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el bandoneonista
1st Placeel bandoneonista
tanguera


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: The Smile II (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2013
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Date: Sep 26, 2013
Date Uploaded: Sep 27, 2013

 Model: Cástulo Guerra.

This was an unexpected treat, as I was shooting with Cástulo (who is Argentine) for a project on which I'm collaborating. During our first meeting I mentioned that I danced Tango, and he said he played the bandoneón, which is the heart and soul of the Tango sound. It is also a spectacularly difficult instrument to play, and he was self-taught (there being a scarcity of bandoneón teachers). I expressed my admiration, and we left it at that, and scheduled our shoot. When he showed up with his bandoneón, it was too much to resist and we did a short, impromptu pre-shoot.

It was such a treat to have live tango music during the session!!! Unfortunately, most tangos evoke deep, mournful feelings, and all I was getting were these deep, tragic looks from him. So I had to request a "milonga" to get him to smile.

This was the best of his smiles; I just wish it had coincided with a more undulating moment for the bandoneón, which is a beautifully articulated and sinuous instrument. I feel it just looks placed, rather than actually getting played as wonderfully as it was.

[POST CHALLENGE]
Oh, Cástulo will be SO tickled! Thank you all for your generous votes and comments.

Bear, just because it's YOU, I will attempt such a composite and share later :-)

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 50
Avg (all users): 7.2689
Avg (commenters): 8.8333
Avg (participants): 6.8387
Avg (non-participants): 7.4205
Views since voting: 2654
Views during voting: 226
Votes: 119
Comments: 40
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 10/12/2013 10:51:40 AM
Hadn't spotted you'd taken the Blue. Very well made. Always good to see your images on top.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/11/2013 06:45:27 PM
Oh, Johanna!!! THIS is EXQUISITE!!!!!!! YOU are AMAZING!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/10/2013 12:37:33 PM
so much fun to keep seeing this. finally looked and read your story. would love to see the shoot too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/10/2013 05:47:59 AM
It is such a natural and realistic portrait, Johanna!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2013 02:46:39 PM
Great image Johanna, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 04:32:00 PM
Late to the Congratulations party... but Better late than never.... CONGRATULATIONS my dear friend!!! Well deserved, One of my highest scores in this challenge! U ROCKED it sister!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 04:29:08 PM
Gorgeous and authentic portrait. Well deserved blue. Love the Tango (watching only). Would love to see some along with your commentary some day.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 03:25:55 PM
He has an awesome smile. Congrats on your blue Johanna!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 02:49:02 PM
Congrats Johanna! An awesome shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 12:40:46 PM
Oh so this is your entry.. Congrats :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 10:14:18 AM
Great work Johanna. Congrats on ribbon. I agree with you on lack of sinuosity of the instrument: I noticed that immediately. Why not work up a composite for us where you graft this head on a better version of instrument/body? :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 09:58:17 AM
Congrats Johanna. Contagious smile, great capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 09:22:50 AM
He just glows! Congrats, Johanna!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 07:41:34 AM
Well done J. Great score.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 07:29:35 AM
One for Astor. Nicely done. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 05:18:22 AM
Congrats Johanna, really fantastic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 03:45:31 AM
Esta sonrisa es mejor que 100 cuentos. Congrats on your very well deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 03:10:17 AM
An amazingly beautiful portrait. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 02:43:14 AM
Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 02:30:03 AM
Awesome. Cool. And a star staring... Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 02:08:53 AM
This garnered my top score, along with the Red Ribbon. Congratulations on a wonderful foto (as they have it in Argentina).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 01:24:32 AM
Wonderful shot, Johanna. Full of joy and exuberance. The lighting is superb. Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 01:24:16 AM
How very wonderful - the photo and the story!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 12:28:29 AM
You over-estimate us, Johanna. Placed? Played? I was captivated by his obviously spontaneous smile and simply found the instrument a most wonderful prop. My top score and a gap between it and the next scores. Beautifully done. Congratulations on the well-deserved blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 12:13:43 AM
WTG Johanna! Wonderful image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 12:11:05 AM
Congrats on the blue, Johanna! Wonderfully warm and happy portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 12:07:53 AM
congratulations! great picture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2013 12:07:41 AM
Congratulations on the blue ribbon for this cheerful and cheering image, Johanna. It got my top score.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/06/2013 09:30:14 PM
Lovely portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2013 05:12:46 PM
great quality, great expression, very well done.bumping to 10. Top 3 for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2013 11:06:35 AM
My favorite of the challenge; you can't help but smile with him. Love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2013 09:38:45 AM
Wonderful work, with a rich character and a tapestry of wrinkles, ruffled shirt and intricate accordion that together speak experience, joy, artist. Looks like a Tanguera.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2013 12:40:43 AM
What a great portrait! That smile is so infectious, I can't help but smile too. I've given two 10s and this is one of them.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2013 06:53:48 AM
He's got a great smile...nice light and image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2013 08:17:34 PM
I gave the shot a 10. It has a special quality to make that made me really feel the joy and emotion. When I look at the smile I feel something so genuine about it embraces and makes me feel like I want join in. The lighting is solid. The composition of solid. It was my favorite of the competition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2013 08:30:10 AM
Super crisp perfeclty done.
I can't help but smile when I look at this.
One of my top picks for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/30/2013 03:47:34 PM
Very nice lighting and color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/30/2013 08:02:23 AM
He looks great. Excellent image. The red on the knee is a bit distracting but it's ok.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/30/2013 03:40:49 AM
Such a genuine smile! I love it. The lighting is just a WEE bit intense for my liking, but at least it allowed you to catch all his brilliant smile lines
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/30/2013 12:03:30 AM
Adorable!!!! Well I guess he's handsome, but the whole shot, editing, accordion, etc.. it's <- see first word
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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