Photographer's Note
Picture taken at a school in Uganda. Most of the children at this school are orphans, many of their parents the victims of the AIDS epidemic sweeping Africa.
No one could tell me the story of this little girl but she quietly followed me around the whole time I was there. I would have liked to have known...
Anyway I know that this picture is far from technically adequate. I didn't know what to do about the seats behind (they are rather distracting)- I tried some stuff and failed dismally. I thought about just cropping it out but I wanted to include the context of the school and other children. Besides, I'm hoping that someone will see it and offer me their advice....I figure that sharing mistakes is a good way of learning something new!
Critiques | Translate
igorb
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 89 W: 12 N: 77]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(758) 2005-01-11 5:05
Sorrow in the eyes, blurry future.
Wonderful but sad moment.
Thanks Karina
clodreno
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 3841 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2005-01-11 5:28
a very sweet portrait. i love it. The B&W is really perfect in this shot.
An expression very well caught.
Thanks, and welcome to TE.
KevRyan
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1784 W: 193 N: 5128]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(22956) 2005-01-11 6:10
Hi
I think that the expression of this little girl commands the picture and that far from distracting the benches provide interesting documentary information. The toning on her face is wonderful. This is a really great photograph....but...as I look more at it the two figures either side increasingly grow from her head.
The one on the left is particularly distracting.
A small and rather hurried workshop to compare - it's very crude but I have to dash all the best Kevin
arnabchat
(7233) 2005-01-11 7:04
Karina,
this is a wonderful portrait. expressive eyes, nice angle picked up, with perfect light. good DOF and blurred background. the message is touching.
got to be a favorite of mine.
thanks for sharing
Arnab
leoserp
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 23 W: 11 N: 71]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(434) 2005-01-11 7:06
Sometimes, photo technic and form isn't so important... On the photo, essence of the sight is most important for me. Maybe, I would take different cropp...
Anyway, well done!
LeOS
kaud
(1840) 2005-01-11 7:19
This is bettered since in B&W.
The eyes are really big filled with expressions.
In the note you stated "this picture is far from technically adequate". But this one is a real good pic IMO since I am not "technically a photographer". If you snapped a shot with your heart, it touches others - just like this shot does.
flydragon
(0) 2005-01-12 7:08
Hello Karina
woww a beautifull portrait
u sent. I like your POV here
and the light.
a verry sensitive picture
well done
••simon••
manny
(22032) 2005-01-12 9:58
This is JUST superb. Really good color tones and composition. I amtruly impressed. A favorite, without any doubt.
Ramonven
(126) 2005-01-12 12:08
Hi Karina! What a beautifull picture! So clear and strong! A good choice to make it a black and white... Take care! Ramon
christina
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 400 W: 7 N: 224]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(2040) 2005-01-12 22:30
Beautiful image Karina! She has a sensitive face and you captured her skintones beautifully. i actually like the seats behind her. You bet a sense of the environment. although the scene around her may have been hectic, there is a certain quitness to the shot.
A new favorite!
Christina
AnimeshRay
(9089) 2005-01-13 11:48 [Comment]
sohrab
(7439) 2005-01-14 21:55
this is a very powerful image. it's not only the eyes that are attractive, but the little msile that she has, the shine on her face.. it all makes her look extremely soothing.
your composition is very good , very journalistic since the life at the orphanage is caught at the back..
HERE is the link to another photograph of an orphanage by one of my favourite photographers
take care :)
rghattam (20) 2005-01-18 2:12 [Comment]
sAner
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 13]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(112) 2005-01-20 7:12
Stunning picture! Before I joined TE I wasn't a big fan of potrait-photography, but some of the portrait pics I have seen here made me reconsider. This photo is one of them! You've captured her sorrows/sadness very well. It's a marvelous picture. Before you told me I didn't notice the benches nor think they were annoying/distracting. I like the workshop pic aswell, sharpening it was good.
alimo3
(6854) 2005-01-21 16:45
hello karina,
this black and white is great and even with the flash the balance of light is nice.
good composition and expression of the children.
Bravo.
Tom
Carey (285) 2005-01-22 3:56
Fantastic shot! great skin tone and light. I love his eyes....kudos.
www.careynash.com
Karthik
(306) 2005-01-22 5:54
wonderful portrait!!
The message is clear with the school tables in the background.. I don't think it required any cropping, but the tigther crops in the WS are good.
One of the best BWhites I have seen..! Great Shot Karina!
Midnight_sun
(1941) 2005-01-22 8:01
This is very good portrait, what i like about it is the perfect exposure of the face, with the shine of the skin captured perfectly, and in focus. I like also how the child doesn't look at you, but past you/through you. the background is good here, it adds context which i think all portrait shots need. great result, well done.
rage_tm
(623) 2005-01-24 9:19
Hi Karina, just discovered your photo.. You have lovely pictures posted. This photo captivates me a lot, i like how you captured his little smile and i like how you converted it to BW, since it has some depth. Very lovely! I like it a lot. Good play of DOF and POV. Nice catch.. regrds,remus
xadnadjev
![Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 27]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(508) 2005-01-26 11:21 [Comment]
Fesponcn
(200) 2005-02-02 21:22
Excelente trabalho! A profundidade de campo e expressão do menino estão perfeitas. Um belo trabalho. Parabéns!
Porteplume
(4036) 2005-02-26 9:57
Nice to have "discovered" you through the forum Karina. (I completely agree, I even was "secretely" waiting for such respons to the discussed item, too shy to begin myself or not courageous enough - I can always say my English is toooooo bad, can't I? :o) - You just took (ALL) the words out of my mouth...)
An extremely sharp portrait, smooth image and well tought framing. These are the three big +++ I can see at first sight. And you got a wonderful depth, looks like we can touch her if we want... [And I would]
Soooooo... If you are "not a great photographer", what must I and others be? :o)
quino
(693) 2005-03-01 10:24
Impressive... without words... well done. The B&W is really good with this kind of portraits
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 137 W: 15 N: 1]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-n.gif){kind=small}
ballyna
(1689) 2005-05-29 13:28
hi karina,
a very powerful pic,she is looking so cute just inside of our hearts,so directly.DOF is excellent,everything is well , good exposure.
regards
kinginexile
(2598) 2005-06-11 10:38
Hi Karina
I suppose it may always be improved, who knows (framed to squarely?) but to me there is an extraordinary sense of testimony on your part, and humanity coming from her in your shot, with much sense of live, raw poetry coming from this captured moment as well.
I am surprised that some of our "african gallery" members have not posted about it. This is very simply one of the best portraits coming from Africa, the softness in her gaze allied to a gaze whose expression is bursting out of the frame, to force us to be witnesses not gawkers is heart-breaking. There is simply no mistake about that. A great lesson for those who think only good technique qualifies a photo to be great. Thank you, I was gone these months you posted it, but this is the most outreaching and important shot I have seen on TE since I am back, so far.
I wish i read 149, not just 49 points.
Ulises
(1026) 2005-07-01 14:05
karina,
WOW!! i love it. the expresion of the childs face, it carries the pain of its town. the B&W is more dramatic, you did an amazing job.
rgrds
ulises
lollie
(0) 2005-09-14 18:31
very beautifull eyes and nice shot Bravo. your photo remind me one of mine.
Mistral
(15416) 2006-02-26 17:36
Hi Karina,
It's a beautiful image and the tender expression of this young girl is eye caughting. Perfect on B&W and good choice for the background.
A smile for you!
Luca
clarita
(654) 2006-03-27 0:38
excellent portrait...i especially enjoy this bc of my recent trip to africa. thx for sharing!
breno
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 10 W: 3 N: 1]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(175) 2007-01-22 13:29 [Comment]
marine-coeur
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 220 W: 0 N: 30]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(1072) 2007-01-30 5:16
Dear karina, thank you, for sharing your picture with us, a very beautiful face and photo and so touching well done.
muriel
(69) 2007-02-04 15:20
the light in this picture is perfect.The skin shines..
The expression is not to comment.
Really nice amazing shot.
Muriel
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 41 W: 13 N: 11]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-s-s.gif){kind=small}
alejandroguzman
(4684) 2007-02-13 15:23
Hello Karina:
Marvelous photograph !!
I can see the feelings and the depth in his eyes. Very well composed. And of course, BW format was the best choice.
+ DOF
TFS
Hugs
Edgar.
PS. I will post this photograph on my Children of the World... take a look when you have some time... :-)
joop
(441) 2008-06-11 19:29
love this shot. don't mind the benches behind at all, they add perspective.
Thanks.
Joop
erthmuffin
(1551) 2009-11-18 22:17
i think this works great and the tones on this girl's face are well balanced.
with regard to the benches on the side, i think the whole background adds to the context. you could put a graduated filter over that side to make it darker and not stand out. i will try it in a workshop.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Katrina Wait (karina)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 9 N: 225]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1109) - Genre: Persone
- Medium: Bianco e Nero
- Date Taken: 2003-00-00
- Categories: Vita quotidiana
- Esposizione: f/3.1, 1/30 secondi
- Versione Foto: Versione Originale, Workshop
- Tema(i): Children of the World, 'more photos that I'd like to remember (VI), CLODO's selection XIII [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2005-01-11 4:57
- Preferiti: 7 [vista]
Discussions
- To sohrab: Thanks (1)
by karina, last updated 2005-01-16 11:15 - To Porteplume: You are! (1)
by karina, last updated 2005-03-03 04:31
