the hostess with the mostess... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Back from a 4-day trip to Singapore. However, it took over 24 hours in travel time, each way. I am still jetlagged! This picture was taken on my way back the the UK - we were somewhere over Afganistan at the time...

Coming back from Singaporean smiling faces, to the staff at London St Pancras railway station was quite an ordeal for me. There is a certain lack of etiquette and grace which just somehow just screamed at me during passport control at London Heathrow. Those faces - oh, those miserable faces...I was fingered over by an obese passport control official - this was just the start of my anti-climax! She then grunted at me - I could only assume this meant she had finished with me and wanted me to leave.

The plane arrived back into the UK half an hour early, so we had three hours or so to wait for the train back to Leicester. I requested for the train manager to allow us to board one of the earlier trains - it was a straight NO! Of course, I could have upgraded, if I spent a further £36.00 (on top of the bugdet £18.00 ticket) I had already paid for. please note: the journey time is 1hr 15mins...oh, I should mention that the tea and coffee is complimentory. This was a straight NO! even if the train was completely empty.

Some might say that Singapore is clinical and lacks soul. However, I think it is a nice example of a culture which excels at customer service....

p.s. thanks to Richard Gatward for my new lens...

Ulishna, tcht, peter1892, broglia, sebcz, Evolution, MLINES, Estelle, rjb874 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

fabio_ts (13674) 2006-09-28 10:57

Beautiful shot Kajal, especially I love your use of DOF here, with the second blurred hostess visible in background.. compliments!!

have a nice evening,
Fabio.

mlopes (492) 2006-09-28 11:42

and a cool photo to show the capacity of your new lens :))) i like this scene, almost cimatographic to me

Ulishna (2246) 2006-09-28 11:53

Hello Kajal,
Singapore Airlaines is my favorite! When I flu to Singapore, I was impressive by hostess. They are so beautiful and lovely! Thanks a lot for this portrait.
Julia

everlasting (10940) 2006-09-28 12:36

that was a whirlwind trip, Kajal..........nice light you have managed in the cabin and an attent pose from the cabin crew. I know exactly what you mean about customer service in the UK, for too many it is just a job.
I rember a while back enterign a cafe in London where all the tables were dirty with crocks and where all the staff were standign around, I approcahed one and politely asked if she could clear a table for me, she sneered picked up her dishcloth and trundled begrudgingly to the table, where my mother apologetically announced - sorry love, but she's from Holland!!!!!!!!!
I was furious.

tcht (7298) 2006-09-28 14:55

Wow Kaj...excellent shot! What a nice documentary from Afghanistan. Like your central compo, strong bokeh and also softish sharpness. (Bit of a Furachan touch, imho...) Also great light control. Look forward to seeing your Singaporean pics...

ohe (2332) 2006-09-28 15:47

Dear Kajal,
Nice composition!
The overture of 1.4 impress me a lot and gives very good result
Thanks a lot for sharing,
- Olivier -

roamermark (1588) 2006-09-29 1:57

Hi Kaj, I tried to write a comment and it disappeared. The gist of it was that I am sorry we didn't meet up in Singapore, I'm not sure how that happened.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and your new lens and I hope you liked it enough to come again one day when hopefully we can meet.
Good shot by the way
Cheers
Mark

rosiegirl (2042) 2006-09-29 3:16

It's a lovely shot Kajal. You have captured that portrait in the midst of real life, which adds so much to the photo. It's real, she's real, the viewer feels real, tucked away in the seats, glancing in the isle. I really like the other flight attendant in the oof background. Nice job.

Rosie

s10001in (1485) 2006-09-30 11:19

Kaj,
As snap it is nice but missing the Soul of KAJ.
Sorry ..
Dose not intrest me much....:(
_Shailendra

peter1892 (3201) 2006-09-30 11:26

It's a very good shot Kaj, and it does seem to capture the relaxed, yet attentive atmosphere that many aisan airlines are reknowned for. Me, I'm a 'Low fares airline'* regular, and us passengers are often a burden! Your note sums up the frsutration of going from a good travel experience to a bad one in one short space of time!

*I won't mention which airline, but I'll let you guess!

Hamish_Dee (24) 2006-10-08 2:17

I travelled with Singapore Airlines to get to South Korea. This picture's funny to me because you captured their attentive nature so honestly. ~HD

sebcz (2345) 2006-10-08 7:05

She's so graceful. I like the way you played with DoF to focus only on the woman. I did some alterations to it, hope you don't mind :)
Regards,
Seb

[workshop] [compare]

RADEEH (2772) 2006-11-02 11:44

It resembles the advt of Singapore Airlines.The timing is perfect . Did you went to singapore to collect the award?! Hope you have enjoyed the trip. Hope you got my mail.
With regards

Radeeh

Prisley (1249) 2008-01-27 2:30

Though you seemed not to have enjoyed your journey...this is a good shot that could in fact be used as an ailine commercial!
The composition, POV, DOF, girl's look and gesture..everything seems perfectly adjusted...almost clinically as you say ;)
I like the light and colors as well...I am always stunned to see these hostess uniforms as in most of european airline companies there are very strict and unattractive uniforms.
TFS,
Pris.

MLINES (10966) 2008-08-23 17:29

Hi Kajal, Beautiful and typical efficient Singapore Airline staff on board. Well taken at a moment of service with a smile. I have flown a lot and find these ladies up the top of the service tree. I like the DOF effect on the second hostess. Well presented. TFS, Murray.