Doubtless II
Taken in November, 2016 in East London. The subject's name is Tom (he likes to be called 'Mad Tom', his dog is called 'Mad Max') and I ...
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Taken in November, 2016 in East London. The subject's name is Tom (he likes to be called 'Mad Tom', his dog is called 'Mad Max') and I have seen him in one particular street for many years. So, recently, I summoned up the courage to ask him if I could take his photograph and he happily obliged. I was surprised by how characterful his portrait turned out.
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Nov, 2016Views
4403
Likes
Awards
Creative Winter Award
Top Shot Award 21
Contest Finalist in Expressive Faces Photo Contest
People's Choice in Raw People Photo Challenge
Winner in In Black and White Photo Challenge
Featured
Winner in Portrait Orientation Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 16
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Virtuoso
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Categories
PRO+
Eggers
January 01, 2017
Many, many heartfelt thanks to all those who were kind enough to bestow awards! The acknowledgement is gratefully appreciated.
DebJay
January 02, 2017
I love Mad Tom's photo and the depth to his eyes. I wonder what stories he has to tell? I'm glad you asked for his picture and I would really like to see his dog Mad Max. Wonderful capture.
Eggers
January 03, 2017
Hello Debjay - Thanks very much for the comment! I will return to see Mad Tom and his canine companion and see what I can dig up.
Eggers
January 03, 2017
Hello Debjay, I should clarify my previous comment: I do not intend to "dig up" up Mad Max - that just conjures up all sorts of the 'wrongest' scenario :-D
Platinum
andynewman_3473
January 03, 2017
Fantastic processing on top of a corking composition. Really nicely done
Eggers
January 03, 2017
Hello Andy Thanks ever so much for the comment! I am quite stunned by the positive comments. Thank you again.
PRO+
Eggers
January 05, 2017
Hello Rpdhija - thanks for the acknowledgement. It is most sincerely appreciated.
PRO+
MimiTesch
February 27, 2017
Wow. This is an astonishing , just breath taking portrait !! So much character. I look at him and want to sit beside him and listen to his stories ! Beautiful capture. Well done.
MimiTesch
February 27, 2017
Wow. This is an astonishing , just breath taking portrait !! So much character. I look at him and want to sit beside him and listen to his stories ! Beautiful capture. Well done.
Eggers
March 02, 2017
Hi Mimi - thank you ever so much for the acknowledgement and kind words! I am pleased that you are pleased with it! And yes, I am reasonably sure that Mad Tom has a lot of stories to share. :-)
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Pjerry
September 25, 2023
I'm very sorry. Your capture is not eligible for the September 2023 Collection challenge. It must be submitted in September 2023 (see timestamp in the legend from VB beneath your capture!).
HuaweiP30Lite
December 05, 2023
“A man's face is his autobiography. A woman's face is her work of fiction.”
? Oscar Wilde
? Oscar Wilde
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this particular photo in a lane in East London. I was en route to a cafe in Shoreditch and I came across this chap with an astonishing, characterful face.Time
It was on a cold day just after lunch.Lighting
It was a bright and crisp day.Equipment
I shot this portrait with my Canon EOS 1000D using the standard lens (18-55mm).Inspiration
For some reason, on that day, I had a bee in my bonnet about taking some portraits. I traversed the lane and initially took some pictures of a street busker, a guitarist called John and didn't realise I had used all the wrong settings. After finishing I reviewed the pictures and groaned. So, my tenacity kicked in (polite word for stubbornness), i adjusted the settings and started looking at people closely. I then came across 'Mad Tom' with his dog, 'Mad Max'. He had, in my mind, an extraordinary face that told not just stories but very probably had been a witness to actual history. I struck up a conversation with him and asked if I could take his picture. Although initially uncertain, he kindly obliged. As I was snapping away, it occurred to me that I may have served him at a soup kitchen I used to volunteer at in the past. Anyway, after I was done, I continued onwards not really appreciating that I had captured something quite pleasing. A few weeks later, I found Mad Tom again and gave him a portrait as a way of saying thanks for letting me take his picture. He was properly chuffed (pleased).Editing
I converted the original picture to B&W using Creative Kit's Intensify software.In my camera bag
I carry the following: Camera & Lens: 1 x Canon EOS 1000D, 1 x Canon EFS 18-55mm lens, 1 x Canon EFS 70-300mm lens Tripod: Velbon EF-61 (grrrrrrrrr) Battery: 2 x Lithium batteries Memory Cards: 2 x memory cards (Eyefi and SanDisk) iPhone accessories including solar charger and Ollo clip (wide angle & fish eye lens) Some manuals, notes, fruit, a baguette that I really, really need to throw out and usually a bottle of water. And finally, I believe I carry some luck, hope, inspiration and the occasionally critical eyeFeedback
Right, this is tricky. You have to capture a beautiful shot. I get that. However you also should balance the subject's dignity, the ethics of it all and ask yourself whether you are serving a good, kind, constructive, moral purpose with the picture. If you are, then fire away. I would finally say, to avoid hypocrisy, that sometimes a potential image is so powerful that you just have to take it (and possibly end up being slightly unethical and indiscreet in the process). Use your judgement.
