Chianciano Terme

Photographer's Note

Continuation on my theme about the TE members I admire. To know what this is all about please read the introductory notes on the first post of the series.

Monsieur André Roberge. The wittiest and funniest guy on Trekearth. :)

My favorite members list is a serious business. To be on that list you have to be a great photographer, a member who embraces the true TE spirit or a person that I treasure for its incredible sharing abilities. I know, I know, some of you really deserve to be on that list… But why am I saying this? André is a real winner for me. Not only he is one of the most gifted photographers on site, but he is also an incredible human being. It’s easy to see that through his photography. Almost all his pictures share a light that is special. But what some of you might now know is that he himself also emanates that same luminous quality. He is indeed a luminous person, always keen to help, to share a though, to make you smile. I have a deep respect for human beings like him. And that shows in his photography. He never presents you a gloomy picture; gloomy in terms of lack of faith or negative feelings towards the world and life itself. He likes us to learn about the world though his incredible faith in beauty and compassion.

He is also one of the most talented members for choosing a title. Maybe we can support him by a dollar a day and he provides the titles for every photo posted in TE. :) His titles are always so wit. Want examples? What about "Standing Monk Hidden Dragon", or "The Original Teletubby" and " Bangcop"?

He is also a great critic. He always gives you something that helps you out on improving your photography or points something you never thought of. Always with a train of words that makes you think. And most of the times, smile too.

One of his passions here are landmarks. He must have the best collection of landmarks on site. Ah, and Barbie and Blue hour shots too. Really amazing. So I decided to offer him one of my photos from my last trip to Italy. La Foce's winding road is truly a Tuscan landmark. A bit uneasy to photograph too. At least in June when I visited the place. I took this shot one or two hours before sunset at a time where the tree shadows where falling down the road. The problem was that the sun was right in front of me, so my only option was to use a long zoom to compress the perspective and too get rid of the facing sun. But I don’t have a long zoom and André was not there to let me use his wonderful 70-200 L baby. So I took the long end of my 24-105 and clicked. The result is here for you.

Final words to you André. It was a pity that we didn’t met in Toronto as planned, but I am sure we will meet this year somewhere in this world. Keep enlightening us with your humanity. It’s always a pleasure to read your words and take a sip of that light that shines through your soul. Thanks for all. Now, I have to. I have a beach to catch ;)

lilimih33, cbrman, Jeppo, Floydian, rigoletto, KLB, delkoo, xavshot, euryan, Prisley, bostankorkulugu, pasternak, ruisc_pt, Mistral, sleon, InasiaJones, riclopes, MayaG, sothy81, pboehringer, Rychach has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cbrman (21685) 2008-01-17 3:47

Hello Luis,

Superbe ! Le point de vue est vraiment bien choisi pour mettre en valeur cette route qui serpente dans la campagne toscane ! La lumière rasante est vraiment splendide, tu as bien choisi l'heure de la prise de vue !
Une image que 'afficherais bien dans mon salon en version plus large !
Bravo pour cette hommage à André !

A+

Dominique

Franco_Levita (0) 2008-01-17 3:48

Hola Luis Alfonso, Espectacular paisaje, bellos y agradables colores. Profundidad y nitidez. Felicidades. Franco

lilimih33 (9918) 2008-01-17 3:49

Hello Luis!
Great perspective and beautiful light in your composition!
Nice colours and wonderful perspective!
Excellent done!
Best regards!
Lili

Jeppo (17645) 2008-01-17 3:54

Ciao Luis,

this is typical Tuscany....but from an excellent POV.
GOOD CONTRAST. EXCELLENT ROUTE GEOMETRY AND LOVELY SHADOWS!

TFS
Silvio

Floydian (30970) 2008-01-17 3:55

Hello Luis,
Andre is a great guy, very funny, but also very serious with a very wide interest and people and in the world around him.
He will like this, that's for sure. But he also will be angry i think because his weather was not perfect when he was here last year.
Yours is maybe not good on the light if you say yourself, but the final result is impressive and i like it a lot. It are the strong colours what makes it interesting beside that awesome composition of course. You did really a great job with the sun in front of you.
My biggest compliment i can give you is; wish this was mine..!!!
Regards, Henk

aadilj (18102) 2008-01-17 4:04

Thats such a splash of textures and colours with an amazing pov and perspective Luis. I like the way you have identified this place with the winding road and those trees. Very lovely colours and composition.

rigoletto (34279) 2008-01-17 4:10

Hi Luis,
It is really true what you've written about André. From his photographical skills to his critiques and wit, i agree with all you've said. Your share is also fantastic, not a typical luisafonso shot nor an inasiajones share, yet does very well its duty in your "usual suspects" serie.
Best,
Deniz

faubry (35447) 2008-01-17 4:12

hello Luis, a good tribute to andre, good light photographer i know..
her your photographie? i like those curves, shadow and light game,may be light is too strong in frnt of you, but its not easy for sure.
soon
francine

KLB (23723) 2008-01-17 4:43

Hello Luis

A great tribute to Andre. How lucky he is to have a friend like you.
Very graphic shot. An incredible perspective with a good light, and great colors.
Very well done.

Regards,
Karine

Morac (27725) 2008-01-17 4:46

Hello Luis!
Great perspective and beautiful light in your composition!
The lines, the curves, the shades... all is superb
Regards

Marc

yanseiler (20) 2008-01-17 5:46

Hi Luis, a nice play with the light and the colors, those trees really smell Tuscany so much...

Mateja (434) 2008-01-17 5:48

Hi Luis,
even without the long zoom the colours, the frame and the texture on your photo is amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
Bravo,
Mateja

smarcell (19965) 2008-01-17 5:52

A very typical Tuscany landscape, with the road which looks like a snake.
Together with the trees, it makes a nice graphycal pattern

jasmis (58653) 2008-01-17 9:04

Amazing winding road. Superb shadows, splendid colours.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards.

xavshot (69835) 2008-01-17 10:40

Bonsoir Luis
c'est une très belle photo ! j'aime beaucoup le changement de couleur entre la partie droite et la partie gauche. Les arbres dessinent de belles courbes. Bien joué.
Xavier

vinicio (23423) 2008-01-17 13:18

Amazing serie Luis, I much appreciate it and your work, indeed an original and well done series of image, compliments, also to this last lovely image that well show the beauty of my country.
Ciao
Vinicio

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2008-01-17 15:55

a beautiful corner of toscana with the meandering road shinning like a silver snake surrounded by cypresses looking like candles on a birthday cake... it is true that this is not a typical luisafonso shot but it is well spoted and composed for sure...
andre and you are both so talented and it is always a pleasure to check your shots and read your notes...

cheers... korkut

bantonbuju (51815) 2008-01-18 0:55

ha!
your suspect was most probably extremely pleased receiving such a gorgeous present like this photo... all these S-shaped paths, hills, areas separated by ther road and blossoming in different colours...this is an unusual finding presented in extremely good way...
great work, luis!
best, j.

anes_lc (14968) 2008-01-18 1:01

what a great landscape ..i love it
a great light ,you choose the best moment for this shot :)
well done
thanks sharing
anes

marietom (34611) 2008-01-18 4:19

Hello Luis,

grad jeu de lignes et d'ombres, superbes lumières et couleurs. Belle image, bravo !
Marie

ktanska (44446) 2008-01-18 4:53

Hi Luis,
André is such a versatile photgrapher, that it's harder to recognise specific style. But quality yes! Could this be called inverted W composition. Colours, light and shadows look great. I wonder how you got it so luminous with backlight.
Kari

partha (14023) 2008-01-18 7:06

Excellent zig zag way u have captured. I like the top view and the nioce tonality of colour.
Partha

dkeus31 (27739) 2008-01-18 10:12

hello Luis,
not sure the picture suits to André, he has usually psychedelic colors - OK in the sky and you cropped, so I cannot argue anymore ;o)
Seriously, the picture without sky is brilliand, I love the road make such a nice curve betwee greens and browns.
really
perfect!
regards
didier

Manamo (3710) 2008-01-18 10:27

Hello Luis,
you chose a good suspect. Indeed he is a good photographer, funny, serious about photography without taking himself too seriously. But most of all, he's always ready to help people who ask for it. He's the most available member I've met here.You can see he's liked a lot here. He's a special character.

André is always looking for the best light. He steps back in front of no sacrifice to get that light. That's what you did here. The light is golden, it gives nice shadows all around. Compo is well thought too.

excellent tribute to Dé,

Marc

[2]

romanaa (8430) 2008-01-18 12:22

Hello Luis,
Really poetic picture with all the light, shapes and colours playing a game together.
Bravo
Best wishes
Romana

euryan (8442) 2008-01-18 14:02

An excellent shot Luis. I love the shadows of the trees coming almost straight done. The two colors of grass make for an interesting pattern with gold on one side of the road and green on the other. The sun reflecting off the road is beautiful as well.

As for André. Yes, he is one of the best, and certainly one of my favorite TE members. Great note.

pasternak (15185) 2008-01-19 5:22

This zigzagging road with the cypress trees is fantastically framed from a very favorable PoV, Luis, low light produces lovely shadows and I especially like this small road on the right which cuts the corner... :))

Cheers
Alexander

Kristo (543) 2008-01-20 4:37

Gosto, está interessante.
Agrada-me estas paisagens "Abstractas" vistas de cima.

Abraço.

Mistral (15416) 2008-01-20 12:24

Ola Luis,
stunning PoV and great light management (as it wasn't so easy against the sun).
Great job!
A smile
Luca

sleon (9402) 2008-01-20 13:36

Hi Luis
A great image to pay tribute to our dear cousin Andre! I love the graphic elements of the winding road and the two colours it divides, also the repetition of the cypress trees. A remarkable landscape in lovely lighting.
Regards, Susanna

devimeuxbe (58557) 2008-01-21 1:48

Hi Luis
what a nice landscape ! but of course the shades are the most important aspect here. Excellent composition
Bertrand

InasiaJones (31566) 2008-01-21 11:15

Tssss!

I'm very grateful for this very kind tribute Luis... But I'm too green for that! Maybe in 5 years I will deserve your very kind words, so I'll take them as an incentive to improve myself. Meanwhile, I will send you a check this week... :-P)

I already knew this photo and although I have tried to do something as good, I've never been able to catch such a beautiful light. The stretching shadows bring so much dimension to this scene and that's exactly what make your image outstanding. Lots of details and texture, mixed with natural colours create an ideal presentation of the tuscan beauties.

Thank you very much Luis. I'm sincerely touched to be part of your Usual Suspect series. My mother will be proud of me.

Cheers!

André

sebinho342 (19329) 2008-01-21 15:16

Hi Luis, what a great dedication mister cameleon to André, such a great and famous member here on TE. The least i can say is that he really worth it, such a funny and charismatic person that i had the luck to meet twice at restaurant (the 5D in his hands are like my sony dsc in mine ;) ).
Beautiful shot Luis, seen from above and great use of shadows ... you pushed far and hard contrasts there but the result is really appealing and i do love contrasts ! ;)

riclopes (35577) 2008-01-22 0:05

É um prazer regressar de Paris e ver mais uma adição no teu tema de suspeitos que é das melhores coisas que alguém já fez no TE. O talento para os títulos é uma qualidade que admiro especialmente e os dele são demais. Quanto à foto é fantástica. Fotografar contra o sol enquadrando um pedaço de paisagem pode resultar muito bem e o facto de estar num sítio alto deve ter ajudado. Os ciprestes e as suas sombras compridas oferecem um grafismo irresistível e gosto da maneira como o verde e o amarelo se abraçam. Parabéns aos dois.
ric

MayaG (2415) 2008-01-22 5:09

Whew, you are still active here, what a relief :)
It's a really cute landscape photo - turned very artistically into an almost abstract graphics. The colour combination is so relaxing, with a superb touch of the tree silhouettes and shadows. Beautiful curvy lines.
Nobody can compete with you regarding writing notes as well! ;)

sothy81 (9646) 2008-01-23 8:24

Hi Luis,

This is I must say an original photo with great composition. The light is what makes this photo incredible. Well done.

Sothy

vapours (8264) 2008-01-24 5:23

Beautiful scene, one of the rare times that a road actually helps with producing such beauty. Good shadow and afternoon light.

brandstaetter (15915) 2008-02-05 12:10

Hola Luis,
a great one, I like the curves and the cypresses and their shades. Must go there...
Cheers Chris

pboehringer (770) 2008-02-19 8:13

Luis,
your theme of "usual suspect" is a real THING. Most of these celebraties are well known to me through their posting, intros and critiques and I'm always deeply astounded with your sensitivity not only to capture their photographic essence in your shots, but mainly in the what you write about the usual suspect. Your note regarding Andre is really not the exception. You put into a very positive way Andre's positivity! Congratulations! and you're right. TE isn't only about learning about the world and photography, but also about the people that are behind the crafted image, their notes and critiques. Difficult to put into words what you master so well in image and text.
Thank you!
Peter

[2]

il_corsaro_nero (1373) 2009-06-16 11:37

Very impressive, expecially for the graphism coming from the shadows. Just a small doubt concerning the colours that seem to be a little bit unnatural, but could be my impression.
Il Corsaro Nero

Urs (14082) 2009-10-04 19:55

Dear Luis

First I looked at your photograph then I read the note and turned back to your picture, which is a bit expressionistic in a way, not a Picasso, but very interesting these road bends, in particular that you found the right location and even more important where there at the right time, to capture these beautiful shadows and colors. In the end you almost have doubling the poplars. The contrasts of red and green is adding spice to the photograph, that the viewer always wants to look again. Cleverly you avoided the sun by shooting the landscape minus sky, that you got out the rich colors of an almost against the sun shot. Congrats

Best regards
Urs

xuaxo (6854) 2010-01-19 14:36

Olá!
Belo aproveitamento das condições, dando uma excelente foto.
Cumprimentos,
20 de janeiro: Dia da alegria no TE! ☺
Francisco
☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺

Elaine_Blath (8471) 2010-05-02 2:57

Hello Luis,

this is a fantastic photo of Tuscany countryside, very typical and in beautiful colours...well done!

Have a nice day, Ivana

Photo Information

Copyright: Luis Afonso (luisafonso) (862)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-13
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, 58mm Rodenstock Circ Polarizer
Exposure: f/8, 1/50 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): The Usual Suspects [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-01-17 3:43
Favorites: 2 [view]