Photographer's Note
Time to get back to my theme about the TE members I admire. To know what this is all about please read the introductory notes on the first post of the series.
Luko. Probably, there would be no need for any introduction from my side because he must be one of the most – if not the most – well known members of this site. But I’ll take my chance; I don’t any of you to overlook this talented man.
Some admire is art of writing. Some his technical expertise and knowledge of the photographic medium. There are people who like his strong personality, there are people who don’t... Finally, there are people who think he is only a theorist and his photography isn’t that special. Well, they’re wrong. They are very very wrong.
You want a proof? Ok… just one would be easy, so I give you three out of my favorites hand: one, two and three. With one, he gives us a class on the refined art of composition. Three bicycles sleeping on the floor, three pairs of people, three backpacks, all enveloped in a nice vignette, concentrating the light and the eye around those trios. It may look nothing special at the first sight, but believe there’s a lot of art in here. The second one is all about light. And the absence of it. And I’ve been always amazed about the way he controls his exposures. The 5D in his hands always makes me jealous and praying to Child Jesus for a new one next Christmas. I’ve learned a lot studying his exposures and the way he never accidentally blowns highlights. He’s very fond on shadows and likes to present them as they are perceived by the human eye and that has taught me to keep them dark instead of always open them. In the final third one you can see one of my favorite characteristics of his photography: color. His color awareness is simply amazing. Look here what he has done with just yellows and a sip of black. And if you browse his gallery you’ll find several examples about this color care. He has a very aesthetical soul and his color has always a real cinematic feel.
In his intro he says HCB influences the way he shoots. I can say the same about him. For me, he is one of the best travel photographers on site. Because travel photography is a discipline on its own and follows certain elements I always look for when looking to pictures like in this context. To present a travel destination with a sense of discovery and humanity isn’t easy. But Luko’s ability to capture the daily life culture at the same time he present us the beauty of a place is a striking – and not easy at all – one. He don’t like close portraits, he prefers to show us the people and the environment. And to me, he is a master balancing all the options this challenge poses.
But Luko is also known for his ability to write critiques. Good critiques. Let me do some math here. His useful critiques ratio is 76%. Mine is 28%... And I strive to give "long" and meaningful critiques. A great part of my TE time spending is done reading his critiques. You would be amazed how much you could learn just doing this. It’s like a free course on photography… It’s really incredible the amount of knowledge that man has in his head. And the good thing is that he doesn’t mind sharing it. Remember Luko’s USM method? No…? Please check here…
Regarding the picture I am offering today, I know that it doesn’t meet his high standards – like my pictures almost never do... – but somehow it reminded me his fabulous series on Indian Women. The way the light shines from her face and the row of colorful silk scarves enhanced that feeling. But besides any comparison – I have to reaffirm that that’s not the purpose on this theme – this is just my humble way of saying thanks.
So, as always, final words for you dear Luko. Thanks for all the insight and for replying all my doubts. It’s not always easy to find a person that doesn’t mind to share its knowledge just for the sake of it. We both know that this world and site can be more jealous that it shows, but every time I asked you for something you were there to teach and share till I was satisfied with the answer. Thanks for the support, really. Hope that the next Pudim d’Ovos comes out perfectly. If not, we can always go through with it with my Mum. :)
Critiques | Translate
Framboisilla
(5277) 2007-10-29 3:17
Hi Luis,
He will be probably happy to read you...
I like in your compo your idea of framing with the woman's arm full of colorful fabrics. Very nice !
Regards,
Stéphanie.
Floydian
(30970) 2007-10-29 3:19
Hi Luis,
It's not a Luko picture, but i am glad you did not an exact copy of his work. That would only lower your picture. Yours here is more your style, with a very colourful pallet which can be seen in almost all your pictures.
Like the different layers of colours over the woman her arm and the fact she is not looking straight in the lens. The woman in the background and the one on the left play a good role in the composition, although i am not sure about the head just behind the second woman and the guy looking through that telescope....but maybe he belongs there.
Have a nice day, Henk
Furachan
(0) 2007-10-29 3:37
A fine, fine tribute to this site's Rennaissance Man, a complete photographer who has helped raise the quality of discourse and output on Trekearth again and again. This sharp, saturated picture really conjures up at least one facet of our friend - that displayed n some of his recent Indian work, as you yourself note.
Delighted to see this upload. Bravo!
Francis
AndreiSter
(0) 2007-10-29 3:40
Hi Luis.
I am fascinated by your note.I will keep in mind the name Luko and the other names presented in your theme.You admire the greatest names in photography on TE.
I have to admit that i like your style from the begining.Thank you for your note and shot.Both are superb.
All the best,
Andrei
mirarer
(4751) 2007-10-29 3:53
Hola Luis,
A diferencia de Luko yo soy malísima haciendo críticas. Pero tengo claro lo que me gusta y lo que no me gusta. Y esta foto me gusta mucho. Muy buen retrato y muy bien compuesto.
Saludos,
Mirari.
anes_lc
(14968) 2007-10-29 5:36
this is a real tribut :)
i must confess that this pictures for me are realy specila...because like i said we want what we don´t have :D and shots like this..:( none in my gallery :(
but i keep on learning from photographers like you and luko:) and more others
great shot
best regards,anes
AmiBe
(6042) 2007-10-29 7:13
Hi Luis,
good news, you're back with your great theme.
I like your words to describe Luko, it's really true I think.
I like your picture as well. Full of colors, like a rainbow.
I like the hand on the left but the head of the woman just behind it distubs me a little bit.
(And check your links, there are some problems...)
rgs
teutza
(10590) 2007-10-29 8:14
HY Luis,
i'm fascinated with your theme..you just pick the right image for the right person..and the right note for all those great photographers from TE!
you're doing a great job!!
teo
faubry
(35447) 2007-10-29 9:08
hello luis, luko will be very happy i think... your picture is differnet of these of luko, less abstract.. here colorful shot, i like this woman who dont see you and other behind... bravo for your gallery and people approach..
soon
francine
flory
(4848) 2007-10-29 9:37
Luis,
Luko is Luko;)brilliant!your note is the most beautiful 'Thanks' for him,for what he doing,hm.like my father said 'the advices are expensive'and if someone wants to learn....well,there is Luko!
a big support this colorful arm presented;)
and a special theme!
thanks,Flory
xavshot
(69835) 2007-10-29 13:24
bonsoir Luis
superbe photo et beau clin d'oeil ŕ Luko ;o) Męme si je ne le connais pas beaucoup, j'imagine qu'il appréciera. j'aime beaucoup la qualité et les couelrus de cette photo. Trčs beau travail.
Xavier
broglia
(3604) 2007-10-29 13:34
Hi Luis, an amazing tribute to a very special TE member. It was obvious from the thumbnail who this was dedicated to. For a moment I thought we were back in Tamil Nadu with the washer women. Wonderful addition to what is a very, very clever series. Best regards, Roberto
brevbrev14
(140) 2007-10-30 2:22
Hi Luis, great dedication...to a great photographer and TE member..
This image is very good, but there is Luis eye and style here! :))
i like a lot the natural expressions you captured here and the touch of rainbow in th arm..
good one
ciao!
Valeria
PixelTerror
(0) 2007-10-30 3:42
Ola Luis,
What is striking on this one is how intensely the first woman is looking at you, pity the 2nd one is overlapping a bit but interesting that her expression is some sort of wonder about the outcome of the negociation.
Have a nice day JY
vapours
(8264) 2007-10-30 5:59
An great tribute Luis. What I have enjoyed with this series is the obvious influence in the style of the photo, but also your own touch of flare included. Here its the colour on display for all to see. Great work.
melmcree
(18) 2007-10-30 6:10
Hi Luis,
I like how sharp and detailed the main subjects face is. I also like how her face is in the upper right 3rd and how her arm creates a nice diagonal through the frame. The colors of the scarves are a very nice subject. The idea of the Usual Suspects is very unique and I'm sure very difficult to achieve accurate results.
Have a nice day,
Mel
yanseiler
(20) 2007-10-30 6:13
Hi Luis, the scene is nice with the different subject, even the one in the background, the light gives nice warm colors, a cool one...
InasiaJones
(31566) 2007-11-05 1:28
Hi Luis,
I think that each time the name of Luko have been mentionned through different TrekEarth meetings, the same words were chosen to described the guy and everyone have the same perception, from your first paragraph to the last.
I'm myself very respectful of his work, simply because I know they are harder to achieve than they actually looks. There is a sense of spontaneity in each of his frame, even if they are probably well crafted and carefully anticipated, even for seconds before taking the shot.
I like the image you have chosen for your tribute. Your own touch gets in the way, as you've captured a "Lisbon look" over the faces of these women...
Ciao!
André
riclopes
(35577) 2007-11-13 1:04
De longe a minha favorita, enquanto andava por terras do Laos. Cheguei mesmo a vę-la de raspăo enquanto estava lá e ficou logo gravada na minha memória. Este teu tema é do melhor que já se fez no TE e é um prazer ver um ressuscitamento com este post. Tem a cara chapado do Luko e até me surpreende como é que é foi tirada em Lisboa e năo da Índia. A composiçăo é suberba e cheia de dinamismo com este braço cheio de cores a rasgar a imagem toda e a dar a volta lá para trás, para a outra vendedora que te olha, passando para o tipo do binóculo e regressando por esta măo levantada do lado esquerdo. Uma delícia de post acompanhado pela usual excelente nota.
ric
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Luis Afonso (luisafonso)
(862)
- Genre: Ludzie
- Medium: Kolorowe
- Date Taken: 2007-10-21
- Categories: Życie codzienne
- Camera: Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
- Na¶wietlenie: f/5.6, 1/500 sekund
- More Photo Info: view
- Wersja zdjęcia: Oryginalna wersja
- Temat(y): The Usual Suspects [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2007-10-29 3:07