Lung Cancer Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is a person I spotted when walking through some of the older parts of Cairo. Somebody told me he was working with alabaster. This was a fast shot, I just pointed my camera to the door, took a picture and went on, as I was in company and in a bit of a hurry. I got pretty bad exposure since part of the wall outside got in the picture and that was a lot brighter, so I hope you excuse the poor quality. I converted to B&W to emphasize that this guy was all covered in white and to make the foreground less disturbing. What I think is funny is that there's a guy with a shisha in the back, I guess there wasn't enought dirt in the air for him already :).

I posted the original in color for Jose as a workshop.

Alain, Michael_Gan, Paker, krakus, jp80, supereira, papagolf21, joseelias, elihesamian, touristdidi, ballyna has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Azdrubal (485) 2005-03-10 16:03

Incroyable cette photo... L'usage immodéré du narghilé mène à d'étranges visions ?

kabe (1998) 2005-03-10 16:05

This is fantastic shot! This shot tells a story. What a interesting scenery you shot there! I really like this photo. Well done!
Regards.

Alain (288) 2005-03-10 16:59

What a surrealist photo. From the thumbnail, I believed it was a sculture! I was not so far from the truth, these men being covered by alabaster. Far from the cute artisan way they show us in front of the boutique in Giza area. Good idea to do in B&W.

Didi (35782) 2005-03-10 17:17

C'est un excellent reportage qui démontre les conditions pénibles des travailleurs Egyptiens. Ils travaillent dans des conditions atroces au détriment de leur santé et de leurs vies.
Les droits de l'homme sont violés et bafoués.
C'est une image qui est très choquante pour moi et vous avez très bien fait de la publier sur TE.
La qualité de l'image est parfaite dans cette ambiance poussérieuse.

It is an excellent report which shows the painful conditions of the Egyptiens workers. They work under atrocious conditions with the detriment of their health and their lives. The humans right are ridiculed and violated.
It is an image which is very shocking for me and you made very well publish it on TE.
The quality of the picture is perfect in this dust environment.

Michael_Gan (2772) 2005-03-10 17:55

Simon, very interesting shot. Indeed, this situation doesn't look very healthy. The strange thing about this picture is the contrast between the white face of the man in the foreground and the dark face of the other person. I think the bad exposure you are mentioning in your note is so bad after all. The main character of your picture is very well exposed and the shadow on the man in the background simply adds to the contrast. Well done.

Paker (2636) 2005-03-10 18:10 [Comment]

Show Comment

keribar (42726) 2005-03-11 0:17

Bad exposure ? You caught exactly what was necessary to get an impression of the poor conditions in which these guys work: But the narghileh also adds a couleur locale, and it is unexpected in this picture. Well done Simon - Izzet Keribar

krakus (1581) 2005-03-11 0:51

exposure is very nice... photo looks like shot during industrial revolution in XIX century England

greg64g (11193) 2005-03-11 3:35

Hello Simon,

you had the good idea to turn the pict on b&w, this is parfert to enhance the effect, non i feel my work comfortable.

Greg

jp80 (8437) 2005-03-11 5:29

Très belle composition Simon, tout cet ensemble est parfaitement organisé, et tu en as tiré nu cadrage très judicieux. Joli format noir et blanc également. Belle image !

Pascal

supereira (9576) 2005-03-11 5:53

I like the composition and point of view.Good light,sharpness and contrasts.I like the expression of the man.Good daily life shot.Well done!

clodreno (0) 2005-03-11 6:08

a very interesting image Simon.. The black and white is nice here.
we can see what this poor guy can breathe... the dust me be terrible..

papagolf21 (56044) 2005-03-11 7:15

Bonjour Simon,
Excellente photographie ! j'aime particulièrement le visage couvert de poussière blanche de l'ouvrier (le transformant presque en Asiatique) et de l'autre personnage fumant le narguilé, tranquille, heureux de vivre !
Very well done.
Philippe

joseelias (367) 2005-03-11 9:05

Quite a strong title! But I do believe it fits as working in these conditions won’t do much for their health… I like the use of BW as it enhances the shapes and volumes, but I confess I’m curious about the color version as I think it could be quite good too.

elihesamian (26091) 2005-03-11 12:56

Very dangerous situation,without any personal protective equipment like a simple mask,and what more dangrouse the man in back is smoking there!!!
really well captured,I think you did well to B&W,strong and sad situation,more because of lack of the knowledge about their health and lung diseases,...nicely done,Simon!
Sincerely
M

Katla (150) 2005-03-14 13:23

This is a great pic Simon. I like it a lot as b&w, and the white dust on the mans face gives the picture a sort of oldfashion stiff impression. Well done!
Regards,
Britt

bimbol (172) 2005-03-20 16:41

Hi Simon!
It excellently frames. There is fine reportorial photo in my opinion. I saw original. You have made well goods B/W and you have chosen topping plan. Mass of tint and these faces. There is photo super. I congratulate.
Best regards.
Roman

touristdidi (8561) 2005-04-03 7:12 [Comment]

Show Comment

Kicka (0) 2005-04-09 16:06

An intresting documentary photograph. The working environment relly doesn't seems to be the best one can wish for. Alomst loosing my breath just looking at the picture. I don't thing the exposure is to bad here and the B&W is a good choise. Well done.
Take care, Jessica