This is Nathaniel

If you want to see how I made this (and how you can too!), visit my HDR Tutorial. I hope it gives you some new tricks!

Nathaniel's dream is to get closer to God and to make sure his mom is happy.

Nathaniel is currently four years old and carrying wood with his two sisters down a dusty cart-road in an unmarked Amish village somewhere between Allegheny and Tionesta, Pennsylvania. In pauses between talking to me, he looks sideways at his older sisters, who peacefully nod towards him. I tell him that he looks big and strong and then I help him carry the wood to his parents' home, where he lives with his other nine brothers and sisters.

from my daily photo blog at www.stuckincustoms.com

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Comments

< Prev 1 2 Next >

(152 comments)

Paradise Regained says:

pretty amazing trey - really great portrait! very painterly..
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

s@ndra says:

Intense portrait and what a different lifestyle those people have!
Nathaniel looks older than he is, he glances in your lense as if he's lived many years more! Wonderful shot
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Durotriges says:

A super story and another excellent portrait! :-)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

judo_dad1953 says:

Great one!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

green_lover says:

Fantastic! The story is a great supplement to this beautiful portrait :-))
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

teenage jesus says:

great portrait , trey
is he only 4 years old? his eyes look older...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

.ZOT [deleted] says:

as usual, a magnificient portrait!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

giamarie says:

Thanks for sharing this with us, Trey. Intense...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Nekominn says:

The post processing is ace on this fantastic portrait. Killer combination :)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

redmann says:

What a great portrait! Outstanding.

The World Through My Eyes
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

/\ltus says:

"...other nine brothers and sisters." Wow.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Cryptik says:

He looks so old!
Great photo, it looks like something form the 18th or 19th century.

The World Through My Eyes
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

valentins_k says:

Brilliant portrait & great story!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

EssjayNZ says:

Stunning details, the larger the better I say!

I can see you in his eyes.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Canis Major says:

Strong portrait. I like the little part of his environment. The World Through My Eyes
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

3rd foundation says:

Very cool shot Trey. The HDR processing really gives the face a unique look and feel. You've really nail the HDR effect so that it isn't overdone. Your bokeh backdrop is also very nice.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Guided by the light says:

Very well done Trey. Thanks for sharing.http://www.flickr.com/groups/the_worl d_through_my_eyes/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

suesue2 says:

Lovely portrait...well done !
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

SusanneG says:

A great photo and a great story. You're a photojournalist, aren't you? (if not, you should think about ... ;-))
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

小帽(Hat) says:

Beautiful shot!!
^___^
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Tex Flix says:

This is a stunning portrait! Congratulations!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

dariuszka says:

beautiful portrait and the story. they are very moving. fave
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Bigbird3 says:

Really love this one

Ahmed caused quite a storm, didn't he!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuck in Customs says:

Thank you all :)

This picture has no HDR by the way...

And yes Ahmed did cause quite a little stir eh? But I think that is the way he would want it...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

LaSCia uN MeSSaGGio DoPo iL SeGNaLe aCuSTiCo.. says:

Nice portrait!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Buddha's Ghost says:

Very nice!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

maca.foto says:

great expression at his face...storytelling indeed.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

dingbat2005 says:

Very old looking for a 4 year old , somethings is not right
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Krogen says:

Great - reminds me of the novels by John Steinbeck.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Pink Sherbet Photography says:

I have a soft spot for most things Amish, Mennonite, etc...this is such a wonderful pic. I really love the color and the expression on his face. The soft background makes the subject pop! And the way you left him off to the side works so well. What a very hard worker for such a young boy. You can really see it in his face.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

inanutshell says:

BEautiful portrait...cant believe its not HDR.. it has the feel to it. awesome.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Jonnyfez says:

You have come up with some stunning portraits recently and this is one of the best.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

niccodeamus says:

superb portrait.
a shame his family will never see it and a shame the child has no choice of his own. and what a beautiful hat
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

susan_r4 says:

Great portrait Trey! He looks wise beyond his years! I think it's time to start thinking about another career!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

MissLoriBlair says:

striking with truth
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

danydrs72 says:

He has a very expressive face! Great portrait!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Valpopando says:

Superb my friend .
your technique is always better
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Cilest says:

A great portrait - and typically Amish. He doesn't look like four at all...
We added this beautiful image to our BEST-PORTRAITS-weblog:

Hope you don't mind...
Thanks for sharing this amazing photo.
And here's the direct link to your shot:
best-portraits.blogspot.com/2006/07/this-is-n athaniel.html
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

SkipSteuart says:

You were lucky to get this. The Amish (as I understand it) normally don't want their pictures taken.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

dustdevildiver (meeting myself coming and going) says:

Thanks for sharing this with us, the portrait and the story are wonderful!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

"M" PEARL says:

Interesting expression, sadness mixed with discernment. What a brilliant capture.....his expression is thought provoking. I viewed the larger picture, truly this is beyond brilliant, you have capured the detail in all its equisite beauty, the hat, hair, eyes, eyebrows, dirt on face - everything, colour of shirt.....this is a 10 out of 10 and I don't often remark like that. You should win an award - Absolutely!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Beefus says:

Incredible shot Trey! This would also make a fabulous B&W image!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

crowjay says:

so beautiful!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

GreyGooseMartini says:

Excellent photo! I have been really enjoying this whole set... great
pictures and interesting biographical synopses!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

SkyShaper says:

!!!!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Kris Kros says:

Excellent composition. Really!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuck in Customs says:

Thanks all! Here I am, actually helping them with the wood... I have pictures of the other children too that I will upload later. It was a fun day.

Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ArthurJo says:

bravo!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Beefus says:

It's almost chilling to see that you are the only one smiling in this photo. Makes you wonder how the day-to-day life is for these children, and how often they get the opportunity "to just be kids".
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ToRtU _ says:

expressive portrait...Good technique....
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

_Hans van de Vorst says:

Wonderful portrait Trey, expression beyond words but feels top. And yes the beach was VERY interesting :D
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Zanastardust says:

Wow, this is super!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

fipi [deleted] says:

fantastic portrait
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

xion says:

Wonderful processing on these shots.
I would really love to learn what you are doing.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

SwEeT_AnGeL_i says:

very interesting portrait...really like all your work...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

/\ltus says:

Very nice shot
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

fotoJENica a/k/a Jenny Romney says:

This is wonderful! Great colors and so much character
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

pinkyhonor says:

this sucks you in. a face to carry around for days.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

frischmilch says:

sharp and crip! like the details!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Ma-Eh says:

Wow!! As for the atmosphere, it very much reminds me of that famous "American Gothic" painting by Grant Wood. Favorite!! Congratulations!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

soylentgreen23 says:

Damnit! I saw this photo and immediately thought "American Gothic" and I was scanning through the comments hoping nobody else had thought to mention it. Damn you Martin Kussler, damn you!

Marvellous, marvellous picture by the way.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Ma-Eh says:

I'm sorry, Christopher! What you describe is exactly what happened to me as well. It was the first thing that came to my mind, and I was a bit surprised that no one had mentioned "American Gothic" already...

Best, Martin.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

kylejones says:

Holy Eldritch Offspring, Batman! That kid looks way older than four years old.

Found in the Top 25 Bokeh group pool.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

pikelettationuk says:

Fantastic Image, great story attached too, you certainly do get about a bit don't you........................
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

surlygrrrl [ELBfoto] says:

wow. am i really the only one who finds this totally creepy?
in the thumbnail i thought it was an old woman.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

I agree this kid looks older than his years and your portrait does a marvelous job of illustrating his nature. Of the two this is my fave.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

toastforbrekkie says:

I swear to all that is holy, this is one of the most amazing portraits I have ever seen, much less on flickr.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Jack Brodus says:

Incredible eyes, almost haunting!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

yaxchibonam says:

This picture grabbed my heart.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Ryo, says:

oh my.. very very haunting.. i love the story!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Toos&TheSea says:

D'une rare beauté....
Incredible depth in these eyes... too mature maybe given his young age...
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Anna-Rina says:

Ditto to all of the above :D

Excellent portrait!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Giuseppe Parisi says:

majestic
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

cam i am says:

amazing shot. really.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Marusich says:

You are invited to post this photo to the Innocence contest in the Your Best Photo Themed Weekly Contests Group (contest ends november 3rd).
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

carf says:

A very expressive portrait for a very specific life situation.
Excellent combination of image with reality.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Elizabeth Pellette says:

Trey.. this is beautiful really what an amazing shot.. the detail is awesome Your work with your D2X is just brilliant.. I need to get way better with mine..
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

pschmutz says:

very nice portrait!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Dave Schreier says:

Excellent!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Dave Schreier says:

Still one of the best i've seen.

(gallery & instructions)
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Jimages Digital says:

you are a masterful portraitist.

jim
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

wintercove says:

Aren't they all just precious! I love the one you listed above showing you pulling the wagon with the three following. A memory to cherish for sure. Thanks so much for sharing this. Its something I would never get to see. The portrait is brilliant! I'll leave it to the more learned in photography to say exactly why as far as composition, etc. I just know it speaks to me.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

pîetbe [deleted] says:

great portrait!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

canonsnapper says:

Fabulous image. I love the little boy's expression - priceless. Many thanks for adding this great shot to the Portrait Classics Group pool.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

@Saigon says:

Wonderful. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Faved.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

 أمل says:

great portrait
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

micamonkey says:

wow i read that the Amish people don't like their photos taken. I wonder how you managed to convince them to let you take their photos! :)
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

giuliomarziale says:

sure, it reminds me too "American Gothic" !
an outstanding portrait indeed !
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Suharwan says:

I love this portrait
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

courtney___ says:

nice portrait...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

aTower Ofleaves says:

this is absolutely amazing,
You've captured so much in his eyes.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Photoportunity says:

if I could favourite this twice, I would

--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergi Mussull says:

iN MY FAV, THANKS GRACIAS
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

esharkj says:

Woww!! really Xcelent photo..amazingly stunning!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

dacookieman says:

a stunning portrait no less. really nice this one!

--
Seen in your Portfolio: The Best set. (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

shapeshift says:

great, great, great shot trey... i blogged this to blogs.newamericamedia.org/photo-of-the-day/. new america media is a non-profit news organization. please check it out and let me know if you would like to add or change anything... cheers.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

SakariMar (AWAY) says:

Your photo is very touching. Nathaniel does look mature for his age. His eyes convey a deep sense of sadness. Thank you for sharing this picture and for describing it as well. Your work is truly remarkable and it goes far beyond anything I've seen before! You have such a beautiful collection!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

teşrifat says:

it is terrific..wow...congrats..
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

alyssa likes to take pictures says:

This takes me back to college in Pa.

Beautiful portrait.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

~BranchDesign says:

When I was younger we went to Pennsylvania, and we saw Amish people. I was told not totake photos, that they were not allowed to be photographed. Have those standards changed? I was curious.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Erie County , Pennsylvania (map)
Taken with a Nikon D70.
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Taken on July 25, 2006
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