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Exodus
1st PlaceExodus
gyaban


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Biblical (Expert Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Date: Jan 31, 2013
Date Uploaded: Jan 31, 2013

[Feb. 5th, 2013 11:53:59 AM]

The opening of the Red Sea is undoubtedly one of the most famous story ever. From the first time I have heard it, I imagined how it would feel to actually walk between those two giant walls of water. I am sure it would be amazing, but also scary at the same time. Interesting to say the least. For that reason, I chose to depict that scene from the inside, rather than from a distance.

The edit was quite simple: I was surprised to finish in time without rushing it at all. In fact, the tricky part was to take the appropriate photos, which required some planning:
- First, I spent some time sketching the composition, in order to determine the photos I needed.
- Then, I traveled to the sea, about two hours from home.
- The water walls themselves are made of photos of the sea surface, half an hour before sunset. I knew I wanted those reflections, in order to let me position a light source at the end of the "tunnel". I turned the photos vertically on the canvas, then bent them as needed.
- I also needed photos of sea foam, but this time, I had to shoot it from a different angle: the foam had to be more or less aligned with the sun, to be lit appropriately. So I had to walk to a different part of the beach (different orientation compared to the sun), get into the water to the belt, and shoot photos from there, with the waves bashing me from the side. It was a bit cold, but it worked decently.
- At home, I shot the characters, and a few hours of processing later, it was done.

Thank you so much for the very kind feedback, as always it is immensely appreciated.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 38
Avg (all users): 8.0840
Avg (commenters): 8.8947
Avg (participants): 7.3913
Avg (non-participants): 8.2315
Views since voting: 3810
Views during voting: 496
Votes: 131
Comments: 36
Favorites: 7 (view)

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AuthorThread
 02/11/2013 09:56:38 PM
Your work is so amazing. Again and again and again you create these beautiful images.
I am a bit "concerned" though .... Don't you live in France? and you were in the water? It was a "bit cold"???? Me thinks I have found the answer to your genius - you can't be "all human" standing in the sea in February :-). I think we have our very own X-Man ;-).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2013 04:17:39 AM
Where's Charleton Heston?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 09:43:39 PM
My mind can't begin to comprehend the efforts you undertake to create your images, well done, can't wait to see your take on the absurdity challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 02:14:32 PM
Ahh, who else but the mighty Christophe would part the waters? Great work as always, congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 07:24:54 AM
Congratulations! I couldn't wait to see what you would come up with for this challenge. Great work as always.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 06:03:39 AM
Congrats, Christophe. YOu're visual story-telling skills are unsurpassed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 02:37:53 AM
Thanks a lot everyone! Much appreciated.

@Pam:
Originally posted by pamb:
eta: where is his right leg? :)

It is in the sea foam, a bit hidden.

@Anita:
Originally posted by Neat:
Nice one Christophe, this is how I imagined it to be, but with Grey hair!

Thank you. I am aware about Moses age in the original story: let's say it is my personal take on it :) I suppose there was no luminous stick neither, but I needed this little trick to help with the facial lighting.
 02/08/2013 01:21:03 AM
Congratulations Christophe
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 01:17:42 AM
Very good,Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/08/2013 01:00:12 AM
nothing to tell... simply the best shot in the challenge, 10 for me and one of most beautiful work that i've seen...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2013 11:43:07 PM
I like your beard :)
Congrats on the well deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2013 07:35:06 PM
CONGRATS on the blue!! Your execution for this one is awesome, and your attention to detail is, as always, something to aspire to. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2013 07:23:32 PM
Nice one Christophe, this is how I imagined it to be, but with Grey hair!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2013 07:07:13 PM
Easily the most well-constructed vision. Congratulations on another blue!

eta: where is his right leg? :)

Message edited by author 2013-02-08 00:09:17.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
02/07/2013 04:50:54 PM
Oh great, so there's the blue ribbon. Can't give it a ten, because especially for expert editing just about every single element was a conscious decision and I think the lighting on this man's face should have been softer and the land under the parted sea could have been better. great work, though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/07/2013 03:11:57 PM
Fabulous work! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2013 12:39:22 PM
Magnificent and very impressing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2013 12:30:43 PM
Now there is a lot of work - very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2013 10:48:34 AM
Woosh. Convincing construction.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/05/2013 04:43:50 AM
Glad to see you back :)

Have a nice and safe journey through the Red Sea... there's a ribbon waiting for you ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2013 08:26:47 PM
Excellent image. Not quite the way I imagined it, since Pharaoh seemed to think his arms could drive his chariots after his ex-slaves, but a very competent vision regardless. It definitely conveys the awe and trepidation of Moses leading the people through the middle of the waters.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2013 09:50:25 AM
Really well done, the water is fantastic. Reminds me of a place called the Subway in SW Utah. Slot canyons get eroded over ions of time and come to look just like this. Well, minus the hallowed leader.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2013 06:50:57 AM
Stunning Awesome
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2013 08:44:10 PM
If it doesn't get a blue I'm gonna be shocked. You are a master at what you are doing. 10 seems to be not enough anymore :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2013 09:25:06 AM
One of my top two. Actually meeting the challenge by creating a scene from the bible. I love what you have done with the water.
I don't know the bible very well, but I imagined Moses being older.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2013 11:44:39 PM
Pretty awesome, was hoping someone would do this, well done.
My only nitpick is Moses would of been grey for sure!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2013 04:51:55 PM
Classic interpretation and nicely edited, with several items that disturb the illusion for me. Overall, however, a nicely integrated image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2013 02:15:51 PM
YES!!! So magnificently well done --- top image for the challenge from me! First 9 I've given in a long time.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2013 10:47:42 AM
Don't know how you did this, but it is excellent! Great correlation between the challenge and the image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2013 11:35:53 AM
There is one person can do this wonderful pic
Congratulations new Blue Ribbon
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2013 06:54:59 AM
This is the scene I wanted to do but I couldn't pull it off. You did an excellent job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2013 11:17:35 PM
SUPER SUPER SUPER AMAZING.. XOX YOU ROCK XOX
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2013 10:53:48 PM
Anyone who can part the sea like that.....wins!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2013 09:38:12 PM
Finally, an image worth being on the front page. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2013 07:40:33 PM
Ya! Blue Ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2013 07:12:29 PM
top 3
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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