Was not sure I wanted to go through this agonizing self portrait exercise once more. Decided to give it a quick try nevertheless. Took this one to check available light. The camera set on timer surprised me; my glasses were covered with cement dust. Practically a candid; once I saw the result, I knew there was no use to carry on this experience.
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 247 Avg (all users): 8.1447 Avg (commenters): 9.3373 Avg (participants): 8.0000 Avg (non-participants): 8.2706 Views since voting: 36812 Views during voting: 718 Votes: 318 Comments: 183 Favorites: 350 (view)
I was just surfing thru the site and saw the thumbnail of this shot. Even as a thumbnail this one stands out far and above the rest. I don't think you could have picked a more appropriate setting for your self portrait, as the rugged surroundings only enhances you and your candid glory. Some of my favourite shots are my accidental shots, and your accidental self portrait is a prime example of a "right time, right place" magical moment. Cheers, Sandra.
This is still my favorite photo of all time on DPC. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a photo that so well evokes a mood. This should be hanging in a museum somewhere.
Thanks to posthumous's Christmas poem, I visited your profile page to find out about the last stanza. What a special treat it is to see your work!!! And I am awed by this self-portrait.
This self portrait of yours has been my personal favourite for as far as I can remember - and I cant believe I have never left a comment on it! So here I am, though a little late, but better than never, to leave a comment on this wonderful, fascinating, photo.
what do I like about this?
- the model: inviting, warm, and looked like he has stories to tell.
- the lighting: inclusive of the exposure, I'd say you've captured it well. Just look at the hair, and the face. Superb.
- tilted: it must have been accidental? but it works great. it somwhow makes the window-frame (naturally framed) stronger.
- editing: the desaturation is very very suitable, with a brownish hue. Love it.
WOW!!! That's it - just, WOW!!! There are no other words, in any language, that can express what I see, here. No need for analytical mumbo jumbo - WOW!!! says it all! Astounding work!!!
I can't believe that I never added this to my fav's or commented before. I voted this a ten and loved as soon as I saw it.
This image has something special about it that we all strive for a certain intrigue and mystery with a subject that looks like he is everyone's friend so warm and inviting. simply superb I wish it was available for print.
The contrasts, the tone, the textures...everything is amazing. I am especially impressed with the way the viewer is drawn into the frame. There is just so much to look at in this shot, no wonder it has been so popular. Congrats.
JJ, I tried, I truly tried, but I could not help but add this to my favorites. I strive to be half the photographer that you are. If we weren't half a world apart, I would beg you to allow me to follow you around so that I could attempt to get into the mind of a true master.
Humbly yours,
TC
"Practically a candid..." Uh, huh. Right, sure. So basically you're telling us you scored an 8+ and 98 tens BY ACCIDENT?! Man, I've got a looooong way to go. Congrats on your bazillionth blue! ;-)
This is probably the best portrait I've seen in a very long time. Everything about it is superb. It is appealing to the eye - it has interesting juxtaposition of textures, shadows, etc. Outstanding!
This is one of the best self portrait photo I've ever seen. Subject is nicely "framed" and the lighting is great. The photo immediately draws my attention to the subject: you. Nicely done! Congratulations!
I for one am glad you made the shot. This is a simply amazing candid portrait. It's shots like this that give me the motivation to keep working hard at my photography. Thank you.
Hah, JJ, just read your details. Isn't it amazing how sometimes the best images come to us from totally unexpected places? LOL, an 8+ score to boot! What an outstanding result. Congrats on a well-deserved blue ribbon.
Congratulations on your blue ribbon for this powerful work of art! Even "trolls" are rendered powerless by this spellbinding image. One of my favorites all time.
I was so wondering how you were able to get a "candid" look on a self-portrait!!!! Awesome shot. Loved it while voting. Love it now. Great work (as always!)
This photo rocks ! I'm wondering about the frame used. Is this inside a old window ? Now that I look closer it looks like it's a mirror leaning against that wall maybe ???
Congrats on a well deserved win !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the tones are beautiful, the candid expression is great, and the composition is superb. THAT'S part of why i love it so much. great job, i have a new favorite of yours :)
If ever the title master's challenge was fitting, then this was it. So glad this was at the top - and forgot to mention the icing on the cake with that witty title too.
As always though I simply gaze in disbelief that there can be any votes below 7!
This is one of those images that will be revisited over and over again. It is indeed a work of art giving the viewer that magic of the play of light and shadows and rich textures to weave an illusion like only photography can. A master execution which stands high above at the apex of the pyramid in this challenge.
Wow! Does image have flair, richness, detail, superior focus and technique. Hey, I know when I have been outdone. This is perhaps the most impressive image of the collection. Bumping up. Returning for for my highest vote!
This is absolutely stunning. Looks like it should be on display in a museum of fine arts. This is the kind of photograph that inspires me to pursue photography.
Yes, there is a B&W film I get this look with .. but never mind. I imagine one could do the same thing with levels and curves - gotta try. I've now been at this for two or three hours and even though B&W is overused this is the first photo I've seen in thie competition that has the visceral feel of a B&W print from film. It's a nice look (gotta check out the vintage section of this site, I guess) I like the composition, lighting, and richness of texture in hair, iron, wood, plaster, and chickenwire. Very nice.
Aweseome shot, I love the tones in it and it wasn´t hard to give this a 10. Hope you do well in the challenge.
Edit: I just finished voting and I felt compelled to come back and mention that this is the only 10 I gave this challenge and I just added it to my favorites. This is one of the best environmental portraits I have ever seen. Keep up the good work!
Great photo JJ. You not ony framed yourself with the wooden frame and chickenwire but something tells me that the J shaped metal at the left isn't accidental.
I love the quality of this photo, it has a coarse grainy foreground softened by the person beyond. The textures are very good and arresting to the eye.
Wow... what an excellent portrait! I really like it. IMHO, the best portrait of this week. I hope you´ll be placed in the top 3. Good luck and keep the good work. 10
An amazing series of textures that accent those of the subject,(yourself I hope) beautifully processed,I hope you describe your steps, I love the result. 10
I've sat looking at this pic for 10 minutes trying to write a comment, am lost for words. There are so many stories this picture can tell and eveything about it is excellent.
oohh nice. I realy love the tones and textures in this shot. This does not even resemble a self portrait. This apears to be more of a candid. The lighting and the mood are wonderfull. This is definately one of my top 3 pics of the challenge. Keep up the beautifull work.
Wow, you should point the camera at yourself more often. I'm still only halfway through voting but that's not too early to label this one a ribbon winner!
Good idea, flawlessly executed. The subject's pose, examining the spectacles, is equally thoughtful, not just for its originality but also because it creates the opportunity to feature the hands as well as the head. Maybe the "frame" and it's associated foreground props is just a bit too dominant or too busy? 7.
WOW!!! About all I can say. The textures in this shot are so incredible. This is one of the best self portraits I've seen. So much character to this shot. 10
I like the mystery of this picture. I find myself wondering, why is he sitting in this weird shack in front of a window partially covered by chicken wire, while meanwhile inspecting his glasses?
It's weird but good, and the tones and angles are great.
I hope someday I can learn to make a photo even a fraction as beautiful as this. I love the contrasts between smooth and rough, the original framing, well... everything about it. 10000, but I can only give 10.
In my time on DPC I have given very few 10s... This is one of them. This image is amazing. I don't know if it's who you are, but I have rarely seen such synergy from every discernable element of an image.
This has to be my fav so far. VERY well done. It has everything right ! The tone and textures are perfect. The composition is amazing ! Into my favs it goes. 10
Would give you an 11 if possible. The tonality, composition, texture, tone, subject...everything is perfect. I can't find anything to suggest to make this any better.
Blurred Interlude
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
