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Halloween in Hamelin
1st PlaceHalloween in Hamelin
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Halloween V (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
Date: Nov 2, 2014
Date Uploaded: Nov 2, 2014

 Lobbyists are found in most communities. The most obvious ones are present in politics, or religion, but one can observe them in virtually any field, at much more modest scales. I suppose we all know a colleague telling everyone what they should eat or not, or a neighbor explaining the whole street how lawn is supposed to be mowed. Some would tell everyone around them how kids should be raised, some would spend hours explaining why some TV show should be seen, or why something is art or is not. There are hundreds of similar examples.

What I find dangerous about these persons, is when they act in a unsolicited way. It is one thing to give your opinion when asked for it, but it is a whole another one to stuff your ideas into random mouths. Of course, such little propaganda has often some success, since at a given time, one will always find weaker members in a given community, either affected by personal problems hence more vulnerable, or simply newcomers, uninitiated minds. Rallying others to some cause (even an insignificant one) gives some kind of power, which polishes the ego. It is an easy way to feel important: I suspect this is the reason why I see so many so-called opinion leaders wandering around.

In the "Pied Piper of Hamelin" legend, the piper has the power of luring rats and children away using the sound of his instrument. I decided to use this story as a metaphor for my observations. Moreover, referring to the Halloween theme was a good way to mix folklores, which I always find interesting.

Technically, I started the project by a rough sketch, in order to keep in mind all the different photos I had to take. Then, I brought several rocks in my studio, and photographed them under various angles using the same lighting setup, in order to assemble them in post-processing and create that dangerous path. Meanwhile, my dear wife carved the pumpkin in order to give it a demoniacal smile, which I photographed lit by a mix of candle light and studio strobes, using a long exposure. Then I had to wait for the night, and started a fire in my garden to photograph flames and smoke. Last but not least, I also posed for the piper and the victims: jumping and fooling around naked with a bag on the head was quite interesting ;-)

Thank you so much for the great votes and kind comments! I am very glad this one received such a feedback, it is very motivating.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 45
Avg (all users): 7.8506
Avg (commenters): 9.4167
Avg (participants): 7.1379
Avg (non-participants): 8.2069
Views since voting: 2608
Views during voting: 274
Votes: 87
Comments: 23
Favorites: 5 (view)

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 11/12/2014 06:27:24 AM
Congrats on the Blue Christophe, I am in awe of your imagination and creativity,(not to mention your photoshop skills) Thanks for sharing through your notes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
 11/11/2014 02:13:29 AM
Exceptional work, Christophe. Superbly scary.
Hope your leg is getting better.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R7
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
 11/10/2014 05:10:23 PM
This freaking rocks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens
 11/10/2014 01:31:19 PM
Originally posted by vikas:
You didn't take the 'easy' route of tying the bag once and shooting all the required images, you actually made sure each bag was tied differently!
Ah, bags! I thought they were kerchiefs on clumsy people.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens
 11/10/2014 09:21:53 AM
Wonderful creation and very fitting for the challenge. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
 11/10/2014 09:20:20 AM
Congratulations on the blue! Very creative and spooky.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 13
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
 11/10/2014 09:03:28 AM
You didn't take the 'easy' route of tying the bag once and shooting all the required images, you actually made sure each bag was tied differently!
Your art always makes me stop and look out for details - and everytime I look closer I find something new and it lights me up!

I hope to see all your work in a gallery some day!
Congrats Christophe, and thank you for sharing your work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R6
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 11/10/2014 01:34:10 AM
A superb piece of work. Congrats on a well deserved blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 11/10/2014 12:20:54 AM
Congrats on the blue, Christophe. This piece is incredible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 11/09/2014 08:21:31 PM
Exceptional work, top shot. 10 Fave.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-50D
 11/09/2014 03:05:22 PM
Wow!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 11/08/2014 12:04:21 PM
wonderful story. LOVE the detail of the floating embers and also the overall 'light'. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D90
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
 11/08/2014 11:37:14 AM
Excellent scares the crap outta me!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 11/08/2014 07:57:40 AM
I think we have a ribbon! Not sure which colour, as you have some stiff competition :) You're work never stops to amaze!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D500
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 11/08/2014 12:23:05 AM
Absolutely stunning! I may have nightmares about a fire breathing pumpkin.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
 11/07/2014 08:00:46 PM
OMG!!!! incredible!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a6400
Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
 11/06/2014 04:21:04 PM
This is really creepy and surreal. Great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 11/05/2014 09:09:14 PM
Beautifully composed, as usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1D X
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II
11/05/2014 08:04:58 PM
If I were a voting member again, this would definitely get one of my ultra-rare 10s.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G
 11/05/2014 09:56:49 AM
wow
masterful work !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 11/04/2014 03:27:11 PM
gaaah!! Don't tell me you shaved your head for this, Christophe! A ribboner as always ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 11/03/2014 12:02:30 PM
Best in show award, congrats , fun image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens
 11/03/2014 09:23:47 AM
i guess naked is really scary for some people ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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