The Image: This is my dad who is 81 and a bit. He doesn't look 81 or act 81. He is fit and healthy thank God, and best of all, he likes to have his photo taken. He posed for me for the ribbon winning NUMBERS Challenge.
I shot this at his place in available window light, handheld. I used a Nikkor 85mm 1.8 lens. Kudos to the D300 this was shot at ISO 1600 and has virtually no noise.
I wish there was a catchlight in his eye, but there you go...
The Edit: Levels, curves, USM, B and W with a slight tint. That's about it.
The Prediction: 6.1XXX
[Dec. 31st, 2008 10:28:23 PM]
My dad will get a kick out of the fact that this is doing well...of course I lament the fact that this was a Basic Editing ruleset...wish we had Advanced Rules, but I feel that about every challenge. Currently running at 6.7749 a day in...started at 4's, kicked up to 7.1...settling at high 6.7's
Post: Wow, I am so chuffed and my dad will be as well. I need to use him more often! I have entered him three times for a red and yellow ribbon! I love his relaxed pose and I also love the crop (sorry to the people that didn't like it). This is a picture of Dad I will print and frame.
Statistics
Place: 3 out of 79 Avg (all users): 6.9881 Avg (commenters): 8.1333 Avg (participants): 7.0000 Avg (non-participants): 6.9864 Views since voting: 5047 Views during voting: 406 Votes: 252 Comments: 50 Favorites: 3 (view)
81??? No freakin' way? When I voted on this, I even almost made the comment that he didn't look elderly enough to be in this challenge!! Maybe you should've emphasized his few wrinkles or something. hahah. oh wait, this was basic. no, maybe you shouldn't have. :P
Compositionally, I like this crop. It shows enough of his face to really show the subject, but only show part of it seems to say that while we can see part of him, the photograph can't tell EVERYTHING about him.
Technically, you have nailed everything -- from focus and exposure to the bw conversion.
Also, while I don't know your father, it almost looks like his face and mouth are "stern" but his eyes are "smiling."
Congratulations Enzo! I think this is an outstanding image in all ways and it warms the heart to read your comments about the relationship you have with your dad. You're a very classy man.
Enzo (I find your name very fascinating and unique), apart from the fact that it is very creatively composed, your picture is a in a very personal space and that is what makes it so special and wonderful. Now that I have taken to photography, in some way, I too wish (and plan) to sit with my dad some day and take a lot of his pictures (he used to take a lot of ours when we were kids). He lives some 3000km away, and we get to meet only twice a year, nowadays. On technical front, I am amazed that you managed it so well at ISO 1600.
I gave you a 10 and a fave - it was either that or a DNMC as your Dad looks far too young for this challenge ;-)
The details are magnificent, particularly around the right eye (his right not ours) I'm amazed you got such a detailed shot with no noise to speak of at ISO 1600. Great sensor you have!
The only thing I'd have suggested is a teeny bit less cropped off our right, just enought for his entire eye to be visible.
Having half his face in the darkness enhances the image for me. I love the sliver of light caused by the tear fluid in his eye. Congrats, Enzo! Great shot and your Dad's very photogenic.
I also love the crop and I also love the image..... I am pleased it got a ribbon for you mate, and also pleased for your Dad as well, as it is a wonderful candid emotive portrait to have forever..... love from shez
Great job, Enzo! You are BLESSED to have such a handsome, healthy dad at 81! I'd give anything to have been able to shoot my dad. Congratulations on winning a ribbon :)
CONGRATULATIONS on your ribbon & way better than your prediction enzo ..
its a wonderful portrait .. he looks so wise .. maybe his son has inherited that characteristic ?!!..:)
Beautiful lighting and composition. Good focus to reveal the detail around the eyes. I'd have given you a higher score if the DOF is wider to have the lips in focus too. 8
B&W makes this shot much more striking, however I don't like the way you have cropped it, cutting of part of the left eye. Moving the crop a touch to the right would have helped here.
i can't think of a negative thing to say about this shot, you did a good job on the b&w conversion, which is difficult in basic editing since you can't spot dodge the eyes. the expression on his face is something between satisfaction and wistfullness. excellent work. /9
Wonderful shot! I love the close crop, soft side lighting and detail. The sparkle in his left eye adds an interesting dimension... almost loks like a tear. My favorite so far! 10
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