The Weaver𠏋 Daughter, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Kaithoon Village near Kota, Rajasthan

Miriam is a weaver of Kota Sarees. These sarees are still made as they were 250 ago, by a tedious, fully manual process, in a village called Kaithoon, 22 km away from Kota city.

The weavers are all Muslim. The women also weave, often better than their husbands. They cover their heads and go about their business cheerfully. The burqha (head dress covering the face) is a rare sight indeed in Kaithoon. Miriam works 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to create a Kota Saree which would adorn many a beautiful woman. A saree takes 7 to 8 days to make at the minimum, but the wages received by the weavers are insufficient and there are no savings practically.

While the ladies (my wife, mother-in-law) were involved in intense bargaining with Miriam𠏋 husband for purchasing Kota sarees, I took time out to take pictures of Miriam and her beautiful, innocent and 倴urious-about-my-camera� daughter. She sat beside me as I took pictures of her mother, demanding me to show each and every one of them, moment I clicked my shutter. Then she suddenly left and went outside to play. I followed after some time & saw her sitting on the balcony sill watching smaller children playing in the narrow lane. As I took her permission to take her picture, she gave the sweetest of a shy smile, which I was lucky to catch here.

I asked myself, when I saw her beautiful innocent smile�.What is her fate? Would she also follow the footsteps of her mother or does she have a better future as her bright eyes deserve? Only future can tell!

My last post for a while as I will be in transition for the next couple of weeks. See you then & take care!!!

edytungkal, ymrk, avishek_khan, thea0211, carper, Sne011, ChrisJ, Glint, dip, burGu, bostankorkulugu, avene, isabela_sor, dareco, adores, bukitgolfb301, Dpbours, Wanda1, Gerrit, papagolf21, Budapestman, pierrefonds, riclopes, josepmarin, jafadabret, CLODO, emjleclercq, sagar, Scharan, Didi, plimrn, siolaw, pablominto, Cretense, Kielia, jhm, danos, bakes888, Atousa, BennyV, Urs, dArpAn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rodgerg (55767) 2009-04-23 0:40

Hello Angshuman,

Congratulations for this excellent portrait. The expression and the sympathic glance of the young boy are very well collected. Excellent framing too with the another children in the BG on the left.
Best regards,
Roger

yquem46 (38752) 2009-04-23 0:41

namaskar Angshu
beautiful natural smile with a superb off centered compo !
India as I love it
Cheers
patrick

ymrk (15099) 2009-04-23 0:42

Merhaba Angshuman!
Very lovely portrait and amazing shot of that moments...Good work!
Take care of yourself,

Yağmur

Disabled_A (0) 2009-04-23 0:44

Hello Angshuman,
very nice portrait! excellent DOF. It's an interesting idea to take a portrait where the girl appears very close to the side of the photo, in which the rest of the space is given to the surroundings including other people in the distance. But that says much about the character of the girl, too!
Very good POV and composition :)
Best regards,
Elena

edytungkal (4551) 2009-04-23 0:47

She really has a beautiful smile and lucky you to capt her on the best timing. For sure i like the way you placed her on the right with blurred bg and interesting story about the village. All the best Angshu friend and see you too :-)

warm rgds
daniel

avishek_khan (544) 2009-04-23 1:07

Hi Angshu,
Such a pleasant composition! So simple but so well thought! And the little girl gifted you with the best of her natural look and innocent smile! Nice note as well.
Regards
Avishek

pastadog (13111) 2009-04-23 1:10

Excellent shot, Angshu, first the clever compo with her smile on the side, and the scene deep behind, then a great DOF, good colors too, I like the red cloth back there echoing the shirt of the girl... have a smooth transition and take care, Daniel

thea0211 (1365) 2009-04-23 1:11

sweet look, cleverly included in the story telling image.
it's the "don't mind them, they are just grown-ups" look ;o)
... her fate will be good, you must believe that
well seen!
dora

everlasting (19978) 2009-04-23 1:34

Chasing scalerman I would call this:) Beautifully composed with the split screen and with perfect DOF. The eye contact is so compelling.

jasmis (58653) 2009-04-23 1:47

What a glance! Superb eyes and marvellous DOF.
Regards.

vagabondtravels (6511) 2009-04-23 2:05

Hi Angshuman

Nice comp. This girl really has very entrancing eyes.
Very sharp with good color and dof.
Well done.
Ben

ben4321 (9875) 2009-04-23 2:44

Excellent shot Angshu - I like how the frame is divided into two halves, with those interesting family goings-on in the background, but most of all it's a great shot of the little girl. You caught a great expression there.

Cheers,
Ben

carper (96) 2009-04-23 3:22

very nice one Anghu,
good portrait fine composition, fine dof, good photo job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

Sne011 (3084) 2009-04-23 3:45

Great photo Angshuman! Beautiful portrait with kids playing in the background. Excellent composition and realization!
Have a nice day,
Sneza

ChrisJ (172378) 2009-04-23 4:39

Namaste Angshuman

I like the shallow dof, on the fg boy, at right. A natural looking, unforced smile, that adds charm. Tfs!

Glint (6171) 2009-04-23 5:11

hello Angshuman,
a well composed portrait. You have a good connection with the little girl and the smile shows this. Good sense of place with the oof bg.
Bev

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-04-23 5:48

Hello my friend ,
Ficou linda esta menina em primeiro plano tem um lindo sorriso , fant嫳tico os seus olhos negros , parab幯s!!
Um abra蔞 Gon蓷lo

dip (21408) 2009-04-23 7:55

Hi Angshu,
beautiful portrait in the foreground and good capture of the street scene behind,
nice composition,well done!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Bartleby (13552) 2009-04-23 8:41

Hi Angshu,
She does indeed look like a sweet girl. Love her expression here. I like how you composed that shot, with her face stuck to the side of the frame and the blurred characters in the back. The light hitting her face is perfect too. Thumbs up!

Philippe

burGu (4840) 2009-04-23 10:20

Hi Angshu,
I suddenly feel so clumsy looking at he equipment you used: canon 400d and 18-55 kit lens??? I have the same equipment and I can never make such an amazing shot.
Colors are so nice and nice focus on girl and rest of street left in blur... Red of girl and other nice colors in bokeh, a native girl in the narrow streets of her city; such a nice compo, such a nice photo.
Congrats,
Burcu

yaya13baut (3344) 2009-04-23 10:51

hi Angshuman,
a nice street scene, full of life with the kids playing in the darkness of the background and soft moment with the look of complicity of the little ground on the right.
Well composed.
Yannis

baba_flies (8829) 2009-04-23 10:51

Hello Angshuman! Yes only the future will tell but I guess even if she had the chance she grows up THIS way and not ours so a lot is given in my eyes. A wonderful composition and how she leans against the wall smiling at you in her red shirt which makes a lovely contrast. I also like the people in the background in their colorful dresses and how we can see them but not really. I like that. Very nice work, what a SMILE. Best regards, Barbara.

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2009-04-23 12:05

what a smile, so soft and tender... and a very well composed shot angshu, both with this cute thing on the front and with the other four on the background... all the best... korkut

avene (12675) 2009-04-23 13:24

hello Angshuman,
I think this is great, and I think this is one of your best street shots - candid enough to show the daily life, but also very personal, the direct look of the girl is very engaging. love the composition with the strong verticals dividing the two "scenes", everything is just right here. excellent work, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

isabela_sor (47748) 2009-04-23 13:27 [Comment]

Show Comment

dareco (17136) 2009-04-23 13:38

A very sweet child with cute expression. This is very nice, I like the focus and depth. TFS

adores (46979) 2009-04-23 15:07

Hi Angshuman!
Really good shot! I like the composition, the way you show the wonderful expression of the little girl and the rest of the narrow street in the blurred background.Very well framed!

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2009-04-23 16:16

Hello my dear Prof Angshuman

Nice direct portrait ! I think you do not take portrait not so often, if I am not mistaken. However composition and color management as perfect as usual.

Thanks for my sharing and best regards

Takero

Dpbours (222) 2009-04-23 20:36

Hello Angshu,

The weavers are all muslim. I'm wondering how that came into existence historically. Because weaving is something you can do at home? Hahaha, like the note on the bargaining. In my mind, I can see it happen the way you have written it down!

Greetings from Delhi by the way! I'm here for one week now for my work and flying on this weekend.

Bye! Dennis

Wanda1 (15142) 2009-04-23 21:39

Hello Angshuman,
She has such a sweet face and gives you a shy smile. What I like in this shot is the division between her on the one side in the foreground and the out of focus happenings in the background on the other side. Very good use of depth of field.
Good luck with your transition.
Best Regards
Wanda

Gerrit (62042) 2009-04-23 22:29

Hi Angshu,
excellent portait and a photo with beautifukl colors and a lot of background interest.
Great job,
regards, Gerrit

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-04-24 1:27

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Votre talent s'幨argit au fur et � mesure pour notre plus grand plaisir.
Cette composition en un t幦oignage patent.
F幨icitations pour cette r嶧ctivit� et de ce portrait au si joli sourire.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

sevy (58) 2009-04-24 2:04

Hello Angshu,

I like a lot the composition of this photo, with background in deep blur (but still readable) and with the entry and strong focal point brings by the girl looking at you (looking at us).
Really, I like a lot.

Yves.

Budapestman (82620) 2009-04-24 2:40

Dear Angshu,
Enchanting portrait with splendid composition. The timing is excellent, the depth of the photo is superb. The blurred background add a lot to the mood, splendid clarity and colours. Congratulations. Have a nice day!
George

marietom (34611) 2009-04-24 3:19

hello Angshu,

elle est superbe, cette image, avec ce beau sourire au premier plan, et cette vue sur les rue color嶪. J'aime beaucoup.
Bonne journ嶪
Marie

pierrefonds (115462) 2009-04-24 4:35

Hi Angshuman,

You have captured well the expression of the weaver's daughter. That area of the photo is clear and sharp. Adding other children in a blur background is an asset to the composition. The surrounding light has a good effect on the colors. Well done, have a nice day.

Pierre

riclopes (35577) 2009-04-24 5:22

Fantastic capture, Angshu. I would do exactely as you did, while Ana would be bargaining inside. Somehow, this cute face sounds familiar to me. I wonder if I've seen her before in other photos. The framing is great - love the several vertical stripes as we move to the left - and the shallow dof is perfect, making the scene in the distance to seem like a dream that doesn't belong nor distract what's happening here in FG. Her smile is adorable and maybe she could be a model instead of following the footsteps of her mother...
Hope everything goes well with your transition.
Friendly regards,
ricardo

josepmarin (59385) 2009-04-24 8:38

Hi Angshuman,
a fantastic capture in which you have caught the intense, clean and deep look of this girl, with the prize added of a precious smile.
Excellent portrait, and great work with the field depth, leaving the background nicely blurred.
A great work.
Friendly regards,
Josep

jafadabret (56501) 2009-04-24 10:30

Bonjour Angshu.
Cette photo est digne d'un grand reporter photographe. J'aime ce portrait du premier plan et toute la sc鋝e floue de la rue.
Excellent !
Jacques

vincz (19113) 2009-04-24 10:54

Beautiful composition with great choice of focus and DOF. I love how the decyaed walls melt in the blurried background with the other people. Very well done.

CLODO (45118) 2009-04-24 11:17

Thank you Angshu for this lovely portrait, and your thoughts for the future of this shy girl
Best regards and have a good trip! Don't forget your camera!
CLODO

sagar (2410) 2009-04-24 13:24

Hi Angshumanda,
Just loved the bright eyes of the beautiful child. A graet photo from both technical and humanitarian POV.
Regards,
Sagarneel.

Polonaise (5802) 2009-04-24 13:37

Great picture, the 'smart' one...
Fits as smoothly as can it be with the story you told in your note, Angshu.

Wonderful photography...
A photography for the eyes and for the hearts..

g
..............

emjleclercq (15778) 2009-04-24 13:39

Original point of view for a portrait, because the character is very off centered. But it gives a good result.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Waylim (25436) 2009-04-24 16:15

Hi Angshu,
Lovely, lovely shot of the girl, I love her smile and her eyes that look at you is very engaging. It make you smile right back at her. Very interestingly composed with her in the foreground and some people in the back out of focus, it really bring our attention to the girl and give a great sense of depth. Great job while the ladies did what they do best bargaining. Sometimes I like the art of bargaining, part of it, I'm from the country where you do bargain when buying things, not in the western world. I bargain even though at the end I will pay for it if I really wanted, I like to do it because it give me a chance of interaction and way of experience the culture. Happy Weekend.
Way

Graal (103040) 2009-04-24 22:56

Hi Angshuman,
nice portrait and scenery. Good DOF and composition. Very good photojob. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

anto95 (1840) 2009-04-25 7:27

Hi Angshuman,
This is very great moment for take a very nice pictur!
ANtonello

MarianneS (15338) 2009-04-25 13:46

Hello Angshu,
A beautiful photo, accompanied with a beautiful note, for a lovely little girl.
She offered you a cute smile. Her large dark eyes are superb, I hope that a better future is waiting for her...
See you soon and take care too.
Regards,
Marianne

Scharan (14144) 2009-04-25 16:33

Ol� Angshuman

Gostei da composi誽o com o segundo plano plano bem desfocado. A crian蓷 � linda e posa naturalmente...ela tem um olhar lindo.
Bonitas cores, meus parab幯s!
GA
Vera

Didi (61589) 2009-04-26 6:42

Hi Angshu
Very intersting selective DOF setting on this charming girl.
She has a natural attitude.
Very good frame quality of this local scene.
Best regards

partha (14023) 2009-04-26 6:44

Hi dada,
simply superb shot. I like the expression, the softness, the blurred subject at the background. Truely a nice shot.
Partha

NB: Amer website ta ektu update korechi. parle dekho, er janeo kemon laglo..My website .... http://www.wix.com/parthapalindia/partha/

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-04-27 0:06

Hello Angshuman,
Beautiful composition with great shot. The colours are very great. Excellent street photogarhy. Well done
Best wishes,
Achim

sultana (2101) 2009-04-27 15:09

This is really good.Excellent deep of feild.Always focus on the eyes and sharp.

well done
Sultan

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2009-04-28 1:57

Hi Angshu,
A delightful image. Love this one.
Best Wishes
Sabyasachi

berek (50518) 2009-04-28 10:19

Hi Angshuma,
its creative work and impressive portrait working. I like your composition idea. focus control and lights.
Best wishes.
Burak

siolaw (38294) 2009-04-28 23:39

Hi Angshu
Nice street portrait, having captured a sweet exprssion on this young girl's face, and somehow a daily life scene in the BG...
Greetings from Goa
Laurent

plimrn (21344) 2009-04-29 11:12

Hi Angshu,
From the innocent trust in her eyes, it is clear that you established a real bond with her. I like to think that sharing the intricacies of your camera has already helped to enlarge her world.
HLJ, Pat

pablominto (53746) 2009-04-30 7:01

Hello Angshu,

This is an appealing image that makes my mind wander!
The little girl in front sure is the eye-catcher but it is impossible to see her isolated from the children in the back, what is the relation between them...
Well composed, most dynamic with good details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Merline (0) 2009-04-30 17:09

Dear Angshuman, my heartfelt congratulations for this superb portrait. I think it is one of your best photographs. There is so much in her eyes, and what we can see in the little alley, where you cleverly played with the dof, thus creating a lovely background. Great colors, and that framing is perfect in my view, the way she looks at you, shy and so curious and full of life. It get to one's heart.

Thank you and congratulations for your new camera too! One sees the difference, but not only because of it, but because of the shift in your style of posts.

Cheers and kind regards
Mich鋩e

Cretense (68709) 2009-05-03 4:17

Hello Anghsu!

Excellent daily life scene, fantastic portrait job, with excellent framing and composition, showing the little girls' everyday environment! But of course, the eye of the viewer goes straigh to that sweet face and those beautiful eyes! Congratulations!

Hercules

Kielia (24077) 2009-05-04 12:13

Hi Angshuman,
I remember Miriam very well and this is another excellent composition and a lovely presentation of her obviously very shy daughter. The bright colors and the light make it a very beautiful impression. I also appreciate your excellent note. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

jhm (211738) 2009-05-05 3:12

Hello Angshu,

I like this wonderful portrait of this young girl.
Ther eyes and look are vzery nice also her red attire.
Quality and sharpness are superb, also the blur background.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

danos (110407) 2009-05-06 18:48

Hello Angshuman,
very nice the portrait of this boy that in combination with the blur background make the details more scenic.I like the good management of the light as the colours too.Well done.

Regards,Danos

bakes888 (18499) 2009-05-08 3:26

Hi Angshu. Well captured. Excellent timing and good use of shallow DOF. Well composed to include the other children also. Good work and thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

Atousa (7131) 2009-05-11 2:48

Salam Angshu,

This is a lovely portrait showing her sweet smile n the place she mostly spends her time ..I like the framing n composition of this shot a lot..really impressive ..thanks for sharing.
All the best, Atousa

smarcell (19965) 2009-05-15 2:43

This is a lovely protrait. Not only for girl's sweet expression, but also for the scene going on in the rest of the frame, correctly out of focus (it is not the subject) but still well visible.
Regards Stefano

BennyV (34748) 2009-06-03 3:57

Hello dear Angshu,

I've not been very active on the new TE and now find I've missed a few really great shots, like this one. I appreciate the combination of note and picture. Although every good picture speaks for itself, it's always great to read and discover more in a good note with it. (This is something which is missing in most, if not all, other photo sites, imho.) Great work, great post, thanks!

Benny

Urs (14082) 2009-06-19 0:06

Hello Angshuman

The child in the foreground in focus while the others are clearly out, that makes the picture very interesting. Well composed and done. I like your picture a lot, in particular the eyes of the kid ... excellent

Best regards
Urs

dArpAn (499) 2009-06-25 21:31

Hello Angshu,

Just roaming through your gallery, I saw this one and thought how I missed this. I mean, I admire these kind of close encounters (possibly because I still can't get so close to people and capture them, which may be because I've always had a superzoom).

Ok, back to shot.
Lovely glance of the girl. I love the 'eye to lens' contact here. She's super comfortable with you pointing your cam towards her and it shows. Also, the left part of the shot showing the gali with people adds that classic DOF to enhance the portrait.

I'm from UP and our town also have so many of weavers, muslims mostly. I read your note and found it to be so true. I wonder how these girls and boys keep playing all day, with their fate keeping in store nothing more but to accept the legacy. Brilliant note (a tutorial for me on story telling).

How is mumbai treating you. Monsoons on their way ;-)

Good morning and I now need to hurry to office,
-Darpan

figenya (2852) 2009-07-17 8:29

Hi Angshuman,

I love this style. Deeply looking eyes in front and an ongoing life scene at the background... Very goog job, cheers

figen

samratrayc (438) 2010-08-02 9:38