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Living On Faith
1st PlaceLiving On Faith
Shiiizzzam


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Photojournalism (Classic Editing)
Camera: Sony DSC-F707
Location: downtown Montgomery
Date: Nov 22, 2002
Aperture: F2.3
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/125s
Galleries: Portraiture, Photojournalism
Date Uploaded: Nov 23, 2002

I found this lady singing and picking up trash as she pushed her buggy along the streets. I set out to learn someting new in photography. I learned a lot more than that from her:) Thank you Mae

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 147
Avg (all users): 7.2037
Avg (commenters): 8.6429
Avg (participants): 7.3143
Avg (non-participants): 7.1333
Views since voting: 4237
Votes: 270
Comments: 92
Favorites: 42 (view)


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AuthorThread
09/14/2003 02:03:51 PM
This photo just makes me want to know this lady. The stories she could tell or the notes she could sing, 'cause from this photo I'm sure she's done a fair amount of both in her lifetime. Absolutely beautiful photo.
12/03/2002 01:24:00 PM
I think this is a well deserved 1st place. There is obviously a story to tell here about this woman.And I really believe that you are doing excellant quality work , you have a great talent and can probably take it far. ....but
I have to say this,its not a negative comment on your photo at all. Its just that if this woman jumped out from the dark at me , I would probably soil my shorts. And everytime time I open this site I cant help think of that. Maybe I'm the scary one cause every one else see's it differently.
12/03/2002 08:19:00 AM
Congrats Shizzzzz....well deserved win!
12/03/2002 12:51:00 AM
Wonderful shot... How did you approach her? Congrats on the win !!!
12/02/2002 02:00:00 PM
Hmmm, Sepia, yes. Stupid me.
12/02/2002 01:56:00 PM
Good portrait, nice sepia tone. Congrats!
12/02/2002 11:57:00 AM
Congrats Shiz! Excellent shot=well deserved win :)
12/02/2002 11:16:00 AM
~~~~Critique Club Comment~~~~

*Composition (content)*
The composition is excellent. The frame is nicely filled, good balance between all the sides and corners. The diagonal portrayal of the lady not only makes room for the 'knitted cap' (that's as close as I can get in my native language), but also enhances the feeling that the lady shows satisfaction, happiness and pride.
The lines on the face of the woman are very interesting to look at, they tell a story (as does the clothing) and the reflection in the eyes is spot on, very pleasing in relation to the total picture.
As with most portraits, I think that the choice to use B&W was the right choice. Color might have made the background a bit distracting.

*Background*
Because of the wide aperture, the background is blurred away. Yet is still shows that the picture was taken on the street. The relation between the background and the main subject is clear, so the background enhances the subject. Choosing a blank or brick wall would not have been as nice.
The line on the road does not distract as it is supposed to be there (it is recognizable) and is almost parallel to the shoulders. In a way it even gives some depth to the picture.

*Camera Work (Technical)*
Again excellent. The focus is good, the depth of field (aperture) is excellent. All the important bits of the face are in focus. Sharpness is very good; all the lines on the face and a lot of other skin features are clearly visible and add to the story the picture tells. Softening it would have taken that away, so a good decision to do it as it is.
I don't know at which focal length this shot was taken and I don't know the portrayed lady, so I am not going to say anything about the relation between the focal length, zooming in and distortion of facial features. But it is important, so I'd advise all readers who don't know what I am talking about to read some tutorials on portraiture. This picture seems okay to me.

*Digital Processing (technical)*
Sharpening is very good (not too soft and no trace of oversharpening).
Balance between light and dark is good.
Compression is good (no jpeg artefacts)

*My opinion*
This is a very good portrait, with an interesting subject. The photo tells a story and shows emotion and as a bonus is technically very good. In this challenge there was only one that I liked more, but this picture deserved to win. Congratulations!
12/02/2002 08:53:00 AM
Congratulations!!! This is such a fantastic picture!
12/02/2002 08:43:00 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm so happy for you! This is just an excellent, excellent photograph!! Rob 8)
12/02/2002 08:04:00 AM
Hey congrats on a well deserved win.
12/02/2002 08:02:00 AM
Congrats, great win!
12/02/2002 06:04:00 AM
Congrats on a well deserved win!
12/02/2002 05:55:00 AM
Huge congratulations Shiiiz! I am becoming a major fan - chilli pepper, acid rain and now this! Woo Hoooo!
12/02/2002 03:16:00 AM
woo congrats shiz! :D

Message edited by author 2002-12-04 13:01:16.
12/02/2002 02:24:00 AM
well done a Great photo
12/02/2002 01:51:00 AM
WOW ! Thanks everyone so much for the comments and votes. I am going to take her this photo and a screen shot. This is just awesome !
12/02/2002 12:56:00 AM
Most people are shy about photographing strangers (especially close up)
We could all learn from hearing how you approached her... Please share...
12/02/2002 12:49:00 AM
That is a GREAT shot!
Feel good Shiiizzzam...
12/02/2002 12:40:00 AM
Well deserved! Congrats!!
12/02/2002 12:36:00 AM
Congratulations on a very good entry.
12/02/2002 12:34:00 AM
Hey!!! ......'congratulations'....!! Super shot, love the expression and emotion.
12/02/2002 12:32:00 AM
Fantastic! I knew you had the winner when I first saw it! Way to go Shiz, you deserve it. DPz
12/02/2002 12:31:00 AM
Way to go!!! Beautiful work!
12/02/2002 12:26:00 AM
Congrats shiz!! Awesome photo!!
12/02/2002 12:17:00 AM
Congratulations Shiizzzam. Great shot. I gave it a 10.
12/02/2002 12:17:00 AM
Congratulations on a truly wonderful portrait. I love it.
12/02/2002 12:13:00 AM
good job, you : )
12/02/2002 12:13:00 AM
Good Job Shizzz on a shot well taken. Congrats!!
12/02/2002 12:13:00 AM
Congrats, I gave it a 10, and it deserved to win this challenge. It is PERFECT!
12/02/2002 12:10:00 AM
Shows what I know, I guess you know who NOT to ask regarding your photos in the future. :) Well done.
12/02/2002 12:10:00 AM
Congrats Shiz!!! Wonderful photo!!!
12/02/2002 12:09:00 AM
congrats!!!!! i told you that you had awesome shots!!! you deserve this!
12/02/2002 12:09:00 AM
Congrats, Angel! A well-deserved win... and your first blue!
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/01/2002 10:53:00 PM
What a glorious portrait! Excellent work!
12/01/2002 10:35:00 PM
This is beautiful. A glance into the eyes of the homeless can tell you without question what's in their heart. This is a fabulous piece of art. Close up and personal view of someone that can use a little help and not a hand out. - I love this, I know it will do well. - Gotcha 10
12/01/2002 06:45:00 PM
great portrait, but... ewwww
12/01/2002 06:15:00 PM
Simplicity is best. Great compostion and subject matter.
12/01/2002 04:27:00 PM
9, Kavey
12/01/2002 02:31:00 PM
excellent portrait :) I love the 'tilt' of the head in this shot... the safety pins in her scarf really make this photo for me... great shot :) - 10 - setzler
12/01/2002 09:58:00 AM
Priceless face...wish you had framed it a bit lower, or cropped it tighter...10
12/01/2002 06:26:00 AM
Great photo.
A picture should tell a story? The face does the job for you here.
Well done for having the guts to take this picture, and the composure to get it right.
11/30/2002 07:43:00 PM
This photo definitely could be used in a paper or magazine. Good work.
11/30/2002 06:17:00 PM
Good use of DOF.
11/30/2002 04:36:00 PM
One of my three favorites this week. I'm SOOO afraid of asking people to take their photo and this is incredible. The lines in her face tell such a story and she has a perfect expression. Congratulations!! muckpond
11/30/2002 12:29:00 PM
I just love b&w photos even if it´s a sepia one here. This is just great. Very sharp and good lighting. High score. /carsten
11/30/2002 12:00:00 PM
Great shot. Title makes it. My favorite of the bunch. Safety pins in the collar are the really special touch.
11/30/2002 09:32:00 AM
Composition: Subject Placement, Cropping, Background7,
Technical: Focus, Exposure, Lighting, Processing7,
Appeal: Is it Interesting, Motivating, Etc.? 7,
Total Averaged Rating7. Autool
11/29/2002 01:14:00 PM
A face like that must have a story to tell....
11/29/2002 04:22:00 AM
I like this very much.
11/29/2002 12:46:00 AM
Beautiful work! I'd read on for sure. So well exposed and composition works just fine. Her smile is contagious. I'd rather see a different background but that isn't always possible. Good job! Grayce
11/28/2002 10:09:00 PM
Very nice portrait....
11/28/2002 09:59:00 PM
This is such a beautiful portrait, the composition and DOF are both perfect. Congrats on a great picture! Natasha
11/28/2002 12:03:00 PM
Now this is a good urban shot. Tight, sharp and unposed. 8 JEM
11/28/2002 06:05:00 AM
Top job. (As usual.)
11/28/2002 05:24:00 AM
Very good. Bravo. 10. byetko.
11/28/2002 03:53:00 AM
Excellent expression. Nice tones. Good photo.
11/27/2002 07:34:00 PM
This is our winner in my humble little opinion...great expression, contrast, focus, crop etc. Good work.
11/27/2002 07:10:00 PM
I really love this photo but I don't really understand the link to photojournalism.
11/27/2002 01:31:00 PM
An excellent example of capturing a person's expression; with uniqueness of both the subject and the mood. Exceptionally well done!
11/27/2002 01:04:00 PM
Solid 10 in my book! Great emotion! ~ MyQyl ~
11/27/2002 12:12:00 PM
Wonderful portrait--beautifully exposed and it reveals a lot of your subject --well done andrewm
11/27/2002 02:11:00 AM
Hey its Buckey. Nice photo. Good Light. What was she wearing? I think that might be important to show to really drive home the I am homeless look. Otherwise good shot. People of color are very hard to take pictures of. You did well.
11/26/2002 09:46:00 PM
Outstanding capture, well executed.
Front page, a 10.

Jim msp
11/26/2002 08:22:00 PM
Picturewise there's really not much to improve on 'cause I really like it... The expression captured is great, tonal range is also very good. As a stanadlone shot, I probably would have cropped closer to the head to remove the top bright areas. If this is supposed to depict a homeless person though, some part of his environment should be included in the shot, because if it weren't for the title or filename, no one would know. Good shot though!
11/26/2002 06:41:00 PM
you really got a good one here, what a smile. great black and white balance, tone, and contrast. good focus and composition. 10 goodtempo
11/26/2002 06:31:00 PM
Very good focus. B&W is perfect.
11/26/2002 03:42:00 PM
beautiful tonal range!!!
11/26/2002 02:20:00 PM
Wonderful portrait! 10 Kaz
11/26/2002 12:59:00 PM
Awesome job! Great expression, excellent use of B&W.
11/26/2002 09:14:00 AM
Very good portrait - 9
11/25/2002 10:22:00 PM
Possibly my favorite this week. You really captured her. Great job. DPz
11/25/2002 10:09:00 PM
This is a wonderful photograph. It has all the elements. Great focus, tones, dof, subject etc. I know how frustrating it is to KNOW you have a good shot and not have it do as well as you'd like. Hang in there though! It really is great regardless of how it does on dpc. ~indi
11/25/2002 05:58:00 PM
This is a brave picture. I like the contrast in b/w. and it says something no matter what the title is the picture speaks for itself.
11/25/2002 05:48:00 PM
this one grabs me. for documentary Journalism this is perfect, not to mention the tech qualities are dead on perfect. I love the story that just the image of her tells. PS the background rocks!!!
11/25/2002 03:37:00 PM
Nice character shot, but a true photojournalist tells a story with his picture. What's his story?
11/25/2002 02:48:00 PM
Dang good portrait. Justine
11/25/2002 02:04:00 PM
This is a shot that surely belongs in National Geographic.
11/25/2002 01:35:00 PM
Good shot. Very expressive. Congrats!
11/25/2002 12:32:00 PM
great protrait
11/25/2002 11:12:00 AM
She is very precious. Vote 7 Sonifo
11/25/2002 11:12:00 AM
This is awesome!
11/25/2002 11:05:00 AM
Absolutely wonderful portrait! This is a 10. kathleenm
11/25/2002 10:51:00 AM
Wonderful photo. The clarity is perfect and her face tells a story by itself.
11/25/2002 09:33:00 AM
Great title and composition. Good focus and crop. Real nice execution. I like the tightness of it. Speaks a 1000 words. Great human interest photo. PTL9
11/25/2002 05:33:00 AM
Excellent portrait.
11/25/2002 03:16:00 AM
Loved this, gave it a ten, kandyj
11/25/2002 02:01:00 AM
Wow! This is a great photo, and the title makes me really want to read the story! Great job here!

-Talya
11/25/2002 01:58:00 AM
this is sooo crisp and well toned and exposed. incredible dof! you are brave for getting this shot! mag99
11/25/2002 12:46:00 AM
interesting face, great focus and depth of field, good use of black and white
~anachronite
11/25/2002 12:40:00 AM
Fabulous photograph! There is such a story captured here, in her smile...the glint in her eyes, her facial expression!!..it is Ribbeting!
11/25/2002 12:21:00 AM
I know who took this photograph, but I just wanted to say that it is brilliant. The shot really captures humanity, and I could easily see it on the cover of several magazines. Beautiful DOF and focus. Beautiful tones. Wonderful emotion captured.


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