TWO BULGARIANS FROM DIFFERENT FOLKLORE AREAS / PHOTO STORY

almost 3 years ago

These shots are still steaming because I shot them literally a few hours ago. I processed almost all night. I can't sleep these days because my sweet baby is growing a new tooth.

Whatever... Veselina / the girl from the photos / told me the other day that she took a custom-made folk costume from the Kyustendil region. The costume is not authentic, but it was made especially for a folklore concert where Veselin will dance.

_Of course, I immediately said that we would take some pictures with her. I just really love folklore themes.

There was one rather big problem..._

Since the costume is not hers, she did not want us to go outside the neighborhood where she lives, so as not to hurt her.
The photographers among you know that when the model points out a shooting location, things don't go well at all.

For half an hour I looked on the map for the most acceptable place in this neighborhood, but there was nothing else except this small city park. Trust me!

Then I remembered a boy we had texted last week about a photo shoot. He plays the bagpipes as an amateur with a lot of passion and emotion.

I decided to use the moment to gather them in one place and introduce him. I needed to know if I could trust him for an organized nature session.

_I know from experience that when the place doesn't work, I have to look for interesting light.

You know I don't like artificial lighting.

The time was around 5.30pm which was another negative to deal with._

_I used diffused sunlight through the leaves of a large tree. In processing, I lightly matted the skin for this end result.

Do you like it ?_

KYUSTENDILA AND RHODOPIAN FOLKLORE REGION

First, I will tell you about the Kyustendil region.

You can see the beautiful embroidery on the costume of the beautiful Veselina. This coloring is specific to this Bulgarian folklore area. Can you imagine how in the past Bulgarians worked hard in the fields dressed in these beautiful clothes?

This area belongs to the Shop folklore area. It includes the cities: Pernik, Samokov, Kyustendil and Ikhtiman. As well as the villages located between them.

Rhodope folklore region

The bagpiper is representative of this area in history today. This area mainly includes the town of Smolyan and the Rhodope Mountains. This mountain is home to the most authentic Bulgarian villages and traditions preserved to this day. I will soon be making some photography trips to the mountain and will tell you more about it and the folklore.

WHY WAS I NOT SATISFIED WITH THESE PICTURES?

Because of the place! As much as we want to be different and original as photographers, there are subjects like Bulgarian folklore that just have to be captured in unique scenery like mountains and fields.

I even just had a great idea in my brain. I hope to see it implemented soon.