Yash Verma
July 2026 - The Young Shiva
Original
About the Image(s)
Technical Specifications:
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> - Camera: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
> - Lens: 50mm
> - ISO: 3200
> - Aperture: f/1.8
> - Shutter Speed: 1/125s
> - Filter: None
>
> Description:
> I captured this special moment in a village in Siliguri, West Bengal, during the "Gajan" festival. It was wonderful to see the participants dressed as deities; I was particularly moved by this young boy portraying Lord Shiva. He seemed so deeply immersed in the role, truly radiating a sense of divine presence and blessing.
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9 comments posted
Yash, Welcome to Group 39!
You have captured a very special moment here. The eyes have a glint and the boy seems to be connecting with the photographer. The boy and detail is very sharp and there is nice bokeh which keeps the focus on him. I also like the border you added to the image. I am curious if there was a fire burning during this as the original seems to reflect the red of a fire. Very nice image. Posted: 07/05/2026 20:40:38
You have captured a very special moment here. The eyes have a glint and the boy seems to be connecting with the photographer. The boy and detail is very sharp and there is nice bokeh which keeps the focus on him. I also like the border you added to the image. I am curious if there was a fire burning during this as the original seems to reflect the red of a fire. Very nice image. Posted: 07/05/2026 20:40:38
Yash Verma
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you for the compliments.
There was a big bonfire in the area, there were some women which sitting close to it and were doing prayers. The kid was a little away from the fire, which is why I had to bump up the ISO to this much. Posted: 07/08/2026 05:40:20
Thank you for the compliments.
There was a big bonfire in the area, there were some women which sitting close to it and were doing prayers. The kid was a little away from the fire, which is why I had to bump up the ISO to this much. Posted: 07/08/2026 05:40:20
Yash, welcome to the monochrome group! You've entered a really nice image. My only comment is I wonder what the background would look like it was a little darker there is a lot going on behind your subject. When I first looked at your image, my eyes went to the background. I wonder if that would make your subject stand out even more.
Again, welcome to the group! Posted: 07/05/2026 21:41:48
Again, welcome to the group! Posted: 07/05/2026 21:41:48
Yash Verma
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the compliments.
I added some light in the background to show the chaos and the movement, but now that you mention I believe I should have darkened it more. If I blur it more, that might help too. What do you think? Posted: 07/08/2026 05:45:17
Thank you for the compliments.
I added some light in the background to show the chaos and the movement, but now that you mention I believe I should have darkened it more. If I blur it more, that might help too. What do you think? Posted: 07/08/2026 05:45:17
I would try it both ways but I would start with darkening first. Bob Posted: 07/08/2026 10:19:47
Yash- Welcome! I'm sure you will enjoy the discussions here as well as seeing (and commenting on) images of others.
This is a great image - made by the light on his face. Your PP on the boy has helped here. As a Travel image, you need to see that there is some background: for a pure mono this matters less. You could work a tad on the background to reduce highlights/whites - but the light on him is so good after your PP. much better as a mono. Posted: 07/08/2026 14:57:49
This is a great image - made by the light on his face. Your PP on the boy has helped here. As a Travel image, you need to see that there is some background: for a pure mono this matters less. You could work a tad on the background to reduce highlights/whites - but the light on him is so good after your PP. much better as a mono. Posted: 07/08/2026 14:57:49
Yash, I know nothing of Shiva nor the significance of the costumes...but I love this portrait! You have caught the eyes perfectly. Good choice of the f/1.8 aperture...makes the background blur very interesting! Posted: 07/10/2026 21:51:05
Yash - Welcome to our little grey of greyers. (Hair and images) Do hope you enjoy you time.
Great starting image with wonderful eye contact. The others have said how good it is, but I am going to say how well you have converted it, your original image was not the greatest to start with and did not give you the greatest basis for tonal range but you have produce a marvelous controlled black and white image. You don't say how you converted it, always nice to know how each of us do our conversions but your histogram is very good. You could do a slight alteration by selecting the subject and just toning down the background so it is not the same as the person, making them stand out more. Great effort and first image. Posted: 07/15/2026 08:56:41
Great starting image with wonderful eye contact. The others have said how good it is, but I am going to say how well you have converted it, your original image was not the greatest to start with and did not give you the greatest basis for tonal range but you have produce a marvelous controlled black and white image. You don't say how you converted it, always nice to know how each of us do our conversions but your histogram is very good. You could do a slight alteration by selecting the subject and just toning down the background so it is not the same as the person, making them stand out more. Great effort and first image. Posted: 07/15/2026 08:56:41
Welcome in this group Yash.
The eyes, first element that catches immediately my eyes. They are great. Your conversion in B&W improves them and the look of the boy.
With an aperture of f/1,8, you have a quite important DoF. I am surprised, even if we can see a difference between the 2 eyes, which is logic with 1,8.
I like the composition.
For the background, I would go for the dark one. Posted: 07/15/2026 14:23:30
The eyes, first element that catches immediately my eyes. They are great. Your conversion in B&W improves them and the look of the boy.
With an aperture of f/1,8, you have a quite important DoF. I am surprised, even if we can see a difference between the 2 eyes, which is logic with 1,8.
I like the composition.
For the background, I would go for the dark one. Posted: 07/15/2026 14:23:30