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The Tail of the Dog and the Dogma
1st PlaceThe Tail of the Dog and the Dogma
markwiley


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Fairy Tales IV (Extended Editing*)
Collection: Portfolio
Camera: Fujifilm X100V
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica
Date: Mar 8, 2025
Date Uploaded: Mar 20, 2025

 I was stumped for ideas for this challenge and, true to form, procrastinated until the deadline loomed. Desperate for inspiration, I checked the definition of "fairy tale" and saw the mention of imaginary creatures. That sent me scrambling through my recent shots to see what I had to work with. Plenty of dog portrait outtakes from the Pet Photography challenge? Check. Some dramatic church interior shots from the Symmetry challenge? Check. Suddenly, the path forward was clear.

No, I wasn’t snapping photos during an actual church service. A local photography group had arranged a tour of a Chicago Basilica. As the pastor recounted the church’s long history, I—true to form—was daydreaming. That’s when I noticed an interesting fellow sitting in a nearby pew. I stealthily snapped a quick pic. I liked the shot so much that I almost entered it in the Candid challenge.

The Basilica itself was stunning. For the older movie buffs, an iconic scene from The Untouchables was filmed there. Sean Connery’s character is explaining to Kevin Costner’s character what he needs to do to take down Al Capone: “He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That’s the Chicago way!”

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Statistics
Place: 1 out of 14
Avg (all users): 7.4545
Avg (participants): 7.7500
Avg (non-participants): 7.2857
Views since voting: 107
Views during voting: 61
Votes: 22
Comments: 9
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 03/28/2025 09:57:35 AM
Well done down to the paws. Congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2025 12:18:10 AM
Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/28/2025 12:12:08 AM
It’s funny, you don’t strike me as a daydreamer :).

Thank you for the back story that was very very interesting.
Not surprised that it got the blue and an amazing score. Although somehow I thought it would be higher.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/27/2025 06:50:09 PM
Outstanding Mark! Blue for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/27/2025 04:21:26 PM
this is AMAZING ..
of course because of the imagination that went into this and the editing .. loving the 'hands' .. lol ..
but also the title and the message behind it ..
definitely the blue .. and congratulations in advance . !! .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/23/2025 03:18:57 PM
LOL.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2025 02:46:27 PM
Oh!

I love this! HA!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2025 08:18:27 AM
Really catches the eye. Like the blue toning. The dog's head is very realistic with proportions and lighting. Bonus points for the paws. The fairly tale connection or mood could have been a bit stronger as this is really a modern scene.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2025 03:01:47 AM
WoW!

Looks like Mark Wiley. I recognise the tones. If it's not, count it as a compliment.

This is an amazing edit, I can't fault it,(well maybe the blown out highlights to the left) -but that's minor not even sure how to accomplish this, never tried, so kudos to you.

Will get the blue for sure.

BTW how did you sneak this shot into a church?? Was it a funeral? Service? Would love to know.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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