Took the camera out. The poor thing has been banished to the dark closet due to the owner's inability to do anything worthwhile with it in the past several months (at least according to DPC voters.) But since it is DPL playoffs and I didn't do vodka or cows, I had to do something. And oddly, I like shooting people, even strangers. I usually try to do it without them noticing, however...
So I went to the Santa Monica pier; 'tis a lovely tourist trap. It's just up the road an hour or so (though only about 14 miles) from where I work. Gray overcast "marine layer" kinda day, which makes for soft flat light. I'd talked to two very nice gentlemen - Lance and his son Devon - and taken their pictures earlier. I saw a woman with a funnel cake, asked her where she got it, then went to stand in line to get one. I'd been in line for about a minute when a pigeon (yes, a pigeon, dammit) shat upon my shoulder, on my camera strap. Of all things...
So I moved forward, as the pigeons were perched directly overhead. I turned to look behind me and warn those in line there about the dangers of pigeon poo. Daniel and his brother (with a couple of older brothers) were there, also waiting to order funnel cakes. Very sweet boys, very cherubic faces. They willingly posed for me (I asked the older boy if it was OK first). They didn't want to smile, but I do have two adorable shots of both brothers smiling, sorta, that I'll add later. Dimples like you wouldn't believe!
Daniel assured me I didn't have pigeon poo anywhere other than the camera strap. And he let me take his picture several times, giggling when I showed him the results. All told, a very pleasant experience!
My DPL team, those blind as bats but very kind and sweet folks, like this. Here's hoping it doesn't completely tank, for their sakes. Keeping fingers crossed. If this is a sub-5er, I will cry. And quit for good.
Shot at +2/3 exposure; processed with a Lightroom preset, then in Photoshop to dodge the eyes a bit, burn the nose a bit, add sharpening.
[Jul. 7th, 2010 11:08:45 PM]
Daniel and his brother, sorta smiling. Aren't they adorable?
Thanks for not letting Daniel be a sub-5. I do quite like this shot.
Statistics
Place: 11 out of 94 Avg (all users): 6.5346 Avg (commenters): 8.1250 Avg (participants): 6.0952 Avg (non-participants): 6.6923 Views since voting: 2092 Views during voting: 394 Votes: 159 Comments: 48 Favorites: 8 (view)
WOW what a finish!!! With a stunner of a portrait you put the icing on a wonderful team effort - and what a player you are :) (as in, I won't let you forget it)!! This picture is mesmerizing. I keep coming back - over and over - I just love it. Congratulations - wot a woman!
Just plain wonderful. The highlighted curles are the icing on the cake here. A top5 fave from the challenge. Thank you for the story accompanying the shot.
If this is a sub-5er, I will cry. And quit for good.
I hate when you say stuff like this. The numbers mean so little. There are blues that are forgettable (and forgotten) and browns that should be in museums.
So congratulations, not on a high finish, but on a great shot.
Love the face and especially the curls, even the crumbs. Wish I could process my shots as well as you do. I'm so glad you won't be giving up ... look at all those favs!
P.S. Pigeon poo is supposed to be good luck. I guess there's some truth to that. :)
Awww, cherubic is right. You nailed it! I loved it as soon as I saw it in the challenge. And a great story to go with your meeting of such cute new friends. This is a no-brainer to kick butt in a Street Portrait challenge!
finally! as I said you needed a good challenge to get your inspiration back. Congrats on a great shot and a great finish! Terrific portrait Deb! ViewFiners rock!
Even though this is a very good portrait I dont feel like it is a street portrait. There is nothing in it that gives me the feeling that this is taken on a street or other public domain.
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