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Rodeo to the Sky
2nd PlaceRodeo to the Sky
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Shoot From Behind Your Subject (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon TS-E 17mm f/4.0L MF
Date: Jun 2, 2013
Date Uploaded: Jun 2, 2013

 I am quite busy these days, which unfortunately prevents me from creating new images as much as I would like to. However, I found a free afternoon in my schedule, and decided to took advantage of it: I was alone at home, but a concept I had in mind for a while sounded doable.

At first, I wanted to show a man walking vertically on the trunk of a tree, as if gravity was not affecting him. So I chose a tree in my garden, and installed my tripod and camera as needed. Then, I put a harness under my clothes, and installed ropes and carabiners on a branch a few meters away from the ground. It was quite hard to fit everything in the frame nicely, and after a few tries, I gave up and decided to adjust the concept a bit, in order to obtain a better composition. I could have searched for a better tree, isolated in the country somewhere, but time was lacking.

This is when I sat on the trunk: it immediately made me think of a cowboy on a strange mount. As a consequence, I went back to my house, changed my clothes to disguise myself the best I could, and climbed back up on the tree. It looked much better, but I still was too close to the ground, so I installed the rope a bit higher, which required a ladder to get up there. You may wonder why the ladder is not visible on the photo? Easy enough, I simply put it away once up there... and of course, the ladder fell too far, and I got stuck, attached to my tree, with no one at home to help :-) Let me tell you I felt quite silly at that very moment. Fortunately, I managed to detach myself and jump, my honor would have been destroyed if my wife had found me like that in the evening!

Thank you for the nice votes and comments. Trying to be creative is not that easy, your kind words are a great source of motivation.


Statistics
Place: 2 out of 90
Avg (all users): 7.1136
Avg (commenters): 8.9167
Avg (participants): 7.0513
Avg (non-participants): 7.1633
Views since voting: 3508
Views during voting: 244
Votes: 88
Comments: 37
Favorites: 4 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/16/2013 10:17:20 AM
Excellent as usual. I not only look forward to see images you create but also read about it. It is more like an interesting photo essay. Keep it up! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 07:31:22 AM
Originally posted by kbellis:
Very much fun Christophe! I look forward to Wednesday mornings to see the Weekly Update and what you've cooked up next :)

From the thumbnail in the email I immediately began thinking of Slim Pickens riding the big one down near the end of the movie Dr. Strangelove! 5 stars


Yep, I thought of that scene in Dr Strangelove, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 04:58:02 AM
Very much fun Christophe! I look forward to Wednesday mornings to see the Weekly Update and what you've cooked up next :)

From the thumbnail in the email I immediately began thinking of Slim Pickens riding the big one down near the end of the movie Dr. Strangelove! 5 stars
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2013 09:35:52 PM
ahh.... much better! I knew there was an explanation coming. :)

Thanks!

(congrats again, btw. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2013 03:23:01 PM
Awesome concept and execution Christophe! Congrats on the red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2013 04:24:32 AM
Even if I didn't see your photos but only read your descriptions it would be a huge satisfaction! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/11/2013 01:46:23 AM
Congratulations Christophe. Great shot and great story!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 08:43:12 PM
I love it that your toes are pointed up... as cowboys do in the stirrups! LOL!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 08:41:54 PM
Oh! I'm SO THANKFUL for the explanation!

Christophe, you amaze me.

I am in awe.

Again.

Perfection.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 07:21:41 PM
hold on to your hats! Great shot Christophe, love the composition with the sun in it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 06:23:23 PM
How delightfully playful! (aside from the obvious danger). A man saying hello to a tree and the sun and being struck by an idea in the same time. Lovely. And no honor harmed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 06:11:40 PM
This is SUCH a splendid image, Christophe. Exceptional concept and execution, but I am most amused that you have a cowboy hat. Well that, and the image of you hanging from the tree until your wife rescued you :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 03:31:23 PM
Oh you are sooo creative!! The part I love the best is the falling ladder... Sorry but it so is something that would happen to me!! (with the exception I would've fallen on my head, knocking me out and my dog coming over n peeing on me) While my hubby came home and ate me out for doing yet again something stoooopid.!!!

Congrats on the RED!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 02:58:17 PM
Excellent image and a great story. I am glad you got yourself down with your dignity intact.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 02:27:31 PM
Fun shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 02:10:31 PM
Great shot, and great story! Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 01:58:39 PM
Absolutely amazing capture. Congratulations on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 12:03:24 PM
Astonishing - your image process descriptions are always so matter of fact when actually you've done something requiring extraordinary commitment, skill and planning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 12:01:48 PM
This is great, Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 09:52:45 AM
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
...I had no idea it is yours. Congrats on the red!


+1! I never would have guessed! The footwear is the only giveaway, cowboy boots have pointed toes, and no laces. Guessing you used a poleman's climbing rig of some sort. Either way very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 08:53:33 AM
No photographer's comments??? Christophe!! You're letting us down!! :)

Awesome shot! Congrats on the red.

Message edited by author 2013-06-10 08:56:14.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 12:13:58 AM
This is so good. I had no idea it is yours. Congrats on the red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 12:11:21 AM
Should've won. Outstandingly difficult to pull off and beautifully executed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 12:06:41 AM
What Eli said, one of your best shots in ADV editing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2013 12:02:41 AM
Congrats! Can't wait to read how you did this one..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/09/2013 11:50:33 PM
Top three for me. Great perspective - I love that there's a "reason" for shooting from behind. The lighting is super and this one has terrific energy. Commenting only, voted earlier.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/09/2013 11:26:10 PM
well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/09/2013 10:20:12 PM
Must hurt bad.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/09/2013 04:49:04 PM
Without any doubt the winner for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/09/2013 12:24:01 PM
ride em cowboy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/09/2013 08:41:20 AM
Good stuff,no doubt.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/07/2013 12:28:42 AM
Very creative, meets the cause, and I like it. Congrats. Maybe a ribbon?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2013 04:41:21 PM
Unique perspective. Unexpected place for a cowboy. Excellent processing. Think this will winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/05/2013 01:43:39 PM
Holy crap is he gonna fall?? Nice shot it has kept me staring at it for a long time trying to figure out the angle, how come he don't gots no hold on nuthin' Kudos and + points for locking me into this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/05/2013 04:05:35 AM
Looks like fun - and the tree won't buck. It could be a new sport!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2013 12:41:03 PM
Best in show award, congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2013 09:15:49 AM
How is that even possible, I don't get how he's sitting up there, this is awesome! Top 5 for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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