Reverend Erwin Dela Cruz - Roman Catholic Priest / St Savior Church
November 12, 2007
From this perspective, those red votive cups remind me of pomegranate seeds. Cool shot.
- Jen - http://www.honest-planet.com

roman catholic priest ... and gangster?
- samsplanet

He doesn't look happy-- either somebody revealed too much in confession, or somebody did not pony up enough into the donation hat. I love the rich reds in the bottom, the warm browns throughout, and his austere pose, and yes, the pomegranates. (Now stop me before I make a priest joke!) Good work.
- Adam - http://www.trainedfleas.com

I'm in with samsplanet. He may be a priest, or a gun runner dressed as one. Time with him in the confessional will have you admitting to a lot!
- Scott

His stern look sets a strong tone for the photograph. Very nice.
- Mikey

Nice work bill. These compositions are consistently incredible.
- danny

this is great. his stern look creates a strange contrast to his occupation and robes. interesting!
- Amy

Another great shot of a working everyman. Will he hear confession or make someone a deal they can't refuse?
- AL

That face! I am having massive Catholic school flashbacks. You've captured a particular mood and feeling so well.
- Mary Elizabeth Williams - maryelizabethwilliams.net

This portrait portrays an image of a Catholic priest- stern, quiet, pensive, serious- the archetype that many have experienced in their past. As art- the color, the light, the composition- beautiful, really breathtaking. However, I happen to know this Catholic priest and I have to say that this portrait is farthest from who he is and how he relates to the world. He is compassionate, warm, loving, wise, with a gifted sense of humor- a true caring soul. He is the antithesis of what is represented in this portrait. The story and art portrayed in this portrait has true resonance for onlookers- perhaps the exact goal of the artist- job well done.
- Rabbi Edith Meyerson

I like the rich red at the bottom, but I feel that it makes that sot appear to have two main point of interest. Nice framing, I do like the diagonal benches.
- Roup - http://www.hardowar.com/

Love the composition and colors. Perhaps the perch of the photographer contributed to the captured gaze?
- Libby

He looks so sweet, like an attentive boy checking to see if everything is okay. I could not help but come back to him. Had the priests of my youth had such open faces I might not have been so frightened of them. Those candles there. It is as if he knows there are prayers to be said and is simply inviting a body to say them. Those folded arms! It makes me smile. Not only a invitation there but an expectation. It has got to be projection of personal experience, but it is as if he knows there is some communication to be had and is waiting as patiently as he can to support it. There is a boy in this picture. I am always astonished by how you capture that.
- Boo - http://www.xanga.com/Boowasborn