Kumari Devi paparazzi...

Critiques [Translate]

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• Paolo (40251)
• [2008-02-16 5:11]

Hi Caleb, fantastic one, colorful, with excellent quality, light and a great crowded composition.
thanks, ciao

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• delic (6614)
• [2008-02-16 5:35]
• [+]

Hi Caleb,
I'm not really that active on TE anymore, but I did take a note of this image, esp. because you ask for feedback. This one is certainly not overdone compared to your other images, which I usually find a bit oversharpened. In fact, sharpness looks perfect to me, in part due to shallow depth of field I suppose. Not sure where exactly you applied NR. CS2 is/was a joke compared to Capture NX. The smooth texture of the hands-could that be due to NR? Otherwise, I don't see it on this small size. Fantastic paparazzi work overall!
Hakan

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• Clairedelune (4769)
• [2008-02-16 7:59]

Hello Caleb,
Indeed, not a bad job at all, considering the context in which you achieved to take the photo. In fact, I would say that it is good. Really good!
Many things to be liked in this photo. First, the subject itself. No easy task to take a photo of a unique subject, the Kumari Devi herself, who is outside just for a few hours once a year! At 24mm, you were very close to her! I especially like the hands there, the older woman both hands, and the little one. We can also see the hands on her sides, to guide her? to protect her? The fact that you were close gives us a good look at her incredible pomp outfit, with so many flowers and glistening bits. And I also like the look. Both are looking in different direction.
On a technical point of view, I will be of no help here. I find it fine. I like how you used the vignetting to put more light on your living goddess.
Fascinating photo.
Claire

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• wolf38 (8551)
• [2008-02-16 8:28]

Hello Caleb. Also the today's photo is again worth seeing and expression strong. The close frameworks is ideal for this motive. Informative text. Very beautifully. Best regards, Wolfgang.

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• Guntin (1185)
• [2008-02-16 12:16]

Great documentary picture and wonderful explanation note!!! You have an impressiv collection of "documentary" scenes. Congratulations!!!

Best Regards
Víctor

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• robiuk (10604)
• [2008-02-16 13:51]

Hi Caleb,
no, the PP-in is not overdone, in contrary - it's excellent
but I wish the vignetting was a bit less accentuated, only
because the frame is full of wonderful vibrant colours and corners are a wee bit too dark for my taste.
But th eshot itself... how lucky you were (or skillful)
to get this composition - she couldn't have made a better
pose for you, and her glance is so... well, virgin!
A really good one with a really interesting note.
Thanks man,
Robi

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• siolaw (23543)
• [2008-02-16 22:33]

Hi Caleb,
You did well in getting so close without any camera in sight! I was there a in 2004 for the festival and gotted mugged in the thick crowd...all gone cash, credit card and flight ticket! But here you got nice close up and fantastic colors on her wonderful attire...
I appreciate your pictures, always
Laurent

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• InasiaJones (16947)
• [2008-02-17 0:24]

Hi Caleb,

When I saw this wonderful shot, I immediately put it in my favorites, but I've decided to have a look on Magnum website before writing a comment. Well, I don't pretend to have seen every photos about Indra Jatra, but among the ones I have found, yours is on the top. There was some "official" portraits where the little goddess pose for Magnum photog, but even there, I prefer your "street shot".

Man, this is something!... It's not the St.Patrick's parade here... After reading stuff about Nepal and this festivity in particular, I can only imagine the difficulty to get close to her, in part because of the security, but mostly because of the crowd. Your story with the betel-nut pan is brilliant!

Caleb, I don't know you, I have never saw your photo, so I don't know if you are a 27-year-old wise kid or a 59-year-old dude, but I admire your guts and street-wise attitude. You know how to get a one-of-a-kind moment in the can.

The eyes!... The eyes of this girl who seems to be lost in all this commotion, they are the key element in your shot... She would have look at you, she would have look in front, I think it wouldn't have been as good! This shot is so perfect!!!

It's even more admirable when I think you didn't have 24 chances to get it done, under stress and through people who were escorting her... Unbelievable!!!

The colours, the angle, the framing, everything is there.

I usually travel in October and November, but this year, I'll make sure to be there just for this festival. My whole trip will be organized around this event. That's how much your shot have impressed me Caleb.

I'll be there as well, pushing people trying to get access in front row, but I already know I will never be able to do such a shot. I'm in total admiration.

Kudos!

André

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• ChrisJ (58749)
• [2008-02-17 0:33]

Hi Caleb

A good informative note. Excellent colour, sharpness & dof. I like the focal point, of the entwined hands. Tfs!

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• Iva_R (1244)
• [2008-02-17 2:32]

Bonjour,
Une photo que je trouve très dynamique. L'angle de vue duquelle la fillette est prise, sa main dans la main de sa mère, mais aussi le choix de la profondeur de champs et ces couleurs très vives, tout cela y contribue. J'aime beaucoup.
Iva

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• smarcell (9751)
• [2008-02-17 5:02]

This is the famous Kumari ! Interesting. I heard about her when I went to Nepal, but I could not see her.
A perfect portrait, in addition to the interesting subject in itself.
Regards Stefano

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• Wanda1 (8981)
• [2008-02-17 5:44]

Hi Caleb,
Everything is so amazingly vivid in this shot with all the spectacular detail and colour, and you were extremely fortunate to have gotten so close to her (it seems like a once in a lifetime oppertunity). The whole composition is brilliant with her holding the hand of the lady and her face and eyes are beautiful. I do not think you have overdone it, it looks pretty natural to me. An excellent shot!
Regards
Wanda

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• SteveH (2646)
• [2008-02-18 18:41]

Hi Caleb, I agree with delic, in that I have found some of your posts to be oversharpened, but can't see any evidence of it in this. The colours to me look bright, but not unnaturally so. The only element which may be distorted in PP is the girls face. The skin looks to be a little too smooth - but this could be makeup? The detail captured in her costume is excellent. cheers, Steve

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• rbcy1974 (20590)
• [2008-02-19 16:52]

HellO Caleb
Very nice portrait of this girl, I really like the angle and the way you have captured her colourful costume
regards
Daniel

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• arnabchat (6350)
• [2008-02-20 5:13]

Dear Caleb,
Within my busy schedule, I missed this shot of yours.
The 'Kumari' in Kathmandu is indeed someone whom a lot of believers and not-so-strict believers long to have a look at. Maybe the myth, maybe the tradition and the customs, and for me, an existence of a tradition, is very exciting, and attractive.
You are indeed lucky to have a shot of the 'goddess incarnation', in all her gorgeous ornaments... very colorful indeed.
A+ take.
Greetings from Trieste,
Arnab

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• ViktorVaughn (1497)
• [2008-03-03 20:02]

For a fleeting moment, you delivered a spectacular shot. Her eyes glancing off-frame, and the crowd around her are very well-captured.

I read that she stepped down today, due to family reasons. A great shot from ISO 3200, and your note was very informative.

Regards,
David

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• romanaa (2474)
• [2008-03-15 12:18]

Hi Caleb,
having in mind the tragic yesterday events in Lhasa I am choosing this wonderful picture from your gallery, I am really sorry for what the people there have to go through, still remembering the regime from my youth.
Anyway, your picture is a great portrait with superb focus on the face and
vivid colours.
Best regards
Romana