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I'll give her shelter from the storm
1st PlaceI'll give her shelter from the storm
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: New Year's Resolution VII (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: Jan 8, 2015
Date Uploaded: Jan 8, 2015

 I must be getting old. Hearing random kids talking about their dreams often makes me sad. Extreme attraction for money, fame and power seem to be widespread. What became fantasy, exploration instinct, stars in the eyes, thrill of first passions, knowledge thirst? I suppose these kids are not entirely responsible. After all, they live in the same world I see every day, I shouldn't be surprised by the result. I must be getting old.

Still, I am convinced that children can be given keys to better understand what is really going on around them. With enough explanation and guidance, one can analyze the world underlying mechanisms, and deduce a way to serenely navigate between the dangerous mermaids. However, orienting a kid's mind too precisely can also become manipulation: I refuse my daughter to become a parrot, repeating my words without further analysis and criticism sense. Being a balanced parent is probably a very tough task. As a brand new daddy, I sure am going to give it my best shot: show her various paths when everything points towards only one possibility, give her alternative thought processes, show her how to marvel at the sky, teach her how silence can defeat shouts, give her taste for inner reflection, or simply bring her shelter from the storm.

Technically, my daughter being 4 months old, she obviously cannot walk, so I photographed her lying on her back. With patience (and luck) I managed to get a shot in a position I could work with. One of her hand was not exactly as I needed, so I had to take another photo of her fingers grasping around a pen, which I composited into the image. From there, I photographed the boots, umbrella, and the street next to my house: since it was a rainy day, very few adjustments were necessary. The "storm" was created using a few shots of water splashes that I took in my home studio.

Thanks for watching, much appreciated!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 38
Avg (all users): 7.7564
Avg (commenters): 9.0000
Avg (participants): 7.7895
Avg (non-participants): 7.7458
Views since voting: 2572
Views during voting: 261
Votes: 78
Comments: 36
Favorites: 9 (view)

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AuthorThread
 01/21/2015 09:24:28 PM
Her baby album is going to kick the butt of every other baby album :)

Congrats on all your exquisite creations. She definitely is blue ribbon material.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2015 01:53:19 PM
I love your work so, it is brilliant!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2015 04:44:21 PM
Congratulations, your work is inspiring!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2015 10:49:43 AM
I find myself marveling once again at one of your creations of an alternate reality. Such a realistic looking scene and so much fine attention to detail. It is also fun to see your daughter make an appearance. I appreciate your continued involvement in challenges -- even with the new demands of fatherhood. Thanks for showing us what is possible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2015 07:00:09 AM
I love your work but the only problem is that everybody knows its you! Why do I think its not your last picture of your beautiful kid? That will make it even more obvious! ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2015 08:05:39 PM
Good luck with all the good intentions, Christophe -- they go out the window when it boils down to what you think is right for your kid. You may not want them to parrot your words and ideas, but when it comes to the important things in life, you end up really hoping that they parrot the major life changing ones. After all, you've been there, done that, and know a lot more about how the world works. Wen they're in the teenage years, it's incredibly scary hoping that they can think through things clearly and make the right decisions. You start thinking that parrots may be a good thing at that age.

However, the joy of exploration, the thrill of life is something that happens at a very early age. I remember when my daughter was way under a year and she touched a leaf for the first time. She looked as if she were in awe. It was incredibly fun trying to keep a sense of wonderment alive in both of my kids. Almost 16 and 19, they still love adventures. The still enjoy sunrises/sunsets, meteor showers, a good moon rise and the simple joys in life. All you can really do is set the example.

And then hope

and pray

and hope some more

and in about 60 years, I assume we'll know whether we've been successful. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2015 12:30:14 PM
LOL just noticed the mouse by the boot, a typical charming Christophe touch :-) Exquisitely done as always and what, she actually ISN'T walking yet?! ;-) Ah and of course congrats on the blue :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2015 10:02:00 AM
Congrats! This is awesome!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 10:23:46 PM
one of my favs again! Well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 05:36:05 PM
Fantastic job !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 05:03:21 PM
Truly nice composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 01:39:26 PM
Congrats on the Blue
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 10:23:18 AM
A joy to see! Thank you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 09:30:19 AM
This is what I call a catch your breath creation - that's exactly what I did when I opened it big on my monitor. Lovely, she is - and this. She's adorable, of course, and I adore that sweater :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 08:27:01 AM
Awesome! I got it from the get go and I love how your characterized the water. I assumed the umbrella was the protector (you). Nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 04:20:45 AM
Incredible work as always! I was especially impressed with the "storm" character. Always a pleasure to view your work and read the detailed information on how you created the image. Thank you and congrats! I am pleased to see that the new arrival is not holding back your creations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 01:45:04 AM
Oh. And... WHY does your daughter not walk at four months old??

I expected that she would, after having seen your brilliance.

I admit to being just a tad bit disappointed. ;)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 01:42:04 AM
Brilliantly done, Christophe!

Your daughter is... totally adorable.

I can't wait to see how she "turns out" after your parenting.

I can't wait to see how ours "turn out". :D

Don't give her the answer. Give her clues... and see where see (oops) she goes with them!

But, you already know that. :D

Message edited by author 2015-01-16 01:48:54.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 01:29:17 AM
Oh, she is so beautiful! Congratulations on your well-deserved blue. You are going to do fine and are and will be a wonderful daddy. Parenthood sure adds many more dimensions to our lives, doesn't it?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 12:44:44 AM
Congratulations, Christophe. Beautiful, beautiful work and your little daughter is so adorable. (I think you should create her a book with adventures incorporating her and that little mouse.)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2015 12:13:48 AM
My favorite. She's beautiful and your work is always inspiring.
Not sure where that 1&2 Come from. LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/15/2015 11:55:23 PM
This is just gorgeous. Wonderful down to the last detail. Stand alone 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2015 12:17:53 PM
If this isn't Christophe, I'll eat my hat! The awareness of light always sets your work apart. Heartwarming--everything in that comp leads the eye to that sweet little face. In the context of the challenge, the "I" is obviously her Mom & Dad. On it's own, though, with that title, the "I" is the mouse. Are you the mouse? :D Her right boot is so firmly planted in that puddle it's easy to believe she's somehow actually standing steady on that foot. The storm (water) has a face & two upraised arms. I enjoy the experience of looking through your composition, discovering visual treats. Aren't you glad you have all those years of practice behind you? You are ready for your new model--she will love looking at these!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2015 06:32:28 PM
Just fabulous. Much subtler than some of your other work - whimsical rather than dramatic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2015 03:40:44 PM
Congrats Christophe, lovely baby girl you have there, and already she's a poser for your works, beautifully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2015 09:21:32 AM
Fantastic work (as usual) but I am not really seeing a good fit to the topic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/11/2015 10:53:54 AM
Ha 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2015 05:00:22 PM
Cute !!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2015 02:28:39 PM
She's that big already!!!! I remember Bob Dylan
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2015 12:41:21 PM
Holy crap can she be this big already??? One of your best ever, I feel the love and Passion
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2015 10:20:32 PM
This looks like a Gyaban!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2015 11:47:39 AM
This child is already deliciously photogenic!
bump
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2015 11:16:05 AM
Totally adorable!! :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2015 10:47:40 AM
Best in show award, congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2015 12:42:46 AM
Oh, Christophe, this is one of your best ever :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2015 12:16:07 AM
Incredibly nice colors, beautiful, Christophe :)
And a cute mouse with a tiny umbrella!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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