A twinkle in the wrinkles Photo

Photographer’s Note

I've met this proud and alert 93 years old man in Ta Van, a small village set within the picturesque valley of Muong Hoa, at an altitude of 1, 816 meters in Northwest Vietnam, close to the border of Yunnan, China.

He is part of the Giai tribe - also called Day, Dzay, Zai - who represents about 2% of the minorities living in Lao Cai region, with a population of 38 000.

Although he wasn't speaking English, he managed to make me understand and insisted that I visit its home, where I took this photo.

besnard, devimeuxbe, ribeiroantonio, jjcordier, isabela_sor, raphaelhcm, Dpbours, Philippe, Floydian, sevy, Vanessa132, patdeph, hispic, Bruno40, Cretense, trekks, everlasting, jhm trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

besnard (30020) 2009-05-23 23:23

Bonjour André
Un superbe portrait de ce vieil homme au visage buriné qui garde un regard vif au travers des années. C'est net, bien cadré et lumineux.
Merci pour cette belle image et bon dimanche.
Nicole

devimeuxbe (55593) 2009-05-23 23:23

Salut André
te voilà portraitiste !et c'est superbement bien fait. J'aime beaucoup cette lyumière de côté, cecadrage sérré et cetee netteté impeccable. Du travail très pro et très réussi
amicalement
Bertrand

ribeiroantonio (21701) 2009-05-23 23:27

It is a spectacular portrait with a perfectly mastered light and sharpness. Simply marvellous.
Antonio

jjcordier (24010) 2009-05-23 23:30

André
Le retour du portraitiste de talent....ça nous manquait! Encore une magnifique photo et tu as su trouver le modèle qu'il fallait. Un éclairage de côté peut-être un peu osé mais efficace pour mettre en relief les rides du personnage. Spelndide qualité d'image!
Amitiés
JJ

isabela_sor (41847) 2009-05-23 23:37 [Comment]

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Bushrat (67) 2009-05-24 0:21

Hi Andre, it's a captivating portrait, excellent lighting and great detail. I like the previous post too. Have a good one

Alex

yquem46 (7632) 2009-05-24 0:21

Un magnifique portrait André
Il devait faire assez sombre dans son intérieur . belle maitrise de la lumière et résultat vraiment top
Bon dimanche
Patrick

smarcell (14013) 2009-05-24 1:29

The light is the secret of any photo. And this is the proof. The light from one side shows all the details of this face. The sharpness is perfect too
Regards Stefano

P-S-I-G (24476) 2009-05-24 2:03

Salut André,
Cette fois-ci, le nouveau site a prévu d'afficher les réglages et le matériel utilisé. Je retrouve avec plaisir cette précieuse information. Même si j'ignore si le flash a fonctionné (très probablement pas), la focale et le nombre des iso.
Ici, la grande ouverture et la mise au point très soignée offrent à nouveau un excellent résultat. Les détails des rides sont très visibles. Tu as peut-être un peu trop mis l'accent sur le visage ridé, négligeant légèrement le couvre-chef intéressant de cette personne. Mais c'est vraiment du pur pinaillage de ma part car c'est plus que très bon. C'est une excellente photo.
Amicalement,
Fabrice

raphaelhcm (480) 2009-05-24 3:36

Bonjour Andre,

Ce portrait est tout simplement epoustouflant, la qualite des couleurs, des tons, de la lumiere, du pique, de la profondeur de champ, du detail....
Je prends souvent des portraits en photo, mais je dois te dire que je n'arrive pas atteindre la qualite de ta prise de vue.
Sans aucun doute, c'est un excellent portrait qui merite d'etre connu!!!

Tres bonne journee.

Raphael

litiancai (1040) 2009-05-24 4:12

Hi Andre,

Funny title, but fantastic photo! The focus just on the eyes works well and the light is of course fantastic.

With such a good photo it's difficult to be constructive - I guess the only thing I could say is I would personally have cropped some of the bottom of the photo off to put his eyes on the dead centre line - opinions of course!

All the best

Lee

Dpbours (210) 2009-05-24 5:11

Hi André,

Just the title in itself makes one curious. And what a nice twinkle it is. The lightfall from left to right is just great! A bit dark to the right top, but okay. Very nice.
I see you're enjoying the world as well. Vietnam in April. Any trips planned over the coming months?

Greetings, Dennis

Bartleby (4608) 2009-05-24 5:19

Salut Andre,
quelle netteté, quelle lumière et quel sujet...un magnifique portrait. J'adore comme le visage semble sortir de l'ombre. Superbe.

Philippe

faubry (32191) 2009-05-24 5:48

Dis donc tu reviens avec une panoplie de merveilleux portraits!!! encore une preuve aujourd' hui, ce qui me plait le mieux ce sont ses rides, elles sont si parlantes;;
bonne journée
amitiés
francine

Philippe (11645) 2009-05-24 7:37

Bonjour, André. Un très beau clair obscur. L'arrière-plan sombre fait très bien ressortir les traits du visage de cet homme. J'aime la façon dont la partie droite de son visage se confond avec l'arrière-plan. Excellente mise au point.
Bon dimanche,
Philippe

Floydian (30970) 2009-05-24 8:24

Dear friend,

Hope you read this before you take of to the wast. This intruging face is a face i also would like to shoot. Her eyes are touching my soul, her expression is so beautiful, the wrinkles of time, that woman must have great stories about her live...beautiful stories, horrible stories. She looks with an expression that she hardly knows what's going, no idea what a digital camera means....absolute great capture of her face and the light what comes in from one side...stunning...!!!

Didier was here for the weekend, shooting windmills. You know, those things that stand along a canal...LOL. Good weather.....what's more to enjoy.

Take care my friend, enjoy your trip, make some good ones and give Wanda a hug from me ;-)

Henk

sevy (12797) 2009-05-24 9:31

Bonjour André,

Voila une rencontre comme on aime bien en faire en voyage. Ca laisse souvent de bien beaux souvenirs. Et si en plus tu en ramenes des portraits comme celui ci...
Tres belle realisation en clair obscure grace a l eclairage lateral. Avec un reglage pile poil du contraste ca donne un superbe portrait plein de caractere: le regard n en ressort qu encore mieux.
J aime bien aussi la dominante marron (de la peau et du beret).
Je suis un peu surpris par le reglage f/4 qui donne une profondeur de champs assez reduite (en regard du rendu flou sur l oreille), ca ressemble plus a du f/2.8, mais je suis peut etre influencé par plusieurs années d usage du petit capteur du 20D. Il va falloir que je me rehabitue avec le 5D mk2.

Yves.

carper (63859) 2009-05-24 10:22

fantastic portrait Andre,
good light, nice details, eye contact, a fantastic photo job here. I like it, have a nice day.
regard jaap

Vanessa132 (1840) 2009-05-24 10:52

Hi Andre,
an impressive face....a face with a story..
very well captured!
beautiful light and sharpness.
regards,
Vanessa

leo61 (42664) 2009-05-24 11:01

Hi Andre!
Good management of the difficult light and perfect sharpness.A great portrait in wonderful brown tones.
Regards,leo

patdeph (17308) 2009-05-24 11:24

bonjour André
quelle merveilleuse lumière sur le visage de cet homme!Elle le fait ressortir de façon superbe sur le fond sombre avec lequel le chapeau et la chemise se condondent presque!Le visage est beau et le regard très expressif,c'est magnifique!
Amitiés
Pascale

gilou530 (34605) 2009-05-24 12:28

salut andré
un portrait réalisé en toute simplicité sous une lumiére faible qui donne ce relief dans le cadrage, excellente netteté
amitiés
gilbert

hispic (7399) 2009-05-24 20:13

Hi Andre,
Superb portrait again! Texture of the skin with deep wrinkles, beautiful bokeh on the out-of-focus part, rendition of the eyes like a crystal are truly incredible. Splendid color, light, and quality!
Regards, Hisashi

Bruno40 (6440) 2009-05-25 1:19

Hi Andre,
Another amazing portrait!. really nice one, I like all the details and clarity.
really good work.
cheers
Jorge

luisafonso (858) 2009-05-25 4:08

The most sensitive/powerful portrait I've seen lately.

scalerman (25593) 2009-05-25 12:53

A: of course, light is the second star with this shot. I'd be interested to hear your story of arranging this shot. regards, c

MarcT (20981) 2009-05-25 22:53

Salut Andrén
Quel portrait! Sublime ces rides, ces yeux aiguisés et l'unicité des tons bruns.
Amitiés
Marc

Cretense (54554) 2009-05-26 5:43

Hello Andre!

Top quality portrait job, worth to be published in the best magazines of the world! Excellent tight framing, perfect managmetn of the side lighting, fantastic catchlight in the eyes, and a whole book written in those wrinkles! A work of a pro considering the technical aspects, but most important, a photo that shows the great sensitivity of the man behind the camera! Congratulations!

Hercules

trekks (14260) 2009-05-26 8:57

Andre

93 you say?

Gee, I am not even sure if I can climb that many steps! I should be very happy to reach 65 steps, maybe stretch it to 70 steps, but definitely not 93 :)

Ok, you should be speaking to [HER :)] him and should know how to answer this question : he has any teeth?

I have seen many portraits, studio shots and what not, but honestly speaking, speak for the truth, did you use any flash or reflection or gadgets to get this good?

Amazing right? Not even flash or reflection but you beat all the portrait studio shots hands down.

I agree, this is publication material. That should save me with all the superlatives. I think they should use this man in the movies like Tomb Raider or something. He is classic material :)

One last thing, did you ask you if I visit Vietnam in 2011 that he would look as good but for a Nikon D700 and poor quality cheapo glass lens 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S?

You now have my Excellent Award. Have a swell trip to Vancouver but please watch yourself for the thunder in ThunderBay area of Ontario where my VW Bug wiper broke down in the downpour!

tfs, bill

everlasting (10894) 2009-05-26 22:06

Oh andre, I would love to have this portrait in my gallery. Super! His face has such a serious and strong presence, and the lights falls just nicely for you to catch that twinkle. Nice title too

stevesaba (3629) 2009-05-27 5:21

Hi Andre!
A very gorgeous portrait! Like you say, there is a slight twinkle in his eyes. Wonderful textures to his skin. The light coming in from the side really works wonders. And the good old 24-70 works wonders too! Great clarity. Nice work! Regards,
Steve

Flavia (10202) 2009-05-28 19:50

Hi Andre,

Beautiful touching portrait.I love the way you used the light. Did you use flash orwas it a natural light from a window? His eyes are very beautiful with a certain touch of sadness on he shadowed one. Brilliant work!

Regards,

Flavia

kiks (5961) 2009-05-30 12:09

Perfect titel for this amazing portret woth such beautiful light. Fantastic work.
Best regards
KIKs

jhm (81561) 2009-06-01 4:56

Hello André,

One of the most beautiful portraits on TE.
What a face,this is great.
Sharpness and clarity are superb
Very attractive and very well composition, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Edzik (7) 2009-06-02 13:50

Nice composition and good sharpness of the wrinkles and eyes. Well done.
Regards
Edyta

delpeoples (5260) 2009-06-05 17:48

Salut Andre, this portrait is superb. The light both on the left of the man's face and in his eyes just blows me away. You have captured this man's character and wisdom perfectly. I love the effect on his ears of the shallow DOF too and the tones all over are beautiful. TFS, this one is a winner for me, I hope you don't mind me using it in my theme of Favourite Portraits. Warm regards, Lisa.

Bandit (2014) 2009-06-07 4:19

Bonjour Andre,
magnifique portrait avec une lumière superbe ! C'est vraiment une image très prenante !!
Bravo !
Fabien

KevRyan (22297) 2009-06-22 14:38

A classic portrait André - perhaps the balance of the light is a little strong on the right of his face but the modeling effect is still beautiful and the light in his eyes tells a story of its own. It is quite impossible not to imagine what the message of his life is - one can imagine him talking - I guess that comes from some of the film work I have done or perhaps simply from the quality of the connection you create through such an intimate portrait.

hope you are keeping well!

bw Kev