Wearing a knit hat in the heat of the day, this boy seems to be preoccupied with his own thoughts, or else he has somehow become magically skilled at posing for portraits. I rarely ever make head or head and shoulder shots as portraits. The face itself must be very special and the pose equally special for me to do so. Face shots usually prevent you from using the environment as an expressive force in your image. This is image is an exception. I can move in for an intimate, close-up vantage point, using just the face, yet still tell a story. The bark of a tree and the knit cap express important symbols. This lad lives in rough country, just like that bark. The days may be hot, but the nights get cold. He wears that hat constantly, and makes it part of his identity. Another important aspect of this portrait is the play of light and shadow on his face. He seems to be very thoughtful, and the soft light reflecting on his face complements that mood. It may be a face shot, but it’s also a lot more than just a face.