Survivor
by Patrick B. Parenteau
26.10.2006 at 17:57h
I met him at a wedding in another city this weekend. In the midst of the pandemonium, he told me his story. Born in Poland, he was an olympic athlete before joining the army. He was captured and spent 3 years in a concentration camp before escaping to Denmark and then making his way to Sweden by row boat. He moved to Canada and became a chemical engineer. Proud, educated and a true survivor. Does it show in his face?
Comments:
To leave a comment please register firstIvano Cheli, 26.10.2006 at 18:13h
a very gooe portrait respect
Leonid Khodyrev, 26.10.2006 at 18:17h
A guy with a life story... good job
Dirk Hofmann, 26.10.2006 at 18:19h
very well done, patrick ...
tell him my respects!
John Bennett, 26.10.2006 at 18:24h
there should be more pictures of these older folks they have such a fantastic history which is rapidly disapearing. good portrait.
Greetings.
Bernhard Stocker, 26.10.2006 at 18:31h
looks good....
Alexandra Baltog, 26.10.2006 at 18:48h
impressive portrait...
A.
Eddie Maguire, 26.10.2006 at 18:49h
outstanding portrait work... faultless. The hint of light on hid medal ribon is just enough to make the image exquisite.. the lighting is just fantastic. Nice style.
Sissi Böhm, 26.10.2006 at 19:12h
Very impressive portrait and story!
Pascal Viyer, 26.10.2006 at 20:37h
Wonderful meeting with this survivor of concentration !
Ye, he seems proud, with a real culture.
Amitié
;o))
PV
Theo Weijmer, 26.10.2006 at 21:25h
Great portrait of this man, proud, wisdom, melancholy, it's all there.
Greetings Theo
Tatiana Kirillova, 26.10.2006 at 22:40h
This portrait gives very strange feeling... can't explain.
Dragomir Vukovic, 26.10.2006 at 22:50h
Great EYE
Robert Riley, 26.10.2006 at 23:09h
Well it absolutely does Patrick. I have always has a respect for the Polish people. Maybe because, when I was a secondary school (11 years to 18 years) there were a loy of Polish and Ukrainian second generation pupils ther.
To a man, they were true to everything they did, Studies, Religion, Culture and Family.
Every Father of these friends had fought, hand to hand, tooth and nail against the Nazi's. Most of their families were dead!
I am still in touch with some of them. Janusz Zukowski, at aged 11 was the World Accordian Champion, I meant World Champion, at all ages.
Went on to be a brilliant pianist, Cornet player and a great friend.
Nothing surprises me about the Polish, the Urkainians and many other Eastern European people.
Patrick Parenteau, 26.10.2006 at 23:26h
Thanks for the comments everyone.
@ Tatiana - I wish you would try and express your feelings about this image. It is meant, in part, to be disturbing and a celebration. I deliberately kept the background black to represent his dark past, but I highlighted is "bubbly" tie and white shirt to show the bright side of his new life. The war medal speaks for itself and is a key element in the image. There is a pain behind the eyes that will never go away.
Rob Brydon, 27.10.2006 at 0:15h
Very powerful image Patrick. One can see the experience and pride in his eyes. I bet he's a tough old bird. Nice work and the script compliments the shot perfectly...Cheers..Rob
Petra Sommerlad, 27.10.2006 at 0:31h
Very good presentation. The way his life went from dark to light and then the war medal on the LIGHT side showing where the dark side comes from. Very well captured . L G PEtra
Jaime Crystal Maksoud, 27.10.2006 at 4:13h
amazing lighting Patrick, a great man with alot of wisdome, wonderful detail in his face and the light is magical
jaime :)
Claire Laira, 27.10.2006 at 14:16h
The look in his eyes makes me almost glued to the photo, and as Jaime said, the light is magical!
A moving and brilliant image!
Greetings, Claire
Stu Good, 27.10.2006 at 14:17h
Beautifully lit portrait! His pride, experience & character shine through. Brilliant shot Patrick.
Herwig B, 28.10.2006 at 1:41h
good shot to me. good lightning and excellent and interesting perspective and expression. could be a lil bit sharper to me...
best regards
h
Tomas Graul, 28.10.2006 at 23:14h
very strong.
Jamie Hollett, 29.10.2006 at 19:25h
Extremely powerful portrait.
Wen P, 29.10.2006 at 20:00h
Great portrait. Did you use a dragonizer on it?
Patrick Parenteau, 29.10.2006 at 20:06h
What in the world is a dragonizer?
Wen P, 30.10.2006 at 7:53h
It's an post production Action that gives just this sort of lighting effect. To name a few you might know - Dennis Veldman and Suzi Lawson both use it often in their portraits. I've tinkered with it.
 |
Mircea Tiron-Tudor, 31.10.2006 at 7:19h
Great portrait ! Impressive story on his face.
Best regards, Mircea
Rainer Schubert, 4.11.2006 at 23:49h
Impressive!
Rainer
Sergio Pessolano, 5.11.2006 at 12:22h
Stunning professional portrait. Clever lights and shadows management.
Adela Mohanu, 24.11.2006 at 9:24h
Incredible story, a very good portrait. Congrats.
Voting Center, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
This photo has been selected for the gallery with 59 pro- and 41 contra-votes. Congratulations, Patrick Parenteau :-)
Patrick Parenteau, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
His is not a pretty face, but every line is carved from character. I wanted to achieve a "ghost-like" effect because the past still haunts him. I know I'm going to get my butt kicked as this is a self-proposal; but after what he has endured, I think I will survive.
Pascal Viyer, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro
Klaus Buhles, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
+++
BRUNO`s PHOTOLOUNGE, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro!
Claude Coeudevez, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
great PRO
Aniko Mocher, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Very PRO!The story is just an additional plus...first class!
Momento Eterno, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro!
Luc Grollie, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
kick butt : once, twice ......
yep, PRO !!!!!
greetz,
Eddie Maguire, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Consider a hefty shoe swinging your way.. :)) Only kidding.
This is a great example where exeptions should be made to self-proposal.. imho.
PRO
Peter Mertz, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro
Véronique Soulier, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro !
Jacky Kobelt, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro
Cees Kuijs, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro
Claire Laira, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Pro
Robert Riley, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Emotions are getting in the way here. Skip!
Thomas McAlexander, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Sometimes emotions help, and that's not bad. This is a very strong foto, even without the story. PRO
Ruud van der Lubben, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
In many ways a strong portrait much life in the face. However when looking a bit further it is clearly visible that the shadows around the head have been made artificially during edit. Look at the right side of the head, just above the ear, and to a certain extend also on the left side. A picture like this should also withstand a closer look and there is fails.
Sorry, but with respect for the achievement.
Massimo Carolla, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Pro
Paul Grimshaw, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Yes have to agree that the darkening doesn't look real enough ... I do like the semi-concealed low light portraits but not this time. Sorry PP. Regards, Paul.
P.S. Yes I would say the spirit and pride are abundantly apparent in his expression.
P.e.ter Gau, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
+
Jacqueline Chay, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Pro
Patrick Parenteau, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
Rudd & Paul - You are right about the shadow effect. This shot wasn't done in a studio but in the middle of a busy reception. The background was filled with people, chairs, etc. so I darkened it to highlight the subject. I suppose I need to practice my PS techniques. Cheers, Patrick.
Anastasya Ivanova, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro
Oliver Suhr, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
pro.
Olivier Vanbiervliet, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
I can't make up my mind... it's a nice portrait, great character head, but as noted the technical side is a bit weak.
Bernhard Stocker, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
skip
Dominique Duriot, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
a pity as i like it very much!
but Ruud is right, i didn't see it at the first time, but ...
i have to skip :((
Ruud van der Lubben, 30.12.2006 at 11:10h
PP, I would definitely try to set up a studio shoot with this person !!!
Inez Soares, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
yes.
Pro
Mircea Tiron-Tudor, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
Pro !
Andy Pomplun, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
pro
Abdul Khaliq, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
Pro
Jm. Disko., 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
+
Ivano Cheli, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
pro
Dave Donaldson, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
skip
Maria João Marques, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
pro
Jaime Crystal Maksoud, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
pro
amazing portrait
Robert L Roux, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
P R O
photo and caption ...
Alexandra Baltog, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
I know this pic...I saw it before...it is a great portrait, a great character shot...
good presentation...
PRO!
Jutta Washington, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
pro
Andreas. H., 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
+ pro +
Olli Suhling, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
+
Herwig B, 30.12.2006 at 11:11h
+
Patrick Parenteau, 30.12.2006 at 14:51h
Thanks to Patrick for recommending the image, to everyone who gave a swift kick in the butt for doing a self-proposal (don't you just hate that) and to everyone who took the time to vote and leave comments. Happy New Year to all of you. 2007 awaits. Cheers, Patrick
BRYAN CRUTE, 30.12.2006 at 15:48h
Stunning portrait.
Love the story
Marisa Dunn, 30.12.2006 at 23:01h
Wonderful portrait, i did a similar one of my father, he too has an amazing story to tell. Well done.
Regards Marisa
Klaus Buhles, 31.12.2006 at 11:54h
Congrats!!
Greets and a happy new year
Klaus
Yasemin Carmen, 31.12.2006 at 16:53h
congratzz uncle :)
DRAGA PUC, 2.01.2007 at 19:26h
Sorry I've missed this masterpiece. Great!!!!
draga
Johnny Myrland, 13.01.2007 at 13:43h
A man!
Anna Kowalski, 17.03.2007 at 5:21h
The most striking in this portrait are his eyes, telling: “I have seen it all”...Deeply sad eyes that had witnessed the unthinkable and unimaginable... that had seen another side of the human nature and never recovered from it.
He indeed looks like a man haunted by dark memories. (Very effective to lit only part of his face, and leave the other in darkness). Expression on his face is a reflection of his painful past. Stunning portrait! Congrats.
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