The Pahari Lady, a photo from Uttarakhand, North

Photographer's Note

A photograph from my visit to the lake town of Nainital (see the lake here).

In the crowd of a festival, this lady was walking with a resolute gait and a beaming smile. Her simplistic dress, and beaded jewelry show that she is a pahari - one of the wonderful group of people that inhabits the Himalayas.

The distinctive Paisley design on her head scarf is a motif used throughout South and Southwest Asia - now popular across the world. Although the word "paisley" comes from the eponymic Paisley, Scotland (where the design was used extensively in shawls), the original Sanskrit name is mankolam - referring to the mango-like shape of the pattern.

Personally, I found it difficult to choose between the color version and this, so I have posted the original in a workshop. I think the black and white version has a less distracting background, but I may be wrong.

Also since the photo isn't one of those "posed" photographs (yes, hard to believe), the focus may be a bit off... I find posed photos rather artificial.

Clementi, Wahclellaspirit, ALIRIZA has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

quillo (11858) 2010-02-19 9:40

♥

Hola Biswaroop --------------->

An interesting portrait of the oldster,
the contrasts are good and the managed well light,
I like more the version in B/W,
it is more effective.

Felicidades.

Un saludo.

♥

Clementi (52514) 2010-02-22 3:17

Ciao Biswaroop,
a very beautiful portrait of this elderly lady. beautiful the expression that you have captured, excellent the definition.
Giorgio

Angshu (56760) 2010-02-28 21:48

Hello Biswaroop
Both versions are good, but depends on what you want to highlight. If its the facial features, the Black & White works better, but overall the colour works well IMHO. I might have increased the sharpness a wee bit in the Black & White version as also in the original...why didn't you use a shallower DOF to isolate the BG? But a well done portrait all the same
Regards
Angshu

[workshop] [compare] +

zoomer (6) 2010-03-08 16:57

Very fine portrait of this friendly woman.Excellent sharpness and details.greetings Wolf.

Wahclellaspirit (4125) 2010-03-13 22:10

Hello Biswaroop,
I have looked through your images, and many are excellent captures. This image first made me think that the lady may have been British or an ancestor of a British parent. The B/W is all I needed to see that it was a remarkable photo capture. The image is for sure clear and defined, and with her facial features and her beautiful scarf there is nothing that could make the image better. You have a great eye for portraiture on the move, I seem to choose not to point a camera at someone directly in my path as I do not like cameras pointed directly at me.
Without seeing the color version this is it for me, an excellent B/W...
Steve

ryno (6869) 2010-03-14 20:28

Great portrait shot, Bishwaroop. I like the patterns and textures of her shawl and clothing, rendered well in B and W. You also caught her gentle expression well. Good work!
Regards
Ryno

Silvio1953 (221627) 2010-04-22 9:16

Ciao Biswaroop, fantastic portrait of lovely old woman, splendid smile withouth teeth, wonderful B&W, very well done, ciao Silvio

fabianoleite (13575) 2010-05-20 7:57

I really like how you captured the expression of this old lady. Great choice for black and white, with great exploration of subtle lines good contrasts. Good job, congratulations!

ALIRIZA (16423) 2010-07-28 11:43

Hi Biswaroop,
An interesting and wonderful portrait of this lovely elderly lady with very nice expression. Well done...
Best regards...
Ali Rıza