Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

Understandably ! It is amazing ! Looks like a painting.

I agree with Ercassie, fantastic shot! The model is a perfect Renaissance beauty.

I wouldn't mind sitting down there too - a beautiful place!

Something very different. I do some limited graphic work for my medieval or fantasy roleplay. Usually the 'characters' come from actor shots that are available online. As a photographer myself, I am usually somewhat torn on doing that, though under the fair use clause and considering nobody profits from it, it's legally allowed. Therefor, two pictures: one with graphics work with someone else's photograph, one with graphics work of my own.

Love these, @Eldrith !

The second one was literally taken at our local park with a magnolia bush for a background. I think it almost gives Aragon vibes...

Actually shot in the Netherlands, when a friend of mine received 'knighthood' in the SCA.

Fantastic graphic work, and such great photography. The last photo reminds me of many a character in The Lord of the Rings.

It's like each image suggests there is an amazing story for it to be wrapped in.

Drífa wrote: ↑Thu Nov 20, 2025 10:56 am Fantastic graphic work, and such great photography. The last photo reminds me of many a character in The Lord of the Rings.

The last one, the hands on the sword.. that image was supposed to hold the weight of an oath.

Pele Alarion wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:06 pm It's like each image suggests there is an amazing story for it to be wrapped in.

Ha! My tagline on Instagram (which I don't really use anymore, Instagram) or Blueskye is #youtellthestory, because yes, each picture is supposed to 'capture' a story.

Bebe!

Just adorable! What a great shot, Eldrith!

Sometimes a picture needs a smile. Sometimes.. it doesn't!

So true. Yet a smile may also be seen in a twinkle of the eye when the lighting is in the correct position, and the mouth is hidden.

Nice photo, Eldrith!

A friend of mine got 'elevated' in the SCA for arts and science and became part of the order of the Laurel, a big moment etc. Her persona has been "Rus" for decades (She can tell you all about town and region and customs and why this trim fits for that city but not for that place etc.). All of the clothing has been handmade for the occasion. Another friend WOVE that green band across her forehand, etc. etc. I wanted an image inspired by the baba yaga. That .. female power and determination, when you're not always sure if the presence is benevolent or not...

Oh man I admit I haven't done anything SCAish in forever sadly these are absolutely stunning pictures love the depth of field used and the last image really feels Caravaggio (minus the gore admittedly but the darkness and the person coming out of it...)

@Fuin Elda

Oh I love that you say that! I actually teach an online class at various SCA universities about "The library of the mind". I explore which images 'feel' medieval or Renaissance, why, how they harken back to art, and how and why we can lay a lot of what we 'feel' is right a the feet of the pre Raphaelites. In it I put two images taken moments apart next to a painting by Rembrandt to discuss color and followed the lines and light/ darkness pathway in a picture, putting it next to Rubens' descent of the cross.
It's my nerd topic!

Hellooooooooo Eldrith! Long time no see. I've found myself doing far too much staring at Instagram and thought I'd attempt to put some of that time into the Plaza again instead. And hello to @Fuin Elda and @Drífa too! I'm glad there are still familiar names around.

Your photography is wonderful as always Eldrith and I especially love to see the craftwork. Your photo of 'Rus' is now an especial favorite. It's stunning, but I also just want to start talking to her. Make a pot of tea. Do you think she'd join the Plaza? There is a lot of very local, very intricate (sometimes very expensive) dyed and woven fabric traditions over here in Okinawa. This makes me want to share them as well--a potential project I suppose.

The lady in the yellow dress reflected in the pond *chef's kiss*

Hello!!!!! It feels SO good to be back isn't it? I am hoping to see you around more. It feels like something is 'awakening' here, in the most lovely way!
The lady from the 'Rus" picture is actually an EXPERT dyer. She would probably be grabbing a mug of tea, bringing pastries and asking you to tell her all about it!!

A moment of amazing nerd pride came when the Musee de Cluny in Paris reposted this picture I took a few years ago on their Bluesky account! I know in the span of the internet and social media, it had no real meaning, but to me it meant that someone handling their social media account had seen the post I tagged them in and then had decided that that picture was good enough to represent them!!

Oh that's very cool @Eldrith! And a great photo--I always find it hard to take anything work keeping in museums (and aquariums ha). Just difficult lighting, glass, reflections, etc.

A brief search tells me these are probably funerary dogs?? Poor pups! I wonder if they were recreations of someone's actual dogs or simply symbolic.

Something different. Aside from a hobby I have also worked as a professional photographer, both in a photo studio and freelance. Weddings, engagements, senior portraits, quincanera's. Currently a lot of photography is on halt as I am working on my masters, but here's one of my professional wedding shots from a micro wedding.

IS THAT FROM A QUEER WEDDING???

Merewyn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 2:46 am IS THAT FROM A QUEER WEDDING???

This one isn't. I've done several queer family pictures or couple pictures, but so far no weddings. However I have already been asked to do a queer wedding once they start planning it after one of the grooms finishes his masters.

However here is one of my favorite queer couple portraits.

Awwww, that's so cute. I love it. I hope you do end up getting to shoot that queer wedding! I love love in general, but as a trans lesbian, queer love is my favorite.

Aikári Salmarinian wrote: ↑Sun Feb 15, 2026 4:34 pm Hi Eldrith: Nice photos you have taken. That statue of those dogs is quite nice. I think it would better stand in hallway with glass from above, so the natural light can shine on them, than that it is displayed in such a dark black corner box. I think the French missed something of the artistic presence here.

You have a good eye! This is not how this statue is usually displayed! This picture was taken during the renovations of the museum, where most of the museum was closed and they had only a few pieces on display, including the unicorn tapestries, this piece and small pieces like jewelry.

*comes by to admire photos*

Aikári Salmarinian wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 8:28 pm Eldrith: Ah hehe, a spindel. Bit oddly enough or not, there hallows a lot of strength and certainty in the portrayed woman in the photo. Off course it is some of us today, but she could easily there be from another time and nobody would look up from this thought. Awesomely portrayed for sure. I don't know what Clotho must mean. But since she is not wearing any visible make-up, there is natural beauty to the displayed woman, expressed in the jewellery she has on her, the rings, the bracelet, the necklace and the earrings. Pretty genuine expression of older times. I love it.

Clotho is one of the three fates in Greek Mythology. She is the spinner who spins the thread of the life of poor mortals. Lachesis is the one who measures said thread, and Athropos the one who cuts it. There was a poem I think that I read somewhere as a teenager, in Dutch.
"Clotho eerst her werk begint, dan Lachesis verder spint, knipt Athropos de draad dan af, ligt gij mens weer snel in 't graf." I am going off on memories of about 35 years ago so it is likely paraphrased. But she is portrayed as the first of the Fates.



I call this one "My Romance Novel Cover"




As an aside, I am only in my first semester at university, with six more to go after I finish this one, and it is HARD to say goodbye to photography for this time. I simply don't have the time to edit, so I can't take on any assignments, but I miss it!

OOOO I absolutely LOVE all of the outfits in these too!!!

So colourful! Just that colours make me think of Ukraine...

A wedding at Halloween. She wanted a vampy, spooky vibe for some of the pictures.

You have a preference for more natural looking photos. Though there was never any red in that kilt, even in the original. And.. I must disappoint you, I am afraid, that second one merely LOOKS unposed.

This one however IS spontaneous. A natural occuring golden rule picture.

Because of grad school, I am currently on a self imposed photography hiatus. And that is very, very HARD. I miss taking my camera out. The photographing is not what kills the time, I could do that, but the professional editing is very time consuming.

Anyhow, here's a grab from the archives: a detail shot from a table decoration for a Beauty and the Beast themed Quincanera!

*enters to enjoy some good photography* Love these, Eldrith!