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In the Fangs of Shadow
In the Fangs of Shadow
librodo


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Masters' Free Study (Advanced Editing II*)
Camera: Nikon D70
Location: Sangklaburi, Thailand
Date: Sep 19, 2004
Aperture: f3.2
Shutter: 1/8000
Galleries: Emotive, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Sep 25, 2004

 The boy I met in Sangklaburi, Thailand. He was a delight to photograph. He pretended he didn't see me and I pretended I was not very excited photographing him.

Statistics
Place: 7 out of 69
Avg (all users): 7.6765
Avg (commenters): 8.6304
Avg (participants): 7.6034
Avg (non-participants): 7.6888
Views since voting: 9753
Views during voting: 889
Votes: 405
Comments: 107
Favorites: 50 (view)

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AuthorThread
 02/22/2011 11:09:19 AM
This is a gorgeous portrait. I can imagine you had to pretend not to look too excited
 10/12/2004 03:34:19 AM
I love portraits that tell a story, and this one certainly does. Creative title, thought provoking shot, and congradulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/09/2004 12:01:50 AM
Congratulations Manny on your 7th placing and your high score. A great facial expression and tones that are magical.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 03:39:35 PM
Congrats on your "Best of the Best" top ten finish Manny !

You certainly have found your niche.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 11:46:43 AM
Great one Manny!!! Keep it up!! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 04:17:52 AM
One of my ribbon picks!
This picture speaks to me more than any other in the challenge
Great work congratz :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:22:55 AM
Congrats.. My three 10's in this challenge scored 7 8 en 24...
I almost never pick the winner..
Well never mind, still a favorite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:08:40 AM
Congrats on 7th place Manny!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/07/2004 11:36:58 PM
the hand just bothers me and I wish it had not been in the frame, either by cropping or pose. The face is just so well shot and has a great sadness, world weary look. the hand just distracts me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 11:33:21 PM
Heartbreaking. Great depth of field.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 10:34:10 PM
I wish the hand was just a bit lower ... love everyting else.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 08:51:52 PM
Stunning image... great use of available light and the details/textures of the skin are just amazing. Well done, one of my top picks. :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 07:59:11 PM
I dont get the title but Im digging the photo!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 07:18:23 PM
Powerful. Hope you do well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 12:49:32 PM
I really like the tones, play of shadow and light, as well as, the angle of view. And such soulful eyes! Could definitely see this in National Geographic. Beautiful ! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 11:57:36 AM
Librodo?? Fantastic image. Lighting focus, composition all spot on. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 10:45:19 AM
Great tones, I'll bet this will end up high, at least in top 10. I'm sure that some others have mentioned the out-of-focus hand, it would have been much better if it wouldn't be in the frame and as it is in the frame, then I think the photo would improve if you would have cropped it differently so the hand wouldn't be seen at all. I really like the lighting conditions and the shadows over the face. Best of luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 10:19:50 AM
Incredibly good photo - contrast and b&w is spot on.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 07:32:39 AM
Peaceful portrait. Beautiful lighting and good tonal range. The background and shadows really add depth. -8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 03:53:17 AM
compelling, slightly journalistic, slightly out of focus. very well done with a superb background, great detail and a nice level of contrast.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 03:42:32 AM
This is a thought provoking image, for me the potential in this scene was treamendious. The expression on the face and in the eyes is greatI The posture of the head conveys even more emotion. I believe that were the arm and hand not in the picture it would have appealed to me more... its so hard to make a comment like that for me as many times those just are not what happens when you capture an image. I hope you do well with this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 12:37:52 AM
absolutely stunning. you can feel this image. great job! one of my top picks for the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 11:48:16 PM
This photo gives great dept and great use of natural lighting. This one should be in the top ten if not a ribbon winner! Good Luck! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 11:12:40 PM
Very expressive. I don't think you'd lose anything by cropping out the blurry hand.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 10:38:58 PM
Wonderful shadows composition and tone. Excellent!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 10:17:38 PM
so close to perfect! the hand in the bottom left is really distracting, but everything else is incredible: expression, lighting, technical execution, composition, etc. keep it up!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 01:51:02 PM
Wonderfull picture. Just the blurred hand is a bit disturbing. The face alone with the shadows on the right would've been great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 10:58:13 AM
This is amazing. Love the sharp contrast that forces you to look at the boy's face with just a hint of his ear. The DOF that blurs his hand is also a nice touch. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 01:16:50 AM
wonderful emotion in this pic - should do very well
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 11:37:17 PM
9. You've clearly captured a moment here. That is the sole purpose of photography, no?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 11:04:32 PM
Wow, what a fantastic shot. Really, very good job. Beautiful light and .. well. .. everything.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 09:31:22 PM
Very emotional shot, the only thing I would change would be to have the hand in the foreground more in focus 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 07:07:25 PM
This is a wonderful photojournalistic portrait. There are two things that I think would make it even better, 1) Crop closer to the boy's head on the left to remove some of the dark area and 2) either have his hand in focus or crop just above it. I think the DOF might be a little bit too shallow since the left side of his head seems to be out of focus.

The exposure on his face seems just right. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 03:28:36 PM
If I could look inside his mind......
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 02:08:08 PM
Makes you wonder what he's thinking. Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 11:07:50 AM
Nice portrait. Like the b/w and use of light and shadows.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 11:20:28 PM
Stron, strong portrait. If only we could tell what he was thinking. The soft hand in the foregound detracts only a bit as the face just draws you in for full attention. The b&w / sepia was the perfect choice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 10:57:53 PM
Touching photo. His arm is a bit distracting but not enough to distract from his beautiful face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 05:50:22 PM
Awesome portrait. If ever someone wanted to capture a human emotion, they should study this first. This is in the top picks for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 05:28:10 PM
One of the best portraits I've seen. Nice expression, composition and lighting! Great job! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 03:53:52 PM
superb is all I can say. Upping this one from 9 to 10 on my 'detailed look stage'
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 02:36:55 PM
A strong entry here!! Could really tell a story.

It looks as if the boy is or has been crying, maybe would have like to see it more clearer. Really like the sepia look here. Feel his hand may have been better if it was in focus. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 02:33:36 PM
Great capture of the childs expression. I love the tone as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 04:51:35 AM
Very emotive.... the color, expression, composition and lighting all fall into the right places for a superb image. The blurred hand in the foreground is a little distracting and I would have preferred it not there. One of my favorite dramatic portrait photographers was probably the one behind the camera. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 02:09:46 AM
great photo
love the light
out of focus hand is little distracting
10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 10:30:31 PM
The eyes tell the story here, leaving me hoping the future will be brighter for your little subject. Great job. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 10:03:18 PM
Spectacular candid shot. the emotion flows right off the page. I love the expression and the mood in the photo. it is perfect in black and white and the shadows and sharpness are outstanding. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 09:55:34 PM
Wow, moody lighting, great subject, nice tone - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 04:54:09 PM
Striking!! This is natgeo quality, in my opinion. Love the texture of his face, the shadows are excellent, his eyes are profound...everything about it is right on...except, maybe, for the blurry hand in the foreground. I think maybe you could crop it out and still have an excellent photograph...but that's my only qualm and I'm really reachin'...overall, I love it. Thanks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 03:55:57 PM
Lovely portrait. Beautiful clarity. I Like the duotones here. The only thing that bothers me is his hand, but i guess theres nothing you can do about that. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 12:50:42 PM
Not sure about the inclusion of the hand, but otherwise a very nice child portrait with great natural light. I like the play of highlights and shadows and the thoughtful expression.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 11:42:11 AM
very dramatic lighting. I like the far off gaze of the child. the out of focus hand is somewhat of a distraction.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 10:17:06 AM
hey Manny this is absolutely amazing picture The lighting is so beautiful and the expression in his face I love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 07:58:18 AM
Nice lighting and composition. Guess I would have tried for more DOF to have the hand in focus also.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 07:56:47 AM
Very good capture... expression on his face speaks itself.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 06:46:54 AM
Great portrait, good choice of subject. The face is much too high contrast for my taste though, and I don't think the out-of-focus hand works in the foreground. Great expression captured. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 03:41:12 AM
Good B&W - it may have been better to crop the image to include only his face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 12:28:08 AM
This is a great look.. the child looks happy.. yet world-weary, as if he expects something bad to happen any minute. The lighting on the face is a little hard, and the eyes just a little dark, but that tends to happen with a bw/sepia conversion. I'd originally given this a 7, but I keep coming back to it, so I'm bumping it up to an 8. It's a nice portraiture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 11:20:13 PM
I am not happy with the out of focus hand on the foreground. The child does not look happy but this is not because of essential needs such as food. The facial expression is very moving because the feeling is that he is being deprived.

Just the head would make this the most expressive image on this challenge. The lighting adds an undertow of strain to enhance the sadness. A very strong image. Bunping up

Message edited by author 2004-10-09 00:00:15.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 10:33:47 PM
Wonderful capture of the boy's expression. The only thing I would have preferred is for the hand to be in focus. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 08:01:41 PM
Not quite sure about the title, but it's an excellent photograph of the child. Good composition and tones. The hand reaching adds another dimension, though I am a bit mixed as to whether this would have been better in focus. Overall, excellent, in my top 5 list for this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 07:09:04 PM
Good tones, and interesting. Makes me wonder what the child is thinking.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 07:06:09 PM
can't find any other proper words, just wonderful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 04:50:57 PM
remeniscent of one of my favourite DPC fotogs. beautiful toning; love the DOF. The decision to include the shadows (in fact highlight them through the title) was nothing short of brilliant. wonderful theme and a very moving image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 04:44:12 PM
Like this a lot, but didn't feel drawn at first. It got a 5, the blurred hand was quite distracting. However, on 3rd visit I was so taken with the face that I bumped it to 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 11:29:29 AM
Excellent shot. The lighting is perfect, as are the skin tones. His expression also tells quite a story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 08:20:51 AM
Amazing picture. Can't find words too express how nuch I like it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 05:48:03 AM
nice tones
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 04:56:36 AM
This has a sadness to a beautiful child image a great sense of feeling
Its a shame the hand is blurred
a nice portrait Good work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 01:46:59 AM
What a story you tell. This goes beyond beauty and speaks to the viewer. If you do not work for National Geographic, you should. 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 11:11:19 PM
This looks like the work of librodo, its wonderful and very emotive. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 07:37:35 PM
A very humbling picture. I like the shadows cast on his forehead. Not much I can say about it. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:47:55 PM
Composition, lighting, tone...as good as I've ever seen. I can really "feel" your subject.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:42:00 PM
Good shot. Please don't take it bad, but I wonder about the out of focus hand in front; to my eyes it takes away from an otherwise excellent shot. But it is one of the best shots IMO in this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:16:04 PM
This picture is so emotive. It's beautiful. I just want to put my arms around that child and make it all better! I love the cepia tones. I'm giving it a 9, only because I wish the hand wasn't blurry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:04:13 PM
The lighting here is quite wonderful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 04:55:45 PM
Really nice and emotional shot here. This one of the best of the week (10).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 04:39:11 PM
Wonderful light. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:48:56 PM
Very strong image here. Lovely tonal range..no overexposed areas, great focus.
Your subject conveys feeling to the viewer as well.
Very, very well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:43:35 PM
Wonderful shot, so emotive. The shadows across his face only ad to the feeling. I love the title as well. I feel it would be better without the hand in front but doubt you had much control over that.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:37:06 PM
This child looks so sad, but this is an amazing photo, I love the duotone, great job good luck. ~10~
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 02:40:29 PM
Exposure and lighting are impeccable. Sharp detail on the skin gives a slightly gritty appearance to the image, which works well with the subject to convey an atmosphere. It's hard to tell what the emotion is, but it could be anything from despair to hope, which is impressive. The hand in the foreground is a little distracting, but I'm unsure whether it would have worked any better with deeper DOF... perhaps a tighter crop if it was candid, or moving the hand if it was posed?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 02:40:20 PM
This is right out of National Geographic. You've captured the image perfectly from a technical perspective, and created strong emotinal appeal. *Outstanding* image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 02:30:28 PM
I don't understand the title, but it's a great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 02:18:40 PM
beautiful shot - title a little too edgy (no deduct) - shadows and highlights very appealling
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:50:19 PM
so much emotion here i love it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:32:07 PM
Beautiful light, tone and treatment. I sense that there should be sadness here which is inferred by the title rather than visible in the image (despite the child's distant expression). That doesn't detract from an excellent and clearly competent shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:36:43 PM
A touching portrait. I can only imagine what is in the eyes of this child who has obviously seen much in his few years.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:27:00 PM
This image has a really high impact for me. The expression on the face conveys so much. It suggests to me that this child has experienced more in his short lifetime than any child should have to experience. The lighting and composition work well and the toned black and white does too. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:16:55 PM
Congrats, the only 10 from me in this challenge, so far. I'm just lacking words to describe how I feel. Truly awesome.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 11:26:52 AM
Very moody... nice "National Geographic" type documentary image... excellent composition and nice work with the post processing...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 09:55:07 AM
Stunning! (perfect 10)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 08:40:15 AM
Definitely one of my favourites. There is a lot of emotion in this shot and the lighting is perfect. Very very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 08:13:24 AM
Realy realy realy beautyfull....
Great capture Manny 100% sure this is you!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 08:01:42 AM
librodo, awesome picture! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 08:01:33 AM
very touching. loads of feeling. well done. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 07:01:05 AM
9. No words
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:33:56 AM
This is an excellent emotive shot. The toning and contrast are perfect. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:23:59 AM
Lost for words, the image speaks for itself, perfect!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:43:24 AM
Excellent tones, well captured moment. The hand being out of focus doesn't distract much but I do wonder if it completes the image or if it would be better, cropped a wee bit from the bottom. Well, I can't decide. I love it, 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:22:17 AM
Manny, this is one of the best childeren candids i've ever seen. It definitely deserves a 10. Good luck...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:01:06 AM
Very emotive; perfect moment caught and rendered beautifully with the lighting and texture. My only regret is the hand in the foreground being in such a different, softer focus. But exceptional work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:37:43 AM
My pick for second place. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:42:33 AM
after all the discussion of "emotions", to capture it in one so young !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:33:31 AM
Wonderful use of directional light. The tones are marvelous here, and the feeling I get when I look at this image is complex: peace, intrigue, and many more emotions. It must be a good photograph! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:33:22 AM
Wow, you've captured the emotion there. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:18:30 AM
This is my favorite type of photography. It would be a 10 for me if it was cropped without the hand due to the blur. Still a high vote. Love it !
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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