Girl Watching Noodle Maker

[Marcus Peddle]

This was taken in Insadong in downtown Seoul. This noodle shop has the noodle maker in the front window so we can see how fresh the noodles are and, of course, to attract attention.
I can see at least one thing I would try to do better next time but I would like to hear your opinions on how this could be made a good photograph.

Nikon FM3a, MF 45mm pancake lens.

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

MArcus,

When I travel, I love taking photos of shop windows but reflection is a problem without a circular polarizer and even then you need to watch the angle of light. The composition is cute, but the reflection draws your eye and the image is harmed by it.

 

[Colleen Vermillion]

I like the scene a alot and I agree about the reflections (particularly the one in the center of the noodle maker's forehead). I think even something as simple as blurring out the background and a slight darkening of it might help. Here's a very rough idea... Gaussian blur in the background and lighten the girl and the noodle maker, and clone out the spot on his forehead. I would prefer it with more contrast and maybe white balanced a little warmer for the noodle maker but I didn't have a lot of time to play.

-Colleen

 

[Ken Tanaka]

A cute candid shot, Marcus.

Semantically, your title would also work if the cook was looking out at the girls.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I like the scene a alot and I agree about the reflections (particularly the one in the center of the noodle maker's forehead). I think even something as simple as blurring out the background and a slight darkening of it might help. Here's a very rough idea... Gaussian blur in the background and lighten the girl and the noodle maker, and clone out the spot on his forehead. I would prefer it with more contrast and maybe white balanced a little warmer for the noodle maker but I didn't have a lot of time to play.

Great to have to disagree! Well Colleen, I take an opposite view.

I would select the reflections to the noodle-maker's left and also his hand the noodles and bring more to emphasis with brightening and increase contrast using curves and then a little sharpening.

This makes the "looking at the noodles topic, more communal.

Otherwise, this picture works perfectly. The extra hands to the right of the girl adds again to the community feeling of looking even though we don't see the rest of the child.

How about in B&W? Don't worry Nicolas, you win on this! The photograph works best in color as the girl in the pink jacket is emphasized just sufficiently and gives the main "fascination thrust" to the work in process.

This picture is a winner and I'm sure in a print, the film base will add character. This would be worth a professional scan one day!

Asher

 

[Colleen Vermillion]

I hadn't thought about emphasizing the group including the man in the reflection instead of just the girl and the noodle maker. Probably because I was too distracted by the bright orange dot in the middle of the noodle maker's forehead and got in the "all reflections must be tamed" mindset and the title had me going down a certain path. I tend to like focusing on a single person in a crowd of people participating in some activity because I think that's one of the times when people are the least self conscious (and therefore the most interesting ).

I do think more contrast would be a good thing regardless of which direction the photo goes.

 

[Marcus Peddle]

Thank you all for commenting. I didn't think this one would get any attention, to tell the truth.
I am going to Seoul next week and I will be passing this shop again. I will be sure to bring a polarising filter and, if I'm lucky, there will be some wide-eyed kiddies looking in the window. My biggest regret with this photo is how close I cropped to the left. His noodle-holding hand is nearly out of the photo. Thank you all for your ideas about this photograph. If I get a better version next week I will be sure to post it here.