Before a beauty contest - Chennai Photo

Photographer’s Note

Preparations to a beauty contest for eunuchs in Channai, India.
The event was organized by CHES and VHS organizations working with hijras - India's third gender (transsexuals, called aravani in Tamil Nadu).

sabyasachi1212, postvikram, Cuba-Junky, kajspice, luisafonso, sayan, eleparc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Furachan (0) 2006-05-12 6:33

Splendidly aware study here, Maciej, the timing is perfgect, as is the bokeh on either side of the focus zone. Incredibly lively and engaging shot.
Best,
Francis

sabyasachi1212 (19513) 2006-05-12 6:33

Hi Maciej,
Excellent composition of a very uncommon subject. Beautiful colours. Not many people talk about the third gender in India. Thanks for highlighting them.
Sabyasachi

ben4321 (9695) 2006-05-12 6:35

Excellent composition and timing, with the eunuch checking himself out in the mirror.
Good work.
Ben

jussipee (10) 2006-05-12 6:44

Everything looks like be in balance. Many different unsharp and sharp colors, dark and white areas are leading to the mans finishing face.
Good natural light comes up from sky. Overrich colors, but looks natural.
Thanks Maciej

flydragon (0) 2006-05-12 6:46

Hello Maciej
yes verry interresting subject
remind me my backstage in Alcazar ;o)
ok about this picture one thing i am not sure
about your POV from front, i cant concentrate
i just see the nose ;o) and hole
maybe 3/4 should be nice here ( and see you face from the artist makup? )
ok there is the mirror, not sure it was easy
i see that u have a 50 mm 1,8 on the 5D, this lens seems very nice
and good detail
will you come for the gay pride in Paris ,o)
hope to see you again in Paris
regards
••simon••

Luan (15915) 2006-05-12 6:48

Hello Maciej,
I thought one minute it was a picture from Simon, no the scene is happening in India an dit is a smartly framed.
Nice shot
Luan

Cuba-Junky (2787) 2006-05-12 6:50

Interesting note with an interesting and great picture
Thanks for sharing
An

tjanze (5674) 2006-05-12 7:29

Hi Maciej!
Very interesting portrait.I like a lot of details,
jewelery and the head position of this man.

jinju (14259) 2006-05-12 7:36

You are a photojournalist maciek of real high calibre. I really like the honesty of your photos. They tell real stories of real people, and as I said before, you go to some fascinating places and events. Very nicely composed with nice DOF..hat was the fstop setting here? The blurred mirror and background give a nice feeling of depth. I also really like the details on the make up woman's clothing and accessories. Its nice to see you playing with bokeh too. That lens is so great for it, isnt it?

PeterC (2242) 2006-05-12 8:02

Maciej,
An excellent photojournalist shot. I really like the DoF and the winner in the bokeh and the mirror which is just out of focus. Very sharp and the detail is great.
Cheers
Peter

sayan (2609) 2006-05-12 9:32

Hello Maciej,
Subjectwise this is a very uncommon composition I would say. I like the angle, POV, DOF and the sharpness.
Regards,
Sayan

rowanb (864) 2006-05-12 10:15

good stuff here maciej, this is well timed and good depth of field to isolate the subject. keep up the good work.
rowan

s10001in (1485) 2006-05-12 10:43 [Comment]

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erdna (5205) 2006-05-12 12:08

A very nicely composed picture and very detailed. The defined stubbles and adam apples are very well seen.

Andre'

eleparc (24059) 2006-05-12 12:10

great interesting subject and good photo! I only wish icould see more , or less of the make up lady too... I think it is either too much or too little here!

AnimeshRay (8870) 2006-05-12 12:11

This is a really nice one, Maciej. THe angle shows the intensity and the careful work on her face. Excellent isolation of the subject. As always for you, great color.

tcht (7278) 2006-05-12 16:49

Hi Maciej,
Excellent documentary. That frame is just perfect and great control of DoF. The angle you shot this immerses the viewer into the picture itself. Quality pic.
Have a nice weekend,
CheukHin

dolin (15647) 2006-05-12 17:27

Hi Maciej.
Un joli sujet, une scène intéressante.
J'aime bien ce pov à bonne hauteur et ce regard qui part dans le miroir.
Le choix de cadrage avec ce plein centre et les 2 autres visages coupés est bien fait.
Bien vu
Fred

m_s_s (1629) 2006-05-12 20:40

Hello Maciej. splendid photo. live colours. only nose is in perfect focus - mirror before and person behind are out of. great piece of work.
good luck

entrelec (8340) 2006-05-13 10:31

Blue is everywhere in this shot.
The glances too, the hirja on left looks at this one in the middle, who is looking at the mirror in which he can see the third coming in background.
Everyone of them wear or get something in blue.
very nice shot.

Joel

magdaj (1111) 2006-05-13 12:52

Witaj Macku:)
Dobre ujęcie.
Świetne kolory.
Bardzo interesujące zdjęcie.
Pozdrawiam i życze miłego weekendu:)
Magda

overcome (1109) 2006-07-20 10:36

Long time haven't seen your photos. I still remember you are the guys who took lot so pictures in Hong Kong. Your photographic skills is just excellent. You captured the man who was enjoying to see himself from the mirror. I like the colour of this dress as well. Excellent

kajspice (4524) 2007-06-08 9:25

Aravan...Son of Arjun of the five Pandava brothers. In the epic, Mahabharata Aravan, offers to be sacrificed to Goddess Kali to ensure the victory of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war. The only condition that he made was to spend the last night of his life in matrimony. Since no woman was willing to marry one who was doomed to be killed, Krishna assumes the form of a beautiful woman called Mohini and marries him. The hijras of Tamil Nadu consider Aravan their progenitor and call themselves aravanis.

I also read that Aravan was a eunuch, but cannot since find this information.

There is an excellent Tamilian film called Navarasa about this...