matijaverdnik
FollowRickshaw driver at afternoon break
Rickshaw driver at afternoon break
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Awards
Legendary Award
2020 Choice Award
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took the photo in Kathmandu, Nepal in December of 2018. I took the trip specifically to improve my photography skills; I traveled for 3 months and it was more than worth it.Time
I was sitting on the side of the road at the main entrance to Durbar square, a UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu. I met a larger group of nice students from Europe upon my arrival. Being from Europe myself, I asked to join them. They took me for their own and we spent the whole month traveling together around Nepal. We spent the new year's eve in Annapurna base camp. Amazing place. Amazing people. Before the trek, we went to see the aforementioned square. Some of the group stayed behind, so we decided to take a break; as had the rickshaw driver. It was warm and peaceful early afternoon, four days before Christmas in 2018.Lighting
The air in Kathmandu is, sadly, famously bad. There's a cloud of smog hovering above the city in its valley, but there is also a very fine dust raised from the arid unpaved roads by traffic and construction work. You can actually taste the earth sometimes. Both of those contribute to a very soft, yellow light in which subjects get a lively glow, especially in late afternoon and early evening.Equipment
Nikon D 5600, 50mm lens, freehand.Inspiration
I've never been comfortable with taking photos of people. I'm the kind of person that hides behind the lens, I guess, and I know how I would feel if someone approached me and wanted to take pictures. On the other hand I really wanted to capture the people as well as the countries I was traveling through. So I gave myself a goal to try and make some candid portraits, just one day. The driver was a perfect choice, as he was enjoying his break and wasn't paying attention to me.Editing
I tinkered with exposure and contrast a tiny bit, but nothing drastic.In my camera bag
As an amateur I have a very basic kit - Nikon D5600 body, Nikkor 50mm prime, Nikkor 18-55mm stock and cheap, but awful Tamron 70-300 (100€ new, really hard to get a decent picture.Feedback
My advice would be to take photos of what catches your eye, things that you notice but never discuss with anybody. Let your work show how you see the world, picture by picture. There are obviously some basic rules regarding framing and composition, negative space etc., but what makes art great is the human factor.