Balu

[ThrutheFrame]

A villager Balu, drying the chickpea (channa) and lentils . I wanted the capture him with the sun behind his back to show that it is hard work tolling for the basic food we usually take for granted of, and while we think is back breaking work, these people are actually happy.

Shot with the Sony A7+Zeiss 55mm f1.8FE + ND8 filter + YN560III with bounce umbrella

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, I think it works fine as shown, although he looks like he is enjoying himself too much.

[Downrigger]

Grand image. Rich. Very nice work, Shannon.

[IzzieK]

That was what I noticed too, Shannon -- it doesn't look like hard work to him. Posing your character may not work in this case of what you wanted to achieve here...maybe change your technique by letting him do his job and photoshooting without him knowing it? Use natural light.

Although I must admit, you have nailed this shot very well with what you have...know that I am not criticizing your shot, but the original intention with the result you uploaded...

[ThrutheFrame]

That was what I noticed too, Shannon -- it doesn't look like hard work to him. Posing your character may not work in this case of what you wanted to achieve here...maybe change your technique by letting him do his job and photoshooting without him knowing it? Use natural light.

Although I must admit, you have nailed this shot very well with what you have...know that I am not criticizing your shot, but the original intention with the result you uploaded...

I too notice that they are very happy. While city people think its hard work, they think it is a good harvest. While city people think the sun was too HOT, they think its great to dry their crops to prevent mold. They are very optimistic people.

[DEAN01]

Nicely done, Shannon.

[IzzieK]

I too notice that they are very happy. While city people think its hard work, they think it is a good harvest. While city people think the sun was too HOT, they think its great to dry their crops to prevent mold. They are very optimistic people.

What a good attitude...very different. I guess it depends on the culture, eh? I like that...like everyday will be a happy day, you just have to decide it is going to be...

[Texas Dave]

I like your lighting angle choice and it looks really well done. I understand what you were after but to me what you caught was a proud and resilient laborer. His contentment is obvious and I think your composite tells a story much more than back breaking work.

Great work here and a great photo in my opinion!

[bnnrcn]

Very nice image and although the color version is nice, IMO it would also look good in B&W.

[ThrutheFrame]

What a good attitude...very different. I guess it depends on the culture, eh? I like that...like everyday will be a happy day, you just have to decide it is going to be...

Balu and his mother was spreading the chickpeas for drying. I actually went to help them with the work, then quietly place the light stand in the position I want. I called him, turned towards me, smiled and that when I fired a series of shots. Unlike models, I usually have about a minute to get village adults into the position I was hoping for. After that they starts to tense up.

Village children are different. They have a lot of energy and are all over me. I even let them take photos of each other with my camera.

[ThrutheFrame]

Very nice image and although the color version is nice, IMO it would also look good in B&W.

I have a habit of popping my subjects either by color or tonal. When the composition has different colors that helps bring out my subject, I will keep it in color. When there is only one color, I will then look at the tonal differences to help pop the subject from the background. I will be posting another image where the colors are yellow, brownish. Hence I choose BW to bring out the image.

[IzzieK]

...........Village children are different. They have a lot of energy and are all over me. I even let them take photos of each other with my camera.

Now that I back home among the adults, I am not going to mince my words with anyone who touches my camera without permission again ...