The Look of Wisdom Photo

Photographer’s Note

I was just walking down the street when I passed this gentleman. He was waiting for a bus, I was going my own way. I was able to take one shot of him, the bus came and we both moved on.

What a great subject to my tastes. Calm and peacefulness seemed to ooze from him, I just wish I could have ran across him in a more organic setting, I could take hundreds of shots of this guy. Too bad I had time for only one.

ISO400, focal length 200mm, handheld, uncropped, curves, contrast masking and sharpening in Photoshop.

Vagabond, cmartos, cool_s15, digi-mom, JudyH, omritoppol, Galeota, manny, elena, eleparc, avigur_11, jhonny_blue, blah, gazo, fadingstar78 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Curioso (9119) 2004-05-09 8:23

Really nice portrait. This frank look is very striking and appealing. Great shot !

ianmcall (1213) 2004-05-09 8:29

Very pleasing expression and a self assured direct gaze into the lens. I love a good beard!

cmartos (6086) 2004-05-09 8:31

Superb portrait Darren. A really impressive glance! Superbly captured. Only one shot? so still more congratulations. Great.

cool_s15 (4048) 2004-05-09 8:34

wonderful portrait! I like how you framed which made us could see all the details. Without the whitespot behind would be perfect but this is already a good shot.

luis_paulino (904) 2004-05-09 8:40

Excellent portrait. Remenber me the "Lords of rings" movie. Well done.

JudyH (700) 2004-05-09 8:43

Organic setting or not, this is very well taken Darren. What I like most are the "crows feet" around his eyes. Speaks of many years of laughter. Also, the way he looks into the lens makes it seem as if he can see your soul. Very well done.

cdewet (0) 2004-05-09 8:52

Darren
An oriental Leorando da Vinci! I think this ays it all, well done!

bfly (5737) 2004-05-09 8:55

this sigle one came out very very good Darren...and even if you think it's not the best setting, he looks very natural and timeless here in his white shirt and blurred background...simply beautiful...

maciekda (19599) 2004-05-09 9:01

hi Darren, what a wonderful portrait, what a wonderful man! just incredible, lucky you! what can I say... very good stuff

omritoppol (826) 2004-05-09 9:26

Darren, this is really wonderful, he does look like a classic wizard full of knowledge. Great stuff.
(If they ever do an Asian version of lord of the rings, we know who can play Gandalf :-))

Luko (13896) 2004-05-09 9:51

As usual, I'll go against the flow ...

I'll be straightforward. This is not a photographer shot, I cannot see any value that the photographer has added here : I agree the old man is good looking, but I can't see either any expression or some environmental features that would really jump out of the screen and say hey, this is why photographer clicked at this time!

I can't spot any punctum here that would go straight to my heart...On the other hand, I'm not really surprised it has taken some hoos and haas from more members than some more artistic deserveful shots of yours, since it's a technically flawless and quite easy to look at image.

(Perhaps some people do not even realize they're actually commenting the OLD MAN not the IMAGE!!! :)))) ha, the old debate about the reality and the representation...)

[14] +

gringofil (0) 2004-05-09 10:15

Luko said something incredible here and my hat is off to him. Darren, as much as I like your portrait shots, I like your shots that show the environment around the people even more. I think back to the lady in the shop with the stuff around her and yes, the photo is good, because of the things that we can see happening and not just a close-up of her face. Anyway, I like this, but on the other hand I would like you to show more of what makes these people who they are...a bus shelter for this man would be a great second subject. Anyway, I know that this shot is flawless and I like it a lot, but I would also like you to try some "Luko" shots...show more of the world around your subjects and not just their faces. This is my challange to you.

[4]

manny (21378) 2004-05-09 11:43

I'll jump in and give my piece of mind.

This photo is very good technically. Good contrast, good composition, good DOF, etc. Your tight cropping is, btw, not really your signature. I admire you for venturing into a new territory (though I know you did drop by it every now and then). I do agree with Luko about including the context. But I would like to believe that you don't have to literally show the context to achieve this. Sometimes the expression gives it away. Or the spark in the eyes. Or the colors. Or the angle...

Having said that, I feel that this beautiful picture of a very interesting man lacks something basic: expression. He has a blank stare. But maybe this is his "context". Serenity? Peace of mind? Passivity?

I still like this picture though because of its technical merit. What I've said are just my own opinion.

(Funny but we critic pictures using our own style as our basis. This is very apparent today.)

[4] +

Galeota (10334) 2004-05-09 11:50

This is a great portrait of a very charismatic man. Wonderful expression.

elena (1054) 2004-05-09 12:27

So I will too jump in... it will help me to clarify my own thoughts in the meantime!!...
Excellent choice of subject, good contrast, perfect saturation, and awesome reflexes!!, to be able to aim your camera and shoot given the circumstances, AND get to this technically perfect result!!!! I don´t mind that much not being able to see the surroundings, of course it woud be nice, and if you had the chance to take 100 more of him, I bet you would have posted another one!!
But as Manny said, sometimes you don´t literally have to show the surroundings, his very well cared white hair/beard, his wrinkles, his white robe, they ARE giving information about him...
I personally like this portrait a lot, and I wish one day I will get at least close to this result.

strangiato (76) 2004-05-09 14:12

Aha, we have Gandalf the White here!
Nice catch.

eleparc (24059) 2004-05-09 15:47

only one but what a single shot Darren! your DOF enhances his beauty and the whiteness of his beard and hair! What the heck did Santa Klaus do in taipei waiting for a bus? where are his deers? or maybe travelling in his off duty period incognito??lol great shot darren ;-) !

Clochette (8076) 2004-05-09 16:06

A really great shot, Darren. Nothing to add to all other notes, but I wanted to bring my smiley to this extraordinary portrait.

avigur_11 (21307) 2004-05-09 17:34

A great subject, indeed, Darren. There is something strange, magical in his eyes. The direction of light is great, as well as the DOF. Wonderful shot.

ninadev (5225) 2004-05-09 22:04

I understand what Luko and others meants and I can't say he's wrong, but even on TE sometimes photos are just there to show beauty - from other countries. And this this pic is just beautiful, the man is but Darren you sure do know how to handle a camera to capture not only the envelop but the soul. Just perfect.

philip_coggan (11) 2004-05-09 23:03

I wish I'd taken this...

Have a look at Peter Steinhauer's Vietnam book - portraits and landscapes - http://www.theglobalist.com/photo/vietnam/steinhauer.shtml - this is very reminiscent, although in colour.

Just read Luko's comment - I see what he means, this is very much a photo of a face rather than a true portrait. Problem was, you needed to get to know this man. Perhaps next time you want to take a pic like this you could ask the person's address, saying you wanted to send them a print?

Danzi (2405) 2004-05-10 3:04

Beautiful portrait, Darren!

Excellent choice of subject, good contrast, perfect saturation, and awesome reflexes! Your DOF enhances his beauty and the whiteness of his beard and hair!

Congratulations!

Burnham (2426) 2004-05-10 14:06

I didn't havce points to give you for this one yesterday, but it's such a soothing picture. ofcause great DOF and all that, but mainly he is a perfect motif. You automatically create your own story on his life. If it's ok with you I would like to use him as a model (the picture ofcause) for a painting, the angelic white clothes and facial hair makes it really good. Great job and a mill thanks for sharing.

jhonny_blue (4954) 2004-05-14 4:53

WONDERFUL !!!!
It´s a wonderful and perfect picture of this old man !
The colours and details are great, and DOF perfect !
Congratulations Darren !
Very weel done

damsmad (173) 2004-06-25 9:30

Agree with Luko. Image's great, but the man does not have exactly A look. He looks empty. Cold. Not peaceful ot me. Image's great, but is there a composition? Still the guy's impressive. Because he's different? exotic? Crop's perfect, though.

[2]

sn00zie (2384) 2004-09-08 11:20

wisdom indeed... a lovely portrait Darren.

Von_Klomp (0) 2005-03-07 11:30

who's to say this isnt a photographer shot? its a portrait, it doesnt need environmental features. you'll see many of the same type of shot in any national geographic magazine. this is a nice shot, no doubt about it. i could take a picture of a tin can, someone's going to like it and someone's going ot say its a waste of film. art is whatever appeals to your eye. of course anyone can have their own opinion.

gazo (116) 2005-03-12 23:22

Good shot, good note.

keribar (42760) 2005-03-17 0:58

This is a great picture Darren,

I would use it as a book cover for instance. Keep going - Izzet Keribar

doris (474) 2005-11-21 19:38

Have just read the varied critiques on this image. There is a difference between portrait shots which show an individual, and photojournalism which shows the person in his/her environment plus some story as well. Interpretation depends on which box you place it in. Personally, I think you're brave to have fronted up to this guy with your camera and for one brief moment had his attention. Something I struggle with.....
Kia Kaha
Karen

[2]

Tezic (16927) 2005-12-14 8:06

Very clear and nice portrait, also very good ligh and colours... congratulations... perfect job..
coskun

fadingstar78 (408) 2005-12-21 21:30

I agree with Luko, more or less. His critique is right and well substantiated. Still I think it misses a point. Trekearth is not just about photography and photography theory. I don't see any problem in people commenting the old man rather than the actual picture.

rasmis (291) 2006-10-11 8:02

Nice portrait shot indeed. Well managed colors light and DOF. Well done.

mpetrovic (1479) 2007-05-03 3:09

"the philosopher.. you know so much about nothing at all.. you preach how I am supposed to be, yet you don't know your own sexuality..."

once upon a time, a wise man said.

however, superb portrait.

marko

Andro (4) 2007-08-28 1:32