Girl with a Pearl Earring
Uploaded: November 05, 2011
My hommage to Johannes Vermeer and his painting with the same title.
Not in colour, not in a studio, not deliberately posed and not in period costume but my hommage just the same.
Canon EOS 40D with Canon 100-300mm USM lens: RAW, f/5.6 @ 1/160sec, 220mm, ISO 100.
Lightroom 3 & Photoshop CS5
Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/160 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 220.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D
Dennis Gay November 05, 2011
The Making of 'Girl with a Pearl Earring':My Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club mate Peter and I were having a laid back Sunday at our favourite caffeine oasis with a couple of mugs of coffee, some scrummy raisin toast and a chat, before taking a walk out along the Breakwater.
Another camera club mate turned up and joined us for a while and during the proceedings a trio of young women sat around a table two down from where we were sitting.
I kept a close eye on them and was really taken by the happy nature, pretty face and red hair of the subject of this photograph and as she moved the light caught that wonderful pearl earring and I immediately recalled Vemeer's painting and the movie I had seen about it only days before.
So with camera preset and at the ready I waited for an opportune moment and waited and waited. In the end I was so wrapped up in making sure I got the shot I wanted that I completely ignored my friends but they are used to me by now and just talked between themselves.
I was getting a bit desperate as the girl kept moving backward and forward, turning her head away or just not having a pleasing expression as she talked to her girlfriends. Just as I was about to give up her second cuppa arrived and she grabbed her spoon and did as I do, scooping up the froth and slurping it off the spoon. I was ready for her second scoop and caught her in the act.
I tried to get a better shot that more suited Vermeer's painting but it was not to be as they left the table some minutes later.
On later examination my slight disappointment turned to glee as I realised that I had indeed got me a girl with a pearl and that I did not have to imitate the Dutch painter to do him homage.
You can find out more about Johannes painting here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_with_a_Pearl_Earring and I highly recommend the movie.
Enjoy!
GB
Dennis #1420832
Michelle Alton November 06, 2011
It's fantastic, Dennis. It would be fun to hang out inside your brain for a few weeks... #9786600Dennis Gay November 06, 2011
Yeehaa *Michelle*!I kept a seat at my table just for you. Glad ya made it.
A gazillion thanks for your encouraging, interesting and amusing feedback on this experience.
You would not like to spend any time in there - really. LOL
GB
Dennis #9786628
Arthur Bohlmann November 06, 2011
Very good composition my friend. Keep em comming #9786771Dennis Gay November 06, 2011
'Ullo, 'Ullo, 'Ullo *Arthur*!Glad you made it to the Crèma for this one mate.
Merci beaucoup for the great encouragement.
GB
Dennis #9786875
Liz blahh November 06, 2011
Love the natural feel of this, great capture! #9787198Wendy M. Hansen-Penman November 06, 2011
I think I remember that painting from art school! Did she know you caught her mid bite? I love the voyeristic nature. I love to take photos of people when they are not looking. Do you get permission to use it after the fact? Do you have to? #9787752Dennis Gay November 07, 2011
I big Aussie G'DAY to you *Liz* & *Wendy*!!A warm welcome to you both to the Crèma.
A double whammy of 'thank yous' for your combined encouraging feedback.
Liz: That's whay I like candid shooting so much. It's all (mostly) just so natural.
Wendy: I don't think she knew I was photographing her s she never looked my way and her friends could not see me to warn her. I do not ask for permission and I do not have to as long as the person is in a public place. If I did asl permission it would no longer be a candid.
GB
Dennis #9788530
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