Bob Benson, FPSA, EPSA
July 2026 - Making Friendship Bands
About the Image(s)
During our Vietnam outing, we spend most of a day at the this Unesco site, the Thai Hai cultural village. Here the people live and reenact authentic events from the past. This group of a couple of families was making friendship wrist bands, which they later offered up to us. I was drawn to the circular pattern reinforced by the palm leaves. I also got a very nice closeup of a mother and two daughters, teaching them the techniques.
Cropped in from 37 mm shot, straightened, and controlled highlights in LR.
3 comments posted
What first caught my eye was the pattern formed by the palm leaves, radiating from the basket in the center, full of color. The people are perfectly arranged in a circle around it but leaving room for you to get their faces. Very good composition. Only two comments. I find the handrail at the end of the steps distracting; you can clone it out. Any chance to correct the perspective a little, so the picture doesn't look so much as taken from above? Posted: 07/06/2026 23:00:21
Since I probably will use this as a travel image, I cannot remove the railing, although I agree, and if used in another context, will take it out. I will see if I can modify the perspective, although I was on my knees when I took it. Posted: 07/07/2026 02:33:05
Hi Bob! A lovely travel photo, with the people gathered in a circle concentrating in their activity and facing each other. The inner circle of people in blue, the outer circle of green palm leaves, and the center of red threads and bracelets makes a flower-like composition that supports the warm calm mood of the image. - I wonder if it would be allowed in a travel photo to darken or desaturate the bright hooked part of the railing a bit? Posted: 07/07/2026 20:30:18