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'There is a place of sunshine out there, but it takes two to tango' Arthur, 84.
'There is a place of sunshine out there, but it takes two to tango' Arthur, 84.
rooum


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: One In 7 Billion (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
Location: wales
Date: Jan 5, 2010
Aperture: f1.7
ISO: 1600
Shutter: 1/90
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Jan 5, 2010

 These are Arthurs hands. I spent the night with him, listening to some fantastic stories. He's 84 and was born in Cardiff and was quite a traveling man. The bit of history that really got him upset though was talking about his wife and how they got married and spent their honeymoon in Belgium in the early 50s. The vicar took them to an orphanage as a surprise and all the kids sang to them. He got quite upset talking about that and said, 'There is a place of sunshine out there, but it takes two to tango'. I thought it was such a lovely thing for him to say. I took loads of portraits of him as he talked but looking at them the most emotional and evocative were when i took pictures of his hands. I really feel that they convey something of him and his story. His hands here seem to sum up relationships and love. I love how his knuckles in this photo turn into lovers.

Statistics
Place: 28 out of 99
Avg (all users): 5.9954
Avg (commenters): 8.2857
Avg (participants): 5.8571
Avg (non-participants): 6.0158
Views since voting: 1019
Views during voting: 360
Votes: 218
Comments: 9
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
 01/26/2010 07:03:57 PM
Greetings from the Critique Club!

What a lovely shot. Not a conventional portrait by any means, but the hands are so expressive and convey so much of his life story, it's quite amazing. Had you included the face that goes with these hands, and you would have scored well in the 6s, if not a top 10 finish. The ribbed sweater is a great way to add depth and texture to the shot without detracting from the subject. I find myself listening for his voice, watching for the hands to move.

Normally I am not a fan of borders or vignetting, but for this shot anyway, I am a convert. Lighting is good, composition centred but that's what works for this shot. Find it interesting that you used a very high ISO, but can't quarrel with the shallow DOF.

A truly great shot. Well done, keep up the good work.

Feel free to PM me with any questions,

Susan
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2010 09:10:21 AM
I thought this deserved top billing. Great emotive image. I love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/11/2010 01:36:54 PM
I really love this. Maybe my favorite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/10/2010 09:57:43 AM
One of the best in the challenge. I like that you took a different route, and photographed body parts rather than the face. His hands have a lot of character, and certainly a story to tell. Good luck in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/09/2010 04:26:48 PM
Sometimes simple is the best. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/08/2010 11:29:54 PM
These hands are very expressive and have seen many years of work and Love. This is a different take on the challenge but more than that it is a beautifully captured photograph. The ribbing of the sweater enhances the texture of the the hands also as it echoes the shading on them.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/08/2010 02:18:41 PM
sad...but I really like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/08/2010 11:18:35 AM
Well it may not qualify as a typical description of a P0rtrait but suits this challenge well
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/08/2010 08:32:41 AM
Extraordinary lighting.
A very touching picture.
10*
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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