Majdi Naser, PPSA, BPSA
January 2025 - Heritage in the Hearth
About the Image(s)
This image was taken at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, a living history museum in Virginia that immerses visitors in the era of the American Revolution. The museum combines indoor galleries with interactive exhibits and an outdoor living-history area, which includes a re-created Continental Army encampment and a Revolution-era farm.
The lady in the image is one of the museum's historical interpreters, dressed in authentic 18th-century attire. She represents the everyday life of women during the Revolutionary War period, showcasing domestic tasks such as cooking and food preparation. Her setting—a colonial-style kitchen—features historically accurate tools, ingredients, and methods that demonstrate the resourcefulness and resilience of people from that time. The warm hearth and rustic environment serve as a reminder of the era's simplicity and challenges, bringing history to life for modern audiences.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
I love your photo, Majdi, just as it is. I love how she and her work are highlighted with light, whereas the background is in shadows, although looking closely one can see the hearth fire. You caught her in a wonderful position, apparently looking contentedly out the window. The pose and colors look very natural. Your write-up is very appropriate, describing the situation well (I have been in that area and love it too.) Great focus, great job!!! Posted: 01/13/2025 08:45:35
Thank you, Susan,
It was an excellent opportunity to move around the 18th century and see how people lived then. Posted: 01/14/2025 08:03:05
It was an excellent opportunity to move around the 18th century and see how people lived then. Posted: 01/14/2025 08:03:05
Beautiful image, Majdi! It is sharp and colorful and keeps my eye traveling around the image for all the great details. I like that your subject is looking to the side. There's a lot of info to be garnered from the composition. We can see what she'll be preparing but also her environment with books and everyday items around her. Love the fire in the background. It makes me want to visit this woman and her inviting kitchen.
I gather PSA allows recreated scenes for their Travel Division? I know my camera club and council do not. Regardless, it's a beautiful image. Posted: 01/13/2025 09:50:13
I gather PSA allows recreated scenes for their Travel Division? I know my camera club and council do not. Regardless, it's a beautiful image. Posted: 01/13/2025 09:50:13
Thank you so much, Vicki, for your kind and thoughtful words about the image. I genuinely appreciate your observations and how you connected with its details.
Regarding your point about recreated scenes, I'd like to clarify that this photograph isn't staged but rather a candid moment capturing the woman as she goes about her daily routine. The scene represents a genuine slice of life from that period, showing her in her natural environment with everyday items around her.
I completely understand the importance of adhering to guidelines for travel photography, and it's always a valuable discussion. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts-it means a lot to me! Posted: 01/14/2025 08:12:23
Regarding your point about recreated scenes, I'd like to clarify that this photograph isn't staged but rather a candid moment capturing the woman as she goes about her daily routine. The scene represents a genuine slice of life from that period, showing her in her natural environment with everyday items around her.
I completely understand the importance of adhering to guidelines for travel photography, and it's always a valuable discussion. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts-it means a lot to me! Posted: 01/14/2025 08:12:23
Majdi, I live not from Yorktown and Jamestown. Know that these museums do a very good job of providing interpretation in both the human form and in the exhibitions. I have found that lighting is a challenge in these settings. You have done a masterful job of using the natural light for her and her work area. I see her expression as looking out her window and seeing another member of her family working to make life better. Nicely done Posted: 01/14/2025 11:43:16
Thank you for your kind words! Lighting can indeed be challenging in such settings, so I'm glad it resonated with you. I appreciate your thoughtful observation about her expression-it adds depth to the moment. 😊 Posted: 01/15/2025 02:35:19
My Dad and I were talking and we believe this picture could win a competition. However, since the country is not clearly discernable from the photo itself, it may not adhere to rule 2 in the photo travel definition for illustrating a distinctive country, region or continent. We were wondering how you managed to get the background so dark with the woman and table so highlighted, if you would care to enlighten us? Posted: 01/14/2025 21:05:44
Thank you and your dad for your kind words and thoughtful observation! You're right that the setting's cultural elements, particularly her attire, provide a strong historical and regional context. Clothing is a key aspect of culture, making it relevant to the Photo Travel Definition by showcasing how people dress.
As for the lighting, my technique involves reading the light metering through the camera at three points: highlight, mid-light, and low light. I then use the average as my ideal shutter speed. This approach ensures the RAW file is rich in data, providing greater flexibility and detail for post-editing. I'm glad you noticed and appreciated the final result! 😊 Posted: 01/15/2025 02:45:40
(Group 4)
On the last issue of the PTD Newsletter (winter 2025) on page 15 and the content guidance 1 and 2 gives additional information about the subject
https://psa-photo.org/page/mo-ptd-newsletter
The Newsletter has a lot of articles and information about the PTD Division Posted: 01/23/2025 07:58:39
https://psa-photo.org/page/mo-ptd-newsletter
The Newsletter has a lot of articles and information about the PTD Division Posted: 01/23/2025 07:58:39
I'm new to the group. I do like the lighting in this photo. The dark background really highlights the woman and her expression. The travel connection is a bit iffy but not if we include time travel. Posted: 01/15/2025 14:04:04
(Group 4)
About "staged" images from the PTD Division:
https://psa-photo.org/page/mo-ptd-staged-images Posted: 01/23/2025 07:46:55
https://psa-photo.org/page/mo-ptd-staged-images Posted: 01/23/2025 07:46:55
There are two types of 'staged': a re-enactment of history, or the posing of people. This definitely qualifies as a re-enactment of history, from a continual and long-term tourist attraction with valid historical and educational value. The second type is the posing of people. I can see the value of including photos of the first variety. Considering re-staging, we can consider historical buildings versus people: Are reconstructions of buildings allowed, (e.g., the newest Notre Dame vs. a rebuilding of another historical building at another site)? Or is it mainly people that qualify as posed, even if not dressed specifically for the photographer? I can see this is an ambiguous and difficult topic that could be better clarified. Posted: 01/23/2025 12:46:22