Standing at the Gates of Hell
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Fascination of the unknown is something that lies inside all of us, especially me. I’ve always been attracted to mythology and all types of horror movies. Of all the stories I have absorbed into memory, besides Dante’s Inferno, I can’t recollect someone describing what it’s like for the souls of the damned reaching the gates of Hell. This week I thought about creating a unique photographic piece that served as my interpretation of that experience. Would you scream? Would your skin burn and peel away? Would you slowly and painfully turn to stone to be a toy for the wraiths of the underworld? Would the agonizing cycle continue for eternity?
Don’t worry I didn’t lose my mind! In case you’re wondering, there are no computer-generated effects in this photograph. This is the power of about 80 layers and a week worth of patience. My speedlight was also used off camera and fired into a reflective umbrella to give me the perfect lighting to start it off. Listening to Black Sabbath and Dio helped the process!
Featured in Flickr Explore August 27th, 2008!
Comments and faves
Suharwan, NaiJoE, Kris Kros, Joe Alisa, and 105 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Suharwan (58 months ago | reply)
Amazing work my friend... !!
::Mobius Faith:: [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
Mr Gorski, Mr Gorski. This is amazing! You are far more patient than I am. Amazing. Great imagination. Thoughtful. I think I'd also throw in a little Danzig for the soundtrack. You continue to blow me away with your skills.
NaiJoE (58 months ago | reply)
you've done a perfect work! EXCELLENT!!!
artsy_T (58 months ago | reply)
wow shane. i am loving this series. you are rocking the whole concept. can't wait to see more! :)
***j9*** (58 months ago | reply)
gruesome. I don't have the patience... nice work!
Scott Kelley (58 months ago | reply)
Too neat.
Joe Alisa (58 months ago | reply)
Wow, you outdid yourself here. What a masterpiece.
Kris Kros (58 months ago | reply)
WOW!!!! Extreme.
Paul Galliano (58 months ago | reply)
omg! stunning picture!
lorainedicerbo (58 months ago | reply)
Sooo...what level of hell are you in here, Shane? I have to say, this is excellent work! You really do have patience beyond imagination. And yes, I can see how listening to Dio and BS would help....
E.Peoples (58 months ago | reply)
I felt the same way whenever Myra would start watching Hannah Montana.
-ep
photosbyhpennington (58 months ago | reply)
Very Scary
Very Creative
Very Very Very Well Done!!
*Ann Gordon (58 months ago | reply)
Awesome image...so scary...I don't ever want my soul to descend to Hell through any gates!!
Must feel great to have your ideas/concept come to life (or death)!
Kc Jacoby Photography LLC (58 months ago | reply)
Funny, I would think Clay Aiken would compel you to create such an image... ;)
Amazing work Shane... freaking amazing.
Ray-48 (58 months ago | reply)
WOW...such creativity...stunning work
Ledio (mostly away) (58 months ago | reply)
damn dude, you've become a ps master! well done! it looks like you're competing to be on the cover of an Iron Maiden album :)
Aaron Fortin (58 months ago | reply)
Fantastic execution and post processing. I love the smoke furls. Was this one shot or multiples for the layers?
s o u t h e n (58 months ago | reply)
Thank you Shane, I will now have to fend off nightmares for the remainder of the week.
caterpillars (58 months ago | reply)
creepin' me out.
splibra (58 months ago | reply)
Great work my friend very creative i love it!! Keep up the good job!!!
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neubauerphotography (58 months ago | reply)
intense...
Rinis13 (58 months ago | reply)
This is amazing! The details are outstanding.
_Zinni_ (58 months ago | reply)
What a cool shot, a great work!
semimortal79 (58 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called *psycho international*, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
i would probably faint :P
one week?i so admire ur patience! awesomely orchestrated
gauravnaphray (58 months ago | reply)
needless to say but u took it to a totally new level
Great
Cherie S. (58 months ago | reply)
Patience in deed. Awesome yet diabolical at the same time.
shexbeer (58 months ago | reply)
Awesome work mate! It's really masterpiece, great processing!
AndrewG:Photography (58 months ago | reply)
whoooah..
thats something else!!
awesome pic
andrew
_ØяAcLә_ (58 months ago | reply)
FANTASTIC work my friend :))
_ØяAcLә_ (58 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called **ART** photoshop style, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
blind lemon larry [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
Absolutely outstanding work! Awesome! :)
rockchick417 (58 months ago | reply)
WOW - that's some amazing work!
mudpig (58 months ago | reply)
congrats on producing a wonderfully creative work of art - well worth the time and effort.
Len Langevin (58 months ago | reply)
disturbing yet spectacular...a very fast fave! congrats on explore, my friend!
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Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
suesue2 (58 months ago | reply)
your skills are beyond amazing ... congrats !
Charlie Naebeck [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
insane man, but awesome!
{elle} (58 months ago | reply)
thats crazy and so awesome!
Photomike07 / MDSimages.com (58 months ago | reply)
A true artist you are....and an inspiration. Well done!!!
Spencer in Ann Arbor (58 months ago | reply)
This is just frickin' awesome!
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duckforcover (58 months ago | reply)
Your free at last and on the right track.
Nice processing, smoke and background, it all comes together.
Thumbs up!
dropsheet (58 months ago | reply)
kil;ler...can't help but think of "army of darkness" when I see this. If this is what the gates look like I would hate to see ur version of hell.
*MichelleLynn* (58 months ago | reply)
ohh how cool! I am too scared to view large*, lol!
*but I did anyway, awesome!!
Copperrein (58 months ago | reply)
damn dude
♥♥♥J♥♥♥ (58 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Dαяk Portraits, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
.Trev [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
This is effing great. I love this shot, so visceral and gritty. Great!
Ella's Dad (58 months ago | reply)
Great shot, well processed. Fantastic
Erroba (57 months ago | reply)
Amazing piece of work man, but don't worry no heaven and no hell, nothing, just nothing, soothing nothing.
This work deserves to be viewed by The Realm of Quality's Royals!
Please join us and tag your photo with "RoQ"
Jamie Mink (57 months ago | reply)
Simply killer image, nothing more to say. Killer.
1ManWithACamera (57 months ago | reply)
Very artistic and imaginative image. Great work.
clareadamson [deleted] (57 months ago | reply)
wowwwww!