Bunny Laden
February 2021 - Hope Triumphs Over Atrocities
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
Children listen intensely to a teacher from the Cambodian Master Performers Program as he gives a music lesson with the hope of bringing back arts to Cambodia. (Ninety percent of Khmer artists were murdered under Pol Pot’s regime in the 1970’s). The backdrop is an image of some of the 5,000+ skulls at the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center Memorial.
I took these photos in 2013 using a consumer-grade camera—Panasonic DMC-FZ200 and before I knew how to use Lightroom and Photoshop. The pandemic gave me an opportunity to revisit the images and try some post-processing skills.
I removed the glass reflections using a frequency separation technique based on a median filter. Then I used perspective warp in Photoshop.
For the children, I adjusted tonal balance, applied some noise reduction, removed a few spots, and brushed out the background.
My intention was to make an impactful image, but I think the story has to accompany it so the viewer understands. I look forward to your opinion on the concept and also any tips on the processing.
8 comments posted
I love what you created and pleased that you shared it with us. I have not explored using frequency separation technique but I need to check into it. I think your idea of warping the background is super, it makes your composition more powerful
Regards
Emil Posted: 02/04/2021 10:58:54
You have a wonderful portrait of these three children, but what a horrible story the skulls in the background tell for Cambodia's children.
There is a nice range of grey tones in the histogram, from black to white. The eyes have warm expressions with catchlights in them all. The skin tones are soft and have a good tone for a portrait. Their hair shows details and childlike softness around their faces. I also notice the golden spiral lines up with the girl's right eye and then flows up to the upper right corner.
My only comment is to lower the highlights by -13 because the lower edge of the frame seems to be clipping.
Well done, my dear lady!
Best regards,
LuAnn Posted: 02/05/2021 14:42:09
When I was in high school, 55 years ago, I went with my parents to Hong Kong. There I saw the boat people --families that couldn't afford a house or an apartment. Instead, they lived on their small boats which were permanently tied to other boats along the shore. The memory that has remained with me since that time was of the children. Their clothes were simple and drab, but they smiled and laughed as they chased each other from boat to boat. Your image brought back those memories. Regardless of the situation they grow up in, children can usually find ways to enjoy living.
Your image is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it. Posted: 02/20/2021 13:27:45