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The Lady on Main Street
The Lady on Main Street
SandyP


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Street Portraiture (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Character
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM
Location: Main Plaza, San Antonio, Texas
Date: Jul 3, 2010
Aperture: F-6.3
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/200
Galleries: Portraiture, Street
Date Uploaded: Jul 3, 2010

 I have wanted to get a good picture of this lady for a long time. Many times I have been down to our Main Plaza in the heart of downtown for some new images and have seen her. She comes every day at a little after 5:00 with her cane, and walks very slowly in front of the San Fernando Cathedral to some tables where several of her homeless men friends sit. She'll stay and chat awhile, then meander back across the plaza to wherever she lives. The pigeons know her and seem to follow her every time she gets up to walk. She has always fascinated me.

Tonight, I went down there, and almost missed her. It was nearing 6:00, but I got up my nerve and walked right in front of her and asked her if she minded if I took her picture, I could tell she was almost blind and could hardly see me. I suspect that what happened to her face is the result of a fall. But, she smiled graciously, and posed, then nodded sweetly as I said, "God bless you!" (and meant it!) and moved on. I'm so glad to have this picture of her. I really like it. And I like her.

Here is another picture I took of her on a colder evening in the fall.

Statistics
Place: 7 out of 94
Avg (all users): 6.6463
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 6.5208
Avg (non-participants): 6.6983
Views since voting: 2318
Views during voting: 369
Votes: 164
Comments: 26
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
 10/25/2010 11:50:59 AM
How'd I miss this one??? Fab, Sandy. Your portraits have a way of getting into their souls. :) Congrats on top 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/15/2010 02:29:56 PM
Sandy - you just keep producing these rich, intimate character portraits, and with the background stories we get a tiny vignette of the person and their situation.

Wonderful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/17/2010 07:36:27 AM
very good portraite, She reminds me my grandma..
I love the words you wrote here, yet I prefer to "read" it from the image.
I think you could have gave us some more of the story by using ~24-50 mm lens and see some more of her ..the cane and the background.

anyway, it is a good one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2010 12:55:26 PM
Look at that sweet spirit you captured in her. I bet she could tell you a thousand interesting stories. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2010 10:05:50 AM
Yes Sandy , you are magical with portraits like this- you seem to have an unspoken understanding with your subjects cuz their expressions are always full of emotion & character- well done , My Dear -hugs too / pat
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2010 11:30:08 AM
Oh Sandy! This one was one of my 10's! You are magical with these portraits!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 07:21:13 PM
hey sandy .. i noticed that 'street portraiture' had rolled over and wondered if you'd entered anything, portraiture being just one of the many things you're awesome at .. !!
i thought i wouldnt have to get onto the second page if you'd entered ..
your lady has an amazing face .. i keep scrolling up while i'm writing this to see her once again .. she makes me feel quite emotional ..
many congrats on such a wonderful and real portrait and your 7th place .. :)x
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 05:07:49 PM
Good job!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 01:19:26 PM
wonderful, warm portrait of a sweet woman. Congrats Sandy on your placement! (right behind me, hehe)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 03:53:20 AM
Well done Sandy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 01:18:11 AM
Very well done, Sandy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 01:14:59 AM
What a beautiful portrait, Sandy, and a beautiful story to go with it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 01:04:07 AM
Oh that poor thing, I wondered what happened to her face. You are always so brave to go and get these fascinating portraits. Congrats on another great shot and for 7th place too :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 12:52:32 AM
You always get the personality out of your people, Sandy. HOW do you DO that? Wonderful, as usual.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2010 12:51:11 AM
Congratulations Sandy - she is a walking story and you documented her beautifully.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/11/2010 10:19:47 AM
Her face tells a million stories. Most engaging. Good for you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/10/2010 11:46:54 PM
you caught a certain gentle quality of this woman. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2010 10:03:17 PM
Nice capture, nice lighting; nice expression; she looks older and her years.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/07/2010 12:57:26 PM
I'm sure she's seen a lot in her life. Nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/07/2010 09:12:17 AM
Beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 10:46:49 PM
I just love the Mona Lisa smile on her... just beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 11:25:23 AM
What a cute old lady, i hope to see this in top 10. Lovely portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 08:29:39 AM
such a smile in her eyes in spite of it all
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 07:18:42 AM
This photo reminds me a little of "Stories of Her Life"
Her face fascinates me, it shows great wisdom in my opinion
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 02:23:22 AM
This is a beautiful capture that really tugs at my heart. Makes me want to cry. And she can still put on a smile in spite of it all. I hope you've included details of her story in the Photographer's Comments.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2010 01:28:42 AM
Excellent portrait. She looks like a wonderful woman with a lot of stories to tell.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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