View Full Version : India: The People
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:01
Here are some shots of the people we saw and met on our two week jaunt.
Some were tourists like us, some were locals and some part of the tourist industry - I think you can guess who's who - there'll be some more after this.
1) Crocodile at the Taj Mahal
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/taj-crocodile1.jpg
2) Lad outside a restuarant in Jaipur
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/jaipur-lad.jpg
3) Performer on the Beach at Goa
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/goa-girl.jpg
4) The same girl while she was looking for tips from onlooking tourists
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/goa-girl-2.jpg
5) Caught In The Rain at Fatepurh Sikr
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/fatepurh-sikrh-rain.jpg
6) Old Fellow at The Amber Fort in Jaipur
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/amber-fort-man.jpg
7) Women Flattening a Roof at The Amber Fort using Stones
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/amber-fort-women.jpg
8) Girl Dancing at Restaurant In Jaipur
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/948/agra-dancer.jpg
pswillies
26-02-2007, 19:25
Well it certainly isn't lacking in colour over there! Number 2 stands out as my favourite of the bunch, closely followed by number 4 :clap: Really nice candids.
:)
I know I said (off forum) that some of your roads shots looked a bit high contrast but I think you've gone the other way with that first one :)
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/723/taj-crocodile2.jpg
Oh and I'd put #4 first but all good :)
Edit:
Ok so now you've changed the first one to make me look daft :lol:
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:39
And thats why I changed it just before you posted lol!! #4 is my fav as well!
Be interesting to know how others see it as your new edit looks too high contrast again to me :)
I agree with Robert. The first one looked light and misty.
Now it looks white and scratchy!!!! (Well I know what I mean!) :D
Robert's looks just right to me. :thumbs:
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:44
B*gger!
I agree my first one look washed out, but I think Rob's doesn't do the colours justice! Ah well, not my fav of the bunch anyway! :D
Another captivating set there John. I love the last one, the angle you've caught her at. I can see what Robert is saying. I was going to say that I thought they looked a little over saturated compared to your others from India but maybe it is the contrast :shrug:
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:46
Sorry Janice! Just my frustration at my inability to process images decently!
John - come round and see them on my monitor if you like.
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:49
One thing I discovered about India is the light is maddening - either dull and washed out or intense and over bright with many bright colours against light backgrounds and of course dark faces!
I'm sure others would have done a better job but its all part of my learning process!:D
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:49
John - come round and see them on my monitor if you like.
I'll pop round after dinner Rob ta!
John, if you have been working on a photo for more than 5 minutes or so, try to walk away... when you come back they looke really different and you notice your shortcomings.
If you keep altering and altering you end up not seeing the original picture.
BALDYMAN
26-02-2007, 19:49
Love the shot with the umbrella
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 19:52
TBH I hardly altered any of these - a bit of sharpening here and there is all! Apart from the taj shot after I saw it looked a bit dull!
Were you using RAW when you took them, John, or jpg?
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 20:13
Were you using RAW when you took them, John, or jpg?
RAW Janice!
I may have another attempt at processing and see what pops out!
Ah..... I was going to suggest that maybe you had some sharpening on in-camera with the jpg.... but thats that suggestion out the window.:D
Very good set. I'm impressed.
'*** as has been noted earlier take care with your conversion. Most look a little too bright or over exposed.
Have another go with the conversion... a jolly good idea. Bring the best out of a very good set of shots.
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 20:36
I've just viewed these on Rob's monitor and indeed they look a little 'bleached'!! Therefore I reckon my monitor needs some calibration which i shall attempt shortly and repost to do these shots justice!
John, Don't beat yourself up, the photo's are fab, vibrant colours and I love the eye contact in number 7, a little tweak in the right places and they will be fantastic. Neil
HIMUPNORTH
26-02-2007, 20:51
Crikey they like there coloured clothing those Indians. It's like a trip to the Eighties! :lol:
Great set John. If you've got the raws you will soon get them sorted. You need to be back a bit longer so your eye can adjust (get out and look at some grey suits) and you'll have all those contrast/colour issues sorted. :D
Sure more will follow - and I'm looking forward to them.
:thumbs:
I agree with Neil & Gary. And also remember, John, the sun out there is SO bright, that it does in fact "bleach" everything rather.
Don't worry, a bit of monitor calibration, a trip back to the RAWs... you will soon have them sorted. :thumbs:
And contrary to what you may think.....we are all still looking forward to the rest of your shots!!! Especially the architecture for me!
Diego Garcia
26-02-2007, 21:16
Liking these a lot.............:)
Lovely shots, but No6 is the winner for me, it's a fantastic character study. It's just lacking in contrast. I had a quick dabble at it, but it's a superb shot and it's well worth going back to the RAW file to get the most control you can of those highlights. :)
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/530/amber-fort-man-2.jpg
Jonnyreb
26-02-2007, 21:44
Bravo - lovely set John :clap:
:clap: been waiting to see some of your photos. :) Nice shots!
The rainstorm shot with the umbrella is my favourite. I also love the first one - all those fabulous colours! - and the final one too.
Jonnyreb
26-02-2007, 21:58
Sorry - just had to play too :)
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/amber-fort-man_converted_.jpg
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 22:11
Thanks guys and gals for the kind and useful comments and a good adjustment from jonny!
My monitor needed recalibration and with Robs help I think I'm there and he's also given me some more invaluable RSP advice!!! All that an a good price on his lens! What a guy :D
I shall have a tweak in the coming days and post a few more shortly!
Cheers
What were you doing wrong in RSP, John? You didnt have the sharpening and detail extraction on did you? They are rubbish and best left to sharpen in Photoshop.
(IMHO!!) :lol:
Dark Star
26-02-2007, 22:29
What were you doing wrong in RSP, John? You didnt have the sharpening and detail extraction on did you? They are rubbish and best left to sharpen in Photoshop.
(IMHO!!) :lol:
Nothing 'wrong' as such just a couple of tips on getting the levels right less subjectively.
Like you I don't sharpen at that stage.
I think the bulk of the problem was my calibration which is better now (I hope!)
:D Thanks for the help and advice!
My starting point is with the levels graph. Adjust exposure comp if the graph goes off the edge then hold control and drag in the levels limits until you see a small or acceptable amount of blue and then red. Then play with all the other sliders if need be but don't move them too much as things end up looking wrong. No idea if that is the 'right' way to start but it works for me :)
I absolutely love these John.
Though I enjoyed seeing the pics of your travels through Old Dehli from an educational point of view... I have enjoyed watching each of these pics unfold so much more in the photographic sense.
I really like the woman with the umbrella, it has a real classic look about it and that vibrant blue shawl just jumps out of the miserable rain!.
The dancer is just beautiful ... literally, and again the colours are just gushing out!
However, I keep finding myself coming back to #4, and I think its my favourite.
I love the way the light/shade has worked here, how close and intense it is, has a poigniant feel.
She is obviously very young and yet her hard life is etched all over her face, I feel really pulled into this shot as Im wondering what her thoughts were as she was eyeing up her prey.
If it were me, I think Id crop her coloured bangles off the bottom as the colours are slighting distracting but, maybe others will disagree, either way, its a great shot for me.
An excellent set, Im sure youre rightly proud of these! :thumbs:
Love em all, wonderful colours :clap:
Dark Star
27-02-2007, 18:39
Thanks all for the positive comments!
Glo - you're right - my "on the road" shots were me grabbing shots wide eyed with my mouth open - no real photographic feeling - most were from a moving car so they were very much see, point and shoot.
For these portraits and the ones to follow I had a chance to think and compose (for the most part).
I too love #4 and had considered the crop you suggest - however I felt that such a crop would eat into the length of her neck to the detriment of the overall image.
Thanks again for the comments! Makes me feel quite chuffed!:D
minimeeze
28-02-2007, 10:33
I love these shots! A wonderful insight to the people of India - very colourful.
namllihs
28-02-2007, 10:50
Lovely stuff, #5 (with the umbrella) is my favourite. looks like a really great place to visit.
I too love #4 and had considered the crop you suggest - however I felt that such a crop would eat into the length of her neck to the detriment of the overall image.
Have you thought about cloning it out, John? Just as an experiment?
Dark Star
28-02-2007, 13:19
Have you thought about cloning it out, John? Just as an experiment?
No Janice, I'd probably make a mess of it lol! And I don't think it distracts too much really. I'm pretty happy with it as it stands I think. :)
No Janice, I'd probably make a mess of it lol! And I don't think it distracts too much really. I'm pretty happy with it as it stands I think. :)
Sorry, John.
I didnt mean to imply there was anything wrong with it.....just that in your last post you suggested that you had tried to change it.
No offence meant. :coat:
Dark Star
28-02-2007, 13:52
No offence meant. :coat:
None taken Janice, sorry if that sounded stroppy :( , it wasn't meant to!
No I hadn't actually attempted to change it - the thought just crossed my mind but I decided that, having for once taken a 95% decent shot (IMO), I'd better leave it alone :lol: for fear of ruining it!
I'm not the world's most proficient post processor:thumbsdown: !!!
But I'll get there :D !
winstainforth
03-03-2007, 15:22
Fantastic Photos, makes me want to pop on the first plane to India.
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