Ian Chantler  

Carnival by Ian Chantler

December 2024 - Carnival

About the Image(s)

Firstly may I send my warmest best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all my dear friends in Group 4 and their families.

Firstly apologies for another Latin portrait but from mid November until Christmas eve work goes mad in fact I am working the next 3 Saturdays and my camera goes into hibernation.

May I introduce you to the amazing Daniele Rodriguez originally from Columbia,Daniele has been Salsa World Champion,she is a stilt walker and fire dancer, she is now a professional dance teacher and choreographer with a dance studio in North Wales,Daniele performed at both days of La Feria in September this shot was taken on the Sunday at the stunning Palm House in Sefton Park Liverpool this was the chance of a lifetime to photograph her with a backdrop of exotic flowers and tropical palms,massive thank you to Daniele for her time just before she went on to perform.


How i did it

Canon EOS 5D Mk III lens Canon EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM focal length 105mm, f4 1/200s ISO 400 . Just a touch of fill flash used.
Basic adjustments to RAW file made in CS6 sharpened using a high pass filter highlights dropped shadows opened slightly and 2px border added..

6 comments posted

Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Ian, there is no doubt that Daniele Rodriguez is in very good shape, and lucky you for being able to photograph her, and by the same token there is nothing wrong with Latin portraits.
Very nice pose. The image is sharp and your selection of backdrop, the green complements well with the blue.   Posted: 12/05/2024 15:58:49
Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Isaac many thanks I love photographing the Latin American people they are so happy and fun not only to photograph but to be in their company is uplifting,its just I try and mix things up I have enough images to post every month until I am a hundred,I may become Dr Samba   Posted: 12/08/2024 19:42:29
R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Ian, it is not often that you see someone wearing more on their head than they have on their body! Quite interesting?

Now on to the picture! From my experience this image is well done from the standpoint of Brightness, DoF (my eye fixes well on the performer with the softer background) and Sharpness. I like the idea of dropping the shadows.

To my eye her head is well positioned at the 2/3rd's point. I believe that two improvements, as far as drawing the viewer's eye into the image, might have been to position so that her leg cam out of the lower left corner of the image and her right hand stop short of the edge of the frame.

Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!   Posted: 12/06/2024 16:03:01
Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Gary
Love the comment about wearing more on the head .... made me laugh out loud, your suggestion has been taken on board.   Posted: 12/08/2024 19:44:20
Guy Davies   Guy Davies
Ian, don't apologise for showing us such a bright smile in a dark and dull December. As usual, you have got your model into a bright and attractive pose, although I think I would agree with Gary's suggested modifications. I am definitely not a people photographer so I can't make any additional comments on posing. Colours are vibrant and the gently out of focus green background works very well.   Posted: 12/13/2024 13:55:47
Vella Kendall   Vella Kendall
Lovely image of a lovely woman. Agree with great colors, you have really captured her eyes and smile. The image has an energy to it. Agree with the suggestions of Gary.   Posted: 12/13/2024 22:29:21

 

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