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The General
The General
jmsetzler


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Best of 2005 (Advanced Editing IV*)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Date: Sep 24, 2005
Aperture: f/4
ISO: ISO 200
Shutter: 1/400
Galleries: Candid, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Jan 1, 2006

 **UPDATE**

I was sad to find this man's obituary in the paper the morning this challenge opened for voting...

**********

"Best" is quite subjective. Any two people could look at my 2005 photos and never pick the same 'best' image. I look through my own images of 2005 and have a difficult time picking a favorite. I have several images that really stand out for me. This photograph is probably in my top 3 for the year. This photograph created a new interest and personal project for me as well. I started my "1000 Faces" project with this image. When I submitted this photo, I had exactly 100 faces in my quest for 1000. It inspired me to look for opportunities to show character in candids and impromptu portrait images of people I meet in my daily life. When I met this man, I immediately knew that I wanted to take his photo. I asked him if I could and he let me. You will never see a man like this on the cover of GQ, but this image, in my opinion, has lots of character. My personal advantage with this photo is that I know a little bit about the subject after talking to him for about 20 minutes or so. He was more impressed with the fact that I wanted to take his photo than the photo itself. I got his name and address and sent him 10 prints of it to share with his friends and family. I haven't seen him again since, but it was a treat to meet him randomly and make his photo.

Statistics
Place: 49 out of 833
Avg (all users): 6.6674
Avg (commenters): 7.8936
Avg (participants): 6.6034
Avg (non-participants): 6.9733
Views since voting: 3341
Views during voting: 717
Votes: 433
Comments: 56
Favorites: 14 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/15/2007 01:37:12 AM
I am seeing this image for the first time tonight. I donât spend as much time browsing the photos here as I once did but it is a pleasant surprise to stumble upon this hidden gem .
I didnât vote on this challenge, but I would have placed this in my 10âs. The photo captured my interest instantly. The title actually made me want to study every detail of his face to see what time has done to the General. After reading your comments I can understand why you might have selected this as a âbestâ photo. Itâs an excellent portrait and it carries the visual emotion that is so hard to capture in a photograph of a stranger.
Your comments didnât include any information on his service record and Iâm left wondering if the title was selected because it fit so well, or if he is indeed a General. Either way, inspiring work.

Message edited by author 2007-03-15 04:11:55.
 02/03/2006 10:47:10 PM
May he rest in peace.
 02/03/2006 10:43:20 PM
John,
In this image, as well of much of your other work, I appreciate the passion you portray and evoke. I'm sure that you and the "General" are better from having shared time together.
 02/01/2006 04:12:32 PM
Nice finish John. I liked this very much and gave it one of my highest scores.
 02/01/2006 05:54:30 AM
Great shot. I saw this in Pbase and I really liked thetones and his timeless expression. May he rests in peace.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/31/2006 11:44:48 PM
Superb in every way.
 01/30/2006 03:16:42 PM
amazing photographs. probably the best photograph of a person i have ever seen. takes my breath away...
 01/29/2006 02:36:05 PM
An excellent example of black and white portraiture. Good shot.
 01/28/2006 11:12:31 AM
Amazing portrait, from the expression to the black and white tones, this is a well executed and emotional photo. Best of luck :) + fav
 01/27/2006 07:02:16 PM
You see this face, relatively old and full of grooves and grey hairs. He must have experienced a lot by now and the dirt on his face suggest that he is working with cattle this moment and it is a hard job. But the look is a bit fearsome, like he can combat a raging bull anytime but fears to be photographed. The only other emotion that comes to mind is sadness, like he just lost someone or a calf.

Great portrait, well lit, good toning, good composition.
 01/27/2006 02:43:56 AM
Just superb!
 01/26/2006 08:54:12 PM
I had seen your image before here and on PBase and have always found it very striking. I do however find, every time I look ati it, find that the eyes are a bit soft when comapred to the sharpness/detail on the nose. Almost seems like the camera focussed on the chin / nose rather than the eyes. Excellent B&W treatment.
 01/26/2006 08:09:50 PM
That guy has "rough life" painted all over his face.
 01/26/2006 05:13:05 PM
nice portrait, outstanding texture, good light, blacks need work, whites need tweeking, great comp, overall almost pro quality
 01/26/2006 06:00:37 AM
This a such a credit to you, as you have certainly captured him so very well.....His textured skin, every crease etched his face, and those eyes tell you a story.....WOW factor in this portrait.....
 01/25/2006 04:40:33 PM
Good shot. The whites of the eyes are a bit blown out which imo ruins it a bit.
All this imo, obviously. Good luck!
 01/24/2006 03:10:53 PM
An amazing portrait, the detail is great, bet he could tell some stories.
 01/23/2006 01:07:46 PM
just a great picture
 01/22/2006 10:53:32 PM
what happened to this guy?
 01/22/2006 08:06:54 PM
Wow! The General must have put in some rough years! Great capture!
 01/22/2006 07:38:07 PM
The tight, clean composition, perfect exposure, spot on focus and unembellished post-processing without any gimmicks or visual interference bring out and emphasize the individuality of this gentleman and let the viewer not only catch a glimpse of his character but also almost literally hear him tell his stories. Simply excellent!
 01/22/2006 02:53:24 PM
I don't know how many have said it, but your focus really grabbed his chin here, and left the eyes rather soft. Not sure I like that effect. I can see the photographer in them though. Sort of makes it look like he's turning into a snake :)
 01/22/2006 11:56:33 AM
Excellent detail and lighting. Great expression captured. Some might say that it appears a little oversharpened around the stubble on the chin, but I like it.
 01/22/2006 10:34:22 AM
great character in this nice portrait, tones are great as is the exposure - I can just imagine the stories he has
 01/22/2006 02:40:43 AM
Wow! Excellent portrait, excellent subject and lovely tones. Those eyes!!!!!
 01/21/2006 03:07:20 PM
Excellent portrait that makes me want to know his story. Well done!
 01/21/2006 02:31:20 PM
Awesome shot!
 01/21/2006 02:05:10 PM
great portrait. doesnt look like he trusts the camera much....8
 01/20/2006 09:10:36 PM
A very intense expression! I like how the black underside of the hat sets off the face.
 01/20/2006 02:46:59 PM
Was one of my favorite shots this year, an incredible portrait. The whites of the eyes look just a TAD bit too white, maybe a touch too much post-processing. A remarkable shot and sure to finish really high.
 01/20/2006 10:41:51 AM
10 from me...good luck! great shot!
 01/19/2006 04:11:19 PM
Great shot, John. I really think you've captured this man's very essence and the post production is beautiful. :)
 01/19/2006 03:50:08 PM
wonderful shot in all ways. What a cowboy.
 01/19/2006 06:02:54 AM
excellent portrait. truly captures the character of the man.
 01/18/2006 10:48:55 PM
Incredible. Love the texture and detail. Good choice of tone.
 01/18/2006 10:45:13 PM
There is generations of history in this face. Congratulations on bringing it forward.
 01/18/2006 09:25:46 PM
setz.. yea i'm probably the umpteenth person to call you out on this..

i've praised you for this before and i'm glad to see you submitting again. talk soon.
 01/18/2006 02:53:49 PM
A marvellous portrait and what a model!
 01/18/2006 02:05:56 PM
Very nice photograph. The General has tons of character, and you captured it wonderfully. Bet he has stories to tell. Well done!
 01/18/2006 10:26:19 AM
John, this is a fantastic portrait, filled with such character. The B&W work is also extremely well done, as per your usual standards. I'm sorry to hear about him passing away.
 01/17/2006 08:20:22 PM
What an amazing portrait. Would love to hear the stories this man has from his past.
 01/17/2006 09:18:03 AM
I dont care what they say, the South will rise again!!


Such character captured in this image. I want to hear his stories!! Great shot!
 01/17/2006 09:02:06 AM
the hat adds so much to the composition.
 01/17/2006 08:13:32 AM
in my top 10...great expression and pin sharp portrait
 01/17/2006 01:44:26 AM
Wonderful portrait of a subject full of interest. Great exposure.
 01/17/2006 12:03:21 AM
very sharp portrait image. Not sure about the hat. Not enough of the hat shows - make his head look a little odd.
 01/16/2006 07:35:05 PM
Great portrait. Nice nice job.
 01/16/2006 07:33:06 PM
Great character shot. This gentleman has a serious expression and looks like he has had a lifetime of hard work!

Cathy
 01/16/2006 06:44:48 PM
This was one of your best. :) Excellent shot!
 01/16/2006 06:10:31 PM
Beautiful work, I like the B&W tones
 01/16/2006 05:50:54 PM
This could as easily be in a book form 1893 as today. Beautiful capture. Every crevice and line of his face is shown in detail. The post editing filter is wonderful. Great image for sure. 9
 01/16/2006 04:35:27 PM
I hope the battle is over, he needs a rest. Great capture
 01/16/2006 02:46:51 PM
Awesome picture! Great charactor/subject - the history in those eyes, wow! Outstanding B/W conversion - demonstrates real mastering of post processing, not overdone - great textures, contrast, sharpening. This Best of is getting my best score. <10>
 01/16/2006 01:53:27 PM
Hello John,
This portrait is awesome and I hope it does well for you!
JD Anderson
 01/16/2006 08:34:25 AM
what an intersting face. nice processing and sharpness. Love it!
 01/16/2006 12:52:33 AM
Great capture. I really like the focus. The only thing I think that could make it better is if the lighting was slightly different on one side of his face than the other. Did you use an on-camera flash for this?


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