Light... Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is Nandaben's next door neighbour. She is also a ragpicker.

She is the sole breadwinner in her family of six. Her husband Chelabhai lost his speech when he had a rickshaw accident some years back (he was a driver). He has not since worked, although he seems healthy otherwise...

Her four children (two boys and two girls), are all achieving good grades at school.

Project: Underexposed - Lights in Dark Spaces

tcht, jussipee, PeterC, noborders, thaprem has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

broglia (3341) 2007-04-12 9:36

Hi Kaj, strange how often the burdens fall on the women. You make the point subtely in your notes. Wonderful portrait in a very difficult light. The hand entering from the side of the frame is an absolute delight. Best regards, Roberto

Luko (13894) 2007-04-12 9:38

Light, you simply just said light? I gather you should say "awesome hell of a LIGHT" !!!!

Love that two level title, with that hand reaching for another type of light. Your best... ever... I'm at work right now and probably stranded for the week end but I had to stop and write this critic.

This is not reaching, will you... but rather going at full throttle, right into my favorites box.

prezntime (3945) 2007-04-12 9:44

Hello Kajal.
Your photographs are moving into a select position here on TE. Only a few photographers are truly becoming great photographers; this I see in your posts quite regularly. Beautiful and unique lighting with warm tones delving deeper than just the 2D photo we are looking into. Your exposing souls, a humanity where some don't see or don't wish to see a precious life. This is a simple portrait with the cluttered background of reality, but it is also a peircing window into the life of a mother, wife, daughter whose days are filled with the relentless onslaught of a life of manual labor and only simple rewards. The hand to the right, for some reason that I'm finding hard to explain it is key to my interpretation of this photograph. The arm represents her family for me...the claustrophbic life of a large family living in such close conditions. As your lens stops time, living still goes on around the portrait turning life back on.

Needless to say, I very much appreciate the work you are doing.
Chris.

mesutilgim (36709) 2007-04-12 10:36

Hello Kajal
Great capture, full of sense ! Very nice job done.
TFS
MESUT ILGIM

jasmis (50274) 2007-04-12 11:05

Amazing portrait in incredible colours. Fine composition with impressive background.
Regards.

tcht (7298) 2007-04-12 11:34

Hi Kaj,
Well...wht should I critique?? needless to say, this is a masterpiece, perfect lighting, perfect composition. and thanks to your notes we know exactly who we are looking at and why, all this makes it even more powerful. thanks for sharing :)))
Best wishes,
CheukHin

toni_al (15430) 2007-04-12 16:11

Salut Kajal
Très beau portrait, avec beucoup de fotce, j'aime la composition.
Toni

partha (13657) 2007-04-13 5:31

Hi Kajal ,
Great shot with wonderful background and nice tonality of colour.
Well taken shot.
Partha

polter (6080) 2007-04-13 11:50

Like the photo very much - the composition and light are superb and the allegoric meaning well tought. And I like th ewooman's expression - kind of expectance, kind of resignation... Greetings T.

jussipee (10) 2007-04-13 12:56

Your pictures looks like going to live. Touching moments.
In this picture. Facecontrast with a pipe, cucumber pipe, and right side switched touch. Simple wall, with some marks from her childs.
Tensions, and good light looks like working.
Thanks Kajal

Furachan (0) 2007-04-13 20:32

A superior shot with extraordinary light, Kaj. THIS is a portrait! Amazing the role light plays in revealing inner workings...
Best,
Francis

BrianGraney (1734) 2007-04-15 8:57

Hi Kaj,

I've come late to this one. At first I thought the background too cluttered, but the vibrant colours of her clothes really make her stand out against the neutral and earthy colours of the background, and there are nice touches of detail there.
Love the subtle shadows.
Cheers
Brian

nicoz (1963) 2007-04-16 6:14

Hi Kajal,
This is a brilliant photo! The light is so amazing! The portrait is obviously excellent, but what makes this shot genius for me are the details: The skinny hand reaching for the switches, the plastic robot playing the guitar, the stickers on the wall. They bring life to this photo which could have otherwise looked a bit accademic!
Very well done!
Nicolas

adnan (544) 2007-04-18 0:50

outstanding environmental portrait!!!

s10001in (1485) 2007-04-21 8:32

Hi Kaj...I am her after long time.

This one is very special..
Not only story but you are making photos more dynamic.
Well done.
Where are you now a days by the way???

PeterC (2242) 2007-04-26 9:15

Kajal,
Super shot love the title in fact I love absolutely everything about this shot. The light, the ingenious framing to include the light, the timing with the hand reaching to the light switch. Absolutely nailed this one and in to my favourites it goes.

Cheers
Peter

noborders (14199) 2007-05-14 13:09

Another beautiful portrait, full of dignity...
Bravo again, thank you,
Cath.

bishansamaddar (862) 2007-07-05 4:34

ragpicker! she has such immaculate sense of style!
photographically, this is a masterpiece. wonderful 'light', brilliant composition, powerful subject. terrific work.

thaprem (2472) 2007-09-25 2:55

Kajal,
Well done composition...
The hand in the BG takes it to a different plane...
Just the things which could have put her off in the past!...
Some times how accidental inclusions in the shots make the frame so interesting.
Cheers,
Prem.

cepekdong (3668) 2008-03-16 9:42

absolutely great handling of the light ! it looks so clear and the expression of the woman ist fantastic ! well done

daniel