Momentos Rurais

Photo from 2008, in central Portugal.

Excellent B/W image. I love that even the goat is looking in the same direction. Superb! Regards, Tina.

Great shot but I could not give it what it deserves because of the system.

Wonderful shot of real life.

Fabulous shot, nice composition. B/w was definately the way to go.

great image, reminds me my grandfather's town in the north of Spain

wonderful image !

Nice shot !

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It is obviously a very interesting scene, well observed. I love it. I'd wish it was taken from the front, not

from the side like a stolen picture. Also, there is a bit too much contrast.

Great Image, I think the contrast and tones are amazing. I don't think there's too much contrast. Since all the subjects are looking to their left, I would have liked more space on that side.

I agree on exactly with the two points by

ReneGM.

The photo seems to suggest it is about the side profiles of the three subjects...The reason the photographer shows their profiles was because it was a "stolen" moment as ReneGM pionts out. Therefore I don't feel engaged with the subjects.

 

I also agree that the general contrast is too high...evident especially by the "hot" zone around the man's face.

 

Still a fairly good photo.

I don't feel your supposed to "feel" engaged with the people. It's a PJ shot & one that's done very well. Nicely processed. Good tones with the goat adding the finishing touch

Never mind the comments about contrast and stolen image......if only the goat could have been convinced to wear a hat!!!!. Great Image,loved it

There is no doubt of this being a fabulous monochrome shot. As other colleagues commented the goat makes it even more interesting. All of us

see a picture in different way and it will invite different set of conditions, most important - the light.

This is, for me, master's work and deserves full praise, if not at least mine, with compliments and best wishes from india

IMHO, had the shot been taken from the front, the lines on the faces would not have been as clear. I think it works fine just the way it is!

I really like this photo, it speaks to me. As far as the contrast... there is a bit more than usual. But I think that it echos the harshness of the subjects' environment. It adds to the mood. M

Love the photo, I do not have a problem with the contrast at all. And as far as the "stolen" issue, I do feel that the position of the subjects makes the shot more interesting. For me, its a "captured" moment not stolen. Lovely image, and the goat adds so much. smile,,,:)

I like the contrast. The framing makes me wonder what they are looking at. If more was included on the ride side, I wouldn't be wondering anymore, and that wouldn't be fun. What were the 2 folks and a goat looking at? This would also look good in sepia..

What's that about a stolen image?

Stolen from life? Isn't that what real photographers do? Steal the soul? I'd be proud of such a comment. It would be a completely different issue if the photo was taken at the cost of the people in it. If it ridiculed them or made them look something that they're not. I suppose you could argue that there's a certain silly comical factor to this photo. The goat, the man and the woman, sitting there together... But I think it might trigger a smile because it's unexpected, yet familiar and natural. It has that kind of surrealness to it that you see in good cinema.

As for the composition, I think it's fine. All subjects are facing the same way, creating a sort of line throughout the photo, aided by the angle of the shot. You can just... glide through it. I'll be happy to see this photo throughout the week. It'll make me smile.

I thought at first that it was too dark whe I saw the thumbnail, but seeing larger

shows my that it is perfectly exposed. I like the shot, It';s not one that I woud have made.

And FWIW, It should be printed at least 16x20 or larger.

 

Larry

I love this shot! Whether posed or candid, it is striking and timeless. Except for a few details, it could have been taken at the dawn of photography. If posed, I'd like to know how Rui got the goat to look in the same direction! The goat contributes immensely to the image and also adds a note of humour.

The human direction of gaze, and the goat's,.... the human seating position ,and the parallel goat's leg... great timing, and well presented rural life where people are having close relation with nature. The B/W is a good choice, the light is soft and adds to the atmospher as well as the man's veined hands . Many more good ones in your portfolio, as a series of hard working people, in rural surrounding, and still a hint of humor and affection. Touching , Congratulations Rui!

It is the diagonal composition and capture of natural stances by humans and goat,that make the image worthy of POW. Choice of tone is admirable. In this image,Time stands still. They are looking forward for something very interesting and not distracted by the photographer.

Very nice photograph. A "Godfather" Movie like shot.