The Painter from Zanzibar Photo

Photographer’s Note

Taken in Stone Town on Zanzibar island. I was wandering the alleys, and noticed this painter through a doorway. I kept on walking, thinking to myself - that could make a great shot... should I go back and walk on in? I decided to, looked at his artwork around the room first, and complemented him on it. I asked if I could take a photo and he agreed, so I pulled up a paint tin to rest the camera on as a tripod as it was quite dark in the room. He's in the middle of painting a tree landscape I think.

Wanda1, phwall, bakes888, patdeph, jalab_temen, dareco, noborders has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Wanda1 (11015) 2008-09-29 22:13

Hi David,
I think it was worth it that you went back for this shot as it came out beautifully. The light coming in from the doorway and just slightly lighting him and his work is wonderful and I like his expression and blur of movement of his arm and hand as he reaches for more paint. It looks like he is painting a baobab sunset scene. What I also like is the detail of the flower window in the background.
Regards
Wanda

bracasha75 (22431) 2008-09-29 22:21

Helo David
This is a lovgely scene of a men who do his fav. job and the needing for art is every the same
Nice painter and artist
Good picture from you (and him)

Cheers,Braca

phwall (5711) 2008-09-29 22:51

Hi David,
Good natural light coming from the doorway, I like the shine and definition on his face, lots of concentration. Good composition leaving in as much of the door as possible, the paint stains on it and the wall really add a lot of atmosphere, and then there's the stool, almost a work of art in it self.
Lovely daily life capture.
Regards
Peter

bakes888 (18353) 2008-09-29 23:07

Hi Dave. Great portrait. You have handled the light well and composed well to add artist and work. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

fanni (8917) 2008-09-29 23:51

Hello David,
it's very good that you returned to take a photo: I like it very much! I'm a painter, too, so I like to see pictures of other painters in the process of their hard creative work! :)
Very good composition and very good colours and lighting, despite that it was rather dark inside. IMHO, the contrast lighting only is a plus to emphasize the creative process.
best regards,
Elena

SteveH (4001) 2008-09-30 4:02

Hi David, In this shot I like the textures of the various surfaces which you have captured well. His natural expression an placement in the frame is good too, although I may have been tempted to crop enough on the left to lose the light coming through the vent which is a little distracting. cheers, Steve

fabio_ts (13674) 2008-09-30 5:52

An excellent use of light by you in this well done "portrait" Dave, finely done, compliments!!!

have a nice day,
Fabio

testmaniac (12262) 2008-10-02 0:49

Hi David, interesting photo and good composition. Good job!

TFS

Phil

kevinos (6927) 2008-10-02 0:51

A very sensitive portrait, David and beautifully lit.You have caught him in an elegant position and with a fine light on his face. The room and the picture are rich and very relevant context. Regards Kevin

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-10-02 1:08

Hi Dave
You have caught a very good shot here showing this artist at work. I love the splatter of paint on the wall and doors, and the actual painting itself looks very cool. The light coming through that flower patterned window gives the dark image a bit of life. Very well composed and lucky you went back.
Regards
Jim

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-02 6:26

Man at work...yes a very nice mement and cadrage but I think I would try to cropp a little bit of the right side...hmmmm
Anyway, an eyecatcher.

Regards,
A.

jalab_temen (1990) 2008-10-02 6:44

Dear David. Amazing tones, simply classic composition, perfect sharpness. Many thanks for sharing, Jalab

Waylim (11163) 2008-10-02 8:57

That is very nice of him to let you photograph him. The poeple there are not keen on being photograph. The shot turn out really nice. the sharpness is good in spite of the low light, good call for using the tin can. Light and shadow work very well. and yes it look like he is painting a landscape, the famous African tree of life, perhaps. Thanks Dave.
Way

marietom (32108) 2008-10-02 13:51

hello David,

Magnifique composition, les couleurs toutes harmonieuses sont géniales, bravo !
Bonne soirée
Marie

dareco (17104) 2008-10-02 15:09

I especially like the lighting here, and the colors are very natural and beautiful. Interesting artwork as well. A nice capture. TFS

noborders (14201) 2008-10-04 13:45

Not particularly fond of this kind of painting but a great photo nonetheless, showing a man in his environment ; I like all the little spots of paint everywhere, it makes the photo really attractive !
Best,
Cath.

John_F_Kennedy (32080) 2008-10-13 4:33

A great portrait and daily life scene. Good colour, lighting and sharpness.

Best wishes,
Achim

scalerman (25787) 2008-10-18 11:52

David: this is a classic image - very 'painterly. I appreciate the blurred hand in motion as well. regards, c

Angshu (34157) 2008-10-20 0:53

Hello David
This has come out beautifully...the painter in his work, the light which falls on his face from the right, partially illuminating him. Bright colours as he paints, what could be a sunset scene. Nice detail of the floral pattern of the window on the left. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

faubry (32429) 2008-11-12 1:22

hello David, what wonderful photo, colorful,superb composition and light, congratulations
francine

kschanna (6) 2008-12-08 17:44

Hi David

I like the colors a lot in this shot, I guess artists and painters across the world have got a lot of resemblance.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran