Flawless Portraits
View allAll Photos Tagged portrait_awesomes
We stopped by the Ice Castles in Silverthorne and had some fun playing around with long exposure self portraits......awesome place!! The structure is all man made and they even have their own icicle farm!!
On Explore Feb 4, 2012 #347 Thanks!
A young person carries a toy dog and two bottles of fresh water in his hands. One bottle is for the owner, the other bottle is for the pet. The day is hot. Street photo.
DAVE
"I was working as a Marine Engineer about 40 years ago in Berlin. My friend owned an old Leica Camera and I was quite envious so I saved up and bought my own. I only shot about 5 rolls of film and it's been in storage ever since. I still have the original box and manual so it's probably worth quite a bit now. Perhaps you could help me get it valued."
I've noticed Dave a few times around Wellington walking up and down Cuba Street. I'd approached him before in the hope of taking his portrait but he didn't seem keen on talking. Although I was disappointed I respected his privacy and let him go on his way.
Today as I was waiting for my bus I spotted Dave on the other side of the street. As my bus approached I made the bold move of letting it pass and trying again to see if he would let me photograph him. I crossed over and walked along side him wishing him a Merry Christmas. Dave noticed my Nikon and we instantly struck up a conversation about camera gear and photography.
As we talked I noticed that Dave was a little hard of hearing and perhaps the last time we tried to engage he just didn't hear me. I'm glad I tried again because as we got talking he was really friendly and opened up to me about his life in Berlin. Our brief conversation was a valuable reminder not to judge someone that you've only just met as people can be easily misunderstood.
I advised Dave that I although I wasn't the best person to place a value on his Leica they can be quite expensive and urged him to ensure he had it valued before he considered selling it.
"how the mother is to be pitied who hath handsome daughters! locks, bolts, bars, and lectures of morality are nothing to them: they break through them all. they have as much pleasure in cheating a father and mother, as in cheating at cards."
~ john gay
(43/365, a year of portraits)
awesome texture by overthemoon
Fruit is very nice model, she's very cute and photogenic she also got a special expressions which makes all her portraits awesome.
I'm a bit of a perfectionist and quite hard on myself when it comes to my street portraits, always pushing myself to improve, only sharing my best work. Here's one I captured at Cuba Dupa Festival yesterday of an America Lady who's called New Zealand Home for 20 years. I spotted her in the crowd and knew instantly that I wanted to photograph her. As the performance drew to a close I made my move and approached her. Thankfully she agreed.
It all happened so quickly that I didn't get the right settings and didn't capture those piercing blue eyes that made her stand out from the crowd. I also wished i'd captured her shirt in focus and used a faster shutter speed to freeze her hair as it blew in the wild Wellington wind. However despite the things I wish I could change about the photograph I feel this portrait has a very Wellington (Welly) feel to it with her windswept hair. For those that have ever lived in Wellington or anywhere known for it's windy conditions you will know what I am talking about. How many of us have experienced this look?
This photograph is also a reminder to embrace the imperfections in my art, and that a technically imperfect photograph can often be more powerful that the most one that is.
I love the cool tones to this photograph, captured an overcast windy Wellington afternoon. Her face has many untold stories and maybe one day I will meet her again and she can share some of them with me.
Whilst I was in Aukland recently I spotted Michael from quite some distance away. As he drew close I was captivated by his face and incredible white hair and beard. I decided to stop him and politely ask if I could take his photograph, but he said no. As with everyone I approach I respected his wishes and watched as he went on his way.
Moments later as I turned the corner I spotted him again so decided to I would strike up a conversation with him. After shaking hands and introducing myself he asked me where I was from. When he discovered my hometown was Liverpool we instantly got talking about The Beatles, his favourite being John Lennon and mine being Paul McCartney. "John was alright wasn't he?" he commented.
We walked and talked for some time and I explained my project involving capturing street portraits. I told him how striking I found his face but was quite honest with him explaining that I would soon be returning to Wellington and would be incredibly sad if I didn't get the opportunity to capture his portrait. Within seconds he agreed and I took this intimate portrait of him.
Like many of the portraits I capture he has a story engraved on his face. When you strip back the layers you uncover a life often made up of brokenness and sadness. Before you can begin to discover a strangers story you first of all have to approach them with dignity, patience, kindness and empathy. Without this they may never let you in.
I'm thankful for each person who has opened up and given me permission to capture their portrait. Despite our often brief connections I am always enriched by each person I meet. ❤