Happiness Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

I posted a different picture of this old woman 4 months ago. Here it is .

Indeed happiness is very relative. As a basket-weaver and vendor, this old woman has a simple life and happiness. She said that for as long as she sells well, she's happy. It is a far-cry from the life of most of us, working people. We have complicated needs and happiness seems to be a bit elusive. (But she mentioned that since the Bali bombing, tourists visit dropped down and sales declined.) Anyway, I think happiness is a state of mind and we can choose to be happy. She does.

(I processed this in the schools computer today and I am not sure about its saturation level, sharpness, etc. I am working quite late because I will be flying for Korea at 12:10 A.M., Bangkok time.)

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Critiques | Translate

jrj (34779) 2004-02-12 4:37

Sure hapiness is a mental condition and lukcyli not depending on market economy ;-)

Nice portrait again in a fine setting and good colours. But for me a little bit unsharp in the upper part of the face.

robbertjan (2906) 2004-02-12 4:39

Manuel you did it again. Great capture! A lot of expression and beautiful colors. What can a say more...Well seen.

Edwin (2039) 2004-02-12 4:46

Composition is excellent, placing her in the left of the frame and her work environment on the right. Usualy we tend to process an image from the left to the right, so the vibrant colours of the baskets doesn't attract to much attention. What does distract me is the the focus/out of focus/bluriness in this picture. The focus seems to lay behind her eyes and in combination with (perhaps) some motion blur the viewer gets drawn back again to the sharper baskets...

clodreno (0) 2004-02-12 5:25

I like it a lot Manuel. is it my computer or is it lacking in sharpness? In any case , a nice portrait.

Midnight_sun (1939) 2004-02-12 5:29

Well captured shot, and as others have mentioned its a little blurred. But this is a great shot even as it is, the face says a lot, and i like the POV of this shot. Again, i think it could work in B&W, so i've done a WS using tritones.
Well seen.

[workshop] [compare]

olli (2091) 2004-02-12 5:47

Great combination of interesting subject and interesting background. Great colors in details. Well framed as usual.
But a bit unsharp, what a pity...

papagolf21 (56737) 2004-02-12 6:32

Très beau portrait de cette vielle dame. Excellente netteté et superbes couleurs.
Excellent travail, Manuel.
Très beau portrait de cette vieille dame. Excellente netteté et superbes couleurs.
Excellent travail, Manuel.

nwoehnl (120) 2004-02-12 6:54

A well composed and candid close-up of this old lady, well placed inside her colorful work environment. It would be better if the focus were the other way around, i.e. more sharpness on the woman, and a little less on the baskets. But I still like it very much, Manny.
... Have a safe flight!

Jeppe (18623) 2004-02-12 8:06

Very nice and warm portrait you done of this old woman. I agree - happiness a very relativ thing and it can me a little glad to see her. Good work - but her eye's a little unsharp - never mind I like it.

henrye (3498) 2004-02-12 9:48

Great note, which I find very inspirational! Great photo too, and it's unfortunate that it is slightly overexposed and not sharp.

maciekda (19599) 2004-02-12 10:30

i am not sure about this picture Manny. First of all the woman's face is out of focus, the focus is set on those things behind her or on her clothes. also her expression is without... expression, she is just staring at your camera, maybe wondering what are you doing.. there is no spark in her eyes, at least you didn't capture it IMO... so, I have seen much better shots from you ;-)

scalerman (25787) 2004-02-12 13:34

Well, regarding the prior comments of others, not every photo can be a technical masterpiece :) Who cares. Some are great because we were there and they engage our mind afterwards. Some have a story to tell. Some ask questions. Nicely done. Btw, have a safe journey to Korea and bring some pix back!

orme (6746) 2004-02-13 1:42

A good TE shot and an interesting note about Bali. The baskets are beautifully clear and colourful. I like the way there are unpainted ones as well. I think the woman looked better in the other shot. Well framed.

cool_s15 (4044) 2004-02-13 19:34

Very beautiful portrait shot, Manuel!
Nice colorful background as well. The only thing is the face is just a little blur. Excellent shot.

Agus (103) 2004-02-13 20:48

Happines as a hopeness? There're some 'lines of agony' on her face still. Relatively, human being always able to taste happiness in every step of their life. I thought so.
Nice post, Manuel.

sunny (3068) 2004-02-14 6:12

Yes Manny, happiness IS a state of mind indeed. I know people who are hardly surviving, but are happy...and others, who have a lot and do not stop complaining.. It is difficult sometimes to understand why we are brought to this world. And sometimes one lifetime is not enough to understand it.. I am grateful you captured a happy wise woman, presenting her on the background of her colourful baskets. Your notes go so well with your pictures. Excellent capture!

mikhalych (1311) 2004-02-16 12:01

It's a pity that her eyes (the most important feature in fact) are blurred by their motion.

An overexposed turban and flash reflections on her face also distract.

amitai (867) 2004-04-10 2:45

You missed the focus it's on the baskets behind the woman and it's a pity because she has such expression that you cna only imagine what "happiness" is, I doubt if it's the same description as I would use. The saturation is good, the composition is good. You missed the focus, it happens, so keep trying