A Water Village Malay Girl, a photo from Sabah, East

Photographer's Note

She was sitting pretty on the small landing of her home, in a water village called Kampong Muhibah, on the waterfront of Kunak, a small coastal town on the East Coast Of Sabah.

A young kampong Malay girl in her green traditional "baju kurung" with a plastic red "thingy" keeping her tussled windblown hair down. Even with her sweet subtle smile, you can't keep wondering of the scar she has on her forehead.

If you are looking to shoot human interest and sea related activities, tasty seafood but no beaches you have better luck on the east coast of Sabah. With some beautiful islands thrown in.

But if you are thinking of basking on white sandy beaches, with melancholic sunset, rolling padi fields with a view of the highest mountain,walk on the west side of Sabah.

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Critiques | Translate

banyanman (7772) 2005-08-26 11:43

A very nice composition, Rabani. Good use of DOF and fill-flash (not overdone). Although the little girl is posing, she looks relaxed and enjoying it. This looks like a village with some civic pride with its well tended potted plants and clean boardwalks. It looks much tidier than some of the other water villages I have been to on Borneo. Cheers . . . David

kinginexile (2598) 2005-08-26 14:03

Seems easy, but a difficult light situation, good idea to use a flash, and very unconspicuously. A nice portrait, Rabani, and though one sees the archetypes of pleasantness, a child smile and flowers, the unsightly pipe is a great prop, to show life improvement in a kampong, at the cost of a blander environment. This, with the corrugated houses provide a contrast between the hearts of the people and the drab surroundings. It makes the presence of the flower pots as touching as her smile, in a way. Thanks.

ywho79 (382) 2005-08-27 3:45