B E E D I . S M O K E R, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Beedi, the cheapest pleasure for rural smokers, are filled with tobacco flake and wrapped in a tendu leaf tied with a string at one end. Owing to its cheaper cost, Beedi is widely used by the rural population. In India, Beedi consumption outpaces that of conventional cigarettes, although these tobacco-filled leaves deliver more nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar and carry a greater risk of oral cancers.
This picture was taken at Pushkar market place (not during the Pushkar Fair but back in 2009) where I found this man with his piercing gaze having a smoke as the last rays of the sun fell on his face.

sam224, Ilducabianco, annjackman, JCG, vasilpro, Suppiluliuma, hispic, bukitgolfb301, josepmarin, siolaw, jafadabret, danos, jhm, paromitadey, isabela_sor, Juntas, Didi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Angshu (56760) 2010-12-09 5:29

Dear Sabyasachi
An old one...

Superb portrait in the mellow light on sundown. I can even see the ember on his beedi. I might prefer a bit of luminescenece to lighten up the scene...my opinion of course!

Best Wishes
Angshuman

[workshop] [compare]

CLODO (45118) 2010-12-09 5:30

hi Sabyasachi

Wonderfull close portrait well lighten by a golden light. I particularly appreciate the cigar and the small white dots in the eyes giving life to your shot.
Kind regards
CLODO

Cricri (176) 2010-12-09 5:35

Hi Sabyasachi
Très beau portrait, j'aime l'effet de la lumière sur son visage et la couleur de son "turban" qui illumine aussi son visage bronzé
Amitiés
cricri

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-12-09 5:59

Ola Sabyasachi ,
A quanto tempo não via uma foto tua :), tens aqui um belo retracto deste homem a fumar , os detalhes estão magnificos , gostei do seu velho turbante meio sujo , bom momento capturado , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

eldancer1 (36343) 2010-12-09 6:02

Very powerful portrait! Excellent lighting. I like your pov and it has a good dof with sharp details. Very nice colors. Well done, tfs.

sam224 (6215) 2010-12-09 6:41

Great portrait: the light which hits the face enhances the glance of the man, his lines and the colour of his hat. Very good definition.

timecapturer (49288) 2010-12-09 6:53

Greetings Sabyasachi
beautifully clear and remarkably detailed portrait, with excellently controlled light and exposure. A true masterpiece, congratulations!

Regards - Brian D.

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2010-12-09 6:54

Dear Dada,
another great portrait. Nice use of frame. So natural with the biri in hand. Great light to produce this magnificent dark tone with nice skin colour. Signature of Sabya da... Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

Juzo (2151) 2010-12-09 6:58

Hi Sabyasachi,
You seem to have great skill in portraits (close up) like this one. They stand out in your gallery. The detail, especially on his face, is excellent and the pensive mood captured.
The Beedi, I used to smoke these when I was at University and had not alot of money (they are cheap here in Australia) and I remember their strong smell so well. I can almost smell this photo! Great detail.
Cheers
Justin

annjackman (23019) 2010-12-09 8:41

Hello Sabyasachi,
I really have enjoyed your Pushkar photos as this one is possibly my favourite. Wonderful close-up portrait and indeed he does have a piercing gaze. I love the well controlled exposure and the detail on his skin. I had never heard of Beedi so I found your note interesting. The smoking pose is excellent.
Regards,
Ann

faubry (35447) 2010-12-09 9:00

wonderful portrait, eye contact, nice skin details and light
have a good evening
francine

JCG (35153) 2010-12-09 9:17

Namaste Sabyasachi,

I stopped smoking 16 years ago, but I understand that it is hard to be restricted !!! Splendid portrait and a photograph of very good quality I find, so much in the soft lights which emphasize well the features of the faces than in focusing. This orange turban gives much contrast to the image. Very beautiful piercing glance, thank you Sabyasachi.

With all my friendships of Versailles under snow and so soon,

Jean-Charles

vasilpro (41801) 2010-12-09 9:59

Hello Sabyasachi,
Superb portrait, lovely colors, excellent light management, beautiful expression, very nice POV.
Cheers, Vasilis.

tusharkmandal (3173) 2010-12-09 10:22

Hi Sabyasachi,

A nice portrait with perfect pose and actions. The red burning beedi is visible. Great choice of POV and the colors are very beautiful.

Have a nice time
Tushar

yquem46 (38752) 2010-12-09 11:57

Bonsoir Sabyasachi
A top notch close up portrait and strong
I like the warm colors throughout, even the red part of the bindi
Gaze nicely caught
Best regards
patrick

lilito (3534) 2010-12-09 12:43

Bonsoir!
Un portrait coloré, avec de la texture si bien réussite qu'on pourrait presque être brûlé au toucher de la cigarette chaude...
Superbe, félicitations!
Lily

Sonata11 (34119) 2010-12-09 19:58

Hello Sabyasachi,
you making all your phots marvelous.Probably, I never going to do such a beautiful pictures. They are all impressive and perfectly well done!!!
This portrait of man smoking a cigarete is amazing beautiful. Excellent shot. Perfect.
Best regards,
Barbara

thanks for comment

emka (158672) 2010-12-10 0:00

Namaste Sabyasachi,
You were absent in TE and I am really glad I can admire your great portraits of the Indian people. This one if fantastic, so impresive. Pushkar is ideal place for finding so many interesting people, even on ordinary day, not only during camel fair. Perfest quality.

Warm regards

Malgorzata

hispic (9658) 2010-12-10 2:02

Hi Sabyasachi,
Wow, very high quality photo, the warm light in the late afternoon makes the man stand out impressively. the fire of cigarette is also captured at good moment. Superb work!
Best wishes, Hisashi

jasmis (58653) 2010-12-10 5:43

Something really magical. Superb golden tones and amazing light. Precious model, as well.
Regards my friend.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2010-12-11 0:56

Hi my dear Sabyasachi

Great significant portarit shot indeed.
Perfect framework and composition as usual. Very fine tasteful color presentation and a keen sharp focusing.
Thanks for sharing with your fine work and have a good Saturday, best regards from no snow but cold Tokyo
Takero

patdeph (35750) 2010-12-11 8:13

hello Sabyasachi
splendid portrait in a wonderful light and magnificent colors!I love it!
Regards
Pascale

Nicou (193814) 2010-12-11 8:56

Hello,

fantastique portrait et image, quelle douceur dans les tons, superbe ce regard, avec ca cigarettes, quel portrait quelle iamge, fantastique.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

diomed (13926) 2010-12-11 8:57

Hi Sabyasachi,
impressive portrait with a very intense expression. Superb details, perfect light management, excellent POV. TFS
NIce WE
Antonio

batalay (41261) 2010-12-11 15:15

Hello Sabyasachi,

His dark brown skin against the brilliant yellow of his head garment, makes a dramatic contrast, but it is that penetrating gaze that makes this portrait so powerful. Also you've enhanced the dark background with the simple dark frame with a white pinstripe. It's good to see you back with wonderful portraits.

Warm regards,

Bulent

peppe59 (14555) 2010-12-11 16:25

Ciao Sabyasachi,
fantastic image for clearness and quality, splendid the expression of the man. It compliments
peppe

foozi (7101) 2010-12-11 22:55

Hello Sabyasachi ,
I have heard of the beedi but never smoke one. But this one is the intensity of the portrait is its powerful and effective image element.
The texture and the fire on the bedi is well seen in excellent details.
What a view to look and appreciate.

regards,
Foozi

mesutilgim (0) 2010-12-12 10:38

Hi Sabyasachi,
Wonderfull portrait ! Very good compo and layout with nice warm colors. I like the light on the face of the smoker.
Nice framed.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

josepmarin (59385) 2010-12-12 13:06

Namaste Sabyasachi,
a few words to value this photo, it is a splendid portrait.
I believe that you are the best specialist in portraits that exist nowadays in this site.
The details of the skin, the wrinkles, the cigarette and the look of this man are absolutely fantastic, caught in an image with a great sharpness, a great light and a beautiful colors.
A superb work, my friend.
Friendly regards,
Josep

siolaw (38294) 2010-12-13 4:22

Hi Sabyasachi
Well caught smoker in the typical Indian way of holding beedi or cigarette! Tight framing brings us close to the subjet.. I can almost smell the beedi!
Greetings
Laurent
PS I add it to my "Thanks for smoking" theme!

ciakgiak (30) 2010-12-13 14:01

Hello Sabyasashi,
congratulations for this superb portrait!
His eyes and the expression are really exciting!
Best regards
Giorgio

ifanik (21679) 2010-12-14 22:24

Hi my friend
Here we have an excellent colored portrait with beautiful colors very nice frame and a beautiful expression of the person depicted
Exairtiki job
Congratulations
Many greetings from Greece

jafadabret (56501) 2010-12-14 23:56

Bonjour Sabyasachi,
Ce portrait est une réussite. J'aime ce visage qui sort de l'ombre et ce regard qui se pose sur nous. Le turban et la cigarette apportent beaucoup à l'ensemble.
Amicalement
Jacques

danos (110407) 2010-12-15 0:31

Hello Sabyasachi,
great the portrait of the smoking man with the light and the colour management to be superb.I like his expression,the clarity and the sharpness of his face,as the captured details of it.Well done.Excellent photojob.

Regards,Danos

polpo56 (15146) 2010-12-15 0:44

Hi Sabyasachi,
this is a wonderful portrait.
Composition, light, colours, sharpness, expression: every thing is great.

Have a nice day

Ludo

jhm (211738) 2010-12-15 4:28

Hello Sabyasachi,

Again a wonderful portrait, you makes really pearls of portraits.
I find this very well done, splendid image.
Also these picture is very pleasant for look at.
Excellent composition, good presentation too. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

adores (46979) 2010-12-16 18:23

Hi Sabyasachi!
Unfortunately, I've been in Pushkar, but I missed the Fair this time, something I really wanted to see! I see it wasn't taken during the Fair, but it is a great portrait, I like his expression, the light and the focus. Even the cigar is a wonderful detail here!

photographer123 (6248) 2010-12-17 0:14

Sabya..
Nice to c you again.. A wonderful comeback..huh..:-) what should I write about your shot..as usual good with nice note too..best wishes..
Subir

isabela_sor (47748) 2010-12-17 0:19

Ahhh, u are back dear Sabya ....
and i must admit i missed your great and emotional portraits!
the toght crop makes it more stronger
I am curious to see it in b&w too, but u dont use b&w :)
Hugs from Romania

Juntas (7960) 2010-12-17 3:24

Hi Sabyasachi. This is an impressive portrait. The expession, the details and the light it all looks.... real. A great shot.
Thank you for your interest in my gallery. Have a nice day.
Paulo

sacavem (18620) 2010-12-19 5:33

Olá Sabyasacgi,

Great portrait with amazing colours and the light very well managed.
Excellent details, very well framed and done
TFS and greetings,
Filipe

I use BETA-TrekEarth

kiks (12805) 2010-12-23 10:18

Very strong portret! The light is fantastic and your crop in very well balanced.
Best regards
KIKs

Goutamendu (109) 2010-12-29 1:50

Wonderful portrait in a lovely tight frame ! congratulations !

jaywalker (16105) 2010-12-29 11:24

Hi Sabyasachi, Wow what stunning quality, the shallow focus is wonderful & draws out excellent detail, I love the deep colours, great shot, kind regards Wilson.

Bruno40 (6662) 2011-01-07 2:13

great details and expresions.
Excellent work
HappY New Year!!
cheers
Jorge

ebingul (1984) 2011-02-10 7:34

Hello Sabyasachi,
Great portrait,with beautiful lights,strong expressions in the eyes.Nice DOF and framing as well.
Congrats and best regards.
Emin

Xalkida (11744) 2011-05-26 4:37

What to say! Another excellent portrait with your familiar style! Very fine of light manipulation. Another excellent work my friend!

Yiannis84 (2824) 2011-12-16 7:51

great foto..............

adidas5nb (5743) 2012-07-20 19:22

love the expression in his eyes.... the sharpness in the picture and the light is wonderful. (ps. the shadow of the moustache adds a great deal )

goodwill (4274) 2013-09-11 8:55

Hi Sabyasachi,
Its long..........................................
How are you?
With 18-55 and aperture of 7.1, you are getting a decent blurred bg.
The shot has got the warmer tones, executed to perfection.
The shot is sharp in focus and you have oiled him well enough to shine brightly.
Take Care buddy,
Rajeev

SmithM (42) 2015-01-28 5:37 [Comment]