SHAKTI Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is Narmadaben Parmar... She is a self-employed ragpicker; a resident of Ramapir Tekra slum in Ahmedabad.

Behind her, to the left is a picture of Ramapir (or Ramdevpir)...regarded as the incarnation of Lord Krishna. The fame of Ramapir reached far and wide. He believed in the equality of all human beings, both high and low, rich and poor. He helped the down trodden by granting them their wishes.

To her right is Kali Ma - Goddess of enlightmenment. She is the Liberator of Souls and the Destroyer of Negativity.

Narmadaben wears a radiant smile on every occasion that I have seen her... The meaning of Narmada is "One who arouses tender feelings in others"...

Project: Underexposed - Lights in Dark Spaces

Clairedelune, nirajsinha, pracas has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dvlazar (6488) 2007-04-22 7:55

Hah I clicked on this thumbnail thinking 'this looks like a Kajspice shot' and when i looked closer, it was! Youve got a real sense of style now in your work.
Dave

partha (13667) 2007-04-22 8:10

Hi Kajal,
Definately a great shot. wonderful use of the pictures at the background. Straight and simple.
Regards.
Partha

russte (0) 2007-04-22 9:33

Hi Kaj, it's been a long time since I commented but I always look out for your postings. Dave is right - you've developed a distinctive style with many of these recent portraits. Each has a Mona Lisa-like quality - a woman whose expression lets on that she has much more to tell. Always an interesting use of light and colour too, whether it be subtle or harsh. Best wishes Stephen

KevRyan (22418) 2007-04-22 10:20

A beautifully framed image and testament to Narmadaben - the handling of light is something that you have increasingly mastered through these images - as Stephen says you have also mastered the art of conveying more subtle expression too by waiting for your moment ......a very good situational portrait - I think exhibiting and writing about your work here will be a very important document.

best wishes Kev

Clairedelune (4885) 2007-04-22 10:26

That would be, I think, one of my shortest 'critique'...
Thanks to you, she is now among the goddesses...
Claire

bnallama (3755) 2007-04-22 15:29

Hi Kaj... Nice to see you posting.. amazing light like inyour previous post.... A great one. TFS. Bala

Furachan (0) 2007-04-22 20:49

ANother fine example of the luminosity that lurks inthe colors you use in recent portraits. There is...an inner glow to them that makes them vivid and 3-D like. It is a hard thing to define, a touch, a skill that you have developped, more than a mere technique, something from the heart one suspects...
Good on ya - and good to know one was right about you fropm the start ;o)
Francis

nirajsinha (822) 2007-04-23 0:44

Hi Kajal,

You have perfectly depicted the Shakti through Narmadaben. The use of picture in background is wonderful. Narmadaben's eyes is very impressive.

TFS

Niraj Sinha

Darren (6819) 2007-04-23 8:56

Hi Kaj. This is also a nice portrait. Luko would probably appreciate the three subjects; woman and tapestries (?). Colors and exposure are all great too. Not exactly sure why, but I just don't find it as eye catching as the last couple of yours that I have seen though. It might be her rather standard expression. Still a very nice shot.

Luko (13896) 2007-04-24 5:34

Darren's right. I can only but praise compositions based on three points. So automatic that must be genetic... Not the only point I like hre, also the overall color arrangement, one of your forte, as I already wrote. Directed lighting is also very clever.

On the other side, I'm afraid you were a bit too enthusiastic with your shutter speed. It seems that the slower speed shows some undfeinitely sharp areas like her face : there's no really pin sharp point, something rather vaguely sharp... but perhaps this is also the limitations of your lens. Maybe it's time for you to think about a better lens, even low priced, that would not restrict you in such conditions (like the cheapy 50/1.8 for instance).

thaprem (2498) 2007-04-26 6:31

Wow...
YOu have brought the feeling solid in the frames..So neatly done giving pride to the subject so deservingly.
Thanks for that,
Prem.

PeterC (2242) 2007-04-26 8:56

Kajal,
I have been away from TE for a while and im just trying to catch up on everyone. This series looks excellent. I love the colours here and the tapestries above her head are work really well. The light is fabulous but i agree with Luko it could be a little sharper. Other than that superb potrait.

Cheers
Peter

bigboroboy (1009) 2007-04-26 19:56

I consider your portraits of Indian ladies to be up there with the best that anyone else has to offer on TE. They have a certain honesty to them. I don't know if it is the connection you have made with them or the way the colours add depth. Whatever it is, I like it a lot. Please keep them coming.

PHIL

noborders (14201) 2007-05-14 13:05

Splendid light, beautiful portrait with an interesting light !
I enjoy reading your stories too and I hope that you don't mind if I add some of your photos to my theme "India favourite photos"...
Bravo,
TFS,
Cath.

bishansamaddar (862) 2007-07-05 4:41

intriguing expression. i like the self-conscious smile. it's not shy. it's confident. the light's great again. there's something about the blue walls of these households. it adds an amazing aura to everything. good use of reflected light.

tibervince (781) 2007-07-18 5:54

Hi again Kajal,
I am just amazed with your gallery... this portrait is stuning... the light is again perfect and there is a mixture of warm and cold colors... excellent.
Vincent