Watermelon Smile in Water, a photo from Batangas, Southern Tagalog

Photographer's Note

We wnet to Punta Fuego, a beach resort in Batangas yesterday. I spent most fo my time prowling the beach for interesting photographs and I was so blessed with many willing "models". The Filipinos, young and old, are some of the world's most passionate people and it shows on how much they enjoy being photographed. They are not acting; they are just natural. I saw these two boys swimming and eating watermelons at the same time. When I asked them to look at me and smile, they never hesitated. (I am also posting another similar shot of them).

Auto-adjustments, unsharp mask.

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Critiques | Translate

martin (1242) 2004-01-03 5:25

A good shot, Manny. The children are clearly enjoying both their watermelons and being photographed. What makes this for me is the eye contact between them.

Rockyboy (20598) 2004-01-03 5:30

Here, I don't have the weather to eat a watermelon in the water and it is nice to see your picture. They seems both very accomplice. Well framed and nice colours. Well done!

nwoehnl (122) 2004-01-03 5:33

Another example of the great rapport you seem to be having with children. A wonderfully relaxed, joyful and natural atmosphere, and I like how the watermelons add this colorful detail. The shot you posted as a workshop is also very good - in that one they seem almost finished with their watermelons. Always a joy seeing your shots, Manny.

Mireille (2604) 2004-01-03 5:47

Quelle complicité dans ces regards, la pose des enfants est originale, le tout très bien cadré. Well done !

clodreno (0) 2004-01-03 5:53

Nice shot Manuel. I share Mireill's comment. Thsoe kids are having a lot of fun.I like the way the one on the right is looking at the other one..

AdiAdar (2500) 2004-01-03 6:59

very cute. one of those who makes you happy

karin (175) 2004-01-03 7:09

Another of my favorites. Very candid expression bt most of all, I am impressed by how you can make them act natural in front of the camera.

avigur_11 (22553) 2004-01-03 8:15

Wow, what a fun. one of my first memories is eating a watermelon at the beach. For children it's an absolute adventure.
You really got a good eye for children, Manuel. A very very good shot. Excellent!

jrj (34843) 2004-01-03 10:04

Fine shot, great combination/variation of "water" related topics. Good job Manuel

Ebbe (9625) 2004-01-03 12:10

A fantastic child picture again Manny! The little extra to make this a great one is that contact between the two, I wonder what they are planning. Very very well done!

dsidwell (9783) 2004-01-04 1:35

Happy kids! The blown out whites in the back seem to parallel their feelings, so I find it very appropriate and well used. This image makes me want to eat a watermelon!

zto (268) 2004-01-04 4:43

I love the eye contact between the children. It looks like there up to something :) Compo is good, as always but part of the photo is a bit overexposed. As usual, you have manges to catch a nice moment with your camera.

Motrem (2392) 2004-01-04 16:40

The enjoyment is read in faces, the image well consists and colours are very beautiful.
La joie se lit dans les visages, l'image est bien composée et les couleurs sont très belles.

joseelias (0) 2004-01-06 4:54

Very nice portrait with a spontaneous look.

Because the water has a overexposed look I think it would work well here the Color/BW technique. I.E. the children would keep the color while the water was turned into BW. The softer grey tones would enhance the children and give soft extra details to the water.
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Only now I've sen the other photo. It's very nice and I prefer it to this one. I think you could have posted as a regular photo. You still can...

roshangar (1682) 2004-01-13 7:24

wooooooooow!I love this pic very much!You couli capture their mood!

maciekda (19895) 2004-02-04 2:17

what a nice scene, we can see pure happines on their faces. I like the compostion here with the wood in the upper corner and boys on both sides.. the only nitpick I can find is the water in the background which .is a bit overexposed. anyway, very nice picture