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hotpreacher: [this little light of mine...]
hotpreacher: [this little light of mine...]
hotpasta


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Your Occupation II (Advanced Editing V)
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Nikon
Location: Melbourne Australia
Date: Dec 22, 2006
Aperture: F 5.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/60
Galleries: Performance, Self Portrait
Date Uploaded: Dec 22, 2006

 Well of course it's me! I had an image like this in my head from when I saw the challenge. I wanted to be juxtaposed against a dirty background in a clean suit...no symbolism at all, just wanted it to have a fashion shoot quality to it.

If there is any symbolism at all it is the clean clear message of God's Word in a sometimes dark and dingy world. A light in the darkness???

I am holding a firelighter in one hand, that was supposed to be a lit cardboard torch, but the smoke ruined the shot, so I had to use this which gives it a quirky quality. I wanted it to look like my little light was providing all the light, henced the heavy vignetting. Not sure how this will go with the voters.

As far as me personally, I am not a hell, fire, brimstone preacher, but I do tell it like it is, and I get quite passionate as I preach - must be the italian in me. I do preach with a bit of gusto...can't help myself. My motto might be: Go hard or go home. I give it everything in the preparation and delivery, cause there's too much at stake every time I speak.

EDIT: duplicated the layer and added a higher contrast b and w underneath this, but it didn't really work for me. Dodge and burn, USM. Resize, some sharpening and blurring. I used a wide angle lens and a Nikon SB600 flash with a lightshere. It has a James Bond quality to it. I am happy with this and will use it in my emails.

HOW WILL IT GO? I hope for a 6.5XXX. People will say my foot is cropped or that they dont understand about the light or that the background is too busy...I like it, that's all that matters.

Quietly confident it will do well after a couple of shocking results.


POST: a bit disappointed, but what can one do? A lot of people couldn't work out why the background and why the light...it's about being a light in a dark place people!

here is an outtake:


Anyhow, I am on a downward spiral of late...maybe time to take a break and put the camera away and come back with fresh eyes

Statistics
Place: 35 out of 105
Avg (all users): 6.1568
Avg (commenters): 7.4737
Avg (participants): 6.2549
Avg (non-participants): 6.1297
Views since voting: 1646
Views during voting: 582
Votes: 236
Comments: 24
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 01/04/2007 01:01:19 PM
Hello from the Critique club, my name is Jon Rowe, and i will be looking at your image this evening :)

Composition/Lighting : first of all let me say i've been a fan of your work for some time now, so ME critiquing your image seems odd, but i'm really glad to have the opportunity. now, the composition on this shot is great, i like the slightly off-center comp. when i look at this setup, i think of the broken world we live in, and the light that you're helping to shine to it (hence your background). this is just an amazing shot. only thing i can possibly nit-pick is the very obvious vinette. i gave it an 8. loved this shot.

Challenge : it definitely fits the challenge. every aspect of it is very emotive, yet has a humorous factor to it at the same time. great job, and very well done. it should have finished higher, in my opinion.

Conclusion : this is a very well done, and incredibly underrated photo. everything from the lighting to the composition and execution just rocks for me. i really like it. if you were to take a break and lay your camera down for a while, i think that would be an injustice to both your talent and the DPC community, you do great work

Keep on shootin!

Good luck on your future challenges:)
-Jon Rowe

Message edited by author 2007-01-04 13:02:09.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2007 08:44:25 AM
Tell it like it is Brother. There IS too much at stake not to.

A great shot, which should have been much higher.

Continue to preach The Word with boldness throughout 2007!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2007 04:55:14 AM
No... no... no... don't put your camera away, as I also have also felt like this.
You are such a great photographer, with some excellent images, and must keep doing your photography for us to see and share.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2007 02:49:51 AM
Enzo, I didn't know you were a preacher. We'll have to chat sometime... Nice shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/01/2007 01:03:48 AM
I am sad to see this so far down the list - but it makes me happy to look at this image. This is wonderful and should be made poster size and hung just inside your church's front door so everyone can see their preacher as they walk in. Would be quite a sight for visitors huh? Well done Enzo and Happy New Year!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/31/2006 09:12:13 PM
Awesome!! This is my favorite in the challenge - great composition and facial expression!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2006 11:38:19 AM
Nice shot and idea, really like your background also. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/31/2006 08:43:43 AM
Jeremiah 1:10 "See I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down,and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant." Preach it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/30/2006 02:38:28 PM
The title of this photo does not seem to be consistent with the background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 06:35:28 PM
This is a funny image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/28/2006 04:01:10 PM
Nice pose and expression. Given the occupation, why not use a church sanctuary? A background of stained glass would be both fitting and beautiful, and candles would be better than cordwood.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2006 11:33:47 PM
I enjoy the image, but I don't understand your message. The black border itself is distracting, the straigh clean nices mixed with the soft blured black just doesn't hold very strong with me. But least it makes me laugh.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2006 08:55:13 PM
Well Enzo, I didn't take you for a stand up, hell fire and damnation type of preacher but here we are! You have a very interesting background and I would like to see more of it, plus the transition of the vignetting is just below your head and covers half your foot. I like your expression and stance, also had a good laugh when it can up on the screen. Gave it an 8. Hope you had a good Christmas!
BTW if this isn't Enzo, never mind.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2006 06:10:29 PM
Great expression.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/26/2006 02:10:36 PM
Clever and very well done. Does remind a bit of some of the tele-evangelists. Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 11:23:37 PM
Enzo, is that you??????? GREAT photo!!! :) 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 10:01:51 PM
I like the shot, but don't understand the significance of the setting. Also the vignetting is a little too obvious.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 08:45:33 PM
Amen brother!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 06:12:20 PM
hahahaahaha! your occupation rocks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 10:26:15 AM
Hahaha! HotPasta all the way!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 09:19:52 AM
Ahhhh!!!! Religious theme. Must vote a 1! Worse than a nude! What were you thinking entering this man? Oh wait - I'm not a troll. Seriously - excellent image and probably one of the few that's actually based on the photogs real occupation. Bumping up a couple and adding to my faves.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 09:06:07 AM
This is just awesome mate.....I love it....Top stuff..... Definately one of my favorites.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 08:45:50 AM
Oh my goodness...there's a Bible thumper if I ever did see one! Yikes!! Love your dark little pit and of course your little light! HA!! Cool colors tones and a priceless expression. Back to bump you up to 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/25/2006 07:55:13 AM
Great lighting and exposure. I love the way you have "sportlighted" it. Great tonal range - from grudgy - to bright (the reds). A 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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