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Parasol · 02:30 AM

You just have to love a country where the ladies still carry parasols. You can't not be elegant with a parasol.

Photo Tramp · 07-28-2007, 03:36 AM

I don't know Mike. I love the shot, and from the angle she looks very elegant to me. Japan has some of the most elegant women in the world. I attribute this to the culture and upbringing. I think the Parasol adds mystique and beauty to a woman who is already beautiful.

Peter Zack · 07-28-2007, 04:21 AM

Lately there have been some pictures posted here of various subjects that simply make me say WOW. This is certainly one of those shots. The lighting is great, From the backdrop to the skin tone and the darker areas of the dress. The shot from behind adds a little mystery to the picture. The background/backdrop? gives the photo a painting like quality with a bit of a 3D look. I'm assuming the shot was staged correct? (that looks like a studio backdrop set up outside somewhere). Or did you take the shot and remove the background and add this effect? There does seem to be a difference in the lighting between the subject and the background. It improves the shot whichever way it was done and adds to the depth or 3D look of the shot.

The only thing I would suggest to improve the shot (and this is being picky for sure) would be to remove the parasol strap from the shot. She has a nice neck that adds to the elegance of the subject and the overall shot. The strap distracts from that IMHO.

Thanks for sharing, great work!!!

Mike Cash · 07-28-2007, 05:41 AM

Not staged. Just my standard catch-as-catch-can shot from the driver's seat while stuck in traffic. She was killing time while waiting for a bus. I don't know how long she was waiting, but it couldn't have been longer than the hour and a half I spent working on the layer mask on this photo.

Here's the original:

There's a little bit of irony there, perhaps, for those who can read Japanese. It's a sign put up to protest a high-rise going up across the street. Protesting because it will block out the sunlight and leave some houses pretty much permanently in the shade. At least there is a day coming when no one will need a parasol at that bus stop.

Shot with an S-M-C Takumar 135/3.5 and manipulated via The GIMP.

daacon · 07-28-2007, 07:34 AM

That is a great capture - good PP and your story on the sign adds some irony to the story ! Well done.

vievetrick · 07-28-2007, 07:39 AM

MIke I like the orginal and the new one. Great little story as well.

Bud · 07-28-2007, 08:25 AM

Mike,

That's great! Thanks for sharing.

Bud

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07-28-2007, 03:36 AM	#2
Photo Tramp Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA. Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,041	I don't know Mike. I love the shot, and from the angle she looks very elegant to me. Japan has some of the most elegant women in the world. I attribute this to the culture and upbringing. I think the Parasol adds mystique and beauty to a woman who is already beautiful.

07-28-2007, 04:21 AM	#3
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Lately there have been some pictures posted here of various subjects that simply make me say WOW. This is certainly one of those shots. The lighting is great, From the backdrop to the skin tone and the darker areas of the dress. The shot from behind adds a little mystery to the picture. The background/backdrop? gives the photo a painting like quality with a bit of a 3D look. I'm assuming the shot was staged correct? (that looks like a studio backdrop set up outside somewhere). Or did you take the shot and remove the background and add this effect? There does seem to be a difference in the lighting between the subject and the background. It improves the shot whichever way it was done and adds to the depth or 3D look of the shot. The only thing I would suggest to improve the shot (and this is being picky for sure) would be to remove the parasol strap from the shot. She has a nice neck that adds to the elegance of the subject and the overall shot. The strap distracts from that IMHO. Thanks for sharing, great work!!!

07-28-2007, 05:41 AM	#4
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950 Original Poster	Not staged. Just my standard catch-as-catch-can shot from the driver's seat while stuck in traffic. She was killing time while waiting for a bus. I don't know how long she was waiting, but it couldn't have been longer than the hour and a half I spent working on the layer mask on this photo. Here's the original: There's a little bit of irony there, perhaps, for those who can read Japanese. It's a sign put up to protest a high-rise going up across the street. Protesting because it will block out the sunlight and leave some houses pretty much permanently in the shade. At least there is a day coming when no one will need a parasol at that bus stop. Shot with an S-M-C Takumar 135/3.5 and manipulated via The GIMP.

07-28-2007, 07:34 AM	#5
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	That is a great capture - good PP and your story on the sign adds some irony to the story ! Well done.

07-28-2007, 07:39 AM	#6
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	MIke I like the orginal and the new one. Great little story as well.

07-28-2007, 08:25 AM	#7
Bud Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,699	Mike, That's great! Thanks for sharing. Bud