Mekong Princess, a photo from An Giang, Mekong River Delta

Photographer's Note

A little girl from a Muslim village near Chau Doc.
I visited her village on a boat tour from Chau Doc. She was with other kids - they were trying to sell some small things to tourists. She had homemade cookies - 1000 dongs for 3 cookies in a small plastic bag. She was so charming - like a little princess. I wanted to buy one pack of cookies, I gave her 2000 dongs and I showed I want one only, but she didn't have change, so she gave me two packs of cookies - and then she said "thank you"... Of course all the time when she was near me I was trying to take picures withe her... and later each time she saw me she was quietly saying "thank you", she was really charming ;)
it was a great day - and this one of my favorite pictures from Vietnam.

no cropping, PS - auto-levels only.

piozac, cool_s15, manny, smael, Darren, strangiato, ChrisJ, Kenny10pin, eelliott305, eleparc, omritoppol, avigur_11, steeve, Intruder, Josh69, jrj, PJAMES, benkrut, thaprem, MLINES, unche has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

piozac (2065) 2004-03-25 5:11

Piękny portret Maciek! Świetne światło i kompozycja, jak zwykle zresztą.
Pozdrawiam!!

Benedetto (437) 2004-03-25 5:12

Great expression and detail in a splendid composition.
Very well done.
Regards.

cool_s15 (4050) 2004-03-25 5:23

a great portrait as usual, Maciek.
This time is more closer. i like the lighting and the shadow on her face. Great colors and framing. Nice job.

ianmcall (1213) 2004-03-25 5:24

So crystal clear! Great light and a lovely girl. It is beautiful!

Muslim? Gee, somehow this isn't what I had in mind for traditional Muslim head wear :) Times times are a changin'! I wonder who taught themto crochet?

[2]

bgladman (1153) 2004-03-25 5:26

Awesome Maciek! You manage to take some amazing shots. Sharp, tight and a beautiful subject.

10/10!

manny (22032) 2004-03-25 5:26

This is a good candid picture. Great clarity and nice colors. But there really is nothing special about the expression. Also the thick black frame is too heavy especially for a tightly framed picture like this. Nonetheless, this is just a matter of personal choice. I am sure you have your personal reasons for doing so.

Having said that, I still like the picture so big smileys for you.

[3]

veimann (1269) 2004-03-25 5:39

Magnificent portrait. Your model was worthy your work! Simply surprising look for the young girl, its sight so is strict and proud, that involuntarily comes to mind comparison with royal blood. You are right.

smael (2878) 2004-03-25 5:53

What a beautiful girl, and your exposure are just so spot-on!!!
The contrasts and details are so fine, and really make this picture great. I prefer eyecontact, but this worked very good...!

Terje

gmsanchez (0) 2004-03-25 6:02

Lovely girl. Good exposure and color. Very nice.

[2]

Darren (6823) 2004-03-25 6:10

REally nice shot Maciek. For me the farway look in her eyes is really what makes this one work. Beautiful colors and skin tones as well. Too bad about the blowout at the top right, but it doesn't really take much away from this one either. Your typical tight cropping works really well here too. This is good in all regards I think.

I was hoping you would upload one of our toothless friend today though Maciek ;)

strangiato (10) 2004-03-25 6:11

Piekna kompozycja!
This is an excellent portrait, one of your very best. Very good combination of facial expression, light, shadows, DOF. Photos like these make me wanna go back to Vietnam.

ChrisJ (171172) 2004-03-25 7:28

Nothing to add to the above, except I like the way you've captured the light in the left eye.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-03-25 10:20

I think some has made her angry, really good focus and lighting, very well done here, dof and sharpness is all here.

eelliott305 (776) 2004-03-25 11:50

A beautiful shot. Your framing is very good. I think you chose a good title for this photo.

scalerman (26900) 2004-03-25 12:38

It's a really honest picture with nothing manafactured at all. Technically sound and great subject. I see why it's one of your favs.

eleparc (24063) 2004-03-25 12:38

Maciek I agree with you, this is a superb photo! great DOF, and sharp focus, excellent framing and such a nice soft light. nice blurred background (not quite as white as mine;-)) lol ). nice shot!

omritoppol (826) 2004-03-25 13:03

To me it seems like a sad look, I am always touched by children having to work at such a young age (I know, to tacky). Awesome portrait, lots of details and good DOF

avigur_11 (22535) 2004-03-25 15:31

A perfect shot. She looks so real. So sharp, and sooo beautiful.

mortimer (128) 2004-03-25 17:19

simply for your eyes... Mortimer.

[workshop] [compare]

steeve (1497) 2004-03-26 9:55

It's a beautiful portrait. You've done a great job. Fine details and a good DOF.Well done indeed Maciej.

Intruder (3099) 2004-03-26 11:31

Another great portrait from you Maciej, excellent DOF and face expression!

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-03-27 9:58

Great composition of this little girl ! Very good expression !
Congratulations

clodreno (0) 2004-03-29 14:26

I simply love it Maciek.. A Princess indeed.. lovely framing.

jrj (34843) 2004-03-31 4:13

Great protrait Maciej. The posing is superb and the light, colours, and sharpness it at the best. Very good indeed..

edji (1368) 2004-04-18 9:31

J'aime l'expression dans ce visage. Vous avez réussi une magnifique photo. Bravo!

faubry (35447) 2005-03-02 20:39

very nice and lovely child portrait, i like deep expression and colors
you have right to say this is princess!
really
very very good work, i put this shot on my screen
thanks
francine

saigon (6443) 2005-12-07 4:12

verygood portrait!
good exepression!
good eyes black!
bravo!
bye...saigon.

fiedziu (1764) 2005-12-30 18:41