Honorable Mention
Rock sundial
DESCRIPTION
As the sun sets over Roc la Tour in the Ardennes, France, it casts a mesmerizing sun star effect through the ancient rocks, reminiscent of a tale as old as time. Legend has it that this rugged landscape was once the site of a grand castle, built in a single night through a pact with the devil.According to local folklore, a cash-strapped lord, desperate to impress his beloved and provide her with a home worthy of her splendor, made a Faustian bargain. He sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the construction of a magnificent castle. With his army of sorcerers, gnomes, and other fantastical creatures, Satan set to work, ready to fulfill his end of the bargain.
The castle was near completion when a vigilant rooster, awakened by the commotion, crowed prematurely, signaling the arrival of dawn. Believing he had lost his wager, the devil flew into a rage and demolished his creation. The castle's walls tumbled down to the Semoy River below, leaving behind only these remnants.
AUTHOR
My scientific training as a geophysicist and my long-standing interest in art, literature and poetry inspire me to observe the world through my camera. My Covid-19 lockdown challenge was to get a professional-level in photography, and after some studies and exams, it has been such a personal achievement for me to be graduated with first class honors in summer 2021 (official national french exam).If the word photography literally means “writing with the light”, then I think this activity is a perfect compromise for me, somewhere between art and science. Because, ultimately photography relies on the optical properties of light, and its famous duality “wave” and “particle” described by quantum mechanics, used for creative purposes.
