Apprentice, a photo from Hong Kong, South

Photographer's Note

I took this at Wong Tai Sin Temple during my rapidfire two days of shooting with Maciek and Kourosh. Normally, I am somewhat fanatic about sharpness, which is not totally present in this shot. However, it doesn't much bother me here actually. The centered composition is another thing I dont' mind here, because to move things off center would cut out the arm in the background, which adds context to my shot.

This little girl was learning to pray. It is her father's arm you see in the background, making sure she does everything right.

ianmcall, bfly, Josh69, Riz, eleparc, omritoppol, touristdidi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ianmcall (1213) 2004-04-07 9:42

The blurred motion in the hands goes well with the action of prayer. the note gives a context to the background arm, that otherwise would normally be cropped. Nice moment.

bfly (5775) 2004-04-07 9:42

very heart warming..(I thought she was clapping from the thumbnail..)
because of the direction she looks, I liked that there is space behind her head...thanks ..

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-04-07 9:46

Very beautiful picture of a beauty child Darren !
The DOF is perfect !
Congratulatons !

kourosh (2346) 2004-04-07 11:29

a great moment, she is learning how to pray. she loos calm and concentrated. well captured.
i wonder why you haven't cropped the arm off. i also think the blurred hand is a shame. just my opinion though!

eleparc (24063) 2004-04-07 17:02

very nice and sweet photo darren! great focus and DOF IMO;

gringofil (0) 2004-04-07 23:18

Nice one. Right away I'll tell you that I'm not crazy about the hand in the background and the fact that the image is not sharp. First the hand: if you didn't write it in your notes that you feel the hand adds to the compo and the story here, I wouldn't have guessed. In, say, a magazine situation when the photo is published with a small caption (usually what place it was taken and who is on the image) or sometimes none at all, I would strongly feel that the arm is out of context and should have been removed in post production. Shaprness: one of the things I like in your shots is the sharpness (and sometimes too much of it). Here, the end result is blurry. The blurry hands in the foreground do add context, but how great it would have been to have had a larger f-stop and getting them nice and sharp. I think sometimes you worry about getting your background out of focus and miss out a little on the details that, if sharp, could make the shot great. Just my thoughts here, Darren.

Anyway, she's an amazing girl and this is a good shot, Darren, don't get me wrong. I like the darkness around her...makes the image more spiritual and brings it into a higher context. Good one, but not your best.

omritoppol (826) 2004-04-08 3:52

Good capture of a moment here, I think the hand and the blur are in place here (along with the story that explains the hand) - it gives even more strength to this situation. This is what TE is all about. Well done

maciekda (19895) 2004-04-20 1:03

nice picture, the scene is really charming, her expression is great.. i am not sure about hthe arm - maybe without it would be better. i like those faded colors too. nice shot

touristdidi (8583) 2004-10-24 10:29 [Comment]