Thanks so much for your kind comment. I'm glad you like it. I think if I had simply shot a whole person, the emphasis would have been on the portrait rather than on the ritual elements. At least, that was my thinking. As I wrote on top, I had intended to shoot an old Rabbi with a long greay beard for this, but we couldn't arrange our schedules to coincide.
All the best,
Endre
laokai wrote:
wonderful lighting, and just love the contrasting lines and colors. Feel a little mixed about the composition---it really focuses on the prayer and gear, but I feel disconnected from the person depicted.
Thank you so much, Yakim! I appreciate your kind comments and the great suggestion. Of couse, I immediately went back and re-cropped it. It was an easy fix and I am surprised i didn'd do it right the first time. Sometimes we get caught up in the photo of the moment and forget to take a look at it with fresh eyes.
I'm glad you find the shot meaningful in other ways, as well. Where in Israel do you live? I've never been to visit but will someday. Soon, I hope.
All best wishes,
Endre
Yakim Peled wrote:
I echo what everyone said. The lighting, the composition, the unusual headless portrait, the lot. Simply a great shot. Also, as a member of the Jewish religion, this picture has added symbolism for me. I remember when I was 13, oh so long ago……
Just one thing bothers me, the cropping of the book. Unlike the head (which is completely missing and thus it's not disturbing) the slight crop of the edge of the corner of the book leaves a bit of an uncomfortable feel of something which is incomplete. I think a step back (prime) or a slightly wider angle (zoom) would be more appropriate here.
Thanks, Jouko! I always appreciate your kind comments. There was some controversy at my house over the setup without the head but I am convinced it is necessary to focus the attention on the ritual and not on the person.
All the best,
Endre
ruuskan wrote:
Thanks for the lesson.. I like your composition a lot, you boldly left the head outside the frame (works for me)
Thanks, Carrol. I am glad you like it! I would have had a face if I could have gotten my Rabbi friend to come over for the shot but the deadline was looming and I didn't want to miss it. As it happens, I might have had another day since it hasn't closed yet.
As to spelling the Hebrew word "Shaddai"... In Hebrew it is made of three letters Shin, Dalet, and Yud. Shin looks sort of like a W or three fingers held up. You can see another Shin just behind the Tefillin box on the upper arm as well as a little bit of the Shin on the hand. Dalet looks sort of like a backwards small r. That is done by winding the strap around the middle finger twice and then a third time around the middle and ring finger. (Hard to describe without a photo). Finally, the Yud is the smallest letter that looks like an apostrophe. ( ' ). It is also done by winding once around the tip of the middle finger leaving a space between it and the start of the winding for the Dalet. Does that help?
All the best,
Endre
wrote:
Great shot.. great lighting.
Love the subject, but would love to have a face to go with it. But that is just me... I love people shots, and the face communicates so much. But this is great, too!
~ Carrol
Thank you so much, Tom. It's nice to hear from you and I'm very happy tht you like the shot. As to the book - it would be hard to do morning prayers without the prayer book!
All the best,
Endre
twee wrote:
What a beautiful shot! The blue on the book is a very nice accent. Good luck this week!
Endre, the picture is now perfect. A finalist IMHO.
I live in Rosh Ha'Ayin which is about 15 minutes east of Tel-Aviv.
Happy shooting,
Yakim.
Strad wrote:
Thank you so much, Yakim! I appreciate your kind comments and the great suggestion. Of couse, I immediately went back and re-cropped it. It was an easy fix and I am surprised i didn'd do it right the first time. Sometimes we get caught up in the photo of the moment and forget to take a look at it with fresh eyes.
I'm glad you find the shot meaningful in other ways, as well. Where in Israel do you live? I've never been to visit but will someday. Soon, I hope.
