Touched By the Evening Light, a photo from Bangkok, Central

Photographer's Note

Three days ago was a special day this week: it didn't rain. So, I headed out to a place that I always wanted to go to and take pictures: the Rajamangla Stadium. I know that every afternoon, there are throngs of people who do aerobic exercises there.

When I arrived there, I positioned myself on the side. I took shots after shots of the exercising crowd but was not very lucky to get a good one.

Then I spotted this beautiful Muslim woman sitting three meters away from me, also watching the exercisers. She was struck by the evening light very magically. Should I approach her and ask permission to take her picture? She was dressed very nicely and had car keys in her hands. Maybe she would get angry. Maybe she's waiting for her boyfriend. I didn't want to miss the opportunity. I didn't want a "no" answer. So, I might as well shoot. ..

I focused my camera to the exercisers, clicked and clicked, focused again close to her direction, clicked and clicked, focused even closer to her direction, clicked and clicked...and the rest was history. I took three shots of her and two turned out VERY well, by my own standard. So, here's the first.

I converted this into sepia, applied USM, adjusted curves, adjusted brightness and contrast, cloned out something in her palms, then framed.

I am posting the original, unretouched picture (only resized and framed) as a workshop.

henrye, weiphoto, Galeota, cgrindahl, cmartos, ChrisJ, carper, eleparc, jhonny_blue, Rhiannon, taivo, jhm, nwoehnl, elroyie, Rinie_Hoff, Curioso, hispic, pridel, aella, Michael, Wolbo, Albrecht, digi-mom, judhi, sheepyak ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

henrye (3500) 2004-06-18 2:30

Great black and white shot with fantastic light. Great composition too, I like the empty space on the right. Amazing expression you captured here!

baska (0) 2004-06-18 2:31

Good work!
beata

Zanni (6108) 2004-06-18 2:35

AN intense expression in a misterious B&W atmosphere. Atmosphere and lights remember me the film "The Big Sleep" with Humphrey Bogart". Great job, Manuel

[2]

iamxa (3103) 2004-06-18 2:39

Manuel, another excellent portrait. Perfect framed, perfect light, perfect focus. And very well the B&W for this one. Just congratulations for your eye.

maciekda (19895) 2004-06-18 2:39

this is a wonderful portrait Manny, tons of smileys for sure ;) beatiful expression, her look is absolutely special... great B&W. excellent compo too. i have nothing to nit pick here - it is a magical portrait

[2]

weiphoto (353) 2004-06-18 2:43

Superb portrait. Sharp, with good dof for the face. Love the sepia tone and general tonality. I like the tight cropping. What type of lens did you use?

Galeota (10352) 2004-06-18 2:44

The frame is completely filled in a well balanced composition. The quality of your portraits is undeniable and you don't have anything more to prove as far as the talent you have in managing all aspects of this type of photography.

The shallow DOF and the choice of the profile orientation for the subject is perfect to seize the light which caresses her cheek and upper lips.

Very good Manny. I love it.

[2]

airin (172) 2004-06-18 2:46

Great portrait, Manuel. BW is good choice. I like not only face but also her hand. Nice light.Well done!!!

olli (2091) 2004-06-18 2:54

Beautiful light and B&W tones with great tight framing and nice DOF really work in this image making it very beautiful and original. Bravo.

mamcg (7077) 2004-06-18 2:56

I spotted this beautiful Muslim woman, NO. only by putting a viel on ones head that could be not MARKED to any religion or sect till the conditions applied for and much to know about needed hence the shot is beautiful...

phampl (63) 2004-06-18 3:00 [Comment]

Show Comment [workshop] [compare]

cgrindahl (6113) 2004-06-18 3:28

Manny, you strike gold again. This image is stunning! I applaud your decision to opt for B/W, the color takes away from the gravitas of the image. Your composition is perfect as well with space before the woman who seems so deep in her thoughts, whether in meditation or simple reverie. You don't list your lens, which would interest me. The deeper I get into this subject, the more questions I have about technique and equipment. This is first rate.

cmartos (242) 2004-06-18 3:34

Manuel, I'll not use to much words here. Stunning, wonderful, a masterpiece! I love it.

ChrisJ (171366) 2004-06-18 3:39

Stunning b&w portrait. Very well done & great dof.

carper (96) 2004-06-18 3:42

Very good portrait here Manuel,
Yes this is good, well chosen for the black and white, great portrait, very good job.

eleparc (24063) 2004-06-18 3:42

ha ha!! shy manny!?? i understand this feeling... not knowing this was a nikon picture it would qualify for a leica shot IMO... the DOF is spot on and spectacular, colors (or i should better say, tones) are stunningly soft and perfect for me.. your trademark crop is ...trademarkedly Manny (= wow!). what can i add...? i wish i did it! ;-) lol

Darren (6823) 2004-06-18 3:48

It's beautiful Manny, really beautiful. Great lighting, introspective posture and good framing. I actually prefer the color version you posted, but it is great in monotone as well.

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-06-18 4:38

Wonderful picture Manny ! Very kind, very good light and a good girl expression !
Very weel done !

gufo (106) 2004-06-18 4:50

Simply beautiful!
What else is there to say?!!

Clochette (8076) 2004-06-18 4:54

Just a wonder, Manuel... Great framing, with a beautiful DOF. You captured here a kind of a mystic mood. In my opinion, one of your best portraits, congratulations.

Rhiannon (1728) 2004-06-18 5:24

Great portrait, perfect cropping, choice of B&W suits perfectly, wonderful light and expression.
Very interesting note!
Very impressive.

yesterday (9833) 2004-06-18 6:02

Very prof. Photo, Splendid work = PERFECT.

PTS later.........regards Kaj Nielsen

avigur_11 (22535) 2004-06-18 6:10

Wow, magic. The light and the contrast are superb. The eyes, the lipes are amazing. A great b/w masterpiece, Amnuel.

spence (65) 2004-06-18 8:01

Truly wonderful work Manny. Such grace and beauty. I love the b&w here, the tight crop, the off-centered composition, her pose and expression. Great job - I'm glad you were brave.

sengir (4956) 2004-06-18 8:14

beautiful, great shot. Good choice of converting into BW
phampl workshop works good with it

taivo (1843) 2004-06-18 9:14

Excellent portrait. Superb composition and dof to create that wonderful blurred background. It's nice to see a portrait from you in profile, instead of your usual trademarks of head-on. The lighting really brings out her beautiful face.

fredon (5052) 2004-06-18 10:49

What a nice B&W portrait. The DOF and light you capture give a strong mood to this portrait. The model is also very expressive. GReat work.

jhm (211734) 2004-06-18 11:50

Great portrait Manuel, great black and white shot with fantastic light. Amazing expression you captured here!

nwoehnl (122) 2004-06-18 12:40

It's perfect, Manny. The way the light enhances her beautiful face is magical, as is the sparkle that it creates in her eyes. I am genuinely impressed by the color version, too, and if that's the way you took it without any cropping I can only commend you for being at a point where you make the perfect framing in your camera already. Simply outstanding work.

elroyie (2750) 2004-06-18 14:51

Excellent picture!!!

The picture composed great I liked the B/W and the colour version as well, I think that in B/W it is more authentic, I think that the cropped version is too tyde and there is no place for her thoughts . . .

sunny (3069) 2004-06-18 15:57

She is a beauty, Manny! And this is a classical shot of a beauty! :-) Wonderful light indeed and perfect DOF, and positioning of the third. Go on keeping your eyes on alert mode - you are doing great shots!

Jeppe (18654) 2004-06-18 17:45

Yes Manuel - I can understand why this one (and your others as well) have got so many points. Very intensive portrait of this young woman - you created a very special atmosphere around her - the B&W helps you Congratulation.

Rinie_Hoff (9340) 2004-06-18 17:58

Hi Manny, this is unbelievable, I like it very much, you can very well see the details in her face,and it's a beautiful face too, and a very nice composition. I like the colour version jsut as much, I think, but I can't keep my eyes off her.
Stunning portrai, Manny. Congrats, and respect for your talent.

Curioso (9271) 2004-06-18 18:50

Really delicate light and beautiful picture. Well done Manny ! It's a wonder to see each of your picture day after day...

pridel (233) 2004-06-21 4:09

Manuel, je me suis absenté de Paris et à mon retour je découvre cette superbe photo. tout a déjà été dit, alors juste un mot : fantastic !!

Luko (14000) 2004-06-21 9:37

Very nice, maybe your best effort IMHO.
A more original framing than usual, halfway between your fashion face close ups and your more documentary kids portraits -a documentary portrait with a fashion twist?- the cropping creates all the dynamics and leaves plenty of room to share her thoughts.

Needless to say lighting is gorgeous and that your processing covers the whole range of greys fom white to deep black.

Midnight_sun (1941) 2004-07-04 7:09

A great portrait, there is a certain weight and balance to this shot which makes it very good. The look, and the position of the hand are very good, i love the light on her face. well done.

Porteplume (4036) 2004-09-04 9:00

Sometimes there are no words... Let me be silent and enjoying!

emralc (174) 2004-09-29 6:53 [Comment]

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jrzufferey (7305) 2004-11-01 2:51 [Comment]

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take (39) 2005-02-01 13:19

I like this photo's composition. Composition is good. And I like this woman's expression. Great!

smoothdude (266) 2005-02-01 22:17

Didn't know which picture to choose since you have so many great ones but this is definately a stunning picture. Keep up the excellent work.

Michael (277) 2005-05-04 8:56

Manny,

I'm sure you took the right decision doing the photo like this. you fixed a perfect and natural expression on her face.
She's really beautiful, with a a so nice and dramatic look. You did well controlled the light adjustments and the the B/W is the best choice to me.
I really like this photo - added to favorite...
thanks for sharing.

Michael

Svillegas (1169) 2006-01-18 8:45

Hi Manuel
Wonderful portrait, superb light, great composition and good use of the DOF
Sonia

schobi (187) 2006-03-09 12:28

Wonderful portrait! Great work, regards
Bernhard

Albrecht (11283) 2006-03-09 12:54

Hi Manuel
Wonderful portrait;very good use of natural light, compo,POV and DOF and the way of looking out of the picture.
Greetings Albrecht

Fotociclista (61) 2006-04-25 14:35

Eu diria apenas:
"Afinal a perfeição existe"
Luis

clarita (654) 2006-04-25 14:39 [Comment]

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snowfalken (1116) 2006-08-24 2:39

Just perfect!

Regards,
Eddie