Comment from Susan F. M. T.
Fred,
What a beautiful & alive portrait of this lady in her national costume looking straight at you. Artistic composition, beautiful lighting & framing with superb camera techniques with sharp focus.
Susan

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2014

merci suzanne

Comment from Vrainey
This is a really nice photograph with good lighting and color. This picture really tells the story of the place and people that live there! Nice storytelling and thank you for sharing!

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2014

thanks so much

Comment from Jairos
Great This is beautiful shot, Love the expression, the colors on the scene are beautiful Good clarity and very well focused, good Job Jairos

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2014

many thanks Jaime

Comment from jesuel
What a great portrait the color is great the detail is great excellent depth great lighting and I like how you have framed it in fine work here

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2014

many thanks

Comment from Linda Bickston
A shot in Vietnam. Wow. So much history and heartache in this country. This is written on this woman's face. The bright colors are to hide the dark existence. Wonderful photo.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2014

thanks so much again

Comment from LinebyLine
I am a historian, and have recently been posed with some aspects of photography that are very interesting. I was wondering, if I may, why you chose to label her outfit as a 'costume'? Also, what, if anything, was there about this woman that compelled you to photograph her, then go further to put it into a medium such as this where your intention is, I believe, to gain a reaction/connection/opinion about it for personal gain? I am sure there were others, but the point of the questions is what as the photographer are your motivations for promoting this photograph over the other 'discarded' or 'repressed' versions or photo's in this particular photographic series.

Sorry for the long and deep questions, it's this friggin education stuff, it gets to ya, it makes you crazy, it makes people you interact with crazy!

Thanks for this wonderful photo, that obviously struck a cord with me emotionally and intellectually.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014

thanks a lot for your long comments and top rating;
now, to answer your questions:
I am French, apparently "costume" was not the best word to choose: is cloth better?
I have dozens of pics from this and other markets: I posted several during the last years; I like this one because of her expression:

reply by LinebyLine on 25-Sep-2014

'Costume' is just an odd choice for a person with my education background. But your nationality speaks a lot as to why you would use that term. You do not deal with a constant need to ensure respect to a group of individuals such as the American Indians, for whom 'costume' may be offensive. Thanks so much for your answers!

reply by the author on 25-Sep-2014

OK: what do you suggest: I can change it

reply by LinebyLine on 25-Sep-2014

Absolutely nothing unless you feel it needs it. It is part of both the culture you captured, and the culture of the photographer that give this photo more than just a picture of a lady taken by that photographer, who was it again?

Comment from Dick Lee Shia
Interesting initial impact of an Asian subject!
Impressive candid capture as a semi stolen shot!
Lovely colors of her traditional costume.
Nice narrow DOF.
Excellent lighting.
Sharp focusing.
Close up framing.
Thanks for sharing.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014

thanks a lot dick for your comments and high rating

Comment from Sange
Ha! Great title Fred! I love the look she is giving you and how she struck a pose.
Nice clarity, colors and details.
I may have worked on the background a bit on the left, but I accept you as you are. so..well done bud!

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014

thanks a lot Sandra; unfortunately (?) I don't use photoshop or similar;
I'll post some new heron pics for you: hope you'll like

Comment from suffolkbrian
Interesting face this lady has,and although its posed,there is enough to keep the viewer involved in the shot,background is a bit obtrusive but out of focus to not intrude on the photo,nicely taken photo..brian

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014

thanks a lot Brian

reply by suffolkbrian on 24-Sep-2014

your welcome

Comment from soulfeeder
Love that head dress. Pretty ethnic. Prominence of patterns and designs. Excellent natural lighting. Great focus showing vivid facial features and expression. A pleasure to view.

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2014

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014

thanks a lot