Taken at the Windasea beach in La Jolla, CA (not in New Hampshire, no :)). After a whole day of fog and overcast skies, the sun finally came out at 5pm and I rushed to the shore to take some surfer pics (predictably, dozens of them rushed there, too). I asked many of them to pose for me, but posing is hard, you need to spend a lot of time (which they were not inclined to give me), and very few are good at posing in general. So the best "environmental portrait" came from a candid: I shamelessly pointed a camera at this guy without asking him anything and waited for him to notice me. I like his facial expression, very natural. I also like it that the surfboard in not in the frame but is just implied by the cord. I was told afterwards that he is a very good surfer, one of the best in La Jolla, at least.
There is one little thing which works against the title, ...the wedding ring, of course :) On the other hand, maybe you can be married and live free, who knows... Of course, I could clone it out, but decided to keep it to maintain my photographic integrity :).
Statistics
Place: 6 out of 190 Avg (all users): 7.1778 Avg (commenters): 7.9474 Avg (participants): 7.0000 Avg (non-participants): 7.2649 Views since voting: 9646 Views during voting: 506 Votes: 225 Comments: 35 Favorites: 20 (view)
Would loved to have seen him in his Glory days as a young man clean shaven out shreddin the waves. But this is cool, because we see him as he is now, older and still very much enjoying his life and hobby.
I don't know what I can possibly add to the many many comments you have already recieved, a 7+ score and top ten finish. It's an awesome shot with incredible lighting and focus. Well done.
TC
Excellent shot, one that caught my eye when voting. Good job and a very nice finish.
He doesn't look thrilled to have his picture taken, nor does he look particularly upset. Its almost like you (the photog) are an interesting nuisance. ;)
He look like that Russian actor who plays a homeless man and is given a coat by Christian Bale at the beginning of Batman Begins....Anyone? Or is that too obscure?
Congratulations on your top ten..This was in my top three out of the entire challenge.
I think you can still live free and be married.. free spirit.. free mind.. free choice... and this man looks like he embraces freedom often. The ocean going off behind him is all about freedom.
You absolutely nailed the subject there is no doubt in my mind about the environment or this beautiful portrait :)
Dunno, seems more like a candid snapshot than a portrait, he just doesn´t really seem to be relating to the camera other than "what the heck, someone is taking a picture of me!" but nothing that made me deduct points in this one, it´s a nice shot, got a 6 from me.
I love this shot. The colors are crisp and astetic. The man looks like an interesting person to talk to, and I'm intrigued about the life he's led. It's clear from the portrait that he spends a lot of time in the water. Very well done.
great photo of a california (?) dude. This shot has a lot of things in it's favour..... truly dedicated (addicted) surfers are free souls, just waiting for that perfect wave.. your model exemplifies this. Very well photographed ... my highest vote to date... 7
Honestly, I don't know what it is about this photo...can't put my finger on it...but I love this shot. Maybe it is the expression you have captured, or just the idea of someone enjoying their passions without restraint. Regardless...this is one of my fav photos in the challenge.
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