"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 Nazgûl, 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!
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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: 2831 Views during voting: 377 Votes: 89 Comments: 39 Favorites: 12 (view)
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 :)
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!
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.
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!!!!
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.
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.
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
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 :-)
One Ring to bind them, and into trouble get them
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