China Smiles Photo

Photographer’s Note

There is no heartwarming picture than a picture of a bunch of kids smiling. I always make it a practice to take a group picture of children at their most casual self.

In Diqing, Tibet, I chanced upon this group of schoolchildren on their way to school early in the morning. It was very cold but their smiles warmed my spirit up. I braved the biting chill and mingled with them. Before long, I didn't know what to do, who to take a picture of because I was swarmed by these very friendly kids.

I desaturated the background as there as so much colors that distract the focus.

OOPPSSS...not so careful about desaturation....I left some colors on...too bad!

carmem_busko, eleparc, robiuk, jhm, Bogdan, ChrisJ, michel_r, Kenny10pin, nwoehnl, orme, jwharch has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danby1 (3689) 2004-12-03 12:45

Moment well captured. It's a great picture. they all seem very happy, apart from the one on the right- who doesn't seem to know whats going on. ;) Good job desaturating the background! Also its nice with the diffrent colours of the clothes the children have on!

Another good shot!

naxius (16679) 2004-12-03 12:46

Nice composition Manuel, I like this patchwork of kids, with great smile. Well done.
Alexandre
I'll come later.

carmem_busko (3639) 2004-12-03 12:56

I agree, Manuel... children are a fantastic subject... and children smiling, even better.
Excellent candid. Very well done post edition proccess.
Rgds
Carmem

eleparc (24059) 2004-12-03 13:13

i quite like this little waves of heads, and this famous V sign;-) i like the way you post treated the photo;-) as you said, this is always a heart warming scene ;-) nice shot;-) cheers
Manny

maciekda (19599) 2004-12-03 13:16

nice one, very cheerful group, somehow you have managed to get a clear photo of them, ineresting post-processing too, really nice, brings smiles..

robiuk (10763) 2004-12-03 13:27

Indeed a very interesting bunch of kids, Manuel.
By colours and your PP one can tell it was really cold when you took this photo. But yes, does it matter when all of them give us their most warming joy of being together and having a good fun - like us, members on TE!
Thank you, my dear!

jhm (83352) 2004-12-03 14:08

These children see all time very lively, Manuel, the little girl be aware of not yet how them peace must make sign, and twinge then but its hands, I find this very colourful and fine of quality. Lovely composition!

Bogdan (1641) 2004-12-03 16:47

hey manny....i thought that all of your last pics were to well conceived(so my comments were too humble), but this one is so sincere that my soul weaps. Happy allaround. few photographers have the abitlity to be so selfish in their work...congrats, dear Manuel....you have allwas been an exmple and will be.

Bogdan.

scalerman (25787) 2004-12-03 17:38

what happened to "united colors of Tibet? nice glance Manny...

ChrisJ (70443) 2004-12-03 18:14

A good group portrait with a well managed dof. The desaturation looks fine to me.

michel_r (1114) 2004-12-03 21:41

what a cool picture manny. Desaturating the background makes the children stand out, very very sharp. Very pleasing from the joy coming out. Thank you.

ma-tibou (4566) 2004-12-04 5:32

Bonjour Manuel, voilà une très belle brochette nde beaux sourires , la joie se lit sur les visages, un moment très agréable.
amitié/ Martine.
PS: désolée de mon oubli de l'autre jour.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-12-04 9:11

very nice natural expressions, I like it very much, really good work and the kids seem very happy here, well done

nwoehnl (120) 2004-12-04 11:06

A charming and vivid scene of the kids, Manny. Wonderful and warming array of expressions, and the desaturation was still very well applied to accentuate the in all aspects lively appearance of the group against the background setting. Very nice one.

pridel (233) 2004-12-06 5:12

Manuel
the photographs of group of children always reveal us surprises. of the whole of the group, there are always personal attitudes which emerge, the little girl on the left with her two open arms is an example.
I like your photograph for the energy and the joy of the group and for the individual destinies of each one which one can see separately.
thank for sharing
Pascal

Belumpi (306) 2004-12-06 6:50

Really love this compostion. Almost a diagonal, except for the little girl. Who looks likes she is going to be robbed...but still smiles. Children smiling...priceless.

orme (6746) 2004-12-16 5:39

You have captured a great bunch of kids here, Manny, with wonderful expressions. I like the way the girl is bringing with from the 'tradition' V sign salute - and surrendering. Good desaturation - allowing us to focus on their red cheeks. Well framed.