Baguette & Chocolat Photo

Photographer’s Note

It was a very cold and foggy night in Sapa. Trying to find some warmth, we sought refuge in the "Baguette & Chocolat Cafe". We spent hours there sipping cafes and eating an asortement of pastries. I decided to go out in the pitch dark night to see if I could snap any moody shots. This is one of the photos I took looking into the front window of the cafe. Lots of grain in this image as I wasn't using a tripod and had the ISO setting at 1600.

sabyasachi1212, padeg, nibspics, qpochet, tonyp, Flavia, tibervince has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

RGatward (19737) 2007-01-24 1:04

Funny how after years of struggling to free themsleves from (initially) French rule, there's places like this opening up.

Very nicely thought out effective shot, which catches the mood you're after well.

Miks (1707) 2007-01-24 1:15

Slightly voyeristic feeling to this shot. I feel like I'm the killer in some teen-horror movie...

Cheers,
Mikkel

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-01-24 1:21

Hi Spiros,
Excellent composition, wonderful POV. This somehow looks more European than S E Asian to me:)
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

padeg (423) 2007-01-24 3:10

Hi Spiros,

It was a surprise for me to read that you took that photo from outside and in the cold. It is a picture that carries such a warm feeling.
The expression of the thoughtful woman made me think of a writer looking for inspiration even though it is true that there is no pen and paper on the table. It is just the general ambiance of the image.
This is definately a moody picture.
Pascal.

nibspics (350) 2007-01-24 3:36

Too Bad no tripod....cool shot anyways. Interesting mood it creates and I like the way the drapes/curtains frame the shot. Makes me wonder what the subject is thinking about.
Regards, Warren

aadilj (17950) 2007-01-24 4:04

A very wine and chocolate shot! I love the hues that have been captured with some exquisite body language and expressions. the whole is rich and classy. good pov and perspective alongwith a good use of the dof. Nice work with immaculate composition.

pat0500 (21513) 2007-01-24 4:12

Hi Spiros,
Very well beautiful photographs in your gallery...bravo..!
Here too, very nice picture, good atmosphere and good point of view.
I like much this picture..!
Best regards,¨
Patrick

qpochet (1378) 2007-01-24 11:28

Hi Spiros,
You've got a very nice gallery. This shot is very nice, very moody indeed. I like the warm atmosphere. I like the expression of the woman and the "curtains" frame.
Nice job!
Quentin.

tonyp (217) 2007-01-24 19:59

Beautiful, very beautiful image Spiros, I like the composition and the peaceful feeling that come out iof it. Very well captured. keep posting more, I love your pictures!
Cheers,
Tony

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-01-27 5:27

HI Spiros, i am sure to find beautiful work in your gallery..
Also this one is a very good image with a good light and a perfect composition..
The noise works well for the atmosphere!
ciao!
Valeria

Flavia (10202) 2007-01-30 14:26

Hi Spiros,

The mood here is fantastic, you caught the girl in her toughts, the light is warm and nice and the window a perfect frame. For me the grain adds to the picture in this case. Really wonderfull image.

Cheers,

Flavia

tibervince (781) 2007-01-30 21:03

Salut Spiros,
I love this picture... without any strong vietnamese feature in your shot (apart of the woman) I feel that your picture is all of the essence Vietnam... but I can not explain why... lol Maybe is it the woman posture... the dusty atmosphere, the quiet mood... I dont know... but I can hear this old music from the 1920's playing through a gramophone... I can imagine the old cars driving by...
You have stimulate my imagination with this picture.... thank you!
Vincent

Angshu (33619) 2007-01-31 3:34

Hello Spiros
The compo. is excellent here & the curtains provide a strong frame as we look into the cafe with you. I laud your handling of light here & don't think noise is much of an issue here. This sure would look great in B&W too, being such a moody atmosphere
Regards
Angshu

scalerman (25731) 2007-03-01 3:58

Spiros: great, natural frame for the warming composition. It sets a somber, reflective mood. Great eye here even for high ISO. regards, c