Pensions Increase 100% Photo

Photographer’s Note

All Pensions will increase by 100% as from NOW.

I saw this gentleman looking at the newspaper with a smile on his face, I thought what could he smiling at,

Italy 4 v Australia 0

For pensioners all will be gratis,

You may have your own thoughts.

When I took this shot I hurried because it was his smile I wanted to capture, subsequently I overexposed it, decided first BW & later a sepia look, this is the result.

Italian

Da ora tutte le pensioni aumenteranno il 100%.

Ho visto questo signore che leggeva il giornale e sorrideva, tra di me ho pensato chi sa cosa potrebbe essere scritto che lo fa sorridere cosi,

Italia 4 v Australia 0

Tutto gratis per i pensionati,

Non lo so, Io ho pensato cosi, voi forse averete la vostra idea.

Quando l'ho visto con quel sorriso simpatico ho fatto tutto alla fretta, perché era proprio il suo sorriso che cercavo, mi è uscita sovraesposta, ho deciso prima BW, e poi sepia, questo è il risultato.

macondo, trekks, Clementi, Kielia, phwall, BWJ, fanni, PaulVDV, gunbud, alftrek, holmertz, Atousa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

daddo (11324) 2009-03-15 23:39

Ciao Santo. Obviously he hasn't invested in shares. I have stopped smiling a while ago- like the song said "I see that worried look upon (your)my face..." Anyway, after a nice plate of pasta and a glass of vino,plus the Mediterranean sun on his face, what is there to worry about? Lovely moment Santo. Sepia works well. Saluti. Klaudio.

delpeoples (5892) 2009-03-16 1:17

Caro Santo, I absolutely love this photo. The old man is just beautiful - his smile worth a thousand words. The seppia conversion makes it timeless. And the shot is beautifully sharp and well-timed. Have you seen Giorgio's (Ciakgiak) photos of old Italian men? They're lovely. When I work how to, I'm going to create a theme: "Old Italian Men" by Santo and Giorgio. Ottima lavoro, Lisa.

macondo (13075) 2009-03-16 4:00

As if...
Nice capture and terrific title. I like the timeless quality achieved by both the man's smile and the sepia tone. I like the low DOF, too - even the fellow beside him looks blurry! This shot has universality as well as timelessness - it could be anywhere; the experience of old age is pretty universal. Although not all oldies read their papers with such pleasure. Perhaps, though, it was something the bloke next to him said...
Regards,
Andrew

siamesa (12744) 2009-03-16 5:38

Hi Santo

Maybe... It's an interesting and good moment that you captured . The sepia colours was very well chose. TFS
Abraços
maria

trekks (14262) 2009-03-16 10:31

hello Santo

Haha, this is a great shot! Very appropriate title and note. Italy 4? Are you sure? And which side will you support? Very tough dilemma to decide, no? I always enjoy your people shot. This one especially captured from an angle that allows the man's smiles to be clearly visible and he was placed very well.

The sepia is a great choice.

My apology for missing in action lately; I had posted my 1st Cambodian travelogue. Although not my best, it nevertheless gives me a theme to open a people shot, with you in mind.

tfs, bill

Clementi (43843) 2009-03-16 12:02

Ciao Santo,
veramente bella e simpatica questa foto, il vecchietto sembra soddisfatto mentre legge il giornale (magari hanno trovato la pillola delle lunga vita), bellissimo il trattamento.
Giorgio

Kielia (8401) 2009-03-16 12:20

Hi Santo,
it is a great pleasure to look at this timeless impression of this distinguished gentleman who really enjoys reading his newspaper. And your note is also excellent. What a charming composition in times of global financial crisis. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

phwall (5546) 2009-03-16 18:01

Hi Santo,
An increase in the pension, hahahaha, not in our lifetime.
Great shot, it's always wonderful to see someone smiling.
Regards
Peter

BWJ (1771) 2009-03-16 19:33

Hello Santo,
We don't know what brought this big smile to the old gentleman's face, but is it great to see him smile. Your composition is superb. It is an original idea that fits perfectly with this nostalgic city scene. Very well done.
Kind regards,
Betty

hispic (7399) 2009-03-16 20:02

Hello Santo,
Good capture of a wonderful smile indeed, and the gentleman is put in place by the rule of thirds. Black in sepia is truely beautiful.
Regards, Hisashi

Gundog68 (194) 2009-03-17 1:00

Santo

Nice portrait shot here. I find often find these candid shots more interesting as they reflect life so well.
The selection of sepia here is certainly appropriate. Well done.

TFS
mark

fanni (8735) 2009-03-17 2:10

Hello Santo,
this is a wonderful shot! I like the man's smile! I also like the composition and the sepia version (in a way sepia emphasizes the "old age").
I wish I could see such moments in Moscow where day by day pensioners become sadder and sadder, with an expression of doom on their faces. What a contrast!
Kind regards,
Elena

PaulVDV (5162) 2009-03-17 15:18

Hello Santo,
Thanks for this daily life-picture of someone who seems to be happy.
Don't know if Italian newspapers publish good news. Here it's only sad news.
Perhaps this gentleman is someone who enjoys every minute of his older days.
Congratulations with this shot.
Best regards, Paul

gunbud (27789) 2009-03-17 17:54

Hi Santo,
Very funny image that a 100 percent increase could explain.
The sepia works very well here leading the eye directly to the warm smile.
I think he is just happy to be able to check the news for another day.
Regards, Tom

alftrek (2783) 2009-03-19 18:42

Hello Santo,
Never mind the overexposure of the BG, the timely capture of the man's expression is more than enough to compensate. You should have asked him for the reason after the shot. I cant sleep well without the answer:-))) I enjoyed your street photos which I find it terribly difficult. I am convinced you have excellent eyesight to notice these sorts of things.

Alfred

holmertz (9586) 2009-03-21 7:37

Hello Santo,
Slowly approaching my own retirement (I can hardly wait) I could fancy the idea of sitting on a bench and enjoying the newspaper (especially since I won't have to contribute to it anymore). But I'm not so sure if I can afford the same warm smile as this gentleman, when the pensions may have been eaten by the financial crisis. Anyway, it's a nice and heart-warming picture of a kind that we should see more of on TE.
Kind regards,
Gert

Atousa (3434) 2009-04-06 5:00

Salam Santo,

Very interesting shot n title..it may be the joke of year if a retired person reads such a title in a newspaper in my country..sepia really suits this shot n you captured his natural smile n pose very well..thank you.
Best regards, A

diegomach (471) 2009-04-23 19:26

Santo hermosa fotografía. cada día nos perdemos de cosas tan hermosas como esta que has captado de una formidable manera.
La expresión del hombre es estupenda y el virado a sepia es estupendo tambien en esta toma. tiene una nitidez muy buena. Gracias por brindarnos esta maravillosa toma.
Un abrazo
Diego

pablominto (40508) 2009-04-26 0:29

Hello Santo,

This is a humorous scene indeed, and we can interpret what we like into it..!
A well composed presentation, and the contrasty appearance works well with me...
Effective focus on the guy on the bench direct our attention well!

Greetings,
Pablo -
OK