86 Springs Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

"I have passed 86 springs." he started the chat when, after asking for permission, I sat by his side on the bench on the market square (which is not square) in Nysa.
He took a 2 km walk that morning to meet the long expected 86th spring and after the long walk he rested on the bench.
He told me his story (they all do, they all seek an audience so dont worry, have a try yourself).
When he reached the moment of WWII when Nazis shot to death half of his fellow villagers, he burst into tears. He stayed silent for a while. Then he started the talk again, but it was not the same any more...
he kept his right hand inside his coat, for I dont know what reasons.

vapours, Galmeida, pastadog, red45, Cuba-Junky has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

vapours (7913) 2006-04-14 3:39

A great shot, and a unique point of view which kind of puts him in control, as if he is a figure to be looked up to. A great story behind the photo as well.

jinju (14265) 2006-04-14 3:40

Hres what I love about s many of your shots Jerzy. You get to know the people you photograph. You talk to them, they tell you their life stories. Thats whats awesome. You dont make up stories to fit your photos, your photos and notes tell real stories.

jasmis (50184) 2006-04-14 3:44

Biorę dziś taki wiek w ciemno, a widać, że pan jeszcze zażywny, że hoho. Pozdrawiam wielkanocnie.

Paolo (40694) 2006-04-14 3:54

Wonderful story and image Jerzy.
you POV was perfect to give him a proud attitude: "I have passed 86 springs."
amazing composition with a beautiful colorful background and a fantastic report.
thanks.
andhave an happy easter.
ciao

Davidwh (3652) 2006-04-14 4:09

Hi Jerzy,
A lovely portrait.The gentlemans expression says a lot - a hard life, his eyes deep with knowledge and maybe things he didnt want to see.The composition good but a shame his hat is cut.TFS.
Regards, David

Galmeida (12559) 2006-04-14 4:20

Hi Jerzy,

Excelent close-up approach capture to this 86 old year man at Spring time. Your low angle is splendid. Excelent focus and clear picture with the face expressions of the man. A great work and composition with high quality, colors and sharpness.

Very well seen and composed. Congratulations and have a happy Easter time.

Best Regards.
Fernando

mark88 (5849) 2006-04-14 4:31

Świetny portret, model pomimo wieku prezentuje się doskonale, podoba się wykonanie.
Pozdrawiam, Marek.

pastadog (12821) 2006-04-14 4:33

Jerzy - a great photo and a great story. Very strong post. TFS, Daniel

entrelec (8342) 2006-04-14 4:45

Nice one, Nikon quality.
Warm lght on his face, luckily, the walls colour is very close to his skin's one.
Good day

joel

RGatward (19737) 2006-04-14 4:47

You've obviously brilliant at engaing people link that, part of your secret for these great results I guess. Good angle on this one.

eco (84) 2006-04-14 4:48

witaj

bardzo dobry strzal, prawie jak monument, swietna twarz, ja takze swiatecznie pozdrawiam, mialem cos zrobic z jajem, ale .... nie chcialo mi sie malowac, moze cos znjde na miescie, pozdrawiam, rafal

red45 (1633) 2006-04-14 5:09

Hej Jurek!
Piekna historia. Bardzo lubie twoje zdjecia z opowiesciami, zawsze znajdziesz cos ciekawego w pozornie zwyklych miejscach. A reka? Starsi ludzi tez maja poczucie humoru - toz to iscie Napoleonska poza :-)

adrost (2366) 2006-04-14 5:32

Witaj Jerzy.
Czasami sie zastanawiam czy warto tez krytykowac zdjecie jezeli sie po prostu Ci nie podoba czy po prostu przemilczec ?
Ale tutaj akurat takiej watpliwosci nie mam.
Podziwiam raczej odwage takiego ujecia, to jest po prostu bliskosc i dopuszczenie do siebie.
Ja tez bym obcial tak ta czapke (jakos nie lubie wymodelowanych, pelnych kadrow - lepsza jest tajemnica)i spokojne swiatlo ktore nie przeswietla a ociepla.
Pozdrawiam Swiatecznie i zycze pokoju i radosci.
adam

maki (0) 2006-04-14 6:51

Czesc Jerzy,
Fajny strzal od dolu, dobrze wykadrowany dziadek. Widze, ze musze swojego sportretowac, bo ma 12 lat wiecej od tego pana i niezle sie trzyma. Ladne, cieple kolorki. pozdr. maki

Lukasso (644) 2006-04-14 8:20

Hej,

Kolorystycznie wszystko gra. Nie odpowiada mi jednak mocne swiatlo i cien, ktory zaslania twarz bohatera. Co sie zas tyczy modela, jego twarz jest strasznie przecietna. Nie chcial bym byc zle zrozumiany. Po prostu po zamknieciu zdjecia juz jej nie pamietam, zaciera sie posrod setek podobnych twarzy. Rozumiem, ze ow Pan swoje przezyl i fajnie, ze nam o tym powiedziales. Ale z portretu jegomoscia w moim odczuciu nie promienieje ani zyciowe doswiadczenie, ani twardy urok zmeczonej twarzy tylko nijakosc.

Pozdrawiam!

Bojoual (0) 2006-04-14 8:24

Very nice shot and very good POV; the old man looks like a monument! Too bad for the hat...

Love it.
A

gaby (19793) 2006-04-14 12:50

Jerzy great very great - this portrait is splendid and the note pathetic -
wonderful bokeh -
have a nice week end
thanks
Gaby

Furachan (0) 2006-04-14 13:00

Such a powerful portrait, Jerzy. First class. Love yuor extreme POV here (with tilt), and as much or as little of the backgrund as you allow.
Great title too.
Excellent work,
Francis

Polonaise (5634) 2006-04-14 16:10

Once again - the team of photo + note created a story hard to forget.
Value of your postings Jerzy, is second to none!
Absolute humanity.
Jurek

Jaj wymalowanych zycze

Cuba-Junky (2795) 2006-04-15 2:49

Very emotional story Jerzy ... and familiar being brought up by my Dutch father who had to work in WWII for the Germans ...

Back to the picture ... fantastic shot, POV and the blurry background. This together with the story TOP

An

faubry (32281) 2006-04-15 5:08

bravo!!! a great image of this old man! i like composition from down,story is very interesting,thanks
have a good day
francine

yanseiler (20) 2006-04-20 10:38

Hi Jerzy,

Nice compo and nice colors. This guy has an interesting look, and thanks for the note...

Kindly
Yan