Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Doctorh · **Peanuts anyone? -** 12-05-2011, 06:47 PM

Lady selling peanuts and bananas Northern India

arich · 12-06-2011, 05:15 PM

Nice colors. It looks like your focus is on the peanuts not the lady, is that intentional? I think this also could have been a cool shot if you had gotten lower. Right now the photo shows me what I could see if I walked by this scene, take me somewhere I don't typically see from.

John_A · 12-06-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arich

Nice colors. It looks like your focus is on the peanuts not the lady, is that intentional? I think this also could have been a cool shot if you had gotten lower. Right now the photo shows me what I could see if I walked by this scene, take me somewhere I don't typically see from.

I like the shot, and do wonder what a lower one would bring....

texxter · 12-06-2011, 05:43 PM

My comments below are not about the technical aspects of the image, which are fine. They are more about the "story" I read, and it's totally honest, but neither true nor false - just purely subjective and my own.

I find huge psychological distance between the lady and the viewer because of the high angle and also all the space left around her. I feel like the image is as much about the sidewalk she's sitting on as it is about her. Also, her expression of distrust? really adds to this feeling of "drive-by" photography. And to be totally honest, the image shows her more as an object of curiosity than anything else. There is absolutely nothing wrong about any of this, but it comes short of making the viewer connect with this woman. It is a photo of a woman selling peanuts and bananas on the floor, but what is the image about? Strength? Poverty? Dignity? Struggle?

Please don't be turned off by the comments above - I tell you this because I have taken many many pictures like this in my travels, your exotic vendor in the market. And eventually I got dissatisfied because I wasn't really showing my feelings about the place, as I wasn't connecting with the people in any way. I was simply passing by with a camera. Eventually I got more comfortable approaching people and composing images that said something about them, as opposed to something about me. I got closer, and I got them to trust me. Then I took the picture, and the difference was huge.

Hope this makes sense.

And I could be totally wrong in my assessment too!

Doctorh · 12-06-2011, 06:05 PM

Thank you so much for the comments, this is my love taking shots on the streets in my travels. Unfortunately my recent travels into far Northern India has proved to be one of security issues of being an America in an area that is not traveled by Americans very often. The poverty is overwhelming, the sadness is beyond my understanding, I'm going to have to overcome some security issues and a lack of boldness to stop and get down on the level of the people more. I not so fearful - maybe I should be, but our host almost dictates when I can shoot. It is so tough, just a note to Paco - you are so right on the issue of often I cannot connect with the people. Thanks to all for your comments

texxter · 12-06-2011, 07:29 PM

Henry, you will be rewarded if you make those connections... Check this out:

1X - How I made: lunch time at her place

John_A · 12-06-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texxter

Henry, you will be rewarded if you make those connections... Check this out:

1X - How I made: lunch time at her place

Good stuff here......

arich · 12-06-2011, 08:58 PM

It's awesome that you're getting the opportunities to travel so much! Think of the camera as the bridge between you and your subject, its not an impersonal thing to take their picture, like Paco said you want to capture their story and get a glimpse of who they are. People are generally open to that as they want to be understood and have a connection with another person. It takes lots of practice and discomfort but taking advantage of those opportunities will yield great rewards.