Inspiring Photo: Contented #3800164

Contented

Uploaded: May 06, 2007

Description

Exposure Time = 1/80"
F Number = F4.5
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 280

Introducing the beautiful Kharu.

Shot with 70-300mm VR Nikkor Lens at a Bungalow near Mines Resort.

Comments

Theresa Marie Jones May 10, 2007

Beautiful! The colors are awesome! #653167

Shaolin Tiger May 11, 2007

Thnks Teresa, I appreciate your comment! #4270495

Bill Houghton May 23, 2007

This is beautiful Shaolin. She is very beautiful. Congratulations on your POTD. Bill #4314902

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer May 23, 2007

Couldn't possibly be more beautiful. Excellent in every way, Shaolin. Well done and congratulations. #4314913

Evy Johansen May 23, 2007

Wow.. Awesome image, Shaolin! Big congratulations on your well deserved POTD!! #4314928

Alison Greenwood May 23, 2007

Stunning! Congratulations on your POTD! #4314954

Su Sana E. P May 23, 2007

Exceptionally gorgeous portrait work, Shaolin!! Congratulations on this well deserving POTD Win!! #4314978

Joy Rector May 23, 2007

congrats on the POTD #4315114

May 23, 2007

Congrats on a colorful capture.

Sean #4315169

Vicki Hunt May 23, 2007

This is beautiful! Congrats on your POTD! #4315431

Ross Throndson May 23, 2007

Well, you're not introducing her to me...think I've seen a gazillion photos of this lovely model now..lol. This is a Beautiful Capture though Shaolin....Like your composition here... Wonderful Work..... Congratulations on your POTD!! #4315525

Vicki L. Filippin May 23, 2007

AWESOME portrait with superb colors, Shaolin. I'm certain we'll be seeing more of this one.
Many congratulations!! #4315804

Donna Dunbar May 23, 2007

Congrats on your POTD, this image is stunning from it's briliant color to it's crisp detail and wonderful composition. This one is deffinately a winner!!!! #4315835

Sharon King May 23, 2007

I agree, a winner for sure! Congrats on your lovely POTD! #4316008

Donna La Mattino Pagakis May 23, 2007

Such a great and colorful portrait, congratulations on your photo of the day! #4316559

Colleen Farrell May 23, 2007

Great portrait--congratulations on your POTD! #4316766

Maverick Creatives May 23, 2007

wow, great capture. The color is fantastic. Kudos to the Make Up Artist, Model and Photographer. GREAT TEAMWORK !! #4317405

Sylvia Rossler May 23, 2007

Simply a gorgeous POTD !!!! Big congrats Shaolin !! #4317607

RC Fritz May 23, 2007

Gorgeous! Congratulations on your POTD! #4317685

Patricia Ronan May 23, 2007

Beautiful image! Congrats on your POTD:) #4317840

Mary Clarke May 23, 2007

Congratulations on POTD Shaolin, lovely image #4317866

May 23, 2007

This photo is so beautiful, from the lovely clear crisp colors and textures in all the materials focused on in photo, to the lovely clear expression of happiness / "contentment" on this beautiful young woman's face... You have captured a "little peace of heaven here," and I thank you so much.

* What is the story behind the photo and the taking of it that day? How did you achieve the perfect lighting and color?

* Is "MINES Resort" in Malaysia?

I found this place (among others) after a google search: Palace Beach & Spa, Jalan Dulang, MINES Resort City, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. #4317908

May 23, 2007

Well, now that I read a bit about you, you must have been in Malaysia, since I see now that is where you live!

I can't believe you have only << Just picked up photography seriously in July 2006 >>, and you just joined this website this May 07! And already your beautiful photo has been justly chosen for the "Photo of the Day." I thought you were a professional photographer for many years!

What a well-deserved honor. I would still like to know more of the "story" of this picture and the "beautiful Kharu" and how you came to know about what settings etc. to use in this photo.

I am new to digital photography and haven't used anything but a pocket auto-set camera in many years, so where to begin? Here, of course! #4317943

May 23, 2007

Congratulations. This picture is amazing !

The young lady is beautiful and the portrait is an astonishing achievement. #4319017

Shaolin Tiger May 23, 2007

Wow I can't believe I got picture of the day, quite an honour.

I only just joined this site as a friend had mentioned it, and yes I just started photography seriously in July last year. I guess I learn quickly :)

Thanks for the overwhelming feedback and positive responses, it really gives me the incentive to get out and shoot more pictures.

I hope I reach the finalists for May!

Ross T.: I guess I'll be posting more shots of Kharu soon :)

Catherine T.: Thank you for your kind words :) The shot was taken early in the morning with soft light rising above the horizon, the model was facing the direction of the rising sun. I shoot with RAW to get the maximum detail and colours from the picture, the key to getting these kind of colours and contrast is getting the perfect exposure.

Mines resort is in Malaysia, in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur the capital, it's an old quarry that has been turned into a lake with some hotels, shopping malls, residential areas and other stuff around the edge. Yes I do live in Malaysia :)

The settings is experience mostly, I tend to shoot Aperture priority most of the time, this was shot with the Nikkor 70-300mm VR lens wide open to get maximum light and ISO 280 to get a reasonable shutter speed of 1/80". The VR helps to get a clear shot. I shoot RAW so the whitebalance is set after the shot, I then usually increase local contrast in Photoshop using Unsharp mask.

Thanks again for all the kind comments! #4321499

Milan Banik May 24, 2007

congratulations for excellent potd. love this bright shot. #4321764

Helen N. McHugh May 24, 2007

Stunning capture, Shaolin! Congratulations on your POTD!! #4324470

Terrill Province May 24, 2007

A truly arresting portrait - - - INCREDIBLE!

Congratulations, Shaolin. #4325059

May 24, 2007

Dear Shaolin, thank you for such a detailed explanation of how this beautiful photograph was taken, and the answers to my other questions as well.

Obviously I have a lot to learn!

Can you recommend any favorite books or photo courses that would help me get started with "the basics" that you have outlined here?

If you can achieve this level of work in such a short period of time, perhaps there is "hope for us all." What inspiration this website has given me, and it's so great to see so many fine photos shared here. Looking forward to a whole new world opening it's doors... Yours truly... CT #4326850

Shaolin Tiger May 25, 2007

Thanks again Milan, Helen and Terrill. I'm glad you enjoyed the picture!

Catherine: I have answered some of your queries on Flickr too if you haven't already ready.

I have compiled some of the resources I've found useful here:

For Lighting:

http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246

The book "Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers Only" is particularly useful.

For pushing your creativity check out Michael Grecco.

For Photoshop:

http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1045

I really like Scott Kelby's "The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers" and the Skin book.

I also read a lot of forums like Fred Miranda, DPReview here on BetterPhoto and I spend a lot of time exploring Flickr and interacting with people there.

There's so much to learn! #4327286

May 25, 2007

Well, I just can't believe you took the time to give so much detail and information. I am just thrilled to start my day this way... now it's on to look up all the books and resources you mention above.

True: "

There's so much to learn" in this wonderful world of ours!

Thanks again! #4328417

Janine Russell May 27, 2007

Shaolin, excellent colors, clarity and lighting; congratulations on your POTD. #4337036

Allan L. Dy May 31, 2007

Congratulations Shaolin. Amazing image! #4352935

Shaolin Tiger June 06, 2007

Thanks Janine and Allan :) It was a surprise to me too! #4370725

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