Me and my Dog

Critiques [Translate]

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• MarianneS (4128)
• [2008-04-30 23:46]

Dag Henk,
I like the expression of this woman while she is looking at you.
It seems she appreciates :-) I was also wondering how old she could be :o
J'aime bien les volets bleus à l'arrière, qui ajoutent une jolie touche de couleur à l'ensemble.
J'attends le ws :-)
Cordialement,
Marianne

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• devimeuxbe (42213)
• [2008-04-30 23:54]

Hi Henk
Interesting portrait of this old woman and her dog.
This is a typical scene from there. I am sure you get a freen tea with her.
Have a nice day
Bertrand

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• gary91 (12155)
• [2008-05-01 0:15]

Goedendag mijn vriend :-)
Beautiful double portrait ;-)
I like the blue color in the back enhancing well the portrait. Great composition and superb clean processing (like always I should say).
Have a great weekend.
Best regards, Christian

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• sothy81 (7636)
• [2008-05-01 0:18]

HI Henk, this is absolutely a great daily life photo. Very nice combination of colors. Blue and white are amazing. Looks so vibrant. Well done. Sothy

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• Morac (5187)
• [2008-05-01 0:29]

Hello Henk,
Also i like the expression of this woman while she is looking at you.
Beatiful portrait

Regards
Marc

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• bibiweb (29151)
• [2008-05-01 0:39]

Hello Henk,
Superb portrait as usual... and the photo in the WS who have have deserved a place of its own in your gallery. I love the details in this one such as: the way the dog is positionned axactly on the coloured mat, the blue curtains and shutter and that crooked wall that she is leaning on!
Have a nice day.
Brigitte

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• robertosalguero (13290)
• [2008-05-01 0:56]

Hello Henk,

The dog look more like an oversized chihuahua with very long legs! Excellent portrait with the lady and animals lookig at different directions. The image is pleasant with nice colours and light. The simple human nature is very well captured in this face. Thanks Henk.

Roberto

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• imrek (6762)
• [2008-05-01 1:16]

Hello Henk,

always is pleasant find your work on the gallery, very good portrait and esp i like how the subject and environment are involved here, nice colour handling!
Have a great springtime!
regards,
imre

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• saigon (4706)
• [2008-05-01 1:16]

bonjour HENK.
belle scene de la vieille femme avec son chien!
good composition!
amitiés....aldo.

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• feather (36887)
• [2008-05-01 1:42]

You always get a good rapport with your subjects which is half the battle to get the good results you achieve. I like both this and the WS equally, but this one has lots of other interest to be seen in the background. You made the right choice not to limit the DOF for our observation of "daily life". I particularly like the way the dog is standing perfectly on the mat.
One old lady in Hoi An when we were there wanted to stroke Rob's hairy arms! ;D
Kath

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• faubry (25805)
• [2008-05-01 1:50]

Bonjour Henk, very nice portrait of this woman and her dog, she is so small.... she seems proud to be take in photo...
have a good we
take care
francine

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• PixelTerror (66449)
• [2008-05-01 1:57]

Hi Henk,
Oh a dog picture that is not one, an image where the elements are well placed so the frame is well placed and they can be seen. The blue shutters are a very nice background. From her hands I'd say she's at least 80.
Have a nice day JY

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• Jonas_Schmitt (1596)
• [2008-05-01 2:00]

Hello Henk!
Very nice new picture, I like this daily life scene a lot. The woman is placed perfectly and through the dog, the space left of her doesn´t seem too empty. You captured the expression in her face very well, also in your WS. A great daily life shot!
Regards,
Jonas

PS: I´ve just downloaded the free screensaver of your homepage, a really cool thing ;-)
-> Thanks

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• veronika (5866)
• [2008-05-01 2:52]

Hello Henk,
what a nice potrait of this old lady, her dog is so lovely, standing there like a statue :))
Nice colours as well.
Take care
Vero

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• mark_mk (518)
• [2008-05-01 3:14]

Hi Henk,
a really nice shot of the daily life in Vietnam. Nice how everything is placed perfecly, as already mentioned the dog in the background is the icing on the cake. I also really like the WS, but I prefer that version. Great work as usual!

Best regards
Mark

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• cbrman (11684)
• [2008-05-01 3:35]

Hello Henk,

You crossed a typical person and whom you made well to photograph.
She appears really sympathetic. I like this framing which presents it in front of its house. One realizes the difficult life that she must have.
A good portrait of this very old lady.

A+

Dominique

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• Greg1949 (4239)
• [2008-05-01 4:10]

Henk, you are one of thos people that make people pictures look easy, and of all the things I know, I know they are not easy. Great work, execution is always top notch but this composition has a life in it that really comes out.

Greg

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• belido (6958)
• [2008-05-01 4:37]

Hi Henk,

those two friends seems to understand what you were asking. I found them perfectly placed in the frame. Very good exposure as usual and the workshop is a good bonus. It's worth to be posted...incredible details! I guess you were friendly too to get this portrait :)
Regards,
Carlos

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• Photo65Net (25866)
• [2008-05-01 4:51]

Hello Henk,
Nice catch !
The woman attitude is very pleasant, very eyecatcher, and you composed nicely to inclmde the dog.
Regards,
JB.

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• MarcT (9506)
• [2008-05-01 4:55]

Hallo Henk,
Jij hebt het gedaan: een hond...;o)
Dit is een goed natuurlijk en interessant portrait.
Tot later dus
Marc

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• tehanu_f (4712)
• [2008-05-01 5:36]

Great portrait! The lean, statue-like dog looks very unreal compared to its very old owner. They make a fascinating pair.
Fusun

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• fulvio52 (3308)
• [2008-05-01 6:26]

Hoi, Henk.
Fabelachtig blauw, hondje perfect er tegenaan gepositioneerd. Ik weet dat het niet de bedoeling is, maar ik hou nu eenmaal meer van honden dan van (de meeste) mensen, daardoor gaat mijn aandacht, of ik het wil of niet, meteen naar doggie...
Pixelterror kwam er, naar mijn mening, met de beste uitspraak op de proppen : "Oh, a dog picture that is not one".
Maar goed, vrouwtje is ook lief, hoor!
Topwerk!
Nog een fijne avond, ik zie gauw, Master!
Fulvio.

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• andante (6397)
• [2008-05-01 6:28]

The dog standing still on the carpet looks like a scene from a movie, beautiful composition, NG quality again.
Cheers,
E

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• Wandering_Dan (2520)
• [2008-05-01 7:55]

Hi, Henk -

Amazing how different people react to strangers bearing cameras! I've had people chase me to get me to take their pictures - and others chase me away. The contrast between the woman and her dog is interesting; she's animated while the dog looks like a statue. Good positioning and nice bright colors, too.

Best,
Dan

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• wolf38 (5847)
• [2008-05-01 8:53]

Hello Henk. A fine photo, - exemplary in all photographic disciplines. Professionally. Best regards, Wolfgang.

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• kensimage (6803)
• [2008-05-01 9:33]

It's a beautiful portrait-in-context, Henk. Her weathered face contrasts with her neatly-kept house and her relatively youthful dog. It's hard to even imagine the many difficulties she must have overcome in life, even just to stay alive. Regards, Ken.

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• Wanda1 (6927)
• [2008-05-01 9:35]

Hallo Henk,
Het is altijd leuk om met de lokaale mensen to kommunikeren, en deze vrou heeft inderdaad een persoonlijkheid. Mooi compositie om het hondje in te sluiten en ook haar omgeving, zodat ons kan zien waar sij blijft.
Groetjes
Wanda

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• Dyerco (4395)
• [2008-05-01 9:36]

Great shot Henk. It shows so much character in her face and no doubt some arthritus in her hands from intensive labour over her many years. She and her dog are nicely placed in the scene.
Phil

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• delkoo (21274)
• [2008-05-01 9:56]

hi henk

I suffer for she, her hands are so distorted by rheumatism, she looks so old, by she tried to smile to you nicely.
I love those "everyday life" scenes... showing the true face of the life of those people.

cheers
didier

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• carper (49410)
• [2008-05-01 11:17]

fraaie foto meastro,
de smile is prachtig de compositie is goed gekozen, de scherpte is goed,.... ja, wat kan ik meer zeggen heel fraai fotowek. Prettige avond.
groet jaap

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• J_Schmitt (105)
• [2008-05-01 11:27]
• [2]

Hello Henk!
Fantastic daily life picture, I like the scene a lot : just a woman with her dog, simple but very expressive! Also the WS, you captured her mood brilliantly.
Well done! I´ll add it to my favorites.
Regards,
Johannes

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• Tobias__Ortmann (1156)
• [2008-05-01 12:06]

Hi henk very good new post I really like the expression of the woman but I think the thing which makes your picture very very good is the dog
well done
Toba

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• BennyV (813)
• [2008-05-01 12:25]

Hello Henk,

A lovely and warm portrait from a town I know very well (lived there 1999-2001). The lady, the house, even the dog...all so typical.

Strange you thought the Thai floating markets were bigger. You must have been there on the wrong day...or I missed out on the really big markets over in Thailand.

Thanks for the upload.

Benny

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• patdeph (6269)
• [2008-05-01 12:34]

dear Henk
this is a very nice daily life scene with a beautiful harmony of colours!The woman has a strange expression,it's difficult to know if she is smiling,but I guess that yes,as these people are always very friendly!It's what I like in Asia,,sure,they don't think the same thing about european people,if they come here!In your photo,it's the colours that I like and the perfect place that each element has!
I wish you a nice week-end.
Pascale

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• azleader (723)
• [2008-05-01 12:56]

Your Vietnam images provide beautiful views of a friendly people. Your environmental portraits, like this one, are especially good.

----------------------------------------------
A Personal Note:
My brother was a US Army Civil Engineer in the Vietnam War during the Tet Offensive of 1968 near Qui Nhon. Though not a combat soldier he came home with a bullet wound, a purple heart and a bloody VC(Viet Cong) flag.

To my knowledge he never told anyone the story behind it. That was very much out of character for him. War affects different people in different ways.

Its nice to know Vietnam is a better place now than it was then.

•  
• Emile (14766)
• [2008-05-01 13:45]

Hola Henk.
Superb photo of the old lady and her dog, very well captured with a good POV, nice soft colors and good clarity, great details and good frame. Very well done.
TFS.
Best regards.

•  
• Dpbours (5874)
• [2008-05-01 13:49]

Hoi Henk,

Mooi zeg, die spirit die dit mens van alle kanten uit straalt! Moet meteen aan m'n eigen oma denken die met d'r kromme rug nog elk jaar een moestuin onderhoudt die groter is dan 8x mijn dakterras. :-)
Ik schat dat ze ergens mid-80 tot eind tachtig is. Het portret heeft niet echt geluk gehad met het licht, maar je had me al eens gezegd dat je niet zo heel gelukkig was met het licht op deze trip. Het licht in de main posting is wel erg prettig met goede scherpte en krachtige blauwtonen in de achtergrond.

Trouwens, over trips gesproken... Ik ga toch naar Lille, dus ik zie je daar ;-).

Groet! Dennis

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• gilou530 (23120)
• [2008-05-01 14:14]

salut henk
un portrait large simple mais bien réalisé comme d'hab, une vieille dame pleine de charme avec ces volets bleus qui flashent a l'écran
amitiés
gilbert

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• johnfreeman (1431)
• [2008-05-01 14:38]

Hi Henk,
I like both your main post and the workshop. While the WS is one of your wonderful classic portraits, the everyday scene is full of life, detail and colours. I particularly like the way the woman is obviously so fascinated by you (the “big western guy”) whereas the dog seems to be gazing off into the distance unconcerned. Her large, gnarled hands are astonishing.
Very nice.
John

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• Blairfraser (431)
• [2008-05-01 15:37]

It looks like you wont be be booking that long weekend in California Henk as they have found the pig! :-)

I really like your latest picture and also the story the you have written as well. You have managed to capture a very natural picture here. I know you probaly didn't ask her to stand infront of the blue doors, but I feel they add nice colours to this picture.

Very well done!

Blair

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• scobert (5301)
• [2008-05-01 18:31]

Hi Henk,
You must have the patience of Job to wait until both subjects, the lady and her dog, are perfectly placed in the frame. Your composition is outstanding! I can only imagine what this lady has experienced in her hard life. She can probably remember the Vietnam War, the war with the French colonists, and WWII like it was yesterday. She looks like a very wise and lovely person and her inner beauty just radiates with your two superb portraits of her!
Stan

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• leo61 (27420)
• [2008-05-01 21:38]

Hi henk!
From a great landscape photographer to a great portrait photographer.Must have been the bad weather,you told us about.
I like the expression of the woman looking at you.
Good composition with the dog,looking like a statue.
Regards,leo

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• InasiaJones (13520)
• [2008-05-01 23:18]

Hi Henk,

You have a very personal way to shoot people and I can see a connection between your portraits, whether you go for a full figure or a close-up.

Even if you look like a huge giant from the Netherlands, your face still shows the good side of your personality... :-P) So I'm not surprised that she has invited you and made contact. After all, she have a big dog to protect her...

Good shot, carefully framed with the fine lady in her homy environment. The cloud-filtered light gives you a soft glow without harsh contrasts. The dog certainly adds a layer of interest and reveals a bit more about your subject compassion for animals. I like the way you framed her with the beam and the blue door. You had to go for a vertical composition with all these ascendant lines.

Cheers!

André

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• dareco (6088)
• [2008-05-02 0:38]

A very nice portrait of this lady and her dog. She does appear to have had a very hard life, but I like her smile and your note telling about her. A nice ws portrait as well. TFS

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• jhm (62010)
• [2008-05-02 3:05]

Dag Henk,

De hond doet mij denken aan vroeger, toen er van de kleine paardje en honden gemaakt werden in hout op wieltjes, dan kon je dit achter u aan trekken, misschien gezonder dan de game boys van nu. Hij staat zo fieks.
Oef, de leeftijd van deze dame is gewoon niet in te schatten ook al heeft u een mooie WS geplaatst.
Beide foto zijn mooi om te bekijken, het moet wel aangenaam zijn wanneer de mensen een beetje meewerken voor een foto te laten maken, hier heeft men al kritiek wanneer men het toestel te voorschijn haalt.
Goede foto zonder meer. Bedankt.

Prettig weekend,
John.

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• UnTrained (11191)
• [2008-05-02 3:36]

Hallo Henk,
you must have some kind of radar for people with something impressing for the camera. You told us before that the weather was not the best, the missing shadow and light here tells about it. But the way you framed her and her dog tells also a lot about the eye you have and the abilities to catch our eyes.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

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• zmey (3551)
• [2008-05-02 5:11]

hello henk

looks like a warm encounter: the three of you coming together. i like her direct gaze. but what really catches my eye in this one is her hands...

warm regards,
kristaps

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• avene (3752)
• [2008-05-02 10:51]

hello Henk,
as Kristaps says, the HANDS! painfully twisted and probably not as agile as they used to be, but calm and strong. and look at her feet, she must've walked thousands of miles, quite a story there...
I like a lot the simple and relaxed composition, the lady seems at ease, which actually tells a lot about YOU and your way with the people to photograph. superb work.

with admiration,
Kristine

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• Cricri (25275)
• [2008-05-03 1:25]

Hi Henk,
Joli double portrait de cette petite dame ridée par le temps et de son fidéle compagnon sur la pallaison, j'aime son expression accueillante que l'on retrouve souvent dans les pays d'Asie, je pense visiter un de cces pays l'année prochaine, mais le choix est diffiçile...
Have a nice weekend for you
cricri

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• marietom (15806)
• [2008-05-03 2:04]

Hello Henk,;

Ce portrait est très beau, jolie expression, couleurs douces. J'aime beaucoup.
Bon we
Marie

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• Merline (4612)
• [2008-05-03 6:52]

Yes, the hands...marvellous. Gosh, I'd love to see a closeup of them...so telling, fascinating. A lovely gentle portrait of this lady, in her surroundings, with her probably much beloved dog, positioned just on the carpet:-), nice blue background and she so tiny and somehow so crisp in the white blouse, looking at this big guy:-))). Lovely work Henk, I like this very very much.

Enjoy the w-end
Kind regards
Michèle

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• plimrn (14573)
• [2008-05-03 10:59]

Hi Henk,
At first glance, it almost looks like the dog is sharper than the woman but I think the photo has a uniform sharpness through-out. The dog only looks sharper because his eyes are wide-open while the woman's eves, as you show in the WS are nearly closed with wrinkles. Nice story too.
HLJ, pat

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• derek3755 (1617)
• [2008-05-04 15:38]

Hi Henk

another wonderful portrait of the old woman and her dog, good expression on the old lady too

Regards
Derek

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• gunbud (14386)
• [2008-05-04 18:37]

Hi Henk,
The lovely old lady and her gentle dog look very much at peace in their humble surroundings. Beautiful clear colors with excellent details and sharpness to this heart warming scene. The lines in her face and gnarly hands testify to the hard life she has led but this does not keep her from smiling.
Regards, Tom

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• pboehringer (16493)
• [2008-05-04 22:08]

Henk,
I just can't let it go, but seeing this image with my eyes as a physician I get the impression that this lady had a stroke with at least a right CN V palsy. The WS makes me even more convinced about this. Yes, I know, you didn't post it for a medical analysis, but for a photographic one. The dof works perfectly to balance the lady holding herself on the wall and I think that you did the right choice in getting this as your main post comparing it to the WS.
Peter

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• vincz (16692)
• [2008-05-05 0:25]

Excellent portrait. I love the attitude of the woman. looking at you in such a way. The dog is amazing as well. Looks like a statue, frozen in a pause for the rest of time. The blue of the closets provide you with an excellent balnace of colours. I like it.

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• luisafonso (12561)
• [2008-05-05 5:50]

I like this full body portrait very much. And the context in which it is placed. That dog is a great element, but that blue door doesn't fall behind. Even your model's attitude in front of the camera is very suitable for this format choice. It's simple, but it worths much more than the close up. Very good.

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• zeca (14811)
• [2008-05-08 21:58]

I personally prefer this kind of portrait, where we see lots of details from the person's life and story. Very nice one, Henk!
Take care!
Zeca