About the Image(s)

Kapa haka is an important part of the school curriculum here. Children have the opportunity to perform Kapa haka from a young age, developing a pride in their heritage and learning M?ori language and culture. This is an image I shot at the final practice, before Sophia, a shy 11 year old, left to compete in the regional Kapa haka competition. The practice was held in a classroom, so neither good background or lighting! Settings were 1/250 sec, 69mm, ISO1000, f/6.3.

Kapa haka is all about pride and strength. Sophia was feeling nervous, thinking about the upcoming competition. I thought a black and white conversion might help the overall image. Sophia is shy, but there is strength in her eyes. I also wanted to do something about the classroom background.

I selected subject, refined hair, and masked. I used a brush in overlay mode to try to include more of her wayward hair in the selection! I then took a photo of a book cover with abstract koru designs, placed it behind the subject layer, and used a radial gradient to darken the centre (trying to hide the masking sins I just couldn't get right, lol).

I stamped up, used a black and white adjustment layer, then both a curves and a levels layer to selectively dodge and burn Sophia’s face.

I decided to crop just below her shoulders, to focus on her facial expression, but still leave enough of her traditional costume to give context.