Photographer's Note
The Geisha Life for this lady is simple and short (as I guess):
She walked into a geisha costume house. She paid for the service fee (Or someone paid for her). The service person in the costume house cleaned up for her; dressed her up; took a bunch of photos for her. As part of the service with an extra fee, she took a ride of the human force carriage along the street. Wes happened to be there and Wes took a couple of pictures for her to show her off in the internet.
I saw the geisha costume house and their listing prices for their service when we were wondering the street. So, I think the above "memoir" is very close to the reality.
This Geisha knew that I was taking her picture. She tried to hold her smile like a professional geisha.
For sure, this geisha looked a professional to me as in the past, my impression of geishas were "Beautiful" "Japanese" "Ladies" and Another Geisha. (lol :)
In the WS, I have posted a zoomed out picture of the same scene.
I did a de-saturation to the environment to minimize the distractions. An un-processed version is posted in the WS for comparison.
Have a nice weekend.
Critiques | Translate
PJE
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2045 W: 133 N: 4148]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(20758) 2006-01-27 20:48
Wes this scene is wonderfully done by isolating her from the background. I love the soft tones and the contrast is lovely showing her culture and deign. Thanks for sharing! Good work!
singuanti
(15250) 2006-01-27 22:25
Hey Wes. I can't tell you how much I like this shot and I've always admired this style. The pinks pull our eyes in and creates a very solid focal point. In case you're wondering where my next post is, well I posted tonight but I changed my mind and deleted. I will post tomorrow morning. Awesome pic Mr. Wes!!
Cricri
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 16597 W: 159 N: 27]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(176) 2006-01-28 3:39
Bonjour Wes,
Un joli moment pour cette Geisha, belles couleurs, détails de sa coiffure, son maquillage et son petit sourire en coin, belle scéne, belle image de ce portrait en couleurs qui resort trés bien sur noir/blanc, félicitations
Amitiés
cricri
ps) Grand Merçi
Galmeida
(12559) 2006-01-28 6:21
Hi Wes,
Splendid picture and your PP minimize the distrations as you say very well. The attention is focused in this nice Pink-Red Geisha. Excelent enquadrement, colors and also fine sharpness. Very good work so nicely done. Congratulations and have a nice weekend.
Best Regards.
Fernando
sergecross
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 619 W: 3 N: 789]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(3438) 2006-01-28 7:14
Wes, beautiful portrait with a very good idea to desaturate the other elements. I like the high contrast and the interpretation is very well.
Sergio
berek
(50518) 2006-01-28 8:48
Hi Wes,
Perfect Geisha , interesting picture. i like red color. TFS
B.Erek
Meaning(Sense) :10
Framing:10
Idea :10
jhm
(211736) 2006-01-28 11:11
Hi Wes,
I preference more your WS but these picture is a detail of the lady and absolutely not bad, it's personal Wes.
I find you did good job here through the colours and black and white together.
Very sharp and clear.
Have a nice weekend,
John.
Emile
(20352) 2006-01-28 11:52
Hola Wes.
My wife really enjoyed this picture because she read the book Memory of a Geisha, she is waiting for the movie to come to Dominican Republic to see it.
Very good picture with excellent sharpness and details. Good colors and good idea to desaturate the environments because you enhance her figure.
Well done.
Tue
(92328) 2006-01-28 16:06
Hej Wes,
Great idea to put this geisha in a B&W-photo. Good composition too, well done!
Hilsner,
Lars
alvaraalto
(42804) 2006-01-28 17:24
Hi Wes,
I looked extensive to your revision and the original. I understand your choice for B&W in the background. I think I should have made the same workshop, but I think I should have chosen of the colored version in the end. For the colors are strengthen the colors of the geisha more than the B&W in my opinion.
Groet Rob
plimrn
(21344) 2006-01-28 19:06
Thanks for the comments that led me to view your work. I like many of your photos but try always to comment on photos that have less comments - a hard job with your, since they're all heavily commented.
I really appreciate your PP comments. They are very specific and helpful to learning. I also appreciate the detail you lavish on your traveol experience. It's clear that you enjoy your travels and enjoy sharing them with others.
Aside from that, there's not much I can add that hasn't already been said - Your PP work does make the subject stand out. The focus and lighting is great.
Kenny10pin
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4744 W: 0 N: 5667]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(19301) 2006-01-28 19:40
Great shot here, great shot of this Geisha, I like the portrait like take, well done, well composed too
jmdaoudal
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 4273 W: 348 N: 3450]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(82) 2006-01-29 0:45
Geishas is a very serious matter in Japanese traditions and even modern life, and this one is superb. I like the decision to de-saturate the environnement and the work is well done.
Beautiful
Jean Michel
Graal
(103040) 2006-01-29 2:43
Hi Wes,
good experiment, I like it. Nice portrait in original costume. Good work.
Rgs, Aleksander
ChrisJ
(171822) 2006-01-29 3:45
Hi Wes
A superb portrait of this attractive Geisha with excellent graphism. I like the effect of the partial desaturation to stress the color. Good work!
rosaline
(0) 2006-01-29 4:34
Hi Wes
You have isolated the Geisha very well here and given her great impact at the same time. Beautiful costume which contrast greatly with the black and white surroundings. A beautiful shot.
Cheers
Aubrey
zig
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 435 W: 32 N: 404]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(2456) 2006-01-29 6:31
Hi wes, scary geisha, eh? haha
I always think how thick their makeups are. Maybe 1 inch thick, heh. Indeed pinky costume stands out in there. I prefer WS one, it looks more natural to me. Interesting work here.
efigesta
(12188) 2006-01-29 7:03
Hi Wes
the contrast the b/w with the colors is great and the pov perfect
tks. my friend
manuel
Didi
(61589) 2006-01-29 9:02
Hi Wes
Nice picture of old Japan far from the modernism.
Interesting way to show the lady in color with a B&W background.
Well done.
peter1892
(1681) 2006-01-29 11:51
Great idea in isolating the main subject in this way - it really makes her stand out. Good composition too.
john_c
(24666) 2006-01-29 12:11
Hi Wes,
You have taken daily life to a whole new level! The clarity of detail on the geisha lady is outstanding and I like the B&W format for the balance of the photo. This is a very dramatic and effective shot, Wes. Congratulations.
John
Fixfocus
(9385) 2006-01-29 12:48
Hi Wes,
The partial desaturation looks very good here,very nice how she stands out against the b/w background.
Greetings,
Hermann
sergio1
(12152) 2006-01-31 5:56
Hi my friend
Interesante composición y por supuesto la desaturación. Buena idea.
sergio
pitai
(3985) 2006-02-01 16:28
Wow Wes! Very nice shot. At first I wasn’t sure if the geisha was a ceramic doll or a real person. I guess the geisha makeup was perfect! Hehehe the black and white background was very effective to give the attention on the subject. Excellent definition and dof!! Greetings, Gabriel
nofer
(3205) 2006-02-02 19:35
Linda... a foto e a Geisha. O ângulo escolhido foi ótimoa (POV). O trabalho final de desaturação está excelente.
Muito bom!!!
TFS
Reynaldo
Linda... the picture and Geisha. The chosen angle was great (POV). THE final work of desaturação is excellent.
Very good!!!
jbweasle
(9393) 2006-02-06 16:24
Hello Wes, this is an excellent portrait, and topical too. Good use of desaturation. It doesn't look as forced as some other examples I've seen, perhaps because the woman's make-up is pale like her surroundings.
aloyho
(6798) 2006-02-13 6:44
Hi Wes,
I was looking at the WS and found that the coloured version is equally interesting. The chaotic background provided enough contrast against the neat and orderly lady to make her stand out. I preferred the soft surrounding colours to help blend and connect the subject with her background rather than being too obtrusive. I admired her composure which you captured so well. Well done!! All the best.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Wes Wang (weswang)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3591 W: 104 N: 4818]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(18247) - Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2005-12-28
- Categories: Daily Life, Decisive Moment
- Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 18-70 DX, 67mm UV
- Exposure: f/11, 1/30 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Travelogue: A Week of Self-Guided Tour In Japan
- Theme(s): Photos that have a movie title III, Geisha and Maiko [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2006-01-27 18:31
- Favorites: 1 [view]
Discussions
- To singuanti: Your New Post (3)
by weswang, last updated 2006-01-28 01:16
