Laurie Bergner
January 2025 - Shadow puppets
About the Image(s)
Behind those famous shadow puppets in Indonesia are a huge group of musicians. It was so fascinating to see what was behind the scenes of the shadow puppet program. Here was my effort to capture the scene. As you can see, I totally missed the boat in resetting my settings when I changed my spot from the front program to this group. Because I didn't get a faster shutter speed, the sticks he uses are blurred. Kind of amazing I got the rest as in focus as I did!
ISO 160, 23.5 mm, f/4.0, 1/20 sec
5 comments posted
This image fits both in the travel or PJ category. For PJ, it documents human presence, the story is interesting, and the scene appears not staged for photography.
The image is well composed, with the the main subject framed by the barrier and the canisters. The blurred sticks convey motion.
You might consider cropping the post off in the left since the dark area drops the viewer's eye. You might also consider increasing the tonal range in the image to give more visual impact. See attached. Posted: 01/10/2025 14:42:48
The image is well composed, with the the main subject framed by the barrier and the canisters. The blurred sticks convey motion.
You might consider cropping the post off in the left since the dark area drops the viewer's eye. You might also consider increasing the tonal range in the image to give more visual impact. See attached. Posted: 01/10/2025 14:42:48
Laurie Bergner
Thanks - I like your edits! Posted: 01/10/2025 15:17:50
Laurie Bergner
How did you edit in order to increase the tonal range? Posted: 01/11/2025 11:06:28
I like the blurred sticks. It shows motion.
Judith's edits are brighter and shinier colors. The crop makes the man a smidge too centered for me, but I like asymmetry. Posted: 01/10/2025 21:53:19
Judith's edits are brighter and shinier colors. The crop makes the man a smidge too centered for me, but I like asymmetry. Posted: 01/10/2025 21:53:19
Karl Leck
Hi Laurie, Increasing midtone contrast (clarity) helps as Judith demonstrated. I don't see a need for cropping and like the minimal blur which shows the man is actually playing at that moment. It is a good moment as we see the concentration on his face, stick in motion, and expanse of the gamelan. The puppets aren't necessary if you look at this as a musician at work. At performances, sometimes the backstage environment provides the best images. Karl Posted: 01/11/2025 11:01:43