| Photograph Information |
Photographer's Comments |
Challenge: The Eleventh Commandment (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: May 10, 2015
Date Uploaded: May 10, 2015
|
[May. 17th, 2015 12:28:29 PM]
It was a beautiful week-end. My 7 months old daughter and I were both enjoying the spring sun in the garden. She was looking at everything around her with amazement: grass, flower, cats, bugs, leaves moving in the breeze. Her little hands were overwhelmed, trying to touch and feel everything. There were no words, nor any need for them: our smiles and shiny eyes were speaking for us. I felt so privileged to share this peaceful moment with her.
In the evening, I put the TV on, and the return to reality was brutal. As a global society, we really live without consideration for this world. Without stepping into extremism, what shocks me the most are all these unnecessary destructive attitudes, that are widely considered as banal and normal. There's some bug that got into your house? Bam, kill it. There's a tree where you wanted a road? Who cares, cut it. My wife, who is a vet, came back from work in the evening. Once again, she had loads of sad stories. Beside the various illnesses and accidents, a man kicked an old man's cat, simply because it was wandering in his garden. The poor old man was crying. The cat was suffocating, its chest being crushed, then died.
Why? Is power such a heady feeling? Why is it so easy considering ourselves superior on some conveniently crafted scale? Is it simply because we can? All I see is arrogance and stupidity. It really makes me sad. I hope we can learn from our mistakes, but I'm doubting it more and more.
Regarding the technical side of this creation, I started to photograph the moon. Then, my wife posed for the main character: she was originally holding to a rope to avoid falling while maintaining the position, then I shot her right arm and leg separately to create the levitation effect. For the underwater part, I went to a lake nearby, put my camera in a fish tank, and used the whole in the water. It worked quite well: I even shot some real fish unexpectedly! Back home, I photographed lots of pieces of fabric, thrown in various ways: I used those to construct the dress, the tentacles and the wildlife.
Thanks a lot for the kind votes and feedback, much appreciated! |
| Author | Thread |
|
|
05/23/2015 08:42:15 AM |
A complex assembly of images to make a statement. tbh, without your explaining, I wd not hv understood it as much as I hv. I am a poor reader of images/imagery!
What drew me to this pic was the intimations of grandeur in it.
The context you have described and the thoughts that flow out of it is a powerful statement on human stupidity.
Great pic. Congratulations on the blue. This will be one of my favorites. |
|
 Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/20/2015 09:45:48 PM |
| Congratulations, Christophe. Awesome image. I agree with your notes. Children see everything with wonder and appreciation. Pity that for some, in the process of growing, something goes awry. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/19/2015 09:47:01 AM |
| I like the old masters mixed with Hudson river school lighting feel to this. Congrats again. Every little effort can change the world. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/19/2015 01:35:45 AM |
Thank you - not only for this stunning composition but also for the accompanying words- you are so right!
|
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 12:39:39 PM |
| Your heart is clearly as warm and inspired as your beautiful work. Bless you for caring so much. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 12:30:45 PM |
| Another amazing image. The blue is well-deserved. There is no excuse for cruelty to animals. Seeing that would be one of the hardest parts of being a vet. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 11:49:49 AM |
This is a beautiful, and intriguing shot. Thank you for explaining how you did it! I am more thankful, however, for your comments on human's disregard for each other and for other species. We are the only ones who enslave, torture, hate, and the most destructive beings ever to inhabit the Earth, and yet, we consider ourselves superior. How pathetic! If you haven't already, you might like to read Straw Dogs, by John Gray.
Message edited by author 2015-05-18 11:52:45. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 11:06:27 AM |
Your notes are very touching. Some of us live in these beautiful, harmonious bubble with babies looking in awe to the yet untainted world around them, and what a gift in life this is! Don't' let it be spoiled, don't let your heart harden; after all there are more good people in the world than the media could cover and no tv news hour will say: look, Christophe had a lovely morning with his baby in the garden!
|
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 08:40:46 AM |
| You have a gift; thank you for sharing with us. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 04:51:21 AM |
Congrats on a well-deserved Blue, Christophe. Again a beautiful creation. But even more than the image I was touched by your contemplation about why people act like they do, without any respect towards persons, animals or objects of nature. It is one of the things that keeps me busy day after day and also the reason I'd like to hide myself from this world more and more, seeking refuge in the most remote parts of Scotland when possible!
I hope you can find comfort in being with your wife and daughter, together enjoying the beautiful things that nature provides. And please keep on with your refreshing and beautiful reproduction of this world in your images. Thank you! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 04:13:50 AM |
Fabulous photo as usual. I totally agree with your thoughts on the world. I struggle on a daily basis to understand how fellow humans behave in such inhuman ways.
Congrats on the well deserved blue.
|
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 03:47:14 AM |
Stunning image, and I SOOOO agree with your comments to your image. It is so sad how humans use their power, either physical or mental or both to do nothing more than inflict harm :-(. I often wonder when the turning point will come. Surely it has to come at some point???
|
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 02:04:08 AM |
This image took my breath away when I saw it! (I didn't vote due to computer problems) Absolutely fabulous, and as always I appreciate your photographer's notes. I love hearing how you create these masterpieces.
The world is a cruel place, and all we can do is try to mitigate the horror with beauty, peace and love. Your photos help achieve that goal. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/18/2015 12:38:14 AM |
| So sorry about the old man's cat. I cannot understand how humans can be so heartless and cruel. Your fish and fish-creatures are very magical - thank you for them! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
Comments Made During the Challenge  |
|
|
05/17/2015 11:26:55 PM |
this is gonna be the winner-- -- I just think at this point its not a photo but a work of art that only 1% of us could do.. I applaud you on your genius. but find it hard to judge as a photo.
Congrats though on your talent and image, I hope I didn't Offend.. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/17/2015 10:47:47 PM |
| Beautiful piece of fantasy. Love the light and the colours. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/17/2015 04:48:15 PM |
Yep! See! THIS Is why there are always only two ribbons available. *grin*
One is always yours. Rightfully so.
I hope you'll tell us if you made the fish and birds from scratch or started with a real one.
Fascinating. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/15/2015 05:11:41 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/12/2015 01:08:49 AM |
| Best in show award, congratulations |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/11/2015 03:09:09 PM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/11/2015 02:45:02 PM |
Well, this is extremely good. Very hard to imagine this not taking first place. great concept, great execution. Cute elephant.
If I absolutely had to find something to critique, maybe the murky underwater area looks a bit similar to the sky (cloudy greens and yellows). Perhaps the color could have shifted slightly, or something else to differentiate it. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/11/2015 11:41:06 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/11/2015 09:25:15 AM |
| now you are just showing off. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
05/11/2015 02:18:00 AM |
| You create so much to look at. You have a wonderful imagination and the skill to present it. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/24/2024 01:29:36 PM EDT.
Cherish life in its diversity
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
