Maria Avanesova
October 2026 - Novi Homeless
About the Image(s)
Hello everybody! This photo was taken on September 29, 2026, in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. My competition theme was a portrait. But I wanted to take an interesting shot while I was walking around the city. And then I saw a homeless man. At first, he wanted money for the photo, but then he didn’t object. And this portrait turned out. I was drawn to his white beard and his funny hat. It seems he could have been a writer or some kind of creative person. We couldn't talk to him, he only knows Serbian. But now I have such a portrait)
5 comments posted
Hi Maria
There is so much character in this gentlemans face and you have captured it perfectly,wonderful texture in his face and great detail in his beard,the background is nicely out of focus so we concentrate on the gentlemans face.
My only suggestion there is a bright area just below the mans hat brim on the right hand side and another just by his shoulder also on the right I would just darken them slightly otherwise a very characterful image Maria Posted: 10/12/2026 11:07:41
There is so much character in this gentlemans face and you have captured it perfectly,wonderful texture in his face and great detail in his beard,the background is nicely out of focus so we concentrate on the gentlemans face.
My only suggestion there is a bright area just below the mans hat brim on the right hand side and another just by his shoulder also on the right I would just darken them slightly otherwise a very characterful image Maria Posted: 10/12/2026 11:07:41
Hi Maria: You captured a face that had a hard life. The tonal values are very well exposed as well as your depth of field. Since your camera settings were not included, I just guessed. Technically well done. I agree with Ian's suggestion as well. Posted: 10/12/2026 17:22:06
Maria, almost a perfectly made image of a fascinating character.
AsIan has said theose highlights should be removed, Posted: 10/15/2026 05:47:17
AsIan has said theose highlights should be removed, Posted: 10/15/2026 05:47:17
Maria, what an outstanding portrait. What a character he is!!! A life well lived and with many stories he could tell. I would love to spend some time sitting next to him and listen to what he had to say. Me not speaking Russian, Serbian or any other language except English. Mind you, there is British English, American English and then there's Australian English which will leave everyone scratching their heads. I would just sit next to him and say "G'day mate, vodka?" and give him a glass, just one. Then I'd point at some building or something and listen, then see if he gave it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
Your portrait is superb, I wish I could say I took it.
Definitely two thumbs up. Posted: 10/24/2026 06:49:06
Your portrait is superb, I wish I could say I took it.
Definitely two thumbs up. Posted: 10/24/2026 06:49:06
Ed Ries
Hello Maria. Absolutely wonderful detail in the man's beard. It really makes the portrait pop. Good separation between the dark cloths and hat and the background. Nice processing. And of course, what an interesting face. Full of stories. A well-done street portrait. Posted: 10/25/2026 15:08:26