90 Years Old, a photo from Xiangkhoang, North

Photographer's Note

Day 9
We had arrived in Phonsovan the previous evening. Since the capital of the province, also called Xieng Kuang, had been razed to the ground in the Secret War, Phonsavan became the new province capital. Our first stop of the day was at the Hmong village of Ban Thong, which has 300 inhabitants. We were obviously expected and were invited into one of the houses belonging to the oldest member of the village and her daughter and family. (see WS for a shot of the house). As is their custom we left our shoes at the bottom of the steps and entered barefoot. The only furniture in the room was a large bed. We sat on rush mats on the floor; everything was very clean. We were given home-made herb tea to drink and freshly picked pineapples. It is their custom to make all travellers welcome. In fact local people travelling can expect accommodation at any village. One of our group gave them postcards of London; they were fascinated by them. We were strenuously discouraged from tipping for photos etc. and genuinely nothing was expected in return for the hospitality. Another humbling experience.
This old lady is 90 years old, which, in a country where the average life-span is mid 50s is incredible. (A high infant mortality rate distorts the figures a bit) She had 11 children but 8 of them, as well as her husband, were killed in the Secret War. In a country with no social care a large family is important so you are looked after in old age.
It was very dark in the house so I had to use flash. She is looking at a postcard of Buckingham Palace; not a sight she will see too often. You can just see her knee at the bottom of the frame; her feet were flat on the ground. They don’t sit on the floor cross-legged as Westerners tend to as you would see the soles of their feet, which is insulting to anyone in whose direction they are pointed. I didn’t crop too much so you could see her headdress and other details, but I have severely cropped it, which I like, and put it in the WS. You might prefer that compositionally
For details of the Secret War see here. here and here. Alternatively click on the theme on the left.

ciec, devimeuxbe, Galmeida, coco, efigesta, sam224, Fixfocus, syd1946, plimrn, Tue, alvaraalto, Gerrit, weswang, singuanti, peck, sergio1, digi-mom, globalRI, xuaxo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

devimeuxbe (58557) 2006-03-25 4:26

Hi Kath
old people are very respected there and you picture also.
Nice portrait
BErtrand

Galmeida (12559) 2006-03-25 5:00

Hi Kath,
A very beautiful portrait of thos old lady seeing the postcard. Excelent angle approach and perspective. The woman face expression is very well captured. Good colors, contrast and sharpness. Very well seen, good work and composition. Congratulations and have a nice weekend.

Best Regards.
Fernando

[2]

leo61 (0) 2006-03-25 5:05

Hi Kath!
Wonderful portrait of this old lady.Her expression looks great,while thinking about Buckingham Palace.Good composition and verry interesting note.
Thanks and regards,LEO

[2]

coco (30439) 2006-03-25 5:25

Hi Kath.
Sometimes you has said that you prefer colour than black and white. Well, let me say something that perhaps I haven't said: I prefer no flash than flash. Sometimes is necessary, but usually I prefer don't use.
Perhaps you had no choice, but looks strange to my eyes.
And a wider view?

Have a nice weekend.

efigesta (12188) 2006-03-25 6:24

Hi My friend
interesting portrait, with a great note, so nice to see the old lady

reagrds
manuel

rbcy1974 (20758) 2006-03-25 8:38

Hello KAth
Really nicely captured expression, it is amazing that she is 90 years old.
A+
Daniel

sam224 (6215) 2006-03-25 10:41

Nice portrait of this old woman. Good defintion and light with her colourful clothes attracting the eye.
Good composition.
Well done!

Fixfocus (9385) 2006-03-25 11:01

Hi Kath,
It`s a touching story again and the portrait of the old Lady is a good illustration.I don´t mind the flash use at all,the flash can be a useful tool as your picture proofs.Stunning to see how they integrated the bombs in the house construction.
Have a nice weekend,
Hermann

[2]

syd1946 (1167) 2006-03-25 13:17

Hello Kath,
Through your fine and interesting note I see
here a perfect portrait.And the scene of reading the postcard is beautiful!Excellent work!

Have a nice weekend,
Thomas

[2]

danby1 (3697) 2006-03-25 14:05

i like it kath, it is a pity about the flash which over exposes some parts but sometimes it is essential. i prefer the heavily cropped version personally, and the other photo in the workshop is good also, amazing to see that they use what was meant to cause much destruction to their advantage, im enjoying your trip to laos, even though you havent had too many comments! i dont get much time!

rosaline (0) 2006-03-25 14:49

Hi Kath
Great shot and exposure of this woman. The detail is superb and the blue outfit complements her well. The flash is well controlled without being overexposed. This is good light management. Well done.
Aubrey

[2]

plimrn (21344) 2006-03-25 15:14

Hi Kath,
I weigh in with those who believe that you achieved a great exposure with your flash. As I read your note, I didn't think that any crop could exceed this wonderful pertrait but the WS does come close. The shot of the house and the interesting note, round out your presentation as always.
Pat

Tue (91692) 2006-03-25 15:50

Hej Kath,
Excellent portrait! You captured the old lay very well when see was looking at the postcard. I also like the version in the WS; I can't say which one I prefer most. Well done and thanks for sharing!
Hilsner,
Lars

alvaraalto (42804) 2006-03-25 17:35

Hi Kath,
... And still reading without spectacles!!!
Beautiful picture of this old, but still very handsome “Lady in Blue”
Groet Rob

Gerrit (62042) 2006-03-25 18:00

And still reading without glasses.
Nice portrait of a proud lady.
Well done.
Thanks and regards, Gerrit

weswang (18247) 2006-03-25 19:58

Hi Kath, It is really a bless to be able to live to this age with a good health. A nice portrait to who this lady. You have well captured her character and expression. A well taken picture.

singuanti (15250) 2006-03-25 22:03

Hi Kath. Another fascinating shot in this series. I think I prefer the one you posted over the workshop. I like how we can see what she's doing and wearing. tfs Kath.

peck (2779) 2006-03-26 6:07

Hi Kath,
Very nice portrait ande the daily life situation too. Great framing and DOF.
greetings, have a nice sunday
Gregory

kevinos (7517) 2006-03-26 10:17

A beautifully composed and sensitive portrait.

pastadog (13111) 2006-03-27 3:42

Hi Kath, a remarkable shot of a remarkable woman. IMO the original version is richer and more enjoyable than the crop, as we have both a portrait and a situation. Regarding flash, as this is an indoor shot it looks natural to me, if used outdoors with this result then it'd be artificial, but I believe it's perfectly OK here. Regards, Daniel

Angshu (56760) 2006-03-27 4:10

Hi Kath
Your first portrait shot I 'm seeing. Good details of the face & a wonderful posture..viewers eyes follows the subjects to the postcard.
Not sure about the flash though...though not much of a dampener here.
But hats off for your compo & a great note as usual from you
Regards
Angshu

sergio1 (12152) 2006-03-29 4:35

Hi Kath who are you???

90 years old??? My grandmother is 93 years old.
I like the human scenne. A good portrait with seeing the postcard. The note is great too.
Congratulations
Sorry for my english

xuaxo (6854) 2008-04-17 11:30

Hi Kath,
Her face seems a map of 90 years of life; very well captured.
Greetings,
F