Photographer's Note
Repost: I kept the tight crop from the original post because, despite some critiques, I like it and think it has power. I rescanned the photo with higher quality, and this time instead of over-saturating the colours, I have gone for a partial desaturation which I think suits the mood of the photo much better. Apart from that, I dodged his eyes a little to make them shine and come a bit more "alive", and I added my now customary frame.
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As my trekking companions and I neared the end of the Annapurna Circuit, climbing the hill to Ghorepani, we were anxious. All reports indicated that this was the area where we would encounter Maoists. How would they treat us? What would they demand from us? Would they harm us? How could we tell who was a Maoist, and who was a simple villager? Everyone became a suspect in our eyes. Nobody could be fully trusted. Not even the very young or the very old. As I asked this man for permission to take his photo, he gave nothing away, neither hint of malice nor kindliness. He simply nodded, the faintest of nods, barely perceptible, no trace of emotion on his face, and left me to wonder what would happen as the day wore on, in the land of the Maoists.
Critiques | Translate
KLB
(23723) 2007-07-24 15:10
Hello Philip
I'm agree with you. Your crop is well seen and strengthen the stare.
I saw the original version, and I prefer this tone which emphasize his expression.
Very good work.
Regards,
Karine
zmfactor
(294) 2007-07-25 14:35
Hi Phillip, I think the desaturation here works very well -- it brings out more of his facial features and expression. Great note to go with the shot.
nbj
(2097) 2007-07-28 12:36
hi there phillip,
i rarely saw a more intense and captivating face. wow. don't know what to think about the frame, but i love the portrait.
ben4321
(9875) 2007-08-01 9:13
There's a certain tension here that's quite interesting - it's not the most comfortable of portraits to look at but his expression has made for an image with a strong impact.
His eyes have a magnetism that is impossible to ignore. It's the kind of portrait that if you were to put it on the wall, the eyes would follow you around the room.
The slightly off-centre framing works well, although I'm not so sure about the cropped chin for some reason.
I think it would work very well in high contrast black and white.
Good work Phil.
Cheers,
Ben
fryz
(1735) 2007-10-27 10:14
je suis pas trop portrait mais là!!!
L'expression du visage est très poignante
a+ Philip and thank you very much for your message
Vincent
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Phillip Homer (fijiphil)
(1355)
- Genre: ¤Hª«
- Medium: ±m¦â
- Date Taken: 2003-11-16
- Categories: ¤é±`¥Í¬¡
- Camera: Canon Eos 100, 28-105 mm
- Photo Version¡GFinal Version, Original Version
- Travelogue¡GRound The World And Back Again
- Date Submitted: 2007-07-24 13:13