Singapore Girl Photo

Photographer’s Note

Sorry if I am presently a bit preoccipied. If you ever fly Singapore Airlines, you know Singapore Girl slogan with its kebaya dress. On this hot afternoon, I am blamed with too much time in this open market street alley, in fact 2 hours hanging around waiting for others. When I saw the manner that 3 of these girls walking pass, I noticed the close interval between them and their legs being synchronized. How I wished they were facing the camera! Of course the colorful market is a good place to relax my eyes.

By intuition. So which girl will you pick? Let me put it this way. For a model, I will pick the middle girl and you know why. For a wife, perhaps I would choose the stylish red at right because she carried heavy bags - hardworking and not expensive wear. For a friend, perhaps pick the left. Well, just for a bit of humour, dont take me seriously on this joke. ISO200, FL300mm

Using light 70-300mm nikkor f/4-5.6G [without VR] although a low end lens, it surprisingly gave me some good results in reduced sizes. This lens costs only USD100.

shevchenko, JCG, phwall, Gerrit, fanni, snunney, siamesa, lucasgalodoido, pierrefonds, skippy007, jafadabret, Cricri, hmusty, stego, bennyfunky, macondo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

batalay (21821) 2009-02-25 20:58

Hello Bill,

I find the equidistant separation and the lockstep stroll of the young women make a memorable composition. The colorful outfits, the slice of everyday life, and the exotic setting are also appealing. One of my favorite shots, has always been a similarly synchronization of steps in the Walking Umbrella.

Warm regards, Bill,

Bulent

shevchenko (10511) 2009-02-25 21:05

Hello Bill,
The living style and level at Singapore really different with the living standard at Kuala Lumpur, the environment and cultural at Singapore can affect our whole life especially for many Malaysian who working at Singapore. I like their casual wearing, but I seldom wear like this although KL also very hot because feel not really safe. Distinct color and good sharpness, good shoot.
Ally

jilin (43) 2009-02-25 21:49

Hello. Raises the eye the picture. knew that you are thinking anything, interesting, expresses own affection through the observation analysis society.

jjcordier (26278) 2009-02-25 21:50

Bill
Good shot!
Excellente scène qui permet visiblement à l'imagination de se débrider! J'aime particulièrement, bien sûr, la parfaite symétrie du mouvement des jambes et l'humour, tout masculin, de ton commentaire -)
Amicalement
JJ

jurek1951 (26613) 2009-02-25 21:51

Hi Bill,
Beautiful view,great POV.Nice colours and very good lighting.
Georg

JCG (26635) 2009-02-25 22:15

Hi Bill,

Indeed a nice walking synchronization !!! A trio beautifully photographed. I noticed when seeing the traditional dress that WS on the dress has evolved, globalization and the effect of mode... Well done and beautiful image quality including sharpness and good colors, thank you Bill.

With all my friendships and soon

Jean-Charles

ribeiroantonio (22214) 2009-02-25 22:23

Yes indeed, the synchronised walk is good and the sharpness on the girls is nice too. We can not see their faces but that smiling guy in the background adds quite lots of fun to the shot. Well done.
Antonio

phwall (5974) 2009-02-25 22:55

Hi Bill,
You are a brave man posting this, and your note, what were you thinking!!! Picking the girl on the right as a wife because she looks strong, are you nuts, the feminists are circling already.
Good shot, the three sets of legs walking in sync is a good piece of action, nice sharp image. I agree with Antonio, the guy in the background seems to be admiring them as well.
Cheers
Peter

serp2000 (10390) 2009-02-25 23:19

Hello, Bill,
Fine composition, you captured interesting moment, good colours, fine details. TFS!
Serghei

TopGeo (23013) 2009-02-25 23:27

Hello Bill,
Splendid picture of Singapore! The colours the detail and the movement impress Good your idea. Well done! I like their casual wearing,Are pleasant your note and your picture enchanting.
I praise You also you thanks
Warm regards
Georgios

Gerrit (36967) 2009-02-26 0:05

Hiu Bill,
the shopping brigate and marching like soldiers,
Excellent capture, and com[position.
Beautiful subject.
Regards, Gerrit

fanni (9359) 2009-02-26 0:09

Hello Bill,
:)) LOL I really like your notes as much as photos! :) 5 points for the Note ;)
This is what I like about photography: capturing the moment which, if you fail to be quick enough, will pass in an instant and will never repeat again!
Very curious photo, I like it very much! Both the subject of the photo and the bright natural colours raise the mood :)
Of course it would be nice to see their faces, but there are moments when we can not choose!
Warmest greetings from Moscow,
Elena

snunney (37033) 2009-02-26 0:50

Hello Bill,
A good daily life shot. I like the way they seem to be walking in unison and the way you have cleverly lifted them from the rather cluttered background. Sometimes it is better not to see the faces ;-)

BennyV (5330) 2009-02-26 3:52

Hi Bill,

Great symmetry, this way of walking takes years of practice;-)

As a rule I don't like hidden camera's and sneaky street shots, but this excellent capture is worth breaking that rule. In fact, I think the shot would not have the same effect if they were facing your camera.

Benny

lucasgalodoido (17675) 2009-02-26 5:40

Hi Bill,
very interesting scene this, the simetry of girls are curiosity, and the DOF was very good. I´d like of the the colors capture too. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas

siamesa (14005) 2009-02-26 5:57

Hi Bill

I liked very much your note, very humorous.I like the handbag of the girl at the left side.About the girl that you would choose for wife, she can be carrying a boxes of shoes, maybe expensives...
Abraços
Maria

goodwill (4035) 2009-02-26 6:43

Thanks for making mine eyes relax too. Ha ha ha!!
Its the beauty of the legs which makes this shot so popular, and I bet you couldn't get a better shot with the three girls facing you.
The free flowing hair of the middle girl add to her beauty.
Sure I miss her charming face.

Rajeev

pierrefonds (27438) 2009-02-26 18:37

Hi Bill,

The coordination of the movement of the legs of the young women is an asset to the composition. The point of view is allowing us to see the different type of clothings they are wearing. The intensity of the light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

skippy007 (7863) 2009-02-26 19:07

Hello Bill, I'm a (happily) married (old) man & I know my wife often looks at my photos & comments on TE so as to which one I would pick? It is difficult as Maria said the one that is strong & carry a heavy load might be carrying a very expensive pair of shoes, I will discuss it with you when I see in Melbourne. HeHeHe. Nice fun shot with good colour & detail, I can't understand how you noticed that their legs were so synchronised, did you notice before or after you took the shot?. Well done a good daily life shot & something to smile about.
Thanks & take care
Santo

ls7902 (6420) 2009-02-27 3:32

Hello Bill,
Now I know why you have disappeared from the the Malaysia page. Photo quality is very good ... sharp, clean, and with attractive luminosity and contrast. The guy must be admiring the look as we are from behind ... more mystery for us. Regards. Latiff.

foozi (4819) 2009-02-27 4:29

Hi Bill,
youre a real watcher. Able to detect the most difficult movement, furthermore your analytical eyes are working photographically. Others I would say, enjoying the scene.
Very good moment captured by you.
Well, such a good idea too to work on people.

Regards,
Foozi

rodgerg (27003) 2009-02-27 4:32

Hello Bill,

The desicive moment well collected but too a very well balnced composition with a pleasnat effect of symetry with these three young girls. I like too the various colours well collected of your image. Pleasant, funny and good photowork.
Have a good WE,
Roger

danyy (70659) 2009-02-27 7:18

Bonjour Bill,
grâce à cette note qui accompagne la photo, on apprend que tu avais songé à photographier ce synchronisme dans la marche, ce qui est bien rendu sur la photo et le serait davantage même je pense, en vidéo.
Un clis d'oeil esthétique sur la jeunesse asiatique.
Regards.
daniel.

jafadabret (41625) 2009-02-27 10:43

Bonjour Bill.
Le 300mm a bien pris cet instantané des trois filles synchronisées dans leur marche. Une photo qui fait sourire.
Merci !
Jacques

jusninasirun (10573) 2009-02-27 18:43

Hi Bill.

Very nice capture of these hot legs in full synchronicity. Sharp detail with colors so natural in good framing.

A wife that shop so much Bill... that's not hardworking :-)

Well done and have a great weekend.
Jusni

aadilj (17950) 2009-02-28 0:45

Hi Bill, you have done so well to capture them in such splendid action and with the ambience chipping in so beautifully. I like the work

Cricri (45241) 2009-03-01 4:28

Hi Bill
Vous avez capturer une image bien sympathique de ces trois jeunes filles bien synchronisées dans leur marche, une note bien écrite avec une touche humour qui fait sourire :-))
Good sunday
cricri

hmusty (171) 2009-03-01 7:21

Hi Bill,
Just to answer your question. If I were to choose a wife for me, I'd choose the girl at right for the same reason as you said plus because she wore hoody :)), my fave outfit and her hair style. Don't get deceived, hoody can come very expensive :)). Love the synchronized steps. Those girls got an admirer, the man with yellow t-shirt.
Regards,
Henny.

stego (22514) 2009-03-01 7:41

Hi Bill,
A refreshing view and an extraordinary compo. We can say you have been lucky for they are very attractive and perfectly synchronised, but your sense of opportunity and quick reaction are admirable, as this is the kind of image that probably wouldn't be possible to get just a fraction of second afterwards. I feel envious of that young guy in yellow enjoying the view. :D
Congratulations for the photo and for the well humoured note!
Regards, José.

macondo (13519) 2009-03-03 2:02

Hi Bill.
Great success, this one! Very eye-catching for a start, and why not? I like your note a lot, and I can understand your choices while perhaps not agreeing with them! (You probably couldn't hear their voices, which is a big factor). I suppose some women members might be a little offended, but I think most will take it in the right spirit! You timed it perfectly and the shallow DOF really helps in this one. Nice composition/crop to make this seemingly simple shot a delightful one.
Regards,
Andrew

mauro61 (17622) 2009-03-18 1:45

ciao Bill,
immagine fresca e colorate di queste ragazze in giro per Singapore.
Mi piace il fatto che hai colto la simultaneità nei passi delle tre rendendo sincronizzato l'incedere.
saluti
maurizio

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-03-18 21:38

Hi Bill
That lens has worked a treat here. Pin sharp and as clean as a whistle (excuse the pun) is this capture. Perfect walking step being made by these three girls. Colours are very complimenting also.
Well done
Regards
Jim

Longroute (10919) 2009-03-19 23:23

Hello Bill,

a nice street scene, a lucky capture: three girls with the syncronised legs. Smart girls, interesting and appealing photo.
Best greetings,
Donato

claudeD (11883) 2009-03-25 9:07

Hello Bill,

very ninteresting picture.Excellent composition and sharpness.You got the right moment to shot.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg.

Jean-Claude

Flavia (10202) 2009-04-07 6:47

Hi Bill,

You got a nice thing here. The magic tree and the girls with the exactly same leg position. Thats what makes this one quite interesting and special. Nice light on their legs. Big bags and short clothes, so Singaporian lah! The blurred bg helps to detach enfasize the girls.

Regards,

Flavia

saigon (5559) 2009-04-09 9:27

hello BILL.
tres bonne prise !
good moment decisif! ;)
amitiés....aldo.

vuthithienthu (11) 2009-04-24 21:02

Bill
Yes, walking synchronization , the moment are perfect
well done

satyakki (364) 2009-05-12 7:49

Dear Bill,
Excellent Shot....The naughty boy in you awakened the naughty boy in me and I too started categorising them into priority of choices.Nice legs I say.
Cheers,
Satyakki

asajernigan (14898) 2009-05-29 9:31

Bill,
This photo caught my attention because of the intervals between the girls and the fact that they are in step with each other. I guess it goes along with teaching marching band for so many years. I tend to notice intervals, lines and the fact that they are in step.
Your shot is cleaver placing the girls in sharp focus and slightly blurring the background. The lighting and colors are fine with good sharpness and detail.
TFS,
Asa