Jaisalmer woman

I find this photo technically perfect. However, the more I look at it the more I am bothered by the dominating arm and the gaps between the fingers. There isn't enough information elsewhere for the eye to focus on, so the arm just steals my attention.

I agree that this isn't a compositionally perfect photo. I spotted this woman from a distance as we were wondering around Jaisalmer, looking for interesting people to photograph. I was attracted by the contrast between her bright red sari and the gold coloured wall behind her. We approached her, and I asked in my beginner's Hindi if she wouldn't mind having her photo taken. We were immediately surrounded by local children. Each of them wanted their own photo taken, and several kept getting in the way as I tried to photograph the woman (obviously the mother of some of the children). As we were about to take her photo, she immediately became self-conscious and raised her arm to cover her face. But she was smiling, and was obviously flattered that we wanted to photograph her in the first place. Maybe if my Hindi had been good enough I would have asked her to move her hand so I could get one shot of her face. But maybe I wouldn't have. Trying to get her to pose might have spoiled the moment. In any event, she would only let me take two photos of her. When I got home and looked at the slide on my light table, I was really pleased because I realized that I'd managed to capture something of her personality (more through luck than any skill on my part). I think a good portait photo should, above all else, reveal something about the subject. If you sometimes have to sacrifice perfect composition to get that, then maybe that's no bad thing.

 

nigel et al,

 

i respectfully disagree that this is a less-than-perfect composition. i find it extremely compelling, conveying a great deal of the woman's personality. the hand hiding her mouth betrays her shyness, while her smiling eyes reveal her pride and pleasure at the attention you're paying her by taking her photograph. my only suggestion would be to crop it so that her right wrist isn't showing at the bottom of the frame. a square composition might be nice.

 

the color, also, is incredible--really the reason color film exists.

 

i also enjoyed the rest of your portfolio. my only negative criticism is that some of the images--all of which you have posted full-frame--need to be cropped. "jaipur city palace 1," for instance, would be very effective as a square composition. "jaipur hal mahal" would look really nice in a 2.35:1 panavision aspect ratio. i'd just suggest playing around with cropping in general. good images can often be made great images with cropping.

 

best,

brad daly

 

 

This picture really captures the spirit of the moment. And yes, this is definitely what color film is created for.

 

Looking at a picture like this makes me want to travel again.....

I like the composition and the fact that her hand is hiding her expression. It just adds to the mystery of the shot.

 

I don't like Astia film, however. The more I see it, the more it looks muddy and yellow...to me. Of course this has nothing to do with your great shot...just my own personal bias.

bien à vous

Nice one. I'd love to have taken it myself. What more can I say...?

Could be my monitor, but the orange/magenta cast is a little strange. I recall that the stone walls in Jaisalmer are a more yellow/brown colour. I like some of other shots in your folder, in particular the "Jaisalmer man". Again, however, some of the colours are a little wild. I don't think that even Velvia could turn the Thar desert that shade of yellow.

Thanks so much, everyone, for all your comments on this photo.

 

It's been really great to receive the compliments of people who liked it. I also genuinely appreciate hearing from people who take a slightly different view from me (e.g. on composition or film choice). Both types of comments have inspired me to go out and take more photos, and hopefully it won't be too long before my next trip to India.

 

Finally, let me thank Phil and the people at Photo.net for creating this excellent resource.

 

A beautiful image. I feel a kinship with your subject, such humanity.

Nigel has captured the spirit of this woman. While some may say that her hand is too pronounced and covers her face, I say that underneath her hand is a wonderful smile. That "mysterious" element adds to the photo. A fine job, Nigel.

 

Jack

Terrific travel portrait. try cropping the image at the yellow thread on her hand. a square format would also look good/

I loved the way you could see in her eyes the hidden smile behind her fingers. Wonderful! I love it. Wonderful colors!

this is the picture that inspired me to go to jaipur. i went there last month and took a lot of pics at the world famous camel fair in pushkar. I have had mixed luck and i totally understand the interference when taking a pic. it makes it very challenging. hopefully one of my pics will appear here too.

shy woman,bold color...i can "see" her smile without seeing it..THIS is what photography is about..beautiful

I've been surfing this site as much as possible since I discovered it a few days ago - it's really great. This picture, of all, has touched me the most, and I seldom even like portraiture. She's really won me over in a heartbeat. I also have to say that I disagree about recropping... to me it would seem more confusing as to where that arm was coming from. And you wouldn't see a hint of that other arm crossing over her chest - if anything a bit more of that could be shown. Still, it's now a favorite. Not only am I inspired to travel, but inspired to look more closely at the people around me, and take a few pictures too. Thank you for capturing such personality.

 

I love this picture. This is what candid is all about. The gaps between her fingers - the hand in front of her face - this is what makes the picture so perfect! I am consumed by jealousy. I wish I had taken it!

One can identify her as a Rajasthani woman without being told. You have captured the traditions, customs and the tolerance in every part of the subject: glass bangles, covered face, stout fingers, eyes, and head covered with a sari. Great job.

I can make out this lady is smiling just by her eyes. A great photograph worth talking about.