Photographer's Note
When I took this shot, I used wide angle and aimed it well away from the girl, to take in the whole scene, since Moslem women typically do not want to be photographed directly. But I could not resist later cropping the shot down to make her more central to it, with the penetrating look in her eyes.
Overhead you can see one of Cairo's elevated highways, which change a trip across town from impossible to merely difficult.
Floydian, noborders, casperduppy, robiuk heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd
Critiques | Translate
Floydian
(30970) 2008-10-07 0:53
Hi Ken,
:-) Yes i know they are not happy at all when making pictures without asking, and when you ask it's in most cases a NO in reply. Therefor this way and the crop later in the digital darkroom is very succesful. the man passing by in a blur gives some movement to it. but also the rest of the scenery is very good composed and framed. That she is looking in to the lens is a big bonus...indeed, deep penetrating eyes.
Regards, Henk
BennyV
(34748) 2008-10-07 3:08
Hi Ken,
A street shot which I really like. Her look, perfectly positioned in the shot, really jumps out and stares you/us in the face. I also like all those details in the rest of the shot. The blur of the man walking by, is perfectly in tune with the hectic city center where the shot was taken. Good work.
Benny
Polonaise
(5802) 2008-10-07 15:03
I got it... I got it...
Muslim women want to be photographed indirectly, right ?
Mmmm... Sounds delicious - does it ?
:-))))
The wide angle is really great if your subject doesn't have a knife in her hand...
Then - it works miracle !!!
With the knife involved...? I'd prefer 500mm minimum + labor + tax...! :-)))
That glimpse in your direction, Ken ?
Priceless !
Did you buy a pair of new sandals ?
george
.............
AnimeshRay
(9089) 2008-10-09 1:13
There is enough exotic information in this frame to keep one engaged, but somehow the composition is not as compelling as some of your other ones from Cairo. Perhaps because it was an afterthought, it fails to provide a focal point of attention although the curious girl seems attractive enough. Some how my eyes are drifting the to the cental woman.
noborders
(1010) 2008-10-09 13:59
Really I love your photos with people, Ken ! And I would never have thought of taking such a kind of scenes, with the viaduct above (but in fact, that's often where people chose to sit or sell things, maybe part of the day in the shade ?) - the puffed breads make an interesting repetitive motive but as you write, it's mostly her strong gaze that attracts our eyes - excellent, really ! Also the half blurred man, indicating that there was not much light.
Bravo, (hoping that you have some more),
Cath.
faubry
(35447) 2008-10-11 2:22
very nice BW with good contrast, i think this muslim woman dont to be on photo?? hungry glance? i like this daily life market scene, and blured man, thanks
francine
ninaL
(21348) 2008-10-18 1:12
Street workers...
Street clients...
Very rich one, Ken, very well composed.
Best regards. Grazyna.
casperduppy
(1794) 2008-10-18 17:00
Haha! Good one Ken! But surely she would now be very pleased to see her
famous smiling face here on TE?! :) But if ever a gaze could turn a photographer to stone... well.. here it is!
But what about the bread?!!! THE BREAD!! I mean, is there anywhere in the world where bread tastes better than Egypt? If there is, tell me because I just have to go there :)
Anyway good shot. It's dynamic with lots going on yet the women sit and work. The inclusion of the flats in the background, with what is probably a bridge full of noisy polluting traffic above attests to the compactness of Cairo. And of course the bread - just look at all that delicious freshly made bread :)
All the best, Casper
devimeuxbe
(58557) 2008-10-19 0:28
Hi Ken
This is a nice portrait in the street. You are right, the glance is impressive.
Nice daily life shot
Bertrand
nerve
(10231) 2008-10-26 8:43
nice one Ken,very informative..i appreciate your courage to photography these muslim ladies, shouldnt be easy.
good composition overall imho,
best.
robiuk
(10807) 2008-11-02 15:38
Ken,
having shot this one at ISO 200 and with f/7.1, I'm
surprised the girl's face is focused better than the
bread in the very foreground.
I wish you planned it better and focused on her first,
then locked the focus and took your shot - that way she
would be in perfect focus and that would help her stand
out even more (not to mention choosing smaller aperture).
Apart from that little technical talk... I like the image
and what it shows. I myself would love to come back to Egypt
and visit Cairo (had no time for that last time...).
Cheers,
Robi
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Ken Alexander (kensimage)
(8563)
- Genre: Mensen
- Medium: Zwart-Wit
- Date Taken: 2008-07-26
- Categories: Dagelijks leven
- Camera: Canon 350D (Rebel XT), Sigma 12-24 mm EX DG / f:4.5-5.6
- Belichting: f/7.1, 1/50 Seconden
- More Photo Info: view
- Fotoversie: Originele versie
- Thema's: Cairo [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2008-10-06 21:54
Discussions
- To Polonaise: With the knife involved (1)
by kensimage, last updated 2008-10-07 10:33