Dragon Master

This is the Dragon Master, guide to the dragon ride at the

carnival. He operates the controls and makes sure the kids are the

right height to go on the ride without a mom or dad. I struck up a

conversation with him and he said he hates to have his picture taken

because the pictures always turn out looking like the picture on a

driver's license. I told him that his face was full of character

and that if he let me photograph him, I would bring him a print. I

promised to do better than the driver's license photographer.

 

Afterwards he told me he was going to send the color version to his

sister who hasn't seen him in 30 years. The black & white he was

keeping for himself.

His face does have alot of character, Howard. And you captured it wonderfully. I'm not surprised he was pleased. Your experience here demonstrates one of the joys of photography we seldom talk about - giving pleasure to others. I once took a photo of a lovely country church near my home, a shot that wouldn't get 7/7s or be placed on a gallery wall. I showed it to an older friend, and she said "I was married in that church". Tears came to her eyes. I gave her the picture.

even better story ...

Very interesting face and successful portrait, Howard.Loved the story behind it, too.

Outstanding portrait that really displays character in context; and done so with full appreciation and respect of his humanity. Excellent tonal range too...

What a wonderful face, so dang expressive with your equally compelling story. 7/7

Absolutely no comparison to a driver's license picture - no wonder he was very pleased with it. As usual, a shot full of character and warmth, Howard.

Strong shot and excellent portrait. I like the use of light and shadow in this shot. I like photographs that have strong character in the face, to me it makes for a strong compositon.

 

Don

Well,For sure a better one from a driver licence one.... I'm not surprised he was glad with your nice gesture of bringing him a copy.

interesting type and so well done Howard ,as uaual. Pnina

Wonderful picture, great expression,so well done

way to go howard. in both aesthetics and deed.

If only all drivers license pictures looked this way...

 

Warren

Nice face,nice write-up,nice image and what a name!

Nicely done Howard. Your portraits are getting very good. Technically excellent!

Excellent as always Howard. It's one thing to establish a contact with a model and quite another to get an instant reaction as you did here, and seem to have done on so many other occasions too with other personalities that you come across. Ut's really quite remarkable.

Simply outstanding work.

Thank you all for joining in on the discussion. I really appreciate your visiting.

Good one. These are really good w/ their work in the background! Nice B&W!

Really like this one Howard. You're right - lots of character in his face that you have captured well.

Very natural pose, love the b&w on this, really pleasing. You have a knack for capturing the essence!

My first reaction to the title was that maybe you were going to present me with a major portrait of a martial arts master! He has the rugged looks of a stuntman or a Hollywood character actor. Wonderful thought provoking image. It sounds like you succeeded on a personal level with him too! Which is, in my opinion, the greater picture in the big picture!