Charity Case (Part I)

May 2, 2009

A poor Muslim-Indian woman begs for money (strobist). - Bijapur, Karnataka, India - Daily Travel Photos
(Bijapur, Karnataka, India)
f/7.1 ▪ 1/200s ▪ @135mm ▪ ISO200 ▪ Canon 5D ▪ Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
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The unbearable afternoon heat forced me to find shade at a small mosque where I met this beggar asking mosque goers for spare change. She saw my camera and asked me for a photo so I one upped her and set up my stand and strobe for a quick modeling session. The picture was posed but the sentiment is real.

Strobe set at 1/16 power, gelled 1/8 CTO, approximately 3 yards (meters) away.

indian female beggar portrait

2 Comments - Charity Case (Part I)

1) Suhas Shelke -

Pius ..you are one amazing photographer! .. its such a striking portrait .. I'm in awe of your quick 'photo session' using strobes!

January 2, 2011
2) TravelGuy -

Thanks! It's not as quick as it appears especially because I need time to gain the subjects' trust. I spend a large part of the time just getting my target subject used to my presence and my photography gear then finally, I approach them once they've seen me monkeying around with my gear. Many times the subject isn't interested, which I respect, so you're not 'seeing the times where I've failed to capture any image at all.

January 23, 2011

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