Red Shirt and Straw Hat

From the weekend while cruising the markets..

EXIF Data

Model = Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
Lens = Sigma EX 50-150mm F/2.8 APO DC HSM
Focal Length = 150mm
Exposure Time = 1/800"
F Number = F6.3
ISO Speed Ratings = 400

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This would be sooooo great without the distracting white background. The fact that she is drilling the viewer straight on is a little un-nerving.

Put a yellow border around it and print yourself a National Geographic cover. Just a real nice capture of the expression and the moment, over the shoulder and the whole thing. The light up under (and through) the headwear to keep the eyes illuminated is terrific and the red blouse is the perfect oomph to the muted colors of the rest of the image. The simple blurred background really brings out the nice lines of the headwear, jaw/neck and the end of the hair coming across the shoulder. Very well done. The eyes might stand just a touch of sharpening to kick up the catch lights just a little bit. Any overexposure here and there does not bother me a bit.

Lovely.

Kirk

Robert_Lay wrote in post #5734536
This would be sooooo great without the distracting white background. The fact that she is drilling the viewer straight on is a little un-nerving.

Bob,,I shoot them as I see them..The background is out of my control,,it is not a studio shot but a candid grab shot..I trained my camera on her for atleast five minutes before she looked up at me..

I took my eye from the viewfinder and she flashed me a smile,,I missed that shot..I still would have preferred this image though..A tad more mysterious..

kirkt wrote in post #5734575
Put a yellow border around it and print yourself a National Geographic cover. Just a real nice capture of the expression and the moment, over the shoulder and the whole thing. The light up under (and through) the headwear to keep the eyes illuminated is terrific and the red blouse is the perfect oomph to the muted colors of the rest of the image. The simple blurred background really brings out the nice lines of the headwear, jaw/neck and the end of the hair coming across the shoulder. Very well done. The eyes might stand just a touch of sharpening to kick up the catch lights just a little bit. Any overexposure here and there does not bother me a bit.

Lovely.

Kirk

Thanks for stroking my ego Kirk..I had a bit of a play around with her eyes..I see your point..

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I think its a great shot. The edit is even better. She's looking right into me. Its almost a bit unnerving, yet I can't look away from her eyes.

symby wrote in post #5737218
I think its a great shot. The edit is even better. She's looking right into me. Its almost a bit unnerving, yet I can't look away from her eyes.

Thanks symby..She is almost looking right through me..

Very nice, well done. I like the background separation alot.

Dave

Love it! Just like I loved your other shot of the little girl. Such fascinating faces. This isn't a criticism, just a suggestion... 1/800 is really fast, I like to drop the ISO right down to 100 and see what I can get speed wise, just for that extra detail. Of course I realise for candid stuff that's not always possible, but always a shame not to try!

Great pic once again

thebeatnut wrote in post #5739915
Love it! Just like I loved your other shot of the little girl. Such fascinating faces. This isn't a criticism, just a suggestion... 1/800 is really fast, I like to drop the ISO right down to 100 and see what I can get speed wise, just for that extra detail. Of course I realise for candid stuff that's not always possible, but always a shame not to try!

Great pic once again

I've never been afraid of shooting at higher ISO setting even during my film days..I would often shoot Tri-X 400 at 1600ISO or even 3200ISO and push process..

Now-a-days 400ISO is my standard setting..Fast shutterspeeds are essential when shooting street photography such as this image unless one wants motion blur which I don't..Shooting street photography (call it photo-journalism if you like) you have no control over the subject or the lighting,,I shoot it as I see it..But you do have control over your exposure settings,, prefer to use wide apertures to blur out messy backgrounds..

All said and done,,thanx for the kind words thebeatnut..

I agree about the greatness of the photo, once in a lifetime shot for some.
It doesn't appear to be a straw hat however, looks like bamboo to me.
That makes a BIG difference, I'm sure.

I really like this shot. Without seeing the smile shot I can say i would like this more. I have spent time in the Phillipines and can appreciate this shot very much. So many times you see such pretty faces tell such a sad story.

rhodesx6 wrote in post #5741680
So many times you see such pretty faces tell such a sad story.

Rhodesx6,,,,I agree..Many faces can tell a story without knowing the person..Poverty and suffering does that to people..This woman is Vietnamese not Lao and in her late 30s or early 40s..She would have remembered the Vietnam War..

Have a look at this girl..Her eyes tell me she has experienced too much beyond her young years..

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DAMphyne wrote in post #5741669
I agree about the greatness of the photo, once in a lifetime shot for some.
It doesn't appear to be a straw hat however, looks like bamboo to me.
That makes a BIG difference, I'm sure.

DAMphyne,,,you are right it is bamboo.. And she is Vientnamese and not Lao..

Thanx for your kind words..

Yes it is disheartening to see so much despair. But, on the flip side I bet youhave some pics of kids with contagious smiles that kids here wouldn't understand. Thanks for sharing.