Lens-Artists Challenge #346: Cinematic
“From the shadows, it emerges – the ultimate crime-fighting machine.”
[End of scene]
When Sofia set this week’s challenge to Cinematic, I wasn’t sure what I would do. I thought about using photos from movie sets. What images could I use for the challenge? Sofia’s examples were outstanding and very clear. They guided me to what you see here. Please check Sofia’s Cinematic post to see her examples.
That quote from an unknown source about the Batmobile was the entry point for my post. I captured the photo at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. So many of those races are cinematic. The drama, the adrenaline, and the competition all add up to cinematic-style photography. I love going to COTA.
Now, let’s see if you agree with my cinematic style in the following images.
As an adolescent, I loved Jules Verne’s books. Journey to the Center of the Earth left a profound mark that led me to enjoy sci-fi movies. Every time I go into a cave, such as Carlsbad Caverns, I feel like I’m living that book.
These two may seem worlds apart, but both Lost in Space and Close Encounters of the Third Kind hold a special place in my world. Both photos above were taken here in Austin. I guess that’s the city living up to its Keep it Weird motto.
For this image, I wasn’t sure whether to call it Who’s Coming to Dinner or Black Water. I went with the latter after adding fog to the original photo from a San Antonio trip to Seaworld. The fog created a horror vibe.
Last week, John asked us about our go-to places. I loved that several people stayed close to home. Near or far, your go-to places were beautiful. With Cinematic, Sofia wants us to explore “the close relationship between photography and cinematography.” Did I manage that? Be sure to check her post, and don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Ritva returns with another challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Alligators, Austin, Carlsbad Caverns NP, Circuit of the Americas, Lens-Artists, National Parks, Sports, Wildlife, and Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the space one next to it. so cinematic. and that car. You did awesomely for this challenge.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. That car was my favorite because it immediately made me think of Batman.
philosophy through photography
Really enjoyed this one—such a creative take on the cinematic theme. The Batmobile shot was a strong start, and the rest carried that vibe beautifully. Loved the mix of sci-fi and moody tones throughout!
Have a Lovely weekend!
Philo
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your kind words. I’m happy you liked the series. Have a good weekend, too!
philosophy through photography
Welcome, my friend.
Leya
Absolutely gorgeous – What a magnificent post! The first and last one has to be my favourites if I must choose…so inherently cinematic all of them!
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, I appreciate this enthusiastic feedback. Many thanks!
Prior...
I liked lost in space the most – but the entire post was excellent for cinematic! also, I like that you went with Black Water for the cool tuetle and croc image!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million for this feedback.
Prior...
😊😊
Khürt Williams
Hey Egídio, your post is a fantastic blend of photography and storytelling—I was genuinely pulled in. If I ever make it to an F1 race, COTA would be my first choice too. Miami and Vegas just don’t have the same soul—feels more like performance theatre than racing. For now, I’m sticking with F1 TV (in 4K!) and dreaming.
Your mention of Jules Verne hit a nostalgic nerve. Back in the ’70s, I devoured English translations of Around the World in Eighty Days, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and 20,000 Leagues. H.G. Wells was another favourite—The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man. Those stories sparked my lifelong love of science and engineering, but also shaped how I think about the double-edged nature of progress. It still blows my mind that they were written so long before I was even born.
Khürt Williams
I forgot to mention Lost in Space and Close Encounters of the Third Kind! I used to watch the original Lost in Space in syndication (and of course the original Star Trek)—those episodes felt like treasure back then. And Close Encounters has never left me. I can still hear those five notes in my head and picture the lights blinking in response. That moment gave me chills as a kid—and honestly, it still does.
Some Lost in Space trivia: Robby the Robot actually first appeared in the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet.
Egidio Leitao
I also watched Lost in Space (the original) and the Netflix remake. I did not know that about the robot. Close Encounters is timeless.
Egidio Leitao
Khürt, this is the best comment I had. It really made my day. Thank you so much! I read those same Jules Verne’s novels you mentioned. I couldn’t get enough of his books.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, These are fantastic! I love The Journey to the Center of the Earth, your two Sci-Fi images are amazing, and I thought “Batman” as soon as I saw the car. I’m rooting for the turtle in the last one.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Beth. That car seems to be getting similar reactions. It most definitely was my own when I saw it in my catalog. The turtle was unharmed. I think the gators were asleep.
Rebecca Cuningham
I wonder if Batman would give taxi service. We’d get there fast if he did.
Egidio Leitao
LOL.. That’s a good one!
Rebecca Cuningham
Obrigada, Egidio.
JohnRH
WOWWWW. Great great response to the theme, Egidio. Outstanding. 👏
Egidio Leitao
John, your kindness is appreciated. Thank you.
Yanaj *
Wonderful and truly dramatic pictures, Egídio! I love the pinch of humor in the last one (second title): ‘Who’s Coming to Dinner’. But they are all glorious!
Egidio Leitao
Yanaj, that’s very kind of you. Many thanks.
solaner
Your opening image is absolutely gorgeous, Egídio 👍👍👍👍👍
Really Gotham City central parking
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, André.
solaner
Well deserved 😊
Hammad Rais
The last one here is quite a thriller!
The sci-fi additions are just out of this world or should I say deep from within the world 🙂
And FYI, that Batmobile is actually KTM X-BOW GT4, as per Google Lens.
Egidio Leitao
Wow! I did not know what that car was. I got the shot in one of the races but didn’t bother to check the make and model. Thank you. That turtle was safe and survived. I think the gators were napping.
I. J. Khanewala
I love the scifi theme, with a touch of horror. Great photos
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for saying it. I thought a bit of horror would switch things a bit. Thank you.
carabeinsplash
That is one snakey looking car Egidio. It’s awesome. I love the cavern photo too. I was worried about the turtle for sure, but holy moly… that alligator is missing a foot! Man, it’s rough in those black waters!
Egidio Leitao
Cara, thank you so much for your comment. Yes, that car was so beautiful. The turtle survived. Those alligators were taking a nap and didn’t bother with the turtle.
photobyjohnbo
I love your take on Carlsbad Caverns, and it is cinematic. Those two sci-fi themed photos are my favorites, especially the Close Encounters image. My first thought for the spacecraft was “Time Machine.”
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. The Carlsbad and the car were instantly paired with the movies. When I saw the car in my collection, it jumped right out with a Batman title. I like “Time Machine” for the spaceship.
Toonsarah
What a clever approach to this challenge! All your images fit the movie titles so well – I especially like the Carlsbad Caverns which really do look like the centre of the earth 😀 When I saw your last one I thought the title might be Crocodile Dundee but I guess the image is too sinister for that!
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, first of all, many thanks for your comments. About the last image, there were a couple of movies that came to mind. I even thought of having fun and calling it “Who’s Coming to Dinner,” but I changed my mind. Your caption is very good, too. Thanks.
Sofia Alves
I love it, Egídio. It’s a clever take on the challenge with fantastic photos too. Last one is my favourite 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Sofia. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and photos.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Excellent take on the theme, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much for this comment, Terri.
Terri Webster Schrandt
You’re welcome. Please know that I can only comment/reply by using my desktop/laptop. In the Jetpack app, it shows your comments are closed, and your posts show in my notifications as “Someone posted on Brazilian Eyes.” I have the same issue with Sarah’s posts too. So far yours and hers are the only ones. Since it’s not my issue (although one never know with Jetpack), you might want to check in with WordPress. Wishing you a great day!
Egidio Leitao
Terri, thanks for your detailed remarks. I’ll send this to Jetpack. I do not have closed comments in any posts, even the oldest ones. Also, when I comment on any post, I see it clearly written “Logged in as Egidio Leitao.” WP is definitely messing up with us. For example, I get an email notification of your comment, but it never shows up in the Reader. Comments used to show up there. Thanks again. This is very helpful.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Always glad to help, Egidio. Clearly I can comment from my desktop computer but not via Jetpack. So strange…good luck! I read yours through my notifications and it usually works great until this comment thing started!
Leanne Cole
I thought Batman when I saw the first image, great shots Egidio.
Egídio
Thanks, Leanne. When I saw the photo in my catalog, I had a similar reaction.
Vicki
Loved your examples, especially the Lost in Space craft.
Actually, all your images are ‘winners’ in my opinion.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Lost in Space was a favorite series of mine when I was growing up in Brazil. I liked the remake they had on Netflix, too.
Tina Schell
I would have to say this is one of my favorites of your posts ever Egidio. That opening car is a fabulous image, Carlsbad is Jules Verne come to life, the space scenes are wonderful and the last is my favorite of all. Now was the turtle really within reach of those gators?!?!??! Terrific post.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for these wonderful comments, Tina. To answer your question, that turtle was that close, but the gators never moved. They must prefer a different diet.
Anne Sandler
Well done Egidio! You nailed cinematography. Each is a wonderful image. I want to tell that turtle to RUN FAST!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Anne. When I saw that scene, I thought there would be problems. However, the gators never moved. I guess turtles are not on their diets — thankfully.