Tarcisius

[Dennis Bishop]

Tarcisius was a boy in Rome in the third century. (Be forewarned that a sad story follows.) There is an irony in the fact that his final day and this image ended up much differently than the way they started. The Detroit Institute of Arts is a wonderful museum that houses a wide variety of art. With Detroit in bankruptcy, the future of the collections remains uncertain. A number of us from the local photo group went there a week ago. I spied this bronze statue on a top-floor atrium and found a perspective in which lines in the ceiling converged behind the head of the figure. My plan was to feature those lines in the image, so I started by Photoshopping out a railing and several rows of recessed lighting. As things progressed, I became disenchanted with the line idea and decided to build a background that was consistent with the statue. At that point, I knew nothing about it and was unprepared for what I learned. At that time in Rome, Christians were persecuted. From a secret place in the catacombs, a deacon would normally carry wine and bread to imprisoned believers for their last Communion. One day, there was no deacon, so Tarcisius, an acolyte, carried the sacraments. On the way, he encountered a mob that demanded the wine and bread, but he refused to surrender them and was beaten to death. Despite the sobering story, I decided to proceed with the image.

Nikon Coolpix P7000, ISO 310, f/2.8, three-exposure HDR at 1 EV intervals (hand-held), 28 mm equivalent

processing

• Topaz Simplify -- Watercolor II preset
• Alien Skin Snap Art -- Watercolor, Color blend mode, 49% opacity
• three Flypaper Textures textures, all masked off the statue -- Normal, 100%; Color, 100%; Multiply, 26%
• Red Giant Knoll Light Factory for the light rays -- two layers: Normal, 100% and Difference, 35%
• Alien Skin Eye Candy -- Backlight, 15% opacity
• two black & white Fractalius layers -- Multiply, 100 & 37%, background only
• three black & white layers, Multiply, statue only -- Fractalius, 59%; Snap Art Line Art, 31%; Simplify edges, 100%
• Flypaper Textures texture -- Color Dodge, 9%
• OnOne Photo Frame -- 66%

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Sort of the like the agony and the ecstasy Dennis. I like the BG and the rays of light coming through as if there is hope for him from God. (had to look up acolyte) I really like this.

[Nancy Bell]

You have created a very powerful image that sums up the story very well, including as Jackie mentions, hope. Makes me think of the Easter story. All the dark tones and colors with the rays of light are very dramatic and all very well blended together with your usual expertise. Very interesting on how you expanded from the original statue and its place in the museum to this expressive image.

[gary ellwein]

The subdued color palette, rough bg and dark tones convey the atmosphere of the catacombs. The radiating light is reminiscent of the old masters religious paintings. Your image is true to the story. Well done.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Dennis, the back story really adds to the image. Beautifully processed - it couldn't be better.

[Judy Howle]

This is indeed a very powerful image and beautifully processed. The rough background works well with the statue. I also like the rays of light behind the statue.

[Anita Bower]

Beautifully done. Your editing brings out the pathos of the story--there is no mistaking the sadness of the incident, the specialness of the boy, nor the nature of the subject--a statue. Outstanding work.

[Kerry Perkins]

Really well done Dennis. Your explanation of the workflow, starting with a concept and bringing it to life, is a very valuable lesson in image-making. Perfect interpretation of the story and the artifact.