:54 AM
Quality ! I am always impressed at how much time and effort you put into your work.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 05:15:11 AM
Congratulations it just had to win,great stuff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 04:53:23 AM
Highest DPC score in the last 10 years - it's fitting that it goes to you.

I think people sometimes look at your PS work but forget about the amount of dedication you put into each of the shots and the overall project itself.

I like some of your other composite work more than this one, but I'm really pleased to see an image from you in the all-time top images.

I actually think you will beat this score - perhaps even very soon.

Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 04:05:06 AM
Big Congrats on the new PB - i don't think anybody saw that coming too! WOWSERS!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 03:46:06 AM
At least no one can say this doesn't look like a photo ;)

Congrats on your PB! IMHO you have better works than this but still I like it very much.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 03:45:32 AM
It's very well done, congratulations. I think if that was a real person in that water they wouldn't be able to stay astride the log without it rolling, they'd have to cling on instead.Not that it matters!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 03:08:19 AM
Pleased its your new pb :) knew it soon as I saw it top work :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 02:39:19 AM
Well I already congratulated you :)
As this was not really "your cup of tea" as you said yourself, I hope you won't be too disappointed that this image now graces the top of your home page with your highest score ever.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 02:11:56 AM
You make it sound so effortless, Christophe. ;-) Congrats! Appropriately landed in your top slot and will be hard to beat - even for you. AWESOME, AWESOME WORK!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 01:09:17 AM
Oh my!!! Look at those 10s!!

So incredible! Such a wonderful back story! Huge congrats!

This is truly awesome. It may not be fantasy, it may not have philosophical meaning, but it's a truly incredible piece.

Regarding my comment about standing in the water -- my eyes aren't the best (that's why I over sharpen everything. :) When I look at it, I didn't see someone on a log. When I look at it, the log looked like a person. The part that's out of the water looks like a face to me with the body mostly submerged. So it looked like you were protecting another person. If that's the case, you must be standing, because you wouldn't float on a person. :)

So much for my eyes. :)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 01:07:19 AM
This is fantastic!

Also, did you notice, you now have the 4th highest scored photo.

Its been 5 years since one broke the top 5.

#5 2007
#4 Yours (2012)
#3 2002
#2 2002
#1 2002

ETA: Just noticed Neat wrote that too.

Message edited by author 2012-04-27 01:08:02.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 01:02:55 AM
It is so mindblowing to see you exceed yourself at every challenge. You are definitely the Mozart of photography, constantly bettering yourself with each project. Congrats on the bleu.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 12:21:26 AM
Your effort for an image exceeds all I've ever seen.

And it pays off.

Well done, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 12:21:21 AM
congrats on new PB.. I believe it will be harder for you to beat it..!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 12:11:33 AM
Best expert editing submission I think I've ever seen.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 12:06:27 AM
WOW!! What a score!!! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2012 12:02:25 AM
Wow, just look at your score, you have the 4th highest rated photo on DP now...congrats on the PB. I quite enjoyed this one.

Message edited by author 2012-04-27 00:03:18.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
04/26/2012 09:24:43 PM
Another great image. Perfect job at blending the images as well. I think a raft would have been a better flotation devise instead of the log. I think the survivor would have a very difficult time staying upright on a log in an ocean with 14ft waves. Otherwise, great image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2012 11:37:23 AM
This will take first prize... 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2012 09:50:50 AM
Fantastic Congratulations .... I knew it!! Likely winner 10 10 10 10 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2012 08:45:45 AM
nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2012 01:50:07 AM
Not sure how you are managing to balance on that log for too long.

Very dramatic scene indeed, I love the light flashing on you in the ocean, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2012 08:49:31 PM
Wonderfully done. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2012 02:09:30 PM
Like an illustration in a book. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2012 10:32:19 AM
NICE! Love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2012 10:19:54 AM
good drama
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/23/2012 08:51:03 PM
Wonderful job Christophe. Cinematic as hell, with great phographic backgrounds. Blue for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/23/2012 12:22:52 PM
Yes. This is good! Based on what I've seen so far... it is the best. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/22/2012 09:13:55 PM
Your Photoshop skills astonish me!!! Perfect 10 for this one. Nothing in this challenge compares to this entry.

Keep up the good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/22/2012 12:05:54 PM
There are two ways to look at this. One is acceptance of it as it is - a very good, no make that excellent, manufactured Photoshop image combining elements and creating a painting like impression. The other way is to really hit this hard because it just doesn't look like a real photograph, more like a painting which would more properly belong in a wholly different category other than "photograph". I honestly don't know what to do or how to rate it. My default position is give credit where credit is due and give this a ten just for the sheer ability and skill used in developing the image. I need to think about this and look at the remaining images before I rate it - comparison can sometimes help develop an opinion.

UPDATE: Well, this is clearly the class of the field in terms of editing skills. It also is the class of the field in terms of composition - the high drama is evident. Minor technical issue in that the two choppers would not be working that close together [sorry - former USAF Air Rescue (CSAR)], but that's not the point. I'm just not convinced that this qualifies as a "photograph". But that's really the point isn't it? You're depicting an emergency situation using photographic elements to make a coherent composition. However, there doesn't seem to be a dispute with regard to that issue so I'm giving credit where credit is due. Well done - I'm rating it a ten. Should win the contest.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/21/2012 11:31:17 AM
Best in show award, congrats. Well done with the lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/21/2012 07:53:33 AM
Gyaban? Another masterpiece! Skills beyond words
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/21/2012 06:48:22 AM
My Favorite of the challenge if I am really critical I find the guy on the log a little awkward and maybe should have been positioned a little lower in the water but that's just if I had to find a nitpick.

My 1st place and highest score 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 10:15:43 PM
Wowowow. Christophesque. Just wondering what that thing on the right of his waist is. Also, the way the wave is splashing against his but makes it look like his left leg is extremely thin. There's something odd about that region. But the light, the drama, top drawer.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 03:45:31 PM
epic christoph blue and a new pb, 10 from me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 01:56:37 PM
But if he can stand in the water, why can't he just walk out with the victim? :P

Very, very nice. Beautifully done. I love looking at this. :)

-9-
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 01:00:20 PM
Yeah theres Always got to be one that posts a freaking Stunning shot... I'm thinking Gyban, but if it isn't You did OMG OUTSTANDING!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 12:09:33 PM
Has to ribbon,smashin' stuff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 10:21:16 AM
Fantastic piece of digital art.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 10:10:25 AM
clearly an excellent image. i think you used grunge just to fiddle with while you were working on this! ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 09:03:36 AM
WOW - this reminds me of the ABC series LOST, which I still miss. This is awesome.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 07:49:50 AM
Magnificent! Not in the same class as other images in this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 06:48:03 AM
Astounding composite. You've sort of got Michelangelo's hand of God going on here with the light, which is appropriate when they're saving (giving) your life.
I can see you getting a fourth 8.x with this image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 03:49:43 AM
Brilliant as always. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 03:31:26 AM
This one is my favorite of this challenge. Great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 02:52:33 AM
your imagination, planning, and technical abilities in execution are really admirable ...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 02:43:30 AM
Stupendous....Let me congratulate you with the blue ribbon as there is no way in hell that this won't come first. 10
Can't wait to hear the set up and story behind this one. I hope you will tell in the photographers comments.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 02:29:02 AM
Annnnnnnd... we have a WINNER! Absolutely well done and well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 12:28:06 AM
Impressive work here, very nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/20/2012 12:13:59 AM
Blue Ribbon Stamp for Gyaban!! Nice treatment!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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