A Bakso-man Waiting Photo

Photographer’s Note

This guy was the bakso man that walked up and down my street when I was living in Yogyakarta. Bakso are Indonesian meatballs in a noodle soup. It cost 1500rp (USD $0.15) a bowl.

Bakso carts and assorted other street food (called Kaki-lima, or 5 feet for the 3 "feet" of the kart and 2 of the man) are always passing by, each with their own distinctive calls to alert the hungry. They were great because there was an assortment (from bakso to dim sum to sate to ice drinks) and they were around from early morning to past midnight.

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I selected the man, and slightly lightened the background. I increased contrast with curves and then finally added some noise for extra grittiness.

Valeisha has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

DaveO (119) 2003-11-11 12:12

A great image. B&W is pefect. The deatail in the man's face is tremendous and the background is not distracting.
Only problem is that I keep wanting to lean my head to the left to 'straighten' out the image.

Miks (1707) 2003-11-11 12:13

Quite spectacular portrait and a an informative note to go. The exposure and DOF are both spot on and the digital grain works great here! But what really makes the pic is the darring composition and the resignated expression on his face.

Miks

[3]

carolynanna (1324) 2003-11-11 12:36

I LOVE this shot. The texture, the angle and the subject. With the composition you have managed to capture the lines around his eyes which give the shot so much character. Just beautiful: I wish it was mine!

[2]

smael (2878) 2003-11-11 13:39

A bit unusual travelpic, it reminds me more of streetphotography in a journalist-way...(did it make any sense?) The tones are wonderful, the expression are great (even if he look a bit off) and the comp is ok. I have the same experience as DaveO when it comes to the tilting. I think personally I would have tilted it halfway between this and straight...

Good!

Terje

ps... good note you put with the pic. More people should do that (incl. me)!!!

Edwin (2039) 2003-11-11 16:42

B/W works great here, as well as the dynamic angle. Excellent streetphotograph. A well deserved 6 out of 5 Alex! ;-)

padam (186) 2003-11-12 3:13

A nice portrait. B&W and extra grain work here. I like the diagonal lines because of the tilt.

clodreno (0) 2003-11-12 3:21

Very nice portrait. I love the way the picture is tilted. This is perfect.

martin (1242) 2003-11-12 15:08

A very compelling portrait, full of character. The strong 'diagonal' feel is particularly effective

adam (860) 2003-11-13 3:14

Great choices all-around. The contrasting light and dark elements and interesting perspective makes it really stand out. Adding some noise for grittiness is perfect. Superb.

wad (173) 2004-10-02 8:35

Very interesting portrait. Centring is original and reinforces the disillusioned expression of the face of this old man. The use of the black and white still reinforces the melancholy which emerges from its look.