Frans Gunterus, QPSA
October 2025 - The Snake Curse of Medusa
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
I live in Indonesia. We don’t celebrate Halloween. However, my submission this month is inspired by Halloween. I purposely make this short explanation. I want you to guess. What’s the story that I want to tell through this creatives concept?
I just learn about Photo Story. This is my self-challenge. Whether this photo is good as a story telling photo? Your opinions would be much appreciated.
5 comments posted
Hi Frans. You did a lot of work to create this spooky composite. Since the woman on the right is in her original state inside the mirror, to me it tells a story of her emerging from the mirror as a fair maiden, but Medusa has placed a curse on her with snake skin and red eyes. Her distressed look fits well with the story. The photo of Medusa is very dramatic. Since her eyes are looking at the camera rather than her victim, I think it might be good to change that. I also might suggest that the snake above the victim be lowered a bit so it looks like it's resting directly on her head, and maybe even a little larger. I love your concept with this creation. Very well conceived and executed! Did I understand your story correctly? Posted: 10/11/2025 22:03:10
Hi Jan. Yes you did understand my story. I agree Medusa eyes look like looking at the camera. Actually she was wearing totally white contact lens to imitate blind eyes. Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Please review my latest edit in respond to Bob. Thank you. Posted: 10/17/2025 02:40:45
Hi Frans, I think the composite is nicely put together. I'm not sure that it is a photo story, unless this is that you learned. My knowledge of a photo story is a visual narrative that uses a series of photographs to communicate a story. Unlike a simple collection of pictures, a photo story arranges images in a specific sequence to create a cohesive flow, often with a beginning, middle, and end.
I like Jan's interpretation, except I would have liked a smile in the mirrored woman, or upon her release from the mirror and a fourth image of her with her eyes looking up at the snake. I would also like the collection progressing either right to left, or left to right. As presented, I think it goes from the middle, but maybe the right. The sequence is unclear to me. The processing is well done though. Posted: 10/15/2025 15:25:26
I like Jan's interpretation, except I would have liked a smile in the mirrored woman, or upon her release from the mirror and a fourth image of her with her eyes looking up at the snake. I would also like the collection progressing either right to left, or left to right. As presented, I think it goes from the middle, but maybe the right. The sequence is unclear to me. The processing is well done though. Posted: 10/15/2025 15:25:26
Hi Bob. Sorry. English is my second language. My explanation could have been misleading you. I just learn about Photo Story. However, I make a self-challenge to make this 'story telling photo' (not photo story). In addition. Thanks for your comments about the image left to right or right to left. Do you think this revision would clarify the issues? Posted: 10/17/2025 03:12:50
Yes, thank you Frans. As far as telling a story, it is a pretty good attempt. I am more familiar with Medusa turning anyone who looks upon her to stone. Your story is expanded to allow her to place a curse. Still, a nice job of adding the skin to the maiden from the mirror. I don't know if the snake needs to be lower or not. I've always thought of Medusa as a victim herself(raped by Poseidon.)
I wondered if these were representing her two immortal Gorgon Sisters, who were also punished and turned into hideous women. Posted: 10/21/2025 21:07:25
I wondered if these were representing her two immortal Gorgon Sisters, who were also punished and turned into hideous women. Posted: 10/21/2025 21:07:25