This is a young girl of the Pa-o ethnic group in Burma. They have their own culture and language. She posed for my group in an archeological site near Inle Lake, and the original background was good but not as good as the muted, out of focus foliage background I pasted behind her. I darkened the greenery to force all the attention on the girl. With few exceptions, I prefer shade -- i.e. diffused light -- for outdoor portraiture. This prevents harsh and distracting shadows, and the subject's eyes aren't squinting from bright sunlight. Exposure is easier as well. In the early morning shade, my settings were 1/160, f/8, and 1000 ISO, and I used a 24-105mm lens. The yellow paste she smeared on her face is common throughout Burma, and it is considered a sign of beauty.
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