Desert Camp Manvar

Smoking is an activity that I like to photograph, to maximize the “impact” it’s important to keep the smoke, on a dark background, or better yet to position yourself so that the smoke is backlit.  In Myanmar I was able to capture smoke, on a red wall (see earlier Myanmar post). In the above shot I didn’t have that same situation, so the smoke is less visible, yet I like the image. Using my 17-35mm F2.8, I positioned myself just inches away from the man’s hand, trying for as much smoke as possible. Of the 6 frames I made, this is my favorite.

Backlighting is a bit tricky, usually requiring a bit of positive exposure compensation. In the shot above I added .7 exposure compensaion.

The early morning light and the man’s skin texture seemed optimal for a black and white image, so, although I shot this photo in color, I prefer the black and white version. I placed the main subject on the left third and included another man on the right side to add interest. Often times we are tempted to shoot “headshots” of interesting subjects. The inclusion of another element; in this case, another man in the background, adds interest. By using a shallow depth of field, the second man (on the right) is out of focus and therefore does not compete for attention with the main subject.

I like using my 17-35 f 2.8 from very close range. By getting in so close, I was able to make the child in the foreground prominent, while showing the other children as “environment” or “supporting elements”.

While photographing this man, I asked “what is your job”. Through an interpreter (someone standing nearby that knew a bit of English) I learned that he was a major in the Indian military. Showing interest someone is often a good way to get a potential photo subject to relax and agree to having their photo taken. After a few shots, I showed him the back of the camera, then continued photographing him.