My life dramatically changed the day I became a dad. Obviously, as every parent, my day-to-day agenda has been adjusted significantly. But more fundamentally, my main goal in life has also evolved: when I was a kid, I wanted to please my parents, to get good marks at school, then later to obtain some diploma, then find a good job, then secure a house and live the happiest possible life with my wife. Now, with two little girls looking at me in the eyes, the new priority is to make sure *their* life is going to be as happy as possible.
This task is frightening me. I am completely unsure about how, or what to do, to reach that goal. Should I work as hard as possible, earn as much money as possible, so that they would benefit from it? Studies are surely not free... But then, what about spending much time with them, and learning them what I can? Should I give them much liberty, or protect them a lot from the external world? What about my wife, I surely must not forget about her in the process! Of course, the answer lies somewhere in-between these, but it is far from trivial to find the sweet spot.
Pink Floyd's song "Welcome to the Machine" is very cynical, and describes my feelings about the current society quite well. "What did you dream? It's alright, we told you what to dream". While this was written in 1975, it easily applies to 2021 as well. Marketing efforts are so strong these days, that thinking by yourself has become a great challenge. This is probably one of the key things I would want my little girls to understand. Giving them the intellectual tools, so that they can make measured choices, so that they can distinguish reality from shiny but fake words, seems as of a big importance. I hope our little family will be able to walk that path together in the next few years!
A few words regarding the technical aspects of this image:
- The industrial complex in the background is not that massive in reality: I took several photos of it, masked out some parts, put them in front of others, duplicated some chimneys, added several layers of buildings, etc. This construction help me with the overall mood.
- My eldest daughter and my wife posed for the main characters. We used old coffee beans jute bags, cut them very roughly, to create the clothes.
- The masks and various pipes were photographed separately, then added back in post-production. I had to do it this way, because the adult mask would not stay in place as needed, and the child mask was way too big. The editing step allowed me to custom-fit them both.
- Shooting the flying men required some thinking: since I couldn't fly despite my best efforts, I inverted the point of view. My wife took the camera (that I did set up beforehand), and shot me through a window from the top floor of the house, while I was lying on the ground in the garden downstairs. Once mirrored, the angle was satisfactory enough for the integration to work.
Finally, I wanted to deeply thank all the DPC community for this incredible result. While votes are just numbers, they still reflect your kindness and tolerance towards my work: I do know my style would not have been welcomed this way in many other places. So, thank you again. I am proud and humbled.
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 28 Avg (all users): 8.7353 Avg (participants): 8.6250 Avg (non-participants): 8.8333 Views since voting: 4985 Views during voting: 115 Votes: 34 Comments: 35 Favorites: 6 (view)
amazing image. this really makes the viewer stop and think.
think about the song lyrics, think about the future and many other thoughts.
I think Pink fluid would love to buy this image and add it to their album.
congrats on remarkable score.
Question I would have is, how long did this image take you from start to finish? I have been watching this one many times every day, this one is I agree you best creation and I am in love with this!
Thanks again for the kind words!
Regarding the time spent on this image, it is hard to tell precisely. It should be something like that:
- Going through Pink Floyd lyrics, for inspiration and discussing about the first ideas with my wife: around 1h
- Thinking about the composition and sketching the main concept, searching and ordering masks: around 3h (not continuously)
- Searching for the various industrial facilities and which one offers decent access for photos: 1h (Google Maps / Google Street)
- Facility photos: 2h (driving included)
- Outfit preparation + lighting setup: 1h
- Main characters shooting session: 1h
- Additional shootings: 2h (masks, pipes, clouds, flying men)
- Editing: Clouds/Smoke 1h, Industrial complex 3h, Main characters 8h, Flying men 3h, Various additional polishing 3h
Approx. total = 29h
Wow this is very interesting to read! Thanks for sharing this.
Yes, priorities in our lives and how to best achieve them are a difficult topic, finding the balance and especially the peace in your heart to believe you are doing the right thing is hard.
Pls,pls tell me where you got these masks from? I thought you had "created them" in PS, but so much easier if one can buy them :-).
Thanks a lot!
The masks are made by a company called "Ubauta": you can easily find them on Amazon for example (just type this word in their search form).
Question I would have is, how long did this image take you from start to finish? I have been watching this one many times every day, this one is I agree you best creation and I am in love with this!
Thanks again for the kind words!
Regarding the time spent on this image, it is hard to tell precisely. It should be something like that:
- Going through Pink Floyd lyrics, for inspiration and discussing about the first ideas with my wife: around 1h
- Thinking about the composition and sketching the main concept, searching and ordering masks: around 3h (not continuously)
- Searching for the various industrial facilities and which one offers decent access for photos: 1h (Google Maps / Google Street)
- Facility photos: 2h (driving included)
- Outfit preparation + lighting setup: 1h
- Main characters shooting session: 1h
- Additional shootings: 2h (masks, pipes, clouds, flying men)
- Editing: Clouds/Smoke 1h, Industrial complex 3h, Main characters 8h, Flying men 3h, Various additional polishing 3h
Approx. total = 29h
Question I would have is, how long did this image take you from start to finish? I have been watching this one many times every day, this one is I agree you best creation and I am in love with this!
this is INSANELY good .. not just as an editing masterpiece but as an image that totally fits the challenge ..
i was interested reading your notes about being a parent .. not every parent struggles over the impact of this world on their children .. as they accept what is going on often without argument almost .. going with the flow .
just because everyone does it doesnt make it right is something i consider a lot of the time .
anyway .. you are very aware of being a wonderful role model for your children and also conscious of the affect this world will have on them if 'unchecked' .. they are in the best environment they could ever have .. with you and your wife ..
many congratulations on the blue . but also on the highest score in DPC .. i feel that it was only a matter of time until you achieved it .. :)
Wonderful work, as usual, Christoph. I think this is my favorite. Your work is such an inspiration, not only in composition and vision, but also meaningfulness. Congratulations and thank you!
Congratulations, Christophe! For the blue, for your new PB and for the new top score for DPC. (Such a long, long time!) Congratulations for creating such a fabulous work.
Thank you for your notes. I empathise with you in your hopes and concerns for your family. I have all confidence that you will do a fantastic job in this role, too.
Thank you for your technical notes. I love reading how you have gone about creating your art. (Please tell me that you didn't shave your daughter's head ;-)
Thank you so much Marion, very kind of you. No worries, my daughter still has her hair :-) Just some editing trickery.
Congratulations, Christophe! For the blue, for your new PB and for the new top score for DPC. (Such a long, long time!) Congratulations for creating such a fabulous work.
Thank you for your notes. I empathise with you in your hopes and concerns for your family. I have all confidence that you will do a fantastic job in this role, too.
Thank you for your technical notes. I love reading how you have gone about creating your art. (Please tell me that you didn't shave your daughter's head ;-)
Yes, priorities in our lives and how to best achieve them are a difficult topic, finding the balance and especially the peace in your heart to believe you are doing the right thing is hard.
Pls,pls tell me where you got these masks from? I thought you had "created them" in PS, but so much easier if one can buy them :-).
Thanks a lot!
The masks are made by a company called "Ubauta": you can easily find them on Amazon for example (just type this word in their search form).
Yes, priorities in our lives and how to best achieve them are a difficult topic, finding the balance and especially the peace in your heart to believe you are doing the right thing is hard.
Pls,pls tell me where you got these masks from? I thought you had "created them" in PS, but so much easier if one can buy them :-).
Thanks a lot!
The masks are made by a company called "Ubauta": you can easily find them on Amazon for example (just type this word in their search form).
Yes, priorities in our lives and how to best achieve them are a difficult topic, finding the balance and especially the peace in your heart to believe you are doing the right thing is hard.
Pls,pls tell me where you got these masks from? I thought you had "created them" in PS, but so much easier if one can buy them :-).
A chilling vision of a possible future. I guess it'll be ok as long as they keep taxes down.
The dark and gray color scheme and the overwhelming sense of vulnerability are tone perfect. The photography and the fully fleshed out imagination are superb. The shadowy details in the background might easily be given short shrift, but not so here. Actually, we've come to expect no less. Who are the figures overhead, all headed in the same direction? Souls, untethered dreams?
Personal favorite of the challenge.
KAPOW .. !!! .. of course the blue .. this is mesmerizing .. and amazing .. and another incredible entry in dpc .. i'll look forward to your comments after rollover .. :)
Wow, this is professional quality and a sure winner. Fantastic composition and atmosphere. I guess at least two pictures? Of the persons and of the industrial complex? And a lot of rendering? Great blend.
Welcome to the Machine
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