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The Cinnabon Guys
The Cinnabon Guys
Melethia


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Group Portrait (Advanced Editing V*)
Collection: Challenges 2007
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: Cinnabon trailer, Camp Victory, Iraq
Date: Sep 30, 2007
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/60
Date Uploaded: Oct 2, 2007

 Sometimes a picture is more than just pixels to critique and analyze, and I'm well aware this is not a DPC-worthy challenge entry. These guys were so good to me when I was in Iraq. The first day I was there, I stopped by and bought the travel mug, (says "Seattle's Best - Iraq" and is my favorite souvenir) and I would take that in every morning to get my coffee. This picture was taken the last day I was there - I had to take a quick snap (yes, it's a snapshot taken with the onboard flash at the fully automatic setting) because the place was packed as usual. I took the picture over to the photo place and had copies made for each of these guys.

This shop is open from 6 am to midnight every day and is always busy. The gentlemen who work here (and they're all guys, no gals) are from Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Bangladesh. I miss them.

This entry, then, is a nod to photography as a way to keep memories. I think here at DPC we sometimes forget that aspect of it.

Statistics
Place: 58 out of 86
Avg (all users): 5.2290
Avg (commenters): 4.9000
Avg (participants): 5.1000
Avg (non-participants): 5.2429
Views since voting: 1021
Views during voting: 473
Votes: 310
Comments: 19
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 02/23/2013 06:43:13 PM
you bring humanity to photography
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/09/2008 05:03:25 PM
Very moved by your account. Particularly as I am aware of the conditions these "guest workers" live in; particularly because this sort of thing happens everywhere; particularly because it has been happening for centuries everywhere; particularly because many of us are descendants of "guest workers." (Where is my soapbox?) So good you made friends with them.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2007 10:18:32 AM
Thanks Deb, sorry i didnt see this one earlier. i agree to me a photo is to capture a moment in time be it be a place, people ,or an emotion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/26/2007 11:18:13 PM
I'm glad you entered this, Deb. As you noted, sometimes sharing a memory is more important than DPC's idea of perfection.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/26/2007 10:21:58 AM
Deb, I gave this a 6, cause, well, I saw what this was about and it seemed more of a tribute than a portrait, per se.....(Thereby negating my own weird DNMC policy). It's a fine shot and I'm glad these guys were your port in the storm.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/11/2007 10:03:29 AM
Oh that is SO TRUE! Thank you for reminding me that sometimes the most precious memories are captured in. . .the dpc-forbidden. . .snapshot!

I wonder how many of them I have tossed aside because the lighting wasn't perfect, or there was a distracting element in the background. But looking back at some of the best and even famous photographs from days gone by, they are just that: snapshots, and some of them sell for big bucks too!

Thanks for sharing your memory with us! It warmed my heart today. So, are you out of Iraq now??????? Whew! I'll be glad when you're back home with your kitties!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/10/2007 02:55:00 PM
We need a suck cheer for this - Yeah, real people and a real Kodak moment!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/10/2007 12:18:09 AM
You got some pretty harsh and totally non-constructive comments there. And I am surprised at who made them. I think you shoulda put a big ole cinnamon bun as the background, used special lighting to reflect off of that, and also had fountains of coffee flying overhead to turn your "snapshot" into a breakfast masterpiece! hehe

you know how it goes - commenting is a strange art form. But what you have here is a memory of something that is unique to you and will be treasured for many years down the road.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/09/2007 08:02:45 AM
I love this for some reason - I think it's the discomfort and various expressions - like "should I smile?" - "is this what i'm supposed to do?" sorta thing. An awkward posed moment that tells a story - whether we as the viewer like the story isn't important.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/09/2007 05:11:24 AM
The background is a little distracting, and better lighting on their faces would be good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2007 09:03:47 PM
you nedd some fill light for this kinf of shots.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2007 06:26:16 PM
standard snapshot that my daughter could take, nothing inspiring here.. 4
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2007 11:57:23 PM
family snapshot not for challenge. bad lighting. advanced editing? shirts blend together. lots of character in the faces - too bad you didn't take better advantage.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2007 02:10:37 PM
Terrific job convincing these guys to pose for you, Deb! Cwazy Amewican G.I.!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2007 09:52:29 PM
very clear great focus
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2007 09:11:09 AM
To generic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2007 11:59:41 PM
The background is a bit distracting for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2007 06:55:59 PM
An ok pic, but looks like a snapshot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2007 08:25:26 AM
Simple but effective idea. I think you should have aimed a little higher to get rid of the counter. Furthermore, the 2nd guy ont right is a little ill-lit. 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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