Child in a Burka Photo

Photographer’s Note

I had to work a bit to get this shot... I first stumbled across this girl in the desert town 'Bawiti' in Bahariya, Egypt. She was playing with her burka off her head - and I approached her with some bubbles that I was carrying. I showed her the bubbles by blowing them in the air, let her have a go, and then asked if I could take a photo (and the bubbles were a present for her). She happily obliged and to my suprise, put on the burka when I asked if she would.

So, I fulfilled my goal of shooting a pair of eyes through a burka, something I hadn't manage to do before in any other muslim country but had wished that I could.

edouard_lauer, mafegan, kri54, faubry, daddo, rey316, hispic, bakes888, patdeph, feather, Leilani, dareco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

smarcell (14653) 2009-02-25 0:14

The eyes come out like two magnets.
Excellent portrait
Stefano

edouard_lauer (1063) 2009-02-25 0:15

Hi David,

incredible shot and very expressive eyes. I like the contrast of colors between the back of the burka and the rest. As you said it's not easy to take such a shot so well done.

Regards,
Edi

mafegan (4483) 2009-02-25 0:22

Hi David, welcome home and well done. Her eyes are piercing and I like how she is looking directly at your camera. Nice composition with her supporting hand. Tfs, Marlene

mesutilgim (37268) 2009-02-25 0:26

Hi David,
Not too happy with this little girl, who is that much limited in her freedom but, photographycally perfect.
Very good pov and nice bright colors.
With her little hand on her head, maybe she is saying "what happenede to me ?" .
TFS and
best regards
MESUT ILGIM

kri54 (1515) 2009-02-25 0:42

que veut dire ce regard qui essaie de communiquer avec l'objectif
l'avenir sous contrainte?

faubry (32417) 2009-02-25 1:01

wonderful photo, pitty for she! but superb close up portrait!
soon
francine

aadilj (17950) 2009-02-25 1:04

Hi david, I must admit I was mesmerisied by those eyes. The fire they hold, the hope they shine with and the future they behold. This is one of the best I have come across from the muslim world. A telling tale of the life the women and innocent lil girls lead here. Period. Anything else would be too political!

phwall (5701) 2009-02-25 2:03

Hi David,
Wonderful image, there is so much expression in those eyes.
Great job.
Cheers
Peter

daddo (11535) 2009-02-25 2:32

Hi David. And what a pair of eyes! So clear and so beautiful. The bits of red and the blue green of the sleeve add lovely touches of colour. Nicely done. Regards. Klaudio.

rey316 (1902) 2009-02-25 7:01

Hi David
Beautiful portrait. A beautiful sight. Beautiful eyes on a black background.
Regards
Andrey

hispic (7399) 2009-02-25 19:12

Hi David,
Her cute eyes have been clearly caught with an accurate exposure in spite of a lot of black parts of the burqa or niqab.
Little toy and candy help very well to taking picture of children. you've got a nice friend.
Regards, Hisashi

bakes888 (18327) 2009-02-25 22:52

Hi Dave. Stunning portrait, well saturated but natural colours and critical focus right on the eyes. Just perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

patdeph (18324) 2009-02-26 2:40

hello David
glad to see that you are come back!Maybe the photo is still more beautiful with the burka!I like very much this close portrait whee we can see only the eyes and the hand!The colours are splendid!Of course,the burka is something difficult to understand for us,I think I even can't accept it,but here,just for the picture,I like it!
Regards
Pascale

kschanna (6) 2009-02-26 4:06

Hi David,

I wonder why a child would be in a burka...trying out her mum's I guess. anyway it makes your shot an interesting one and the focus on the eyes works brilliantly here.

Thanks
Kamran

AROBN54 (10789) 2009-02-26 11:28

It's absolutely beautiful, too, David.
Perfect light and contrast, wonderful color and composition and I like the hand on her head. The burka is perfect to show off those extraordinary eyes and the light in them is just awesome. This is beautiful. Great job! Many thanks and kind regards,
Shelly

MarcT (21103) 2009-02-26 11:51

Hi David,
Wonderful gorgeous young eyes behind that curtain...
Great eye contact.
Well done
Marc

feather (50144) 2009-02-27 13:31

Who could resist those eyes!? The catch lights are so clear we can see your reflection. The tight framing is perfect for eliminating almost everything else allowing us to concentrate on those gorgeous eyes.
Kath

SteveH (3995) 2009-03-01 17:40

Hi David, I'm envious, both of this shot and of your recent travel. It is a shot I never managed to get but often thought about when I was in the ME. Good to see you back on TE - I thought you must have abandoned the site. cheers, Steve

BATEYE (322) 2009-03-03 13:30

ciao david
un espressione bellissima,non e' facile tirar fuori un simile scatto bello davvero..

jmdias (19837) 2009-03-05 15:06

david

yes, it is an amazing portrait, these eyes are shining in the middle of that heavy burka, beautiful the frame of the colorsa around and her hand nicely put there too. beautiful light, perfect job

hugs

jorge

Leilani (1371) 2009-03-07 18:42

Hi David, this is a beautiful capture! Amazing eyes! Liked reading how you got the shot. Rgds, Leilani

Angshu (34093) 2009-03-12 0:20

Hello David
Good to see you back! An excellent portrait here with good clean focus on her eyes. I'm surprised you made her agree to take this shot, because she has deep expressive eyes. As Stunner really!
Regards
Angshu

dareco (17104) 2009-03-29 17:10

As you know I always love your portraits, and this one is very special. The eyes seem to be talking, and I love the lighting. Also her hand is another bonus. VERY nice portrait!!! TFS