Samson & Goliath Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another one from Cambodia...this is a woman we encountered at the end of our boat trip up the river and across the Tonle Sap lake from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. As we slowly floated by her, as she paddled from boat to boat, I sort of got the feeling she was envious of the bigger boats, looking at them up and down, until she saw one of the workers on one. At that point she would yell at the top of her lungs, trying to sell them a mid morning snack. Almost defying them to insult her little floating restaurant. As she yelled she would stare at the workers the whole time, not looking at the boat at all, but everyonce in a while turning her head to look at what she was selling, trying to entice the workers into buying...one of my first shots from Cambodia that I was really pround of, especially after getting an SLR the day before the trip.

My original title was "Envy, or defiance?" but after seeing Hakan's (delic)critique, I decided to change it, as that is exactly what I was going for - thanks Hakan!!!

Thanks for looking and any comments or critiques
John

Miks, partha, delic, dareco, ViktorVaughn, edytungkal, ktanska, siolaw, pboehringer trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

partha (13667) 2007-09-26 18:45

Hi John ,
Nice representation of the daily life. The surrounding surely give the essence of the place. Perfectly placement of the subject as well.
Waiting from more from Combodia.
Partha

Miks (1707) 2007-09-26 19:04

This is really well composed. Her gaze continues the strong diagonal begun by her paddle. Good use of the square format to emphasize this. The look down between the two boats provide welcome depth in the picture. Also a good job on exposition given the seemingly harsh light. Despite the good compo the pic has preserved a street-shot feel which I like. Nicely done.

Best,
Mikkel

PS: thanks for adding the note. The explanation does add to the pic.

erdna (5358) 2007-09-26 19:11

I like the sharpness, the light, the composition and the exprssion on the face of the woman.

Andre'

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-09-26 19:25

Hola John,
Good daily life photo. Good quality, specially sharpness and exposure, for your first SRL shot.
How are the boats these days? still scary?

cheers
Jorge

delic (6735) 2007-09-26 22:26

Hello John,
Sort of a Samson and Goliath situation, I guess. One would be tempted to show a lot more of the boats and the environment in general. I think you did very well by composing tightly around the woman. There is no doubt about the center of focus, the point is made, and the rest is left to imagination. Your shutter timing was also perfect, just as she was looking up. Very nice work. Regards,
Hakan

rminkow (1566) 2007-09-26 23:06

Hi John...nicely composed and executed shot...

Roger

ViktorVaughn (1517) 2007-09-26 23:43

Your note is very good to indicate what you were going for on this photo. Her expression is very strong and shines out from the image. I like the lighting on her face, with her eyes in the shade. It is also almost comical, how her head is only level with that dirty tire used to protect their boat.

A good shot, and probably a difficult one in a moving boat.

MarcT (21103) 2007-09-26 23:46

Hi John,
superb colors and excellent frame, full of details also.
Excellent job.
Marc

DarkoG (2284) 2007-09-26 23:54

Good well executed candid photo. fine composition.

vincz (19045) 2007-09-27 0:34

Excellent composition with the 2 boats. A very good daily life scen from this area. I like very much the mix of colours.

edytungkal (4519) 2007-09-27 0:52

Hello John,
Great daily life picture from Cambodia, Excellent quality and well sharpness. Shown the part of 'goliath' doesn't change the situation, it still a great representation of a hard life of Tonle Sap lake. Really appreciated of what have you done by changing the title from Hakan's idea, i think your new title more interesting. Thanks alot for showing this unusual place and for the story too.

daniel

mphotographies (1976) 2007-09-27 2:02

Hey John,

I like the rhythmic visualisation, the eye direction, the diagonal positioning of the paddle, the tire hanging by the larger boat leads to a sequence of a story that you mentioned on your notes. You had visualised your image very well with the perfect timing of actions in your frame. The lady's facial expression is very strong that appears clearly in the photograph, relates what her eyes are looking at and how life can be so physical and difficult.

All the best!

Jom

ktanska (16695) 2007-09-27 5:05

Hi John,
Strong feeling of life here. Big and small boat both seen years of use. Good portrait too. Shadows are amazingly well in control despite difficul light.
Kari

dareco (17104) 2007-09-27 5:12

Very nice. I like how she's looking up and such a interesting expression. Your note helps us to understand. Such a difficult life! I like the angle and the colors are great. Nice to see this shot of everyday life. TFS

sothy81 (8540) 2007-09-27 18:25

Hi John,

THis is a very good photo showing true daily life activities of people in Seim Reap in the floating area. A very sharp and well exposed image. I know the light is just so strong there, so managing good exposure became another expertise. Well done.

Sothy

Stepan (27175) 2007-09-27 22:48

Inspired title to produce a strong interest to the compo. The size contrast is well composed, with a focus on Samson and a cut-Goliath.
Very well done.
Stéphane

plimrn (19694) 2007-09-28 7:45

Hi John,
I agree with Hakan's comment; the framing is perfect with just enough of the two boats to tell the story. The lighting is clearly difficult, yet you captured the scene without a hint of OE or any excessive darkness. Typically I have a lot of trouble with dark eyes under hats. You really do have good reason to be proud of this shot.
HLJ, Pat

siolaw (25802) 2007-09-28 22:28

Hi John,
I missed this one the other day! And i like it a lot! That is a quality picture: perfect framing, excellent light colors and sharpness... nice expression of the woman and a strong diagonal of the oar and protection tyre..
Good work
Laurent

woladorsky (804) 2007-09-29 1:42

Beautyful depiction of the so common river life in the Mekong area and for that part of al the region. This picture is full of details..starting with the arrangement of her toes to all the food items.
excellnet picture john!!

Regrds

Rolando

pboehringer (770) 2007-09-29 8:38

John,
I'm certainly not as eloquent as you're when it comes to write a critique. You really should entertain the idea in writing a book regarding your extensive world travelling and complementing the text with your photography. I would be the first in the waiting line to get your signature in the book at the openning ceremony of it.
Your note and Hakan's critique already say everything about this post. Difficult to add anything meaningful to it, besides that it seems that getting you together with the D40 was a perfect marriage from the very beginning! So, know you're waiting for the D300 to start your next major trip?
Regards, Peter

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-09-30 5:30

Hi John,i like a lot the light here...well menaged...
good expression of the woman and good detail on the boats..
il ike a lot the contrast between the the little and the big boat..so your title is perfect!
ciao!
Valeria

banyanman (7737) 2007-10-01 8:32

Your tight framing works well here, John, but you have just enough of each boat in frame to demonstrate their relative sizes. Excellent technical quality too in all respects (DOF and sharpness are perfect) - you obviously were having no difficulty in adjusting to your new camera. Cheers . . . David

Flavia (10202) 2007-10-02 15:55

Hi John,

Great shot, colorful in image and simbolism. The title is really made for the image. Perfect timing in getting her expression.

Regards,

Flavia

batalay (21140) 2007-10-09 7:21

Hi John,

This is a superlative capture. The light, colors, resolution, and the expression on the woman's face. Sothy (sothy81) would probably like this very much. I'll let him know.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Mistral (13746) 2008-03-01 4:32

Hi John
nice framing and composition. Really well done and in the perfect spirit of TE with a good informative note and technique!
Enjoy the "vib" in Bobo and don't miss the bronze artisans!
A smile
Luca