Sun-screen? Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

While we were staying in the River Kwai Raft houses we took a raft trip down the river. Mostly there were longboats going too fast to enjoy the scenery, but the lazy speed of the rafts allowed us to enjoy the surroundings.

This was the ‘boatman’ from another raft. His bizarre outfit is nothing to do with traditional garb, but an effort to prevent the sun from darkening his skin. He was also one of the traditional dancers at the evening show at the raft houses, and was keen to keep his skin as pale as possible. He is from the Mon tribe originating from Myanmar and living in the Mon village above the raft houses.

ISO320, FL200mm

nazirbadar, carper, buscape, vasilpro, bona, Bluejeans, leo61, saxo042, Philippe, PixelTerror, cbrman, Graal, snunney, Wanda1, ktanska, subhendu_bagchi, Cricri, ChrisJ, plimrn, gunbud, besnard, InasiaJones, papagolf21, JCG, Longroute, Angshu, PaulVDV, danos, josepmarin, magalik, riclopes, batalay, gervaso ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

nazirbadar (219) 2009-09-24 9:03

Hello Kath,
The costume and the colors are the life of this picture.
Not to forget the stare of the boatman.
An excellently composed and presented image.
Excellent work.
Your useful note helped to understand the picture properly.
Regards
Nazir

carper (65234) 2009-09-24 9:34

looks me nice to have such a thing for carper fishing... fun.
Good portrait Kath, fine colors, good contrast, good photo job here, have a good evening.
regar jaap

buscape (3823) 2009-09-24 9:35

Hello Kath,
lovely portrait of this boatman with good explanation about his strange outfit. His vacant stare makes me curious about his thoughts and I love the combination of red and green in your picture. Well done.
Best wishes,
Helmut

yquem46 (8170) 2009-09-24 9:36

hi kath
excellent image quality, nice bokeh, colors of the lady's dress in harmony with those of the BG
Better with eye contact but ...
regards
patrick

bosskokoss (1880) 2009-09-24 9:56

Hello Kath. Very good portrait. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail. Regards Piotr.

vasilpro (9024) 2009-09-24 9:57

Hello Kath,
Excellent portrait, very nice vivid colors, beautiful photo. TFS!
Regards, Vasilis.

pajaran (3458) 2009-09-24 9:58

Pozdrav iz Cuprije.
Oci ...
Sta kriju i gde gledaju.
Odlicna fotografija sa dobrom preovladavajucom bojom i ostrinom snimka.
Prijatno vece, Paja.

bona (2393) 2009-09-24 9:59

Very beautiful portrait. The clothes color are very pretty and made a nice contrast with the bakground. The pink and green are colors of Mangueira a famous School of Samba from here.
thanks
andre

Bluejeans (32633) 2009-09-24 10:00

Ola Kath ,
Que retracto fantástico , lindos os detalhes da roupa e chapéu , boa luz e cores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

leo61 (43438) 2009-09-24 10:08

Hi Kath!
A good portrait with amazing contrast between the red cloth and hat and the wonderful blurred background.I löike too,the tight framing.
Regards,leo

CLODO (4390) 2009-09-24 11:00

hi Kath
he does not to have the swine flu!!
Well focused and good POV, gorgeous colours contrasting with the bokeh, from a professional phoytographer!
regards
CLODO

coco (27948) 2009-09-24 11:17

Hi Kath.

Superb work on this photo and also wonderful work with the DOF and exposure. We can see perfectly the eyes and all the details of this portrait.
And, as usual, a very good note too.

Regards.

saxo042 (15934) 2009-09-24 11:49

Hi Kath,
Really striking colours! The bluish red is excellent against the green background. Compositionwise this is also very good; the top of the hat is not only at the third, it also marks the top of a clear triangle with this person.
Kind regards
Gunnar

john1 (2211) 2009-09-24 12:17

Hi Kath,

Excellent portrait in traditional costume, no doubt.
The colors are well matched to the hat, I think.
It is indeed a beautiful evocation of the film that everybody knows.
Very beautiful light and clarity.
Good evening.
John

Philippe (11779) 2009-09-24 13:13

Hi, Kath. At first sight, I thought this was a woman. The delicate features and the colour of the hat and scarf maybe. Anyway it's a portrait with a good DOF and nice contrast between the vegetation in the background and the man's clothes.
Have a nice evening,
Philippe

PixelTerror (86358) 2009-09-24 13:35

Salaam Kath
Oh I was thinking about the latest fashion from Teheran... seeing it with european eyes I'd wonder about the private life of this "man", but it is Asia and it sure has another meaning ;-)
have a nice day JY

bostankorkulugu (33714) 2009-09-24 13:44

cant take my eyes off of the pink... even the hat is in pink... even too pink for a fisherman, lol... beautiful portrait dear...

fisher (494) 2009-09-24 14:53

great colours and sharpness , well taken
dessy.

cbrman (18939) 2009-09-24 22:10

Hello Kath,

De très belles couleurs accompagnent cette image. La tunique de cette personne est d'un couleur chatoyante qui attire le regard des la vignettes.
Joli portrait coloré.

A+

Dominique

Graal (58267) 2009-09-24 23:24

Hi Kath,
fine name - boatman. Amazing costume, nice portrait. I like the colours and DOF also. Pleasant Your remembrance from Thailand.
Gr., Aleksander

snunney (35088) 2009-09-25 1:32

Hello Kath,
A colourful and interesting garb. I am not sure how it would go down in Guildford ;-) The eyes are well captured and I like the tonal contrasts with the green background.

Wanda1 (11003) 2009-09-25 1:47

Hi Kath,
The bright pink against the dark green background is quite a contrast with one another. I do not think that any sun will be reaching his skin with this method of covering up. A great portrait with perfect use of DOF to blur out the background. I also like that you have chosen a horizontal format for this portrait and he is off centre in the frame. Great.
Regards
Wanda

ktanska (16641) 2009-09-25 3:33

Hi Kath,
Fashion of being pale, I had no idea of such on that region. A well working triangular composition with strong colours of red/purple and cool green.
Kari

BennyV (4803) 2009-09-25 4:30

Lovely shot of this boatman (looks a bit like a woman, though...) - I like the contrast between the artificial red of his outfit and the green backdrop. Maybe I would have liked it even more, if he'd been looking at us. Good crop.

Benny

subhendu_bagchi (3281) 2009-09-25 4:45

Namaste Kath,
a very well taken close up photo. The detail around her face is nice. Great focusing and framing. Nice pink dress and also the sun guard clothes. Depth and sharpness is outstanding here. Great job.
Have a nice time.
Subhendu

Cricri (43304) 2009-09-25 5:20

Hi Kath
Il est vrai que sans lire la note on se demande le pourquoi de son déguisement, très joli portrait bien mis en valeur par le DOF et le cadrage serré, belle note aussi
Friendship
cricri

ChrisJ (70351) 2009-09-25 7:28

Hi Kath

Yes, dark skinned people in Asia are relegated to the lower social pecking order. They're usually identified by the local populace as "poor uneducated farmers, & field workers". Not always true, of course. A strange mixture of a Vietnamese conical hat, & almost Muslim looking garb here. The pink colour is eyecatching. Good sharpness & framing as usual. Tfs!

mauro61 (15948) 2009-09-25 7:42

ciao Kath,
colore molto acceso che ben contrasta con lo sfondo e con il viso in ombra della donna.
Ottimo equilibrio nel dosaggio della luce.
buona serata
maurizio

darek1978 (11371) 2009-09-25 8:32

Hi Kath,
Very good portrait of this boatman with his typical clothes and hat. His hidden face, his eyes... it looks very nice. I also love the colours and the clarity of the shot. Well done!
Best regards,
Darek

UlfE (9040) 2009-09-25 11:20

Hi Kath,

A wonderful portrait. I am very impressed by your light management here. I is quite obvious that the lighting is quite strong, but it is perfectly exposed "under the hat". and the focus is really on the man's face. The blurred background is perfect. An excellent photo-job! TFS and have nice weekend!

Cheers,

Ulf

plimrn (19688) 2009-09-25 11:51

Hi Kath,
Your DOF of field is perfect, placing the fellow on the river while avoiding BG interference. I'm also very impressed with your light management; it is really difficult to get such good facial detail under a hat. Your note is also great because you were able to get the fellow's story.
HLJ, Pat

gilou530 (35422) 2009-09-25 12:07

salut kath
tu ne postes pas souvent de portrait, mais quand tu le fais tu le fais bien, un cadrage large parfait et un font idéal pour isoler le personnage
amitiés
gilbert

Dyerco (9176) 2009-09-25 12:22

Hi Kath
A very nice capture of this boatman in his colourful garb. Excellent DOF with his face being sharp against a blurred BG.
Phil

gunbud (27991) 2009-09-25 20:03

Hi Kath,
Wonderful shot from your far flung travels.
The color here really pops off the screen.
Love the intricate details to the traditional sun hat.
Regards, Tom

besnard (30868) 2009-09-25 22:48

Bonjour Kath
Un joli portrait de cette jeune femme tout en rose au regard perçant sous son chapeau conique.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

InasiaJones (20539) 2009-09-26 1:14

Hi Kath,

Whether it's an asian version of the burka or a flamingo ninja, this fellow won't go unnoticed!

It might seem an extreme measure to keep his pale skin, but just a bit less though than Wacko Jackson... :-P) Isn't it funny to think that so many white people are devoting there only two weeks of holiday per year to toast themselves on beaches, exactly to get a darker skin... LOLLL!

I think you've shot a very eye-catching subject and were quick to do so, considering you were both in a boat. Excellent complementary colours from the surrounding for a perfect background.

Have a nice weekend!

Andre

papagolf21 (56483) 2009-09-27 0:23

Bonsoir, mon amie Kath,
Il y a des photos de ce genre qui ravissent les yeux !
La beauté de ce portrait est manifeste. Les couleurs sont superbes et le cadrage parfaitement réalisé.
Bravo !
Amitiés.
Philippe

JCG (25531) 2009-09-27 6:15

Hello Kath,

Here is a person who will not have cancer of the skin !!! Hermetic costume which, indeed, is a genuine screen for the sun. In all the cases a quite pretty portrait, with a key of mystery. I like much the contrast of color with this green background. Thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

Longroute (9559) 2009-09-27 7:39

It's such a beautiful (and masterful) portrait!
The red garments against the green bg are really stunning!
The framing is perfect and very effective.
But, just a curiosity are you sure he was a man? Definitely she appears to be a woman by her features.

Best regards,
Donato

Angshu (33877) 2009-09-27 8:12

Hello Kath
You obviously did not ask him to pose for you since you were using the long end of the zoom. The colour of his dress is for sure, very eye catching. The DOF, blurs the BG, making him stand out. I still can't believe that he's a HE and not a she...the visible part of the face is so very feminine. Good portrait
Best Regards
Angshu

PaulVDV (5282) 2009-09-27 13:14

Hello Kath,
Beautiful portrait of this Mon boatman and great contrast between the red of his clothes and his hat with the green vegetation on the river bank.
Best regards, Paul

Waylim (10933) 2009-09-27 13:26

Hi Kath,
Wow, what a strong and bright colors this is. It sure is a bit strange consider it must be fairly hot out there and for him to wrap himself so tightly with what looks fairly heavy clothes. But that just show the determination of keeping himself from the sun. It is also very true in Asia, the paler you are the better, where in the Wester world we want to be tan and dark. Good portrait shot. Thanks
Way

danos (32812) 2009-09-28 1:55

Hi Kath,
a very nice and great portrait of this native boatman with his specific dress.The reddish colours contrast perfect with the blur but greenery foliage.Well done.

Have a nice week,Danos

josepmarin (33861) 2009-09-28 10:27

Hello Kath,
It is a great portrait of this boatman in a perfect close-up.
His look is very deep and direct, and I like the strong effect of his clothes of vivid colors and also his hat, which adds a splendid graphism to the composition.
A beautiful work, with a good informative note.
Best wishes,
Josep

TopGeo (21963) 2009-09-28 10:41

Hi Kath! Splendid picture the style of portrait and the frame impressive! Very beautiful colour of clothing and the form of hat...compliments
regards
Georgios

magalik (1370) 2009-09-28 13:43

Hello Kath,
You have fabulous photos in your gallery like this one. I'm really impressive !
I can't imagine we can improve this photo and have a better photo of this subject. Perfect one !
Beautiful quality, POV, sharpness, colors !
Great great shot !
Sincere congratulations.
Magali

riclopes (33043) 2009-09-30 7:09

Olá Kath, I thought he was a 'she'. It always intrigued me how orientals are so obcessed in protecting their skin from the sun. On the other side some almost naked tourists walk around like lobsters with their burned skin...
I chose this exotic portrait since it's not so usual to see local people in your gallery and I sure would be proud to have this one in my camera ;-) Interesting how two colors predominate here making a very nice contrast. Technically this is really good as expected. The zoom can often surprise even in unstable situations. Good thing you didn't catch the fast boat...
ric

marietom (32040) 2009-10-01 13:27

hello Kath,

Joli portrait, haut en couleurs !
Bonne soirée
Marie

batalay (21074) 2009-10-05 18:29

Hello Kath,

Remarkable outfit, a bit evocative of the Tuaregs of North Africa, in that it is usually the women in many societies that cover up their faces. The colors are vivid and the definition first rate. The title conjures up memories of that superb movie, 'Bridge on The River Kwai.

Warm regards,

Bulent

avene (11062) 2009-10-08 8:53

hi Kath,
this photo literally jumped at me, the combination of bright pink and purple and green in the background is fascinating. and look at the hat! such an intricate work, and such colours, I bet it would sell really well on 5th Avenue :) hard to believe this is not some theater costume, but simple vanity :)

best,
Kristine

macjake (2004) 2009-10-12 8:49

Hi Kath

splendid shot with bright rich colours.
very good sharpness in this portrait.
looking forward to seeing more!

Craig

jusninasirun (10211) 2009-10-14 4:43

Kodiang 2009

Hi Kath,

Details, colors and saturation is so perfect of this Thai lady. You have managed beautiful shallow focus leaving the background rather silenced in making this image really pops.

Great portrait and thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
Jusni

pattabe (415) 2009-10-15 2:02

dear Kath,
This is a very nice Photo, excellent combination, and beautiful rich of nice colors, great portrait shot, I like it very well.
I wish u all the best and make more great shots for Trekearth.
Regards Freddy,

travelm8 (260) 2009-10-21 7:00

Hi Kath

fabulous colours and a great portrait. As always the focus is perfect TFS

John

guillaumejm (9124) 2009-12-06 14:17

Hello kath
Great colours. I like the pink contrasting so well with background green. I like the focus setting keeping the back out of sharpnes.
Warm regards
JMarc

gervaso (5386) 2009-12-12 8:24

Hello, Kath!

Wonderful capture showing the typical clothes of the people, with beautiful strong colors and an excellent depth of field! Very good portrait of hers! Beautiful job!