The Flutist Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The Barong Dance was performed with live music using native musical instruments. Before the performance, the "orchestra" pit was already busy as the audience need to be entertained with typical Balinese music. Of course, I took the chance to take pictures of these colorfully dressed musicians. This flutist was moving his body back and forth to the timing of the music (and his fingers were just as active) so it was quite difficult to get a sharp shot of him. The natural lighting was very minimal yet "beautiful" (can't explain it technically). I had a great time taking pictures of him and of them.

Auto adjustments, unsharpened mask and gaussian blurred the background.

hispic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

clodreno (0) 2003-12-18 3:39

another nice one Manny. i wonder how long you stayed in Bali to get such an incredible amount of good pictures...

nwoehnl (120) 2003-12-18 3:51

Very nice "artist at work" shot, Manny. I like how the flutist is totally focused, yet expressing enjoyment at making his music. Interesting posture of the guy, and nice colors.

femkevdh (2633) 2003-12-18 3:57

very beautiful capture Manuel! I love the man's focussed expression, his smooth skinand the colors of his traditional clothes! Well done, especially considering the guy was not sitting still!

olli (2091) 2003-12-18 4:12

Great combination of brown skin and colorful clothes.
I like that thight framing. The pose makes the man look a bit like a statue. Very well done.

Mireille (2596) 2003-12-18 4:22

I have nothing more to say because I love it ! Congratulations !

hantulaut (3396) 2003-12-18 4:25

Manuel, this one are really superb lighting. Soft but strong, like softbox. Its nice to see Bali pic such as beautifull like this.

wtolyz (20) 2003-12-18 4:45

Wspaniałe zdjęcie! Bajeczne kolory no i ten muzyk... Jestem zachwycony. Bardzo dobra robota Manny!!!

iamxa (2840) 2003-12-18 5:27

Wonderful portrait.
The filters you passed gives a strange effect.

jrj (34779) 2003-12-18 5:41

Fine capture of this musician. Probably you catch him moving forward, adding a fine pose to the pic.
Concentrated and occupied with the playing, we see the little blur of the finger moving over the holes on the fluit. Well done Manuel.

avigur_11 (21307) 2003-12-18 6:33

Excellent. The colors of the clothings, contrating the brown skin, the DOF, and the flutist's fingers are very atracting. The red "earing" is an eye vatcher, too. A very nice shot, Manuel.

PechePassion (483) 2003-12-18 7:03

Belle photo, bien mise en valeur par le flou du fond. Couleur et contraste parfaits.
Le cadrage aurait peut être mérité un peu plus de largeur sur la droite pour prolonger le regard.
Bravo!

quegardens (1469) 2003-12-18 7:21

Another vivid example of your photograghy Manny which introuduces us to the vitality and diversity of your culture....what TE is all about:-)

joseelias (367) 2003-12-18 9:22

Excelent colors and details. His body position is excelent as well his eyes.

It can be noticed a bit of noise around the musician edges. Maybe if you select the background by the musician edges and aply a Soften Edges tool (this is the name in PSP( I don't know if there's one in PS) this efect may desapear.

ninadev (5225) 2003-12-18 10:51

Beautiful shot. The musician almost has the shape of Budha. DOF is perfect. Love the tight framing.

martin (1242) 2003-12-18 11:28

He looks like a colourful character and not just in his clothes. I like the look of concentration on his face and the overall composition.

Motrem (2392) 2003-12-18 17:22

Excellent portrait! The light is beautiful, colours are magnificent, it is a success.
Excellent portrait! La lumière est belle, les couleurs sont superbes, c'est un succès.

dsidwell (9745) 2003-12-19 0:47

So very intense, Manuel! Good use of this natural light. The skin tones and overall mood are just marvelous. Fun stuff!

lemon_logix (1054) 2003-12-19 10:08

Good DOF. This man certainly looks very engrossed in his job. Nice framing too.

sekl (2017) 2003-12-25 22:25

Guess you could have taken a thousand pictures of him but he could not notice that as he belonged to diffrent world when he played. Great picture of the dedicated man!

touristdidi (8561) 2004-01-03 1:00

so incrediable! Beautiful, perfect!!!!

cyril (2748) 2004-07-12 5:23

Great scene.
I like his face and the way he seems to blow.
Really good work.

kinginexile (2440) 2004-09-15 22:55

Manny, this shot could be the cover for a best selling book on Bali.
I like the smooth flesh tone, in contrast to the concentration and slight strain of his face.
I think you could cut off part of the legs. Not an advice, just an idea.
Wonderful work!!!!

tinamunk3 (6382) 2007-03-07 13:39

Hi Manuel,

Do you know that the Danish travel agency Stjernegaard is using this image - take a look here:

http://www.stjernegaard.dk/Version3/destinationer/bali_med_undersider/bali_fakta.php

Tina