This is an image I took at the Holi Festival of Color in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The Holi Fest is a traditional Hindu festival which marks the arrival of Spring. The celebration is a lesson in learning to welcome the positive and letting go of the negativity, the arrival of Spring, the Victory of Good over Evil. The people that attend are from all different cultures and backgrounds and it's a lot of fun to attend. There is lots of music, singing, and dancing.
4 Colors that are used:
Red/Pink Colors - love and fertility
Green Colors - new beginnings
Yellow Colors - healing and happiness
Blue Colors - Krishna's divine energy
Daddy was carrying his daughter and while she was enjoying the sprinkling of colored powder, the dad held on to his child, let her dump the colors where she wanted and enjoyed the day.
This is an awesome photo/story. It captures the moment perfectly. The daughter's expression is that moment of "just plain fun and she is into it". Posted: 08/01/2026 18:05:58
Kerry Abshire
Thank you Keith for the great comment. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know how you feel! Posted: 08/01/2026 19:18:11
Dr Isaac Vaisman
Kerry, great image. I have been looking forward to the opportunity and photograph this type of event, but have not been lucky here in South Florida. Obviously, the intensity and amount of color powder is much less of what I have seen images from India. I understand that the camera has to be placed inside a plastic bag so it does not end to be useless due to damage from the dust. The expression of the girl's face is priceless. Posted: 08/04/2026 16:05:21
Kerry Abshire
Oh trust me, there is so much powder in the air, you can barely see. I prefer to use my longer lens when shooting this event to avoid the powder. A photographer friend of mine got in the middle shooting with a 50mm and she spent a couple hundred dollars getting her camera cleaned...she purchased a bag for this year....lesson learned....For me, I shoot from a distance LOL Posted: 08/04/2026 22:39:50
Michele Borgarelli
Kerry,
I join the chorus in congratulating you on this great image. Clearly, the girl on her father's shoulders is having a lot of fun. As for the father, we cannot be sure, but his eyes will probably be burning for a while!
Once again, this is a wonderful street photograph, and you should be proud of capturing such a memorable moment.
Best wishes,
Michele
P.S. While this is a great image, I think you are aware that posting photographs of children without the consent of their parents can sometimes create legal issues, depending on the circumstances and local regulations. Posted: 08/21/2026 15:56:02
Stephen Fowler
The shot seems like a motion shot. . . so much for the eyes and brain to process! It's impressive that you were able to expose correctly for the little one's face, as all the sunlight would seem to have underexposed her. Nice selection of speed, f-stop, and ISO to get the exposure that you did. Super! Posted: 08/23/2026 23:19:11
Bruce Goodman
Kerry - I took one look at this photo and said, "I want to be there!". Well composed, exposed, and edited. Great timing for the expressions on the little girl and what we can see of the father. The chalk dust in the air is an added plus using space in the photo that would otherwise have been less interesting. Thanks for the tip about either staying further away or a plastic bag. I'll put the Holi Fest on a list to look for one near me in the Washington DC area. B Posted: 08/23/2026 23:58:03
