Washa Umkhukhu, a photo from Manzini, Northwest

Photographer's Note

Bush Fire Festivel: The Swaziland International Festival of the Arts is the largest local performing arts festival and is hosted by the House on Fire venue. It focuses on acts from Africa, and is a massive fundraiser for Swazi youth charities.

The young woman in the photograph was part of a fashion show highlighting local designers.

As always, I was working without a flash so the contrast might be a little higher than some would prefer. I would welcome comments on the relatively high contrast I also introduced in post-production: my main aim was to reduce the background, which in the original image has fairly clear faces, to a more uniform black background. As part of that, the models head does tend to fade a little in to the background. I thought the trade off was worthwhile, since the focus for me is on he beautiful lines of her back, arms and the dress she is wearing - but I would welcome your opinion.

Washa Umkhukhu is seSwati (Swazi) for 'The Fire is Burning' - the House on Fire venue incorporate it in to their logo - but in the context of this photo it seemed to me to be a title which spread wider ripples than just naming the shot after the venue.

RhodieIke, delpeoples, maloutim, dino94, kato, kato ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

Juzo (2151) 2011-10-28 6:54

Hi Iain,
Pure elegance, she has such an amazing posture, her stance is confident, proud. I like the fact she is facing away, it shows us the shape and adds some mystery to the elegance,
Cheers
Justin

m (0) 2011-10-28 13:33

Hi Iain,

It's interesting to know that women in Swaziland are not indifferent to fashion and look great on the catwalk:) This scarlet dress sets off the wonderful curves of her dark spine so beautifully. And I like the way her head blends with the background making the white plaits stand out. Great shot, thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
Marina

RhodieIke (11752) 2011-10-28 21:59

Hi Iain, Wow, this is a great photo full of vibrant colours, very unexpected to see in this country, but I supose most countries have modern fashion shows, great how you have captured her fading into the Bg, Well done, Tfs, Cheers Iain.

delpeoples (60342) 2011-10-28 23:57

Hi Iain

Gawd what a fox! Whilst I prefer the fellas I must say this woman has an amazing figure, so sleek and streamlined. What would this look like in B&W do you reckon? Yeah there's a little noise, shooting at ISO 3200 and a focal length of 105mm there'd have to be. But you took a great shot and I like alot that she's facing away from us. Although, the front's probably just as good as the back :)

Thanks for sharing, I'm so excited to have you - and your photos and good humour - back.

Cheers
Lisa

gmg (4202) 2011-10-29 2:11

Beautiful shot, well captured light

gmg

maloutim (13617) 2011-10-29 4:00

Hello Iain,
Welcome back to TE !
This is a stunning back portrait ! I think you have acieved your goal beautifully ! I like the strong contrast between the bright dress and head-dress, the dak skin and even darker background. Sha has nothing to envy Pippa Middleton :)) figurewise at least.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend.
Marie-Louise.
PS. About your tango photos, I recommend Joel's gallery (jlbrthnn)

Glint (6171) 2011-11-09 18:06

Hello Iain,
I think you made thew right decision in concentrating the attention on the lines of the model'sback.The lines are beautiful and elegant and oh how I envy her her youth and slimness!There is almost a fragility in this beauty.Her slender lines seem somehow childlike. As a woman I can say that but I suppose men will think differently.The scoop of her dress at the back and her headband help compose the photo.
Bev

Atousa (7131) 2011-11-12 4:52

Salam Iain,

This is a great shot n I really like its strong contrast n also its attractive color composition.. very well framed n captured.. tfs
Best regards, Atousa

dino94 (822) 2011-11-20 6:53

Hello Iain,

a beautiful photograph, all in elegance and femininity. The difficult exposure is well controlled, and the pretty model keeps all its mystery, while revealing us elegantly its forms, underlined by the dresses pink.

Cordially, Dino.

aliabazari (21197) 2012-02-19 21:24

Hi Iain
I've seen your gallery. Seeing double pleasure for me to re-create your gallery.
This portrait is pretty enjoyable for me. Warm colors used in it is stunning.
Congratulate you for creating this beautiful picture.

danyy (0) 2012-02-24 4:45

Bonjour Iain,
une galerie de photos où on voit un peu d tout, y compris ce genre de photo techniquement difficile sur le plan de la capture des lumières. On ne sait si dans le dos, il s'git du grain de la peau, où alors de bruit dus à la sensibilité du capteur.
Mes compliments.
Daniel.

kato (11630) 2012-02-27 17:45

Hello Lain,

You're managing this photograph by a good color control and contrast, so it's interesting and impressive to see the color contrast of the red dress of model and black background. It's impressive in her slim/elegant line and white hair band, too.

Kind regards,
mikio

gus72 (3719) 2012-02-29 10:40

Hi Iain !!!! welcome back...... I look forward to see your photos from Africa.
I agree with your comments...... it was good to eliminate some faces in the audience but a bit of a pity that there is little definition of her head.
anyway..... it is a stunning image
well done
Gus

ruisc_pt (11584) 2012-03-08 14:49

Iain..
Hello Hello
Eu sei que me entenderás em Português....
Já estive na suazilândia por diversas vezes há longos anos...
Estou ansioso por vere as tuas fotos que serão maravilhosas.
Um abraço
Rui

jmdias (114220) 2012-03-13 16:02

iain

very beautiful the colors here. I liked the framing of the image and the shapes of different colors, the woman added interest and life to the compo. TFS.

hugs

jorge