Red umbrellas, a photo from Hunan, Central

Photographer's Note

My contribution to the very popular theme of umbrellas. The picture from Fenghiang. In fact, it was the entrance to the small but cosy hostel where we stayed. The girl was posing for someone else.

An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The word "umbrella" typically refers to a device used for protection from rain. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun. Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some parasols are not waterproof. Umbrella canopies may be made of fabric or flexible plastic.

The word "parasol" (Spanish or French) is a combination of para, meaning to stop or to shield, and sol, meaning sun. "Parapluie" (French) similarly consists of para combined with pluie, which means rain (which in turn derives from pluvia, the Latin word for rain). Hence, a parasol shields from sunlight while a parapluie shields from rain. (Parachute means "shield from fall".)

The word "umbrella" evolved from the Latin umbella (an umbel is a flat-topped rounded flower) or umbra, meaning shaded or shadow.
In Poland we call it parasol but we use it against rain. In China when you see parasols it means it is hot and sunny.
In all written records, the oldest reference to a collapsible umbrella dates to the year 21 AD, when Wang Mang (r. 9�23) had one designed for a ceremonial four-wheeled carriage.An even older source on the umbrella is perhaps the ancient book of Chinese ceremonies, called Zhou Li (The Rites of Zhou), dating 2400 years ago, which directs that upon the imperial cars the dais should be placed. The figure of this dais contained in Zhou-Li, and the description of it given in the explanatory commentary of Lin-hi-ye, both identify it with an umbrella.

Bigger beta picture

Another nice street in Fenghuang with red umbrellas is here

papagolf21, danos, ikeharel, Royaldevon, ChrisJ, snunney, holmertz, pierrefonds, macjake, jhm, alvaraalto, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO, Lidka has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dkmurphys (77956) 2017-09-22 0:11

Good morning,
A charming street scene, what a lovely portrait from that interesting place. I like all the traditional elements. Good catch!

Daniel

papagolf21 (152599) 2017-09-22 0:22

Bonjour, ch鋨e Malgo,
Toujours la prise de vue qui convient bien. Celle-ci est tr鋊 agr嶧ble � contempler avec cette jeune femme qui semble poser complaisamment.
Les ombrelles, les lanternes... tout participe � nous plonger dans un d嶰or de toute beaut�.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

danos (110407) 2017-09-22 0:39

Witaj MAlgo,
Nice the portait of the young woman sitting on the stairsandy while pose in front of your lens.I like the creative perspective with the red lanterns to are one more attractive POV of the image.

RegardsDanos
PS thank you for you wishes for my 1000 uploaded photos.In my mind the future of the site is not auspicious.

Royaldevon (75252) 2017-09-22 1:06

Hello Malgo,

I can't imagine any establishment being decorated with parasols or umbrellas in the U.K. which makes this scene so very different and, I might say, attractive. The parasols and lanterns are particularly effective because of their warm, vibrant colours.
It's a vey well composed photograph, guiding nicely and, though the girl was posing for someone else, you used the opportunity well.

Have a lovely weekend,
Bev :-)
Malgo, I'm beating you by one year!!!

ChrisJ (159918) 2017-09-22 1:13

Bonjour, ch鋨e Malgo

Nice repetition of the red umbrellas and lanterns with a cheerful authentic looking smile from the young lady. Good sharpness and framing. Tfs!

snunney (130967) 2017-09-22 2:03

Hello Malgo,
The rather determined looking young lady makes an excellent focal point; her blue outfit contrasts nicely with the red umbrellas and the Chinese lanterns and script. A nicely lit image with very good colours and well rendered textural detail.

holmertz (92766) 2017-09-22 3:05

Hello Malgo,
A nice girl seated in a good place for a photo. Apart from the umbrellas there is an abundance of red details in both photos. Obviously a very photogenic area. Both photos are nicely composed and well exposed.
Wishing you a safe journey,
Gert

cargus (13363) 2017-09-22 3:48

Good shot on this character, expression and facial features well-played by the play of light and color, a clear picture, a successful portrait.
regards
Adrian

ManuMay (36447) 2017-09-22 4:21

Hi Malgo!!

Sweet and very nice pose!!

A special place with those red colours bringing joy and forc�...good pattern by umbrellas and lanterns!!

Have a nice week end...>>Manu

pierrefonds (103424) 2017-09-22 5:06

Hi Malgorzata,

You have captured well the smiling expression of the woman. The point of view is showing the details of the umbrellas. The good luminosity is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

macjake (96157) 2017-09-22 5:09

Hi Malgo
wow, both shots are great but I think i prefer the WS photo even more!!!!

the lady may have been posing for someone else, but she certainly looks to be staring right at you :) Perfect timing for you haha

the color Red is very important in China isn't it, its everywhere. its a large part of their culture. We can see that here. its funny to see what appears to be a broken umbrella on the right :)

two great photos, your hostel looks A+
cheers
Craig

jhm (202871) 2017-09-22 5:23

Hello Malgo,

Your model enjoy of the photographer, everything with the smile.
The umbrellas are a nice contrast on your nice picture.
You chose a very nice angle, this create depth and perspective.
Pleasant composition and lovely presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Sergiom (117241) 2017-09-22 6:19

Ciao Malgo,

Quelle jolie photo. La jeune fille est tr鋊 jolie, prend tr鋊 bien la pose avec sa main dans son cou et surtout magnifique arri鋨e plan dans cette petite rue 彋roite.

Amicalement

Serge

Silvio1953 (205549) 2017-09-22 6:59

Ciao cara Malgo, lovely composition with nice girl and a lot of umbrellas, wonderful brigh tcolors, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

rychem (72179) 2017-09-22 8:30

Bardzo atrakcyjne czerwone parasole i czerwone lampiony, dziewczyna jest bardzo mila i pozowala swietnie, jak do romantycznego portretu
pozdrawiam Ryszard

jemaflor (135308) 2017-09-22 8:52

Hi Malgo,
a well made portrait, nice smile and interesting decoration with all these flowers, tfs.

sacimar (38171) 2017-09-22 9:42

Hello Malgo,

interesting photo with the woman and the red umbrellas, I like the combination of elements you caught here, the woman was modelling for you? well done!

Best regards,

Sergio

lousat (129865) 2017-09-22 11:45

Hi Malgo,this is a mix between the last pics of Carlo and Takero..ehehe..the result is lovely,i like a lot the perspective to have this rich background made by the umbrellas,i like a lot the face expression of the girl in pose for you like a movie star,well done the WS too. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Mari63 (4173) 2017-09-22 13:49

Ciao malgo, stupenda! Un incanto la ragazza seduta e gli ombrellini rossi sulla via. Ben fatto Ciao Marilena

alvaraalto (42234) 2017-09-22 13:53

Hello Malgo
Alright, there are indeed a lot of red umbrellas on the picture but also a lot of red lanterns. I suppose that I thought immediately of Raise the Red Lantern, a film directed by Zhang Yimou from 1991.
Lovely picture with this nice girl sitting dry under the umbrellas 😉
Have a good weekend. Groet Rob

LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2017-09-22 14:57

Oi, Malgo!

Foto muito bonita e com cores intensas! A luz e o enquadramento tamb幦 s緌 realmente bons. A pose da "modelo" para a foto � realmente um diferencial.
Bela foto!

PaulVDV (54759) 2017-09-22 23:59

Hello Malgo,
The girl is posing but still she looks very charming.
Very picturesque, colourful and with good colour contrasts.
Also an attractive contrast between the detailed fine works of craftsmanship (lanterns, umbrellas) and the less taken care stairs and walls.
Best regards, Paul

carlo62 (81265) 2017-09-23 14:46

Ciao Malgo
questi ombrelli rossi sono pi� originali degli ombrelli di Pietrasanta!!!
Due belle foto, soprattutto questa, la ragazza in costume tradizionale si � prestata molto volentieri alla tua foto.
Buona domenica
Carlo

peterpap (2863) 2017-09-24 1:01

Hello Malgo, nice compo with the colorful decoration and the lady posing for you in a traditional dress. Well done!

mkamionka (61082) 2017-09-24 23:15

Czesc Malgorzata,
zagladam czy sa juz zdjecia z Albanii :)
Urocza fotografia modelki w tradycyjnym stroju i na tradycyjnym tle. Z Twojego reportazu wyglada na to ze w Chinach bez przerwy ktos gdzies komus pozuje w tradycyjnym stroju chinskim :)
Swietna okazja do fotografii znakomicie wykorzystana!
Milego wypoczynku na Balkanach!
M

COSTANTINO (104029) 2017-09-25 13:25

Helo dear Malgorzara and have a nice time
and a happy new day
delicate and pretty
beautiful and attractive
I like the position of
the girl posing for someone
else
regards
Costantino

batalay (41261) 2017-09-28 0:57

Hello Malgorzata,

She might have been posing for someone else, but she recognized immediately the most talented photographer. What a lovely young girl wearing colorful traditional clothes, and set into a foreground of greys and greens, and a background that is as colorful as her dress.

Warm regards to Albania,

Bulent

Lidka (527) 2017-12-20 1:05

Dear Małgorzata!
Nie ma to jak śliczna dziewczyna w kadrze, Nic tak nie poprawia architektury.
Ładnie patrzy Ci w obiektyw, znaczy się polubiła Ciebie. Budzisz zaufanie? Zapewne tak.
Dobry POV, dobry fokus, świetna głebia ostrości.
Jestem pod jak najlepszym wrażeniem tej pracy.
Well done!