Tom Tauber, APSA, MPSA  

Passion Play in Michoacán, Mexico by Tom Tauber, APSA, MPSA

May 2022 - Passion Play in Michoacán, Mexico

May 2022 - Tom Tauber, APSA, MPSA

Original

About the Image(s)

Sony A7III, lens Sony/Zeiss FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS @ 105mm, 1/1600 sec, f 4.0, ISO 640 shutter priority

I took this photograph on my recent trip to Mexico during the Holy Week (semana santa) in a small town called Tzintzuntzan in the state of Michoacán where Tarascan native people reenact Christ’s trial and crucifixion in a very realistic way (fortunately they put a sculpture on the cross instead of the man portraying Jesus). Since there were many people (but no tourists), it was not easy to get a clear shot at the main protagonists like the Jesus and the Roman soldier impersonators. I almost always use aperture priority setting on my cameras, but Sony’s A7 series is quirky in that it insists on a shutter speed of 1/60 sec when it is in Auto ISO mode. For this image, I therefore used shutter priority because I needed a higher shutter speed than 1/60 to freeze the action and set ISO to 640. I took pains not to overexpose the white shirt and the Roman soldier in the back and had to burn in Jesus’ face which was very dark in the original because it was shaded by the cross. I also cropped it to fill the frame with the action.

This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted

Dr. Isaac Vaisman   Dr. Isaac Vaisman
Tom, this is a very realistic performance given by the face expression of the man impersonating Christ, and of the body language of the Roman soldier. Your PP brought out detail on the face, and your f/stop selection created some blur of the background making it less distracting, but unfortunately; the white dress of the "soldier" in the middle competes with the main actors. From the original picture you can tell that it was very crowded by people and photographers. The only negatives are the amputated hand and finger   Posted: 05/02/2022 10:00:22
Gabriele Dellanave   Gabriele Dellanave
Well captured dramatic image Tom. Probably a kind of Mexican Oberammergau. The subject is in perfect focus, the tonal scale is probably weak comparing to the drama of the main subject, and the background softly out of focus. But let me, please, express my total and personal photographic impression. Looking at the original file, and based on my preferences. I think that, in cropping the image, I would include a little more of the action in the background or at lest blurry it a little bit more, right now I find it a little bit distracting. Only a thought.   Posted: 05/02/2022 10:29:56
Susan Albert   Susan Albert
Tom, As usual, thank you for your very informative comments about your photo. I learn so much from your explanations. The slight blurring of the background from using f4, and your choice of crop, both help the two main subjects stand out. I agree with Isaac, had the soldier in white worn a more muted color, he would be less of a distraction from the Jesus and the Roman soldier impersonators. I don't mind "Jesus'" hand cut off, but the "soldier's" missing fingertip is a bit distracting. The expression you captured on "Jesus'" face is great.   Posted: 05/07/2022 16:30:52
Tom Tauber   Tom Tauber
Susan, I photographer should ordinarily not make excuses for flaws in his or her pictures. However, the situation was that I had to hold the camera high over my head to shoot over people in front of me. That's the reason for the poor composition of the original and the cut off finger. This was also fast action and I was lucky to get what I did. Nevertheless, following Barbara Miller's precepts, I am glad that this image has given rise to very good critiques by all three of you. This is the way it should be. I toned down the soldier in the back, maybe that's an improvement, I'm not sure.   Posted: 05/07/2022 17:02:38
Comment Image
Susan Albert   Susan Albert
Tom, I think you improved the photo a lot by toning down the white of the soldier's uniform. That edit allows my eye to be drawn more to 'Jesus' and the 'Roman soldier'- the main subjects/action in the story your image tells.   Posted: 05/08/2022 21:41:37
Pamela Liu   Pamela Liu
Tom, this is a great travel image and told an excellent story. I especially appreciated the expression on their faces.   Posted: 05/08/2022 21:26:23