The Textile Merchant
Textile Merchant. Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
Textile Merchant. Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
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Aug, 2013Views
2678
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Awards
Action Award
People's Choice in People wearing hats Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Facial Expressions photo contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Exceptional Contrast
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Jaw Dropping
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank
Top 30 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in the busy marketplace of Chichicastenango, Guatemala. When there, I often move abut the market and look for interesting faces. This particular time, I was fortunate enough to find this gentleman resting against bundles of textiles. While he seems to be staring straight at me, I was at a distance, and I'm not sure he ever took note of me. Certainly, he never posed or showed any interest in me or the camera.Time
The image was taken late in the afternoon. The market gets very busy at that time, and the odds of finding interesting people shots increases with activity. I focus on candid shots. I stand out less when there's a lot going on.Lighting
It was late enough in the afternoon that the light just highlighted my subject's features without being harsh. I shoot spontaneous and candid images and never use artificial light.Equipment
The image was shot with a hand-held Nikon D90 and a Nikkor 18 – 200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. I've since upgrades to the Nikon D7200, but the D90 still serves well as a backup. The Nikkor lens is the perfect glass for street photography. It gives me amazing flexibility to photograph whatever is in front of me at the spur of the moment.Inspiration
I love street photography and catching people "in the moment." When I saw this gentlemen, I know I had a winning photo and couldn't wait to see it on my computer screen. His stoic character and his sense of peace with himself and his surroundings tell a wonderful story.Editing
I adjusted brightness and contrast and sharpened the image just a bit. I then burned the edges to make the rest of the image stand out. Almost always, I convert to b&w, simply because I prefer images without the distraction of color.In my camera bag
My Nikon D7200 has replaced my D90 as a primary camera. The only lens I generally use is a Nikkor 18 – 200mm f/3.5-5.6. I’ve also found that my iPhone can come in handy if I’m without my other cameras.Feedback
The highland villages of Guatemala are wonderful for capturing images of the Mayan people. However, compelling street photography can be achieved anywhere. The secret is to take photos in an environment your subjects are comfortable with. I strongly recommend that you learn to fade into the background and just let people be themselves.
