Melanie Hurwitz
October 2025 - Tea Pickers
Original
About the Image(s)
Taken on a tea plantation in Sri Lanka. It was fascinating to see a stick laid down on top of the tea bush so that only the tender buds above that were picked. I do enjoy taking people picture in IR and the skin tones usually are quite interesting.
After using a Life Pixel action, I proceeded to Nik Silver Efex for the Black and White Version. Levels for contrast and Select Color for toning. Finally Topaz AI to sharpen . All the images taken in Asia have the same high ISO problem we discussed last month so we will just have to deal with that. I look forward to your comments.
Sony AII, 30mm, F9, 1/1000 ISO 800
16 comments posted
Melanie, I like how you caught the two contrasting expressions of the tea workers, which converted a photo into a story. Showing how they are consumed and swamped by the tea surrounding them draws attention to the nature of their toil. Posted: 10/01/2025 16:12:32
Thanks Chuck. These poor people work so hard for very little. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:47:24
Melanie, this really tells a story. Having the workers in the foreground really helps. The white foliage adds a surreal look.
Regarding your high ISO: as Arik mentioned last month, you should have plenty of light to keep the ISO low. As a Sony shooter, there is a setting called "ISO min SS speed". You may have it set to "Fast" and that's why you shutter speed is inappropriately high. Posted: 10/01/2025 19:16:35
Regarding your high ISO: as Arik mentioned last month, you should have plenty of light to keep the ISO low. As a Sony shooter, there is a setting called "ISO min SS speed". You may have it set to "Fast" and that's why you shutter speed is inappropriately high. Posted: 10/01/2025 19:16:35
How to change the setting
Navigate to the MENU.
Go to (Camera Settings1) or the appropriate ISO menu.
Select [ISO AUTO Min. SS].
Choose your desired setting using the control dials. Options typically include "Standard," "Fast," "Faster," "Slow," and "Slower," or a specific shutter speed.
You can also assign this setting to a custom button for quicker access. Posted: 10/01/2025 19:17:11
Navigate to the MENU.
Go to (Camera Settings1) or the appropriate ISO menu.
Select [ISO AUTO Min. SS].
Choose your desired setting using the control dials. Options typically include "Standard," "Fast," "Faster," "Slow," and "Slower," or a specific shutter speed.
You can also assign this setting to a custom button for quicker access. Posted: 10/01/2025 19:17:11
Thank you so much for the information Steve. I really appreciate it. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:48:34
Let me know when you have a chance to check your ISO MIN SS speed whether that was indeed the cause. Posted: 10/05/2025 17:24:23
Hi Melanie. What a beautiful, well-handled picture. The IR camera was perfect for the scene. The skin tones would've been too dark with a standard camera. The vegetation stands out too. I like the inclusion of the taller tree and the cloudy sky. Posted: 10/01/2025 21:25:43
You are right Arik The color images don't work as well. Contrasting light was a problem Posted: 10/05/2025 16:49:44
I like this very much, Melanie. The candor of the two workers versus a posed expression makes it real for me. Great application for IR...and the little bit of cloud wafting in the sky is just right. Well done. Posted: 10/02/2025 12:54:00
Thanks Gary. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:50:40
Melanie,
Two ladies in huge field picking just the tender top leaves - a lot of hours harvesting by hand. And as we shop buying a box of tea bags, most of us have no clue how the process works.
Thanks for sharing. Posted: 10/02/2025 19:29:04
Two ladies in huge field picking just the tender top leaves - a lot of hours harvesting by hand. And as we shop buying a box of tea bags, most of us have no clue how the process works.
Thanks for sharing. Posted: 10/02/2025 19:29:04
Yes Emil, that's true. We did see the very tedious process of making the tea that we take for granted. The work is so hard for these poor people. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:52:51
Quite a delightful image, Melanie. I like the interaction with the two pickers with the camera as well as how nicely composed the overall image is. Posted: 10/02/2025 21:35:39
Thanks Henry. They were just so gracious in allowing us to photograph their work. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:54:11
The people add so much to this, Melanie, and you caught them at a nice moment. Congrats on getting some travel to unique locations. Posted: 10/03/2025 22:32:57
Thanks Jack. We have been very fortunate with our travel. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:55:12