Photographer's Note
Inside the chapel in a H'mong village, I have to contend with the very low amount of light. However, the enthusiasm and spirit of the villagers there, happy that we came to visit them and attend the holy mass with them, lit up the whole place.
I took a picture of this woman who, upon asking her, is only 34 years old. She's a beauty. She has the look of power and determination. When I asked her if I could take her picture, she wilingly obliged. She didn't bat an eyelas for almst a minute. I am truly grateful.
(auto-adjustments, use shadow/highlight to make it brighter. I do keep the lement of low lighting though for a more solemn effect.)
Critiques | Translate
eelliott305
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(776) 2004-03-13 21:55
Hello Manuel, this is just a wonderful photo, surely one of your best. This woman`s face tells a story of a tough life. hard to believe she can be only 34. You have overcome any difficulty of low light and produced a gem.
ianmcall
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(1213) 2004-03-13 21:57
She certainly didn't bat an eye! You have done really well in making the subjects comfortable and getting their eyes really involved; many people tend to look at least a little away from the lens. I like this strong determined gaze.
34!!! What a hard life!
I like the blurred figure watching the photo session without knowingly being involved.
spence
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(65) 2004-03-13 22:09
This is quite wonderful - what strength in this woman's face. I'm constantly amazed by your photographs - you capture the character and depth of your subjects consistently and create portraits that are moving works of art. Congratulations.
maciekda
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1777 W: 191 N: 1408]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(19895) 2004-03-13 22:29
it is a very nice portrait, great expression, very sharp, shallow DOF - I really like this blurred figure in the background. colors are special, very warm. I am not sure, maybe it is my LCD screen, but I see that colors are bit greenish - I can see that especially on woman's hair and around her eyes, I'd try to balance the colors a bit, but maybe it is my LCD...
anyway, it is a very good portrait
Darren
(6823) 2004-03-13 23:33
Very nice Manny. For me what really separates this shot from many is the blurred figure in the background, it really gives more mystery to the shot. I think Maciek is right about the green shift though. Perhaps the camera's white balance was fooled slightly? (your brother's D100?). Very expressive and I think just the right amount of sharpness.
avigur_11
(22541) 2004-03-14 6:56
This is a very good portrait. Manny. despite the bad light conditionsyou managed a very sharp and clear shot, and you got an excellent DOF. Very interesting face, she looks very determined, indeed, such a strong woman. Very well done.
nwoehnl
(122) 2004-03-14 9:30
A very evocative portrait, Manny. A beautiful and strong personality, and there is a sparkle in her eyes. And 34, gosh, what a life she must have had so far. I think you pulled the utmost out of the light conditions here. Well done.
jrj
(34843) 2004-03-14 9:40
A very good portrait of this women Manny. for me the light conditions works very well and underlines the fine structure and details of the womans face.
eleparc
(24063) 2004-03-14 16:37
As usual a GREAT portrait from manny! DOF is overwhelming, colors are soft, yet present, the light is also very tender and gives a special atmosphere. It goes direct into my favorites manny! no words to say what I feel... And cropping is breath taking as usual.. You are becoming a standard for me now in the way you crop your photos... I just love it! GRAND BRAVO! BIS please. 2 points is not enough for that one! Just one question: use of a tripod? or just by hand?
Jeppe
(18654) 2004-03-14 17:35
Very fine portrait of this young woman - I would have guessed her to over 50 ;-) but life must have been hard for her.
I like the light/shadow and the person as background - very good work Manuel.
dsidwell
(9783) 2004-03-14 21:26
This is a no-nonsense woman, that's for sure. Very well done. I like the blurry figure in the background. Composition works very effectively to portray the woman AND her world.
sunny
(3069) 2004-03-15 8:40
Very strong portrait Manny! Seems her hard life has left these deep traces on her face, but she obviously is a survivor. The scarce light brings more impact on her face and the blurred background with the figure emphasizes the strong feeling..Excellent again!
karin
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 17 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(175) 2004-03-15 22:33
I look at the blur and I am moved. Good composition and colours. The lighting is certainly minimal but it was used to tell a story.
Luko
(14000) 2004-03-18 5:22
A portrait I like because the background is as enticing as the portrait itself.
It can work together as a story : one can imagine the blurred character in the background like a product of her sole imagination, coming from reminiscing her youth.
I also like very the low key and general warmth oozing out of this shot.
mikhalych
(1319) 2004-03-29 11:17
If she really IS 34, then her life IS very hard, and it reflexes in her wise and slightly tired eyes.
It's great that she was lighted from behind.
Good work!
amitai
(879) 2004-04-10 3:06
I am surprised this picture got relatively low points compare to other picture of yours.
This is by far one of your better shots. Lighting is perfect and the figure behind makes it a mysteraious picture. Who's the other person, why is he standing there like a bodyguard? I like this picture a lot.
Ning
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(359) 2005-04-12 21:40
Another excellent photo, as usual.
This can be entered into National Geographic, although I can't really believe she is only 34. (She may be using a different calendar,;-).
Photo Information
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Copyright: Manuel Librodo (manny)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2483 W: 86 N: 4070]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(22032) - Genre: Άνθρωποι
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2004-03-05
- Categories: Καθημερινότητα
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Οδοιπορικό: Community Service in Nan, Thailand
- Θέμα(τα): Life in Hmong Village (Nan, Thailand) [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2004-03-13 21:34
- Αγαπημένα: 2 [view]
