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LevT


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Environmental Portrait (Advanced Editing IV)
Collection: Portraits
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Location: La Jolla, CA
Date: May 9, 2006
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/500s
Galleries: Candid, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: May 9, 2006

 Taken at the Windasea beach in La Jolla, CA (not in New Hampshire, no :)). After a whole day of fog and overcast skies, the sun finally came out at 5pm and I rushed to the shore to take some surfer pics (predictably, dozens of them rushed there, too). I asked many of them to pose for me, but posing is hard, you need to spend a lot of time (which they were not inclined to give me), and very few are good at posing in general. So the best "environmental portrait" came from a candid: I shamelessly pointed a camera at this guy without asking him anything and waited for him to notice me. I like his facial expression, very natural. I also like it that the surfboard in not in the frame but is just implied by the cord. I was told afterwards that he is a very good surfer, one of the best in La Jolla, at least.

There is one little thing which works against the title, ...the wedding ring, of course :) On the other hand, maybe you can be married and live free, who knows... Of course, I could clone it out, but decided to keep it to maintain my photographic integrity :).

Statistics
Place: 6 out of 190
Avg (all users): 7.1778
Avg (commenters): 7.9474
Avg (participants): 7.0000
Avg (non-participants): 7.2649
Views since voting: 9310
Views during voting: 506
Votes: 225
Comments: 35
Favorites: 20 (view)

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AuthorThread
 01/02/2011 07:28:47 PM
I'm taking umbrage at the wedding ring comment... *grin*... but love the story of how you got this wonderful ribbon winner, Lev!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/13/2008 04:38:05 AM
Rob Zombie dives? Cool and very nice image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/13/2007 10:32:01 AM
Would loved to have seen him in his Glory days as a young man clean shaven out shreddin the waves. But this is cool, because we see him as he is now, older and still very much enjoying his life and hobby.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/13/2007 04:10:39 AM
great focus and dof and the lighting is awesome, marvelous portrait, the eye contact is priceless
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/05/2007 04:40:35 PM
I'm browsing around and came upon this photo - really awesome. I love the story that goes with it, too. Great shot - congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/25/2006 01:35:44 PM


I don't know what I can possibly add to the many many comments you have already recieved, a 7+ score and top ten finish. It's an awesome shot with incredible lighting and focus. Well done.
TC

Message edited by HBunch - Removed CC status....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2006 09:16:45 PM
Excellent shot, one that caught my eye when voting. Good job and a very nice finish.

He doesn't look thrilled to have his picture taken, nor does he look particularly upset. Its almost like you (the photog) are an interesting nuisance. ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2006 10:35:45 AM
What a capture, what a character! Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2006 07:04:18 AM
Congratulations on your top 10 finish. Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2006 06:13:05 AM
He look like that Russian actor who plays a homeless man and is given a coat by Christian Bale at the beginning of Batman Begins....Anyone? Or is that too obscure?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2006 10:02:38 PM
Congratulations on your top ten..This was in my top three out of the entire challenge.

I think you can still live free and be married.. free spirit.. free mind.. free choice... and this man looks like he embraces freedom often. The ocean going off behind him is all about freedom.

You absolutely nailed the subject there is no doubt in my mind about the environment or this beautiful portrait :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2006 09:21:53 PM
Enjoyed this one. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2006 09:00:38 PM
This was one of my two top picks, actually; I found it unique and extremely well done. Congrats on top 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2006 08:47:56 PM
Congrats on your top 10! This a fantastic image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/21/2006 01:34:26 AM
Looks like a character. Shadows are slightly harsh/dark on the face but other than that the lighting is quite good. Composition and DOF are good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2006 03:19:17 PM
You isolated your subject nicely. Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2006 09:40:55 PM
Very nice capture. The lighting is right on the money.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2006 06:03:55 PM
yeah, that's a man in his element! nice lighting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2006 09:25:17 AM
Amazingly interesting model here! Love the eye contact and the lighting as well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2006 07:26:58 PM
Great DOF... amazing photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2006 04:06:09 PM
Great shot. Really tells part of his story well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/18/2006 03:16:55 AM
Dunno, seems more like a candid snapshot than a portrait, he just doesn´t really seem to be relating to the camera other than "what the heck, someone is taking a picture of me!" but nothing that made me deduct points in this one, it´s a nice shot, got a 6 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2006 10:42:50 PM
I like this.....a lot! My favorite in this challenge so far. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2006 06:15:09 PM
I love this shot. The colors are crisp and astetic. The man looks like an interesting person to talk to, and I'm intrigued about the life he's led. It's clear from the portrait that he spends a lot of time in the water. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2006 11:02:38 AM
Excellent shot, I love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2006 06:18:17 AM
Wonderful ! I really like his expression and the DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2006 03:52:26 AM
Uha, like the light, colors, face expression and it gives me the feeling of wanting to jump in.... over all a very nice portrait :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 09:47:31 PM
great photo of a california (?) dude. This shot has a lot of things in it's favour..... truly dedicated (addicted) surfers are free souls, just waiting for that perfect wave.. your model exemplifies this. Very well photographed ... my highest vote to date... 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 02:48:12 PM
Honestly, I don't know what it is about this photo...can't put my finger on it...but I love this shot. Maybe it is the expression you have captured, or just the idea of someone enjoying their passions without restraint. Regardless...this is one of my fav photos in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 09:03:26 AM
i really like this, the title, the composition. very photogernalistic image. :) great job. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 08:01:06 AM
Was this taken on St. Croix?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 05:33:01 AM
cool! 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 04:54:14 AM
Spot on. I think this is a great example of an environmental portrait and it has good composition, detail and light. Definitely one of my top scores.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2006 04:02:46 AM
awesome - great lighting and subject 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/14/2006 08:22:38 PM
I love this. Great clarity. Makes me want to yell "DUDE." 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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