Abdel

[David Cantor]

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This is probably the ‘street’ portrait which remains the highlight of my efforts to date.  Take as the last of six during a 5-minute long, chance encounter, it was taken in a shoe shop in East London where we were both browsing.  At the time, Abdel originally from Guinea Bissau had recently arrived from Portugal and was seeking a job in London. As you can see, he was and still is a photographer’s dream with an innate sense of style and fashion.

Long story short, six months later my image was chosen for the prestigious ‘Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize’ exhibition and was hanging in the National Portrait Gallery (think MOMA) in London. The image of Abdel was chosen for the front cover of the exhibition catalogue and used for an extensive poster campaign throughout the London Underground system. The first prize of £15,000 eluded me as did the second and the third but hey, what’s money?

Basically, the image remains as taken with just a tidy of the background.  I feel grateful and extremely lucky to have got this shot and it continues to give.  Earlier this year, Taylor Wessing an international law firm paid me the grand sum of £100 for the rights to hang a copy in their San Francisco office.

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[Sparkassenkunde]

I saw and admired this wonderful and perfectly executed portrait on your website before and can only congratulate you! Thank you for sharing this masterpiece here!

[fotografr]

I completely agree that the best word to describe this portrait is "masterpiece." You are correct that his appearance is a photographer's dream, but that only explains a small part of making this image. You saw him and used the skill and talent you have developed over many years to make the most of your chance encounter. It's absolutely perfect and I add my congratulations. 

[Lelmer]

14 hours ago, David Cantor said:

This is probably the ‘street’ portrait which remains the highlight of my efforts to date.  Take as the last of six during a 5-minute long, chance encounter, it was taken in a shoe shop in East London where we were both browsing.  At the time, Abdel originally from Guinea Bissau had recently arrived from Portugal and was seeking a job in London. As you can see, he was and still is a photographer’s dream with an innate sense of style and fashion.

Long story short, six months later my image was chosen for the prestigious ‘Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize’ exhibition and was hanging in the National Portrait Gallery (think MOMA) in London. The image of Abdel was chosen for the front cover of the exhibition catalogue and used for an extensive poster campaign throughout the London Underground system. The first prize of £15,000 eluded me as did the second and the third but hey, what’s money?

Basically, the image remains as taken with just a tidy of the background.  I feel grateful and extremely lucky to have got this shot and it continues to give.  Earlier this year, Taylor Wessing an international law firm paid me the grand sum of £100 for the rights to hang a copy in their San Francisco office.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Superb. Congratulations for your well deserved prize 👏

[stuny]

Congratulations.  A "perfect storm" of subject, subject's outfit, POV, composition and light.

[fotografr]

I've looked back at this portrait several times and shown it to friends who have all been awe struck by it. I can easily envision a large print hanging in the National Portrait Gallery with admiring crowds gathered to view it. The Taylor Wessing firm got quite a bargain by being able to hang a print in their SF office for a mere £100. They should have paid you ten times that sum. 

[David Cantor]

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On 8/24/2023 at 9:31 PM, Sparkassenkunde said:

I saw and admired this wonderful and perfectly executed portrait on your website before and can only congratulate you! Thank you for sharing this masterpiece here!

Oh la la! I have received some flattering comments in the past but 'masterpiece' is a new one - thank you so much.

[David Cantor]

2 hours ago, fotografr said:

I've looked back at this portrait several times and shown it to friends who have all been awe struck by it. I can easily envision a large print hanging in the National Portrait Gallery with admiring crowds gathered to view it. The Taylor Wessing firm got quite a bargain by being able to hang a print in their SF office for a mere £100. They should have paid you ten times that sum. 

What can I say Brent but thank you for this, I'm very grateful.  Yes, Taylor Wessing has been skinny and even that was made possible courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery. I was offered a token £1 in case the one hanging in their London was recorded during some filming, I believe that consideration has to pass for a contract to be valid however, I never did receive my quid. Here's a couple of related images, it's interesting how many people when I give them my card say 'I've seen that photo somewhere before'.

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[David Cantor]

On 8/25/2023 at 11:10 AM, Lelmer said:

Superb. Congratulations for your well deserved prize 👏

Thank you so much!

[fotografr]

27 minutes ago, David Cantor said:

What can I say Brent but thank you for this, I'm very grateful.  Yes, Taylor Wessing has been skinny and even that was made possible courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery. I was offered a token £1 in case the one hanging in their London was recorded during some filming, I believe that consideration has to pass for a contract to be valid however, I never did receive my quid. Here's a couple of related images, it's interesting how many people when I give them my card say 'I've seen that photo somewhere before'.

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That is wonderful and well deserved promotion. The one thing missing is your photo credit. I hope your name was prominently displayed somewhere. Taylor Wessing sure managed to get their name attached to it. 

[benqui]

Congratulations David to this outstanding and breathtaking portrait! It is very well deserved, that it is on the front cover of the exhibition catalog! You can be very proud! But it is a shame the law firm paid you 100 pounds!!! 

[David Cantor]

5 hours ago, benqui said:

Congratulations David to this outstanding and breathtaking portrait! It is very well deserved, that it is on the front cover of the exhibition catalog! You can be very proud! But it is a shame the law firm paid you 100 pounds!!! 

Thank you, coming from the master of the portraiture - it means a great deal.

[benqui]

vor 10 Stunden schrieb David Cantor:

Thank you, coming from the master of the portraiture - it means a great deal.

Thanks a lot for your kind words David! For me it is really incredible how you manage to get theses wonderful portraits from strange people on the street. They always look very relaxed and one can see that they feel very comfortable in front of your camera.

Edited August 28, 2023 by benqui

[wizard]

Am 24.8.2023 um 21:54 schrieb David Cantor:

This is probably the ‘street’ portrait which remains the highlight of my efforts to date.

As someone mentioned before, this surely IS a masterpiece. Absolutely perfect in every respect, and well worthy to be hung in the National Portrait Gallery. Congratulations!

[David Cantor]

2 hours ago, wizard said:

As someone mentioned before, this surely IS a masterpiece. Absolutely perfect in every respect, and well worthy to be hung in the National Portrait Gallery. Congratulations!

I’m grateful for your comments, heartwarming.