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Holy Grail found on Mars
1st PlaceHoly Grail found on Mars
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Fake News (Extended Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
Date: May 22, 2018
Date Uploaded: May 22, 2018

[May. 29th, 2018 07:50:13 AM]

Did you know that the Lady of the Lake actually hated water? She was so despaired with it that one day, she visited Merlin, and asked for help. Together, they constructed the biggest catapult ever, able to project men at Earth escape velocity (about 25.000 mph - yes, the Lady of the Lake was fond of fundamental physics). Promptly, they both used it to reach Mars, which offered some of the nicest beaches of the milky way. Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, sick with all the rust on their armors, also joined the party on the red planet. Problem is, Mars offers no wood: impossible to build another giant catapult to come back! Fortunately, Elon Musk, in an attempt to obtain eternal life through the Grail, is currently riding his space car to get there. Chances are for the Lady of the Lake to get a ride back. Unless the car battery runs out, of course.

__________________________________________

Technically, this was fun to achieve, and a good occasion to wander around. First, I needed to create some martian landscape. Initially, I visited an abandoned construction site that I knew of, and took many photos of the ground, piles of mud, and such. I spent a few hours working with these on the computer, but nothing convincing came out. So, a few days later, I drove to the nearest beach (about 2h away), and walked there a few hours with my cameras around the neck, trying to find nice patters in the sand. Once back, it worked much better, and a few hours later I had a satisfying planet surface.

From there, Istarted to work on the knight. My old armor was a bit dusty, but ready for a new project. Posing with it was a bit tricky, especially the kneeling part, but in the end I managed to get decent results, without destroying the metallic joints. I had no sword though, so during the session I used a wooden stick as a placeholder.
In parallel, I ordered a life-size sword on some specialized website, using the quickest delivery option. Fortunately, it arrived in time, which permitted me to include it into the project. Great that we now have 2-weeks for shooting, no way I could have achieved it in just one!

Finally, thanks a lot for the kind votes and comments, I'm very happy some liked it!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 18
Avg (all users): 7.7600
Avg (commenters): 9.6667
Avg (participants): 7.2727
Avg (non-participants): 7.8974
Views since voting: 2191
Views during voting: 141
Votes: 50
Comments: 25
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens
 06/05/2018 05:02:46 AM
great work. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens
 06/02/2018 09:24:20 AM
Fantastic work ... as usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone
 06/01/2018 03:49:13 AM
Oh, yes!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 05/30/2018 10:13:06 PM
Nice to see your work on the front page again; always an enjoyment. Great work as usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens
 05/30/2018 03:18:36 PM
Great job and well-deserved blue ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-80D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 05/30/2018 02:22:50 PM
You have chosen wisely. Super job Christophe! Hope you and the family are well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 05/30/2018 12:02:06 PM
Agree to Lydia, you are truly amazing!

Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 05/30/2018 10:34:05 AM
You are a fountain of creativity and talent, Christophe!

Congratulations on your Blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 05/30/2018 09:19:06 AM
Why am I not surprised that you have a suit of armor? Lol. Congrats on the well-deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D850
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR
 05/30/2018 09:09:31 AM
Back at it! Glad to see you here and what seems to be sticking around for a little while!

This image along with the story behind how you made it is epic! This is awesome.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R6
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 05/30/2018 03:47:07 AM
I love it!!! You really are in a league of your own. I love the story of Lady of the Lake and thank you for sharing some background information on your creation. You must have quite an amazing props collection by now. Thank you for continuing to treat us to your fantastic creations. Congrats on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 05/30/2018 03:44:33 AM
Wonderful to see your work on the front page again
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7
 05/30/2018 02:37:44 AM
As I said, he's not human!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 IV
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 05/30/2018 02:04:26 AM
So the Holy Grail was on Mars? I was quite sure about that ^_____^

Welcome back man, I missed you :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 05/30/2018 01:59:06 AM
Christophe, you are incredible. (So is your news, haha.) Congratulations on the blue, wonderful work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 05/30/2018 12:33:11 AM
Easily my top pick. So amazing how real this looks, your dedication to your art is amazing..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-80D
 05/30/2018 12:32:22 AM
Nice News Flash. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
 05/30/2018 12:21:27 AM
Your talent and creativity never ceases to amaze me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon Z8
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8
 05/29/2018 05:59:22 PM
Phenomenal!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon RP
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro
 05/29/2018 01:16:05 PM
Wow. Nice and exceptionally good. Christophe, you did it again.
A big 10 and my Blue Dragon Award
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D5
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
 05/28/2018 10:30:08 PM
Hi Christophe! Perfect as always. Not a detail out of place. Can't wait to read your notes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
 05/27/2018 08:36:10 PM
Um Wow... I've been away for 2 years and Gyaban is still doing his thing... Amazing work, best in show by a long shot, well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 05/24/2018 06:21:59 PM
Hands down the best in the group. Congrats, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7
 05/23/2018 09:31:18 AM
As I said: you're an alien :) ; 10 for this masterpiece
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 05/23/2018 06:57:28 AM
excellent work, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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