To figure out how to make someone look like they were buried up to their eyes without actually burying them was a bit of a pain. The solution I came up with was to cut a couple holes in a piece of cardboard (one for the head and another for the hand). I then supported the carboard off the ground by placing it on a couple chairs. The top of the cardboard was covered in top soil and the holes had tightly stretched latex from a cut up glove taped underneath (this was to allow a tight and flexible fit around the head so the dirt did not fall through) From there it was just a matter of covering my wife in mud and having her stick her head in the hole.
I think I must state how much I love my wife...I doubt there are many women willing to go through what she did to get this shot (not only covered in mud but stuck in an uncomfortable crouching position for the 15-20 minutes it took to complete the shoot)
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 144 Avg (all users): 7.8639 Avg (commenters): 8.9362 Avg (participants): 7.8750 Avg (non-participants): 7.8613 Views since voting: 28904 Views during voting: 579 Votes: 294 Comments: 97 Favorites: 44 (view)
I was wondering how you did this, thanks for the details. I was trying to imagine getting any of my models to let me bury them ;). Congratulations on your ribbon!
I just wanted to say great job with the photograph. I had given you a ten on the shot. I wanted to say that I really felt the impact due to the darkness of the soil. It appears to be damp which would make it feel even heavier on my chest. Great impact.
I kind of like this shot, until I notice that all three of the ribbons were given to the exact same style of shot. I ask you all to notice the disturbing similarities between the three winning photographs
Well deserved blue! I really can’t find anything to improve. Your “negative space” angled tilt of the mud adds to the energy of the shot. I actually like the way that you have filled the frame and cut off a little of the hand and head… it adds to the sense of suffocation.
I used to have nightmares about being buried alive when I was younger and Ide wake up with the sheets wrapped around me. It is a truely terrifying thing to imagine. You have captured the feeling perfectly and this has been reflected in you winning the blue ribbon. CONGRATULATIONS.
Congrats - exellent shot and deserving especially because your wife is such a good sport. Ohmigosh, is she ever! She must love you very, very much to do that! LOL.
Fear of being buried alive ? if so this is a very effective image. 10 { hope you dug her up again, or if it is the mother in law filled the hole in !!!LOL
One of my favourites in this challenge. Really emotive, and very well presented shot. I like the hopeless expression on her face. Just like the very second of giving up. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a ribbon for this one! (10)
Great idea arrangement, eye position, composition, exposure, and capture. Maybe a touch more DOF would help. I think that this is very effective and a winner.
8 - Very good. Criticism; the horizontal framing works well, but perhaps for 'here' and more impact, more height/'space' at the top/bottom may have made this even better in my opinion.
Nice one, The hand in the front confused me a bit first, maybe if you hadn't cut the tip off the fingers it would have been clearer. I like the way it is blurred though. A bit more expression in her face to show that she's afraid of something would have given it one more point from me. The light is also too unnatural for the scene but other than that it is a great pic. One of the best I've seen so far in this challenge.
I have been constantly been changing this shot's score between a 7 and an 8. I definitely love the concept, and whole you've got an awesome model, whether it was you (the photographer) or someone else. Immaculate really, but the biggest flaw was within the eyes. Fear is not written all over the eyes, instead curiousity is the message I got in the eyes. It's also great you thought of the hand language. It helped out a lot in the composition and atmosphere of the shot. There's a softness in the hand gesture. Personally, I would have thought it would be better if the hands were stretched out a but more. So I think I'll give this a 7. Sorry though. I really this it's a fantastic shot none the less.
Other entries illustrate a fear, but this gives me shivers. I think it's the eyes, not looking at the camera, but pleading for help. I didn't think I'd ever give a 10. I fear I was mistaken. Well done.
A very dedicated model you have there to have put up with this. I'm sure it wasn't a quick pose with only one shot being taken. Love the focus, the whites of her eyes pleading upward, and the outstretched hand. A fantastic photo that met the challenge completely. Nice job!
I gave 1 ten and 1 nine in this challenge. This is the 9, so I guess you get red in my book. Well done in execution and creativity. Looks like it took some work, but was fun to shoot. I do get the sense of fear in this one. I'm assuming "taphephobia" is the fear of being buried alive...
If this doesnt get top 10 it would really be a shame. very good shot, i dont mind the hand being oof but i think other voters might. otherwise very good job! 9
Taphephobia
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