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Sin City
2nd PlaceSin City
Mephisto


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Movie Titles II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Lens: Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Nikon
Location: Pirna Sonnenstein, Germany
Date: May 16, 2008
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/15
Galleries: Urban, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: May 16, 2008

when i read the challenge title and despription the first thing that came to my mind really was sin city, because i totally dig the lighting and angles in that movie and always wanted to try to duplicate that style. i also immediately had the location in my mind as of Pirna Sonnenstein, which is an old abandoned castle overlooking an old town. i posted a similar angled shot in the b&w-a-week side challenge:


this old castle really is a place of sins, since during WWII the nazi's killed about 15000 mentally handicaped people in the course of the "euthanasia plan #4" in the basements of the castle.

the photo itself can be seen as pretty sinful because of the seductive young lady and the abandoned castle represents "city", hence "sin city", so i hope it kinda meets the challenge for both matching the title as well as the content and style of the movie itself ;)

i sure wish this challenge was advanced editing, because when we took this it was like 8pm and very dark already, so the background seems really dark and kinda flat.
here's an advanced edited version:


i lit this with two external old manual flashes one from above her head and one for fill with an umbrella from the left. i'm not totally happy with the lighting but i think it comes close to what the movie looked like so you get the idea.

and again thanks to my lovely model Linda for making this possible and for not getting distracted by all the people giving us strange looks as they were passing by ;-D

----------------------
post challenge:
thanks so much for the ribbon and lovely comments everyone, i'm so honoured!

i just sent my update button on holiday to the fiji islands cus i thought it needed a break after this crazy week...:D

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 246
Avg (all users): 7.1737
Avg (commenters): 8.6875
Avg (participants): 7.2394
Avg (non-participants): 7.1345
Views since voting: 12868
Views during voting: 432
Votes: 190
Comments: 63
Favorites: 23 (view)


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AuthorThread
09/01/2008 06:13:59 AM
Sin .. indeed ....

i love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/05/2008 11:05:25 AM
I would say this is the best entry in this challange,
Wonderfully done, to my favorites,
All the best,
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/02/2008 07:39:45 PM
well, i did'nt know i requested a critique but thanks anyways! ;)
yeah the bird boo bothers me, but since this was under basic editing rules i could hardly do anything against it.

actually it's interesting what you mention about the african child portrait. if you look at the ribbon winners in this challenge you will notice they're so different from each other in appearance, post processing and content and i think that's what makes this site and the challenges so interesting. everything's possible. and btw i think "i dreamed of africa" really deserves to be in first spot, like i said it's the most powerful and provoking image i've seen here for a long time. so cudos to the voters who, to my surprise, agreed with me to chose this not-so-dpc-friendly image for the blue!

again thanks for the kind words everyone, i really appriciate it! :)
06/02/2008 08:31:29 AM
*Critique Club*
Hi, my name is Russell and I am doing the critique that you requested!!

First off, let me say, this is REALLY a tough one!! Not only did you ribbon, I thought (personally) that it should have been first place.

What I liked - The idea and title is truly "nailed" (I too, am a big fan of the movie), so the composition is great. Your background is a perfect fit. Overall, it not only matches the challenge but exceeds it (again GREAT call on the movie)

What I didn't like - Now is where the critique gets tough - it is such a great shot, that anything mentioned here are strictly personal thoughts, so please take it for what it is worth.

The lighting above and to the right of the model lightens that section of wall making it a part of her vs a part of the setting.
The bird "pooh" could have been taken out or darkened a bit.

Overall, there is VERY little NOT to like here, the likely reason you came in second instead of first was due to the African child portrait, not overly creative, but very powerful in it's vision - I see alot of ribbons coming your way in the future!!

Russ
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/01/2008 10:25:00 AM
Congratulations on your red, very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/30/2008 07:48:06 AM
wow yea. great light, mood and model. great work. keep up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/30/2008 06:45:41 AM
Congrats on the Red Ribbon and the 7+ score, Christoph! Your first ribbon is long overdue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 07:06:16 PM
Awsome image!! Congrats on the Red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 05:19:37 PM
One of the most sensual shots I've seen on DPC for a while. The tonal quality is exquisite, thanks to the S3 Pro, and the composition is top notch. Had I voted, I'd given you a 9 or even stretched to where I never go ..... a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 03:26:36 PM
Yeh, I like this very much, great capture , good work!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 02:04:29 PM
I reaaally like the photo and your high contrast B&W's. and the analysis and the historical background you gave. This is what makes DPC great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 09:36:14 AM
I prefer the 'streetlight' look of the one you entered a lot more than the advanced edited one. She really jumps off the image in it.
Congrats on the ribbon, its well deserving!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 09:01:12 AM
Nice shot! The basic edit is about 100x more striking than the advanced btw, so looks like it worked out for the best.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 04:35:17 AM
Congrats on the Ribbon Mephisto! I like your work, especially in BW thread.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 04:33:30 AM
Nice shot man, congrats on your first ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/29/2008 12:24:14 AM
Ya know what, I think I like the basic edit better that the advanced. The tone of her skin contrasts nicely with the background. Congratulations on a well deserved ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 11:26:29 PM
Wow, that's great! I actually like your basic version better than the advanced. Lovely light on your model; the rest is "context" anyway, and being flat light emphasizes the model. Super! Congratulations! A new fav for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 05:52:48 PM
Hey
This is cool! Congrats on the ribbon. Many more coming your way. No doubt.You're right the advance edit is sweeeet! I am going to have to get some pinters on the editing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 02:43:41 PM
Christoph!!! Congratulations.. its always so exciting seeing someone you know walk away with a ribbon for their hard work and dedication.. Its a lovely image..quite powerful in all respects.

;) so are you and your talent coming to the workshop this year?? Calgary is lovely in the summer!! *nudge*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 01:56:16 PM
Excellent lighting and angle, Christoph! Many congrats on your red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:39:28 PM
hey, mephisto, nice to find you on front page. A really great shot. Congrats.

Álex.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 10:49:45 AM
Congrats! Fantastic capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 07:41:53 AM
Excellent! Congrats on the ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 07:01:35 AM
You've really been on fire lately. Great work. Congrats on the Ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 06:43:17 AM
Christoph, nice result for a very pleasant image. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 06:19:56 AM
OUTSTANDING!!! Huge congrats on this - the score, the placement, the average from the commenters - but mostly for shooting what you shoot so well, making it work for this challenge, and getting some long-deserved recognition. Great to see your work on the front page!

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 06:21:29.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 05:59:57 AM
Superb Christoph...I cannot believe this is your first ribbon! Excellent...this deserved to beat mine...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 05:24:21 AM
Beautiful Chris! Congratulations on your first ribbon! Great idea, I love the lighting and the setting and the model, and actually like your submission way more than your edited version, the contrast between dark background and model is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 04:49:07 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon! Excellent work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 04:32:58 AM
Congrats on the first ribbon Chris. Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 04:25:30 AM
Great lens, I love mine, you worked it well, congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 03:40:04 AM
First ribbon?? Well first of many, no doubt. You're young and VERY talented. Congrats and WELL DONE, Christoph!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 03:15:47 AM
I like the photo especially her fingers and the lighting.Of the entire photograph.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 02:56:04 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon, Christoph, stunning shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 01:58:37 AM
hey WOW!!! Congrats on you first ribbon!!! you finally made it. ;-) well deserved!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 01:19:51 AM
You were long overdue for a ribbon, A huge Congrats on the Red Christoph!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 01:02:20 AM
Beautiful shot , well deserved.. Congrats !!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:58:37 AM
OMG CONGRATULATIONS CRISTOPHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Brilliant to see u in the 1st page!! Keep up the excellent work well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:54:01 AM
Congratulations! Very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:51:01 AM
Congrats!! Stunning image!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:49:12 AM
You did a great job here, Christoph. What a stunning shot and so perfect for the challenge. Huge congrats on your first ribbon (the first of many, I hope).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:25:17 AM
I knew this HAD to ribbon, gorgeous photo, very well done!!

Grats!

-dave
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:15:09 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon - I'm surprised it's your first. Also your new 2nd-best score. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:08:31 AM
Beautifully executed! Yes I am fan of this movies cinema photography as well. Congratulations on first ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/28/2008 12:05:13 AM
congrats on your first ribbon, this certainly catches the cinematography of the movie, very strong image and you have an awesome portfolio too, added to faves :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/27/2008 11:12:30 PM
Great movie and I love the picture, too! Ten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/27/2008 10:30:48 PM
very nice representation
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/27/2008 06:12:44 PM
Sinsational!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/25/2008 01:06:44 AM
The paint on the wall is the only thing that detracted from this shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/24/2008 05:49:29 AM
Very good lighting, love the colour and the pose. actually my favourite photo in this challenge, hope you get the a ribbon, would be well deserved. good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/23/2008 08:35:03 PM
An excellent example of using light to highlight your model, and reducing the depth.

Excellent image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/23/2008 07:16:48 PM
Love the use of colour in this - great atmosphere and mood. It looks like a movie poster for the film. 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/23/2008 02:59:53 PM
I was wandering if someone will take a chance with Sin City. Your model is not only beautiful but also brave. I hope it's legal in basic, because I'm rating it high. I like the splash of colour. You captured the mood of the movie perfectly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/23/2008 01:17:50 AM
On of my favorites in this challenge. The red stands out so dramatically!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/23/2008 12:49:30 AM
very nice composition!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/22/2008 09:26:49 AM
Great shot here. I might have toned down the light on her face a bit, but I really like this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/22/2008 05:40:06 AM
How nice!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/22/2008 04:30:45 AM
An authentic scene of a film. Lights and composition are amazing. Surely a ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/21/2008 05:54:36 PM
This is stunning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/21/2008 05:32:54 PM
She defineately invokes sinful thoughts. Wonderful concept.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/21/2008 11:09:05 AM
Gorgeous use of light and color, terrific model and location, excellent composition. The title works, and as a bonus the photo echoes the selective color process of the film itself. A high score from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/21/2008 10:20:41 AM
Awesome work, expert use of flash, love the lighting.
Best of the challenge hand down. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/21/2008 07:39:59 AM
Awesome setting and contrast...
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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