Paradise
by OmanOtter

Comment by annig:
sigh...such a lovely place..Paradise is right!
I like the sandy path leading me to the water, and the palm shadows

Watching the Dancers
by OmanOtter

Comment by OmanOtter:

Originally posted by colorcarnival: I wish you had included a story with this (even tho now I have scrolled down and read your comment). It could have been a cultural learning experience for some of us :) I gave this a 6 during the challenge because I thought there was something interesting going on because of the men all looking in the same direction. So the title helped me understand some but without the title, I don't know what's going on. I loved the perspective and the natural lighting of this. I also think it's funny that one of the men down the line is sneaking a glance at you. I like this mostly because you are showing something that I have never been witness to in life. Thanks for doing that.

Thanks; although I'm not sure how you would go about including a story in a challenge. What I find most difficult about taking pictures at Omani weddings is that I'm the only person taking pictures and I'm a stranger. At both of the weddings I've been to, I only knew one person - and it wasn't even the groom (or bride). So there I am, a foreigner and a stranger and taking pictures of people who don't know me and I'm the only one doing it! It makes me a little uncomfortable. I'm sure I could do a better job if I wasn't self-conscious and could take my time.

Message edited by author 2008-04-10 15:59:13.

Watching the Dancers
by OmanOtter

Comment by colorcarnival:
I wish you had included a story with this (even tho now I have scrolled down and read your comment). It could have been a cultural learning experience for some of us :) I gave this a 6 during the challenge because I thought there was something interesting going on because of the men all looking in the same direction. So the title helped me understand some but without the title, I don't know what's going on. I loved the perspective and the natural lighting of this. I also think it's funny that one of the men down the line is sneaking a glance at you. I like this mostly because you are showing something that I have never been witness to in life. Thanks for doing that.

Watching the Dancers
by OmanOtter

Comment by Pug-H:
I haven't read what the others have said yet.
There's a lot of potential for this scene because the subject matter is interesting. A better shot may have been made by stepping out a few feet (probably onto the plastic - which would have been rude, no doubt ;-)), and concentrating on just a few of the gentlemen.
Too bad about the knee and the leaning wall. ;-)

Watching the Dancers
by OmanOtter

Comment by epescala:
I agree with impilot, I think this needed a much tighter crop. The colors are rally nice, and the expressions are good. The plastic (?) on the right side is very distracting.

Drummer
by OmanOtter

Comment by colorcarnival:
I did not give this one a score because I saw your note in the thread and figured this was yours. By looking at the scores, people obviously did not figure it out. Too bad you did put it in the wrong challenge because I thought it was really good for the portrait challenge. I love how you caught him while banging the drum and it's also cool that he is looking at you too.

Watching the Dancers
by OmanOtter

Comment by impilot:
I think this really needs to be cropped to remove the blown out upper right corner. At that point, I then looked at cropping the bottom to remove the knee. Yes, you loose the sword, but to me that is the only significant detail. I find that crop much more pleasing.

Wedding Swordsman
by OmanOtter

Comment by Super D:
thats creepy, man

Watching the Dancers
by OmanOtter

Comment by Melethia:
You've had the excellent opportunity to witness occasions that the rest of us will never see, and I really appreciate you sharing what you've captured with us. I like looking at this - to see the range of faces and expressions, the slight variations in dress. I read your response to Sara's comment and appreciate the additional information. I'd already guessed the guy with the sword was the groom (that and the black robe gave it away) and since I'd seen shots you've done of Arabic weddings before, was not surprised by the lack of a bride. Love the low evening light and the way it lights the faces. As for DPC score, Surf points out some things that might increase the score - you may want to try a different crop, a bit of shadows/highlights to see what you get. But I do like this - I like the use of photography to simply share events and peoples, and this does that nicely.

Drumline
by OmanOtter

Comment by Melethia:
Great perspective to get the mountains in the background.