Poetry in Motion Blur, a photo from Bali, Nusa Tenggara

Photographer's Note

Legong Dance performance in the courtyard of Ancak Saji Ubud Palace built in the 16th century.

It took me quite a while to decide whether I post this picture. The reason is nothing else but the very evident motion blur/effect in this close-up shot of a Legong dancer. But then motion blur is a part of capturing dance scenes with dancers performing rapid movements, isnt it? So after a lot of deliberation, Ive decided to go ahead with posting this photo.

The dancer was performing the highly stylized Legong Kraton which enacts a drama of a most purified and abstract kind. The story is performed ' by three dancers: the condong, a female attendant of the court, and two identically dressed legongs (dancers), who adopt the roles of royal persons. I liked the expression in her eyes in this freeze-frame.

Gorgeous costumes of the dancers and an array of eye, shoulder, hand, head, hip, and foot movements dazzled us. No part of the costume or the dancer is wasted.

Flowers jiggle...Balls swing....
Materials sway....Eyes dart....
Fingers part.....And the feet arch and curl.

In a WS, I have desaturated the picture (in Picassa) just as a variation & posted the B&W version. I personally like the colours here which made me post the original version as the main post.

Although I liked this effect (motion blur), I am not sure whether it will appeal to you. If not, please do say so!

Any comments whether negative or positive would be highly appreciated.

Focal Length : 296 mm
ISO 200

Footnote: I was surprised to find about a film called "Legong: Dance of the Virgins". It was one of the last feature films shot using the two-strip Technicolor process in 1935. An American exploitation film (of a type often referred to as a "goona-goona epic"), it was produced and directed by Henry de la Falaise for his wife Constance Bennett's Bennett Pictures Corp., and was filmed entirely on location in Bali in 1933 using an all Balinese cast.

siolaw, ndb1958, sabyasachi1212, plimrn, ChrisJ, pablominto, arnabchat, papagolf21, Gerrit, chrisnet, pierrefonds, kermit350, jhm, josepmarin, cunejo200, emjleclercq, TeresaT, riclopes, tcht, john_c, cjmm, zeca, sayat, zips oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

siolaw (38294) 2006-08-31 23:50

Hi Angshuman,
Fine capture of that dancer's expression with great framing,, good colors, the two blurred red things on her hat indicating head movement ... A good compo
Well done
Laurent

moxon (78) 2006-08-31 23:54

Hi Angshu, This is a very striking performance shot--you've caught her at a very dramatic moment with outstretched fingers and intense looking eyes. Definitely prefer the colour version and I think you've got the right amount of blur, just enough to suggest motion but still keeping things relatively sharp. Well done!

ndb1958 (9289) 2006-09-01 0:15

Hi Angshu,
a great image of the dancing scene. I like the typical Balinese Dance expression on her face and even of her hand.
Interesting note and footnote.
Nino

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2006-09-01 0:20

Hi Angshu,
I can understand your dilemma, the motion blur is very obvious but as you rightly said its part and parcel of capturing events like this. But once you are through with that, the colours draw you like a magnet. The costume is extremely attractive and her pose and expression through her eyes just perfect. The B&W is a 'no-no' for me.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

plimrn (21344) 2006-09-01 0:49

Hi Angshu,
People work hard to achieve a motion blur, and this one is good, as moxon says, "right amount of blur, just enough to suggest motion but still keeping things relatively sharp." The dancer's expression is priceless, the color excellent and the note exceptionally interesting.
Regards, Pat

ChrisJ (171302) 2006-09-01 0:52

Hi Angshuman

Good portrait of the Balinese dancer with excellEnt colour & sharpness. I like the warm colours. Congratulations!

pablominto (53746) 2006-09-01 1:01

Hello Angshu,
Great framing, my friend... And you capture her pose in the exact right moment!
Strong vivid colours, great details in costume and expression...
Well composed and all oer well done!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Graal (103040) 2006-09-01 2:16

Hi Angshuman,
very nice portrait, good captured pose and stopped motion. I like the colours also. Good shot.
Gr., Aleksander

hay_kes (31439) 2006-09-01 2:46

Hi Angshuman,
Exellent picture.Beautiful portrait.
Well done.
Regards.

hAyAti

yanseiler (20) 2006-09-01 3:38

Hi Angshuman, despite the high noise, I like the moment that you have captured, nice saturated colors, you should have a look at the Neatimage software for removing the noise.
Kindly
Yan

berek (50518) 2006-09-01 3:41

Hi Angshuman,
yes you are right I made a mistake. sorry.. I did all my comment quickly sometimes ...like this.

I like this traditional portrait my friend. good colors and beautiful face expirations. have a great day from the Istanbul.
Burak
my overall evaluation -> :-))
smile later

papagolf21 (152605) 2006-09-01 4:04

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Comment résister ŕ une pareille photographie, mon ami Angshu.
Toute la beauté féminine est transcrite ŕ travers cette photographie, ainsi que l'élégance et la douceur.
Une trčs belle prise de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe

markstaples (15670) 2006-09-01 4:57

Great title and I do like the blur as it does show movement. Nice bold colours and nicely captured expression. I like your framing too. Well done.
Best wishes
Mark

blakitan (1311) 2006-09-01 5:33 [Comment]

Show Comment

Gerrit (62042) 2006-09-01 5:56

Fine expression you captured here Anshu,
good colours too.
Regards, Gerrit

feather (51130) 2006-09-01 6:05

You were right to post this wonderful image; her pose and facial expression are fantastic. The motion blur doesn't bother me, but maybe National Geographic won't be in touch :). Neither is the noise too apparent, but if you are not satisfied have you tried selecting the background and just treating that with neat image? Definitely the colour version is the best but then I would say that.
Kath

chrisnet (23062) 2006-09-01 6:06

Hello Angshuman,
Fine capture here,I like the expression of that woman dancer,it's a typical scene very well composed.Well done.
Regards
Christian

osse (2808) 2006-09-01 7:08

Hi Angshuman
Good portrait shot. Good colours, sharpnes, light and POV.
Well done

osse

pierrefonds (113656) 2006-09-01 7:34

Hi Angshuman,

A good portrait of this Legong dancer, the photographer captured well the expression given by the dancer. A lot of details can be seen. The photo has a very good composition and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

starky (1616) 2006-09-01 7:54

Hi Angshu.Beautiful girl with rich spectre of colours.
Regards, Bosko.

kermit350 (9016) 2006-09-01 8:57

Hello Angshu, Beautiful portrait, framing is tight that makes it possible this to concentrate on the character, the artistic expression is sensational, the fuzzy one too is not disturbing in this case Ci, sincerely

francbois (480) 2006-09-01 9:28

Hi Angshuman,
You can believe I'd have not wavered for more than a couple of minutes before posting; but I'm far from owning a stock of magnificent pics...as yours;-)
But to critique; I know with such long focal you couldn't point to the eyes, but here it's the flaw of the whole motion blur. Especially since the eyes are so catching, they are worth catching... but it's not a thing you could achieve as a spectator.
The framing is very intimate, and in spite of the pervading move, it's moving to feel so close to the dancer... enthralling!
Great portraiture, given the conditions.
Regards, F'

sergio1 (12152) 2006-09-01 11:08

Wooow

Exotic portrait to this pretty women. I like the colours ans dinamism.
Good pov and idea.
Sergio
Have a nice weekend

Budapestman (82620) 2006-09-01 11:34

Dear Angshu!
Fascinating and spectacular moment! Fantastic impression and excellent realization! Wonderful and very expressive details! Superb cut and compositon! Great shot!
Thank you, nice days
George

sayan (2617) 2006-09-01 11:40

Hello Amgshuman da,
Wonderful compo. What catches me are the eyes. Very expressive one. The softness in the composition is ok to me. The motion blur really creates poetry here.
Best regards,
Sayan

prezntime (3946) 2006-09-01 11:54

Hello Angshuman.
I personally like the blurred effect. To show movement in a photo recreates the moment and adds great depth to the picture, and the experience of the viewer is heightened. Great colors and a wonderful expression on her face.
Well done, good decision to post.
Regards,
Chris

jhm (211734) 2006-09-01 12:34

Hi Angshu,

The face together with eyes are wonderful, also the expression with the hand and fingers are very nice, lighting and colours are very well, thanks for sharing.

Have a nice weekend,
John

josepmarin (59385) 2006-09-01 12:45

Hi Angshuman,
I think that your capture is fantastic, indeed it is the movement of the dancer which attracts of this photo. Its glance, the movement of its hand, all it indicates the action to us of the moment, that you have immortalized with very good criterion.
I like this photo.
Regards,
Josep

prumod (8300) 2006-09-01 12:53

hi angshu
your pp is really worth here... charming colors with dancing beauty... nice capture...
regards
pramod

cunejo200 (7281) 2006-09-01 13:09

Hi Angshu,
Indeed the movement of Legong dances can be classified as a poetry in motion. Such expressive eyes and delicate fingers. A very good job. Best wishes.
Danilo

emjleclercq (15778) 2006-09-01 14:59

I think the motion blur is all right since it is not very signigficant. The picture is sharp enough to catch all the nice details, bt the blur adds a nice touch of life in the image, showing this is not a paused portrait but an action (slow action) shot.

All the best,

Emmanuel

TeresaT (10806) 2006-09-01 17:44

Hello Angshuman,
Great portrait of this dancer.
I like the expression on her face.
The motion blur works fine here.
amazing vibrant colours and perfect details fo the crown.
Regards
Teresa

simplyoga (6506) 2006-09-01 20:51

Hi Angshu,
Good shot of this dancer..
Nice colours as well.
Thanks for the note too.
PEACE,
Yoga

Stepan (27210) 2006-09-02 3:22

The blur is OK here. It even provides energy, move that fit well ti the purpose. You had a perfect moment for the eyes of the dancer. Well done, I suppose in hard conditions.
Stéphane

jinju (14265) 2006-09-02 6:19

Hey Angshu,

somewhere in my gallery is a shot of a Cambodian dancer. This one could be a good compliment to that:) The colors are great. The focus is a bit soft probably due to the slow shutter speed and her movement. This is where a DSLR with a fast lens would really come in handy. What I like is the framing getting that expfessive hand in the shot. The eyes and that hand are my favorite details here.

riclopes (35577) 2006-09-02 7:17

Olá Angshu, quite an interesting post with a wide range of interesting written things, to read and learn, begining with your excellent note, as usual. I love motion blur effects and I think that this one is quite acceptable, even for the "sharp maniacs". But what makes this a magnificent capture is the expressive pose. I totally agree with Rafal - that hand and those eyes are the best here. I'm a color person and I prefer this version, but I got positively surprised with the b/w option. For me, there's no noise at all here. At least it isn't noticeble enough to be disturbed. You shouldn't hesitate in posting this great capture.
Friendly regards,
Ricardo

tcht (7565) 2006-09-02 10:59

Hi Angshu
Yes I like this, even though I normally wouldn't like blurry images. But the softness here is at the correct amount, not too much and not too less. Good shot, I enjoy the colors ;)
Cheers,
CheukHin

rosaline (0) 2006-09-03 3:28

Hi Angshu
Good capture with a quite expressive and emotional gesture on the lady's face. The pose is captured at a decisive moment. The motion blur is obvious but still not over done. Nice colouring and exposure. For me the direction and emotion in the eyes is what makes the picture. Powerful work. Well done.
Aubrey

capthaddock (28790) 2006-09-03 3:33

Hi Angshu - good timing, I like the combination of sharp and blurry, I wish the fingers were not cut off.

jafadabret (56501) 2006-09-04 8:38

Angshuman, le flou dans ce genre de cliché ne nuit pas puisqu'il fait partie du jeu de la danse. L'essentiel c'est d'avoir restitué l'ambiance du moment et l'émotion ressentie.
Excellent rendu de la lumičre et des couleurs !
Jacques

john_c (24666) 2006-09-04 10:37

Hi Angshuman, A powerful and dynamic shot. The decisive moment is clearly captured, with her extended hand and head movement. The motion blur seems apropos. This close-up shot is successful. Well done.
John

cjmm (4479) 2006-09-04 17:47

Hi Angshu,

You captured the photo with perfect timing and an ideal FOV, so as to make a true decisive moment!

Very good light and composition too.

Kind regards, have a nice week,
Carlos

vinicio (23423) 2006-09-05 9:01

Beautiful image, the dancer is also beautiful, I like the composition and the colors, the slight face add more beauty to this image, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

Kenny10pin (19301) 2006-09-05 12:32

the motion blur works greatly here, it is a very difficut shot to get it sharp, well done nice work

zeca (19762) 2006-09-07 0:57

Hello my friend Angshu!
It´s always nice to see your dancers! I love to see specially their faces and expressions! Nice colours and framing!
Regards,
Zeca

clic (76) 2006-09-15 6:47

Bonjour Angshuman
A lovely expression and judicious cropping for an artistic portrait.
Motion blur adds truth and action to portrait.
Well done.
Robert

sayat (2949) 2006-09-29 10:36

JUST EXCELLENT!
Sayat

zips (1958) 2006-10-26 6:37

Very nice shot in some tough conditions. I especially like the plumerias seen in the womans hair. Nice capture of her expression and the details are great.

Great Job.
Aloha, JB

pady (4800) 2007-02-20 14:38

Blur add some movement to your picture and it's very nice like this. I like this composition, like the expression of the dancer.
Cheers
Pierre-André

MarieAnge (524) 2007-02-22 10:59

Hello Angshu,

Nice gallery about Bali... I like this one because of the face of the dancer artist. Good saturation of red and yellow... Thanks !

batalay (41261) 2007-03-16 0:30

Hello Mr. B,

In the random order in which your gallery is accessed, this very sweet shot came up. The folcus is every so slightly soft, but the subject, the composition, the colors make it a most memorable photo anyway. The note, as usual, is first rate and worthy of the photo.

Enjoy the weekend,

Bulent