Quincea馿ra Tejana, a photo from Texas, South

Photographer's Note

The Texas State Capitol building is the largest in the country, though it might not appear so at first glance. This is because a large amount of its area is subterranean; a large annex sprawls eastward underground for the span of an equivalent city block. This is the annex, and its entryway can be found in a reverse rotunda of sorts: a two-floor-deep circular open-air atrium. This shot was taken from ground level looking down into the atrium; the girl pictured was in the middle of the photoshoot for her Quincea馿ra.

A Quincea馿ra is the celebration, in Mexican and Latin American culture, of a girl's fifteenth birthday. It serves the same function as similar celebrations at around that age: the transition from childhood to adulthood. Typically a lavish affair, it is often celebrated with a formal party, not unlike a debutante ball or a 'sweet sixteen' in other parts of the country and world.

This shot unfolded completely by chance as I wandered the grounds of the State House around sunset. I was heading out to the annex atrium to get a panoramic shot of the state house itself, but happened upon this scene unfolding below me instead; I managed to get off a few shots before they moved out of range. This one was the best. Had I time, I would have switched to my 50mm lens for better quality and faster shutter, but I'm happy with the result despite the slightly less than ideal equipment.

holmertz, larhrissiHicham, worldcitizen, bukitgolfb301, aliabazari, SnapRJW, annjackman, annjackman, Kofman, jhm, krzychu30, willperrett, CLODO, ikeharel, delpeoples, macjake, Hansaphotos, kasianowak, Didi, mayjayne, No_One, bona, maloutim has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (101930) 2012-11-15 12:59

Hello Andrew,
This is an excellent picture. I love this kind of shots from above, where things and people are seen in a new way and the pavings of a street or the patterns of a floor create an unexpected composition. The two persons' clothes match the mild colors of the floor very nicely. Also they are very well placed in relation to the inner circle and the star.
This is one of your best so far.
Best regards,
Gert

smash2707 (3320) 2012-11-15 13:03

I like how you balanced this image. Nice compo. TFS

mesutilgim (0) 2012-11-15 13:34

Hello Andrew,
Amazing birdseye view capture with very good layout.
The purple dress of the woman creates a nice eyecatching point.
Many interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

emka (157280) 2012-11-15 15:58

Hi Andrew, you were lucky to see this girl there. The pavement is quite interesting but the presence of the girl in her beautiful enening dress mskes it special. Difficult to believe that she is only fifteen years old.
Regards
Malgo

larhrissiHicham (577) 2012-11-15 17:02

Hello Andrew,
It's been a while since my last comment, and I must admit that this shot is quite impressive.
Brilliant layout, great timing, the tones and colors are wisely balanced, stunning POV and composition as well...etc.

A hell of a pic so to speak!!!!!

You did a great job with this one...tr鑣 bon travail.

Regards
Hicham

worldcitizen (15930) 2012-11-15 17:41

Hello Andrew,
I really like the POV in this shot. The scene is an interesting combination of history and cultural celebration. I like the placement of the two people in the frame. We have a nice view of the star, with all of the lines radiating outwards from it, along with the girl and photographer. She seems to be examining a photo herself, which is exactly what I am doing right now. :-) Her purple dress really jumps out, too.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2012-11-15 19:27

Hi dear Andrew

Wow another aststic and taseful image by your own high and elegant inspiration! Very attractive geometrical appraoch indeed. Also great color coordination and allocation, so marevelous! Thanks for your sharing and have a good last working day!

Takero from Tokyo

aliabazari (21165) 2012-11-15 19:48

Hi Andrew's
I really like your record. Angle of view and very well made. Very good text. Page loaded my interest and I can not register my interest in this beautiful picture. Picture clarity is good. Exposure and mix well performed. Charming and lovely view.
Thank you for registering for this nice picture

Regards ...

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-11-15 22:25

A super shot Andrew - The girl in the fabulous purple dress makes a wonderful colour splash and point of interest on the radiating rays of the floor. You have a good balance in this composition with the Texas star and young woman both being very well placed within the frame. Very good shot. Warm regards rosemary

annjackman (23019) 2012-11-15 23:24

Hello Andrew,
This composition is very well organised with the two people perfectly placed in the frame and the pattern on the floor very nicely off-centre. The purple colour of her dress is eye-catching. Very well seen and taken. A pity that she was not on her own in the frame but nothing that you could do about that. Excellent quality - TFS.
Kind Regards, Ann

Antipodean (666) 2012-11-15 23:49

Kia ora Andrew,
Great photo and an excellent composition. I think it is an image you can be proud off. Cheers, neil

jhm (211734) 2012-11-16 3:37

Hello Andrew,

First I thought to a ceiling but I see people, I seem a photographer with a model of wedding.
The star in centre is very pleasant for look at.
A splendid decoration, great architecture picture too.
I can here absolutely enjoy of these nice picture.
You play excellent with light and shadows.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

JFS (32459) 2012-11-16 5:12

Hi andrew!
I like the way you saw this pic, so elegant (the shoot) and so creative!
Cheers,
Juan

krzychu30 (15512) 2012-11-16 8:22

Hello Andrew,
superb shot taken from above.I like the juxtaposition of a girl in a purple dress standing there with a photographer or a cameraman and of course this beauitful pavement with so nice patterns.You磛e found the best POV to capture this scene.
Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

siudzi (34141) 2012-11-16 12:42

Hi Andrew,
This is really original and perfectly cropped shot. Like the graphical effect created by the architecture and standing people. The visual effect is brilliant!

Warm regards,
Malgorzata

adores (46979) 2012-11-16 16:41

Hi Andrew!
A really good pov to get this one! I like the idea of making a diagonal with the two persons and the circle. And that long purple dress really catch out eye! Well seen!

willperrett (14195) 2012-11-17 2:10

Hello Andrew
This is a well seen moment, and beautifully composed: a combination of strong geometry, an acute eye and serendipity! The splash of colour from the girl's amazing dress is just the lift the shoot needed.
Regards
Will

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-11-17 21:35

Hi Andrew
What a capture i think you strike the jackpot there with that Purple Power and the little bits of her warm skin tones - these two elements imho- are so vital making this short looks elegant and artistic while keeping my eye busy flowing around in natural counterclockwise. You make my eyes work extra hard my friend! Imho, without the photographer will make shot even stronger, this kind of shot just dont come easily. Dedication, time, sacrifice, effort and skill all come into play and I do share your experience in making this awesome shot. You be must very pleased with this result as much as I do, deserve more than two pts honestly. My compliments.
Kind regards

chawax (20764) 2012-11-18 2:32

Hi Andrew,
You caught a very nice graphical scene. The people are well placed at the opposite of the Texas start. Just a shame they are not turned to the left.
Regards,
Olivier

CLODO (45116) 2012-11-18 3:06

hi Andrew

nice high POV, to have the star of TEXAS equilibrating the photographer showing his work to the purple dressed lady!
best regards
CLODO

ikeharel (112395) 2012-11-18 3:51

A magnificent moment taken, Andrew, when the nice purple-dressed lady and her photographer, paused on the floor of the Capitol-Dome.
Geat image from above, fine clarity and colors collected.
Have a nice sunday,
Ike

Silvio1953 (220495) 2012-11-18 8:24

Ciao Andrew, great POV, lovely composition with fascinating graphic on floor and beautiful couple, excellent clarity, splendid light and colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

delpeoples (60342) 2012-11-18 15:35

Dear Andrew

Well, we can see the capitol building anytime, but this shot happens only once. I love your POV, where you've positioned the senorita and of course the beautiful graphism of the star of Texas. �'m curious to see the B&W version (in fact will try one myself) but can certainly see why you opted for the colous version, which I think was the best choice.

Cheers and have a good week
Lisa

macjake (98260) 2012-11-19 1:25

Hi Andrew
well, i've never been to Texas, I'll have to make sure i find my way there someday.

Sometimes our best photos come from 'by chance' as this one has.
you never know, and should always have your camera ready :)
you got the classic 'rooftop' style shot, with a contrasting main focal point, and graphic lines for visual pleasure. what more could you want!
interesting read too, that always helps :)
cheers
craig

Hansaphotos (11381) 2012-11-22 2:28

Hello Andrew

I think the result is very good. A good composition containing interesting graphical elements. The inclusion of the girl and the photographer is really the icing on the cake here, perfectly placed in the frame. Great work:)

Best regards, Erling

kasianowak (17672) 2012-12-04 4:34

Hi Andrew
This is an outstanding example of the use of the rule of thirds. I also like the muted colours which emphasize the bright purple dress of the woman.
Best wishes
Kasia

Didi (61589) 2012-12-06 7:02

Hi Andrew
Interesting characters at 2: 10. Very good frame quality from a good dominant point of view.
Best regards

mayjayne (7204) 2012-12-08 20:58

Dear Andrew,

Your clever crop has made the composition more artistic. The addition of the ywo subjects totally changes the feel of the work - it gives life to it and the colour accents create another point of interest.

TFS,
May

No_One (4) 2012-12-14 14:25

Hi Andrew,
What a magical moment to capture, and perfect composition. This is such a pleasing photograph to look at, and I love the two point os interest, the star and the couple. Thanks also for an interesting note, it is amazing to me to think of such a large complex.
All the best
Noel

elenimavrandoni (0) 2013-01-13 2:18

Hello Andrew, so nice to see a picture like this, tribute to the very traditional and important celebration of the "Quincea馿ra"!!!
Nicely taken with creativity, showing elegance, style and character!
Best regards,
Eleni

mjw364 (1466) 2013-01-16 3:16

Hello Andrew

A nice overhead shot that provides shape, pattern and colour. The people (but specifically the woman in the purple dress) create a powerful point of interest that breaks up the two dimensional uniformity of the rest of the composition to create a powerful draw for the eye. Well observed and composed.

TFS

Mike

bona (15057) 2013-01-20 11:19

Hi Andrew,

love this photo with the girl dress color contrasting very well with the grey floor. Here in Brazil is common between girls celebrate the 15th birthday, however this practice has decreased. The name "Quincea馿ra" is not used here. Here we called "Baile de Debutante" (Debutant Ball) and some times many girls celebrate this date together.

Andre

jmdias (114196) 2013-01-27 12:35

andrew

here this tradition is almost similar with a "debutante's ball" when the girl with 15 years celebrate the her age with her friends and family in a rich ball. a tradition that is going down I guess.
fantastic image with the personages well positioned at side of the star. excellent light and sharpness too.
PS: yes, it was a big tragedy in my country, the worst is this same kind of event occured in many other places around the world in the same way, something to be learned and kept in mind forever.

hugs

jorge

baclama (19214) 2013-01-27 12:39

hi,
wonderful POV with great colors
TFS
vero

maloutim (13617) 2013-02-08 18:33

Hi Andrew,
Very interesting story about this quincea馿ra, and also about the Texas State Capitol building where the photo was taken.
Great shot taken from above and excellent composition with the star in the middle of the "sun rays".
You did well setting the centre of the "sun" on the left-hand corner and the "star of the day" on the top right hand corner.
I also like the contrast between the bright colour of her dress and the neutral colour of the surroundings.
Congratulations.
Marie-Louise.

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew Lipsett (ACL1978) (7511)
Genre: 人物
Medium: 彩色
Date Taken: 2012-10-28
Categories: 日常生活
Camera: Nikon D3100, *AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Exposure: f/5.3, 1/30 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My Favorites, US State Houses - West, Your Favorites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2012-11-15 12:48
Favorites: 1 [view]