Msichana Haya Photo

Photographer’s Note

When a house was built in Zanzibar, the door was traditionally the first part to be erected. The greater the wealth and social position of the owner of the house, the larger and more elaborately carved his front door. Many doors are studded with brass spikes. This is thought to be a modification of an Indian practice of studding doors with sharp spikes of iron to prevent them from being battered in by war elephants. In 915 AD, an Arab traveller to Zanzibar reported that the island abounded in elephants. Further, in approximately 1295 Marco Polo also noted that Zanzibar had many elephants. There are, however, no elephants in Zanzibar now. The brass studs seen today are purely for decoration. At last count, there are 560 carved doors in Zanzibar.

At first, the girl said she did not want to have her picture taken and she hid behind the closed door. Gradually, she came out from behind the door. At first just her head, then more and more of her until she stood posing in the open door frame. Msichana Haya means "Shy Girl" in Kiswahili.

levente, kato, happypoppeye, mariandrea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

wolf38 (12626) 2009-06-15 9:43

Hello Michael. The photo pleases me very well. It is beautiful and worth seeing. Photographically skillfully realizes. Really a nice picture. Regards, Wolfgang.

kato (321) 2009-06-15 11:22

Hello Michael,

Well composed and good color tone!
I'm interesting in door studded with brass spikes, and it seems arabian style about an outside design pattern. Some objects keep good color balance that may be arranged at an appropriate position. And, it draws out good effect in the whole about the contrast between the door and the wall, and a space of opponent in door, I think. I like this atomosphere capturing natural daily life.

Good work and good note!

Regards,
mikio

happypoppeye (4060) 2009-06-15 13:04

Great shot. Nice tones. Good "straight on" type compostion. The little girl is a great focal point and the entranceway/door provides a nice "second" focal point and adds alot of interest along with a great back-side-front environment.
Great work
John

marietom (31796) 2009-06-15 14:08

hello Michael,

superbe composition, avec ce beau mur, et cette fillette. J'aime beaucoup.
Bonne soirée
Marie

xavshot (62165) 2009-06-16 11:46

Bonsoir Michael
c'est une belle photo. J'aime les teintes et la texture de la porte. La petite fille et sa pose apporte une belle ambiance. Bravo, j'aime beaucoup.
Xavier

mariandrea (973) 2009-06-19 12:33

Hi Michael, nice picture with an interesting note. Zanzibar is a place on my list to visit, hope next year... dunno.

The blue dress was fantastic for the contrast, good details on the door, chau chau!

Maria

ciakgiak (10460) 2009-06-19 14:45

Hello Michael,
splendid door with amazing decorations, but the little child is a really eye-catcher. This a vey exciting image.
Congratulations.
Best regards.
Giorgio

Ja-cek (47) 2009-11-12 8:52

Hi Michael,
this is a cute picture with very nice colour tones. Colour of the girl's dress emphasizes the composition. The face expression and pose of the girl create good counterbalance to the cold and massive environment. I like it and hope to go Zanzibar sometime...
Regards,
Jan