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Cobus, My Son.
Cobus, My Son.
docpjv


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Hidden Gem -- 1,000th Challenge! (Advanced Editing VII*)
Collection: Challenges
Camera: Canon EOS-40D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Location: Seoul
Date: Dec 31, 2006
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/30
Galleries: Family, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Mar 8, 2009

This is my son at age 28. He has been battling sickness all his life and one can see it. His current state is much worse and slowly this terrible genetic disorder is taking my son away from me. He is one person who knows pain intimately..., he suffered it every day of his life, every day!In pain and fristration I must ask why him.... why this, the last of my family name and heritage, why him? The collective sins of the fathers? God's will? And then there is silence and even less answers. Taken on the last day of 2006 when he could still come to visit me in Korea. He never will be able to, again.

Taken with my 20D, still the best camera I ever had.

Statistics
Place: 257 out of 1129
Avg (all users): 6.0385
Avg (commenters): 7.0370
Avg (participants): 6.0458
Avg (non-participants): 6.0000
Views since voting: 1028
Views during voting: 698
Votes: 494
Comments: 69
Favorites: 9 (view)


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AuthorThread
07/31/2013 11:23:44 PM
oh sooo sad ;(

Awesome portrait though!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/01/2012 01:29:05 PM
I remember when you posted this somewhere in discussing your life. The sickness really did have a toll on him as he does look older than 28. The eyes tho, say a lot. They kind of pierce the soul.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/01/2012 02:50:58 AM
absolutely amazing shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/01/2012 02:13:13 AM
The look in his eyes just draw you into the picture, then you read the story and it just wrenches your heart. Amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 11:20:47 AM
Oh Peet! This brings tears to my eyes. Its not from sadness really - I think a better description would be that it brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat because of how intensely the emotion emanates from this photo! He is so beautiful, and you have photographed him in such a deeply moving -- powerful -- way! Even moreso since I have grown to adore him so much from our Facebook friendship!

We live in such a fallen world where pure souls like Kosie have to suffer so undeservingly! But his heart is so grounded in his "real" home -- his eternal home in the center of God's heart so there is a hope deep inside him that nothing shakes. This world has dealt Kosie and you who love him so much a terrible blow -- but one day, it WILL be made right! And what I love about thinking about that day -- and I've shared this with him too -- is that I am going to get to enjoy dancing and hanging out with him never to suffer again -- forever!

THANK YOU for sharing this with me! I missed it in the challenge and I'm so glad to have seen it. It will stay with me long after I click away to go about other things! But I'm putting it in my favorites so I can come back and look at it often! ((( Hugs to you AND to your beautiful son! )))

  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/21/2009 05:56:46 AM
Your story is touching and sad, but your picture tells us little of what is going on behind the scenes.

Undoubtedly this holds tremendous personal value for you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/20/2009 01:59:32 AM
Very striking portrait--i'd respectfully disagree with citymars ;) the darkness makes his eyes stand out, almost in a way that lets us see all the way through his soul. I'm sorry to read about his sickness.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 10:57:59 AM
It made me sad to read about your son's illness. I would have never have guessed he was ill. In my comment I still mentioned that the photo shows a strong characterful face. I hope there is a chance that he can be cured of whatever it is he is suffering from.
I also still thought that this image had a connection to South Africa. I came from there myself.
Ps. Why are you in exile at this time if you don't mind me asking? The old ways were buried a long time ago although some remnants refuse to die.

Message edited by author 2009-03-18 11:08:59.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 10:09:53 AM
This is a striking portrait, but needed more light. I think you processed the eyes to make them stand out more but the result is a bit unnatural. I am struck by the ruggedness of his face contrasting with the softness of the knit sweater with the pink strip.

Peter, your story makes me sad. There is a deep, soulful look about this man. I'm sorry for your troubles.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/17/2009 10:17:35 PM
Looks like a Ranger from Lord of the Rings. Very intense eyes. Love the hood-like appearance.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 09:26:24 PM
Detail is nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 05:59:35 PM
excellent portrait, strong colors and expression! the background works well and the eyes show real character. maybe you just slightly overdid noise reduction(?), i think this portrait would just benefit from some noise
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 10:28:13 AM
a lot of character for so few years... for some reason I'm thinking Rocky
+2
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 10:14:02 AM
Um.... I dont want to meet this guy in a dark alley :)

I like the contrast between the rough look, and the stripe of pink in his hat.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 08:53:09 AM
Wow, what a captivating shot. An incredible expression captured, here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 11:23:46 PM
Very good portrait. This will work very well in black and white too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 09:42:59 PM
very sharp and good details
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 08:40:27 PM
Great dof, great clarity and color in the eyes, interesting expression.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 05:45:12 PM
like the darkness on his face and the bokeh background ... very nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 12:09:17 PM
Great portrait, nice focus and DOF, the eyes give it impact
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 02:06:23 AM
nice portrait, interesting subject
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 08:29:30 PM
You've presented his essence. Perfect. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 08:14:04 PM
Great subject and presentation, only the halo over the top
and blown out top right are distracting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 04:45:20 PM
too much processing in the eyes and the dark skin makes this look very unnatural
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 01:24:06 PM
Very intense portrait, the post processing makes it really dramatic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 12:19:06 PM
This one really made me do a double take! Aggression & kindness combined! Great dichotomy and perfect PP.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 12:01:16 PM
Good detail, a bit dark for my tastes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 11:39:16 AM
So nice to see him smiling there. Incredible intense eyes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 09:59:14 AM
The eyes are amazing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 09:47:58 AM
the background color/blur really set off this portrait
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 05:26:21 AM
6

nice taken

brano
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 01:58:16 AM
Wow, I love this one, the guy's expression is fantastic! One of my fav's. Great Job! 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 01:03:13 AM
nicely done, excellent capture of texture and details, 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 08:47:29 PM
I'm not sure what to make of this, but it's good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 04:40:13 PM
Good pic. Nice expression and background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 03:45:38 PM
i got to this image and just stared at it for the longest time! something about the expression on his face just facinates me... great eyes!!! -10-
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 09:14:48 AM
The colourful background makes him seem less menacing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 05:59:19 AM
Powerful and dark moody portrait. Your son certainly has a face full of character. I like the processing very much. Excellent work. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 11:22:40 PM
What a handsome son you have! Very intriguing photo, I think the contrasty edit you did added to that as well as the look he's giving. Very nice. I love the hat.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 05:06:34 PM
eyes really pop in this picture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 03:02:47 PM
Excellent portrait. I love how his eyes really stand out.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 02:38:02 PM
very cool editing, i really like how his eyes look
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 12:45:48 PM
nice portrait, good catch lights, I like the processing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 09:07:56 AM
Great portrait. I like the clothes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 08:56:29 AM
nice lighting in this to make an interesting portrait
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 06:41:54 AM
Penetrating eyes and lovely bokeh. would like to see the skin tone just a tad lighter.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 05:23:06 AM
Great shot but the eyes feel really overprocessed and as result look unnatural, still, I think it will do well overall.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 03:07:06 AM
I remember Cobus from several years ago, Doc. I don't recall seeing him then, but this is exactly how I imagined he would be. Strong and soft. Powerful and vulnerable. A deep soul. It's a very fine portrait of a complex man. 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 01:29:41 AM
Great intensity. Nice tones.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 11:54:57 PM
Your affection and pride in your son shows through this image. You should be proud!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 10:39:08 PM
Cobus is a rugged looking guy. The dark finish really adds to that feel.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 09:27:37 PM
Excellent
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 07:37:18 PM
A haunting subject. I like the colors and tones, but the processing to bring out the eyes makes this look to fake for me to really connect. Great shot, just a matter of personal taste.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 06:45:29 PM
Tough lookin dude. I don't Think I'd make fun of his pink hat. lol :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 04:54:17 PM
stunning portrait
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 04:21:30 PM
a winning shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 12:39:12 PM
A nice portrait, eyes are handled well. Image could be a little lighter though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 10:36:05 AM
Good story shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 06:24:20 AM
very strong portrait - with some few hours in photoshop u can make this outstanding - the eyes need a litte more work -8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 09:39:17 PM
Powerful... 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 06:48:01 PM
This is an intense portrait. Even when I was just glancing through the thumbs it lept out at me. Very nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 05:37:56 PM
wow, those are some very intense eyes. egads he almost scares me:/
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 04:10:42 PM
Wonderful features and great character in this face! Amazing eyes! I like the colors in this and the excellent use of darks and lights! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 01:24:33 PM
Fantastic portrait. Love the "grunge" feel to the shot, but those eyes really stand out and say something!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 12:06:49 PM
great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 11:12:05 AM
nice light in eyes
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 10:26:32 AM
I wish the background was a solid black but the detail is very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 04:46:33 AM
Wow, I can't remember whose son this is, but I remembered the face the second I saw it. That to me says something about the original photo I saw years ago and this photo. Quite memorable.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 02:12:37 AM
This scared me when it popped up.. (what's up with that pink band?).. but that's probably what you had in mind when you edited it.. nice effects.. success!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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