Interdependence, a photo from Bangkok, Central

Photographer's Note

This is my third post of a floating market picture. Thailand postcards usually have Floating market as a feature and when I went there, I understand why. The place is very colourful, and the people are "camera un-shy". Photographers who visit this place takes loads and loads of pictures (I did) but because of the hustle and bustle of activities, the pictures are somehow not perfect (I am speaking for myself here). This picture is slightly blurred but I think it captures the essence of the place: DYNAMIC. The water is very dark but it provides an interesting spark when it is in contact with the light.

This was taken from a bridge without a tripod (I never used one yet). I am posting this with a message: We need each other to get things done: Interdependence. You can help me get things done (how to improve my photos) by continuing to critic my pictures.

(auto levels, unsharp mask, brightness and contrast, saturation)

Nobody has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ninadev (5377) 2003-12-10 20:36

Interesting note about the essence of this photo and your eagerness to improve and request the opinions of others. In my case anyway it's only an opinion based on my feelings on a photo and some very minimal technical knowledge. The word Dynamic works very well with this picture, there is a lot of commercial activity but also the lines of these boats are also dynamic, like arrows pointing in the same direction. The many colors are well balanced in this composition.
I also see a light halo around the shirt of the woman at the left, probably the result of oversharpening.

maciekda (19895) 2003-12-10 21:16

interesting scene... plenty of activities there... I would focus on something more, I think you tried to capture as much as you could, not trying to find just one subject to focus on... I think I would prefer to see the whole two boats in the foreground, now they are partly out of the scene, they could be the main focal point of the picture. Also the picture is blurred a bit, as you mentioned.
Also the paddling woman looks great, if you focused only on her that'd be an interesting picture too.
I like this kind of scenes, I'll try to visit this market during my short stay in Bangok, I hope I can find it ;-)

Liora (1857) 2003-12-10 21:54

Very good photo accompanied by a nice note. I like the feeling of "real time" in the photo and its colorfulness. IMHO the frame is a bit too heavy, it suffocates the photo.

olli (2091) 2003-12-11 1:36

Very interesting subject with many colorful details. Great angle.
To make the image a bit simplier I would crop from the right so that there were only four boats/women left in it...

martin (1242) 2003-12-11 2:28

This does capture both the feeling of activity and the colourfulness of the floating market. However, I agree with Maciej that there is perhaps too much going on, with no clear focal point for the eye. You could use contrast masking to lighten the top-right, so that the people would stand out a bit more.

jrj (34843) 2003-12-11 5:03

Again an interesting capture from a place strange to many of us. Lots of colours and fresh fruit etc, in strong contrast to the all other than clean water. Well composed, tight good framing.

Motrem (2392) 2003-12-11 5:18

Your title is well chosen well and described the photo. I find magnificent colours and I like the composition and enjoys at me to look the group. A small remark, I find that the black and wide frame crushes this image.
Votre titre est bien choisi et décrit bien la photo. Je trouve les couleurs superbes et j'aime la composition et me plaît à regarder l'ensemble. Une petite remarque, je trouve que le cadre noir et large écrase cette image.

clodreno (0) 2003-12-11 5:59

I love this one Manny. This is the best of your serie. At least for me. Next time I'll go throuh Bangkok I'll have to go there.

joseelias (0) 2003-12-11 9:12

Very tipical image, but allways captivating! Composition, colors and details are superb! One of the best I've seen from this sceneries.

mikhalych (1319) 2003-12-11 10:58

Perfect contrast between colorful boats with fruits and muddy water. Nice title, too.

dsidwell (9783) 2003-12-12 0:17

This seems ever so slightly dark. SImply raising your levels--especially the middle pointer--may help. This is still a marvelous shot, though. The composition is just marvelous, the colors and shapes and DYNAMIC.
Well seen and composed!

emax (920) 2003-12-12 5:16

Wonderful shot. Seems so exotic. The fruits on the boats are very picturesque. Dirty water makes a suitable background and makes the pic more attractive. Very good shot Manny.

fotofreak (1677) 2003-12-13 1:11

This is a great photo. There is so much going on and so much to look at. But, it all works harmoniously together: The angles of the boats, the many different colours of food, the actions of the people in the photo. It's all great! Good work!