Solitude Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Moment caught with a long lens at the San Luca Sanctuary.
Since the girl happened to be a beggar, the picture was accused by some over the years as 'exploitative' - but for me, to be honest, the emphasis was on the architecture, the almost icon-like framing provided by the structure, and of course the staircase with the human figure positioned at the bottom.
It was originally shot on Fuji Provia 400F.

KateinDenmark, clio, daddo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

KateinDenmark (1117) 2009-06-19 9:34

You've really captured the curves of the staircase, ending with the girl. I like how she seems lost in her thoughts and the color contrast. Very nice photo.

Sincerely,
Kate

kunitsa (187) 2009-06-19 9:49

Wonderful geometry of the stairs and the framing arch. Despite the title the picture feels lively thanks to the girl who is positioned so right on the shot. This is one of the things I struggle with - to get people on my shots)

marjan (6081) 2009-06-19 10:11

hi, very nice shot with good compositin and interesting motive. Nice color combination with tender light.
Marjan

DannyJ (282) 2009-06-19 10:11

Beautiful framing, and great lighting to top it off! Nice work!

Jeppo (11836) 2009-06-19 11:41

hi Levente,

I have been accused of something similar for a shot I took in Budapest...

btw the most important aspect here was to caught the solitude and indifference...not to capture her portrait

well done
silvio

Morac (20307) 2009-06-19 12:51

Hi Levente,
You've really captured the curves of the staircase : I like this composition.
Regards.
Marc

jimmyjimmy (478) 2009-06-19 14:13

Hello Levente

One of those images that it speaks for itself. Nice work.

Regards
Jimmy

clio (22605) 2009-06-19 16:06

Hi Levente,
I agree with you, the key point of your photo it is your centring and your work on the lines of this staircase. The character brings a strong human dimension but it is not the main subject.
Very beautiful realization.
Congratulations
Diane

daddo (11324) 2009-06-19 20:13

He Levente. At first i thought she must be some sort of nun in a Middle Eastern land, but instead, a beggar in Italy.It is a splendid composition where the light accentuates the intricate forms and her face. As I look more deeply, I see that she is quite young.A photo which one can admire for a long time. Regards. Klaudio.

rikko77 (6014) 2009-06-20 2:36

Hi Levente
I really like this human figure framed by those stairs and arch. Beautiful colors, important eye-catch, congratulations!
RIkk

lucabellincioni (3754) 2009-06-22 0:32

la foto è senz'altro intensa e magnifica. Rica di contrasti, ovviamente, sia cromatici sia - all'unisono - etici. Un capolavoro assoluto.
L.

jtkitty (140) 2009-08-11 6:00

Greetings!

I really admire this photo. I also struggle with human subjects in my compositions and I believe you have done a terrific job of capturing the geometry, the girl's despair, and the coldness at the bottom of the stairs with a hopeful glow at the top. I appreciate the texture added by film grain, and knowing that the film used was provia explains the color hues. I still might have balanced the blue/yellow of the composition a little bit...I will try to post a workshop of what I mean.

Again, I think you did a terrific job of composing this striking photo...kudos!

-T