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Family Stories
1st PlaceFamily Stories
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Book Cover II (Extended Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: Aug 27, 2019
Date Uploaded: Aug 27, 2019

 This image is actually an order from a theatre troupe that contacted me. They needed a poster for their new play "Histoires de Famille" ("Family Stories"). They are specialized in improvisation, and had quite a few constraints in mind regarding the picture: no actor face should be visible (the persons on stage tend to rotate, depending on dates), it had to convey ideas of "stories" and "family" (obviously), big enough to be seen from a distance (in the metro or on city walls), and avoid being too frightening or too political (as the play is open to children).

After some discussions, I suggested to recycle the good old Arcimboldo's concept, with books instead of vegetables. I had initially no idea, but I quickly realized that several painters already did that, which provided good models and books positions to copy with actual photos. I also imagined some hands and a paper farandole, figurating some members of an imaginary family.

Then a few days later this DPC challenge appeared, and I thought I could use the opportunity to create a first version within that timeframe. Of course, a cover book is not exactly the same thing as a theatre poster, and the version I submitted here got refined after some feedback from the troupe. The finalized version can be seen here:

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 27
Avg (all users): 7.0238
Avg (participants): 7.0714
Avg (non-participants): 7.0000
Views since voting: 1192
Views during voting: 109
Votes: 42
Comments: 20
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 09/05/2019 11:51:32 PM
Wow!! Such an amazing image, and thanks for sharing its story!! What an accomplishment! Congratulations on 1st place in a really good challenge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 12:31:54 PM
That moustach and monocle, though...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 09:08:42 AM
Congrats, I had a feeling this might be your work. Beautifully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 08:04:39 AM
Congrats on the blue and I should have guessed this was yours, Christophe. Gorgeous execution of a wonderful concept. Question: how do you do the border?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 07:45:18 AM
Congrats on the blue - love the cover and the story behind it!! I guess that you must be really busy, as we get to see less of your work - but it's always a treat and I certainly miss it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 05:48:26 AM
Congrats! Only after googling "Arcimboldo's concept" did I realise there was a face in your image - so this was an added bonus for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 03:46:33 AM
Excellent.. takes me back to the early days of DPC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 02:09:28 AM
Beautiful stuff. I knew it was the winner as soon as I saw it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 12:29:13 AM
I had the suspicion. Great that you got this gig and we could see your work again :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2019 12:02:33 AM
What a way to multi-task, Christophe!

Congratulations! I love that face!

Welcome back. :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/03/2019 07:17:00 PM
good illustration of the title
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2019 05:21:25 PM
Very nicely done - everything gels really well together. The paper chain is a wonderful addition. Be surprised if this doesn't ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2019 03:35:37 PM
I could just imagine this as a real book cover.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2019 12:56:25 PM
Beautifully composed and one of my top picks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2019 08:50:55 PM
French books, I thought I recognised the editing style straight away. Christophe even though you are not in this photo you canĂ¢€™t hide from us :-)

My top pick this is beautifully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2019 10:02:27 PM
My pick for yellow in this challenge. I might have nightmares!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2019 04:43:47 AM
By far the best, 10

PS I just checked the name of the author (without dots) and found his Librarian :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/29/2019 03:05:20 AM
beautifully done .. loving the old fashioned feel and your cut out ppl .. this is inspired .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/28/2019 10:53:04 AM
Oh my word! This is so adorable and clever! I love that face!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/28/2019 04:13:03 AM
This is great. I like the border you have done
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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