2.12.2007

A Contemporary Photo (P5/Q3): Printing-Compositions

To edit the print of the Masai warrior, I used photoshop and applied a dark blue filter selectively to the sky. This was done to improve the way the clouds looked, that is to make them more pronounced and to make the color less faded. When the filter was applied to the photo as a whole, the robe changed color and the warmth on the left hand side (from the sun setting) was removed, a touch that I quite liked. So I decided to apply it only to the clouds.



One thing that could be improved would be the inclusion of his hand and staff, as the staff was an important part of the Masai culture, being something which the men all carry and is used for herding cows and goats, the trademark of Masai culture. I am glad that the white beads around his wrists and those around his neck were included, as they also played a crucial role to Masai culture. This is because when doing traditional Masai dances including the characteristic high jumps, they do not use instruments, not even drums. Rather the thumping of their feet and staff and the jangling of their beaded jewellery provide the music so that the dance and the music itself are inseperable. See "Diary entry" for more about Masai culture.

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