Smile

Demers18 · Feb 26, 2013

We ran into this charismatic old woman in Habana, Cuba while walking the streets absorbing the richness in culture and history.
She was a great model and happily posed for me, as you can already tell. Afterwards, I gave her a peso, Cuban dollar, for being such a good model. Really seemed to make her day.

[/URL] Smile by lee demers, on Flickr[/IMG]

PixelRabbit · Feb 26, 2013

She did make me smile! I looked before I read what you wrote, what a beautiful soul

I love the shot.
But (isn't there always a but? but... it's a very small one! lol) I like what the bottle and cup bottom left add but I wish at least the bottle had a smidge more room and wasn't against the edge.

Mully · Feb 26, 2013

I like it but she looks a little too toasted LOL

Demers18 · Feb 26, 2013

PixelRabbit said:
She did make me smile! I looked before I read what you wrote, what a beautiful soul
I love the shot.
But (isn't there always a but? but... it's a very small one! lol) I like what the bottle and cup bottom left add but I wish at least the bottle had a smidge more room and wasn't against the edge.

Yes, there always is, BUT that is how we get better. And I agree with you 100%... I've considered removing it BUT I'm still unsure about it.

Thanks for the comments Pixel

Demers18 · Feb 26, 2013

Mully said:
I like it but she looks a little too toasted LOL

Must be the sun, she is in Cuba after all lol.

I did than intentionally to enhance the contrast and show her "experience"

I really like the effect in BW and was going on a limb and trying it with her in colour.

invisible · Feb 26, 2013

Lee, I think it's a fantastic portrait. Absolutely awesome work. I'm envious of the opportunity to visit Cuba and shoot characters like this fine lady. My only C&C is that even though she's front and centre she still looks lost in the frame. I strongly recommend either dodging her and burning the background, or an aggressive crop to remove the top (8x10 should work), or ideally a combination of both options. I think this could be Photo of the Month material. Four and a half thumbs up from me! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: (and a half)

Demers18 · Feb 26, 2013

invisible said:
Lee, I think it's a fantastic portrait. Absolutely awesome work. I'm envious of the opportunity to visit Cuba and shoot characters like this fine lady. My only C&C is that even though she's front and centre she still looks lost in the frame. I strongly recommend either dodging her and burning the background, or an aggressive crop to remove the top (8x10 should work), or ideally a combination of both options. I think this could be Photo of the Month material. Four and a half thumbs up from me! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: (and a half)

Wow, thanks Fed! Really means a lot coming from you. I've considered both options and quite frankly, I'm not sure where to start. I'll give it a go and see what I can come up with.

mishele · Feb 26, 2013

This shot is filled w/ emotion for me. I look at this lady and think about the challenges that she had to fight through w/ that kind of disability. Then I see that smile and it inspires me. If she can smile w/ what she might have been through...I better have a big smile on my face tomorrow! (did I read into that too much...lol)
Great shot...=)

tirediron · Feb 26, 2013

Well done!

invisible · Feb 26, 2013

Demers18 said:
Wow, thanks Fed! Really means a lot coming from you.

Because I'm the master of portraiture and street photography, no? :lol:

Demers18 said:
I've considered both options and quite frankly, I'm not sure where to start. I'll give it a go and see what I can come up with.

I've tried both options myself. Both work well but the combination is best, I think. I'll let you do it yourself so I can nominate your re-edited version for POTM.

Demers18 · Feb 26, 2013

invisible said:
Because I'm the master of portraiture and street photography, no?

Oh yes, Federico portrait photographer extraordinaire! :hail:

Lol, all jokes aside, it's because I value your opinion and admire your work.

invisible said:
I've tried both options myself. Both work well but the combination is best, I think. I'll let you do it yourself so I can nominate your re-edited version for POTM.

No pressure!
When I took the photo that is exactly what I had in mind. The only issue is that I've never really done it to that extent. I've been working on it, but not ready to post it yet. Hopefully I can finish it off tomorrow after work.

DiskoJoe · Feb 27, 2013

Was that her beer on the ground next to her?

Demers18 · Mar 1, 2013

DiskoJoe said:
Was that her beer on the ground next to her?

No, that's actually a bottle of orange soda. Looks like a beer though.

Demers18 · Mar 1, 2013

Here is the revised version.

[/URL] Smile - Revised by lee demers, on Flickr[/IMG]

invisible · Mar 1, 2013

Demers18 said:
Here is the revised version.

[/URL] Smile - Revised by lee demers, on Flickr[/IMG]

Perfect :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I just tried to nominate it but the voting for February has already started (so it looks like it's too late for nominations). I'm going to try and nominate it for March, but it might not be accepted because the original was posted in February...