The Self Critic Shutterbug

Av: F/6.3; Tv: 0.067(1/15)s; f: 18mm (35mm-equiv:35 mm); ISO: 800

This photo was taken during a function in my native place. It is called “Bhootha Kola“. It was a very pleasing result for me to see the result of the photoshoot for the following reasons -

• Among the things I was trying to achieve during the photoshoot that night, was to catch the rotation of the subject as a blur; that, with the waist accessory flying around defining a circle gives this photo a very dynamic as well as circular motion effect.

• The capture of the flying embers in mid-air from the fire stick was very pleasing.

• The vibrancy of the different colours catches the eye. To get the natural colours in the low lighting conditions, I had to refrain from using the flash. To avoid the image-shake while clicking, I resorted to a high ISO.

Coming to the improvement in this photo -

• I would’ve liked the face and body of the subject to be defined a little more clearly. But using a long exposure to get the motion blur, this is an expected and accepted side effect.

• The area around the fire stick has a very high exposure and stands out glaringly. A slightly lesser exposure would’ve helped avoid it. However, the vibrancy and the brightness of the rest of the photo would’ve been dulled out by this. So, i guess, this is the compromise I had to resort to.

Tags: Blur, Dance, Faith, long exposure, Night, Religion, Ritual

Av: F/5.6; Tv: 0.017s(1/60); f: 44mm (35mm-equiv:72 mm); ISO: 1600

I clicked this photo during a train journey when I was experimenting few shots with an interesting looking old lady. It was a little before sunset and with the train casting weird shadows and lightings, it wasn’t too simple to get a good shot on a moving train.
This is the shot of a beggar’s daughter who came upto the lady. She picked her up and was playing with her. But there was a tinge of sadness on the little girl’s face, even with a 10 Rupee note in her hand, saying this is not what she wants to be doing now. I’m glad my capture picked up the expression of the moment. I clicked this photo in Black and White mode itself. I like the sharpness of the image, however, the photo is over exposed in a few areas. I tried to correct that with photoshop using the burn tool. The vignetting has improved the emphasis on the subjects.
I took this photo at an angle to experiment with different compositions. However, I have to say this angle looked better while clicking than in the PC.
I worked quite a bit to get a decent sort of frame for the image. Framing a photo takes the photo to a new level; in terms of its appeal and the way it comes out.
Improvements I would’ve liked in this image include the composition – full coverage of the girl’s palm would’ve brought the note into the picture & conveyed a little more meaning to the photo.
Better exposure without over exposure would also have been better.

Tags: beggar, Black and white, Girl, lady, poor, train