Our tour guide in Lijiang (麗江), Yunnan

[evershine]

Do you think she has the look of a teacher?

[Michael]

I do hope that's not a handphone in her hand. I'd say brighten up her face a little, and darken the background. It's a decent sharp shot but where's the lady looking at?

[Canew]

Michael, can you show me how do you 'brighten up her face a little, and darken the background'? I sure need some pointers here as I do not know how. TIA. 

[Michael]

Dodge & Burn. 10% exposure. Click lightly.

[evershine]

It does look like she's holding a handphone. Why do you hope its not a handphone? She was looking at my relatives and telling some stories about the place.
Thanks. I have learned and tried once on doging and burning.. did not practise enough so i don't remember it. I just use normal curves to brighten up the photo and at the same time brighten the background as well.  This shot is too ordinary.. Most of my shots of people( those i don't know) are usually when they are not looking at me. So it's just a capture for rememberance sake.

[jediforce4ever]

Not a very well done portrait I would say....
It doesnt tell much of a story and its not very glamouristic.
Just my two cents worth =)

[Michael]

For people, expressions would be better than having no expression at all. That's at least what I feel. Anyway, if it's a handphone, it stands out from the traditional dress. Imagine it's like a rural jungle, with some tribes man, and then there's a car in the middle. Doesn't fit, does it?

[Canew]

HHmmm, I also find that the WB is off.

[Canew]

Dodge & Burn. 10% exposure. Click lightly.

Thanks for the pointer, Bro. 

[evershine]

HHmmm, I also find that the WB is off.

Maybe you are right... may check it out again and try different 'color temperature' since i shot this in raw.

[evershine]

Yeah, i guess i should have more been more daring and shoot more and hopefully get a better portrait.  The surrounding views were much more interesting so was busy shooting around.  I've gotta shoot video somemore.. so basically i really bao ka liao.. very busy..

Not a very well done portrait I would say....
It doesnt tell much of a story and its not very glamouristic.
Just my two cents worth =)

[evershine]

For people, expressions would be better than having no expression at all. That's at least what I feel. Anyway, if it's a handphone, it stands out from the traditional dress. Imagine it's like a rural jungle, with some tribes man, and then there's a car in the middle. Doesn't fit, does it?

Yeah i got what you mean... LiJiang is a city of about 700+ years history... its changing very fast... i wonder how long more this city will stay at its present state.  The people there are changing fast too...i guess very soon they may stop wearing this kind of costume.  The guide only wear this on the first day she  met us...later she's back to modern clothing.

[UKay]

her ultra modern glasses take abit of the mood away as well.. but well... cant have everything...

[evershine]

Last 2 shots... that i dug out...

[Michael]

the last image has left a very deep impression. perhaps to me, two things that somehow are nitpicks.

1.  the electric pole somewhat in the middle.
2. the dark guide, try brightening her a bit