NELSON
Nov, 2016Views
669
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Awards
Zenith Award
Fall Award 2020
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
Emotions
Impressed
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo a few years ago while participating in an event. I saw this man and I approached him to ask if he could take a photo, he said yes and he told me his story.Time
I remember that it was around 3:30 pm and it was spring almost entering summer. I love the light of that season of the year because is warm and soft, it is a very special light.Lighting
The light was perfect and helped me achieve those contrasts that I wanted to highlight on his face. The light hit his face on one side more than the other and that helped me play with the depth of his gaze even to highlight the gray hair of his beard.Equipment
This photo was taken with a Canon T3i, which by the way was borrowed because I had just been the victim of a theft of my 2 cameras, my glasses and my laptop. That day I had a borrowed camera, I had just started using Canon since I always used Nikon and I remember when I saw this man, I ran to borrow the 50 mm 1.4 from a friend who was at the event, I almost took it out of his hand before missing the opportunity to photograph Nelson.Inspiration
I remember Nelson walking at the event with a speaker listening to reagge and asking for money, when I saw him at the distance he really caught me, his hair was long, his beard was perfect and I saw a lot of sadness in his eyes. I approached him to ask if he allow me photograph him and asked to tell me about him because that photo had to have an authentic story. Nelson told me that he is Homeless and that he lives with his three dogs, the money he collects daily is to feed his pets. He also told me that when he finds a dead pet on the street, he is in charge of burying it as if it were part of his family. His love for animals is unconditional. I returned several times to the same place where I met him but never saw him again.Editing
Actually, I don't really like manipulating the images because I consider that they reflect their essence and their true beauty. Usually when I edit my images I only manipulate, the white balance, contrast and in some cases the vibration. In this particular image, I took her to black and white because it was in color, but the intention of manipulating her color was to accentuate the depth of his gaze and the lines of his face.In my camera bag
Currently my main camera is Nikon D7500 with two lenses that are my favorites. One Nikon 50mm 1.8 and the second a Yongnuo 35mm 1.8 I usually work in natural light and I love to play with the light contrasts especially with these lenses because of the bokeh and the depth of field they give. They are light and easy to carry.Feedback
WOW !!! Honestly my best advice is to stay alert, be aware of everything that happens around you because anywhere at any time you can find the opportunity for that photo that is unique and unrepeatable. You never know where or when but always have your camera ready with the correct lenses for that special photo
