Sampaguitas and Shady Characters Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is again a shot from outside Quiapo church. Seen in the shot to the right is a sampaguita garland vendor. To the left is a random shady looking character.

The sampaguita became the Philippines national flower in 1934, though it actually originated from outside the country. A small white bloom with a beautifully sweet scent, it symbolises honour and dignity.

To contrast, we also have folk of a little less honour (though this guy on the left is probably a decent fellow himself). Bag slashers are common in Manila, guys that carry small blades to cut open bags and grab it's contents. They operate in places like markets and on public transport. [I've personally have experienced this when I was living in Ecuador in 99, it's not fun let me say!]

Post-pro: converted to BW, curves, sharpening.

Isabelle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

markgong (2840) 2005-03-07 21:49

I like it, very good photojournalist style coverage. I think the crop might be a bit too tight, but it's still good regardless.

Isabelle (9014) 2005-03-07 22:53

oh, another headchopper! :))
lovely street scene (btw, you´re doing a great job in Manila, Alex!, totally at ease!)
informative notes.
i like a lot the subtle contrast between the garland and the stripes of the tshirt.
i would use a shallower dof though, those 2 on the right do the trick beautifully.
thanks for sharing and congratulations for the series.

Luko (13880) 2005-03-08 2:42

Another good framing Alex although I think you tend to get obsessed by it (but I agree this is a good choice) and tend to forget two main flaws.

Your BW is a bit dark as I see it, it lacks some brighter areas to rest in , I look at your pic with eyes semi-closed like at the start of the night, that can be easily fixed.

The other thing is that your foreground subject is much more interesting than your background even though you tend to give him a certain errrh "qualities", which should not be the case with your split half choice. You had to wait for a better moment or another character to pass through your viewfinder.

[2] +

AnimeshRay (8886) 2005-03-08 11:07

This is an amusing title...the poor fellow you call a "bag slasher" is holding an inocuous cell phone!! :-)

Very effective composition; cleverly subdivides the field of view to create atmosphere and tension...the fingers in the foreground meld so well with the curves of the strings...

A rich street-shot

erthmuffin (1501) 2005-03-08 16:18

interesting to crop the heads, but it does place more attention on the shady guy in the background, and the flowers also. overall, very good, and different! cheers.

cranerider (175) 2005-03-08 16:25 [Comment]