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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 47: Creative Telephoto (hosted by Bruce Jones) >> Eligible > Praying *
7th Place (Tie)
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July 31, 2005 Vikas

Praying *
7th Place (Tie)

This man had just lit a candle and was praying when I took this shot.
Taken at ISO 800; f/2.8; 1/100.


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Vikas Malhotra08-Aug-2005 17:33
Thanks a lot Michael for helping me improve this pic and yes, was fun and a great learning exprience discussing this pic with you. Appreciate it. Cheers, Vikas.
Guest 07-Aug-2005 18:24
Vikas, I think your edits are excellent. My eyes are now drawn to the profile and eyelashes without distraction. It's a wonderful piece and it was fun to discuss it with you. -Michael
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Aug-2005 07:39
Thanks a lot Michael and appreciate your comments and taking the time to give your viewpoint. What I have done is instead of completely removing the blemishes, have toned down the white on them and have to say I like this better than the original one. Please do let me know what you think of it now. Should the blemishes go completely or is it okay like this? Thanks.

Cheers, Vikas.
Guest 07-Aug-2005 04:51
Vikas, I am in strongest agreement with you that the blemishes add to the man's character and speak to his youthful age, etc. Seeing that you chose f2.8 and that the sharpest focus is the eyelash and profile, I figured these are the elements you chose to stress, which is confirmed in your comments to Mark. I want to be clear that my suggestion is only to clone out the very few blemishes around the cheek bone which are white. It's the white which grabbed my eye away from your primary focus. I do believe any cosmetic retouching should be a bare minimum and solely to reinforce the primary focus.

In the end, whatever you decide will not change the essential nature of this portrait. It's a powerful piece and we are only discussing visual nuances. -Michael
Vikas Malhotra06-Aug-2005 06:56
Thanks Rob. Yes the relaxed and meditative pose of the man attracted me to take this shot.
Thanks Alexeig. :-)
Thanks Mark appreciate it. Regarding the hair in focus, yup certainly would work too but in this shot, was trying to keep only his eyelashes and the profile in focus to make it the most prominent feature of the shot. Just trying something different. :-)
Thanks Aam1234
Thanks Michael and appreciate your comments. Regarding the blemishes, I actually did think of cloning them out initially just like you suggested but then decided to let them remain as I think it is a part of the man's character. Now your comment has me thinking if I did the right thing or not. Am going to give this more thought and would also appreciate all other feedback on this, should the blemishes be cloned out or should they remain? Thanks again Michael.

Cheers, Vikas.
Guest 06-Aug-2005 05:04
Vikas, this is an exquisite and emotional portrait done in a beautifully natural light. (*) I'd like to see a few of the blemishes on the cheek bone cloned out. The white catches my eye and I think less detailed skin of the cheek bone would let me focus on his extraordinary eyelashes, profile, and countenance. -Michael
Canon DSLR Challenge05-Aug-2005 20:29
Excellent photo. Love the composition and the saturation of color --- aam1234
Canon DSLR Challenge04-Aug-2005 23:45
Another emotional Vikas image :-) I like this one but wish the (*) hair were in focus as well as the face. Nice work. Markjay
alexeig02-Aug-2005 12:07
Great moment caught
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Aug-2005 22:34
Vikas, as always your work is outstanding. This is one of your best IMO, the relaxed focus of the man is clear and peaceful, this allows more time to wonder about his history as you study his scars.

You seem to be having an orange period.

Rob
Vikas Malhotra01-Aug-2005 08:20
Thanks Fly, appreciate it.

Thanks :-D. Yes it was quite an intense moment when this man was praying but have to confess that I did take his permission before shooting this pic. I usually do take approval before taking any people shots. Thankfully this man gave me permission and continued his prayers, oblivious of me.

Cheers, Vikas
Canon DSLR Challenge01-Aug-2005 03:14
Vikas,

What a wonderful shot! Composition and colors are great. I can't help however, feeling like I have intruded on some persons spirituality and privacy. This is indeed some of what telephoto lenses afford us, however, we still snap the shutter...I hope that this man would not feel badly we are sharing in his spiritual moment. I feel that the shot does indeed capture that sanctity and mood of real devotion...a well taken photo...leaves me a little in awe...
Cheers,
:-D
Guest 31-Jul-2005 22:38
You always do such great people shots. The green background really makes this shot special.