How much covered is covered enough!

Thanks for comments.

Beautifully composed, well captured.

Very profound and rich.

Nice to look at.

regards

This is a terrific portrait but the contrast is weak; there really are no blacks, only deep grays. If this were a print, I would recommend you print it on the next highest grade of paper.

Thank you Scott for your comment, you are right but the picture is taken with a small camera and the tecnical data is as follows:

 

Camera Make: FUJIFILM

 

Camera Model: FinePix F70EXR

 

Exposure Time: 1/5.0 seconds

 

FNumber: 5.6

 

ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 800

 

MaxApertureValue: 3.2

MeteringMode: multi-segment

FocalLength: 50.0 mm

 

I know that the contrast and quality of the picture is not the best but the subject was so interesting for me that I couldn't leave it. However i really appreciate your attention.

 

Best regards Sadegh

I think the contrast is good. You do have black in the wrinkles of the burkas, and anyway, you don't always have to get ALL the tones in one picture to make it harmonious (even if technically it usually looks good). The black frame also helps in that matter.

 

I love your composition with the front woman leaning on the rail, making a diagonal. She seems lost in her thoughts.

 

What I also find very interesting is the fact that they are all looking in different directions (except one we don't see), making the shot dynamic, and adding to the theme of questioning, and introspection.

 

The only little detail I don't like is the upper left corner background. Making it white could unbalance the photo, losing the light gray tones reminicent of the rail. So I don't know...

 

This is an awesome shot, in execution & in substance. Congratulations & Cheers.

Audrey

This is a very original and excellent shot. The little girl's expression is very well captured. It is quite enigmatic as well. Congratulations.

Sadegh,The contrast can be easily fixed in post-processing.

And Audrey, yes you do have to have some areas with deep blacks in a black and white print. And the black frame does not count as blacks, and it also makes it more noticeable that there are no true blacks. If you were to print this in a darkroom, you would be printing to what is known as "maximum black". On a proof sheet, that is the exposure to where the sprocket holes in the film are just barely visible. That is the optimum exposure for that image. Now you may have to do some burning or dodging or boost or reduce the contrast depending on the image. If you printed this to maximum black, you would see that there are truly black (Zones I and II) in the image. And I only print on glossy surface paper, because it is impossible to get deep blacks on pearl or matte surface paper, regardless of exposure. Unlike color, black and white photos must convey mood using only shades of black and white. Without pure white and pure black somewhere in the photo, the print will look muddy or flat. There is not any black in the folds of their burkas, only dark grays. The darkest area in this photo is at most Zone III, though most of it is Zone IV, which is not black, it is dark gray. This image conveys a somber and reflective mood, and to convey that mood, means that means you must have blacks.

Very beautiful! I like it! Best regards, Ilkka

Thank each of you for your comments I do appreciate and value your input and encouragements! Warm regards

This is a very beautifull image. You have composed it with respect and care.

 

Tommy

It is a beautiful, evocative image. The sense of isolation in a crowd is palpable. The composition and tones are wonderful. Nicely done. Dan

I thought it was YOU - and yes! Also this one is a keeper! My eyes are walking between all of them. Real life shot, a piece of time you grabbed there! Congratulations!

A very beautiful photo, wherein eyes really say a lot. Kind regards, Marjolein

O mais importante, é que você capturou algo muito intenso, feminino, e enigmático! Todas as técnicas, são sem dúvida importantes para realçar ainda mais a beleza e força desta imagem. O fundo preto foi muito bem escolhido. Tornam Trabalhos desta natureza o mais photo.net interessante. Parabéns! Marianne

I burned her elbows and added a litte noise to her facial skin. Just an idea.

Sorry everybody, I still prefer the original. Marianne

I find the aesthetics of this image dominate technical issues that may exist. (And I don't have printing experience.) Great capture. David

Translating my message to you, Sadegh:

What matters is that you captured something very intense , feminine and mysterious! technics are importants to enhance more the beauty and strong of this image. I like very much the black background. Photos like yours, make the photo.net become more intresting. Congrat. for all your portfolio. Marianne

 

 

"I find the aesthetics of this image dominate technical issues that may exist. (And I don't have printing experience.) Great capture. David"

 

The two are hardly mutually exclusive. And perhaps if you actually had to print a black and white negative, especially a problem one, then you would know that. Try reading Ansel Adams' The Print, you might learn a thing or two from an undisputed master of his craft.

This debate is very interesting for me and I think everybody has an opinion about this image which I do respect and I think this is the reason to submit photo for critique and discussion in P.N.

As photographer, I have taken pictures since 1974 and have all the knowledge about the different techniques in printing B&W and color and I still have a darkroom and use it whenever I have time and this is one of my best hobby's. During these years I have never given my films to the labs for developing and printing and I have done it by my self . Now a days I use more the light room and work with all kind of normal and fine-art papers and I still study and wants to learn the new ideas and techniques to improve and make it better . For me this capture is a snapshot and I did not planed the story and I had a pocket camera for doing some tests and suddenly I noticed this group of Saudi woman's in the shopping mall and the young girl which was thinking deeply amoung them and I took series of shots leaning the camera on the handrail and this is the result and I know that if I had my MK 3 and one my L lenses I could take much better and richer capture from this subject.

 

So thank you all for your comments , advises and recommendations .

 

With the best regards

 

Sadegh

 

 

Your final statment is perfect, objective and sincere! What matters , is the instant you captured with a brilliant introspective expression in the woman's face.

Marianne