Octopussy Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Backstage with Apsara Dancers

After attending a first representation, I asked for the permission to come back the next day, to photograph the preparation of the apsara dancers, behind the scene.

I expected cabins with mirrors and an interesting light for «theatrical ambiance», but I found myself in the middle of two dozen of people without space to move around, in a very narrow room. There was only one neon which hung on a wall and the dancers make up themselves using small pocket mirrors...

On the other hand, they were helped to install their crown and hat by old ladies. You can see them on this picture, installing wire to make sure everything remains in place during the show.

Floydian, jcdurka1, adamchewts01, JoseMiguel, robiuk, PixelTerror, kittyhawk, zeca, kevinos trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Floydian (30970) 2007-06-11 4:31

Hi Andre,
A nice story which goes well with the photo, that part is real good. The use of the 1.2 was not the best imho. But i think you know that by yourself.
I am looking to a clear and sharp focus point...her red lips...how nice ;-)
Not a bad photo my friend, in fact i like it a lot, but would had more to the eye at 5.6.
Have a nice day, Henk

barrufeto_77 (25897) 2007-06-11 4:36

Hi mr "Portrait"

Hahahahahahahaha, excellent title for the picture. It's the feeling she, surely, had.

Excellent colours and sharpness as usuall too!

Rgs, Oscar

jcdurka1 (1940) 2007-06-11 4:38

La faible profondeur de champ fait trés bien resortir le visage de la danseuse et les yeux se fixent, alors, sur les mains qui l'entourent, la préparent. La composition et le moment ont été trés bien choisi.
A+, Jean-Claude

saigon (5509) 2007-06-11 5:02

hello ANDRE.
bien vu la focale sur le visage!
ben t'en a aussi du MATOS toi.... :-)
amitiés....aldo.

grantlp (2104) 2007-06-11 5:27

Hi Andre,
A very interesting, and graphic image. It tells the story of a small space with many helpers....or "many hands make light work". I like the way you have focussed on her face with parts of the image out of focus - like her arms with the bangles - this makes us concentrate on her face. A good shot with a sense of "vibe".
Cheers Grant

Furachan (0) 2007-06-11 6:33

Tres bon ca, Andre, toutes ces mains qui semblent l'envahir cette danseuses et puis des tons superbes aussi. Avec le 5D et ce 85 f1.2, tu es aux anges, mon pote, il n'y a pas mieux;mais encore faut-il savot s'en servir, et tu as tres bien fait ici.
Bravo!
Francis

adamchewts01 (838) 2007-06-11 8:56

Very Excellent picture. With a full frame camera ans fixed lens the quality is simply superb with a good colour and contrast control. The POV is very excellent as well.

Thanks For sharing

Adam

ninaL (19550) 2007-06-11 15:10

Bonjour, André.
Ce qui est bien dans cette photo, c'est qu'elle raconte une petite histoire ;). J'aime bien la compo avec la danseuse au centre de la scène et toutes ses mains (dont les siennes) autour de sa chevelure.
Une jolie lumière, aussi.
Amitiés, Grazyna.

JoseMiguel (860) 2007-06-11 15:19

Hi Andre,
Very appropiated title for this image!
This apsara reminds me a mitological godess with several arms.
I like so much the scene captured here, a lot of action going on, with an intimate lighting that stands out the face of the woman.
I love the vertical composition made and the presentation.
The extra image is great in terms of the great job done in costumes, and has warm light that I found very appealing.
My compliments and thanks for share it.
Best regards,
JM

robiuk (10763) 2007-06-11 16:26

Hi André,
A really awesome backstage portrait,
beautifully composed and edited.
I just love everyone's involvement in
her preparation as well as her modest
face expression.
White balance is top noch as well as
are the colours.
Congratulations!
Robi

happypoppeye (4062) 2007-06-11 18:07

Great Ceremony, Daily life, Action shot. I love the sense of "hurriedness" you get from it - with the dancer getting ready and really looking like she is being rushed - yet still having fun and smiling. Great color and perfect DOF. Great subject and composition also. The one thing I also like is it's more of a journalistic, gritty type, normal everyday event type photo - compared to your usual highly refined, tack sharp, perfectly colored and smooth as silk photos (not a bad thing - I wish I had that problem).

After reading Floydian's critique and your response: I think the f/1.2 helps in that respect. I actually like the depth. The profile of her face is in focus and everything else is blurred, perfect in my opinion - really emphasizes the focal point. A real everyday, natural light photo. Do with what you have - I would like to see you try an ISO3200 shot with that 5D. I've seen a few on this site and am really impressed. Looks much better than a studio shot in my opinion. It's TrekEarth, not TrekStudio (or TrekLens). It's all personal opinion.

Disclaimer: Just want to say how much I am impressed with Floydian's portfolio - no disrepect to him at all.

Just covering my ass with the disclaimer.
Great work
John

sothy81 (8536) 2007-06-11 21:33

Wow, f1.2L! this is great. Very sharp and great image quality. Your choice of focusing on her face is just great. It shows how apsara looks like, and how she is being made up. Nice shot. Sothy

PixelTerror (86528) 2007-06-12 3:41

Salut mon bon cousin,
Je passe encore ici avant d'aller au lit, LOL j'adore le titre et ca va si bien avec l'image, tu as le don d'associer les deux, le moment de prise avec tous les bras autour est excellent et la map aussi, car a f/1.2 tu as moins qu'une feuille de papier a cigarette en profondeur de champ. Par contre je trouve que ton image a une dominante de couleur, verte ou magenta je sais pas trop, pour cause d'overdose workshopienne suite au meeting Belge je peux pas te faire de WS, mais fais juste un autocolor dans PS et tu verras un rendu des couleurs assez different, et plus juste a mon avis.
Bonne soiree/nuit/journee (biffer les mentions inutiles),
Jean-Yves

Luko (13894) 2007-06-12 4:32

Mais c'est Medusa, cette photo, les bras coupés ont remplacé les serpents sur la tête...coup de bol qu'elle ne t'ai pas regardé en face, tu aurais été changé en statue de sel, ce qui n'est jamais bon pour les EOS5D qui ne sont pas tropicalisés.

La profondeur de champs, je ne saispas, je pense que c'est plutôt pas mal comme ça MAIS qu'utiliser l'ouverture max rend peut être la photo un peu molle... J'ai comme l'impression d'une reproduction d'un bouquin photo des années 80, ça manque un peu de contraste.. à moins que ce ne soit le choix du PP un peu jaunâtre, voire même nikonien (oui, je sais l'Insulte suprême...) les rouges sont assez faiblards : aurais-tu remplacé le superbe capteur Canon par un machin DX (D pour Daltonien) de coefficient 1.5 d'une marque concurrente...

kittyhawk (1687) 2007-06-12 4:52

Hello Andre,

Lovely portrait, I really like the detail and the photo gives me the impression that everything is done carefully, but as quickly as possible. TFS.

- Halgeir

CliffW (2310) 2007-06-12 7:49

Very nice... the odd thing is, I've never really been such a huge fan of of photos of stage performances and performers in general. I have some apsara shots sitting on my hard drive, for instance. Haven't come to terms with if I like them or not (same issue as when I see other people's AND there's no warm memories attached, like when I just meet someone or see something interesting on the street) I guess because stage stuff IS staged and by definition, not candid. Which (finally) brings me to why I like this one. The hurry, hurry but having fun expression on her face (so different than the show persona). I love all the hands reaching in to make her up - a sort of diva scene for the "real" girl.

kevinos (6927) 2007-06-13 12:26

A very interesting capture, Andre, I like the use of DoF to isolate and emphasise the face, You did very well with the available light. regards kevin

zeca (20026) 2007-06-13 20:13

Wow, André! Very nice capture! So nice to see this beautiful girl between all that hands! I like the framing and the quality is excellent, with nice lights and perfect soft tones.
Regards,
Zeca

fayeulle (26547) 2007-06-14 5:39

Salut André
Je trouve cette charmante demoiselle très mignonne, surtout que tres peu de gens pouvaient la photographier n'ayant pas de focales ouvrant à 1.2 Comme dit pixel, la lumière est un poil verdâtre on dirait que tu as pris cela avec un ancien film Agfa.
Amicalement
JP

yanseiler (20) 2007-06-22 12:36

Salut Andre, superbe jeu de main et chouetet expression de la jeune femme, de belels couleurs bien chaudes et un bokeh au poil avec cette main derriere sa tete, un petit bemol pour le truc rouge en haut a gauche, mais l'ensemble est tres sympa...

Yan

faubry (32383) 2007-07-02 3:01

superbe portrait et toutes les mains apportent un plus, les couleurs sont saturees a souhait.. magnifique photo, a bientot
francine

stiginthedump (1823) 2007-07-05 21:58

Aother favorite for me, this one Andre. Interesting use of apperture here. I like how the face is in focus and everything else is blurred. I suppose most people would have tried to concentrate on the jewellry. Also, bu not having the hands in focus it gives the impression of motion (obviously the hands are busy). Nice one

Thanks

scalerman (25783) 2008-01-15 21:30

A: some beautiful images here in your older galleries. Beautiful apsara, elegant shot - faultless color here. What do you do in PS? regards, c