Kandy Man Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This dancer is waiting backstage before a performance of traditional Sri Lankan dances, near to the Buddha Tooth Temple, in Kandy. He is wearing one form of the traditional dress used in these performances; the sort of dress that one sees in many old paintings. The conch shell is often used in performances of Sri Lankan music and dance. It has a deep, horn like sound and it is very traditional in the island. Sri Lankan dances are very energetic and rhythmic. The men and women dance in separate dances and styles. I talked myself into getting backstage, because I reckoned that pictures here would by more interesting than ones, taken from the auditorium.

This is using my Canon 40D and my Canon 28mm 1:1.8 lens. It represents one of my first attempts to take pictures in really low light conditions. Often these were disappointing because of lack of sharpness, but mostly due to excessive noise. Some, like this one, I liked, because the noise is not evident and the low light seems to give them a painterly quality. I am, however, right at the beginning of learning about how to use low light conditions. It seems so much more tricky than taking pictures in bright light, but the results can be more interesting.

adores, siolaw, riclopes, papagolf21, patdeph, axiotea, chirasak, fritzi007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

adores (15487) 2008-12-29 17:44

Hi Kevin!
With such a high ISO you got a great result. There isn't too much noise and the light is just perfect! You framed them very well, I like the composition and the man's expression. I almost went there in February (instead of China), but I gave up because of the political situation there. How did you find it now? This is a country I really want to visit!

siolaw (25726) 2008-12-29 22:53

Hi Kevin
Welcome back to TE! I just got back in India after being stranded 3 weeks because of the airport's closure!
Noise is not an issue (to me) here... i like this low light and dark BG making the subject pop out.
Interesting clothing too.
Good docu shot!
My best wishes for 2009!!!
Laurent

everlasting (10898) 2008-12-29 23:24

I dont think noise is a problem here at all, the light falls exceptionally well on his face. I think the composition could be improved to have your main subject off center a shallow dOF, but thats not what you were aiming at here. Its an experiment with low light that worked.
best wishes for 2009 kevin.

riclopes (32971) 2008-12-30 0:58

Olá Kevin, the result is impressive for iso1600. I can notice just a bit of noise, nothing disturbing at all. And the sharpness is excellent making a perfect silhouette, specially on the white "hat" maybe because of the contrast with the dark BG. I want to start learning exactely the same with my new 450D. I would prefer him to be less centered, but apart that, it's a very nice portrait.
rgds,
ric

papagolf21 (56251) 2008-12-30 2:01

Bonjour, mon ami Kevin,
Très heureux de revoir vos photographies. Voilà le genre de photo qui mérite de figurer sur le site, apprendre par la photographie et par le texte. La photo est de qualité (surtout sans utilisation de flash) et les couleurs sont parfaitement rendues.
À l'aube du Nouvel An, accepte de tout coeur les voeux les plus chaleureux pour une année exceptionnelle : santé, bonheur et prospérité !
Amitiés.
Philippe

patdeph (17748) 2008-12-30 3:56

hello Kevin
I hope you had a nice time in Sri Lanka.I like this photo very much,I don't see the noise from which you speak in your note!The quality is even good for a photo taken at 1600 iso!I like how the dancer is standing out the dark background,,and I like his beautiful clothes!For a 1/40 speed,the sharpness is very good too!This is a very nice photo!
Regards
Pascale

Morac (20307) 2008-12-30 4:51

Hi Kevin,
I'm glad your back with a beautiful portrait as you know very well done.
best regards
Marc

axiotea (16069) 2008-12-31 0:53

Hello dear Kevin
oh you're back from Shri Lanka! Hope you had a good time!
Here, the noise is not really obvious and anyway I don't find it disturbing!
I like the expression you caught on the man's face with his wide opened eyes and the way he is proudly holding the conch.

My best wishes to You for 2009! Have good fun ;))

Marilyn

chirasak (575) 2009-01-04 0:30

Hello Ajarn
i like your note, and he has nice dressing, it is nice half shot, beside that your note is also very informative, it is very nice for me who not travel often but still can see many nice picture from around the world, this is nice picture from Sri Lanka thank for sharing

Best Regard
Chirasak

kschanna (2634) 2009-07-09 4:02

Hello Kevin,

Quite a nice composition, I especially like the dark-ish background and the man's semi preparedness adds a unique interest.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran

thaprem (2472) 2009-09-01 4:24

Kevin,
A very interesting one... Strong lighting sense, interesting personality & remarkable expression makes this a treat to watch.
Cheers,
Prem.

fritzi007 (2507) 2009-11-02 10:40