..What Lies Ahead..

Photo Information

(2560)

Genre: People

Medium: Black & White

Date Taken: 2005

Categories: Decisive Moment, Mood, HPP [Heavily Post-Processed], Portrait

Camera: Toshiba PDR-4300

Details: Tripod: Yes

Photo Version: Original Version

Theme(s): New Year 2006, *Textures Of The Heart* [view contributor(s)]

Date Submitted: 2005-12-29 12:05

Viewed: 1636

Favorites: 4 [view]

Points: 61

[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note

well.. with little left until the new year this
is a time inevitably full of reflection and
thoughts of what the next year will bring.. of
what lies ahead.. thoughts often of hope.. often
of anxiety and concern.. often of longing and
desire.. but whatever your hopes or your fears
are what's most important is to look forward...
to try not to dwell on the regrets of the past as
regret is one of the most damaging inner demons
that exists and unfortunately one of the most
common... it's never easy but we can all only
try.. try to keep believing that life can get
better... be it for the condition of the world or
that of our own souls there is hope... and
although it might be frightening to believe for
fear of it being in vane it's never foolish... to
believe, to hope, to dream, to try is never
foolish... so i wish you all a new year full of
hope and beautiful dreams that come true...
everyone deserves a dream come true :-)

this is an old photo from earlier this year that
i wanted to do something with as a little
christmas present for someone very precious to
me... and when i saw the result the expression
seemed to illustrate the way i was feeling
approaching this new year.. i wasn't sure if the
look on my face was more of hope or worry or even
the dreaded resignation to the things i've been
suffering... just like i'm not sure which of
these feelings are dominant in my heart right
now... and looking forward like this, in part
like looking through a window at what awaits but
also like looking into a mirror at what's
inside.. with the darkness of the world
threatening to come in and yet a glowing light
trying to guide me through... well, it just felt
like an appropriate image to express mine and i'm
sure many peoples conflicting feelings as the new
year approaches..

as far as what was done here.. the original photo
was cropped, resized and converted to grayscale,
some usm added and the levels adjusted for more
contrast, then a high pass filter applied
followed by some diffuse glow with grain and the
burn tool used to burn extra texture into the
hair, finally while framing i added a overlay
mask for 'the darkness' that surrounds the image
and then a simple black frame with moon monogram
to finish.

i really hope you like it and send the very best
wishes for the new year to everyone :-)

big hugs,
Ayda

Maria74, OWO, Dingo, calianebessa, letr, SylFondacci, joebatista, chiquito, fotofrancis, tramwaj29 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
Thread	Thread Starter	Messages	Updated
To dgusatto: grazie Denis :-)	chiaraluna	4	01-04 09:38
To reddevil: thank you dear Jos :-)	chiaraluna	1	01-03 14:41
To letr: thank you Leon :-)	chiaraluna	1	01-03 14:38
To SylFondacci: merci Sylvie :-)	chiaraluna	1	01-03 14:36
To sephus: thx Joop :-)	chiaraluna	1	01-03 14:32
To nova: merci Michel :-)	chiaraluna	1	01-03 14:30
To joebatista: thank you Joe :-)	chiaraluna	1	01-03 14:27
To marcocig: ^_*	chiaraluna	1	01-03 08:16
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

M4tej (779)
[2005-12-29 12:08]

This looks like a painting.
I like it very much.
You really maked this job well.
Have a happy new year.
MAtej

metall (2956)
[2005-12-29 12:12]

Salam Ayda, You are half Persian, so I leave you a Persian comment. Hope you underestand.

Man hameye aksaye ghablito didam, va fekr konam betore kamel note haye paeene hameye onaro khondam, Ye dide khasi az akasi, herfeiy va moody. Omidvaram tamame moshkelat va amsale oon ke too note hat dide mishod zoodtar bartaraf beshe, Man yek mail ham be shoma khaham ferestad. In aks ham zibast, mesle hameye oon ghablia.

Mehdi from IRAN

Hauke (190)
[2005-12-29 12:19]

Pic in whole seems to be of a kind of desire, but when I took a closer glance to the eyes... mades me shiver a bit even in my warm room here... Keep ypur dream safe and do believe in it. It'll become true for sure.
Ayda my dear, a great start for 2006 and have some nice holidays. H.

ZorroII (0)
[2005-12-29 12:36]

Great portrait. I love the grainy look.

Ben.

padre (4035)
[2005-12-29 12:45]

Nice pp Ayda, an intriguing image. B

salil (2106)
[2005-12-29 13:26]

I wish I knew you better ...
What are the devils that torment you ... I wonder.
The photograph is compelling. The eyes will haunt me forever. What do you see, Ayda, as you look into the sands of time?
I wish I knew ...

maleentjeh (66)
[2005-12-29 13:32]

Hi Ayda, nice to see you start to post again. Great image, your self portraits are always very beautiful. I hope we will get to see some with a smile in your eyes in 2006. great pp too !

Marleen

jacojvr (4032)
[2005-12-29 13:33]

Astonishing creativity. You are very artistic. Give yourself a pat on the back.

I LOVE IT

jaco

Maria74 (5997)
[2005-12-29 13:52]

What a beautiful and touching note, Ayda. Your self-portrait is as beautiful as always, and so expressive too...you seem vulnerable, and I know the feeling so well...ghosts from the past are not easy to fight. But I choose to see hope in the sparkle of those beautiful eyes! I do hope new year brings you a fresh start, new dreams and aspirations that will come true!
hugs
Marija

OWO (2335)
[2005-12-29 14:08]

Great PP on a beautiful photo of yourself. To be honest I don't have the guts, that is posting a selfportrait.
Best wishes to you.
OWO

Dingo (11948)
[2005-12-29 16:26]

And big hugs from Dingo and me for you too, Ayda. I wish you a teriffic 2006 with lots of inner strength and the ability to fight your inner demons... and all the best to Sir Bodmin too! Long time no see, btw (hint, hint).
Nice sp. TFS. Take care!

Werewolf (26142)
[2005-12-30 0:18]

A wonderfull portrait that i see you work to make great effect! I appréciate that signature here who is especially well fitting! Like a fusain drawing! Great quality!

chefcop (4638)
[2005-12-30 2:34]

Classic portrait Ayda and marvellous Christmas present.

Peter

drymd29 (7621)
[2005-12-30 3:57]

A Goddes; really beautiful; and the expression is neutral to me.
Thanks Ayda
Huub

cloverstar (0)
[2005-12-30 8:58]

Beautiful portrait of yourself Ayda. You always do such a good job with the post processing work. I wish you could teach me! Perhaps then I would take a shot of myself too. Love the feathery edges of the frame. Your pose is stunning, and you are as beautiful as always.
Happy New Year's Eve Ayda and Bodmin.
P.S. It's time for a new Bodmin shot. I miss him.

calianebessa (110)
[2005-12-30 9:46]

Hello Ayda!
It's been a long time I haven't been on trek, but it is very nice to see your new photo here. Your message is very beautiful, I think you are a good writer (you always write interesting things related to your pics). Well I wish you a great, wonderful 2006, a happy life. May God show you everything you need!!
Kisses!
Caliane

TonyFoto (3734)
[2005-12-30 19:58]

Hi Ayda,
An excellent portrait. She looks a bit moody. Her hair style is superb.
Antony

reddevil (0)
[2005-12-31 4:32]
[+]

Beautiful portrait and a touching note you wrote Ayda. I know you had difficult year but I hope and pray that you find more rest and peace in your life.
My best wishes and a Happy New Year Ayda and your Sir Bodmin.

Hugs,

Jos

letr (6780)
[2005-12-31 8:49]
[+]

like the way you look into the camera , very nice portrait with excellent pp Ayda ..Happy New year to you and the ones that are close to you !!

Leon

SylFondacci (14125)
[2005-12-31 8:54]
[+]

Hi Ayda !
This is a strong self-portrait !
Very moody and sensual and so expressive ...
I like it a lot ... even if I would prefer it without any PP.
Have great fun tonight and my best wishes for the New Year to come ! :)
Sylvie

sephus (2481)
[2006-01-01 12:46]
[+]

A wonderfull portrait again, Ayda.
Great hair-work and a well-caught passionate look in the eyes.
A good start of the year for me.
Groet,
Joop.

nova (8651)
[2006-01-01 14:39]
[+]

This is a very beautiful portrait,Ayda! Almost a charcoil drawing! So artistic and creative! Bravo! I wish you,my dear,a very Happy New Year full of love,health,happiness and with on top of it a nice big box full of money to fullfill your desires! Big hugs! Michel

joebatista (5412)
[2006-01-02 5:18]
[+]

Simply fantastic is all I can say about this image.
Your talent is to be admired, just beautiful
Thanks for sharing all your great work with us

marcocig (3500)
[2006-01-02 5:53]
[+]

Ciao Ayda,

mi piace molto questo ritratto dagli occhi sognanti...

a presto

Marco

dgusatto (1239)
[2006-01-03 7:33]
[+]

Hi Ayda,

bellissimo portrait.
happy new year , all the best.
denis

chiquito (3416)
[2006-01-04 10:10]

Hello Ayda,
I'm always amazed by the delicacy of your photos.
You know how to convert your feelings into an art of photo!
Thanks and Happy New Year! :)
cheers
ToM

fotofrancis (1336)
[2006-01-05 15:40]

Like it I Love it! It speaks to me... and the words are as beautiful when written as they are in your note as I am sure they are from such beautiful lips.

A magic photo with feeling and excellent artistic PP work...

A warm hug... from a cold winter.

I feel that the struggle is always worth it and the end justifies all that we go through... :) Your Faith and hope will always wax greater than any darkness, and your angels will rise to meet any dark foe you wish to name... :)

A friend also fighting but still moving forward. :)

edie (0)
[2006-01-07 8:27]

You create a wonderfull wishing atmosphere here,your eyes are just dreaming but also so far...it seems you wake up really from another world,your intimate one.
Bellissima.
Edie

ceslou (4234)
[2006-01-07 23:30]

Remarkable PP work on this one Ayda. It sure look like a piece of art. Very artistic.