Goat Path Photography - Daasanach Village - Omo Valley - Ethiopia

[Manfred M]

Here are a few more B&W shots of subjects from the Daasanach Village, on the west side of the Omo River, in South-Western Ethiopia (close to the borders with South Sudan and Kenya).

The first image is that of a young mother:




The second shot is her child, who is definitely giving me an evil look.



The third shot is both of them together; not a great shot as both subjects are looking at something other than me, but it does place them together as mother and child.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ocPuJV]

[Shadowman]

I think it adds more to the image that they aren't looking at you. Nicely captured.

[truonda]

Great shots as usual. I think you need to darken the area near the mother's earrings in the first shot though... unless that was intentional?

[ShaneS]

Nice shots Manfred. I have enjoyed your images of the Ethiopian people quite a bit even though I haven't commented. You subject is a beautiful woman.

I agree with John's comment abut the gaze in the last image. It makes me wonder what they were looking at and feels very natural to me.

[Brownbear]

Exquisite! I too adore all of your images of the Ethiopian people, and they are especially gorgeous in b&w. Last image-extra special.

[Manfred M]

Great shots as usual. I think you need to darken the area near the mother's earrings in the first shot though... unless that was intentional?

Okay - let's try it that way...




The "glow" is also in the other two shots; really a result of the lighting, the background and the super heavy vignette I used in these images to draw the viewer's eyes into the centre of the image. Part of the lighting problem I was battling is that the background was fairly light, and that tends to lead the viewer's eyes away from the subject and past the edges of the image. This is not what I wanted as this generally results in a weaker image.

The light "halo" attracts the viewer's eyes and draws them toward where I want them to go. I'm not sure if the version where I've toned the bright area down focuses the viewers eyes enough.

[nimitzbenedicto]

Here are a few more B&W shots of subjects from the Daasanach Village, on the west side of the Omo River, in South-Western Ethiopia (close to the borders with South Sudan and Kenya).

The first image is that of a young mother:




The second shot is her child, who is definitely giving me an evil look.

Hi Manfred,

I like these two.

Technique aside, these 2 catches the viewers attention.
Your clik-timing and subject choice is spot on!
Your ability to put the subject at ease and to willingly pose for your is superb.

Sort of like the B&W images I saw in Look/Life magazines.

They have something that makes me go back and really take a look while leafing thru their pages.

Thanks

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btw, another person who I noticed has the same abilities ( aside from technique) is Bill.

The camera has become a part of one's being. A scene/subject appears, without thinking
Clik!

[Manfred M]

Thanks Victor - my technique has come about because I listened to the "experts" and found that their advice did not make any sense to me for the type of images I was after.

In essence I am using equipment and techniques that are more used in traditional studio work and for environmental portraits, rather than in street photography. The other part is really Cartier-Bresson's "deciscive moment"; frankly the right timing is everything.