Princess of the Desert, a photo from Adrar, North

Photographer's Note

The caravan was slowly riding between Meatec and Guerb-El-Richett, at the rythm of the camels, eating some buds of plants when possible. The cameleers were singing prayers.

This toddler was riding her camel as well as other people. She was very high compared to ground floor, following very carefully all advices given to her. She had a safety belt nicely made by the cameleer with his own chechia. At a certain point she felt into sleep while the camel was still following the caravan. She had a 2 hours nape. All maritanians present were amused by that. This story about a kid sleeping on a camel has been told many times when we went back to the village, and also through Chinguetti and Atar. It was told in a Mauritanian manner, around tea and very slowly in order to enhance details, with people repeating the stories. At a certain point, it became the story of the little princess.

This is probably how were born all nice africans stories and also how africans people keep records of everything mainly by talking.

Due to that, also because I liked the moment, with that beautiful chech, that beautiful face highlighted by generous sun rays, the nice fur of the sheep blanket, I took this picture.

-------------------------------------
Autres : photos de Mauritanie
-------------------------------------

avene, parbo, delic, johannes68, Angshu, mariandrea, Jeppo, Mistral, Enidlareg, AmiBe, Glint, hispic, jurarafal has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avene (12675) 2008-01-10 7:33

stunning portrait, Geraldine! the technical qualities of the shot are beyond any criticism, while the simplicity of the composition lets the viewer focus on the story. and what a story :) one of the best examples I've seen on TE where every little detail in the shot reflects what you say in your note - the hair of the animal, a delicate gesture of the girl that does indeed look royal... beautiful, nothing more to add. thanks for sharing.
best,
Kristine

cirano (1244) 2008-01-10 7:34

Zahf şкrоn e...

parbo (11092) 2008-01-10 7:40

Salut Geraldine,

I like tones and especially your model's natural pose while she is fixing her turban. Personally, more closer portrait of her can be more preferable for me.

Amicalement

Ertugrul

delic (6735) 2008-01-10 7:41

Lovely portrait, Geraldine. The background colors and the sheep fur complement nicely to gives a hint of the environment. I just wish I could see more of the eyes. Nice work.
Hakan

dbosu69 (248) 2008-01-10 7:46

Amazing shot..

johannes68 (3469) 2008-01-10 7:47

Hi Geraldine, a very sweet and charming photo, but nonetheless full of all the dignity a young princess can have. And I like your note a lot, great story! Regards, Johannes

Angshu (56760) 2008-01-10 7:57

Excellent Geraldine, an extraordinary portrait. The light is brilliant & your timing for this compo. excellent. Wonderful use of DOF to highlight here. The note is wonderfully written & a fit accompaniment to your picture. Marvellous!
With Regards
Angshu

lespicaros (5542) 2008-01-10 8:28

Je vois qu'il n'y a pas d'heure pour poster des photos sur TE ...

Que dire de ce portrait ... Ce regard vers l'infini... cette gestion de la profondeur de champ ....
Excellent controle pour une trиs belle restitution de ce moment

Laurent

PS : le pиre de la fillette a vraiment beaucoup de chance ...

scalerman (26900) 2008-01-10 9:20

Geraldine: a masterpiece of travel portraiture. Everything about this image is spot on, especially the shallow DOF and sharpness of your friend. regards, c

domingo (199) 2008-01-10 9:55

Hi Geraldine,

a wonderful shot of this beautiful little princess. The colors, the pov and dof are perfect, but it is the view of the girl that makes this picture so unique.

(The first picture that I added to my list of favorites)

Best regards
Ingo

Valerka (8171) 2008-01-10 10:32

Bonsoir, Geraldine,
Excellente idee et magnifique realisation!
La gamine semble si importante!
Chouette photo et couleurs!
Bravissimo!
Merci
bon courage!
Valerka:)

ivarlein (139) 2008-01-10 11:47

As a grandfather, what can I say! A lovely composition and situation. a lovely child.
ivar

Framboisilla (5277) 2008-01-10 12:16

Bonsoir Gйraldine,

Joli portrait dans le sahara, j'aime le flou de l'arriиre plan qui fait joliment ressortir l'enfant. Et belles couleurs aussi !

Stйphanie.

baclama (19214) 2008-01-10 12:19

quelle belle princesse...tu as su capter ce regard perdu dans le lointain,confiant,affirmй...definissant si bien ce petit bout de femme.Les couleurs aident а cette ambiance, la selle du chameau comme une peluche rajoute une belle touche а ce magnifique portrait.
Vero

mariandrea (979) 2008-01-10 12:22

Beautiful moving picture, her expression is incredible, just a little princess for sure. The technique is perfect, goes to my favourites, congratulatios, and thanx for sharing the story...

Maria

Jeppo (17645) 2008-01-10 13:13

A lovely portrait full of sweetness and natureness.
excellent work!

Silvio

Mistral (15416) 2008-01-10 13:24

Salut Geraldine,
beautiful tender portrait with excellent sharpness and compostion!!!
A smile
Luca

Enidlareg (2317) 2008-01-10 13:39

Bonsoir Gйraldine
elle est charmante, cette princesse du dйsert...tellement jolie. Tu as su capter son expression concentrйe, arrйtйe en contraste avec le mouvement du voile et des poils. les couleurs sontellement typiques du dйsert. Si j'en crois la date de prise de vue, зa chauffait dйjа sйrieusement en Mauritanie.
Bonne soirйe
Gйraldine

dilane (861) 2008-01-11 2:10

Oh, j'allais passй а cфtй de ce magnifique portrait -trиs belle harmonie de couleurs, trиs beau bokeh tout en douceur, j'aime ici les poils de la bкte, j'aime le chech que tu lui as fabriquй, c'est trиs bien rйalisй, bravo et...Fйlicitations, et si j'ai bien compris...aprиs avoir vu l'autre jour le petit prince, je vois ici la trиs jolie petite princesse !
bonne journйe
а plus
daniel

AmiBe (6042) 2008-01-11 11:29

Trop chou ce portrait, bonne PDC et couleurs.
зa а l'air confortable :)

vincz (19113) 2008-01-12 1:02

Une superbe capture de tres grande qualite, couleurs, details... J'aime beaucoup sa main qui tient le foulard, une attitude super. Tres bon choix de profondeur de champ. Une tres belle image.

Glint (6171) 2008-01-12 17:49

hello Geraldine,
a lovely picture, this little princess charms me. I like your simple composition and your story which complements this very well.
regards
Bev

BoisBarb (10369) 2008-01-14 22:46

Trиs beau portrait de cette petite fille sur son chameau. Cadrage parfait, tout comme la nettetй et la profondeur de champ. Du beau travail
BoisBarb

photographer123 (6248) 2008-01-21 9:11

hi..
wow..what a shot!!excellent portrait..nothing to say more...very well done...subir

hispic (9658) 2008-09-18 3:24

Hello Geraldine,
Lovely princess! you have managed very well the light in late aternoon. Color of background blurred largely makes her beautifully stand out. Lovely shot indeed.
Have a nice day, Hisashi

fotka (9005) 2009-03-06 8:46

Salut Geraldine,
It is an excellent portrait of the little girl.
Everything is great: colors, sharpness, composition.
Well done! TFS.
Zbigniew