locals filling bags

locals hired to fill sand bags for bunkers,we paid them with C

rations,work for food,sex for food,anything you want for food,and

protection.these photos were taken with a Cannon Pelex slr 35mm

slide /50mm lens

I like what you are trying to do here Joe and that is photographically connect with the locals. You have a couple of things going against you in this photo though. First is the harsh light. This must have been a clear sunny day about noon or so. A polarizing filter might help a bit in a situation like this but ultimately there is not much you can do except wait for better light. Second, there is a good photo op here, but I think the composition could have been a bit better. The from-above-looking-down perspective is not too flattering and you have a lot of extra detail (the whole top half of the photo) that really does nothing to enhance your subject matter. Generally speaking if something doesn't enhance your intended subject it takes away from it. Maybe getting a bit lower, like eye-level with the locals, put yourself at their level, and a bit closer in, maybe focus on just one or two of them? As it is, you saw something that caught your eye and translated it into a photo, that is more of an achievement than most people give credit for. Keep it up.

I like the other picture in your gallery of locals filling bags better, but like most of your Vietnam photos, it could use some digital enhancement (high key).

i tried everything i could to make these Vietnam photos look better, but you can,t make chicken soup out of chicken shit. my excuse is when i took these photos thirthy seven years ago, i had never taken pictures before,and i had a complex camera i knew nothing about.

This one and your other Vietnam photos are no chicken shit. The less than perfect quality even contributes to the realism and atmosphere -- I guess this is what Vietnam was all about... Still I think a bit more contrast and sharpness might catch more viewers' interest to look closer.