Full Sprint's Photoblog
Everyone loves Mimi
Posted by MARIANA (Waterloo, Canada) on 3 November 2009 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
I've been seeing this woman since came to Waterloo. Never talked to her before.
A few days ago I had a chance to take a shot of her, but she saw me, stopped and said - 'Ok, I would like you to take a picture of me but only if I am smiling !"
Chris Pereira from San Jose, CA, United States
great shot, you can really see the happiness in her smile. Its great that she wanted to be photographed, it shows that she's more self-confident than most people in my downtown. They see someone with a camera and suddenly shy away. you really captured her emotion in this picture. Great shot.
3 Nov 2009 5:21am
Philippe from Bangkok, Thailand
very nice self portrait ... ;) ok i joke ...
it is not easy to criticize and shoot this such of picture ....., between voyeurism and story. This girl look very happy and for me its ok.
3 Nov 2009 5:47am
@Philippe: In fact I asked one woman passing by to take a pic of Mimi and me , but this woman probably had a camera in her hand for the very first time in her life - it was a shot of the sky more than of two of us ;)
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
It's a beautiful story. Bravo for her!
Anyway it's an impactant picture that not everybody can take. The composition with the woman centered is the right here. Great shot.
3 Nov 2009 6:44am
Yvon from Orleans, France
wow, what a lovely portrait, Mariana
cette image est très touchante
3 Nov 2009 6:45am
Dulcie from Danville, CA, United States
Brave women...the TWO of you. Good for you !!!
(And may I say, she has beautiful feet and ankles..great shoes! )
3 Nov 2009 6:51am
@Dulcie: Yes, very brave she is .. summer, winter, rain or snow she is always active, never having anybody with her she is my HERO :))) I admire her. And what you noticed - she is always so nicely dressed, always nice shoes, skirt ... Thx Dulcie :)
Jean-Luc from Juignac, France
And she is smiling! What a lesson. Have a nice day Mariana.
3 Nov 2009 6:51am
@Jean-Luc: you are right - it should be a good lesson for many of us who are complaining about nothing :))
Anina from Auckland, New Zealand
Ah this is such a lovely portrait! Well done. You should give her a copy of this :)
3 Nov 2009 7:55am
Jean-Luc from Lyon, France
a beautiful portrait of Mimi ! i can imagine everybody loves her , and my S too. and it's easy to imagine how she love you too i can see that in her face. It's nice to you to bring her in full light. Thanks, and next time send her a kiss from me ;)
have a beautiful day
3 Nov 2009 8:08am
@Jean-Luc: yes B , I admire her for being so brave, like a little big Hero :)) She was eager to talk to me and smile, and I am really glad I had this chance to talk to her for the first time ! I will tell her when next time I see her :))
@roeb: thx Roeb .. I will tell her for sure :)
Ekios from Une des Iles du Salut, Guyana
@Mariana : do me a favor if you see her again, tell her that a French guy was amazed by the fact that no matter what, she found a lot of ways to be a women, a lot of small details, small precisions wich made all the difference :))
Will you do that for me ? :)
3 Nov 2009 8:33am
@Ekios: sure .. sure .. sure .. I will :)) many thanks my dear friend :))
Craig@Random Ramblings from Herts, United Kingdom
She looks like a real character and that smile is cheeky, I love this!!!!
3 Nov 2009 8:42am
@Craig@Random Ramblings: thx Craig, she is really a little but big hero :)
Nina from Haute Loire, France
There was delicacy in this picture! I like the smart of MIMI, she has a position of the hands and feet remarkable!
3 Nov 2009 8:43am
@hesam: thx a lot :)
Stu from Kyoto, Japan
I love the "humanness" (if thats a word) you've captured in this portrait. I can easily see past the wheelchair and to the person. Very well done.
3 Nov 2009 9:34am
Blackdog from London, United Kingdom
I am glad that you asked permission - changes our relationship from voyeurs to friends.
3 Nov 2009 9:47am
@Blackdog: Right . Thanks Mike !
Mª Angeles from Barcelona, Spain
Un retrato realmente precioso, lleno de dulzura, el tratamiento genial como siempre Mariana!!
3 Nov 2009 9:53am
Aurore from Paris, France
Now you've talked to her, we can see her generus face on your blog, great story ! Our cameras are magic tools.
3 Nov 2009 9:56am
ryse from bordeaux, France
Un portrait plein de pudeur...
En nous offrant son sourire Mimi a voulu que nous ne la regardions pas qu'avec les yeux mais aussi avec le coeur. Ainsi nous voyons toute sa beauté intérieure et Dieu sait qu'elle est grande, immense et tellement plus belle que certains que la nature a favorisés....
Bonne journée Mariana
3 Nov 2009 10:07am
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
A super shot and the b+w is perfect for it.
3 Nov 2009 10:16am
Fred from Manila, Philippines
Great shot here Mariana. The candidness in her face makes the photo look so light and happy. Nice b&w toning! Bravo!
3 Nov 2009 12:03pm
shoti from Everywhere in the, Philippines
another timeless portrait from one of A-3's genius. so much emotion has been enveloped in this image, it touches the heart of the viewer. great job Mariana :)
3 Nov 2009 12:09pm
jeff (aka dogilicious) from Millerstown, PA, United States
Great job, Mimi and Mariana
3 Nov 2009 12:12pm
Hiro from Kyoto, Japan
I wish I could have been there and could have took a pic of Mimi and you...
3 Nov 2009 12:47pm
@Hiro: oh, that would be lovely even more ;)) Thx Hiro ;)
@stella: thanks Stella . Too bad I do not have your link in this comment - cannot get back to you :)
rian from mobile, United States
aww.. at least she's a sport about it.. :) very nice capture.. :)
3 Nov 2009 12:57pm
eme chiquilla from córdoba, Spain
Perfectly done! what a charming woman! she spreads happiness all around ^^
3 Nov 2009 1:21pm
Eric Cousineau from Sherwood Park, Canada
A super portrait shot Mariana! I am sure there is quite the story to tell here. She looks like a real character! ;-)
3 Nov 2009 1:25pm
thami from Morocco
J'ai cru voir une dame qui lui ressemble et qui vend tous les jours des bonbons aux enfants à la sortie de l'école!...Incroyable ressemblance ( à l'exception du vestimentaire)...
Bonne journée lumineuse!
3 Nov 2009 2:00pm
Pepe Cabrera from Cuidad de Antipolo, Philippines
Good one Mariana! It gives a lot of different emotions.
3 Nov 2009 2:03pm
Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom
Black Dog's comment is very poignant, it says a lot too about your own personality.
Great shot.
3 Nov 2009 2:53pm
@Curly: Thx . I like Mike's comment . I would never ever post Mimi's portrait without having her permission :))
tyler from France
kind of diane arbus style!! are your a professional photographer?
3 Nov 2009 3:02pm
@tyler: I am amazed by your comment . When first time I saw Diana's book of portraits ( introduced by my friend - professional photographer) I was stunned . Since then I can tell she is one of my 5 favorites photographers . Too bad no new photos will be ever come from Diana:((
Willem from Noord-Scharwoude, Netherlands
A beautiful and interesting portrait Mariana, professional done, also very good in b/w
3 Nov 2009 3:17pm
dabbler from Minneapolis, United States
what a beautiful portrait - i can see from her smile why 'everyone loves Mimi' !
3 Nov 2009 3:17pm
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
Great portrait that you captured of Mimi! Glad that she had a sense of humor about this encounter. So many may have thought the photo was taken for less-considerate reasons.
3 Nov 2009 3:26pm
@Steven: Right . Without her smile and looking straight into a camera it would be totally different portrait . Also, I never add any text under my pictures / portrait and this time I really had a need to write a little bit to let my viewers know it is not a candid, it is a real portrait of Mimi who wanted to be photographed :))
don from spokane, United States
A fine shot of a beautiful person in her normal setting. A fine street shot.
3 Nov 2009 3:49pm
Tomix from landerneau, France
she is nice and intelligent to accept a portrait...yes, she was right to smile!
3 Nov 2009 4:07pm
Tomix from landerneau, France
she is nice and intelligent to accept a portrait...yes, she was right to smile!
3 Nov 2009 4:08pm
Tomix from landerneau, France
she is nice and intelligent to accept a portrait...yes, she was right to smile!
3 Nov 2009 4:09pm
Tomix from landerneau, France
sorry for the 3 comments, mariana! i've trouble with web connection, i don't know how to delete them :)
3 Nov 2009 4:12pm
Oscar from Espira, France
Nice portrait. The B&W is genial. Mimi have a big sunrise. Bravo
3 Nov 2009 4:33pm
@Oscar: thanks Oscar , that is so lovely from you . Very warmhearted :))
roy from ostend, Belgium
Of course, that little person Mimi in the picture, handsome, maybe a little too central
3 Nov 2009 4:40pm
@roy: she deserves that way :)) None of my portraits are central , but for Mimi I liked that way :)) Thx !
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
An excellent portrait, Mimi has a nice smile. Bravo, Mariana!
3 Nov 2009 4:47pm
Richard Trim from Leicester, United Kingdom
It's good to talk... but not always possible as a street photograher.
Hoping not to be patronising you probably gave her day a real boost ... thanks for sharing it with us Mariana.
richard
3 Nov 2009 5:24pm
@Richard Trim: you are right .. but I think that if you talk sometimes and then ask for permission to shot, that candid shot is not any more lovely as it is could be without permission . In this particular case, I am glad I talked to Mimi, and got her smile. Otherwise, the viewers could consider this shot on a wrong way .
Ken from United States
Mariana! Wow. Love the portrait and the shoes are rocking!
what a lovely woman, her soul shines through.
3 Nov 2009 5:45pm
@Ken: this is so lovely and full of soul comment, Ken :)) I love you for this comment . thx dear :)
@Irene: thanks Irene :)
@Twinklestamper: thx dear :)
yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece
great image and great title - excellent work
3 Nov 2009 6:09pm
LESLIE from norwich, United Kingdom
Excellent portrait Mariana .... She has such a wonderful infectious smile ...
3 Nov 2009 6:53pm
elaine- from Canada
great portrait!! and you better stop coming to my blog if you are not into blurry shots lol
3 Nov 2009 7:32pm
@elaine-: thx dear :)) fair enough ;)
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
I would wager that the time when she is not smiling are very few.
3 Nov 2009 8:33pm
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Great b & w. For some reason this reminds my how precious life is! I love her!!!!
3 Nov 2009 9:13pm
6ft5 from stockholm, Sweden
Like her smile and that she sits with her legs crossed. Nice portrait!
3 Nov 2009 9:16pm
Jean-Louis from Nîmes, France
Elle doit être sympathique cette " Mimi ".
Ton N&B est superbe.
Bonne soirée .
3 Nov 2009 9:33pm
Gérard Méry from Tours, France
Il fallait le faire je n'aurais pas osé, ce portraits est charmant
3 Nov 2009 10:03pm
B.Held from Santa Fe, United States
a cute story to go along with a wonderful shot ;-)
3 Nov 2009 10:46pm
Lynn from United States
Mariana...very touching story and beautiful shot!!! A lovely woman indeed and I also notice the effort she puts into the wonderful details. I love her smile...it makes me feel very happy :))
3 Nov 2009 11:08pm
@Lynn: thx Lynn . Yes, touching story but Mimi is a little hero ;))
pernilla from Andonno, Italy
A very warm and lovely portrait of this woman. Well done
3 Nov 2009 11:27pm
Michael from Shell village, United Kingdom
Very thoughtful and sensitive, and I think she knows it. Lovely street shot !
3 Nov 2009 11:42pm
akarui from Kagoshima, Japan
Mimi seem to go ahead in life where many others would just give up. Great portrait.
4 Nov 2009 12:36am
John from Geneva, United States
Neat shot. At first I thought it would be better as a close up, but I like the line of the curb. The detail is amazing, and depth of field incredible for a 4.0 aperture. And how the heck you get 6mm without fish-eye is beyond me!
Well done!
4 Nov 2009 1:32am
John from Geneva, United States
P.S. Hope you got her email address so you can send her the shot, along with a link to this post.
4 Nov 2009 1:33am
@John: unfortunately she does not use computer . I might print this photo and couple more to give Mimi when see her again :) thx John !
Ginnie from Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Why does she look familiar, Mariana?? Has she had national attention?
4 Nov 2009 1:51am
@Ginnie: I do not know Ginnie . I really do not know so much about Mimi !
@Levi: thx Levi :)
Scott F. Schilling from San Martin, United States
Fantastic work on this Mariana and I am glad you had the opportunity to take Mimi's photograph! Awesome! Mimi looks like a very kind person and happy in this image!
4 Nov 2009 4:24am
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
Such a charming and joyous study of this woman. Thank you for sharing the details of the encounter. Please convey a hello from San Francisco to Mimi should you see her again. And thank you both for the smile in my heart right now.
4 Nov 2009 4:25am
@Stephen Phillips: thx Stephen for such a lovely comment . LIke your soul you expressed here in this comment :)
uvaraj from New Jersey, United States
Mariana, this is nice work. A day is worth if we at least make one person smile, and you did. Love the pic and story.
4 Nov 2009 5:56am
@uvaraj: many thanks for this lovely comment :)) Mimi got very happy to get pictures of her ;)
@om: thx a lot for ur visit . Love your shots so much :))
Seraphine from San Francisco, United States
i'm so glad you talked to mimi. she looks like a very special person. and i *love* that smile!
4 Nov 2009 6:15am
Richard Standley from Carquefou, France
What a lovely story! Great portrait. Welove her smile!
4 Nov 2009 8:17am
Godo from Barcelona, Spain
Hi Mariana,
Great portrait and beautiful story.
I'm sure the woman loves this pic full of sensitivity.
Really nice work ;o)
4 Nov 2009 12:54pm
Mike from United States
Hey! How did I miss this?! I was here yesterday. I love this shot. Love the center compo for this. And I like that she posed for yuo and looked you right in the eye. Excellent job with this one!
4 Nov 2009 2:37pm
@Mike: I do not know how you missed it :)) I was looking forward to hearing from you about this shot :))
dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States
a very beautiful and proud portrait of Mimi -- excellent composition and strength of character!! bravo!
4 Nov 2009 3:32pm
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
She looks and sounds like a strong woman who refuses to let anything keep her down or get in her way. I bet she never allows herself self pity and rejects it from others. We all could take a lesson from her strength next time we start whining about our troubles and feeling sorry for ourselves. A great message is contained in this simple portrait. I'm glad you got to talk to her and get this portrait. I hope she likes it.
4 Nov 2009 5:39pm
`Paul from Minneapolis, United States
... instant love for this photograph.. seriously well done, both aesthetically as well as the sweet woman in the photo, Mimi. .. superb all around. beautiful .
4 Nov 2009 6:44pm
Stephane Themeze from Maryland, United States
A very beautiful portrait. Can't beat natural, can we!?
It feels gorgeous.
Have a good day Mariana.
4 Nov 2009 7:13pm
Dawn from Maryland, United States
What a sweet lady!! This portrait suits her well. : )
5 Nov 2009 12:11am
John from Eureka, United States
This looks like a special lady. I like this human interest photo. No need to enhance this photo .It is perfect .
5 Nov 2009 1:50am
Luis A. De Jesus R. from Mexico City, Mexico
Five stars: this won my heart with the narrative and photo.
5 Nov 2009 3:07am
Robert from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
A lovely portrait. I have seen her a few times on my visits to see my daughter at university.
5 Nov 2009 4:47am
Marlowe from Le Havre, France
You know the jazz musician Michel Petrucciani? Seeing this photograph, I thought that this woman could be his sister, who suffered from the same disease. His smile is a lesson in humanity!
5 Nov 2009 4:20pm
@Marlowe: Merci du commentaire. Pas, je n'ai jamais jamais entendu parler de Michel Petruccianii. Je jetterai certainement un coup d'oeil au site Web pour voir ses images. is that French cool ? ha ha
Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States
The best portrait on Aminus3- Ever!
5 Nov 2009 6:15pm
@Howard F.: wow Howard, what a sweetheart you are . Million thanks for this comment on behalf of Mimi :)))
Marlowe from Le Havre, France
Yesssssssss ! It's almost perfect ! Just "Non" instead "Pas" ! Thank you for the effort ! ;)
5 Nov 2009 6:18pm
napocoulom from st mande 94160, France
vu le nombre de commentaires, votre cliché a fait lle tour de la terre, et il le merite
6 Nov 2009 12:48pm
@napocoulom: thanks a lot napucoulom :))
@stephanie: thx Stephanie :) Mimi is so lovely woman :)) Thanks for adding me to your watch list too ;))
Bill from Pacific Northwest, United States
Wonderful image, Mariana. It makes me want to know her. People in her circumstance are so often marginalized. Contact is avoided--I suspect because a sense of "there but for the grace of God, go I" uneasiness. I'm confident that your encounter made her day. I think she will like the portrait. Did you give her a print?
8 Nov 2009 10:14pm
@Bill: thx Bill. NO, I have not seen her yet since then, but I printed it for her :)) Mimi is very , very unique girl . I admire her stamina :)
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
Hello Mimi! :) Fabulous portrait! She should be very pleased with it if she saw it!
9 Nov 2009 5:54pm
@Jean-Marc: thx a lot :))
