Games of the great Salar Photo

Photographer’s Note

This photo was kicked out of TrekEarth the other day, excuse given that they assumed the persons on the photo were friends of mines, which they are not, they were traveling in the same jeep as me and I was alone traveling around South America. I don't think the decision of removing the photo can be justified. Could be on the verge of racism if white people are not allowed to pose on photos, especially when the only people you're ever going to find on the salt flats are tourists. So every photo with people on, on the salt flats, must be kicked out?

On top of this, I believe this photo also has a fun, educational fact, about the effects of the endless white plains of the salt flats, as they play with your vision and distances seem somewhat odd.

vhemmati, JPlumb, Dyerco, PixelTerror, shirgold, tzourob has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danielswalsh (13320) 2008-02-21 17:04

Hi Thrudur;

If you have a photo removed (by the moderators) such as this you can reply to the e-mail you will receive and if justified they will re-instate it. In most cases- simply re-posting it will also result in it being removed.

I can see why they would think these were your friends. In most cases, people posing for shots such as this WILL be your friends and not complete strangers.I don't see how you see the removal of the photo as 'racist'???

It is a well taken shot, however I'd elaborate a bit more on the educational aspect you speak of... can you tell us more about these salt flats? (I've never been...)

Sharp detail, good tonal levels, and a very interesting POV.

All the best,
- Dan

euryan (8347) 2008-02-21 17:25

I thought I'd seen this photo before ;-) I hope it isn't removed this time. I think you did a great job playing with perspective making it look like she is a giant. We have salt flats like this in Utah too, although they aren't as big.
Take care,
Ryan

matheus (166) 2008-02-21 17:27

Great idea!!
Salar of Uyuni is a very good places to take photos like this. There's a bar in Uyuni with lots of pictures taken by people who goes there.
Congratulations. Check out mine!

JPlumb (3153) 2008-02-21 22:38

Hi Thrudur, I looked at this shot and I thought, wow, how did this one get in here, it belongs in TrekLens. Then I read your notes, and I found myself exploring other shots from Salar de Uyuni. As soon as I did that, I realized that it really did belong. I learned an awful lot more about the region because of your shot then I think I ever would have with a straight salt flats shot. I say, Well done!

Oh, and the shot is great too, great colour, great sharp detail, and it has a nice twist of humour, which we can all use a shot of every now and again.

Thanks, John

Dyerco (9062) 2008-02-22 0:05

Great perspective here. You have a good eye. The colours are rich with a good mix of red to blue.
TFS
Phil

PixelTerror (86060) 2008-02-22 1:37

Hi Thrudur,
he he, all the magic of el Salar in this picture.
Good you had it reactivated, for it shows one of the most fascinating places I have visited in Bolivia, and you found just the right angle for a funny photo, good mastering of the challenging whites as well.
Have a nice day JY

shirgold (2439) 2008-02-24 23:51

Hi Thrudur,
Excellent capture!
As for belonging to TE - I think it is the right place for it.
As you said, the salar has tourists - quite many of them, they are part of the place.
And - this vast expanse of salt is a place where many people play with perspective, just like your image, it is part of the scene, the place and what it inspires.
TFS, Shir

KateinDenmark (1117) 2008-04-14 11:28

This is a very fun picture and I'm glad you reposted it. White people can be just as entertaining as people of any other color and it says something about their culture too. I mean here you have a woman crushing a man like a bug - doesn't that say something?

It would have been nice to hear more about the salt flats though. Specifically, how big are they?

Kate

FKHansen (10) 2009-06-18 1:54

I love this shot. Great composure and colours. The horizon seems slightly off-balance. All in all, great photo :)