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My mother
3rd PlaceMy mother
svava


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Portrait with Chair (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Location: Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
Date: Sep 19, 2010
Aperture: 11
ISO: 160
Shutter: 1/125
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Sep 19, 2010

My mother is an "old school" secretary and she works in the Parliament of Iceland. She is 69 years old and she is always full of energy. We had great time doing this photo shoot!

Shot in a studio.
Convert from RAW
Levels, curves, convert to black and white.
Sharpen for web.

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I’m so happy that THIS picture got me a ribbon. Thank you for all your comments and kind words!!

Ohh my ..!!!! You were right about my mother in your comments. She is a strong woman with a lot of grace, BUT she has a great sense of humor. (Not showing in the picture on my request). She has had a hilarious time this morning reading all your comments.

Thanks again,
SVAVA

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 71
Avg (all users): 7.1746
Avg (commenters): 8.2727
Avg (participants): 6.8378
Avg (non-participants): 7.2326
Views since voting: 4031
Views during voting: 566
Votes: 252
Comments: 47
Favorites: 5 (view)


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AuthorThread
10/04/2010 11:26:45 AM
Hi from the Critique Club. It is always hard to critique a really good photo, let alone a ribbon winner, but I'll give it a shot!

Overall, I liked this from the moment it came up on the screen. I was immediately grabbed by the piercing stare and the wonderful expression of your model. I'm not sure she does succeed in hiding her sense of humour - she does look as if she is hiding a smile, like the Mona Lisa.

Technically: Superb in every respect - except for the handbag lighting. It took a moment, but the glare did start to drag my eye away from the rest of the shot.

Artistically: The placement of the model and chair diagonally across the frame is very strong, and posing at a alight angle like the statesmen and soldiers would in their (painted) portraits gives her a real strength. She is also beautifully framed by the shape and pattern of the chair, which emphasises her posture.

PP: It is (as others have said) a very good BW conversion. If I had a slight criticism, it would be a suggestion about using a little 'burn' on the handbag and hands, since they have reall caught the light - but this is a small thing.

In summary, it is clearly an excellent shot, which has been recognised by the voters. Good job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/02/2010 10:56:19 AM
An incredible portrait. Beautifully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/01/2010 04:21:30 PM
I love that chair and I love your Mother!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/01/2010 08:48:06 AM
Congrats with the ribbon and a well excuted idea. Your studio and lighting work is most excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/01/2010 07:03:22 AM
Profile síðan hjá þér er að verða flott fjölskyldualbún Svava, dóttir og svo móðir. Þessi mynd er snilld.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/30/2010 10:15:09 AM
So glad to this image on the front page, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/30/2010 07:52:15 AM
Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/30/2010 06:45:52 AM
Til hamingju Svava !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/30/2010 05:09:23 AM
Congratulations Svava, beautiful portrait!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 09:19:45 PM
Wow. Excellent photo!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 06:23:46 PM
Way to go! Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 05:50:41 PM
Congrats Svava, brilliant work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 12:24:33 PM
Grand picture of a grand lady.
Congratulations on your interpretation and your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 10:53:30 AM
----------------------------*******-----------------------------------------

I’m so happy that THIS picture got me a ribbon. Thank you for all your comments and kind words!!

Ohh my ..!!!! You were right about my mother in your comments. She is a strong woman with a lot of grace, BUT she has a great sense of humor. (Not showing in the picture on my request). She has had a hilarious time this morning reading all your comments.

Thanks again,
SVAVA

Message edited by author 2010-09-29 12:25:50.
09/29/2010 09:39:01 AM
Congratulations! Þessi mynd er yndisleg, á svo sannarlega skilið toppsætið
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 09:23:12 AM
Well done and deserved!!!! Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 09:11:01 AM
This was one of my highest rated pics in the challenges. Beautiful image. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 06:51:01 AM
Congratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 03:02:59 AM
Incredible black and white conversion. I love the seriousness in her face. The gesture is a spot on. Everything is perfect here. The lighting is amazing as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 02:07:34 AM
Fabulous. So glad this ribboned. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 01:02:59 AM
Congratulations on your 3rd place. It's an excellent portrait, and your mother's energy and character shine out from her gaze.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 12:16:01 AM
Nice Job! Congrats on 3rd.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 12:09:34 AM
wow, what a fantastic portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/29/2010 12:04:00 AM
congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/28/2010 05:56:56 PM
Excellent 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/28/2010 03:45:22 PM
Wonderfully dignified. In my top four of the challenge. 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/28/2010 02:10:54 PM
What a classy lady!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/28/2010 01:27:44 PM
Like this! Lots of character in this. This portrait tells me about what a strong woman this is, with many tales to tell (and potentially embarrass her grown children with!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/28/2010 06:10:21 AM
The handbag breaks the chair's beautiful flow, I think. Otherwise, this would have been a straight ten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/28/2010 03:18:26 AM
perfect portrait. i'm sure your mother loved this pic a lot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/26/2010 07:47:43 PM
Perfect B&W. This has a neat retro feel.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/25/2010 10:35:33 AM
The handbag, the serious face, the legs crossed... they all serve to tell the story of who she is! The image is very good... crisp, clear , great tones, well composed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/23/2010 06:24:27 PM
My highest scoring photo. I think these are so hard to do. I can't do a good portrait. If there is anything I don't like about it is the glare off of her purse.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/23/2010 06:14:00 PM
I think it needs a touch more light on the lower right, to anchor it. It feels like it's all just floating in space.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/23/2010 03:12:54 PM
By far the best photo in the challenge. A very interesting chair in shape and texture. The pose works well and the lighting is brilliant. I really like the choise of dark clothes and background with the light colored chair. Congrats you and your mother can be proud of this collaboration.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/23/2010 01:01:02 PM
Oh wow, I love this. A really strong mono work, but oh, what a strong portrait. Your mother looks like such a strong woman, really in control of her life and of her family, stylish and smart. But there is also a sense of vulnerability, or a reticence - perhaps it is the handbag, that so effectively places a barrier between herself and the viewer. A truly fascinating portrait that demands my attention. My only criticism is that the light has reflected a little too much from the handbag, but nonetheless a very solid 10 from me, and a photo of real quality.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/23/2010 10:28:50 AM
Wonderful portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/23/2010 05:51:29 AM
What a magnificent portrait! You have captured something unique and very telling here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 11:30:29 PM
One of the best B&W's I've seen in a while. Nice Tones.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 08:19:29 PM
A lovely image. Reminds me of my mom; always holding on to her purse, lol. I feel more drawn to the purse and chair than her face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 04:23:32 PM
Excellent portrait, great composition, post B&W. Love the ever present handbag :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 01:42:42 PM
This reminds me of my library lady in school, you know shes friendly but she looks so prestigious and untouchable! (not meant as insult) 7!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 12:27:01 PM
Stunning. A classic portrait with exceptional detail throughout the image (although the back of the chair appears to be "floating"). Masterfully art-directed (WHERE did you get that chair??!!) Her attitude is imperial and perfect for this image. My only grip is that purse. It completely draws my eye because there is just too much reflection on it (perhaps burning it a bit to take off the extreme brightness). Also, (and this is a minor nit), the left handle of the purse seems to be strapped around the button on her chest. Clearly this is an illusion, as the strap seems to be looped around her left arm, but what is that line that runs from the loop across her chest to the button? Front page.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 08:46:14 AM
I LOVE the fact that she's in a 60's style chair, which was probably when she was in her hayday. The purse is a nice touch too although it does create a bit of a light reflection. It's not enough to dissuade me from really loving it. We don't often see older people in portraits, so that makes me like it this much more. She has such a sense of resolve. Congrats to you (and her). I like it. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 07:23:46 AM
I find the bag very distracting because it is so bright, especially compared to her face. It looks like her hands are brighter than her face too, which I'd guess to be a result of how you converted to black and white. That said, I think the tones are otherwise lovely and I think her expression is very fitting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 12:48:40 AM
Very regal. Best not screw around!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/22/2010 12:41:25 AM
Definitely one of my favorites. It's so simple, but just reaches out and grabs me for some reason. Very nicely done... I gave it a 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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