Restoring Roopmati Photo

Photographer’s Note

In the 11th century the poet-prince Baz Bahadur smiten by the singing voice of a Hindu shepherdess Roopmati, built for her high on the crest of a hill so that she could still see her village as she sung a pavilion as a token of his love. A magnificent expression of Afgan architecture. Today Roopmati's pavilion is being restored.

yanm, cmarino, jammer79, rushfan2112, besnard, KevRyan, photographer123, lucasdasilva, eleparc, AmiBe, riclopes, hispic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

devimeuxbe (56532) 2007-03-04 5:21

Hi Elaine
Beautifull portrait.
I like the nice colors, the great sharpness and the beautifull glmance of this woman.
A professional work.
Bertrand

cmarino (2368) 2007-03-04 5:23

Superbt, Elaine !
The girl's expression, the colors, light, sharpness... a flawless shot !
It deserves much more than one smile from my side.
Congrats !!

Celso

battousai (827) 2007-03-04 5:25

Hi Elaine,

This is a very beautiful portrait indeed. What I like most (apart from colours and sharpness) is the composition. It's very static, yet there is some dynamism in it. The look in the woman's eyes, and the colour composition of silver jewelry and her blue robe as well as her nose piercing... It's great.

It's a pity I haven't visited your gallery before.

Best regards

Pawel

bfly (5737) 2007-03-04 5:27

hi Elaine,
very beautiful..your photo and model both..excellant colors, light and sharpness..I love the expression in her face too..congratulations and please accept my jealousy :)..(I agree with cmarino, deserves a pro smiley if it existed)
brgds
fusun

jammer79 (2666) 2007-03-04 5:31

Perfect work! I like the colours, composition and well choosen background!
Very good technical quality as well!
Cheers, R.

rushfan2112 (2965) 2007-03-04 5:34

Elaine, this is a shot worthy of National Geographic. (That's the highest accolade I can think of). It is stunning. Well done. Paul.

besnard (31316) 2007-03-04 5:40

Bonjour Elaine
Superbe portrait de cette femme. Les couleurs sont douces, l'ensemble très net, grand souci du détail.
Merci pour le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

Yar (795) 2007-03-04 6:08

very beauifull portrait. nice colours and sharpness. it's just superb

KevRyan (22422) 2007-03-04 8:02

A wonderful portrait Elaine - such a great counterpoint note too - as Bertrand says really a very professional looking work - everything here works together so well - we meet another human being eye to eye - engage with a moment of her life....

bw Kev

tinamunk3 (6390) 2007-03-04 9:57

Hi Elaine,

It seems like all elements in the shot is forming a synthesis (can you say that in English?)......the colours are just perfect and matching so well. The light coming from the left. The details of the womans dress and jewellery. The thing on her head - the background - the way she fills out the whole image..... and the eyes look perfect.....I couldn't agree more with Bertrand and Paul - I also think that this image is professional and NG material.

Very well done, Elaine.

:) Tina

designsoul (21394) 2007-03-04 10:03

A pure painting, Elaine...
The intensity of her deep gaze, the beautiful colours of her sari, the extraordinary similarity between the basket she is carrying and the wall, the overall tonality of this perfect shot... am in awe... a really marvellous portrait!
Take care Elaine,
sasa

derek3755 (2341) 2007-03-04 10:31

Beautiful Portrait, like the composition, exposure, sharpness and colours.

Derek

photographer123 (5817) 2007-03-04 10:34

Hi,
Although It looks simple...but the color,tone and the eyes made this photo great.Presentetion is also good..well done..SUBIR

scalerman (25787) 2007-03-04 10:51

Elaine: reminded here of some fine NG portraiture. You've included enough information to flesh out your story without detracting from the simple elements from your friend here. Beautiful Nikon colors too. I'm starting to doubt the Canon. regards, c

aadilj (17950) 2007-03-05 0:49

Those eyes tell the whole story. Your image has very good texture, colours and tones and is very well crafted. I love the earthly tones you have captured and the protrait of the woman who embodies strength with the load on her head. Nice overall composition. Good pov and perspective. Great job done.

delkoo (35014) 2007-03-05 3:28

hi eliane
great serie on women at work, this one is strong too, the glance of the woman is fascinating, i am fond of the great quality of the photograph.
A real success.

cheers
didier

lucasdasilva (557) 2007-03-05 3:30

Olá Elaine
This a veri good picture and I like how you make portrait though she looking at you little awkward but the colors is good.
Abraço,
Lucas

Leonie (8647) 2007-03-05 3:44

Hi Elaine,
That's a beautiful portrait! I love the coulours of the cloth on this background. Very nice!
Cheers,
Léonie

eleparc (24059) 2007-03-05 5:23

wow! exceptional light and a great portrait! I love the light in the BG and the side soft light from her right! Just superb!
Eric

Albrecht (11265) 2007-03-05 10:49

Hi Elaine
A very beautiful portrait; the light and the colours are very soft and beautiful though the compo is a bit to central I like it anyway.
greetings from Holland
Albrecht

AmiBe (6042) 2007-03-06 15:45

Superb portrait Elaine...
Fantastic colors and glance... nothing more to add...

riclopes (33137) 2007-03-07 12:23

So you decided to extend a bit more this series. Each one with a diferent note...No tricks on this beautiful portrait. Simple, straight look, central composition. It works perfectly for me. Love the textures over her head and the subtle contrast bettween the container and the background.
Ricardo

yanm (1485) 2007-03-15 1:03

Elaine,
I am jealous of this shot. A strong potrait.
love it

Yan M

partha (13677) 2007-03-15 5:39

Hi Elaine ,
A very straight forward shot. Excellent tonality, nice choice of background and all looks brilliant here.
Regards,
partha

kajspice (4534) 2007-03-21 5:34

A smiley just cannot justify how beautiful I think this picture is... Did you know, one of the meanings of "Roop" is "physical beauty?"...

I think you managed to magnify her beauty because of the light. Her almost expressionless expression is perhaps what makes her so engaging. You clearly have a way with people, as this does not look in the least bit "stolen" or set up.

I have seen many, many pictures of female labourers, but this one strikes a very different chord within me. I feel something looking at this... I cannot describe what, but what you have done is make me want to examine every detail on her and around her. Her eyes, her nose stud, her saree...the way it compliments her skin and the background...Oh! The background...its just perfect...

Beautiful exposure and framing...what can I say...its a perfect portrait. You are truly raising the standard with photographs like this. Makes me think twice before uploading something which is sub-standard... An example to us all...

:) :) :) three smileys... ok, 4 :) and a place in my special place...

InasiaJones (20717) 2007-03-24 15:23

Hi Elaine,

A portrait I’m really jealous about! Wow! You’ve made the best possible use of the ambient light, a terrific choice for an amazing background and a great selection of «props», like jewels and receptacle, resulting in a «studio shot» look.

So the light is surely the key element, as it immediately put this image in another category. The light seems to «fall» exactly where it should and the gradient shadow on the wall is incredibly perfect.

The textures are also a bonus for the image, diffusing a rugged atmosphere. The color of the background is exquisite; it blends naturally with her skintone and offers a soft contrast with her sari.

The choice of framing is very relevant for this static pose, stopped in time like a painting. Nothing seems to be improvise, as every details are at the right place, for a good reason and properly lighted.

There’s nothing more we can put in, there’s nothing we should take out. Simple because nothing is superfluous.

Impressive!

André

jslee (2741) 2007-03-30 16:59

Hi Elain,

This is great portrait.
Blue color of sari she wears and the yellow background harmonized very well and the expression
os the woman is quite serious.
JS

Uzi (1160) 2007-05-09 19:11

colours , compostion , model ehh all in this pic is magnificent
I love it
TFS
Iza

tibervince (781) 2007-07-18 6:02

Hello Elaine,
Superb portrait... the textures, the different colors and the soft light are just excellent... and the expression of this woman... splendid...
greetings from bangkok
Vincent

hispic (7399) 2008-03-11 2:29

Hi Elaine,
Decorous portrait with beautiful light and colors. It's my especially favorite work in your marvelous gallery.
This is a work superior to August Sander - Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts.
Have a nice day, Hisashi

prayash (156) 2009-07-03 4:53 [Comment]