Pinay Beauty: The Story..., a photo from Batangas, Southern Tagalog

Photographer's Note

First, the definition of term:

"Pinay" is a shortcut for Filipina.

And now the story:

This lady is a beautiful Pinay mestiza. The moment I saw her, I knew I should take her picture. But the problem was, how do I approach her? She's rich (well, Punta Fuego's clients are rich) , pretty, and educated (she spoke to her friends in English). My opportunity then came. She posed for her friends and I jumped in. I introduced myself, talked about my passion in taking pictures of beautiful Filipinas for my own personal collection. I asked if she can pose for me. I expected a "no" but what I got was an astounding "yes". And she even relented when I asked her to move back a little to include the white drape in the cottage. I was so pleased. (Clod, in my early posts, was the one who told me that everyone likes to be photographed. You're right, Clod. Thanks.)

Anyway, Filipinos are of mixed races. This lady, I'd learned, was a mixture of Malay, Chinese and Spanish blood. We call them in the Philippines as mestizas. That's what we got from being colonized by the Spanish for 333 years and the Americans for almost a decade. Many Chinese also came to the Philippines even before the Spanish arrived in 1521.

On a lighter note, yes, I got her name and address, and yes, I've sent her this picture. And I've also asked her permission to have her picture on Trekearth.

(Original picture and colors. Just sharpened and cropped tighter.)

mitternacht, hispic, Janice, ngythanh, marian, jmfarace, pilpel-adom, MLINES, peco85, anducina, arvinnino, voroschuk, salvator, svefay, EstudioChispa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

glider (690) 2004-01-19 10:16

Wonderful "smiling" portrait Manuel. I like expression of her face and diagonal composition. Well done.

(Only hand in right side is little bit "cut away")

henrye (3500) 2004-01-19 10:20

Beautiful portrait photo! You captured the moment and her smile perfectly. Very good composition, I like the white drape in the frame. Great saturated colors. Well done!

joseelias (0) 2004-01-19 10:48

Very daring attitude Manuel! I could do it... Especially because my girlfriend would find that idea very funny!... Shooting other girls...

This photo as the look of a photojournalistic cover over a Miss contest. Very nice. Good colors and composition.

airin (172) 2004-01-19 11:29

Great picture, Manuel. Nice composition and contrast as well as your model. Her expression is really natural.

mitternacht (1839) 2004-01-19 12:01

What a beauty! I'm glad you took the picture. Really nice note. There isn't much to say - she's beautiful and this is a picture of her - how can you fail? The white drape was an excellent idea.

Technically the picture is great as well. Good lighting and composition. I would prefer a little less DOF maybe, but the background isn't particularly distracting so it works this way too.

Opus (0) 2004-01-19 12:06

Very nicely composed and posed. A face beaming with zest for life.

roshangar (1682) 2004-01-19 12:47

She is beautty and nice but If u weren't we couldn't see her beautty here,so thanks to you for this nice pic,every thing is ok here,the colors,posed and composition!

orme (7219) 2004-01-19 12:47

A wonderful portrait shot. Her face is full of life. Nicely framed with the white drape. Well done, Manny.

nwoehnl (122) 2004-01-19 12:48

You did great in capturing her natural beauty, Manny. I like her pose, it doesn't look unnatural or forced to me in any way. Nicely staged with the white drape on the left used in a very clever way to complete your composition. Very well done.

avigur_11 (22553) 2004-01-19 15:13

So you did a great job, Manuel, and you win twice - a great photo and her telephone number, a great success!!
It is really a great photo, full of life and natural, I like the diagonal white curtain. Great job.

nielsenallan (524) 2004-01-19 16:51

Nice and natural portrait and extra points for the note, thank you...

Mireille (2604) 2004-01-19 17:04

It is quite important to ask the permission to someone to take a picture of him/her/them. You had the right reflex. Nice portrait and very good note. Thanks for sharing !

Clochette (8076) 2004-01-19 17:35

I never would have believed it could be so easy... ;-)
Congratulations for the portrait and also for your approach, I think I would not dare (that's why I do not shot portraits :-(

You very well chose your miss, Manuel, she is really pretty, and she managed to look very natural, not posing.

Great shot !

mogens-j (56) 2004-01-19 17:59

You are so right, she is a beauty with a wonderful smile. Very nice composition. Well done.

karin (175) 2004-01-19 20:22

You can also photograph grown-ups and what a beauty. So this is what you did in the Philippines? Anyway, your composition here in interesting because it is not the usual pose-and-smile shot. The white drape, as you call it, added a mysterious drama into the picture. Good job.

jrj (34843) 2004-01-20 3:30

A beauty Manny and nice to have the "permission" to bring her around the world. Good job.

papagolf21 (152607) 2004-01-20 4:33

C'est une véritable encyclopédie de portraits que vous nous proposez Manuel pour notre plus grand plaisir.
Réussite totale.
It is a true encyclopaedia of portraits which you propose to us Manuel for our greater pleasure. Total success.

eelliott305 (776) 2004-01-20 7:38

A beautiful portrait, Manuel. Wonderful composition. The texture and folds of the white drape add interest to the shot.

htremblay (1666) 2004-01-20 10:53

Cette photo est une réussite. Cette dame reflète un tel bonheur et elle est très belle. Bien vu.
This photograph is a success. This lady reflects such a happiness and it is very beautiful. Very well done.

zto (268) 2004-01-20 16:10

I am glad you found the currage to ask her and i'm glad you got her permission. Especially becuase it made you happy, but also because this is a very beautifull potrait. I wish i will be able to take a potrait like this one day. It looks so spontainous, even though she is posing. She must have beenhappy when she saw the pic.
It was a good idea to have her framed by the white drape. t adds softness to the photo.

Points tomorrow :)

zorro (530) 2004-01-22 5:27

wow! very informative notes...it makes me feel on the side of "pinay".godd balance of colors.

maciekda (19895) 2004-01-25 21:38

great portrait, so natural, well composed, I really admire the way you approach people with your camera! if I only had more courage to point my camera towards people... maybe one day.. good work!

hantulaut (3441) 2004-04-05 13:52 [Comment]

Show Comment +

Digiman (125) 2004-09-20 11:04

Hi!Mr.Librodo,
Charming! nice composition, blanced frame, nice contrast and very nice expression and... appreciate your courage.

Thanks and Regards,

Ajay.K.R

Janice (4403) 2004-11-23 5:22

What an attractive photo of a very attractive lady. I'm sure she'll love the photo too. I am pleased you had courage to ask her - it isn't easy. The drape works perfectly. Well done...

wisat (432) 2004-11-23 5:25

Nice picture, nice choice of model, and also noce note. Thanks for the trick..;-)

kaud (1840) 2004-11-23 6:03

Wonderful Portrait.
Good story.

ngythanh (8458) 2004-12-07 10:57

Manuel:

I don't have enough time to visit TE gallery every day, but any day I found a photo like this, I felt enough for the search.

Thanks you for sharing with us.

(How did you arrange your recent trip to China? Any experience to share? -- I think I am going to write you a suggestion with my idea of a "TP". Let me see how can I find the access to your email address...)

pilpel-adom (3018) 2005-11-02 10:03

Manuel, TFS this great picture and lovely story! Good pose and compo with the drapes, and good colors!
I admit that I would like to improve my own people-taking capabilites but find it hard to approach people from front.
Chen

avista (0) 2005-12-28 5:11

Wonderful smile, wonderfyl woman. Why you not marry her :)
Regards.

MLINES (12516) 2006-02-17 16:08

Well captured and the story to go with it makes it particularly interesting about the various nationalities. Your portraits provide inspiration of what can be achieved. Manny, i hope you are able to teach others in the Philippines to rise above mediocrity and enjoy a better life. Well done.

Benedict (7076) 2006-06-14 14:55

Mabuhay Manny.....awesome shot!

peco85 (921) 2006-06-14 14:59

Hello Manuel!

Beautiful smile! And a beautiful girl. Brilliant composition and a nice light adds for perfection:)
Great work!

PeCO

arvinnino (438) 2007-10-17 11:45

nice photo sir! filipina beauty is really the best, and this is the proof and it seems the world agreed on that, i can see it on the points and comments they gave you!

the portrait itself is good, you capture her perfect smile looks like she doesnt know that she is being photograph, good timing!
TFS!

Mabuhay!

Arvin

livinitout (942) 2007-10-24 20:49

It's a good tight shot. In your note you are saying that Philippines had been occupied by the U.S. for a decade, which is 10 years, is that right?

voroschuk (340) 2007-10-24 20:56

Hi Manuel,
Portrait is wonderful and She is beautiful. Well done.

Best Regards
Dmitrij

salvator (19110) 2008-09-17 14:04

Hi Manuel,
Wow o owooowwwwwww, does she look beautiful? The portrait is wondeful, with sharpness and pp just in taste with wonderful tones and a beautiful smile and expression on her face.
I think I would have asked her to marry me there and then.
Just beautiful photojob my friend.
Best regards. Salvator.

Photo Information

Copyright: Manuel Librodo (manny) (22032)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-01-02
Categories: Daily Life
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: I Was Home for Christmas
Theme(s): A Tribute to the Pretty Woman, francio64 (Portrait) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-01-19 10:07
Favorites: 5 [view]