I will if you will, a photo from Zambales, Central Luzon

Photographer's Note

Here is a SONGI find very appropriate for this image. Hope you click this link while viewing the image and reading this note.

I WILL, IF YOU WILL
A call to help preserve our Earth.

Here is a photo apropos to the Earth Hour Celebration, a worldwide event that is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually, encouraging households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change.

Dear fellow TE'ers, I urge you, join this cause at 8:30pm on the last Saturday in March (which is on the 31st), turn of all non-essential lights. Earth Hour is not about saving an hour’s electricity, it’s about uniting people to protect the planet. And the best thing? Every one of us can be a part of it.

Help save and protect our beloved Earth!
Remember, I will, if you will!

Some text from the song:

What have we done to the world?
Look what we've done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son?

What about flowering fields?
Is there a time?
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine?

Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war?
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying earth this weeping shore?

Postscript:
I can't decide actually what to post, which image is more thought provoking, so I attached another image on the workshop. Kindly check it and tell me what you think. Comments are always deeply appreciated.
Thanks!

Photo taken during my recent brief vacation.

SnapRJW, Yiannis84, erhan1958, timecapturer, jjcordier, bayno, prasun984, Nard, PaulVDV, Budapestman, Robert1969, CLODO, patdeph, gildasjan, golus, delpeoples, macjake, macjake, Bartleby, RhodieIke, vasilpro, Hansaphotos, skippy007, PecoBud, bukitgolfb301, bartekp, Curious_Eye, Cricri, romanaa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

SnapRJW (18792) 2012-03-30 3:24

Hello Matt - I love this shot and here you show a side of your talent I have not seen before. Of the two images, this is by far the most striking. The dark tones and textures combined with you excellent composition work extremely well. This shot is worth far more than 2 points. And .... yes, I will. Have a great weekend. Rosemary

Yiannis84 (2824) 2012-03-30 3:35

Hi Matt..

What can i say???? amazing capture!! is the best portrait I've seen for a long time..superb! very well done

Best regards...Yiannis

lousat (57724) 2012-03-30 3:38

Hi Matt,the pic of the day,no doubt.What a fantastic portrait and what a crop,this is a big masterpiece,i like your WS too whit the full face,no comment about the quality always at the top.Today 2 points are enough.Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

erhan1958 (13073) 2012-03-30 3:43

selam matt
amazing and increadable shot
ver clear and sharp
warm regards
erhan

timecapturer (30394) 2012-03-30 3:44

Hi Matt
a striking shot for sure and it certainly grabs your attention. The detail is amazing and the stare hypnotising and powerful. It is an accomplished and imaginative execution that is both artistic and spellbinding! Great cause, which I support whole-heartedly. Bravo!

Enjoy the weekend - Brian.

sevy (13273) 2012-03-30 3:45

Hello,

Strong portrait with big impact. The choice of half framing is good here, even balancing with the blurred shapes in background.
I was expecting the explanation of how you did this shot with the face with sand, how it was occuring, but it will remain a mystery :-)
I prefer this view to the worshop. Mainly for the less usual composition.

Yves.

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2012-03-30 4:42

Wow, what a portrait! What a mood! Beautifully presented with nice crop. The blur background enhance the beauty here. Like the sharpness and DOF. Great shot indeed. Thanks for sharing it.
Have a nice time.
Subhendu

federico (1601) 2012-03-30 4:52

hi matt, great artistic portrait, the sand in his face is so original, I guess why he had it on...
nice background also, perfect cropping
best regards
fred

jjcordier (62394) 2012-03-30 4:57

Matt
Très impressionnant! Fantastique portrait auquel ton travail de PP donne un impact supplémentaire. Je préfère cette version "coupée" à celle (très bonne également) du WS. Une photo magistrale....pour la bonne cause en plus!
Amicalement
JJ

aliabazari (10105) 2012-03-30 4:59

Hello Matt
Very beautiful and powerful portraits. Exposure and high ranking staff. Very well.
With respect

Miguel82 (7882) 2012-03-30 5:20

Hello
so beautiful inspiration
a great picture
congratulations
Miguel

bayno (16241) 2012-03-30 5:22

Hi Matt,
entirely agree with your message and try to be coherent with it, the picture is gorgeous, I like much more the main version of the WS, the boy seems very angry...
BEAUTIFUL SHOT...
have agood day...
Valter

foozi (7101) 2012-03-30 5:28

Hi Matt,
this is a powerful image. The intense eye contact is definitely a powerful view.
Excellent details of the sand and the pleasant blurry background there.
Really a nice one.

Regards,
Foozi

gtdtnow (0) 2012-03-30 5:53

A very powerful image.

mursaloglu (8047) 2012-03-30 6:47

Magandang gabi Matt
great amazing picture. Really breathtaking wonderful stunning image. Marvelous composition bravo ihsan

prasun984 (5590) 2012-03-30 6:51

Hi Matt,
I can say only one word for this fabulous portrait...WOWWWWWW....
just superb shot.

Prasun

mayjayne (2792) 2012-03-30 7:32

Dear Matt,

Without doubts a very impressive and compelling portrait, accompanied by a thought provoking note.

TFS,
May

Nard (6913) 2012-03-30 7:32

Hi Mat
Really a great portrait, congratulations, and also for your call concerning the earth.
You've made a strong and amazing composition, the framing, his look, the bokeh, the sepia colors, and the sharpness. I really like it and I prefer this one than the WS because the focus on his face and look with stronger impact.

fotka (2320) 2012-03-30 8:35

Hello Matt,
Wow! It is eye catcher photo. With this portrait you show your photographic talent. I loved it very much.
Congratulations,
Zbigniew

PaulVDV (15017) 2012-03-30 9:07

Hello Matt,
Very intriguing portrait with that staring eye.
Perfect sharpness with on the blurred background a pyramid shaped mountain.
Artistic shot!
Best regards, Paul

Budapestman (82620) 2012-03-30 9:50

Hi Matt,
great shot, the composition is fantastic and I like the effective details and the special lights, suggestive shot, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
György

ManuMay (33361) 2012-03-30 10:06

Hi Matt!!

What can you tell when a picture is so beautiful ... when done with such professionalism, when transmitting both ...

I can only express my admiration for this great work, with perfect definition and detail, with great use of color and light, the textures are really amazing, and great composition ... I saw the workshop (very good too) but I like this picture, which provides much more strength thanks to the composition ... Excellent!

Hats off!!!

Have a nice week end...

Manu

Robert1969 (6238) 2012-03-30 10:48

Hello Matt,

This is absolutly an amazing picture.
The picture is powerful and timeless.
When I see this picture over twenty
years, I will recognize it directly...

...Goes Absolutly to my favorites.

Friendly regards,
Robert

CLODO (24734) 2012-03-30 11:36

Hi Matt

Dramatic half of a portrait with sand on it (more powerfull than the full one), and with the dark triangle looking as a volcanoe.
regards
CLODO

xavshot (69835) 2012-03-30 11:39

SUPERBE !
J'aime beaucoup la composition et le rendu de l'image. Bravo.
Xavier

patdeph (35738) 2012-03-30 12:18

hello Matt
I cant't really find the skill of "manny", that was a great photographer, one of those that I prefered on TE, but your portrait is as strong that his portraits,with a glance going directly in our soul, and a sandy skin evoking for me the disease of the Earth.I think that the impact is stronger in the main post than in the WS, even if I also like very much the WS.Thank you for the note, thanks for the Earth, and yes of course, I will.
Regards
Pascale

gildasjan (38232) 2012-03-30 13:28

Bonjour Matt
Un cadrage très artistique sur cette moitié de visage qui se détache bien de l'arrière plan.Très bon rendu des textures .
Bravo
Amicalement
gildas

brianmcc (5536) 2012-03-30 14:42

hi matt,
what a stunning image. the detail and sharpness is incredible especially in the subject's eye. the texture of the sand has a 3D quality. wonderful colour tones and light management. superb portrait.
regards,
brian

chrisvek (5515) 2012-03-30 14:58

Hello Matt,

Interesting portrait with very nice definitions.It would be a great poster for advertisment.Well done.

Have a nice day,
Chris

Sonata11 (28391) 2012-03-30 21:15

Hello Matt,
Wow !!! what a excellent portrait, excellent POV, Excellent executed and fabulous chosen great B&W colors for this image.
Marvellous work. Awesome. I love it.
All the best and have a nice WE,
Barbara

Ps. I still have a problem with TE site. Sorry, if I want not respond

golus (2889) 2012-03-30 21:50

Hello Matt,

An amazing portrait work. Both versions are so solid and expressive that I can hardly choose one. But this one apart from a traditional implementation addresses to the higher level of imagination. Thanks for sharing this wonderful work. Have a nice WE.

Suleyman

delpeoples (45018) 2012-03-31 0:41

Hi Matt

Sold, tell me where I sign up for Earth Hour! What a great advertisement. We don't often get people shots from you so this is a treat but also of an extraordinarily high quality, Just superb, congratulations.

Amities
Lisa

PS: Both photos are great but I think you chose the right one for your main post

Hanssie (9921) 2012-03-31 1:00

A superb artwork this is !
I really like how you composed this half portrait, very, very strong....

JFS (32189) 2012-03-31 1:14

Hola Matt,
A masterpiece my friend! Top class and powerful portrait. My compliments!!!

Enjoy the WE!
Cheers,
Juan

annjackman (13233) 2012-03-31 2:03

Hello matt,
First, congratulations on something very special uploaded for this day. I very much like both images but this one is my favourite. Wonderful catch lights caught in the eye. Beautifully taken, and visually a first class portrait.
A favourite for me.
Best wishes, Ann

macjake (39235) 2012-03-31 5:25

Hi Matt
great photo!
is this person one of your friends?

in looking at the other photo, I think you posted the right one, this one has more power to it, more visual impact for the viewer.
A+
cheers
craig

Bartleby (12741) 2012-03-31 5:40

Hi Matt,
As far as I'm concerned, the one you chose has much more impact than the more 'traditional' portrait in the WS. It enhances the expression and becomes more engaging. Love the PP and the mysterious moutain in the back. Excellent shot!

Philippe

archimatica (19980) 2012-03-31 7:09

Hi, Matt.
Amazing portrait, great work, I like it!
Renzo

ciakgiak (30331) 2012-03-31 10:00

Ciao Matt,
prima di scrivere qualsiasi cosa a proposito di questo splendido ritratto ho voluto ascoltare la canzone di Michael Jackson, e ti assicuro che l'emozione è forte!
Grazie per la condivisione di questo capolavoro.
Un caro abbraccio
Giorgio

yquem46 (32323) 2012-03-31 10:25

Hi Matt
A little masterpiece in its category
Fortunately for him, the only clean part devoid of sand in his face is his eye for a
very acute and expressive gaze
Bravo
Enjoy your WE
Patrick

RhodieIke (9207) 2012-03-31 13:22

Hi Matt, This is awesome, well managed,super colours and mood, Love it, Well done and agree with your cause, great note, Cheers Iain.

jimkil (1664) 2012-03-31 15:47

Fab portrait it, strong processing but it looks very very good Mat, I can see why it has many faves alreay, its not my genre so I can't offer any valuable opinion, but what I like is the half face, offers intriguing insight to this person.
Regards
Jim

vasilpro (40194) 2012-03-31 23:44

Hello Matt,
Superb composition with a wonderful portrait and excellent details, a powerful dedication to the 60 minutes for the Earth, well done!
Warm regards, Vasilis.

baba_flies (8829) 2012-04-01 1:23

Hi Matt!

A powerful image and I would think that the half side approach fits the purpose of the earth day wonderfully because maybe we also only do it half or not even half, in fact we mostly do not much.

Flying around the globe for example - as most or many TEers do, including me - at least once a year, if we would stop that, this would HELP more than switching off the light for half an hour but - including me - this does not fit our life style. We have only one life and - including me - we want to see as much as we can. You can do these self tests how much you save energy, maybe it is also through the WFF. It turns out that many do not that bad but it is always the airplanes we take that use the most energy. So I guess TE is probably the right place to begin with ... LOL ... Speaking about me, I only use the light where I am at the very moment but using the internet (I switched it on an hour ago) this again uses energy, a lot of energy ...

Never the less, it is good to think about it every once in a while, also thinking what we really want ... GREAT shot, it is a favorite for sure. Best wishes, Barbara

rabdelnoor (3421) 2012-04-01 7:02

Hi Matt,
Fantastic composition. A really art work with great sharpness and fine details. A really great result.
Regards
Ricardo

Hansaphotos (5449) 2012-04-01 7:36

Hi Matt

Thanks for sharing this excellent portrait. A powerful picture to the purpose. Splendid sharpness and great blurred bg. I prefere this over the WS because I think this is even stronger and more thought provoking and intriguing. A striking image - excellent work:) TFS. Enjoy your Sunday.

Best regards, Erling

chawax (14918) 2012-04-01 12:49

Hi Matt,
A very original and very well done portrait ! I love the choice of showing us only half of the face. The look of the man is very strong and attractive. I love too the nice bokeh with the mountain. The atmosphere is great thanks to the look and the dark colours. A wonderful shot ! This is not just photography, it is art !
Regards,
Olivier

muratcaloglu (2) 2012-04-02 1:10

Hello Matt,

it's just stunning. Composition, expression, and post processing are far beyond enthusiastic photography. it's a masterpice..

TFS
murat

mohammad_H (6600) 2012-04-02 7:39

hi
The camera angles are very good portrait of this young man sitting in the first work of art in a fascinating and wonderful sense of understanding and protecting Earth is very nice.
Have a nice day

skippy007 (12500) 2012-04-02 18:24

Hello Matt, I can see the problem you had choosing that would best convey your serious message, both excellent & I think I would also have gone with this one, both very dramatic & eye catching, feel this slight more because of the unusual crop, well done, sincere compliments for the message & an image that has immediately grabbed the attention. Excellent work all-round.
Regards
Santo

dip (21921) 2012-04-02 22:17

Hi Matt,
I like the way you framed this wonderful portrait,excellent sharpness and lighting,very well done!
Dimitris.

Morteza_E (879) 2012-04-03 4:31

Hello
Very beautiful portrait. Good exposure with excellent composition.
With respect

mauro61 (52527) 2012-04-03 6:10

ciao Matt,
complimenti per questa immagine di una bellezza unica.
Uno dei ritratti più belli e particolari che ho mai visto.
Poche parole per definire un capolavoro compositivo come il tuo.
buona serata
maurizio

barrufeto_77 (28876) 2012-04-04 11:47

Hi Matt.

The best pic I've seen in TE in days...

I have no words....

Rgs, Oscar

Wanda1 (13950) 2012-04-05 1:26

Hi Matt,
I can see why so many people have liked this one, it is dramatic and different. The crop in this one with only half his face I prefer as opposed to the one in the workshop. Nice treatment to enhance somehow the sand grains and the intense feeling. Sharpness is perfect where it needs to be.
Regards
Wanda

baclama (15579) 2012-04-05 1:42

bonjour,
un portrait poignant tres reussi
bravo
une composition tres bien pensée et une belle reussite
vero

berek (31925) 2012-04-06 9:29

Hi Matt
A portrait is very impressive. creative. I liked especially the framing. I wish a good weekend.
Burak

bukitgolfb301 (30111) 2012-04-08 18:33

Hello my dear Matt

A great masterpiece!
So impressive and attractive one!
I am shocked and astonished at your high sense.
Great!
Thanks for your sharing with your good work and have a good new start of week,
best regards,

Takero in Tokyo

speedymanu (3148) 2012-04-15 4:30

Hi Matt,

A bold, striking composition. Its dark colors are great and give it a lot of impact while the cropped face is thought provoking and intriguing. the kind of picture that is still with you even when you're done looking at it. A masterpiece,

Emmanuel

Turkoglu (0) 2012-04-17 17:23

Çok enteresan bir portre! kesinlikle harika,sizi kutlarım.iyi günler

bartekp (4200) 2012-04-18 1:18

Hi Matt,

Great gallery You have on TE. Photo amiazng!!! 2 in 1 Portrait with a landscape. Colors and light very impression.

Have a nice day

Bartek

alex4ndru (1348) 2012-04-27 7:32

hello mat,

this is probably the best picture i've seen latelly! Prefectly executed! TFS!

all the best!

alpi1500 (1376) 2012-05-20 3:21

Exellent portrait , the sand in his face is so original.Congrat

[2]

KLB (23713) 2012-05-20 4:04

Hello Matt

I imagine that everything was already said on this incredible photo... Then I am just going to tell you my admiration.
Powerful. One of the most masterful portraits I've seen here.
Congrats.

Regards
Karine

Curious_Eye (864) 2012-05-22 5:44

Hello Matt,

This is a PHENOMENAL portrait. I love the intense look on this young man's face and the background - truly telling. The clarity, texture, and colours are superb. Although both shots are powerful, I believe the close-up is inherently more confronting and thought-provoking. Congratulations on exceptional work.

Izabela

Cricri (86535) 2012-05-22 12:01

Hi Matt
Tout est si bien réaliser, votre note, la réalisation de ce portrait bien cadrer, pris en gros plan, les détails ressorte a merveille, j'aime cette image avec la chanson de Michael comme un signe d'espoir pour la planète, compliment et merci a vous
Belle soirée
cricri

sacimar (25957) 2012-05-23 5:49

Hello Matt,

wow! this is an impressive image! it has a strong visual effect and the result is fantastic, you did an excellent work here, congratulations,

Best regards,

Sergio

GREGG (8243) 2012-05-23 12:10

Hello Matt,
perfect composition and realization,
Greg

yaya13baut (3344) 2012-05-28 2:46

hi Matt,

beyond an ode to a better cohabitation between men and nature, your picture is a superb portrait.
a well thought crop, a dark light, the blurred background... well done.
anyway, nice gallery.

Yannis

smarcell (19875) 2012-06-03 9:32

You have a great talent, and I like this strong image, that somehow differs from the usual pictures posted here on TE. You are also very skilled in postproduction, that nevertheless is always behind the scenes, and never too strong.
Regards
Stefano
PS. I guess that your username means something for you !!!

jmdias (45830) 2012-06-06 2:50

matt

a very creative and beautiful composition. I liked the framing catching half part of the face of this personage, the texture of the sand in his face created a marvelous visual effect. very nice job. TFS.

hugs

jorge

romanaa (7372) 2012-06-14 11:07

Hello Matt,

this is really a striking image, very unusual and different from all what I have seen.
Brilliant and although I like the ws picture too, but this one seems to have more intense and dramatic atmosphere.

Best regards

Romana

lilito (3448) 2012-06-18 1:07

Wah!!!
Un regard, une composition, des couleurs...
Tout franchement bien fait, bravo
Lily

InasiaJones (29347) 2012-08-06 23:51

Hi Matt,

I can't believe I have miss this one!...

I like everything about this shot; the subject, the expression, the"in-your-face" close-up, the bold frame, the desaturated cross-process.

I also think it's about time I put you in my favorite, as you are showing impressive skills on many subjects, from landscape to blue hour cityscape, and portrait to architecture.

This photo reminds me a bit about Joey L. work, a kid from Canada with an immense talent, and hyper staged shots.

http://www.joeyl.com

Cheers!

André

specialist (1303) 2012-08-08 2:35

"...self-improvement isn't the answer... Maybe self-destruction is the answer." :) the boy in here seems to say in this excellent and memorable piece of art of yours Matt.
as to your questionish-joke, visiting your gallery, I came to confirm that 'eye of the photographer is always the matter bra'... yet I do agree "sticking feathers up one's butt does not make him a chicken" :)

compliments on your work and kind remarks about my gallery,

kurtul

Bluejeans (64239) 2012-08-24 5:25

Ola Matt ,
Brutal esta tua foto , está 5 estrelas :), parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

livermore (1462) 2012-10-27 2:25

Bonjour Matt,
Excellente photo, on dirait une pochette d'album ou une affiche de film.
Le traitement est excellent.
Bonne journée
Vincent