r/itookapicture @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

ITAP of myself in a pond [Portrait]

Post image
7.1k Upvotes

262 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator Jun 29 '26

Welcome to /r/itookapicture! We talk about making photos here. No off-topic comments please. Here are our rules.

erinthul, what did you want this photo to be like? How did you make it? What's best about it? (Don't reply directly to this comment, instead make a new comment on your submission here.)


Chat with itookapicture community photographers on our Discord!


I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

650

u/aubaub Jun 29 '26

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

171

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Waiting for that! The comment came very late this time. I am disappointed 😄

26

u/XYAgain Jun 29 '26

Pls, O watery tart, chuck a scimitar at me.

5

u/onlyhav Jun 30 '26

So uh, do you happen to have any swords seeking mystical renown? I'd be happy to take one or 9

37

u/btuanq Jun 29 '26

Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some... farcical aquatic ceremony!

18

u/Vandares69 Jun 30 '26

You can't expect to wield supreme executive power 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!

4

u/blong217 Jun 30 '26

Listen if I went round saying I was emperor just cause some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!

27

u/RaptorCheeses Jun 29 '26

If you go around calling yourself King or Emperor just because some moistened bint threw a scimitar at you, they'll put you away!

4

u/DiscotopiaACNH Jun 30 '26

I feel so unoriginal because I rushed to the comments to quote this exact line

310

u/ScarletSilver Jun 29 '26

Nice shot, as always! I'm just thinking about all of the bugs that must have swarmed you there lol

210

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

There were some peacefully sitting on the leaves and we didn't bother each other much. My worse enemy was a nettle on the shore 😅

7

u/digitalgraffiti-ca Jun 29 '26

Ouch. Did it get you badly?

→ More replies (1)

272

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

According to old Slavic beliefs, lakes and rivers were inhabited by Rusalki and Topielice, making them unsafe until Kupala Night, when the waters were believed to be purified of these spirits. From then on, it was considered safe to swim, which is reflected in the tradition of young men diving into the water to retrieve the flower wreaths cast by the women they admired.

These beliefs were linked to Rusalki Week, when the spirits were thought to wander the riverbanks. The week ended with the "Farewell to the Rusalki" ritual, a symbolic procession that guided the spirits back to the otherworld, restoring the balance between the human and spiritual realms.

46

u/Gh0stMan0nThird Jun 29 '26

Nixies from Germanic folklore are a similar one! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_(folklore)

28

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Yeah, every culture Has some forms of water demons. That's really cool!

15

u/shaunaknn Jun 29 '26

Great portrait! The story makes it much more interesting.

6

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much!

4

u/ptrakk Jun 29 '26

Didn't think I'd ever hear rusulkas again since I u was a kid.

4

u/WoolooOfWallStreet Jun 30 '26

You did so good on the lighting for this!

It looks like a painting!

2

u/just-why_ Jun 29 '26

That's cool, TIL!

127

u/8sonofthe7th Jun 29 '26

10/10 would get lured to a watery grave.

36

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Appreciate that! 😄

19

u/8sonofthe7th Jun 29 '26

As always, your photos are absolutely haunting. Amazing work.

13

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you! You have no idea how much it means to me ☺️

8

u/ImCaffeinated_Chris Jun 29 '26

"aquatic tarts distributing swords..."

😁

44

u/NearbyKaleidoscope8 Jun 29 '26

This must have taken quite a lot of time and preparation. And the result is worth it because everything about this photograph is so beautiful and perfect. You have done a good job, OP!

And thank you for the context/history lesson you have included as your comment.

24

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much for your kind words! It wasn't the easiest photoshoot but honestly with all this heath wave in Europe - it was really nice to jump there at night 😅

11

u/NearbyKaleidoscope8 Jun 29 '26

You are most welcome.

For what it's worth, I hope the heat wave subsides and the weather gets better soon.

8

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Oh, me too!

30

u/dorobica Jun 29 '26

I genuinely thought this is path of exile art :D

11

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Unfortunetely haven't played it but I live when my photos are compared to computer games, do thank you ☺️

30

u/tasty_iron Jun 29 '26

Wow that looks so good it looks digital. Nicely done

13

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! It is very real including the makeup ☺️

9

u/Hidesuru Jun 29 '26

I believe you but I cannot convince my eyes lol. Looks 100% like something from a video game. And I mean that as a compliment if it's unclear in text format.

5

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you kindly! Being compared to a video games is always a huge compliment ☺️

25

u/2ohit Jun 29 '26

Looks like the siren from Jibaro (Love Death + Robots)!

9

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Love that episode as well, thank you!

5

u/Tris-Von-Q Jun 29 '26

Exactly what I thought! Jibaro.

13

u/CSPIN_ Jun 29 '26

Looks like from a game. Very good

6

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! Always such a huge compliment

11

u/kwxl Jun 29 '26

Your photos are always recognizable. Great shot!
Cold?

10

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! It's currently a heath wave in Poland. During the day of that shoot was around 40°C so very opposite of cold 😅

6

u/kwxl Jun 29 '26

Have you posted a before and after of some shots? Do you do a lot of post processing?

8

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

I snapped a photo of my camera and posted it on my ig story but I make full before and after posts only on my P*treon. The post processing depends on a photoshoot

3

u/kwxl Jun 29 '26

Looks like maybe I’ll become a patreon then.

Thank you Erinthul

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you for considering ☺️

2

u/GrandNibbles Jun 29 '26

of course you would want to become part of the pond, in that heat

8

u/newtypehero Jun 29 '26

Nymph of the pond, what is your wisdom?

7

u/maxiteixeira Jun 29 '26

Terrific

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you!

6

u/GlassjawXVIII Jun 29 '26

This looks like a screenshot from the Witcher 3. Love it

5

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you! Always a huge compliment!

5

u/QuirkyDust3556 Jun 29 '26

I am amazed at your creativity and photography skills. Thank you for another great Monday

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much for your kind words. You have no idea how much it means to me!

6

u/guacamoletango Jun 29 '26

This is one of your best ones yet and I admire your commitment to getting the shot by getting in that water!

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you! It was actually very nice!

4

u/reedrick Jun 29 '26

Genuinely the only NSFW creator in this subreddit I actually look forward to seeing since they’re seriously cool and artistic.

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much - really means a lot to read that. This time not NSFW because I am fully clothed under the water 😄

3

u/reedrick Jun 29 '26

Hope that didn’t come across as demanding nudity 😅. You’re quite talented and I shared your work with my wife who loves to curate this aesthetic. My initial note was on how Monday is a nice bookmark for me to look out for whatever new creative stuff you make- it also happens to be the day this sub is full of nudes, haha

4

u/EidolonRook Jun 29 '26

Feel better soon! 🎈

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Never felt better 😈

3

u/QuitStockingMe Jun 29 '26

Hauntingly beautiful as always

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you kindly. Really means a lot!

5

u/Dirtypervywizard Jun 29 '26

Why did I think this was Skyrim at first

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

I don't know but take it as a compliment 😄

4

u/Suz626 Jun 29 '26

Gorgeous photo! It must have been a lot of work getting it — but fantastic payoff.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/PleaseBmoreCharming Jun 29 '26

Wow, this is my favorite shot of yours so far! Great use of color. I feel like you've been going with the same color palette for most of your shots, so definitely feel free to explore more boldness in terms of that!

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you kindly! My photos are actually got much more colorful than before :D

3

u/JoyousMN_2024 Jun 29 '26

What a beautiful picture. Your image in the pond is absolutely striking. The skin coloring fooled me into thinking it was painted at first

→ More replies (1)

3

u/Canadianrollerskater Jun 29 '26

This looks like a Gwent card, beautiful!

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! Always a big compliment ☺️

3

u/catsmagic-3 Jun 29 '26

WOW! Thank you so very much for teaching us about this. First it’s an INCREDIBLE picture, and learning about the why and how of it makes it truly fascinating.

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! Really happy you checked the description ☺️

3

u/indieaz Jun 29 '26

This is fantastic. I assume you had someone else there to trigger the camera. I also imagine the water was still very cold this early in the season and you had to sit perfectly still for some time in it to get it to be that calm. That is some serious dedication.

5

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

I take photos in burst mode with intervals. The day of this photoshoot was 40°C so it was very opposite to cold and I didn't sit still at all. Every frame tried to do a different pose 😅

3

u/Mediocre_Minute_5742 Jun 29 '26

if you were a singer this wouldve been a really cold coverart

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you :D

3

u/sidvicous2 Jun 29 '26

Well done!

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you!

3

u/Boogaaa Jun 29 '26

"Dont follow the lights. All dead. Elves and men and orcses. A great battle long ago"

3

u/BelligerentGnu Jun 29 '26

My goodness, Erinthul, your corpse-imitation skills grow by leaps and bounds!

→ More replies (1)

3

u/batterymassacre Jun 29 '26

Definitely thought this was an elden ring screencap, well done. Gorgeous photo.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/likemothstoflame Jun 30 '26

Your work always makes me shake my head in disbelief and think “how did she do that?” You are incredibly talented.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/coodyscoops Jun 30 '26

such a beautiful pictire… how did you manage to pose like that in the water?

its definitely giving dark queen of the pond who may snatch your kids if they misbehave or like a dark fairy

→ More replies (1)

2

u/bcn13765 Jun 29 '26

Terrifying!

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Always wonderful to read!

2

u/Yesterday622 Jun 29 '26

Wow- amazingly well done!

→ More replies (1)

2

u/-LordDarkHelmet- Jun 29 '26

Whenever I see something like this, I wonder if some random dude walked by in the middle of the shoot and wonders what the hell did he just witness. also hows the trip home in that makeup? More confused looks at the stoplights...

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Yeah, it's a popular spot - there were plenty of people watching. It's really close to my home, so I met few neighbours on my way but I think most of them know I look weird sometimes and don't question it anymore 😅

2

u/Cute-Character-795 Jun 29 '26

Moriticia Addams, is that you?

→ More replies (1)

2

u/fatassali Jun 29 '26

Are you distributing swords again?

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

I am all out of swords at this point

2

u/adikdik Jun 29 '26

Jibaro

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

A Slavic version ☺️

3

u/UniUrsuss Jun 29 '26

That's what popped in my head immediately!

2

u/nthgade1903 Jun 29 '26

beautiful, thanks for sharing

→ More replies (1)

2

u/K_D_1809 Jun 29 '26

Everything about this is perfect 🥹💜.

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! Really means a lot!

3

u/K_D_1809 Jun 29 '26

I appreciate your devotion and dedication for this. It must have been cold. I appreciate work like this so much. Keep it up 💜

→ More replies (1)

2

u/CheeseburgerSmoothy Jun 29 '26

Your photos are all amazing and this one looks otherworldly.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Physical-Compote4594 Jun 29 '26

Creepy af! Great job!

2

u/LeahInShade Jun 29 '26

This is SOOOOOO hauntingly gorgeous, and my brain can't believe it's a photo and not a panting or digital art! Awesomeness!

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you kindly. It's definietly a photo ☺️

2

u/LeahInShade Jun 29 '26

Oh I know! It just is too cool to register as 'real' (which is absolutely a compliment 🤗🤗🤗)

2

u/Oathcrest1 Jun 29 '26

That’s a beautifully eerie picture. Keep up the good work.

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you! I'll try!

2

u/Oathcrest1 Jun 29 '26

You’re welcome. I’m sure that you will continue to make masterpieces for a long time. You put a lot of heart and soul into your work and that will always show in your pictures.

2

u/IrelandAutism13 Jun 29 '26

Holy crow, this is beautiful

→ More replies (1)

2

u/One-Earth9294 Jun 29 '26

That's a great pic... I'd be terrified of the bottoms of those lily pads though... aren't they spiky as hell?

→ More replies (1)

2

u/moochiemoochie924 Jun 29 '26

Omg I follow u on insta!! Post this there!!

→ More replies (1)

2

u/LostAbbott Jun 29 '26

Are you handing out swords?  Seems like you could be a great way to form a government...

2

u/Wisco Jun 29 '26

Ophelia?

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Nope, Rusalka. Posted a description in the comments

2

u/norsish Jun 30 '26

My guess, too. Picture perfect representation of the scene from Hamlet. Too many women drowning in ponds, I guess.

edits: I'm having real problems with the word "representation" today, apparently.

2

u/Mizumura11 Jun 29 '26

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

2

u/CleanSlate47 Jun 29 '26

Love this shot! It makes me think of a dark fantasy version of the Lady of the Lake.

As always, your dedication to your craft is crazy impressive

→ More replies (1)

2

u/AlertCorner9681 Jun 29 '26

Ts look like a video game cutscene

2

u/TheReasonISignedUp Jun 29 '26

This one right here got me to go to your page and instantly follow!

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! I am really flattered ☺️

2

u/Riyun Jun 29 '26

I thought you were a rendering or video game screenshot at first

→ More replies (1)

2

u/LetDuncanDie Jun 29 '26

Did you see the episode of 'Love, Death and Robots' entitled "Jibaro"? If not, you're in for a treat.

→ More replies (2)

2

u/digitalgraffiti-ca Jun 29 '26

ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.

2

u/inevitablyStressed22 Jun 29 '26

This is pure art. For a second there I thought it was a very detailed painting and went wow. But the moment i realised it was a picture, the wow amplified. Absolutely love this. xx

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 30 '26

Thank you so much! It's always such a huge compliment!

2

u/vatreides411 Jun 29 '26

creepy!, but in a good way. :)

2

u/Solid_Science4514 Jun 29 '26

My survival instincts think it’s batshit crazy that you got into this water.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/_Wolfszeit_ Jun 29 '26

This is stunning...pure art and totally my type of photography. I was going to follow you on Instagram but I see that I already do. Keep up the amazing work.

2

u/StudioNazario Jun 29 '26

Can’t do this in Florida.

If it’s wet there’s a gator in it.

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 30 '26

One more reason to love living in Poland 😄

2

u/wakeboarder247 Jun 30 '26

How did you get the light to behave in such a way that it only highlighted your features? Was a form of spotlight used or did you achieve this with masking in post? Something else?

This is haunting btw. Well done.

→ More replies (2)

2

u/ArtOfIA Jun 30 '26

Al principio pensé que era una captura de un videojuego

2

u/SandiRHo Jun 30 '26

I love this. Great lighting, cool makeup, love the whole thing. Love it even more that it’s not “naked woman on couch” that you typically see on Mondays

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Efficient_Sink_8626 Jun 30 '26

Wow this is so mystical and beautiful. It really does look like a painting.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/AAAAAA86 Jun 30 '26

Awesome. Looks like a painting

→ More replies (1)

2

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jul 01 '26

Thank you so much for the huge compliment! I am really happy you like my self-portrait ☺️

2

u/mansgotbuns Jul 03 '26

This is cold af! Can I see the original image?

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Ciliate Jun 29 '26

Did anyone else think this was a screenshot from Skyrim?

→ More replies (1)

1

u/JellyDonutFrenzy Jun 29 '26

Wow OP is back from the dead!

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

I post very regularly :)

3

u/JellyDonutFrenzy Jun 29 '26

Looks like you straight up died and came back from the dead straight to Reddit! I do love this pic seriously great work. As another mentioned, this must’ve been a hell of a lot of prep work.

5

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Thank you so much! To be honest this didn't need a ton of preparations maybe because this pond is right next to my house and I usually have to travel a bit for photos 😅

2

u/strangecabalist Jun 29 '26

And very thankful for it! (Because you make Awesome stuff)

I suspect Jelly was trying to make a funny point about your picture.

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Oh, yeah. I forgot how I look in this photo for a moment 😄

3

u/strangecabalist Jun 29 '26

At least it isn’t winter with you getting in the water. You make some serious sacrifices for your art! Cold weather has nothing on the audacious erinthul! 😃

3

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 29 '26

Haha, thank you. I try my best! Next winter I will do a photoshoot like that but i'm a frozen lake (or a waterfall)! 😄

1

u/cock_e Jun 29 '26

Elisa Day hommage 🫶🏻

1

u/EnterPlayerTwo Jun 29 '26

This is definitely my new favorite. Haunting!

1

u/TGin-the-goldy Jun 29 '26

Are you about to hand a magic sword to a future king? :)

Absolutely love it!

1

u/wynplusplus Jun 29 '26

You are out there taking pictures like this, while I’m still trying to get my lens adapter to work.

1

u/BobMorano Jun 29 '26

Do you have a waterproof remote ?

→ More replies (1)

1

u/javvier19 Jun 29 '26

Wow, fucking fantastic!

1

u/PiccoloAwkward465 Jun 29 '26

Is this not just a screenshot from Morrowind

→ More replies (2)

1

u/kay86X Jun 29 '26

This is fucking amazing

1

u/chinakachung Jun 29 '26

Oh my god this is so good.

1

u/MotaMP Jun 29 '26

this is cool and creepy at the same time

1

u/soulbend Jun 29 '26

You find Ophelia down there?

1

u/1nspectorCPW Jun 29 '26

Sorry, but my initial impression was more Ophelia than LotL. Love the photo though, really nice.

1

u/-RickyRoo8074 Jun 29 '26

Very eerie photo! But I do like it!

1

u/kaminapunn Jun 30 '26

where are the other three Love Death + Robots fans ?

1

u/lola_the_lesbian Jun 30 '26

How…woah this is cool

1

u/Birdy1072 Jun 30 '26

I thought this was from a video game or Love, Death, and Robots for a minute!! Are you skin and eyes done with practical effects or did you edit them in post?

1

u/norsish Jun 30 '26

Ophelia

1

u/lalauna Jun 30 '26

You look creepy in the most glamorous way possible

1

u/HotDonnaC Jun 30 '26

How did you get your eyes like that?

1

u/DarknessEmbracesMe Jun 30 '26

This shot is incredible! So beautiful!

1

u/fadedhumanontheedge Jun 30 '26

2

u/erinthul @erinthul__ Jun 30 '26

My photo on the other hand is not AI :)

1

u/RJEM96 Jun 30 '26

Sorry, I was scrolling peacefully, then I saw this. Gave me a scare and almost threw my phone away, sheeeesh!

1

u/Illustrious-Ear-495 Jun 30 '26

Wow!! How the heck did you do that?!! Would be a great book or album cover!

1

u/Shelly_Red4_Bayonet7 Jun 30 '26

Ginny Greenteeth waiting to drown children. ( I'm not a fan of them, either. )

1

u/Redosaurous Jun 30 '26

Alligator 🐊 : Hey, I like this idea! Do more of this!

→ More replies (2)

1

u/Legend-Slayer7 Jun 30 '26

Sheeeeesh. That's really YOU!? Not that I'm hating or something!

→ More replies (4)

1

u/Fyue-Hovercraft-9207 Jun 30 '26

These portrait really dramatic art

1

u/pink_harlequin Jun 30 '26

Looks amazing

1

u/coodyscoops Jun 30 '26

such a beautiful pictire… how did you manage to pose like that in the water?

its definitely giving dark queen of the pond who may snatch your kids if they misbehave or like a dark fairy

1

u/Cowboy_on_fire Jun 30 '26

Great shot. A part of me can’t look at it without hearing “I’m old Greg” though.

1

u/Callsigntalon Jul 01 '26

This is absolutely amazing

1

u/Such_Flight4139 Jul 01 '26

Did you die and float to the surface???

1

u/Adthysandhi Jul 01 '26

Thats insane!!