Rubber Tapper, a photo from Trat, East

Photographer's Note

Taking a drive down the quiet, west coast of Koh Chang we passed many rubber plantations. Stopping for a walk in the forest, we came across this young girl collecting sap.

Rubber is one of the most important products to come out of the rainforest. Though indigenous rainforest dwellers of South America have been using rubber for generations, it was not until 1839 that rubber had its first practical application in the industrial world. In that year, Charles Goodyear accidentally dropped rubber and sulfur on a hot stovetop, causing it to char like leather yet remain plastic and elastic. Vulcanization, a refined version of this process, transformed the white sap from the bark of the Hevea tree into an essential product for the industrial age. Today now 90% of rubber production comes from plantations of rubber trees in Southeast Asia.

bukitgolfb301, tyro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Nicou (97543) 2011-05-06 8:10

Hlelo

super compo et image, mangigique quel jeu avec l'ombre et ce personnage qui travaille dans la forêt, splendide

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

bukitgolfb301 (30039) 2011-05-07 1:49

Hi my dear Rosemary

So typical daily life secene in Asia!
A strong morning light disturbs the white balance unfortunately but very tasty image indeed.
Thanks for your sharing finest work and have a good Saturday!

Best regards,
Takero from rainy Tokyo

tyro (13021) 2011-05-07 2:11

Hello Rosemary,

This is a very interesting note indeed and I like the photograph which you have used to illustrate it.

Unfortunately, I think there is just a little bit too much contrast here. That, of course, is due to the very strong sunlight and the consequent very dark shadows. It would also have been nice to have seen the face of the rubber plantation worker.

So, I have done a very quick little workshop for you in an attempt to remedy the contrast problem to some extent. It would, of course, be easier to do with the full-size image file or, indeed, the original RAW file but see what you think. I hope you don't mind my playing around with your picture!

Kind Regards,

John.

[workshop] [compare] +

corjan3 (1877) 2011-05-07 2:59

Hello Rosamary,
Yes, it is interesting to watch the rubber being collected. Well done under the unfavourable light conditions. Best wishes.
Neels

PS: Would you like to view the amazing experiences and images of three men from here riding their motorcycles for 13500 Km up the length of Africa? Visit their Cape-to-Cairo website at http://threefarmersandagreek.wordpress.com.

They have covered more than 10 000 Km now and have run into rather serious trouble with a passport having been stolen.