a Meghwal girl..., a photo from Gujarat, West

Photographer's Note

From the village of Ludiya, midway between Bhuj and Khavda in the northern Kutchch... a relatively prosperous Meghwal hamlet with a vivid textile tradition and the classic painted round houses.

Being closer to Bhuj than the to Pakistani border, these Meghwals or 'Harijans' (as Gandhi once called them), have availed themselves of the fiscal fruits of tourism. They ply a decent living from the selling of textile crafts to the shops in Bhuj and to those tourists who wander their way - very hospitable and endearing people. I stayed two nights here with this family - enough time for them to slowly relax around the camera.

ISO at 400 and focal length at 43.00mm.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megwhal

scobert, bombilla, hispic, noborders, mpdre, delkoo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

DzULA (838) 2008-01-18 8:05

Great colors and sharpness, and the model is some kind of cute.

Greetings
DzULA

ben4321 (9875) 2008-01-18 8:11

A well-taken portrait of this girl Caleb, but something about the framing doesn't quite work for me. I think shifting the framing to the left slightly, so that the circular motifs on the wall were nearer the left edge and the girl's green shawl was fully in-frame would have given the image a more harmonious balance.
Just me being picky - other than that I like it a lot.

Cheers,
Ben

scobert (5355) 2008-01-18 8:17

Hello Caleb,
Beautiful work again! I have stated it before many times but I like the way that the girl is looking away from the camera and is ignoring you and is in her own thoughts. You got away with her looking out of the frame (purists would say that she should be on the left side of the photo when looking to the right) because of the interesting wall paintings on the left side of the frame. The patterns, colors and textures of Indian clothing are marvelous to view. The usual exquisite "Colbeeman standards of excellence" work of art!
Stan

Valerka (8171) 2008-01-18 8:20

Hi, Caleb,
This is what I'd call a cultural shot, as it's acquainting with a typical detail for the area and a local figure.
I guess, the girl, for she looks young, is used to foregn visitors.Her face is calm and a bit curious.
TFS
Valerka:)

anes_lc (14968) 2008-01-18 8:23

so colorful and ...lines ..and a beautiful smile .
i love to look at your portraits ..so expressive
thanks sharing
best regards,anes

photographer123 (6246) 2008-01-18 8:31

hi..
very good portrait..use of wall painting works well here...I think its little over sharped..but overall its a wonderful shot...best wishes...subir

rbellemare (2087) 2008-01-18 9:24

What can I add, this is a great composition, very nice colors and a perfect sharpness.

Very good portrait

bombilla (3404) 2008-01-18 9:55

Again, another photo where what attracts me more than anything is her hands. How she gentle holds her feet. A lovely detail. -Hugh

Balwant (588) 2008-01-18 11:57

You certainly captured a great image! showing wonderful colours of Kutch!

makejeite (54) 2008-01-18 12:15

Good colors and ligth, nice combo

partha (13775) 2008-01-18 20:10

Hi Caleb,
I always found your shot so interesting and so passionate. Regarding this shot you have chosen the background excellently and I like the traditional dress with expressive eyes.
Regards.
Partha

noborders (1010) 2008-01-18 21:56

Fantastic clothes and great wall painting... India is so varied ! Love the colours,
TFS, also the note is interesting (was in that area in 1988 and see with pleasure that the textiles + embroideries are as somptuous as before !)
Greetings,
Cath.

berek (31921) 2008-01-18 22:49

Hi Caleb,
beautiful traditional colours. very good portrait with successfully framing.
greetings.
Burak Erek

hispic (9619) 2008-01-19 1:18

Hi, Caleb,
Managed the light really carefully. This shot reminds me of Desert Eves by Hans Silvester.
Decorous portrait !
Have a nice weekend
Hisashi

mpdre (1611) 2008-01-19 7:19

Hi Caleb,
You are a master of light, colors... images so clean and sharp. This one is a beautiful one. The girl seems so comfortable... that delicate touch of the feet with her hands is so natural. But what for me works extremely well is her image framed on that white wall with the delicate painting in cream colors on one side... lovely!
Andre

indraajeet (1883) 2008-01-19 10:26

that's a very nice colourful compo. the mood of the girl is excellently captured
indrajit

Morac (27419) 2008-01-19 11:12

Caleb good evening,
Which beautiful unit:
The beauty of the girl, the beauty of tectile, the harmony with the drawings on the wall.
Beautiful colors and very good composition
Regards

Marc

dilane (853) 2008-01-19 15:11

Hi Caleb,
you have realized a beautiful picture, little too much accentuation, which give a great definition on the blue and green clothes.
it's dommage for the look which go on the right, the small side of the picture, but it's very easy to critique for me.
I understand the difficulty for taking these photographies and you receive two points for this picture which i schould realized
regards
daniel

delkoo (68) 2008-01-20 1:58