A last minute idea. It hit me right before bedtime last night. I made the spike out of wood. Next morning drove to the marina and after sailing stopped over George's house (the big hands). We used a black t shirt draped over a stool so he can wrap hands around. The log I borrowed from the marina. Could not really edit to full satisfaction because of time. You know, you jump from idea to the next but never really follow through completely because time just keeps breathing down your neck. Natural light with a garage 500 watt halogen right in front of his garage.
This is done as a special visual study. Its aim is high contrast in the image: and then the contrast of dominating force over physical docility: hence submission to brute force. Dirt against cleanliness and then a visual contrast of triangles against a tight crop. The tight crop makes the eyes want to search for something outside the visible and the triangles force the eyes back.
This was done in daylight but with a 500 halogen garage light adjusted to give the wood a metallic feel, in doing so, it brings out the iron of the hammer even more. I made the spike out of wood and sculpt it to look like metal and painted with aluminum paint.
It is not a pretty image. The hand could have been contorted but I chose passive as in submission so as to make the image more bearable. It is a strong Religious depiction and I anticipate a good string of low votes from some of the outspoken anti religious and secular. Amazing how much inspiration has flowed from Religion dating back in artistic and musical history. My sole object was not to make a religious statement but rather a stylistic and well crafted study...I hope! lol
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Place: 3 out of 311 Avg (all users): 6.8883 Avg (commenters): 8.7143 Avg (participants): 6.6250 Avg (non-participants): 7.0348 Views since voting: 7855 Views during voting: 286 Votes: 179 Comments: 89 Favorites: 44 (view)
I have to admit, a number of the contrasts in this image were lost on me until I read along with your description, but having done so this image went from "nice" to "great" in my mind. Most striking to me is the rigidity of the spike driver's hands as compared to the open submission of the victim.
Thank You, sir! This is a great testimony to the only King of Time & Eternity...and all that exists in todo!
You have created a graphic & admirable portrayal of the only Person to willingly nail Himself to a cross with spikes of LOVE and wake up after three days of death...simply because He wanted to do so, He had finished His assignment, and simply because He could. Death was not powerful enough to keep Him dead.
Wow! The God-Man who could hang His own body on a cross, like any other man hangs his coat on a nail in the closet. Then, He went to work ransacking His enemy's lair, and returned to the "closet" after showing the enemy who was Boss to pick up His fleshly "suit-coat" just in time for a victory celebration with friends before He returned to His Father's House to take up residence on His Princely Throne!
Be Blessed, Dear Friend, for thy creation hath caused me to wax eloquent! I liketh that very much! :)
What an amazing and beautiful work of art. You are truly an inspiration to me; and thank you for all of your hard work and contribution to this site. This place would not be the same without you!
As stated before, your shot and the comments on how you created it are magnificent, congratulations on your ribbon!
Daniel, your description of this photo and how you used technicals to get your point across is simply amazing. technical poetry. The image has power, and you broke it down beautifully. One of the best photographer comments I have come across. Congrats on your ribbon, the image is stellar.
First off congrats on your ribbon. Secondly, I didn't look or vote on this challenge because I didn't feel comfortable with the topic. But if I had I would have given yours a 10. You did a very nice high contrast B/W photo. I just love the processing. I am a big fan of B/W photos. They always seem to have so much detail and emotion. I can't believe I am going to say this but I am going to have to make this one of my favorites. You really did a great job.
Daniel!!!! This photo is aMAZING! It touches me deeply, and I am so happy this won a ribbon! Congratulations, and this is going straight to my favorites!
Daniel,
Congrats on a highly deserved win. This was one of the most powerful images in a very difficult challenge, and I'm truly impressed. Into faves.
I love the "passive" hand as you said in contrast with the giant set with the tools. This really does accomplish a depiction of the sacrifice of Jesus along with a graphic and powerful image in its own right. Simple and extemely powerful. Good to see you on the front page.
Good to have you back!
Congratulation on a well deserved win. Thanks for including so much information in your comments. As always, they are very helpful.
I only got through 3/4's in voting as I hit Science first. This would have gotten one of my better scores if I'd have gotten to it. Kudos on an excellen capture!
TC
Ouch....the contrast and tones really define the objects in the photo. Clever thinking in such a short time. Very emotive and poetic rather than giving a religious message as you intended and good thinking outside the box.
Congratulations, Daniel - a very powerful image from an artistic perspective as well as a religious one, and I'm in awe of your carving abilities! Beautifully lit and I'd say you more than met your goals for this one.
Great shot. 9. I like the contrast and the gritty hands of the "nailer." Just a suggestion, not a nit pic at all, but maybe some leather straps or something wrapped around Jesus's wrist would make that hand seem less posed.
Think this might be the winner for me! Tone is perfect and subject plus composition is very powerful. Crop might be just a bit too tight, but hard to say without another version to compare it to. Great work!
I like the high contrast and low key setup for this shot. You have really simplified this subject by showing only the hands and tools. You "nailed" the title.
Only drawback seems to be that the frame seems a bit crowded with 6 items (three hands, hammer, nail and cross) squeezed together, but I think it works nonetheless. Only wish I could make a shot half as compelling.
The monochrome, combined with excellent highlights and contrast makes this an exceptional shot. For example, the white highlight on the near edge of the hammer saves that part of the shot from being too dark. The dirty hands on the hammer and nail vs. the clean hand. Even the wood of the cross looks metallic in this lighting.
Powerful image! It's well executed and well processed. B&W was a great choice. But its strongest feature is its composition. Composition of the hands is terrific. Triangle formed by the head and point of the spike and the hammer reinforces the triangle formed by the hands. The overlapping triangles swing your eye round and round the frame.
Sacrifice
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