Setup: the paper butterflies were hanging on wires (cloned out in post-production). About 6h were needed just for cutting paper. And a few more to actually install them correctly. Fun fun!
Lighting this wasn't easy at all: I wanted to avoid any frontal light on the lantern's butterflies, while still lighting evenly the other ones. I ended up with this setup:
- 1x speedlight inside the lantern
- 1x 400w strobe hanging right behing it, and pointing to a black backdrop, to create the glow
- 1x 400w stripped strobe on the floor, to light the bottom line of butterlies
- 1x 500w grided strobe from the upper left, on the model and upper butterflies
- 1x silver reflector on the right, to fill model's left (or right as you look at it)
- 1x speedlight on the big butterfly
Everything triggered with PocketWizards.
Given the numerous questions and doubts that appeared during setting all of this, I am very pleased with the result.
About the DQ: what a poor 2011 start for me! I was expecting this to ribbon, so I'm quite disappointed. This DQ is due to a reflector that was present on the right of the picture, that disappeared in the vignette. I thought this wouldn't be a major element of the photo, but looks like I was wrong. Technically, I needed some light from the right, and the room where I shot this was not bigger than that, I had no other choice... oh well. I now am suspended, so see you in a while.
Disqualification Details
You may not use ANY editing tool to move, remove or duplicate any element of your photograph that would change a typical viewer's description of the photograph (aside from color), even if the tool is otherwise legal, and regardless of whether you intended the change when the photograph was taken.
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Views since voting: 2365 Views during voting: 259 Comments: 31 Favorites: 8 (view)
just saw that i never commented on this - only came up when i was looking for it for some discussion in the forums. Probably one of my favorites from you.
I'm quite surprised that a reflector right over to one side would be considered a major element. Shame as it's great work as always Christoph. Don't let a small suspension get you down, I look forward to seeing more of your creative flare soon!!
amazing work Christoph! Shame about DQ! Hard to tell without seeing the original of course, but I can't imagine you (with your imagination!) could not think of some way to provide light from the right from outside the frame. I usually try to stay far away from a potential DQ territory, even at the expense of the final result, but you seem to like the thrill :).
Thanks Lev!
I must confess I don't particularly like being disqualified. But it is so frustrating to not shoot your best idea just because of some physical constraints ;-)
amazing work Christoph! Shame about DQ! Hard to tell without seeing the original of course, but I can't imagine you (with your imagination!) could not think of some way to provide light from the right from outside the frame. I usually try to stay far away from a potential DQ territory, even at the expense of the final result, but you seem to like the thrill :).
Sorry about the DQ. Definitely would have ribboned -- spectacular image! FYI: I've come across this before. It seems if you leave just a faint hint of it showing, that works, but if it disappears completely, it's removing an aspect of the photo. Normally if you leave just a little showing, it really isn't as distracting as you think, and then it can pass the test.
I thought I dreamed about this image. went looking for it one day and it was gone and I was disappointed.
was the runaway winner in my opinion. excellent excellent shot. shame about dq for sure.
beautiful and enchanting, looks like a Cristophe production. Don't quite see how it ties into the challenge description but that does not change my vote much.
What can I say, Christophe! "10" without a whisper
PS I have hand painted butterflies similar to the ones in your photo, they are stuck all over my computer gear, I love them!
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