Grim Reality (Click for larger view)

For those interested in knowing the story behind the photo read on : - ..So I had this

photo in mind for a long time, I wanted to create one of those fantasy type images

but without copying or pasting anything into the shot.,After 2 years of toying with the

idea I asked a friend to stand in as a model for The Grim Reaper, he managed to get

a costume and agreed to pose, but at the last minute something came up and he

couldn't make it. We had waited for ages for a suitably misty day and the evening

before I manufactured a hastily fashioned Scythe made from a tree branch and

some cardboard. I was going to leave it all at home, and just take some landscape

shots, but at the last minute I put all the gear in the car. Having arrived at my

destination, I managed to carry all the gear and I found a quiet spot in the woods,

and set up my camera on a tripod. I dressed in the costume and had my scythe at

the ready. I delayed the shot with the timer for 20 seconds, whilst I ran to position

and struck what I thought was a reaper like pose : -) Then repeated this sequence

making some adjustments to my position. Of course I didn't see the two women

that had walked down the path to my left until one of them exclaimed "Oh my god! I

thought I was seeing things!" ..........I replied "I don't dress like this all the time you

know, only on a Sunday!" I showed the pair of them the images I had so far shot

and made them promise not to call the police and we all had a good laugh. A few

more people and a few more comments were made before I packed all the gear

away.............. Spooky enough for you?

 

I wasn't at all sure what category this fitted so I put it in "Landscape"

 

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated Thank You.

LOL.  Love the back story.  And, a great shot of the "Grim Reaper".

I promise, even before reading your epistle it was my intent to accuse you of taking a selfie.  And upon reading, I find that you did! A perfectly selected atmosphere, well done in b/w, and acting worthy of a Grammy ;-).  Excellent work and story... Mike

I had a good laugh when reading the background story for this photo. I like the atmosphere and the mood. Good idea.

Sidsel

One thing is for sure, we do not get this type of editorial about an image on this site.

The story explains what we photographer have to go through in order to get that shot. We wait, patiently for the right opportunity, then if our model can not do the shot, we are the model. Then having to explained yourself to the general public.

Perhaps you could have used the ladies for additional shot. Huddled clutching ear other as Grim points to them.

Excellent, excellent shot.

Hi Alf,

  Amazing story & excellent image.  You make a wonderful Grim Reaper.  Thanks for sharing.  Take care, Patsy

Mike is right.  It's the best selfie I've ever seen, Alf.

 

--Lannie

You've pulled this off all too well. Sounds like you had a lot of fun with this one and brought a few moments of wonder and delight to those who happened to pass by as well as all of us here in the gallery.

Alf,  How creative!  Moody and autobiographical too.  This would be a good image for halloween.   Larry

Hi Alf,

a great concept that has been really well executed. I love the story that goes with the shot, funny and it shows how far you are willing to go to get the shot.

Jed

A very nicely composed beautiful result, Alf!

 

Hi Alf, you've made me laugh with the story behind the photo, I really enjoyed reading it. And honestly I think that the effort was worth it. The framing of the image is nice, the atmosphere, the fog, the choice of black and white ... everything is perfect!
Only one minor detail ... according to my view. The hand (actually your hand) should be black too. Just a thought!
Great job !!!
Kind Regards,
Rosario.

Many Thanks for looking in and leaving your comments, I am glad you enjoyed it! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

MIKE 

 

Ahhh you think I kind of type cast myself with this one huh? : - ) 

The acting was given further authenticity as my old bones creaked running to get into the shot (makes a note to purchase a remote  shutter release) 

Sincere Thanks Mike! 

 

Alf 

 

SIDSEL

 

I am so pleased you enjoyed the story and the photo, it makes it all worth the effort! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

TONY

 

I can write for hours without taking a breather : -)  But mostly try to curtail the stories to a shortened version.  We do undergo some serious hardships to get the right shot, but I have to admit in this case I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Good idea to get the ladies involved ...though I'm not sure they would have indulged me...they already had me labelled a nutter lol 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and great feedback! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

Ahh yes I think I might have found a new career .......I wonder if there are any vacancies...surely there is always work for the Grim Reaper : - ) 

 

Thank you so much Patsy! 

 

Alf 

 

LANNIE 

 

You should see me with the hood off...now that's really scary! : - ) 

Thanks Lannie! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JACK 

 

 I have to admit I had a real blast doing this....I was even tempted to drive home wearing the outfit.........but thought better of it : - ) 

Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated!

 

Alf 

 

LARRY 

 

It was around the time of Halloween before last that the idea came to me. The planned location is different and I still want to complete that photo scene. But now I find I have a host of new idea's  (Any willing model out there leave me a message) 

 

Many Thanks Larry! 

 

Alf 

 

JED 

 

The next one involves a woman.........but I draw the line at dressing up for that one : - ) 

Thanks for looking in Jed, I appreciate your comments! 

 

Alf 

 

RUUD 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Alf 

 

ROSARIO

 

So good to read that I made you laugh, it makes it all worthwhile! 

Good point about the hand........I actually wanted a skeletal hand, but had to do with my own bony one : - ) ..But a black hand that would look silhouetted would have beena good alternative.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback! 

 

Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

Ha, ha, ha! A very good story behind this shot!

 

I welcome the arrival of Alf Bailey's surreal period!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

 

P.S. May I borrow the silhouette for some of my works, Alf?

Many Thanks for your interest and encouragement........who knows this could be the start of something BIG! : - ) 

And yes of course you may borrow the silhouette, and I'd love to see the results! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Thank you, Alf! I made a PSD file soon after I commented, maybe 15 minutes, ha!

 

I think if you decide to make a surrealist it will sure be big, I guarantee!

 

Cheers to that!

 

PDE

I see a commentary on John Donne's "Death, be not proud."  Death's representative clearly is singling out a target, but the target isn't there.  Perhaps death need not be so frightening, after all.  You've chosen an extraordinarily creative way of delivering the message.

 

Clearly, the image wouldn't be nearly as successful if not for the exposure and the predominance of blacks and grays.  The leafless tree limbs add to the somber atmosphere.   Clearly this is not your usual bill of fare, but it helps to remind us that your talent is unlimited.

 

My best always,

michael

As Pierre says, surreal indeed!. It oozes atmosphere and it reminds us that the end of our life is inevitable..it is a grim reality !. Like a frame from a movie and the message is very clear and 'grim'...Very well done and acted, my friend !

 Your efforts and 'conversations' with those who walked by all worked together for good in this composition. the fog and 'arms/fingers' of the trees all seem very supportive of your Grim Reaper. Excellent composition with processing that suits the surroundings to a 'T".  Your 'dedication' to your craft is so well evident in this shot Alf!!! Glad you didn't scare too many people! It's always great to use our imagination and create a work that is like an 'illustration' from a book. Very nice work Alf.

I can't wait to see the reaper come back to haunt us in another one of your epic images ! 

Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MICHAEL 

 

Thank you for your most insightful and encouraging words! 

I wanted the reaper to point at something or someone unknown so to create another element of mystery and suspense. Maybe even fear, that he could be pointing at you, or someone you know.  We all tend to regard death with fear, and do our best not to think about it, avoid talking about it and even denying it is ever going to happen to us. But in truth it is inevitable and just as natural as being born.  

The damp forest setting was just as I imagined it would be, but a volunteer next time as a model would take away some of the guesswork! : - ) 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

DIMITRIS 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated my friend! 

I wanted to create the kind of impact that one gets from looking at a book cover. I know the saying "You can't judge a book by it's cover" and that is true in relation to the quality of the story therein. But the image nearly always captures the imagination "like a frame from movie" yes indeed. 

Have a great weekend my friend! 

 

Alf 

 

GAIL 

 

I was inspired by an album cover by a band called "Black Sabbath" whose first album had a woman in black standing alone in the woods on the cover. I do intend to re-create this image, once I find a suitable woman : - ) 

But the essence of mystery and the mood stayed with me all these years and the reaper idea stemmed from this.  I wonder if Sharon Osborne is available I think she'd a make a suitable witch : - ) 

Glad you mentioned the "illustration from a book" that is exactly the kind of impact I was aiming for.

 

Sincere Thanks and have a great weekend.......keep warm and safe! 

 

Alf 

 

 

 

Hi Alf, First off it's a great story. I love what you have accomplished and it really works well in my opinion. The mist is perfect and of course it had to be a black and white image. Great work.

Best Always,

Holger

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words.

 

I did consider the colour version, but the B & W just added that bit more atmosphere. 

Pierre Dumas has used the figure in an interesting way I see : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Hi Alf, It's always great to read your explanations behind the shots you take, especially this one! This could be a new career move for you!! Very well done to set this up by yourself using the timer and tripod and hats off to you for seeing the opportunity as conditions were excellent for this type of shot! Best wishes. Sarah.

I love your stories as much as I love your photography!  This turned out great!  A+ for execution and creativity!

Sometimes a photo is worth more than a thousand words and this is one of them.  It's great enough as a stand alone especially with your chosen location and the mist for effect but with the included dialogue to flesh out the whole story it's hilarious.  I'm surprised the two women didn't turn & run.  I think I would have. Love the B&W presentation.  Reminiscent of the old Boris Karloff movies.  Best, Len