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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Canon SLR Challenges - FAQ >> CSLR - Best of... >> Best of 2007 > Thrid Place
At the end of a long day
by jnconradie
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14-JUL-2007 jnconradie

Thrid Place
At the end of a long day
by jnconradie

near Pretoria, South Africa

I am delighted to introduce Clara: definitely no "trashy" lady at all.
This hard-working grandmother had been scavenging the rubbish dump all day.
She graciously allowed the photographs and posed with all the grace and pride she could muster.
I left with a lump in my throat...


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jnconradie23-Jul-2007 17:39
Thanks very much, GChristie. :-) Regards jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge23-Jul-2007 12:31
Great photo and use of HDR. HRD is used by many and understood by very few!You have put it to good use here,Well Done.
GChristie
jnconradie18-Jul-2007 15:50
Thanks for the kind words, Jim. Thank you, Sam, for your highly thought provoking remarks - especially arising from personal experience. Lots for me to also think about... Regards jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge17-Jul-2007 23:30
What has been said below resonate so deeply in my heart. I am from a humble background and immigrated to the US several years ago. The dream came true and now my living standards allow for activities like the ones Traveller described. Well, I caught my self becoming slum-tourist on occasions and wondered what am I doing. I would like to think that I have good intentions, but, truth told, I do little to change the situation. I recently read an assay by Edward Said (the beginnings, 1975) in which he describes his own transformation into an activist. I wish I have similar motives, strength and resolve. Thanks for a wonderful photo and a great discussion. Sam Attal
Canon DSLR Challenge17-Jul-2007 22:35
Great work as usual. I did not know this was HDR untill you pointed it out. As for the composition, I kind of agree with you- if she were a smidge to the left I think it would make the mound of trash behind her seem all the more oppressive. Jim H2
jnconradie17-Jul-2007 19:59
Thanks, Michael and Cindy, for those kind words. Regards jnconradie
cindyd17-Jul-2007 16:35
Art, documentation, and statement all in one. Helps us keep perspective. Thank you, Cindy
Guest 16-Jul-2007 16:45
Great picture - she has a very gentle look on her face that to me really makes this photo.
jnconradie16-Jul-2007 05:19
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the kind comments.

To be self-critical for a second, I would say the composition could have been a whole lot better if she was more to the left, perhaps...?

By the way, just to prove the HDR work does not always have to lead to "unnatural" looking pictures: this is also an HDR from three bracketed RAW shots, taken in very quick succession.

Due the the harsh and direct sunlight, the shadows on her face were way too intense (in my opinion). By combining the three shots in Photomatix, much more of the shadow detail could be made visible.

I wonder sometimes if the "wrong" or "over" usage of HDR does not give it an undeserved bad name and thus discourages photographers from making use of the technique when it can (in my opinion) really help. Just a thought.

Regards jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge15-Jul-2007 11:47
Great capture Nico, difficult not to get disappointed with ourselves allowing such circumstances to continue for so many people when elsewhere, so few take so much?
~ Regards Melbob
Canon DSLR Challenge15-Jul-2007 11:29
Well done.
theFly
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Jul-2007 23:20
Nico, you've presented Clara with such respect in this fine photo that we can't help but question why life treats some people so unfairly. She truly is not trashy. Thank you for sharing this with us.
--Mary Anne
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Jul-2007 22:45
Yes, Wow, and here I wonder, do I have the right to bitch?!?

Well, yes, I do. Life's a son of a bitch for everyone.

That's about the only thing I know that's true...except that I get to go to nice restaurants and eat salmon toped salads at some fine outdoor cafe, and then wander over to another place for a Latte and good conversation in the fine Southern California night.

But this morning, this morning, getting ready to hit another day of struggle and strife yet even on Saturday...full of a fear to take the messages on my answer machine or look at my mail...yes, I may feel like hell warmed over...but let's do it!

Hit the beach running and dodge some bullets.

(And this is a fine, fine image also...just BTW...lol)

Best Wishes, Traveller
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Jul-2007 18:13
Great image!!!!!
-Elena