at Ibrahim's place Photo

Photographer’s Note

Ibrahim (a charismatic man with a cracked voice) was selling shish kebabs at a small stall in a weekly market in the countryside ; he agreed finally to be taken in photos after much cajoling - I portrayed him with various customers.

The 2 guys on the left were smoking kif with long narrow pipes and did not understand that they were in the frame too : an old trick, to only look at one person while including others.

(Smoking kif is prevalent in Morocco, specially in traditional places ; in theory it is forbidden but it's so deeply engrained in social customs that normally the police turns a blind eye, or the jails would be full !)

phwall, faubry has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

SteveH (3899) 2008-10-13 15:19

Hi Cath, what bunch of Moroccan faces and clothing you caught, and good daily life detail in the kebabs lined up ready to cook. cheers, Steve

phwall (5550) 2008-10-13 15:31

Hello catherine,
Great photograph, the faces of these men are fantastic, such wonderful characters, not sure I'd be eating any of the kebabs but it makes for an interesting foreground.
I'm curious as to the lens effect you have here, the man on the left looks elongated somehow, it's not that I don't like it, I've not seen this effect before.
Wonderful image overall, there is so much detail here, it's possible to spend a lot of enjoyable time exploring your shot.
Regards
Peter

scalerman (25731) 2008-10-13 15:43

C: I really like this one - more so than some of the recents - perfect, spontaneous portraiture in motion - and the keef probably didn't hurt matters :)

Polonaise (5634) 2008-10-13 16:16

Talking faces !
THREE (!!!) talking faces...

Ms. Catherine M.D.
You are a very good photographer.
Flawless, most wonderful presentation and...The moment...
The scene !

Did I mention: Talking faces ?
THREE talking faces...!

One day I'll be like you, Katarzyna...
I'll have talking faces as well.

I'll make them talk in my photos..
Why ? - you may ask..
Because I'm too lazy to write the notes..
I'll let them talk, instead

One day, sister...
One day...

g
................

michelloupis (0) 2008-10-13 17:21

Oh... this is a beauty. The distortion, the faces, the color... You could not have pictured Morocco better. I know it well!

Take care
Nuno

ninaL (19466) 2008-10-13 23:34

Expressions sont excellentes ;)))).
J'adore leurs faces et leurs regards.
J'aime aussi la distortion qui les rend un peu irréels.
Bon boulot.
Amitiés, Grazyna.

faubry (32281) 2008-10-14 1:45

Bonjour Cath, elle est vraiment top cette photo avec ces visages tous interessants, des expressions, des sourires, des "tronches" comme on dit chez nous, amusant aussi la distorsion?? superbe photo, j'aime beaucoup, encore d'autres comme celle ci please...
bises
francine

aadilj (17950) 2008-10-14 3:58

The story is well told yet again cath with those magnificent colours and control. I like the people document that you have again captured with such finesse

zmey (7248) 2008-10-14 6:41

hello catherine
the expressions are priceless :)) especially the middle one, who's obviously enjoying himself tremendously while watching you 'take a photo of pal Ibrahim'... ;) great scene. i like it! were the kebabs any good?

regards,
kristaps

azizbilgili (1714) 2008-10-15 0:14

Hi Catherine,

You are a very good photographer and the faces of these men are fantastic.

TFS

kensimage (8539) 2008-10-17 23:28

Well, Cath, this one is certainly not perfect. The composition is odd with two of the three pressed into the sides of the frame, and there is lens distortion. But in spite of that, it really works! I guess it's their wonderful faces, full of character in their eyes--especially Ibrahim. The three faces are like three shining beacons that draw the eye immediately. They all look like they have friendly mischief in their hearts. I guess you're very persuasive to get the OK for a photo, and I'm glad you are! Regards, Ken.

tesup (210) 2008-10-19 4:30

merhaba Catherine,

I like the way you collect the impression on people( and on their faces) like those in this candid shot. -no artificiality, all is so natural-

regards,

tesup

nirvana73 (8628) 2008-11-13 8:48