la vie est belle... Photo

Photographer’s Note

i know, i know, to some folks it's a very silly song, but manu chao's "... la vie est bellle... le monde pourri..." was the first thing that came to my mind when i noticed this expression in the crowd. and... i like manu chao. so, here you go: 'la vie est belle' (life is beautiful) 'le monde pourri...' (the word is rotten) addition to my 2008 new year's series.

i know, the background can be considered distracting here, but i left it in very intentionally: with all the colors and everything else.

--
the shot was made in front of Basilica de la Virgen de Agua Santa in Banos, Ecuador on the first day of this year. people from towns and villages close and far gather for blessings at the Basilica on this day.

belido, avene, Floydian, arnabchat, Philippe, trekks, jusninasirun, plimrn, gunbud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

vagabondtravels (6097) 2008-02-01 5:39

Hi Kristaps

Interesting character you have found here. Very sharp with good dof. His expression seems sad. Anyhow well done.
Ben

belido (16065) 2008-02-01 6:00

Hi Kristaps,

I think I'm chaging the idea of post the only portrait from Bulgaria. Each one from you makes me think mine is such a bad work. I like his sad face against the colorful background. Sharpness and clarity, specially on him, are superb. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

avene (10888) 2008-02-01 6:07

since there are only women in the background, I think it actually adds to the story, doesn't it? interesting how the colourful background makes his gray clothes stand out, usually it's just the opposite. I like the off center composition and how he looks straight to you, but definitely doesn't see anything. I guess the beautiful life can get a bit tiresome.
best,
K.

Floydian (30970) 2008-02-01 7:54

Hi Kristaps,
How i love his sat facial expression, even better than a smiling face. Although the framing is not bad at all, i would like to see more accent on the man it self. Made a small ws....if you don't like it i will remove it.
Take care, Henk

[workshop] [compare] +

lousat (15026) 2008-02-01 7:59

I like a lot this portrait,the expression of thi man and the lovely backgorund,thanks for share,Luciano

arnabchat (6992) 2008-02-01 8:22

a dead sharp portait with perfect light and color tones. what else can a quality image think of?
Greetings from Trieste.
Arnab

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-02-01 8:29

Howdy!
I got no complaints about the background. Far from that. The contrast (as in your previous posts) really enhances those sharp foreground features. Another cool streetlife portrait, buddy. I got no problem with this series of yours, keep 'em coming!
Cheers,
F.

mursaloglu (5068) 2008-02-01 8:30

Hello Kristaps
What a sad expression this human face. But you've did a great work using small aperture and blurring behind and giving maximum stroke to this man. Great picture best regards ihsan

ifanik (20464) 2008-02-01 8:46

Hello Kristaps
Another beautiful portrait from you
Bravo my friend it is very well done
Bst regards
Nick

Philippe (11671) 2008-02-01 12:39

Hi, Kristaps. He looks rather sad and his sadness is emphasized by the colour of his clothes. I think the colours of the background somehow bring him out by contrast. Good sharpness and DOF.

denisn72 (6897) 2008-02-01 13:55

Hello Kristaps
He looks sad or may be he feels alone among the crowd. Details and colours are excellent. Well done!
Best regards
Denis!

trekks (14260) 2008-02-01 19:48

Haha, Kris, I wish I also looked like him and let you capture the expression, such a fine mood, it is definitely not a posed one. Worthwhile to get to know him and find out why he looked this way!

Great portrait, IMO. I totally ignore the BG and just notice him. A star is born.

Great work. TFS
bill

stego (22336) 2008-02-02 19:14

Hi Kristaps,
It's an impressive portrait, in which the vivid colours of the environment contrast much with the sad expression and the grey clothes of the man, who looks like agreeing much more with the rottenness of the world than with the beauty of life.
Regards, José.

nirvana73 (8492) 2008-02-02 20:49

Hi Kristaps
nice portrait and daily life
and his looks
flu backround is nice
thanks for sharing
bst regards
Ozhan

marietom (31780) 2008-02-03 1:44

Hi Kristaps,

Un portrait sympa, un air plutôt triste, pour une photo qui fait très "film".
Bien vu
Marie

jusninasirun (10076) 2008-02-03 2:52

Hello Kristaps,

Wekll captured portrait.

Clear face.

Detail expression. The blurry background isolates the subject brilliantly here.

Regards,
Jusni

danyy (68040) 2008-02-03 10:58

Bonjour Kristaps,
la vie est belle mais pas toujours facile. Les peuples d'Amérique du Sud en savent quelque chose.
Expression de visage bien capturée et mise en évidence par une DOF faible qui nous concentre sur ce personnage.
Best regards.
Daniel.

jpinkham (844) 2008-02-03 16:29

Hi, Kristaps, I don't think the background is distracting here; rather, it is establishing a context. The important thing is you have this man with his expression in perfect focus. Great composition with him looking right at the camera, and well positioned within the frame.

batalay (20704) 2008-02-03 20:22

Hello Kristaps,

Great expression on the man's face. The photograph is nicely composed, and the background, completely out of focus, is not distracting. This must be from your collection shot recently during your trip to Ecuador with Kristina (Avene). It must be a wonderful time of year to get away for the Tropics.

Warm regards,

Bulent

plimrn (19558) 2008-02-03 22:16

Hi Kristaps,
I like the bright and busy BG. It emphasizes his sadness in the midst of all the action, he is alone. I don;t know what "le monde pourri" means, but he really looks like he's about to cry.
HLJ, Pat

bantonbuju (48340) 2008-02-04 6:18

holly s...what a face, fabulous, kristaps...
i cannot imagine other than manu chao relationship to this man...love his face, the grimase, the way you "hang" him in the frame as a lonely hero of the place...
lovely work,
bw, j.

gunbud (27559) 2008-02-04 11:31

Hi Kristaps,
Wonderfully somber puzzled expression captured on this man's face. The colors are very clear and bright with mosaic muted background.
Regards, Tom