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How Sweet The Sound
How Sweet The Sound
jmsetzler


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: October Free Study (Advanced Editing II)
Camera: Canon EOS-10D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Date: Oct 10, 2004
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: ISO 400
Shutter: 1/125
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Oct 24, 2004

 ABOUT THE PHOTO:

I went to the Carolina Renaissance Festival today with my camera in tow. I thought it would be a great place to expand my interest in 'people' photography in a candid way. All of the people who were participating in this festival were dressed in Renaissance clothing and performing arts and crafts of the period.

I met this lovely young lady who was playing the harp. I sat on a nearby bench and listened to her play for about 20 minutes or so. After listening to the enchanting music for a while, I asked her if she minded if I took a few photos, and she was delighted to allow me the opportunity. There were a lot of people gathered around her and I didn't want to be in her face making photos, so I put on my long lens and backed away a bit. She kept on playing and talking with people who stopped to listen. I shot some photos and, in this one, she just happened to look up at me. When she saw me aiming my camera at her, she lit up with this most beautiful smile. I just happened to click the shutter at the perfect time.

THE TITLE:

"How Sweet The Sound"

"Amazing Grace" only begins to describe the talent of this young lady. I listened to her play "Amazing Grace" while I was making the photos so I chose the title from the lyrics of that song. "Amazing Grace" is a traditional hymn and the music for it is of Celtic origins. I think this ties nicely with the theme of the Celtic Harp in the photo.

POST PROCESSING:

* Adjusted levels on the original image

* Did some touch up work on her face to improve the softness and light

* Converted to grayscale

* Applied some curve adjustments to enhance the tonality

* Applied the Unsharp Mask to the full sized image

* Duplicated the original layer and added a small amount of gaussian blur and then reduced the opacity for a slight soft focus effect

* Resized and added the border

THINGS I COULD HAVE DONE TO IMPROVE THIS PHOTO:

Nothing. I simply don't believe that this photo can be any better. That may sound arrogant in some way, but I really am perfectly happy with this image and I wouldn't change anything about it.

ANTICIPATED NEGATIVE COMMENTS:

I'm not sure what will be found 'negative' about this image. The only thing I can anticipate are comments from those who would rather see it in color. The may also be comments about preferring to have the front hand in focus. I don't see that as a problem in this photo. I wanted shallow depth of field to isolate her face since this is a portrait of sorts. That lack of focus in the hand also implies a bit of movement which is supportive of what is happening in the photo.

ESTIMATED SCORE:

6.92

I think this photo will score well.

LENS:

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L @ 200mm

EXIF:

File: CRW_0948.CRW
File size: 5,554KB
Image Serial Number: 209-0948
Camera Model: Canon EOS 10D
Camera serial number: 1020300016
Firmware: Firmware Version 2.0.1
Date/Time: 2004:10:10 12:46:48
Shutter speed: 1/125 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Continuous
ISO: 400
Lens: 70 to 200mm
Focal length: 200mm
Subject distance: 5.12 m
AF mode: One-shot AF
Focus point: [- - O - -]
Image size: 3072 x 2048
Image quality: Raw
White balance: Auto
Color space: sRGB
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Tone: Normal
Custom Functions:
CFn 2: Shutter release w/o CF card: Not possible
CFn 6: Tv/Av and exposure level: 1/3 stop
CFn 7: AF point registration: all

Statistics
Place: 79 out of 487
Avg (all users): 6.1120
Avg (commenters): 7.3077
Avg (participants): 6.0186
Avg (non-participants): 6.6857
Views since voting: 1612
Views during voting: 361
Votes: 250
Comments: 21
Favorites: 7 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/25/2011 11:56:50 PM
Beeeeeeautiful!!!!!!!!! This is one of those reach-to-the-heart types of photos that will stay with me long after I click away. You're awesome!
 04/27/2005 05:32:01 AM
Just revisiting some of my favorite photographers and their shots that reach in and touch me.
This is one of the portrayals I consider a masterpiece of yours John.
Should be required viewing for anyone wanting to drop their blood pressure a few points.

(and no, I don't need to make more comments, just want to give credit where it's due)
11/29/2004 05:25:05 PM
Hey, this is a great photo!

My only quibble is with your use of the term "traditional" in the liner notes, as this is a work which can be directly attributed to a single person, John Newton, and composed under such circumstances as to add even greater depth and realism than might be suspected from the "usual" Christian imagery alone. Bill Moyers devoted an entire 90 minute TV program to exploring its meaning to various people.
 11/29/2004 04:41:55 PM
Wow.
 11/08/2004 10:43:46 PM
Excellent portrait, I just don't know why it didn't get a higher score! :)
 11/08/2004 08:48:14 AM
John - terrific portrait. This was one of my favorite shots, though not the one I'd "pegged as yours". I gave you credit for this one: //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=116948 (which should have done better IMO.) Terrific work here.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/07/2004 08:14:33 PM
This is an amazing portrait - the expression is so natural, and the eyes make a perfect focal point. The slight motion blur on the hands works very well also. I'm impressed!
 11/04/2004 03:38:49 PM
I like it, verry nice soft portrait. Maybe I'd like to see a bit more at the top and less at the bottom i don't know I'm not sure but I have the feeling it is not the best crop for this shot.
 11/04/2004 11:39:16 AM
Stunning shot. I see a ribbon coming your way.
This composition is perfect in every way. Great tone and a beautiful woman with a pleasant and natural smile.
One of my favorites in this challenge, also added to my favorites, and well deserving of a 10! Well done!
 11/04/2004 11:13:41 AM
Always pleased to see and hear a harpest, Thanks.
 11/03/2004 10:43:45 PM
Beautiful sound, model, and I like the dressed up formal feel of a B&W photo.
 11/03/2004 09:46:47 PM
A lovely photo, well suited to black and white. I love the soft feel of the shot, and that she is looking directly at the camera.
 11/03/2004 07:05:46 PM
I think its a beautiful sbot!
 11/03/2004 01:24:31 PM
I wish the front hand was in focus and there were obvious catchlights in the eyes. Otherwise a good portrait. Good luck.
 11/03/2004 12:44:06 PM
Hello Setz
I like the intimate crop on this and the choice of black and white.
Like the motion in her hand.
EDIT: I understand it's not motion blur but the result of low DOF. It works excellently to suggest motion which is all good.
 11/03/2004 12:34:34 PM
lovely photo, could have used it in music challenge as well :)
 11/02/2004 09:43:25 PM
You really nailed the composition and soft tone of this photo. Very nice job.
 11/02/2004 02:15:32 PM
The crop seem a little too tight around the subjects face.
 11/02/2004 11:49:09 AM
This had to be in the Music challenge :-)
Great love it, love the smile on her face, makes me believe she realy lover her music.
 11/02/2004 08:58:52 AM
You should have submitted this in "music", it would have done well I´m sure. Anyway good shot.
 11/01/2004 11:12:47 AM
What a very pretty portrait of a beautiful girl. If I were the girl, I'd be very happy to have this. I'm so glad that you didn't neat image away her face's texture. And I love that you caught her hands in motion. Really just beautiful. Going in my favs. 9, just-married


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