Mandy Vien  

Salt Harvesting by Mandy Vien

May 2024 - Salt Harvesting

About the Image(s)

This image was taken in 2016 during a tour to Peru's Maras salt mines. It was 1:00 PM, we spent 20 minutes along with many tourists walking on the narrow path. The mine is made out of pre-inca salt ponds own by local families inherited from their ancestors. Salt ponds are filled with water from a small stream, after water are evaporated, salts are harvested from the pond. I only took a dozen photos, this is the only one showing the harvesting process. In the scorching heat, the couple was picking out impurity from the pile of salt before bagging.
This image was taken in 2016 during a tour to Peru's Maras salt mines. It was 1:00 PM, we spent 20 minutes along with many tourists walking on the narrow path. The mine is made out of pre-inca salt ponds own by local families inherited from their ancestors. Salt ponds are filled with water from a small stream, after water are evaporated, salts are harvested from the pond. I only took a dozen photos, this is the only one showing the harvesting process. In the scorching heat, the couple was picking out impurity from the pile of salt before bagging.

Camera, lens and setting.

Canon 60D
Lens: s18-200
Manual mode
ISO 100
f/7.1
1/2000 sec

8 comments posted

Alan Lichtenstein   Alan Lichtenstein
Mandy, technically, your image is as good as it gets. Color is bright, image is well focused with everything clear and sharp. Depth-of-field is good. I don't know if it needs to have anything done to improve it; it's good just the way it is.   Posted: 05/04/2024 06:44:27
Dr. Isaac Vaisman   Dr. Isaac Vaisman
Mandy, indeed an interesting form to harvest sea salt. From the outfit that the lady is wearing we can conclude that they are indigenous people from the area. Also interesting the fact that they do not use any hand protection. The image is sharp, and very colorful.   Posted: 05/05/2024 19:59:09
Tom Tauber   Tom Tauber
I really like the composition of this image. The squares of the ponds are at an angle and the couple is in a compositionally strong position (rule of thirds). They are absorbed in their task. Great picture. If you participate in exhibitions, this could be a winner.   Posted: 05/06/2024 14:34:53
Mandy Vien   Mandy Vien
Hi Tom, thank you for your encouragement. I will incorporate everyone's suggestions and use this image in a competition.   Posted: 05/13/2024 00:16:13
Pamela Liu   Pamela Liu
This photograph of Peru's Maras salt mines captures the stunning beauty of the landscape. It is a unique travel story. there are little areas for improvement. Firstly, the image appears to be a little bit overexposed, resulting in a loss of detail, particularly in the salt bags. Adjusting the exposure or utilizing a graduated filter could help bring out these details without compromising the overall brightness of the scene. Or, slightly do it in the Camer Raw as I attached.
Additionally, I would suggest repositioning the viewpoint slightly to the right could create a more dynamic composition. By aligning the square shape of the salt mines to form a rhombus, the image would gain symmetry and visual interest. This adjustment would enhance the geometric patterns of the salt pools and contribute to a more balanced and captivating photograph. Overall, these tweaks could elevate the image to better showcase the unique beauty of the Maras salt mines.   Posted: 05/08/2024 08:25:36
Comment Image
Mandy Vien   Mandy Vien
Hi Pamela,
I put your edited version side by side with mine, I see what you mean by bringing in shadow on bags of salts and darken the area to bring the attention to the couple.
Good suggestion on cropping to form rhombus of the ponds, I will also bring back the full image and try the new crop.
Mandy

  Posted: 05/13/2024 00:14:25
Dr Edward Goldenberg   Dr Edward Goldenberg
To add to Pamela's suggestion I would have had a tighter crop bringing focus on the people but leaving enough of a background to know it is a salt mine   Posted: 05/12/2024 11:42:34
Comment Image
Mandy Vien   Mandy Vien
Thanks Edward. Thanks for the suggestion. When I process this image, I had trouble cropping it to retain the salt mines, the locals and avoiding distraction either from colors or corners.   Posted: 05/13/2024 00:19:14

 

Please log in to post a comment