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The Spirit of the Dance
The Spirit of the Dance
colorcarnival


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Male Portrait (Basic Editing)
Collection: People I Don't Know
Camera: Olympus E-500 EVOLT
Lens: Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Zuiko Digital
Date: May 24, 2008
Galleries: Candid, Photojournalism
Date Uploaded: May 27, 2008

 I know very little about the Native American culture so I thought it would be cool to take the family to Lyme Village to experience a Native American Heritage Days celebration. I was hoping that this would be a good learning experience for me and my family but I ended up being a little disappointed because it was more like an encampment instead of an interactive environment.

I did have some folks who ran up to me when they saw my camera (lol) and asked if I was a reporter. At that point, I wish I was because I would have loved to dig deeper into the stories I was told that afternoon.

The main thing that fascinated me was the dances. There was a circular area roped off and you were not allowed in it unless you were participating. The drummers and chanters were in a tent nearby and the dancers did their thing in the middle. This guy was one of the dancers and it was fun to watch him because he obviously was enjoying what he was doing. The other cool thing was that after each dancer was finished, they would go to the exit, and bow into the circle before leaving. I wish stuff like this was explained a bit more.

I'm not sure how this will stack up against all the studio shots I am expecting to see in this challenge. Technically, I think it's ok. But this was not a posed situation - definitely candid. I wish I had taken it using a flash and at a different angle to the sun. But I didn't. So there. :P

Enjoy!

Statistics
Place: 81 out of 153
Avg (all users): 5.1490
Avg (commenters): 5.5714
Avg (participants): 4.8085
Avg (non-participants): 5.2484
Views since voting: 905
Views during voting: 328
Votes: 208
Comments: 12
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 06/07/2008 08:43:13 AM
Love the activity and feel of this portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/05/2008 12:31:08 AM
Wonderful that you caught the motion in his hair like that. Really adds to his personality and smile. Great capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2008 11:08:19 PM
I like the image because of the happiness in this man's face. Also there is enough surrounding information to get a good idea of who he is. The lighting is harsh, but I don't mind that, since it is part of the story -- he's a native American, outside, in the sunshine, having a very good time. Nice candid capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2008 06:40:30 PM
I know what you mean about the sun but I still think this is a great portrait which captures the spirit of the moment

As ever nice Black and White conversion and super bokeh to bring the subject out
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2008 02:04:18 AM
You have a marvelous way of seeing and capturing life as it happens. This is to me a very joyful and engaging photograph. Sure there's that sun bit, but hey, in the real world, sun happens! (And to me that's a good thing.) Your talent never ceases to amaze me, and in fact your style really speaks to me. Always enjoyable to see what you've entered!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/03/2008 10:04:12 AM
Good B&W. I like the subject/composition/lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/02/2008 02:59:38 PM
Woa creepy man.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/02/2008 10:35:00 AM
The subject stands out against the blurry background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/30/2008 09:55:00 AM
It looks like he's just done some dancing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/29/2008 09:16:49 AM
man or woman ? jk i like the black and white goes nice with this shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/28/2008 08:30:26 PM
Brilliant contrast. So difficult to make sunshine look bright in black & white in my humble opinion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/28/2008 03:26:41 PM
Harsh lighting - try a bit of fill flash maybe?
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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