11/05/2012: The photo was awarded the Gold medal at the TRIERENBERG SUPER CIRCUIT 2012, in the "Unusual" category.
I like Poe's work a lot, I really do. I particularly admire how his writings are methodically crafted, how the mood and feelings are calculated, how everything is bent in the intention of emphasizing a peculiar effect.
In his poem "Alone", he described how his perception of the world was different from the common view, and how that made him feel lonesome at times. In order to illustrate it, I knew from the beginning that I would have to choose a normal scene, and turn it into something that would represent his own experience of it.
After many hours of research on the Internet, I finally found that tree-lined road, one hour away from home. The weather was relatively poor that day, but I went there and shot it nonetheless. Back at home, I began to bend the trees to create the oppressing atmosphere I had in mind. It worked quite nicely, but there were many holes between the branches, due to the foliage being non dense enough. So I decided to clone leaves everywhere around the picture, in order to completely hide the sky, and create that relative darkness that would suit the mood I wanted to achieve. After a few hours of work, I had the background there, in front of my eyes, and I knew this was going well. I added the tombstones and the bird for some more details, and it was that.
At this stage, I still had no idea about how would Poe interact with the scene. It was quite unusual for me, as I often plan everything from day one, but it just didn't happen there. After reading the poem again and again, it was obvious a cloud would have been great, but how to show one without showing the sky? This is where the pipe idea appeared, and its cloud of smoke shaped as a demon (which finally became a skull, since it was the most convincing shape I managed to create). Of course, I had no pipe, so one was quickly bought, and I disguised myself as Poe the best I could for a studio shooting session. I also shot the smoke that day, using the classical incense sticks method. After that, some more hours of processing, and the scene was almost done.
Almost... because I spent many, I mean many hours on the final step. I tried so many curves, colored filters, saturated and desaturated moods, B&W, greenish, blueish, yellowish atmospheres that I kinda lost myself among all the options. Nothing was really good in my eye. So again, I read the poem a few times. Finally, the "autumn tint of gold" gave me the key, and I went for a darkish approach of such colors. As soon as it was done, it really popped there in front of me, and it became obvious this was the way to go.
I am quite proud of the result I must say, and very happy about all the incredible votes and comments you were kind enough to give it. Thanks a lot. I say it often, but they are really much appreciated.
I would like to finish -of course!- with the poem itself.
Alone
From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.
Then- in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life- was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.
This is without a doubt one of the most amazing images I have ever had the privilege to view. Your creativity is astounding. The post-processing work you did on this image is to say the least incredible. Congratulations on your well deserved ribbon.
I wonder where you will end up professionally - creating one of a kind prints for a high end art gallery .. working with famous writers to create the cover that will add thousands to their client list .. creating a cover for a famous band promoting the creativity of their new sound? We will be reading about you for sure. Congratulations.
The amount of thought and planning - and discovery you put into this stuff is inspiring. I can only hope that others will appreciate it and aspire to such an attitude. So many people seem to get a decent camera and that is pretty much all the effort they put in - you are the antithesis of that.
So awesome.
So much to love about this image! Who'd'a thunk that 8.16 would only get you red? Congratulations on a great image. This goes so far beyond the visual aspects, and scrapes its talons across the soul...
I totally thought that Nightpixel's entry was yours, and was even going to comment that you must be doing a lot of traveling lately Paris, Milan... Great work though, this was definitely one of my favorites.
Wow and to think I originally mistook another entry for yours - then I saw this!! Just absolutely mind-blowing work all around and massive congrats on the red!
The central image is a bit over the top for Poe's sense of vague dread, but this is beautifully done. i just wish the three elements were a bit more integrated.
WoW! This is amaaaaazing. I was so compelled by this i logged in just to be able to comment and now I'll have to vote the entire challenge to make sure my 10 counts toward your final score. Early congrats on the blue ribbon. If you dont get the blue I will be shocked. This is inspiring. I've been looking for something to push me back into photography and i think this is it. Thank you so much for creating this.
What thought and detail in this. It all works together so well, spectacular shot.
I keep coming back to this, it is such a wonderful work of art and much to explore. I didn't even notice the skull until the fourth or fifth time viewing. This shot has a gyaban feel to it, regardless of who made this it deserves the blue. Well done.
Such wonderful details, although the lighting on the face doesn't quite match the lighting of his surroundings - a little too blue for the yellowness of the scene. Fabulous stuff, and a clear ribboner.
Now THAT is creative. I like how the trees are distorted, sort of like Munch's The Scream, which fits in here nicely. How on earth did you do that skull? Great work. My fav so far.
Alone
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