The Vietnamese smile Photo

Photographer’s Note

I judt had to include a shot like this

I took this shot because this is a typical Vietnamese smile, everyone I saw, be it friends or strangers like at the market or if people are sad on the streets..... when you smile they smile back graciously, thats what I found out when I was in Ho Chi Minh, it was just so pleasant.

In Vietnam I heard it is polite to ask the person you are taking a picture of, otherwise whe you snap the camera it is taking away their spirit.

This lady was willing to pose for me, she seemed very kind.

I have only cropped around the edges

I hope you like it

kikvel, ChrisJ, elihesamian, Zanni, Rinie_Hoff, carper, nwoehnl, jhonny_blue, joseelias, touristdidi, bebel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

whereami (1427) 2004-06-28 18:52

Well, I love Vietnam and I love Vietnamese markets, so this shot appeals to me. I think it does capture the atmosphere well - everything from the food on the filthy ground to the red plastic tubs and chairs that seem to be everywhere in Vietnam, to the general chaos of the place. I also like how the women's hats form a line leading into the shot.

kikvel (4770) 2004-06-28 19:13

Very nice daily image you captured here. I like these kind of pictures, really nice and well done.

maphoto (8076) 2004-06-28 19:21

A smile can change a lot of things, I'm sure you were very happy after this shot, thanks for sharing this pleasant moment, great daily life shot, well seen.

elihesamian (26033) 2004-06-28 23:14

Yes she seems very kind with lovely smile & with lovely face as a mother who works with hope,really she has a simbolic & typical Vietnamese face,specially a farmer as I see in some programs on TV or movies,and I love this atmosphere there,Very real with lively colors & a fine contrast you captured,I can see more details in this bazaar,And i like this details in this busy & popular place,
And you show it with great composition here,You did great,Daniel!

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Zanni (5885) 2004-06-29 0:22

This gentle smile of a simple woman is the best spot to show us the characteristic of a people. They are poor out and rich in. In our western society a smile between two strangers is an exceptional case. We are poor in.

ChrisJ (65337) 2004-06-29 3:35

This looks similar to the Nha Trang markets, except they were selling green dragon fruit with the red skin.

carper (60991) 2004-06-29 3:37

Nice one Daniel,
Good composition, good colours, and nice depth you created, good note and a good job

nwoehnl (61227) 2004-06-29 3:46

A lovely shot from the market with this very sympathetic lady, Dan. Your low shooting perspective was really called for, and not only does this photo work great as a portrait, but also the colorful and busy market atmosphere is really well caught. I like that fish display in the middle. Very well taken.

cmartos (6086) 2004-06-29 4:06

Excellent shot! The low angle is very good, it gives a nice view on this market. Her smile is joyful too. Very good compo and crop. Thanks for sharing Dan!

jhonny_blue (4938) 2004-06-29 4:36

Wonderful cmile, face, expression, colours !
Very good shot !
Congratulations

dominique (11387) 2004-06-29 5:21

Pretty scene of street of this area, likes the glance of the lady and the sight on this alive street. well considering.

Burnham (2449) 2004-06-29 13:30

I've not been paying attention, and missed this one. You a so vrsitile in your shots but master every different style, this is a great people shot, I wish it was mine. She looks very friendly.

CoolDan (2488) 2004-06-29 20:26

Ah comme ils sont chaleureux ces asiatiques. Très beau sourire Daniel. On voit sa gentillesse dans ses yeux. Well done.

joseelias (367) 2004-07-01 8:31

Great image. The lady really seems nice and you've captured it well. Also like the perspective and the dephtness of the photo.

Maybe a small correction in the shadows and midtones could bring some more details especially in her face.

tangerine (631) 2004-07-02 11:10 [Comment]

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bfly (5735) 2004-07-05 12:10

very good feeling picture Daniel..like all your shots but in this one she is really sweet..it is a little difficult to shoot people here too..I guess because of pictures being banned in Islam...they sometimes get very angry even if you ask politely..
I liked the tunnel of ladies and biker's legs..and your low saturated colors a lot..
thanks :)

MiguelP (14215) 2004-07-27 10:49

Superb... Just for say something, maybe it would improve (if this is possible) by making the portrait a little bit more in front of her in order to avoid the traffic but keeping her and the other women in the picture. But it´s just to point out something, it´s also great the way it is. Congratulations from Madrid (and apoligize for my english)

touristdidi (8559) 2004-08-02 4:31 [Comment]

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bebel (7305) 2004-08-02 6:27

Very nice shot of life. I like it.
Colours are soft and natural, cadrage is équilibré by the lady smiling ; real invitation to visite Vietnam. Bravo
Pierrot
(sorry for my approximative english, I do my best)

faubry (31481) 2005-02-25 5:51

very good typic portrait of vietnam, and markets, great dayly life, thanks

to morrow
francine

Stepan (27163) 2005-06-16 16:07

You know I really enjoy this kind of compo, especially with such a pov.
A great job, a wonderful smile.
Stéphane

banyanman (7691) 2005-12-20 22:27

This is an excellent capture of daily life, Dan, and your low POV works very well here. I like her smile and the way in which the line of hats then leads the eye into the rest of the composition. Cheers . . . David