Oliver Morton  

Dancing to the Beat of Drums by Oliver Morton

December 2024 - Dancing to the Beat of Drums

December 2024 - Oliver Morton

Original

About the Image(s)

When I visited my sister in Asheville, N.C., over a decade ago, we went downtown to a Drum Circle that’s held each Friday evening. It was an amazing experience. Dozens of local people gathered, bringing their drums to an intimate plaza partially surrounded by a few rows of bleachers. Soon one of the leaders began beating a rhythm that everyone joined. It was impossible to avoid tapping your feet. Many onlookers who did not have drums began dancing to the music. This woman was one of them. She seemed almost in another world as she danced and swayed with her baby.
I processed the photograph in Camera Raw, darkening the background and changing the lighting of the woman and baby. Then, in Photoshop, I removed a few minor distractions and sharpened the image.

Data: Canon 5D Mark III; 135mm lens; 1/2500 sec; f/2.0; ISO 1600; pattern metering

9 comments posted

Emil Davidzuk   Emil Davidzuk
Pete,

The mother and baby are so well done.

My thought is why is she is so happy and looking up at something out of frame. The only thing is to surmise what it might be. Interesting effect on the viewer

Regards

Emil


  Posted: 12/03/2024 19:47:01
Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Thank you, Emil. When I was there, the beat of the drums was amazing. Those who were dancing were almost in a trance. It was an amazing experience. I had the feeling that she and her baby attended the drum circle every week.
  Posted: 12/09/2024 17:44:59
Mandy Vien
Hi Pete, I like both images, the color image captured the environment and your skill to isolate the subject, mother and the child. The mono version is well handled and darkening the background to remove distraction in a black and white image. Great conversion.
  Posted: 12/09/2024 03:44:56
Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Thank you, Mandy. Like you, I find that both the monochrome and color versions have strong points. I have the color version hanging on my wall.

  Posted: 12/18/2024 03:12:58
Michael Laezza
Pete - beautiful image and excellent conversion to B&W. I became a grandfather again less than two years ago and this reminds me that (1) children sleep even in noisy environments and not necessarily when you want them to and (2) caregivers are grateful when they finally nap

Mike   Posted: 12/09/2024 16:57:00
Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Mike, CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you have had a chance to spend a bit of time with your new grandchild. I recall the times when my daughter (now 52) was a baby. Nap time was a blessing for me and my wife!

  Posted: 12/18/2024 03:15:03
Adrian Schaub   Adrian Schaub
Hi Pete - this sounds like a great experience. I like a lot how you captured mother and child.

I was a bit distracted by the prominent bear on the childs pijama which seems out of focus and recropped.

I am travelling and have no access to LR. Otherwise I would have tried in addition to darken the background a bit less as you did, so that it is not completely dark, but slightly structured. This might look more natural.   Posted: 12/11/2024 14:21:05
Comment Image
Oliver Morton   Oliver Morton
Adrian, I hope your current travels are enjoyable (and safe).

I love your cropping of this image! In fact, I think I'll follow your guidance and reprint the more tightly cropped version. THANK YOU!

  Posted: 12/18/2024 03:17:31
Chris Reinhold   Chris Reinhold
Very powerful image. I like how you darkened the background to really make the woman and infant stand out. Thanks for sharing.   Posted: 12/21/2024 14:28:56

 

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