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Daniel
Daniel
Melethia


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Street Portraiture (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Challenges 2010
Camera: Canon EOS-7D
Lens: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Location: Santa Monica pier
Date: Jun 30, 2010
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/200
Date Uploaded: Jul 2, 2010

 Took the camera out. The poor thing has been banished to the dark closet due to the owner's inability to do anything worthwhile with it in the past several months (at least according to DPC voters.) But since it is DPL playoffs and I didn't do vodka or cows, I had to do something. And oddly, I like shooting people, even strangers. I usually try to do it without them noticing, however...

So I went to the Santa Monica pier; 'tis a lovely tourist trap. It's just up the road an hour or so (though only about 14 miles) from where I work. Gray overcast "marine layer" kinda day, which makes for soft flat light. I'd talked to two very nice gentlemen - Lance and his son Devon - and taken their pictures earlier. I saw a woman with a funnel cake, asked her where she got it, then went to stand in line to get one. I'd been in line for about a minute when a pigeon (yes, a pigeon, dammit) shat upon my shoulder, on my camera strap. Of all things...

So I moved forward, as the pigeons were perched directly overhead. I turned to look behind me and warn those in line there about the dangers of pigeon poo. Daniel and his brother (with a couple of older brothers) were there, also waiting to order funnel cakes. Very sweet boys, very cherubic faces. They willingly posed for me (I asked the older boy if it was OK first). They didn't want to smile, but I do have two adorable shots of both brothers smiling, sorta, that I'll add later. Dimples like you wouldn't believe!

Daniel assured me I didn't have pigeon poo anywhere other than the camera strap. And he let me take his picture several times, giggling when I showed him the results. All told, a very pleasant experience!

My DPL team, those blind as bats but very kind and sweet folks, like this. Here's hoping it doesn't completely tank, for their sakes. Keeping fingers crossed. If this is a sub-5er, I will cry. And quit for good.

Shot at +2/3 exposure; processed with a Lightroom preset, then in Photoshop to dodge the eyes a bit, burn the nose a bit, add sharpening.

[Jul. 7th, 2010 11:08:45 PM]

Daniel and his brother, sorta smiling. Aren't they adorable?



Thanks for not letting Daniel be a sub-5. I do quite like this shot.

Statistics
Place: 11 out of 94
Avg (all users): 6.5346
Avg (commenters): 8.1250
Avg (participants): 6.0952
Avg (non-participants): 6.6923
Views since voting: 1847
Views during voting: 394
Votes: 159
Comments: 48
Favorites: 8 (view)

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AuthorThread
 02/23/2013 05:55:44 PM
I feel like I know Daniel in person... because of the way you've presented him. Or maybe I just love the discussion of our team about this image....

Either way, this leaves me with a happy feeling.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2010 05:00:51 PM
Oh, nice work! The magik's back!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2010 04:49:36 AM
Really terrific portrait, Deb. Wow!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/16/2010 08:32:22 AM
WOW what a finish!!! With a stunner of a portrait you put the icing on a wonderful team effort - and what a player you are :) (as in, I won't let you forget it)!! This picture is mesmerizing. I keep coming back - over and over - I just love it. Congratulations - wot a woman!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2010 07:41:51 AM
Just plain wonderful. The highlighted curles are the icing on the cake here. A top5 fave from the challenge. Thank you for the story accompanying the shot.

Message edited by author 2010-07-14 11:42:09.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2010 06:51:17 PM
I love the close crop on this. It has so much impact and soul! Nice one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2010 10:12:19 AM
Daniel is beautiful. And beautifully photographed, Deb. I really, really like this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 04:46:02 PM
If this is a sub-5er, I will cry. And quit for good.

I hate when you say stuff like this. The numbers mean so little. There are blues that are forgettable (and forgotten) and browns that should be in museums.

So congratulations, not on a high finish, but on a great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 02:08:13 PM
There you go!! From doom and gloom to 11th place! That pigeon brought you some good karma :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 01:04:28 PM
A 6.53 means you'll be sticking around a little while longer, eh? Congrats on the top-11 shot. We all knew this one would be a keeper.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 12:57:57 PM
Ha! Ha!

Obviously no mentor is really needed for you :)

Congrats on an excellent finish and an excellent score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 07:07:35 AM
Love the face and especially the curls, even the crumbs. Wish I could process my shots as well as you do. I'm so glad you won't be giving up ... look at all those favs!

P.S. Pigeon poo is supposed to be good luck. I guess there's some truth to that. :)

Message edited by author 2010-07-12 11:08:36.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 05:19:26 AM
Congrats on 11th & a very respectable score! Now you can't give up & quit! LOL!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 05:02:25 AM
Wonderful shot! I love the color palette that you chose! Congrats on the 11th--beautifully done and a wonderful find!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 04:45:33 AM
Awww, cherubic is right. You nailed it! I loved it as soon as I saw it in the challenge. And a great story to go with your meeting of such cute new friends. This is a no-brainer to kick butt in a Street Portrait challenge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 04:23:03 AM
This one was one of my top choices. Good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 02:17:33 AM
Great image! Like the processing. Deserved to place much higher, IMHO :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 12:33:21 AM
You know, the Italians say that having a pigeon poop on you is good luck. Sure sounds like they are right : )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 11:28:01 PM
Woot woot, Deb. No more whining. ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 10:57:49 PM
finally! as I said you needed a good challenge to get your inspiration back. Congrats on a great shot and a great finish! Terrific portrait Deb! ViewFiners rock!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 10:27:19 PM
This one, like Pawdrix's, cuts through.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 09:59:21 PM
I thought this was wonderful, gave you an 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 09:37:47 PM
You cannot possibly quite, Deb. You're one of my favorite photogs on DPC!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 09:27:25 PM
Woohoo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 09:19:51 PM
Congrats on the high finish Deb! ....so glad you took the camera out of retirement, beautiful image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 09:12:55 PM
And with that, the curse is broken! Whoo-hooo!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 08:57:46 PM
just plain great!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 08:55:58 PM
Wonderful...just wonderful! I'm sure glad you were on our team! Go ViewFinders!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 08:51:06 PM
Originally posted by salmiakki:
Yep. You did it. You got your mojo back. Well done Deb!


And more favorites than the top three finishers combined.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 08:49:36 PM
I actually really like this one, at a very gut level. Hmmmm. What a lovely picture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 08:46:47 PM
Yep. You did it. You got your mojo back. Well done Deb!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 08:44:06 PM
11th place - that is awesome. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/11/2010 07:48:54 PM
Daniel is a beautiful soul. Well done Deb!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 06:59:08 PM
I really enjoy this image. He looks like he could burst into laughter at any moment. He makes me smile.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 05:43:23 PM
Bold. Captivating. Penetrating.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 02:27:19 PM
I love the framing, the eyes, the detail. This image is exquisite! (10)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/11/2010 01:16:27 PM
Nicely composed and a strangely compelling look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2010 07:56:00 PM
Love this! Great clarity, great expression, nice color in the processing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2010 07:09:55 PM
extremely engaging ...9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2010 04:21:04 AM
The quality of light here is stunning. Great composition too. I only wish you had cleaned up the crumbs on the face to made this look a bit cleaner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/09/2010 02:55:52 AM
Even though this is a very good portrait I dont feel like it is a street portrait. There is nothing in it that gives me the feeling that this is taken on a street or other public domain.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/07/2010 07:03:40 PM
Dang - I can't fave it now. I will when the challenge is over. His face and gaze is so compelling. What an amazing shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/06/2010 04:56:18 PM
Very nice portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/06/2010 09:23:38 AM
Lovely tones... like the way you have tried to fill the frame...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 08:07:44 AM
There is something so unusual about this face. The features are young, but the expression and energy are old. Very interesting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 04:43:14 AM
What a gaze! Nicely captured!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 02:32:17 AM
Nice processing, and i like that you resisted the urge to clean those imperfections around the cheeks and eyes. Great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2010 08:16:06 PM
I love the crumbs on his face :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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