Here is ”The End”. It got started as a still life project for my creative photography class where we were encouraged to build set-ups with unconventional objects. I picked up a figurine of an angel holding a child in her arms, some chicken-wire-paper-mass craft attempts with sorry holes in the walls, and a few dried tulip petals. I placed the lot on my kitchen table by the window, arranged the tablecloth to form a background and took multiple exposures with different focal lengths. After the first image, I removed the angel, and started to build the ruins of a village out of the little houses. There are six images blended in the camera to the final JPEG using the ”Average” mode. Fuji X-T4 on tripod, f/11, 1/6 s, ISO 160. I turned the image into black-and-white in Affinity Photo, and used the Dodge brush to create a halo round the angel to bring her out better. I also like the version without the halo, where the angel carries the child from the shadows. - The mottled effect comes from the overlapping holes in the layers of the house images. I thought that it might add to the impression of dust and chaos, but is it too distracting?
8 comments posted
Jeff Manser
Hi Kirsti - I love this image! You were so creative in so many way to put this together. For me, the mottled effect you constructed, adds to the impact and feel of the scene. I really don't have anything suggestions. Great shot! Posted: 04/10/2025 16:06:37
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
Thank you very much, Jeff! I am beginning to find a special sort of magic in multiple exposures in camera - I hope I could learn to control the process a little better. Posted: 04/11/2025 05:45:36
Robert Cordivari
Hi Kirsti - you do so many creative things with your photography club and this is certainly one of them - what an original photo!
I seem to find patterns or similarities in photos so I noticed how the angel's wings compliment the tulip petals. The placement of the angel works perfectly.
And I love the mottling effect! Posted: 04/10/2025 19:11:36
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
Thank you, Robert! - I can see the similarities now that you pointed them out. I am so glad that you think that the concept works! Posted: 04/11/2025 05:48:24
Douglas Gerdts
I am with you on the angel without the halo. I think of angels as discreet figures who abhor the spotlight so having one steal away with a child to safety fits my imagination. There's such a dystopian quality to what you managed to create on your kitchen table -- a true credit to your creativity.
Seems like the learning curve is a lot less steep these days! Posted: 04/12/2025 17:05:34
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
Thank you, Douglas! It really means a lot to me to see the mood and message of the image come through. Posted: 04/13/2025 08:56:18
Barbara Gore
Hi Kirsti. Your concept is strong and the execution is well done. The props you selected were effective and contributed to realizing your vision. I especially appreciate your choice to feature the angel with the halo, as it highlights the story and "the end" for me. One suggestion for enhancement - consider lowering the black levels and increasing the contrast. It could help the angel stand out more against the ruins and convey a glimmer of hope. Just my thoughts...of course, editing choices are always up to the creator. Posted: 04/16/2025 16:56:22
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
Thank you very much, Barbara! The contrast idea sounds good! I'll have to try to get the balance right, but a quick trial looks promising. Posted: 04/16/2025 18:03:53
