Listening, a photo from San Pedro de Macoris, East

Photographer's Note

This man is listening to the 80 year old leader of a special group of people, the "Wild Indians". They continue practicing Taino native, African, Spanish, and other Caribbean island influenced dance, theater, music and performance traditions. The leader is being interviewed by a Dominican folklore historian. This man and others in the group were eager to share their knowledge with her, and let me take some photos of interesting things I don't think many people have seen. I was with them today recording the event, so more pictures and information will follow, I hope.

Ulises, Michael, Cuba-Junky oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

highpeak8 (139) 2005-04-30 0:57

wow, fantastic colours! this is wonderful!

tongapup (0) 2005-04-30 1:16

Truly amazing stuff. I love the texture here! It's wonderful! You've captured a very "real" moment, no posing here. The picture really draws me in -- I love the writing on the board behind him and the way you can see how the house is made, all the layers and staples and paint...

Nitpicks: The high contrast makes some things just a touch overexposed, like his pocket, but it also enhances the textures in the picture. The strange hookah-like thing coming into the bottom of the frame is distracting. But a very interesting picture and story. I look forward to more!

RandomCameraGuy (3071) 2005-04-30 1:33

Wow Herb, this is a very interesting documentary shot. Lovely colours and contrast (for the most part), and great sharpness. Nice mood here as he seems like a happy and friendly man that is aware of life's hardships.

Now about the contrast: I like it everywhere except where the whites are blown out. My question is, was this a result of PP or in-cam. If it's because of PP then what I usually do in these cases is do my contrast work on a separate layer. Then using the "magic wand" tool select the blown out bits then right-click, select "similar" feather that and then "cut" to a new layer. Now I reduce opacity on that until I get details back on the shot.

Hope this is helpful,

alex

[2] [workshop] [compare] +

duder (359) 2005-04-30 3:40

Excellent photo, the lighting is amazing, particularly on the man's face. The colors are very rich and provide a lot of interesting contrast. You have managed to capture a great expression and posture as well. Really just a very solid composition all around, down to the little details like the writing on the chalkboard inside.

MiguelP (14470) 2005-04-30 4:10

Very interesting photo and note, Herb. I travel very often to Dominican Republic (soon I´ll be there again) and I know you have achieved to portrait the other side of the this touristic place. Congratulations.

rbcy1974 (20758) 2005-04-30 5:03

Hi Herb,
Really nice portrait, I really like the colourfully rundown surroundings and his expressions.
Regards
Daniel

Ulises (1026) 2005-05-01 22:16

herb,
me gusta mucho la composicion de esta foto, aunque los reflejos de los lados y de la camisa de pudieran haber quitado, pero no vale la pena, ya que la cara perderia color. Cuando primero vi la foto lo que mas me impacto fue como captaste los colores de la cara, se ven tan nitidos y en el tono perfecto.

Personalmente me gusta tomarle fotos a las personas cuando no estan posando ni mirando la camara y parece que lograste esto. El hombre tiene una mirada fulminante con mucha fuerza. por su expresion se ve que ha pasado mucho trabajo y vivido una larga vida.

Tomaste la foto al hombre en su ambiente, pudiera asumir que es donde el vive. Del interior del hogar solo se ve algunas cosas, lo necesario.

Felicidades
ulises

Emile (20352) 2005-05-01 23:29

Muy buena foto Herb.
Excelente expresion del hombre en su habitat.
No conocia lo de " Wild Indians". Muy interesante.
La foto tiene muy buenos colores y un gran foco. Muy buena composicion. La parte superior de la puerta esta un poco quemada.

Michael (277) 2005-05-14 14:26

It's a wonderful picture, light and color are just perfect. i realy like the expression on the old man's face.
Congratulation !
Michael

coco (30439) 2005-06-16 4:36

Fantastic contrast, colours and composition. The man is very natural and the result is superb.

elBud (2237) 2006-02-06 17:08

hey, Herb, this is just one of the greatest pictures for me, here, in TE, great colors, great composition, great contrast, increiblemente buena, love that kind of pics...

Jeweller (4) 2006-04-28 7:53