Another farmer's wife, a photo from Tashkent, East

Photographer's Note

This photograph was taken in the same market in Tashkent as the one I posted yesterday (at almost the same spot in fact) but for this one I decided on a wide shot so that you can see something of the surroundings. This farmer’s wife has only a bag of radishes to sell and from the appearance of her clothes she looks much poorer than the woman whose photograph I posted yesterday.

I thought about cropping some off the right so that she was not centred quite so much in this shot, but I decided to leave the framing as is because the broken steps show the general state of repair of the market area. In this composition I tried to capture the tough life that these women lead – and perhaps the expression on this woman’s face reflects that.

The economy of Uzbekistan has suffered since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but even before then it was one of the poorer republics. Average monthly income in the cities is still not much more than about US$50, and even less in the rural areas where many goods are exchanged through barter arrangements rather than for cash.

Usual PP: adjusted levels, contrast, saturation and USM.

Bien, don_narayan, fayeulle, PJE, capthaddock, fadingstar78, ChrisJ, turkamerikali, zenitlady, plimrn, Djipi heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

Bien (4745) 2005-12-16 11:53

Hi David, Absolutely stunning quality that you achieved here! All details are so crisp and sharp - it seems as if I could just reach out and eat one of those delicious radishes! I respect your decision to not crop the image, but I do think the composition would be stronger with a tighter crop to the left and a bit of the bottom; but of course a matter of personal taste. Still very impressive shot overall! Sabine

don_narayan (2014) 2005-12-16 11:57

Hi David. wonderful shot, the clearity is great, sharp too. I like her body language as well, it tells me she is bored... and maybe tired of eating radishes... hoping she sells them all just so she can have something other than radishes (I know, this is not all they eat). nice composition as well, the steps behind her and also the 2nd sack of radishes are great. nice one.

Did you get out of Taskent?

Narayan

dgermain (327) 2005-12-16 12:02

very nice capture
too much background distractions or not wide enough to see more.

I wish it was taken from a bit higher... only to see the stairs as a background....

[workshop] [compare] +

kensimage (8563) 2005-12-16 12:17

A tough life indeed. She likely won't get more than a few coins for those radishes. Her body language really tells a story--again you caught the decisive moment (even if it was a relatively long moment.)

I guess there was no perfect way to frame this one. The people at upper right are a bit of a distraction, but the bags at upper left and the broken steps are helpful context. It doesn't look like there was any POV from which to include only what was wanted, but it looks like you made the best available choice and it works quite well. Regards, Ken.

devimeuxbe (58557) 2005-12-16 12:32

Hi David
this woman have a nice regard. She look quiet. She is thinking about what ?
NIce composition. Perfect frame and sharp.
Well done
Bertrand

gaby (19819) 2005-12-16 23:34

David bonjour - these tashkent women are really beautiful - great shot with many details and very hight technical quality -
well done
Rgs
Gaby

PJE (20758) 2005-12-17 8:08

David you sure caught this one right on the money. Wonderful expression and setting. It shows her living conditions and lifestlye in a very profound manner! A very good photo in my estimation!

capthaddock (28790) 2005-12-18 14:02

Hi David -leaving the broken pavement in was the right decision, thatsl also what she's sitting on, and I don't find ger too centred, I like the thoughful expression, though I can tell by her waistline she does not eat greens and radishes exclusively.

gebala (0) 2005-12-18 15:02

hello, nice shot, I like this woman and her BG, nice colours, well done

rgs

fadingstar78 (420) 2005-12-20 12:53

this women looks chinese or khirghiz... nice picture of daily life!!!

Mingfang (1415) 2005-12-21 10:32

Hello David,

really good portrait with good timing and good expression! good to capture of the enviroment. the color is good as well. it seems your camera sudderly well to use.

cheers!

ciec (1081) 2005-12-26 4:18

Hello David,
Excellent expression ( what is she thinking ? )and quality.
The upper part is, in my opinion, a bit distracting but the broken steps should be kept.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2005-12-27 20:27

very good pic here, I like the woman here she looks as if the last customer was 5 hours ago, well done

ChrisJ (171822) 2005-12-28 3:47

Hi David

Excellent sharpness & dof. I like the contemplative profile of the woman. A superb daily life shot. Congratulations!

turkamerikali (3291) 2005-12-29 13:04

Hi David,
Excellent daily life shot from Uzbekistan.
Great pov,colors,sharpness,focus,lighting,note and dof.TFS
CT

Cormac (26565) 2005-12-30 14:26

Extraordinary photo! This has a 3 dimensional look to it, a certain 'pop' that is hard to define. The lighting and colour are excellent, and the composition is great too. Well done!

Buddha (9) 2006-01-04 6:16

this picure is great and wounderfull.my regards for you Jamail haider ( buddha ) from Kabul Afghanistan.

zenitlady (221) 2006-01-07 23:40

Hello from Canada, David! What vibrant colours in the portrait--the radishes, the pastel of her shoes! Glad you took the wider angle. Am really enjoying all the Uzbekistan shots! Very interesting notes about this country, which to most people in the world may as well be on the moon. Well done!

faubry (35447) 2006-05-28 6:10

hello David, very simple and beautiful daily life market!! i like this expression from her face, in mind.. very good quality, bravo
francine

AnaFrantz (636) 2006-11-10 13:35

Great shot! Full of life! Sharpness is perfect! Colours are great!
Well done!

waseemkhan (1099) 2007-08-06 9:37

Hi David ,
very nice capture
too much background distractions or not wide enough to see more.

I wish it was taken from a bit higher.........
well don,
TFS,
waseem khan

Dyerco (10185) 2007-08-06 10:04

Wonderful shot!! You captured the moment just right. Her expression says it all and we can see her surroundings.

Phil