Shining Through..., a photo from Bangkok, Central

Photographer's Note

This is an earlier picture of the lady in this picture.

This actually was my first shot of her. She was not looking and she didn't notice me. Moreover, her eyes, the part of the face that I like to focus on, were hidden behind the veil. Or so I thought...

When I downloaded the pictures to my computer later that day, I saw her eyes, her soul, shining through the veil. Isn't this true to all of us? No matter how much we hide behind a facade (thick or flimsy it maybe), we can't hide our real self.

For this picture, I experimented on another filter in Photoshop CS. I combined sepia and yellow and adjusted the saturation. I also did USM and curves adjustment especially in the eye area.

kaychambers, cgrindahl, cmartos, zamsh, carper, Japie, ChrisJ, eleparc, taivo, nwoehnl, Galeota, Burnham, avigur_11, Signal-Womb, richwm, KevRyan, MON, andante, digi-mom, davelounge, jzguest, judhi, cokutan, jwillie44, irishkiwi, baclama, daddo, quillo, ambivalens, pentalopes, williewhistler has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

maciekda (19861) 2004-06-22 0:56 [Comment]

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kogawa (4310) 2004-06-22 1:25

perfect backlight and well composed.
a peace of real art!
thenks manny for shering this photo with us! - it's a TE picture as well as an art galery picture.
grate job - love it!

Zanni (6108) 2004-06-22 1:25

Another wonderful picture. Particulary I like the fact that her eye is covered by veil: it seems to underline the distance between us and her deep thoughts.

kaychambers (1198) 2004-06-22 1:39

Fabulous imaging Manuel, & a million congratulations on your achieving this stunning result! Well Done!

Regards

vic

bartove (2861) 2004-06-22 1:39

real art well composed beautiful portrait.

henrye (3500) 2004-06-22 1:40

This is even better than yesterday's posting! The eyes visible through the veil is wonderful. Once again the sepia works really well here. Well done!

cgrindahl (6113) 2004-06-22 1:51

This is even more provocative Manny with the woman's eye behind the thin scarf. You exhibit wonderful control over depth of field which is even more challenging when the plane on which you focus includes a hidden element like this. And your post capture processing really pays dividends here. This is very fine, a favorite for me.

iamxa (3001) 2004-06-22 2:20

Manuel, wonderful portrait, like ever. Excellent quality of image, and perfect done technically, also with the light. I hope this woman could see your portrait.

adalbert (1323) 2004-06-22 3:05

beautiful portrait.... perfect photo...

[2]

nomaD (341) 2004-06-22 3:15

Superb!!
I love it!
Nothing more to say.

zamsh (445) 2004-06-22 3:18

Her hidden eye tells so many about her
good background, great frame that works great with this saphia tones.

carper (96) 2004-06-22 3:51

Another very easy? photo. Realy good experimented Manuel, I like the composition and the sherpia tones, very very good work

pridel (233) 2004-06-22 4:17

SUPERBE ! vraiment j'aime beaucoup cette photo. La composition est excellente, les plis du voile qui s'ouvrent en évantail vers la droite. La stabilité de l'image renforcée par le menton reposant sur la main. Et ce regard voilé qui est d'une grande poésie comme la tonalité de la photo. bravo

Japie (72) 2004-06-22 4:18

Having read the comments above I dont have anything else to add, but wonderful composition!!

ChrisJ (86854) 2004-06-22 4:26

I like the other one better, but this is still pretty good.

jrj (34841) 2004-06-22 4:31

Good notes and a great photo Manny. Elegant, reflective, very good job.
..Who said that portraits should always be taken directly to the face of the object - who should always look into the camera?
Some times the result can be as well as good when focus is set on creativity, like here where everything is at the best..

gufo (106) 2004-06-22 4:38

Magnificent again!

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-06-22 4:57

Amazing
Perfect
Wonderful
Magic
Thousand points ! :)

eleparc (24063) 2004-06-22 5:55

both portraits are excellent manny, but this one adds a touch of delicacy because of the not-so-hidden eye through the almost transparent veil...;-) lol great shot and another great PP. I love it!
adding it to my favorites.. ( 5 favorites for this photo??? manny you are exceeding yourself! LOL)

hdl (6995) 2004-06-22 7:22

Simply great! The best I saw up till now today.

taivo (1843) 2004-06-22 7:34

Beautiful portrait again. Those eyes just looked mysterious through the veil. The dof is wonderful with a good choice of background as the white, blurry spot is a nice balance to the darker colours on the left side.

nwoehnl (122) 2004-06-22 13:07

Outstanding, Manny - and as stunning as the previous posting was, I think this one is even better. Her sparkling eye really shines through the veil in an amazing way, and everything is just so perfect - the posture, the light, the composition. I don't have the words except sincerely congratulating you on this one.

Galeota (10338) 2004-06-22 14:22

Of course the work you did on her eye reveals the importance you give to detail. But what I like the most is the particular angle made between her hand and her chin. I would easily exchange the whole photo just to keep that angle, without any context, and just for the pure egocentric pleasure I could take from its aesthetic form.

...but... this is still a very good portrait. Thank you Manny, for all this beauty.

nfriedli (1060) 2004-06-22 16:02

Très belle image, tout en finesse et en nuances. L'éclairage est superbe et la vision à travers le voile très réussie. Bravo!

avigur_11 (21954) 2004-06-22 17:02

Jsut great, waht can I add more. POV, the angle, the sepia, the dof, all great, and all create a very very good composition. Very good job, Manny.

cmartos (242) 2004-06-22 17:55

Splendid portrait. Excellent composed, yes, but additionaly you achieved here a wonderful add in PP that reveals a great expression. Very fine work. Admiration.

Burnham (2428) 2004-06-23 9:44

I have no words for this or maybe I have a million they are just all attempts to describe the beauty of this elegant portrait. I like this alot more than your first post of her, and I mean that in the nicest way :o) I bet everything has already been said about this so i'll leave you with an image of what I look like watching this :o) head a bit leaned to the right eyes very wide open shaking my head slightly, completely in aw. You thought right! :o)

pts later

Martine (0) 2004-06-23 13:49

game of light & shadows is realy wonderful manny. Very good work

RGatward (20050) 2004-06-23 16:45

This is certainly the best shot of the two, and I like it in sepia. Makes almost a graphic patern the way you've cropped it. Points tomorrow.

maphoto (8082) 2004-06-23 21:38

A beauty, lovely picture, her eye got my attention also, very beautiful look, very well done.

light (865) 2004-06-25 4:45

Superb atmosphere. Very good sepia choice. Composition, details and contrast are really good. The control of the light and shadow are perfect. The sense of peace and deep thought is incredible in her.

Signal-Womb (13048) 2004-06-26 17:11

This is one hell of a shot here Manuel I keep seeing it posted on others Critiques and favorites,its certainly worthly of comment and points. Its an amazing shot.

yesterday (9833) 2004-06-30 1:55

WOW........Then Manny is best!

PERFECT PHOTO.........Regards Kaj Nielsen

waysai (607) 2004-07-03 23:42

Perfect composition combined with excellent skill in photo editing. I like the light touches on her eye, nose and lip.

hayseed (104) 2004-09-08 8:59 [Comment]

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kinginexile (2598) 2004-09-20 0:41

Timeless image! One of your very best pix! So simple, yet so inspired/ing...

alimo3 (6854) 2004-09-20 18:01

hi manny.
this is one of my fovorite picture from all TE
composition and well used colors are great.
the eye thought the veil is a very good idea.
she is beautyful (i mean the pix and the model)
Amazing Thailand

Tom

Dionysos (1234) 2004-09-21 7:25

Manuel, this is real beauty ! Thank you !

scalerman (26884) 2004-09-25 21:50

what more to add to this one Manny. Were you lucky or are you just getting really good with the D70? More of this series? Another thing I've learned about pictures: sometimes people let you think that you don't know you're taking they're picture, but they do. They just don't want to spoil the moment for you. Sometimes THEY know how good the shot is.

emralc (172) 2004-10-06 3:24 [Comment]

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jiekuan (332) 2004-12-22 0:33

if nothing is perfect, this is almost perfect potrait and Sepia shot!

KevRyan (22924) 2004-12-31 6:49

Manny - I have only just had the privilege to discover your photographs - I am completely knocked out by what I've seen so far - this one just stopped me in my tracks. It is so beautiful.

shangri-la (353) 2005-04-20 4:28

very mysterious and sweet... beautiful picture!
;-)

MON (135) 2005-08-31 11:08

Excellent shot and explanation! You got a fantastic composition and light. Congratulations!.

lukdm (98) 2005-09-19 3:39

very naice portait Manuel

jjcordier (62280) 2006-01-08 5:28

Great photo, Manuel!Perfect!
JJ

skomy (124) 2006-01-08 6:05

Wonderful Picture Manny...
Portrait really beautiful + the effect u did in Photoshop made this photo stand out.

She's like an expensive pearl, protected by that veil....

Welldone..
Sherif

Svillegas (1169) 2006-02-06 5:29

Hi again Manuel
Wondeful composition and great use of the DOF, I can practically touch this tender skin. Wonderful! Great election for black and white.
Have a nice day,
Sonia

lasscor (7640) 2006-04-09 15:36

Wonderful portrait.
All carefully, all in reserve.
Great light effect.
I love it!
Regards,
Corinne

elBud (2235) 2006-04-18 18:20

Beautiful!
this picture is perfect, Superb!!!

clarita (654) 2006-05-17 21:05

beautiful...simply lovely!
i love this shot and the angle at which you took it...soft colors/image.
thx for posting!

Izobretenik (1268) 2006-05-26 2:18

The portrait is just beautiful. The DoF is very sharp and the most important thing I notice, and I undestood you did too while I read your note, is the presence of the eyes, a deep and magnificent look she gives. I guess it was not meant to be kept on a memory picture but you did and how happy I am you decided to share it.

Izo

westernisles (740) 2006-05-26 2:28

Really nice shot.
It's like a paint.
Great compo.
Christian

david (3992) 2006-05-26 2:56

this is, without a doubt, a remarkable photo. well taken and a great perspective.

the outcome is very professional ... i can see why it's such a favourite.

capca (0) 2006-05-29 6:41

It's a very poetic photo. I'm agree with you for her soul but i think unfortunately human is very "talented" for hide his real self...
Congratulations
Mari

manu_itu (305) 2006-06-07 1:18

What can I say manny, it's outstanding. The experiment worked out just excellent. It's soul stiring combination of 'head n' heart'.

leiju (1697) 2006-06-10 7:43

An absolutely stunning portrait.
What else could be said?
Nothing. It's perfect :D

Best regards,
Julia

davelounge (311) 2006-06-10 7:56

fantastic light, composition, subject and focus! a really beautiful image.

veronika (6052) 2006-07-02 6:09

Im not getting the proper words here Manuel.. wonderful picture!!!
Vero

judhi (769) 2006-10-07 22:58

Stunning, you have choosen a right color and sharpness control to enhance the essence of the picture.

As if I can also think what this woman thought.

Thailand is very interesting country. The people there live happily in harmony despite variety of their religions. Until some people who wanted country's instability came and create trouble.

MeAT (1174) 2006-12-02 10:11

You played well with the colour. I would appreciate that you put the original in the workshop to help me reproduce what you did in Photoshop.

Great work!

MeAT :)

vonp (2235) 2006-12-02 10:51

Hi Manny,
WONDERFUL, simply wonderful like many other your frame!
BRAVO.
Ciao
Paolo

partha (13775) 2007-02-25 1:23

Hi Manuel,
Just perfect composition. Wonderful emotive portrait. Excellent tonality and wonderful choice of background.
Partha

jwillie44 (1234) 2007-06-25 5:23 [Comment]

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irishkiwi (90) 2007-09-13 16:07

It's a beautiful shot. Lovely composition. The lighting is superb. Thank you for sharing

Framboisilla (5277) 2007-11-14 12:35

Hello Manuel,

It's simply wonderful with a lot of sensitivity, softness and beauty... The POV is great, the framing too.

Regards,
Stéphanie.

ecoli1946 (259) 2007-11-22 6:50

Bonjour Manuel,
Tout simplement MERVEILLEUX!
Composition, le choix du noir et blanc, ton travail artistique avec Photoshop...
Si j'étais cette jeune fille... je t'embrasserais!
Salutations, Réjean

sonkai (1105) 2008-02-09 3:29

Hi Manuel
Beautiful,beautiful exactly this way..I like this one much more than other one,I find it more misterious and sugestive,like she was on the point of turn her head and look at us.
Best regards,
Sonsoles

daddo (18517) 2008-06-13 17:17

Hi Manuel. So beautiful, refined, spiritual and aesthetically superb. The touches of light on hand and face and on the translucent veil are lovely. Delicate work of an assured master. Regards. Klaudio.

amazon (12082) 2008-12-04 6:03

hi manuel,
perfect cadrage,colours and pov,
congratulations,
iffet

quillo (11840) 2008-12-04 7:26

-

HOLA MANUEL:

No había visto esta foto antes y la verdad es que me ha dejado encantado por lo...: ...... sutil, sencillo, bello, bonito, lindo, delicioso, delicado, delicioso, elegante, encantador, exquisito, fino, atractivo, hermoso...... Felicidades por el excelente trabajo.

Un saludo.

-

wawa (690) 2008-12-20 5:28

What a wonderful portrait. Everything is perfect about it !
BR
Warren

ambivalens (90) 2009-10-03 13:11

very nice portrait..
TFS

fatma

macjake (39227) 2009-10-03 13:28

Hello Manuel !

long time no speak.

I love this photo so much i'm going to add it to my favourite list!

Superb composition!
Great lighting!
Superb subject!

great job Manuel

thanks
Craig

ajayrawat (533) 2009-10-03 13:51

Mind blowing shot...I am speechless...don't have words

missmd (172) 2011-03-10 20:51 [Comment]

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klapek (104) 2012-05-30 13:11

Wow! This is a stunningly beautiful and at the same time somehow intimate picture. I especially like it how the light outlines her contours. The sepia-like post-processing is spot on. One thing I don't like about it is the Moiré pattern on the veil near her eye.

cananyasar (345) 2013-03-28 12:26

perfec ı like ı happy calculuator