Esther Steffens
November 2024 - A street in China
About the Image(s)
I was in China for several weeks in June 2005, it was my second trip with Overseas Adventure Travel and I had a room mate from a previous trip. I ended doing about 15 trips with OAT, and I always felt very comfortable going as a single woman.
I’m sure someone will suggest that this would be better with a front view of the two people, maybe so, but I often like photos taken from behind. I like the empty baskets but it would have been nice to know what had been in them as well as whether the containers the woman (and I assume the mother of the boy) are empty or full.
An aside - mothers would send out very young children asking for handouts from pedestrians.
5 comments posted
You're right - the first thing that occurred to me is that I wish it was a front view of the woman and the boy. I'm not sure the empty baskets draw enough interest to make it a strong image. From the woman's stance, I don't think the containers are empty. I like the brown and green colors on either side. That said, I don't think there's enough here to convey a definitive sense of place. Also I think there's a huge range of diversity in China; so a description such as "A street in China" doesn't say anything at all to me. Would we be satisfied with a title like "A street in USA" without identifying whether it was shot in Manhattan or small-town Utah? Posted: 11/22/2024 07:47:25
Esther Steffens
I still often prefer back views of people and will continue to take them, but will keep in mind Rich and Sukumar's comments. Thanks! Posted: 11/25/2024 13:14:38
Yes, a front view would have been nice. It looks like the building on the right has individual sections for personal storage. There were many possibilities for composition here. Posted: 11/25/2024 12:58:44
The overhanging trees and the buildings help to frame the woman and child and I feel your inclusion of the baskets actually gives your composition balance. That the pair are walking away from you does not bother me too much - if you had hurried past them perhaps the backdrop may have not been as preferable as shooting up the street! Plus you would be open to possible "set up" insinuations, well done Esther. Posted: 11/25/2024 15:11:47
Esther, I agree with you that pictures from behind are fine and I often take them too. I think there is enough to be travel. It is obvious it wasn't taken in the USA or Europe.The framing is well done. I took several trips with OAT and loved all of them. I like the small groups. Posted: 11/26/2024 09:06:53