The "Donkey Driver", a photo from Ancash, North

Photographer's Note

Fondly called "Donkey Drivers", the Arrieros are the key men of the high treks. Not only they are responsible for the donkeys, they are also serve as guides as they know best of the how, when and where of the whole area. In the backgoround you can see the magnificent peak of the Alpamayo, a rare view without any clouds obscuring this perfected triangular shape...
PP: USM, Contrast +5, Brightness +5
Note about the framing: this picture was taken in a "waist" style. I saw it coming and quickly tore open the lens, flanging the cap somewhere in the grass, and quickly focused and framed so I will capture both living creatures and the unliving creature in the BG. It was a now or never shot, and this is what I got. So, as crhieatt mentioned, this is not a perfected shot, but the feeling is still here...

Ramonven, Clairedelune, kdien, gelor, joso, capthaddock, oochappan, Galeota ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

benkrut (2407) 2005-11-08 12:51

Hi
I like the shot - the magnificent mountain view with the "couple" in the foreground.
Maybe the photo would be better if you'd moved yourself a little to the left - you wouldn't cut the donkey's head and avoid the disturbing sun's light.
Greets
Benkrut

crhieatt (5347) 2005-11-08 12:55

Hello Chen,
I think you've caught a really atmospheric shot here, a very real sense of the place and time. It's one of those shots where, in a way, lots of things are wrong - but as a whole it is somehow all right! :)
The donkey is half choped out of frame and there's quite a bit of light coming in from the left, and the peaks are whiting out in the background. Yes, all these critisisms could justly be levelled at the photo - and yet, such a breathtaking place, such a feeling of really being there - that none of these critisisms seem to matter, and the impression you give us of this place is a fine one indeed.
Regards
Colin

Ramonven (126) 2005-11-08 13:05

Wow Wow Wow!! This is so beautiful!! My compliments! Saludos, Ramon

Clairedelune (4923) 2005-11-08 13:20

Hi Chen,
This landscape is really grandiose and impressive! Yes, it's true, it would have been nice to have the donkey's head. But I understand you perfectly. It is easier to say "after" that you should have done this or done that. I understand also your liking of the picture. Great colors, light does not bother me. And I like the man walking in this very amazing place. Well done Chen!
Claire

gelor (3233) 2005-11-08 16:51

Bonsoir Chen,
Quel superbe paysage et quelle belle lumière ! Il est dommage que la tête ânes (ou mulets) soit coupée. Merci pour le partage. Gérard

joso (2417) 2005-11-08 18:12

Colin wrote it well, agree all about, so I will not wright the same again.
Thanks for the rare view without any clouds.

János

capthaddock (28790) 2005-11-10 10:03

Hi Chen - I understand the difficult and rushed situation, we've probably all experienced it. The light does not bother me at all, only the missing donkeys head bothers me, but it is still an excellent mix of scenery and daily life.

oochappan (4880) 2005-11-13 22:55

This a beautifull place Chen, your shot is perfect to show us, pleasant that man in the foregound, a small crop more on the donkey and you had an incredible funny focus on his tail !... no ?

Galeota (10352) 2005-11-24 16:18

You have been making a very good photographic work in south america during your travel, from what I see. I like particularly this one, where the scene is almost incongruous with the cropped head of the donkey, and the driver passing by, as a simple guy, in front of those majestic mountains in the background (Alpamayo, if I understood correctly). The upper part of the photograph seems a bit overexposed, and with an evident presence of flare, but I appreciate the overally quality of the image.

Gerrit (62042) 2005-12-04 16:41

Hi Chen, I picked this one out your gallery of beautiful pictures.
They are of outstanding quality.
Thanks and regards, Gerrit