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Bracken Hill Jan 09: Willy Watson
Please view this image large, thanks. Apologies to those members who voted soon after upload - I had to take it down to apply some selective sharpening.
Willy Watson, who is now 57, has lived at Bracken Hill outside picturesque Knysna since birth. He used to be a lumberjack, but now sells flowers to passing motorists along the N2 motorway. I bought two succulents from him, which I potted: 'Willy' and 'Watson'.
He took some convincing to be photographed. I started at the road, where he was selling, and then we moved to his house. This image was captured in a shady spot alongside his house. In the end he wanted me to photograph him in so many situations, and I had to promise to bring at least five prints of each image back to him next time I visit those shores again.
Thanks for visiting,
Andre
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D MkII |
| Lens: | 24 - 105L, f.4 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Title: | Bracken Hill: Willy Watson: Flower Seller |
| Username: | 
andreduplessis |
| Uploaded: | 27 Jan 2009 - 2:51 PM |
| Tags: | Black & white, Photo journalism, Portraits / people |
| VS Mode Rating |
102 (100% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | 93 |
Comments
Thanks. Yes, just a touch.. but nevertheless required. Thanks for visiting again, Andre
Thank you all. I am so pleased that Willy's photo has been so well received. The boy in the window popped his head out to see what was happening outside, and as I liked that addition, I asked him to stay just there. He is the neighbour's son.
Thank you to the screening team for the HC!!
Your recognition is very much appreciated.
Regards, Andre
Congrats Andre, another award. Well deserved, especially in the small world of B&W photography.
Wonderful André, excellent pic with that wide angle. Winner.
Thank you everyone, and yes Ingrid, I like wide when it comes to portraits. I like to include something in the back that relates to the subject: landscape portraiture I call it. Andre
Thanks Tony. I have some others, but they were more like record shots for him and will probably sink. However, as he has given me the pleasure of this one I shall upload that soon.
Thanks Mark. Willy is very conscious of his bald spot, and only after ++ persuasion took off his baseball cap. He will be happy to hear that the sacrifice was worth it.
Ahhh so that is what the kid is looking at! 
Congrats on the Award too.
There's something about this guy's big feet that enhances the emotional sense of earth in this image. I like this a lot, so well done on the PA. Helen
Oh my! I have been so happy with the HC, and now this!! Many many thanks.
The colour version looked so good, and I was so tempted to submit that. However, I love B&W, and am just so glad that this site represents a credible and appreciating audience. Never mind the choice of medium.
Thank you to all that voted and commented on this picture of Willy, and an even bigger thank you to those members that make up the selection panel, and who are willing to take lots of time out every day to see that all of us get a fair deal on epz.
When I feel that a picture has received a good level of acceptance from other members, I usually print the comments out as well, and attach that to the back of the prints that I give back to the dear people that I photographed. I have prepared this for Thomas and others, and now I shall do the same for Willy. In his lounge he has lots of framed pictures on his wall, and this one will now take its rightful place there amongst the other faded ones. I shall post a picture of Willy and his framed photo some time after May.
Thanks again, this is so motivating.
Andre
Thanks Chris & Chris 
Chris (Roberts) - yes, I was torn between a more horisontal '35mm' and the square crop. However, as I usually include a fair amount of background, my subjects sometimes become a touch small in the frame, and sensitive detail can be 'lost'. So I opted for the more square 'Bronica' crop, both to preserve more details, and partly also to create a different format feel to the image. There was so much character in the wall and the plants that I felt that the extra wall space will simply waste the potential of this one, and what's more - the boy in the window will then become too ineffective to sensibly contribute to the composition. My 1st attempt was just that, but this more cropped version is more powerful.
Fantastic!! A Premier Award. Well deserved mate.
Keep on clicking.
Hendrik
Thanks Pierre, and Ovi - great to keep the flag waving for mono
That's my Uncle..!!!
Amazing as ever Andre! Well done and congrats! If only I could...
Nephew Andro
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