Red thread Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Difficult light, ugly background - yet I've decided to show this picture because I liked the look of this woman.

I met her in a busy street in downtown Tirana, capital of Albania. She was selling cigarettes, and since business was slow (even though "all" Albanians, and indeed "everyone" in the Balkans, seemed to be chain-smokers) she spent her time knitting.

I wish I could have moved her to a better place on that sidewalk, but I had to accept the strong contrasts between sunlight and shade and the cars endlessly passing by. I asked her, in fluent sign-language, if I could take her portrait, but making too much fuss about the light would probably have spoiled the fun and taken that hint of a curious smile off her face.

gervaso, bukitgolfb301, fanni, swiatopelk777, skippy007, akm trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

gervaso (5616) 2009-10-09 10:49

Hello, Gert!

I don't think the background is bad, it's just a urban scene, and the old woman is still standing out in the picture, especially for the colors of her clothes. Very good portrait of the woman! Well done!

pajaran (3757) 2009-10-09 10:50

Dobro vece sa balkana iz Srbije.
Dobra fotografija, dobre boje i trenutak snimka.
Vesela zena sa svojim rucnim radom, svidja mi se.
Puno pozdrava i uspeh u daljem radu, zeli vam Paja.

agjika (271) 2009-10-09 13:37

Hi Gert,
I can sympathise with the light problem but "Ugly background!" Au contraire mon ami! To me this photo represent the biggest change in Albanian Life Style probably in 3 thousand years. Traditional sock knitting on top of a mobile phone company bag, cars in the background yet the old lady looks very much like her great, great, great... grand mother.

Wonderful

Aleks

riquelima (220) 2009-10-09 14:36

The tradition and the modernity are mixed and the old lady's glance dominates everything.
Beautiful moment.
Regards
Rique LIma

emka (22177) 2009-10-09 15:25

Hi Gert, I like her smile too. What is she knitting, socks? it seems quite a complicated pattern. I used to knit a lot also, but it was many years ago. Now I would not have time and patience for it. besides, it is warmer and I do not need such things.

regards

Malgorzata

fanni (8811) 2009-10-10 1:31

Hej Gert,
as always, I like very much the photo-portraits which you make :) I noticed at once that you chose a very good POV so that the lady's face was in the shade - yes, the lighting conditions were surely difficult.
But whatever the lighting conditions were - I like the moment which captured, after all these explanations in sign language :) I like her smile and I don't really care about the background.
Kindest regards
and wishes of a good weekend!
Elena

jasmis (50901) 2009-10-10 4:47

Light is really harsh, but model deserves to be presented here.
Regards.

nirvana73 (8826) 2009-10-10 13:48

Hello Gert
very nice portrait
warmly and naturel
i like her smile
good light and sharpness
thanks for sharing
best regards
Ozhan

bukitgolfb301 (4907) 2009-10-10 14:32

Hello my dear Gert

What an another great shot !
Yes I well understand the condition was rather difficulut, but her expression is so significant.
Congratulation on your masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a happy Sunday !

Takero

swiatopelk777 (9120) 2009-10-12 0:57

Hi Gert!
Wonderful old woman, nice scene. Good colors. Very fine effect.
Greetings from Warszawa!

Wandering_Dan (3283) 2009-10-12 12:03

Hi, Gert -

Yes, the picture has problems, but it's a great people shot, so I took the liberty of doing a WS on it. As you see, I cut out the glare in front and did a few other things. See what you think.

Regards,
Dan

[workshop] [compare] +

Glint (3052) 2009-10-14 13:17

Hello Gert,
a grear portrait as tis woman has bags of character.A well balanced composition with the woman sitting sqaurely and filling the frame. My kind of photo.
Bev

mauro61 (16196) 2009-10-15 13:50

ciao Gert,
bella immagine di questa simpatica vecchietta che sorride la fotografo con i suoi caratteristici lavori.
Bravo a cogliere una espressione tanto naturale.
saluti
maurizio

saxo042 (16182) 2009-10-18 23:43

Hej Gert,
A good title and a fine portrait of this lady. Whatever she is knitting is adding an attractive colour to the picture.
Hälsningar
Gunnar

skippy007 (7285) 2009-10-23 3:20

Hello Gert, had you converted this to BW I immediately would have thought that it was one of your rescanned old fotos, The lady knitting is gorgeous and I'm sure she has not changed much in the last 20 + years. I fully agree with you, the surrounds are not very pretty, light difficult but the result is excellent mainly due to the interesting subject & lovely Mona Lisa like smile. Love it.
Regards
Santo

akm (834) 2009-11-30 13:18

Hello Gert,
Never mind about the background and the light. I was drawn to this wonderful face the moment I saw the thumbnail and even when I opened it I didn't notice anything else until I read your note! It's a beautiful portrait -- well done. Thank you.
Regards,
Mary