Modern Traditional

[Hazel Grant]

This isn't geometric (theme) but I'll work on that later. Just wanted to get opinions re this one because of a special project. I was quite impressed with this soccer mom at a game who is obviously traditional in her lifestyle but who also has found a way to blend that with the modern world. Taken at a good distance away and cropped quite a bit. Used textures and paintbrush to work on noise because of the cropping. Also, put in the rock background because of blah bkgrd otherwise. Just wondering what you all think. thanks.

[Hazel Grant]

Several (24 so far) have viewed this but no comments. I am wondering if the reason is the photograph or the subject matter. I'm not trying to make any kind of political or religious statement. Simply possibly making it part of a photograph show. I'll repost it as a monotone to see if anyone thinks that is better...really would appreciate photographic critique comments. thanks.

[Nancy Bell]

Hazel, I saw quite a few women dressed like this in India, and many of them had cellphones, just as you show! Your title says it all! I like the addition of the rock bkgd. It echoes the patterns in her clothing in a subtle way. I also prefer the image in color, since this woman has chosen pinks and reds. Since the focus of this image is to show the cellphone contrasting with the very traditional dress, I think you chose appropriately to not show anymore of her face. I also like the composition with her 3 bare fingers on the very modern surface of the phone. It further supports the contrast theme. I think this is well seen and processed!

BYW, I have noticed lately that folks are viewing images and delaying commenting. Maybe it is a time thing but I know we all love the thoughtful feedback here. It is a give-and-take process.

[Wendy Kates]

Hazel, I'm on sabbatical in Israel, and I've been fascinated by the number of people here in very traditional clothing who use cell phones. (In fact, my husband just walked by my computer and asked if your image was taken in Jerusalem's Old City!) I think this juxtaposition of tradition and modernity makes for a really striking image. I also like the image better in color...it increases the visual contrast, which parallels the contrast inherent in the subject.

[Hazel Grant]

thanks so much for your detailed input. I really appreciate it.

[Randall Farhy]

I think you've shown the contrast re: traditional vs modern quite well, the looking away pose takes attention off the woman and places it on what she's doing and how she's dressed. The rock background is a bit confusing, thus distracting. The subtle tones and pattern do tie in with what she's wearing (as Nancy noted) but the way they the stones are distributed makes them appear to be laying flat, rather than a stone wall. You mentioned that this was cropped quite a bit, is there room to the right? Placing the woman to the left of frame would work compositionally and give you more leeway for enlargement if there is. (suspect other people may have been in the scene).

Can't speak for others, but my delay in response is partially time related, but I also like to view an image several times before formulating a critique.

[Dennis Bishop]

Hazel, I noted the same thing you did and had the same thought. However, I was stealing moments to look at new posts but -- with a few new projects and adding some exercise in the form of three hours of table tennis (plus travel time) three days a week to my routine -- my participation, here, has suffered. I like what you did, and the first image is my favorite by far. I really like those colors. That rock background is great because it echoes her clothing in both pattern and color. I think, though, that I'd try blurring it and/or diminishing its contrast a bit so the woman and her phone stand out even more than they already do.

[Hazel Grant]

thanks, Dennis. And...trust you won the table tennis. I'll try it with diminishing the rocks.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Hazel, I like the original post best and I like Dennis' suggestion about the rocks. David duChemin (photographer from Vancouver) just got back from Ethiopia and one of my favorite images of his was the same idea - pilgrims at an ancient worship site at night and some of them were either texting or looking at their holy books with the light from their cell phones

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Hazel, I don't think the lack of comments is content-related. It is a perennial problem at BPN and not just in this forum. No need to beat the deadest horse on the ranch; sometimes the comments just don't come. Personally, I sometimes step away from commenting for a day or two because I'm afraid that my comments will become formulaic.

I've seen this kind of "culture clash" and I always find it interesting. There are definitely some areas where ideologies overlap and become blurred. The image makes a nice story, and I agree about the rocks - they could be subdued to encourage the eye to stay on the woman. I prefer the color version, I think due to the fact that hand makes a nice contrast of color with rest of the frame. You might consider warming the color temp a bit on the original post.

[Hazel Grant]

thanks. I do realize a lot more view than comment. I was just concerned at first that no one said anything and thus feared I may have somehow caused a problem with content. Those of you who have commented have confirmed and/or given improvement suggestions re the photo itself and thats what I was hoping for. thanks so much

[Anita Bower]

I also prefer the op. Colors are important to this woman. I like the way her head is turned away. The cell phone and the contrast with her head attire is obvious and makes the statement you want to make. I would like to see a bit more brightness and contrast to the overall image (except for the hands and areas of clothes that are already bright). A vignette is also an option. Good for you for getting this image.

[Hazel Grant]

Thanks for all your help everyone.