American Cowboy (C&C welcomed)

Excellent shot in #1, Kim....

thanks Izzie.

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Originally Posted by IzzieK

Excellent shot in #1, Kim....

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Thank you Jack. The awkward park for me, was trying to make him comfortable since we didn't understand one another; he thought being in front of the camera meant he needed to be serious. If I had more time, I think we would have gotten to that comfort zone. I hope to photograph him some more when I bring him the photo.

Up close, you could tell the shirt was also worn; however it was pressed, and the sleeves rolled up perfectly. He takes tremendous pride in what he does and their farm is immaculate. I did try it in B&W, but personally preferred the color version. I did say a couple of the few Spanish phrases I know, and we both giggled about it.

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Originally Posted by flashback

Kim, I think you did justice to this gentleman, the image of him in front of a stall is excellent. It appears it was a bit awkward for the both of you, based on his expression. Still I think he would be proud (in a humble kind of way) to maybe have this picture framed and hung in his son's house. I'm wondering what it would look like in B&W. One thing I find interesting, even though his jeans are definitely work jeans, he's wearing a very nice, new(ish) shirt; to me that suggests he takes pride in what(ever) he does. You might consider a few Spanish phrases, I'm sure he would light right up hearing you try a few words.

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Perhaps old habits Mike -- my control freak self doesn't like to give up control of the ISO :-)

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

Definitely another nice one! The fence adds a nice touch of context to the scene.

What characteristics of Auto ISO do you dislike?

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Originally Posted by KimC

my control freak self doesn't like to give up control of the ISO :-)

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Ironically, that's exactly why I like using Auto ISO. I know the camera is always using the lowest possible ISO in a given situation. That's my control, though it's certainly exerted in a different form than if I manually set the ISO.

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Originally Posted by KimC

Ahhh, finally -- thank you very much Manfred - appreciate that ;-)

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Sorry for the delay. My wife is away for six weeks and I am a lot busier doing things around the house than normal. Plus (being totally frank here), I'm getting out and doing things I want to that are easier when one is alone.

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Originally Posted by KimC

Perhaps old habits Mike -- my control freak self doesn't like to give up control of the ISO :-)

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Kim - I shoot exactly the same way. The first decision I will always make is the ISO I plan to shoot at, and 95% on the time that is the base ISO.

The only time I will shoot auto-ISO is when the lighting conditions are highly variable and I know that base ISO is going to get me into trouble.

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Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver

Great story and great image, Kim!

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I agree absolute with Manfred !!!!!! Just sooooo nice :).......

Griddi.......

Just wanted to offer a tip that I learned many years ago living in a rodeo town when taking candids of people in cowboy hats.

Turn your camera upside down. Doesn't matter what type. Doing that puts the flash below the lens and shoots some light up under the brim eliminating the shadow you normally get.

That's a great tip, Andrew, for anyone not using an off-camera flash. What do you do if you're a klutz like me and then can't operate the shutter release, much less find the back-button auto focus?

Yes, ISO is my first decision as well Manfred. Wow, 6 weeks your wife is away. I'm sure more than just me is wondering what things you are doing when one is alone -- more photography?

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Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver

Kim - I shoot exactly the same way. The first decision I will always make is the ISO I plan to shoot at, and 95% on the time that is the base ISO.

The only time I will shoot auto-ISO is when the lighting conditions are highly variable and I know that base ISO is going to get me into trouble.

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Thank you Griddi.

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Originally Posted by just me

I agree absolute with Manfred !!!!!! Just sooooo nice :).......

Griddi.......

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Lovely portrait. Agreed that a bit more "grit" to his face may be an option to explore...

Marie

I wrote this before I read the story:

Artistic: It is in the eyes and it is in the Facial Expression. You nailed the moment. You got both Rapport and also Trust. You captured the Emotion.

Technical: Excellent in all aspects.

Brava.

I anticipate this is an unknown person - if so then it is MORE THAN most likely that you have developed your Style and also your Skill to a point where your camera is, or is becoming an extension of yourself.

One of the next Critical Comfort Zones to consider pushing is street work - not "Sniping" but Candid Street Portraiture - up close and personal to record the personality, at the moment.

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I wrote this after I read the story:

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"When I lifted my camera and in an awkward way asked if I could take his picture, he just beamed."

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I disagree on both points:

You might have thought it was awkward - I'll bet a Mars Bar that he didn't - see my comment above.

He didn't "just beam".

He gave much MUCH more than that - and you captured it.

It is all in the eyes and then the expression.

There is pain and also there is suffering, too.

WW

Thanks Marie. If I was going more artistic, I agree a bit more grit should be explored; however, I wanted this to be a true portrait of him; he looks amazing, and I didn't want to age him falsely.

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Originally Posted by Marie Hass

Lovely portrait. Agreed that a bit more "grit" to his face may be an option to explore...

Marie

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Thank you for commenting Bill. You are correct, I didn't know him, this was the first time I met him. I know you had mentioned to me before that I should consider candid street portraits. I'm going to push myself hard to get past my discomfort with that and give it a try.

As for awkward, it did feel awkward to me - I didn't want to make him uncomfortable, but I wanted to get across what I was looking for. When you don't have language in common, you have to pull from other resources and get creative.

He hasn't had an easy life...

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Originally Posted by William W

I wrote this before I read the story:

Artistic: It is in the eyes and it is in the Facial Expression. You nailed the moment. You got both Rapport and also Trust. You captured the Emotion.

Technical: Excellent in all aspects.

Brava.

I anticipate this is an unknown person - if so then it is MORE THAN most likely that you have developed your Style and also your Skill to a point where your camera is, or is becoming an extension of yourself.

One of the next Critical Comfort Zones to consider pushing is street work - not "Sniping" but Candid Street Portraiture - up close and personal to record the personality, at the moment.

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I wrote this after I read the story:



I disagree on both points:

You might have thought it was awkward - I'll bet a Mars Bar that he didn't - see my comment above.

He didn't "just beam".

He gave much MUCH more than that - and you captured it.

It is all in the eyes and then the expression.

There is pain and also there is suffering, too.

WW

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Originally Posted by KimC

. . . When you don't have language in common, you have to pull from other resources and get creative . . .

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Body Language speaks louder than words - ask any Puppy, Colt, Kitten, Duckling . . .

The trick is to unlock the basic / child / animal instinct in the Subject.

Once unlocked and if positively connected, then Rapport and Trust are immediately attained. You achieved this, and that is why I referenced not only "Rapport" but also I referenced "Trust", which is another, deeper layer.

WW

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Originally Posted by KimC

Yes, ISO is my first decision as well Manfred. Wow, 6 weeks your wife is away. I'm sure more than just me is wondering what things you are doing when one is alone -- more photography?

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I have a long "to do" list that tends to require a paint brush and roller, electrical wire, copper piping, etc.

You get the idea...