Kyaing Tong

Photographer's Note

700th photos and 7 years on TE

When I first published on these pages, I was very naive and completely clueless about photography.

I just bought a 20D when I posted my first photo and didn't know a thing about photography, not even how to operate my camera, using the automatic mode for the first 6 months... I didn't know the purpose of shooting in RAW mode and I resisted for years, thinking it would compromise or complicate something.

Since then, I have read tons of articles and books about photography, but it is through Trekearth and its community that I have found the greatest motivation to improve.

The list of people who have helped me to progress is too long to mention, but as in everything else in life, we all take cues, catch ideas and find inspiration by observing the work of others.

For that reason, I probably have been influenced by every members here, by a concept, by an innovative technique of post-processing or by an original way to use light. But most importantly, through your comments and critiques.

I'm grateful for that.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

An old Akha woman from hill tribes village of Kyaing Tong, close to Laos and Thailand borders.

What does this woman has to do with 7 years on TE? The answer is on her forehead, with the number 7 subtlety visible.

sevy, williewhistler, dta, pajaran, ourania, worldcitizen, jjcordier, siudzi, chawax, jusninasirun, Bartleby, cebe, delpeoples, lgir has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sevy (13273) 2013-02-28 6:03

Bon anniversaire, même si je pensais que tu avais plus que 7 ans : l'age de raison ;-)
En tout cas, c'est toi qui nous gate avec ce portrait. On est même à la pointe de la technologie avec un effet 3D sur la pipe. Malheureusement je n'ai pas les lunettes appropriées pour en profiter pleinement.
Demain tu postes la même et on devra trouver les 7 erreurs entre les 2 portraits?

Tu as écris une belle note; c'est a peu près pareil pour moi. Mais je n'ai pas encore atteint les 7 ans.

Yves.

williewhistler (7317) 2013-02-28 7:21

Hello Andre,congratulations on 7 years. What a stunning portrait,the pipe smoking lady makes a perfect subject for the occasion,her weather beaten face allied to those deep brown eyes that are gazing into the lens make a terrific photograph.The headgear adds it`s own charm as well as making a super frame.
A really top class shot.Bravo.
Best regards Les.

dta (51510) 2013-02-28 7:25

Bonjour Andre ,
Félicitations pour ces 7 ans et 700 clichés ! L'activité a beaucoup diminué sur TE , les portraitistes y sont devenus rares , de même que les "grands" photographes , grâce auxquels on peut apprendre , aussi . Merci de continuer ces partages avec nous , simples amateurs , sans jamais nous prendre de haut , comme cela a pu être le cas dans le passé .
Ce portrait est ici encore remarquable , avec le détail qui fait la différence : la pipe hors focus .
Amicalement

holmertz (26982) 2013-02-28 7:54

Hello André,
A superb portrait with fine details and light. Not only can we see every little wrinkle in the woman's face, the perfect eye-contact also makes me believe I can actually see her thoughts.
Kind regards,
Gert

JFS (32189) 2013-02-28 8:26

Andre,
Excellent portrait to celebrate your 700 posts. A veyr good work, congratulation for both!
Al the best!
Juan

pajaran (36282) 2013-02-28 8:34 [Comment]

Show Comment

jemaflor (69035) 2013-02-28 8:40

Salut André,
Un portrait excellent pour fêter cet anniversaire ... sujet intéressant parfaitement réalisé, attitude, originalité, netteté et lumière ... bravo !

ourania (12469) 2013-02-28 9:24

Hello Andre,
the lady's pose and expression, the soft light on her face and in her eyes as well as the exquisite depth and clarity have given a picture of striking simplicity that hides all of your art in it. It's not only the fascinating face and the ornaments that captivate the viewer, it's that while we are viewing the portrait, before we know it we feel acquainted and connected with her. I can't imagine you ever being clueless about photography. Congratulations for all your amazing progress, then, and thank you for your captivating and inspiring work!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

Fis2 (73146) 2013-02-28 12:29

Witaj Andre!

My congratulations 700 photos, 7 years in TE !!!

A very interesting face.
Good frame and colors.
Excellent portrait
Well done.
Best regards
Greetings from Poland.
Krzysztof

grebe1 (280) 2013-02-28 17:26

Andre,

Those Canon lenses do a great job of capturing subtle 7s, eh? :D

Wonderful composition and lighting.

Andy

worldcitizen (4858) 2013-02-28 19:11

Hello Andre,
Congrats on 7 years and 700 photos! This is a lovely portrait. I like all the details in the woman's headdress, and the way her pipe extends into the foreground. She has a very dignified look, and the passage of time is evident on her face.

Nicou (97811) 2013-02-28 20:53

Hello

toutes mes félicitations pour ce anniversaire, et quel beua cadeau tu nous fais avec cette dame à la pipe quel portrait et image superbe mon ami c'est merveilleux.
Belle journée
Nicou

jjcordier (62394) 2013-02-28 21:58

André
Toutes mes félicitations pour ce doublé (700 et 7 ans....j'étais pourtant persuadé que tu étais sur le site avant moi!) mais surtout un immense merci pour toutes ces merveilleuses photos que tu nous offres. Depuis le départ des "historiques", tu as pris un peu de recul avec le site mais tu viens quand même régulièrement nous présenter quelques unes de tes fantastiques photos. Tu n'as pas mis longtemps pour maîtriser parfaitement l'art photographique et je suis toujours époustouflé par la qualité de tes portraits comme celui que tu as choisi pour célébrer ce double évènement. Encore 700 fois merci!
Amitiés
JJ

siolaw (37568) 2013-02-28 22:44

Salut André
Bonne fête TE pour ce doublé! Cest toujours un plaisir que de voir tes posts!
Et tu as déniché un sujet (une sujette!) de premier choix!
Je la mets dans mon thème "Thank you for smoking"!
Bonne fin de semaine
Laurent
PS. On s"est ratés de peu, j"étais dans les parages à la même période...

SnapRJW (18792) 2013-02-28 23:50

Congratulations Andre - A huge milestone 700 shots and 7 years and as usual a great shot to mark the occasion. You speak of the encouragement and motivation you have received here, well, I would like to thank you for yours. Your work is of a quality and content that inspires and your critiques well considered and helpful. Members of your calibre are in the minority but referring again to your note, we can all improve through dedicated involvement and interest. That's encouraging! As to the portrait; finely crafted. The dark BG and details really help the face to pop out. Warm regards Rosemary

emka (58224) 2013-03-01 0:02

Hi Andre,

I do not see this 7 on her forehand but it doesn't matter. What you write about the TE and its influence on the members is true for most of us. Anyway, it was so. Have we still this atmosphere of friendship and learning? The people who helped me so much and gave me so much joy aren't with us any more.
Congratulations for you wonderful photos, like this one. Superb portrait of this Akkha woman. You had wonderful eye contact with her.

I hope to see you here after the next seven years.
Warm regrads

Malgo

Angshu (51174) 2013-03-01 5:37

My Dear friend Andre

So we joined TE & posted our first pictures just a month apart! Naive, were your 7 years back?..I think I'll take that with a pinch of salt....lits of salt! 7 years of wonderful photographs, in this site! I'll thank you for that.

That 7 on her forehead seems to be branded there...though not noticeable instantly & unless you mentioned specifically

You're just not a great photographer Andre, but a fine man, one with a big heart...and I salute you for both! It was a pleasure knowing you personally & have to thank TE for that ;-)

Best Regards
Angshu

siudzi (23959) 2013-03-01 12:06

Hello Andre,
You submitted an awesome shot to celebrate such a great anniversary!
She looks extremely well with her traditional jewelry and a pipe. Fantastic portrait executed with great technique, DOF, sharpness. Very well done.
I love your superb gallery and wish you next wonderful 700 posts!

Have a nice weekend!
Gosia

chawax (14918) 2013-03-01 12:08

Bonsoir Andre,
D'abord un grand bravo pour tes 7 ans sur TE ! Et ensuite un grand bravo pour cette superbe 700ème image ! Un très beau portrait avec ce fond sombre qui fait bien ressortir le visage de cette femme. Excellente mise au point, qualité d'image impressionnante !
Bon week-end,
Olivier

jusninasirun (17142) 2013-03-01 18:53

Hello André.
Congratulations on your 700th post. This is an excellent portrait capturing the beauty and expression well in the frame. Top class work and thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Jusni

mayjayne (2792) 2013-03-02 0:07

Dear Andre,

Congrats on your 700th!

A high quality portrait - showing off every little little and feature of this woman. Light and colours are very natural. Superb work.

TFS,
May

macjake (39235) 2013-03-02 0:36

Hi Andre
well, congrats on 700 posts in 7 years...were you apart of the group that started when TE was created?

you know i'm going to love this shot, who the heck wouldn't!!! what a subject! what a pose and facial affect!
my only question about the entire setup has to do with the pipe....would you not focus on the pipe itself and use a aperature like F16? but then your shutter speed would drop too...so i get it :)
all in all Andre, one of your best portraits.
what a pose!!
well done and i'll see you around
cheers
craig

Bartleby (12741) 2013-03-02 5:36

Salut André,
un excellent anniversaire avec un de ces portraits dont tu as le secret! Encore une superbe lumière ici!J'espère encore plein de photos et d'échanges sur la photo!

Philippe

Ber (8227) 2013-03-02 9:07

Hello Andre,
Excellent portrait to celebrate your 700 posts.
regards

delpeoples (45018) 2013-03-02 23:01

Salut cher André

Congratulations on this triple achievement. talk about round numbers, 700 in 7 years. And you find this wonderful lady with a secret 7 on her forehead. What a great lady, she's got one of those faces that you can't help but loving. You can see she connected with you so well. The colours, the definition (wow those wrinkles, don't they tell a story?!) and the depth of field which slightly blurs the pipe and earrings are such wonderful touches. A superb photo with which to celebrate and I thank you for your help, your honest critiques, your stunning photos and the encouragement you give us all here.

Bonne amitiés
Lisa

Silvio1953 (98259) 2013-03-04 10:57

Ciao Andre, congratulatios for your 7th years on TE and for your 700th post, great portrait of lovely pld woman with fantastic expression, nice 3D effect, beautiful clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

yquem46 (32323) 2013-03-05 12:06

hello André
un excellent portrait pour rentrer en huitième année
A mon gout un des meilleurs photographes sur ce site et ce n'est pas celle ci qui va me contredire
Bonne continuation, amitiés
patrick

lgir (6215) 2013-03-10 11:30

Bonjour André,

bravo pour cette longévité sur TE avec cette qualité de réalisation qui ne se dément pas.
Magnifique portrait sur un sujet photogénique qu'il ne fallait pas rater.
Je ne suis pas à la hauteur pour apporter une quelconque critique à tes réalisations, mais je ne peux que les admirer et m'en inspirer.
Encore bravo pour ces années passées et pour celles à venir ;)
Amicalement
Laurent

bostankorkulugu (40796) 2013-03-15 10:00

fist class portrait, period.

krkt

jabber (122) 2013-05-13 7:48

what can i say?all of your portraits are prefect.i like all of them.you are really master of travel portrait as your friend ``sevy`` said.
thank you for share them and make a fresh and high quality feeling of portrait for us.