Yes sir! Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

My first re-posted shot... there were two main criticisms of this photo when I first posted it ( http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Laos/photo300123.htm ):

1) the red bag is distracting
2) the focus is a little soft and the image unsharp

Unfortunately I can't really address the first point... I have a B&W version which I may post as a Workshop to this RP, but I think that the colour version is a lot better, even with the distracting background.

However, this new post is, I think, massively better than my original. I'm still experimenting and learning how to use the unsharp mask tool properly, but I think I've got pretty close to perfect in this example. All of the detail that was previously missing from the boy's face and hand are now striking and sharp.

I hope you like the changes... I'm definitely far happier with this photo than the original. I've also started making smaller image borders, which I think helps too.

Probably more Thai photos coming up soon, when I work through some more RAW files :) Thanks.

cobraphil8, PDP has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

postvikram (1199) 2006-02-13 20:49

Lewis,
Nice work here. I don't think your Original version needed any modification than the border.A great capture and I too feel that the red bag is not distracting.Thanks for sharing - Vikram

alego (277) 2006-02-13 23:05

Hi Lewis,
Very nice portrait. It makes viewer wonder about the boy, what he does, and how he lives. I like boy's emotional response to being photographed. Red bag in the background is really not that distracting. Too bad you did not use smaller f number to decrease DOF.

Regards,
Goran

ballyna (1689) 2006-02-14 6:50

lewis,
such a warm smile,great fun.we share his joy,we happen to go into your compo,because a very inviting smile.
great portrait,nicely captured.
regards

rbcy1974 (20742) 2006-02-14 9:31

Hello LEwis
Great portrait
nice smile and I like the hat makes me think of the old communist guard
well done
Regards
Daniel

ndb1958 (9248) 2006-02-14 11:44

I really like it. His smile is great. A wonderful portrait! Nino

PDP (439) 2006-02-14 16:46

Hello Lewis, I think it is a vary nice shot. I didn't see the original so I can't comment on that. I didn't think the read was too distracting, not with that face and pose to distract from the bag. I wonder if the people that thought it was distracting were westerners as we read left ot right the bag would be the first thing that we viewed. I have done a workshop to show you. I hope you like it.

Very good shot.

Furachan (0) 2006-02-14 17:19

Well done on the re-post, Lewis. It is a striking compo with this happy and ironic kid fairly popping from the thumbnail.
Very nice, dynamic portrait!
Cheers,
Francis

Mistral (13694) 2006-02-14 17:52

Hi Lewis,
his natural naughty happiness is well caught in your image. Very good shot!
A smile
Luca

Jeweller (4) 2006-02-15 16:13

Excellent shot.

naxius (16679) 2006-02-16 15:54

Hi Liewis,
Very cute portrait...
Apparently, that moment was really good with him.
I like it a lot.
Well done.
Alex

dolin (15647) 2006-02-17 3:31

Hi Lewis.
Another goode one.
I like the tonality of the colors in this shot and the background is excellent.
The attitude of the boy is really good and funny.
A big big smile just for you.
Beautiful portrait.
(the cut elbow disturbs me a little)
Fred

bgladman (1153) 2006-02-19 5:46

Hi Lewis,

Great portrait. Composition, focus and timing are spot on and i like the engaging expression of the subject. There may be a little too much depth (you mention the red bag in your note). A longer zoom lens might be useful to try if you really want to isolate the subject.

Cheers, Brendan