You can't pass, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

On the railway bridge there is a narrow pedestrian walkway. As I crossed it this old man blocked my way and looking as threatening as he could, said that I couldn't pass unless I gave him some money. We did a deal 1 rupee for a photo and for him to move aside.

MarianneS, Floydian, dareco, BennyV, macondo, alftrek oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

jjcordier (79299) 2008-10-18 22:31

Stephen
Trčs belle qualité d'image pour ce trčs beau portrait de cet homme au visage marqué par le temps. J'aime beaucoup également les tons de la photo.
Amicalement
JJ

devimeuxbe (58557) 2008-10-18 23:49

Hi Stephen
Excellent portrait. The face is interesting with a strong glance. Excellent colors and sharpness.
Bertrand

MarianneS (15338) 2008-10-19 0:38

Hi Stephan,
Impressive portrait!
You say in your note 'as threatening as he could'. Here (after the deal) it seems he is just sounding out... Perhaps he wonders if he could have asked more for this photo?
Anyway, it is a great portrait. His face is very expressive and the colours are very sweet.
Well done.
Regards,
Marianne

everlasting (19680) 2008-10-19 1:52

REally nice portrait Steve, with complimenting tones and perfect details and bokeh. I would have liked at little more space at the top, so his eyes were a little lower in the image.

Aragon1981 (6) 2008-10-19 2:47 [Comment]

Show Comment

Floydian (30970) 2008-10-19 7:28

Hi Steve,
Great deal for one rupee, this picture is worth much more then that.
The Velvia gave you excellent sharpness here, thanks to probably good scanning. high detail, superb pose and framing (maybe a but to high in the frame althou i'm not really sure about that), and most of all his facial expression which is just great.
A strong photo, like this a lot.
Regards, Henk

dareco (17136) 2008-10-19 8:25

I think this is a fantastic portrait. Superb expression, and the skin tones and detail are excellent. Great job! TFS

kschanna (6) 2008-10-20 2:41

and what an amazing deal that was, he recieved a rupee and you got an amazing shot. Excellent scan.

Thanks for sharing

Kamran

BennyV (34710) 2008-10-20 4:53

Well, you certainly got your money's worth there, Steve! Great portrait, perfect positioning a bit left off center and the colours of the headscarf do the rest. Good work.

Benny

macondo (20449) 2008-10-21 5:27

Hi Steve.
Great story and superb portrait. His face is full of character, and you can sense the determination in his face, even though he was clearly not giving anything away just because you paid him. Great quality again from the scanning, and a good tight framing/crop.
Regards,
Andrew

alftrek (3270) 2008-10-21 17:25

Hello Steve,
Is this a scan again? The quality is outstanding! The details, lighting and expression on his face is all good.

Well worth it for 1 rupee. I will remember that.

Alfred

holmertz (101864) 2008-10-22 7:47

Hello Steve,
A very good portrait which makes me feel that the man is actually looking straight at me. He looks like he really needed that rupee.
Best regards,
Gert

eversmile (11636) 2008-10-23 3:23

Hi Stephen,

It's a good portrait, sharp and full of details. His wet eyes, his emaciated face, his strict and straight look. But the cherry on the cake, for me, is the matching between the color of the stripe on his headgear and the blurred background.
Well done!
Regards
Marine

bantonbuju (51815) 2008-10-29 0:27

how much wisdom, how much history is "painted" on the faces of elderly men... i do love photographing them and seeing photos of them...
bw, j.