Some portraits...

[Antonio Correia]

One by one

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[Manfred M]

Nicely taken image Antonio. It reminds me of shots I have taken in markets in developing countries around the world. There is just enough background in the shot to give the viewer a feel for the location without it competing too much with your subject. I think the crop along the bottom edge is a bit tight, but as I don't know why you decided to crop there, I can't really tell if this was the most appropriate place to crop.

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you John and Manfred for your comments.
This photograph was made in the Assam State of India. I can't remember exactly, but I think I have not left too much room for improvement on the bottom right in the original photograph. However, I keep that issue as a minor one...
Here is another one from a classmate in very - very - different circumstances...
Have a nice Sunday !

[Antonio Correia]

[lovelife65]

Love these, in particular the 1st one. So very natural and for me gives a big emotional impact. I wanna get to know her, what is her story? Best portrait I've seen on here in awhile.
Thank you for sharing.

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you Sharon for commenting.
We were in visit to that region of India and visited a local village. We were offered some tea and invited to smoke corn leaves.
We drunk the tea but did not smoke, as usually we do not.


Perhaps Sharon you will like the portrait even more. It's one of my best photographs from 2018 !

[mugge]

Your photos are some of the best portraits I have seen in quite a while. The last picture is a stunner.
Cheers Ole

[Antonio Correia]

Ole... it is not difficult as you know. Get a good lens, focus carefully and there you are !
Treat on LR or CC if you prefer and... done.
My portraits are mostly under natural light and carefully selected.
Thank you for commenting !

[Manfred M]

Thank you Sharon for commenting.
We were in visit to that region of India and visited a local village. We were offered some tea and invited to smoke corn leaves.
We drunk the tea but did not smoke, as usually we do not.


Perhaps Sharon you will like the portrait even more. It's one of my best photographs from 2018 !

I can see why you like this image Antonio and the main difference between it and most of the other images you have posted here is the eye contact. When we look at pictures of people (and animals as well) we tend to look at their eyes. If they are looking back at us, that creates and emotional link and automatically strengthens the picture.

It can be challenging to get eye contact in street photography, but when you do, the images often work well.

[lovelife65]

Beautiful Antonio. I'm not sure I like it *better* than #1 but it's certainly fantastic.
In terms of difficulty, IMO much more difficult than what you describe. The technical aspects sure... focus, right settings, shoot. It's the emotional impact part of it that is difficult and many people miss. Really seeing is very difficult.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful work.
Sharon

Thank you Sharon for commenting.
We were in visit to that region of India and visited a local village. We were offered some tea and invited to smoke corn leaves.
We drunk the tea but did not smoke, as usually we do not.


Perhaps Sharon you will like the portrait even more. It's one of my best photographs from 2018 !

[Manfred M]

It's the emotional impact part of it that is difficult and many people miss.

Exactly!

It's also the most challenging aspect of photography. While most people strive for an image that is technically strong and is well organized (use of space, no significant distractions and good composition) they totally ignore the fact that the emotional impact of an image is what takes it to the next level.

[lovelife65]

Exactly!

It's also the most challenging aspect of photography. While most people strive for an image that is technically strong and is well organized (use of space, no significant distractions and good composition) they totally ignore the fact that the emotional impact of an image is what takes it to the next level.

Yes sir, it's a gift to be able to truly "see".

[lovelife65]

One thing I forgot to mention. I love the natural light on the face. Really hard to pull off and you did it!

Beautiful Antonio. I'm not sure I like it *better* than #1 but it's certainly fantastic.
In terms of difficulty, IMO much more difficult than what you describe. The technical aspects sure... focus, right settings, shoot. It's the emotional impact part of it that is difficult and many people miss. Really seeing is very difficult.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful work.
Sharon

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you Manfred and Sharon ! I appreciate your comments.
The woman was in a market and we were strolling getting some shots... she looked at me as I pointed the camera, the focus was apparently right (!) and so was the settings.
I always take 5 or 10 !!! If I miss one I miss all !!!
But I start over and over. She was pleased to be photographed. The natural sun light was coming through the trees giving a wonderful light.

Eye contact Manfred ? You mean this ?

[Antonio Correia]

One thing I forgot to mention. I love the natural light on the face. Really hard to pull off and you did it!

Anacortes in WA is where LensWork was (or is) produced. Have been anyway, because Brooks (the owner) moved to... somewhere nearer Canada...

I am a LensWork subscriber for some 4 years now and I have been published in the magazine !

[lovelife65]

Thank you Manfred and Sharon ! I appreciate your comments.
The woman was in a market and we were strolling getting some shots... she looked at me as I pointed the camera, the focus was apparently right (!) and so was the settings.
I always take 5 or 10 !!! If I miss one I miss all !!!
But I start over and over. She was pleased to be photographed. The natural sun light was coming through the trees giving a wonderful light.

Eye contact Manfred ? You mean this ?

I think the rule for eye contact is scene/subject dependent.
For your beautiful lady smoking her stuff, the closed eyes mean more to me. She is obviously enjoying the moment, and I could see myself sitting there enjoying it with her . In true staged portraits the eyes engaged mean more than a scene like yours, at least for me.

Btw: beautiful capture here.

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you Sharon !
I don't care if they are looking at me or not.
I have a series of portraits where everybody is looking at us. It was meant that way. I'll show them some other day...
Now here on the field, I take them as they are and if I like them, they have a green light !
Note what the very shallow DOF made to the girl in the back ! I decided to keep it as it was a very spontaneous shot !

[Antonio Correia]

[Manfred M]

Eye contact Manfred ? You mean this ?

Yes. While eye contact is not always necessary, it generally creates a stronger connection between the viewer and the subject. I know some street photographers who feel that eye contact is almost always necessary, but I don't agree.