Robyn Gosby’s (Captivate Me) One Four Challenge– the final, week is upon us and a poll for the favourite. Which do you prefer!?
lament(Persian)
… I further heard in the days before his death that he was overheard asking all traders and wayfarers if any in their travels had come across a woman of surpassing beauty who bore the mark of a flaming rose on her thigh, –
but the answer had long been lost in the seductive dance of an oasis mirage and in the mournful wail of the dunes as they are created and destroyed by the desert winds.
In those last days he was seen standing ever watchful on his palace walls, his eyes searching the shifting shapes of the landscape, until the day folded silently into the dark and hungry cloak of the desert night. ……….read the full story on Tales of the Caravanserai
Process: I think this edit speaks for itself, all I used was a sand texture overlay I had, a light filter and a few brush strokes.
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
I’m very late, but I must tell, I love all, but best the 4.
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many thanks Pike!!
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It’s lovely this one Cybele Dear!And as the sad story unfolds it feels so soft and romantic! Wonderul series all in all 🙂
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thanks for your lovely comment Doda!!
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#4 is very cool!! 🙂
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thanks so much Amy. I love that one too! (If I’m allowed to say that!)
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I love them all… Hint: I didn´t pick the leading one, though…
All the best to you!, Aquileana 😀
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thanks A !! 🙂
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I am torn between week 2 and 4, truly stunning edits. I especially like how you made this One Four Challenge your own, by integrating your stories and processing an image to accompany it. Lovely work, Cybele.
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Thanks so much for your lovely feedback Lore- I enjoy making it a double challenge when I can.
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He looks so sad and filled with longing for something he can’t have.
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Yes, I hoped that would come across!! Thanks for your comment!!
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I’ve loved all of your edits but this week’s is definitely my favourite. The inevitability of the shifting sands of time obscuring the truth…
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Thank you fairy! I liked this one too for the emotion!
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I’ve voted for week four However, I liked all the images and the story linked with each one was a great read. 🙂
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Thank you muchly Norma!!
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I was going to comment last week, but I felt I should read the story first… I finally found time to read your story last night. I enjoyed the story, even if it was tragic. So now that I know the background, I think I’ll vote for week 4, I really like the sand overlay it really fits. 😀
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thanks so much Nic!! Yes, I got some wonderful feedback on that oh so sad story!! I like week four too!
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I voted but I actually liked them all for different reasons.
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thanks hugely Debra!! I’m glad you enjoyed all of them!
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Your blog is such a wonderful mixture of media, I am intrigued as to how you link in the music, perhaps it is something to play about with! Wonderful images as ever, I rooted for the sadness of number 4, it has something of the passing of ages contrasted with the immediate present in it…but like i said, I have been having a look around, I like the feeling of entering a magical environment that comes with visiting your site. So much expression, and that is the greatest thing, I believe. 🙂
Btw I wanted to apologise if my last story was a bit grim to read! I was worried after your comment, I hope it wasn’t too hard to read as to make you sad. Really appreciate your stopping by when you do 🙂
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I’m honoured Stephen and I use media fire for my sound bites! you can upload music and then add the link to your post. Thanks so much for your follow and never apologize! But thanks for your sensitivity and concern. It was a wonderful piece. Your story just happened to jog a memory -as all good writing can do!! It was a sad one. I’m so pleased you enjoy the multimedia of my blog!!- and thank you for voting! Namaste and blessings!!
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This week is gorgeous and yes my first thought was ‘lost in the sands of time’. Genius 😃😃 It sits with the feel of the story so well.
All are wonderful, but I had to vote for number 4. Fabulous effort!!
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Thanks so much Robyn and I like that sands of time idea. Though I love Robbie Burns “And I will love thee still, my dear, when the sands of life shall run” which is softer than my tale of poor Sa’ed! Thanks for your support always and for the challenges!
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I love that too Cybele 😃
Sadly I miss out on your music as Im on a rotten (dinosaur slow) internet connection, which doesn’t buffer or play nicely.
Your storytelling and editing is truly inspiring. Keep doing it!!
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thanks Robyn!!
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The emotion portrayed in week 4 is incredible. As I read the words they felt like they were sifting through my fingers like sand. It is a marvel, what you do Cybele. I am so grateful to get an opportunity to admire it as often as I do. Wonderful!!
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I am so honoured by your generous comment Carrie. Thank you so much!
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I like week 4 best 🙂 I voted in the poll! It has a dreamy quality to it that draws me to it ❤
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thanks so much Christy for commenting and voting! I like this image too- to me a sorrow in it.
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That was a tough one but I think week 2 is the strongest. It throws the lion into the background without wondering what is there. It is still discernible as a lion but you are drawn to the rose. In the other’s I feel the lion is competing for attention a little too much.
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your feedback is much appreciated, well said!! Many thanks Emilio!!
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Very difficult choice here – in the end I voted for your original just because it was so beautiful…
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thanks so much for the feedback Eliza!!
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I always like how there is a story running through your series, my fav image though is week two, the square crop for really makes the image a lot stronger.
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thanks so much Ben for your feedback!!
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Cybele, I truly do love how you have post processed each of the images! But in looking at them all together, I voted for the monochrome. Why? Because I think it’s the one that best reflects the sadness, loss, and decay of love that your incredibly written story portrays. What a great creative journey you’ve taken us all on!
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Stacy, your feedback and comments are so appreciated. I hear you on the monochrome and I’m so happy you enjoyed the little journey into the desert!! Thanks so much for a beautiful comment.
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Brilliant stuff.
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thank you Cardinal!!
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You’ve stirred all our emotions up with this series Cybele 😉
Well done lovely processing to enhance the pictures and tale …. I voted !
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thanks so much Poppy – glad you enjoyed it and commented!!
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I like this softer version, very nice
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Hey Stacey thanks so much!! In the last one ( week 3) I mentioned you in regards to the music!! Not sure if you saw it!
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No I didnt, I was a bit slack on commenting last week – starting the week with a car accident and a sore neck meant I didnt spend a much time online as a result.
Thanks, yes I still have all my class music on my ipod and several DVD in my collection
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hope you are feeling better- I know what that’s like having been rear ended a few years back! The piece I found is really beautiful if you have time check it out but no rush!!
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Week Two for me. I hope no one has seen her and know her by the rose on her thigh. I hope she guarded that…keeping it only for him.
Lovely, romantic story and series!
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thanks muchly Deborah- though the story ends so sadly! She was unfaithful after all. 😦
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I must read the whole story! I will. Though Lord knows how long it will take me. My self imposed 30 pages a day is tough to do with 27 month #1 Grandson on the loose, and in my charge during the week. 🙂 Slow but steady wins the race…I’ll get there!
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no worries Deb but I think you might like it when you do get a chance to read it!
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No doubt! I love romances as much as mysteries, and dramas. I think this one fits in one or more of those genres. 🙂 Have now bookmarked Tales of the Caravanserai.
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🙂
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Gosh, it’s difficult to choose a favorite from the four+one. They’re all great, all convey a wonderful mystical and romantic feeling. By the way, I hear the music of Kitaro while reading the Tales of the Caravanserei. Great story.
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thank you for the great comment Joanne! I’m glad you liked the music!! I got some lovely feedback on that tale- though it is rather tragic!
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The sadness and longing come through so well in this stripped down image with just the essentials of the king, the sand the rose. Thus week’s interpretation is my favourite.
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thank you so much Chris!! I like this one too! Because of the sadness and regret!
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I voted already, I really liked your subject matter on this one.
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Many thanks Maria!! I do find this one poignant- hoping others do too!! 🙂
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How well you express the longing sadness & yet make it beautiful at the same time with your image & words! xo DG
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thanks so much my friend!!
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Beautiful image Cybele. The photo looks represent thousands stories behind…
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thank you Nurul!! I’m glad you feel that!!
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Wow! Love this week’s treatment, Cybele….. lost amongst the shifting sands, a history disappearing into the dunes…..
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lovely comment Sue, thanks so much!!
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Well, it’s a great image!
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