Portraits of Mauritania 3, a photo from Adrar, North

Photographer's Note

I guess these two mauritanians girls are sisters.

We spent some time with them in their house speaking about life and drinking tea. They were especially interested by our 3-years old daughter, as little women they are. Finally they asked me to take a picture and they manage with this sweet and quiet attitude.
I had to be very fast (as they were) , I just realized I should avoid the flash and increase ISO (at 320). Then, I shot at 1/30 which was risky with that heavy 30D camera. Few seconds after they were moving and surfing around again, as the teens they are.

Mauritania has been spotted by media recently due to these 2 terrible murders. We were in Mauritania at that period and basically, Mauritanians were as shocked as us, understanding very well the consequences of such crimes, at an international level. All the mauritanians that we met were smiling, nice and honest, practising Islam in a very balanced way. These girls are as sweet as all the people we met. This is a point I wanted to stress.

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Autres : photos de Mauritanie
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sevy, brandstaetter, daddo, SamB oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

batalay (41261) 2008-01-06 2:17

Hello Geraldine,

What a sensitive and incisive portrait of the two young girls. The composition, perspective, colors and resolution are exquisite. I am happy to meet another scientist (I am a theoretical physicist), and I am not surprised that you combine your skills of observation with your photographic art.

Warm regards,

Bulent

devimeuxbe (58557) 2008-01-06 2:21

Bonjour Geraldine
C'est vraiment un trčs beau portrait, tout en sensibilité. LA lumičre intérieure est trčs bien gérée; Les couleurs sont soft.
Une trčs belle image vraimeent
Bon dimanche
Bertrand

brandstaetter (15915) 2008-01-06 2:27

Hi Geraldine,

a very good portrait in a soft light. Thanks also for your note. I always believed that´s like this.
Cheers from Austria, Chris

sevy (58) 2008-01-06 2:28

Bonjour,

Apparemment, je ne suis pas tout seul a passer le temps sur internet en raison de cette tres belle meteo :-(
J avais prevu une petite sortie de ski de rando, mais finalement, ce matin, je suis retourne me coucher.
J aime beaucoup le rendu tres doux de ce portrait: a la fois par l attitude des filles et par la lumiere enveloppante. La photo est plutot nette pour une photo prise a 1/30.
Je pense que tu aurais pu monter au double en sensibilite. Jusqu a 400 iso, l impact sur la qualite d image n est pas vraiment sensible et entre 400 et 800 iso sur le 30D, la montee du bruit est tres raisonnable.
A 640 iso, tu aurais double la vitesse et ainsi assurer un peu plus ce portrait. Ceci dit, cette photo est nette, mais pour la prochaine fois, n hesite pas quand c est necessaire a monter un peu plus en sensibilite.

Bon dimanche,

Yves.

daddo (28728) 2008-01-06 2:30

Hi Geraldine.Beautiful work. The girls look both inquisitive and self assured. The colours are most appealing and the light is superb, reflecting in the eyes and accentuating the skin tone.I like the tilt of the heads.Regards. Klaudio.

wolf38 (30) 2008-01-06 2:42

Hello Geraldine. A successful and beautiful Doppelportrait. Also the traditional clothes of the two girls are worth seeing. Exemplary also the informative text. Best regards, Wolfgang.

gabrielpat (7163) 2008-01-06 4:00

Salut Géraldine,
une belle photo.tu as fait comme tu pouvais. et c'est réussi.l'autofocus s'est fait sur la joue de la femme,laissant un peu de flou sur la jeune fillette.amicalement.

[workshop] [compare]

SamB (1948) 2008-01-06 20:35

Hello, Geraldine--
This is a great piece, very sensitive portraiture. You handled the lighting very well, also. The note is informative and useful, also, and i appreciate the sensitivity in the manner in which this picture was taken.
Thanks!
sam

faubry (35447) 2008-01-07 1:02

bonjour Geraldine, tu as raison les Mauritaniens sont des gens pacifiques aui ne posent pas de probrs particuliers, mais cet horrible crime fait peur , et c est justifiable, j ai un projet en cours mais je ne puis donner suite en ce moment les donateurs vont crier et refuser, quel dommage, le monde est fou... un beau double portrait.es tu alleea Tenouarchett??? nous y avons creuse un puits pres de l ecole, et si tu descends tu vas pres de Mederdra, a Oumeneyhij egalement puits et ecoles.. voila , a tres bientot
francine

smarcell (19965) 2008-01-14 1:03

Your gallery has many beautiful portraits.
I like this one. The smile of the lady is very sweet. The light is perfect too.
REgards Stefano