Brunch with Battutah
Gentleman of Nocelle
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 10 September 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
This elderly gentleman was the only human we met in Nocelle, a small village clinging to the cliffs above Italy's Amalfi coast. The man was making his way up a steep stairway using a single long wooden stick.
My wife and I approached Nocelle along the Path of the gods (Sentiero degli Dei). The 4-hour hike runs along mule tracks on the cliff edge 650 meters (2,000 feet) above the sea. It stretches from Bomerano to Positano.
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
Such a face that speaks volumes. This is an excellent portrait.
10 Sep 2008 5:14am
@Steve Rice: Thank you very much, Steve.
@Zygene: Merci, Zygene.
KIJI from valenciennes, France
Very interesting story. this portrait is very authentic (not antique ;)
10 Sep 2008 5:55am
@KIJI: Merci, KIJI.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Un visage marqué par le temps, mais beaucoup de douceur dans ce regard et ce sourire discret.
10 Sep 2008 6:19am
@Evelyne Dubos: Merci, Evelyne.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
What an interesting old face. Four hours is a long time to go without seeing another human being especially when you are in a strange land. Love the story.
10 Sep 2008 6:26am
@Marion: Thank you, Marion. We saw three other hikers during the hike but only this man in the village. The others were wisely indoors during the heat of the day.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
beautiful light -- and such a wonderful and kind expression! i love the character lines in his face -- captivating indeed! i would imagine he could tell some amazing stories of old... beautiful shot -- wonderful touching!!
10 Sep 2008 6:32am
@dj.tigersprout: Thank you for that delightful comment, Jaycee. I agree he could certainly tell some stories living on the edge of a cliff all his life.
Angelique from Netherlands
Talking about cute, I've always had this passion for old people I just love them all even the grumphy ones ;)
I love the lines in his face that are showing so much of the life he lived so far.
He looks happy :)
10 Sep 2008 7:18am
@Angelique: Thank you, Angelique. I think he was happy to be chatting with a couple of new people.
@Eleftheria!: Thank you so much, Eleftheria.
Oeilonirique from France
Thanks for your comment on my blog. Nice portraits here.
10 Sep 2008 8:48am
@Oeilonirique: Thank you very much for commenting.
@PhotoSam: Many thanks, Sam.
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
Excellent portrait. He looks very friendly. His face is typically italian. The light is very good and the tones great.
Excellent work Michael
10 Sep 2008 9:26am
@Rui: Thank you, Rui, for this kind comment.
@Veronelle: Merci, Veronelle.
rain girl from Delhi, India
gorgeous portrait.. you have handled it so beautifully :)
10 Sep 2008 10:45am
@rain girl: Thank you, rain girl. Nice to hear from you again.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
What a treasure ... he seems interested in your camera, Michael. Every line on his wonderful face is well-earned and he's probably very FIT if he's climbing as he was when you came upon him. The rugged terrain above the coast must have been fascinating.
10 Sep 2008 11:19am
@Judy: Yes, it was fascinating. He had a long staff to walk up the stairs but he must have been fit from living in such rugged terrain where no car could go. Thanks, Judy.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
So much character in this mans face, and you've captured it beautifully Michael. I only hope I'm half as fit as he is at his age.
10 Sep 2008 11:48am
@MaryB: Me too. thanks so much, Mary.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Man Michael you really get around. You should do a book and tell us your story! A fine shot of the gentleman!
10 Sep 2008 12:01pm
@Craig: Thanks, Craig. I'm hoping this hike will become a newspaper travel story as soon as I screw up the discipline to write it.
MJ from Delaware, United States
THis is an excellent protrait of a man full of stories.... his eyes just draw me in and the lines on his face...
10 Sep 2008 1:22pm
@MJ: thanks, MJ. I thought he had interesting eyes too, almost hypnotic.
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
What a wonderful portrait. His face has so much character. Sad to think he was the only one you met passing through that particular area. Wonderful how many friends and family have passed on before him? His eyes hold multitudes.
10 Sep 2008 1:24pm
@sherri: Thank you, Sherri. He was the only person we actually saw in the town. The others must have been indoors out of the heat.
Lorraine from Canada
What a wonderful, warm portrait, I think he'd be thrilled :)
10 Sep 2008 1:34pm
@Lorraine: I agree. thank you, Lorraine.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
What an interesting looking man, a face that could tell many stories
10 Sep 2008 2:36pm
@Peter Miller: Thank you very much, Peter.
Maxine from Rangiora, New Zealand
this is a stunning portrait, his eyes are warm and interested and the weatherbeaten skin is great.beautifully done, you have honoured him well.
10 Sep 2008 2:49pm
@Maxine: That is a delightful and well thought out comment, Maxine. Many thanks.
don from spokane, United States
What a beautiful weathered face with time and living recorded in
this living map - his face. One, fine portrait.
10 Sep 2008 2:55pm
@don: Thank you, Don. that's a delightful comment.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
A great portrait, what a face! A bit sad that he's the last one in his village.
10 Sep 2008 3:24pm
@MadScientist: I'm sure there were others living there but he was the only person we saw. thanks, MS.
@Marcie: That's a kind comment. thank you, Marcie.
Ron from Hamilton, Canada
Awesome portrait! I love the excellent detail, and the lighting is very indicative of Italy! I feel like I am there!
10 Sep 2008 4:15pm
@Ron: Thank you, Ron. That's a great comment.
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
Beautiful capture and a great story. I can't help but think this would be even more powerful if you darkened the image. What are your thoughts? Had you tried this?
10 Sep 2008 4:20pm
@Stephen Phillips: Yes, I tried it. I had a light one, a dark one and this in-between one. The dark one was certainly more powerful as you mention but I thought it gave the man a slightly sinister rather than kind look. I chose the in-between because it tended to retain some of his kindness and was relatively strong. Thanks, Stephen..
@_____ H o M o _____: Thank you very much, HoMo.
@rem_la: Merci, rem_la.
Jonas from Vitória, Brazil
I would like to have the same smiling eyes when at the same age. Nice portrait!
10 Sep 2008 8:25pm
@Jonas: Thank you very much, Jonas.
@claire: I agree. thank you, Claire.
@hesam: I agree. thank you, hesam.
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
His eyes have seen it all before, so much experience. It's a terrific shot.
10 Sep 2008 11:10pm
@Observing: Thanks very much, Mike.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
An amazing face and a fantastic portrait! I'm loving this series, Michael! This man has incredible eyes!
11 Sep 2008 12:43am
@Betty: Quite hypnotic. thank you, Betty.
@Polydactyle: Thanks so much, Polydactyle.
@JMS: Merci. J'ai prévu cet effet.
@P.J.: Thank you, P.J.
Kevin from OrganicPIX.com from DFW, Texas, United States
Lovely enlightened face and such soul to his eyes - great portrait!
11 Sep 2008 1:34pm
@Kevin from OrganicPIX.com: Thanks so much, Kevin.
Cat from Tel Aviv, Israel
What a wonderful portrait - this man has such an interesting face and you've captured it with sympathy as well as showing his character. He looks about to laugh, to tell you a story, to offer you a drink.
14 Sep 2008 3:09pm
@Cat: Thanks for the great comment, Cat. I think he was as surprised to see us as we were to see him.
Aurore from France
quel magnifique portrait, et un regard qui en dit long et en meme temps pas assez, toujours cette lumière si bien maitrisée
17 Sep 2008 4:43pm
@Aurore: Merci beaucoup, Aurore
@Denise: Thanks for your very generous comment, Denise.
Sony DSLR-A300
1/125 second
F/7.1
ISO 100
105 mm (35mm equiv.)