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gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: The Oscars (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: Feb 26, 2012
Aperture: f/18
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/160 sec
Galleries: Black and White, Self Portrait
Date Uploaded: Feb 26, 2012

 [Mar. 4th, 2012 12:48:25 PM]

Even though I haven't seen the movie, I decided to try and shoot that little tribute to the recent Oscars winner, featuring my wife and me. It actually was done the day before the ceremony's results. While the original movie poster was obviously created by blending 2 photos together, I thought it would be a good challenge to try and achieve it in 1 shot, 1 exposure. Probably my most elaborated and precise lighting setup to date:

- A snoot from above left and little to the back, pointing down to her face
- A bowl+grid from just above her head and a little to the back, pointing to my face. This one had to be precisely positioned, in order not to light her own face's side (where the earring is)
- A snoot from above us (a little behind), pointing down to our central shoulders to create the rim light effect
- There is a trick for the earring: in fact, it's not in her ear, but in a black piece of cardboard that is attached to her face's side. Then I built a custom snoot attached to my speedlite, pointing exactly on the earring. This allowed to have a luminous earring with no skin appearing at all, without post-processing tricks. She really had to hold the exact position for that to work! Required quite a few tries, as you can imagine.

Thanks all for the great comments and votes, much appreciated.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 77
Avg (all users): 7.8235
Avg (commenters): 8.9048
Avg (participants): 7.5918
Avg (non-participants): 7.9540
Views since voting: 5501
Views during voting: 347
Votes: 136
Comments: 66
Favorites: 11 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/09/2012 09:41:20 PM
Originally posted by gyaban:
Originally posted by yanko:
I find it interesting that you went to all that trouble to light the earring that way only to then opt for a high contrast processed look which then makes the earring seem like a product of dodge/burn. Do you just like doing things the hard way? :P


I believe I had no choice there: if there was some visible bright skin next to the earring, it would have been against the rules to make it completely disappear


You're probably right. It may have been risky but I do know there's been other entries that have passed validation while removing more background. It's just one of those fuzzy areas in the rules.

Message edited by author 2012-03-09 21:43:13.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2012 05:03:15 AM
Great result, this was one of my three 10s and it was an obvious winner.
Nitpicking - I thought it would resemble the original a lot more with harsher tones. But, since you cannot match Dejardin's poker face anyway, let's forget the original - this is a beautiful, well balanced b&w with some super-precise lighting I've only seen on pictures by the pros here. Amazing!
Btw I bet this is a serious competition to your wedding photos ;).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2012 01:54:22 AM
Originally posted by yanko:
I find it interesting that you went to all that trouble to light the earring that way only to then opt for a high contrast processed look which then makes the earring seem like a product of dodge/burn. Do you just like doing things the hard way? :P


I believe I had no choice there: if there was some visible bright skin next to the earring, it would have been against the rules to make it completely disappear.
 03/08/2012 08:28:15 PM
I find it interesting that you went to all that trouble to light the earring that way only to then opt for a high contrast processed look which then makes the earring seem like a product of dodge/burn. Do you just like doing things the hard way? :P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/06/2012 09:25:54 PM
very nice Christophe especially with getting this in one exposure, thanks for the sharing the lighting set up
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/06/2012 04:12:51 PM
Beautiful, very emotive!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/06/2012 12:26:43 PM
Wow! Just Wow! Can't stop looking at it... Congrats Christophe.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/06/2012 09:28:49 AM
Magnifico
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 11:20:36 PM
Originally posted by snaffles:
Now all you have to do is win a Basic and a Minimal Editing challenge...*ducking for cover*


I already ribboned in many basic editing challenges and also in a minimal editing one.
 03/05/2012 10:34:02 PM
Since I just keep adding your photos to my favorites I figure it would be easier to just add you .. I study your shots hoping to figure out how to come even close to creating such genius images. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 10:14:38 PM
looks like she is looking into his eyes, but he is not quite looking into her eyes
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 10:04:29 PM
lovely work once again......please don't stop entering challenges
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 09:04:48 PM
Originally posted by ELLIPS:
Incredible. Every detail, every touch of light is perfect.

And that you, whom the 10 last pictures were outstanding photoshop works, can also (or again) produce such a simple and pure B&W image says much about your skills.

Congrats !


Now all you have to do is win a Basic and a Minimal Editing challenge...*ducking for cover*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 09:02:19 PM
Great work Christophe- congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 07:44:48 PM
Excellent always in the foreground Christophe my best photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 03:20:56 PM
This is a masterpiece and you are the master of the creativity and the perfeccionism. Congratulations!


  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:58:03 PM
Originally posted by Giles_uk:
what strobes do you use?


Thanks Giles! I used Elinchrom strobes, 2x400w and 1x500w, plus a snooted Canon 580exII flash on the earring.
 03/05/2012 02:48:32 PM
Congrats on your excellence being rewarded, Christophe.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:36:00 PM
Incredible. Every detail, every touch of light is perfect.

And that you, whom the 10 last pictures were outstanding photoshop works, can also (or again) produce such a simple and pure B&W image says much about your skills.

Congrats !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:24:55 PM
excellent as always chrisotph, almost a full point above nicky but you have got a few years on the lad :), what strobes do you use? thanks for the description of the lighting. not sure what the comments stating the lighting doesnt do it justice were on about as it fantastically lit :), not sure if its in the film poster but ilove the detail of the straps with the jewels to catch the light.

Message edited by author 2012-03-05 14:26:01.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 01:30:22 PM
The lighitng on this is brilliant. However, you forgot to mention the styling of the images as well. You styled this PERFECTLY, for the intended movie. Outstanding image Christophe, well deserved and overall a masterpiece of style, lighting, composition, and story. Can you tell I like this image? LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:23:15 PM
congratulations! such an awesome shot :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:10:23 PM
As a creature of the theater/film world, I'm highly entertained by the "cheating" you had to do to achieve the illusion of looking at each other :-) Congrats on your latest blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 11:42:12 AM
As always your work amazes me! Thanks for sharing your lighting setup. That's another thing you are great at -- you always share how your images were created, and that's much appreciated!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 11:02:07 AM
Congratulations on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 10:59:03 AM
Christophe, this is just such a spectacular photo, so glad it is a single capture and you made an art out of the lighting - not to mention the makeup/hair/outfits on you both. Lovely shot and as usual huge congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 10:25:00 AM
A beautiful, remarkable image. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 10:01:54 AM
Originally posted by AllenP:
One of the best DPC shots ever. Simply incredible! Huge congrats, Christophe!


+1

Your best image. Very glad to see that you're still great creating image from a single shot... thank you for sharing the lights set up :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 08:13:28 AM
Told you you would get the blue...amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 06:47:39 AM
Congrats on the ribbon and fabulous score! I loved the movie, you should go see it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 06:23:51 AM
Nice to see a black and white win. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 06:04:26 AM
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the lighting setup.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 04:34:41 AM
Your collar ain't straight. Excellent Photography
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:49:43 AM
You should see the movie. It is excellent.

Achieving the lighting in one shot is a superb accomplishment. I am very impressed. The shot.itself is so "simple" that at a quick glance that fact might be missed.

But really. Go see the movie, especially since you got the blue representing it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:23:48 AM
featuring my wife and me (t'aurais pas dit 'ma femme et je') just saying - can't fault the photography :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:06:31 AM
One of the best DPC shots ever. Simply incredible! Huge congrats, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 02:02:52 AM
Another perfectly executed shot, a well deserving blue, congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:33:41 AM
Congrats, when I saw this picture I had a feeling it would win. Great picture! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:19:20 AM
well done, Christophe!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:08:27 AM
Congratulations, Christophe. Superb lighting, wonderful image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:07:04 AM
Told you so, congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2012 12:05:03 AM
Well done Christophe, actually probably one of my fave photo by you now, I did not have this picked as you. Well done on making yourself unrecognizable, although the more I look, the more I can see you...good stuff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/04/2012 05:26:53 PM
oh a silent film, nice tash christoph and nicely lit, very 20's glam 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2012 12:06:49 PM
Excellent!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2012 12:50:04 PM
you got it to the T 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2012 11:11:15 AM
Perfect lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2012 09:34:42 AM
not French enough (just kidding! nice light)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/02/2012 12:26:51 PM
lovely shot 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2012 12:29:05 PM
Spot on depiction of the film.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/29/2012 04:00:08 PM
Superbe !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/28/2012 10:32:41 PM
Totaly delightful could've been the movie poster!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/28/2012 12:11:49 PM
Best in show award, congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/28/2012 09:33:59 AM
This should ribbon, great work...10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/28/2012 05:52:09 AM
Not my fav this time (although yours often are) but a brilliant image and will no doubt do very well.Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 05:53:36 PM
Great lighting. Good rep of the movie. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 05:05:59 PM
I think the concept here was good, just don't think the photo actually does it justice. The look on the guys face is a little odd, and the female looks forced. The lighting isn't doing the picture justice either, in my opinion. Great concept, just don't think it was quite captured.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 04:18:12 PM
Great lighting, great monochrome! Amazing...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 04:13:34 PM
How fitting - a Frenchman's tribute to a Frenchman Oscar winner :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 03:36:26 PM
This looks like a winner to me!! Good Luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 12:04:54 PM
I really like it, good job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 11:53:09 AM
I'm sure this 'll get the blue. Good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 08:42:48 AM
There you go!!! Finally an image that suits the title.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 08:39:33 AM
Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 06:59:36 AM
AMAZING!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 12:57:37 AM
brilliant...this should get the blue...lighting is brilliant 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/27/2012 12:26:32 AM
Winner absolutely 100 % for sure. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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