Kabul musician, 1972 Photo

Photographer’s Note

A musician performing in a park in Kabul, Afghanistan, in September 1972. I was on a journey through Asia and had been eagerly looking forward to seeing Afghanistan. I wasn't disappointed. The five weeks I spent there that autumn and in the spring of 1973 remain among the highlights of my "career" as a traveller.
It was with very mixed feelings I returned a couple of times, as a journalist, in the 2000's to find a country so severely damaged, including the relaxed lifestyle and tolerant attitude I had met in the 70's.
This is an original b&w picture, scanned from an Agfa ISS negative. It was taken with a Canon FT-QL camera.

mikolaj_kawa, ellelloo, Kielia, bukitgolfb301, fanni, mafegan, saxo042, hispic, martin_b, worldcitizen, Glint, adores, Asiulus, rigoletto, Vasa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jasmis (50200) 2009-07-11 1:02

Amazing portrait in B&W. From a deep drawer again.
Regards.

mikolaj_kawa (29889) 2009-07-11 1:29

Hello Gert! Very interesting musician, good scene. Original old picture. Great effect. Good luck!

sultana (1117) 2009-07-11 1:53

Hello Gert,
This photo a real documentary from the past .the position of musician so sensitive.Good sharpness , good contrast,for such an old picture.Well done.
Best regards,
Sultan

ellelloo (4735) 2009-07-11 2:21

Hej Gert,
Again a lovely oldie from your treasure box! A good sensitive portrait. Actually amazingly good contrasts in such an old B&W. TFS!
Hälsningar och trevlig weekend,
Lasse

nirvana73 (8628) 2009-07-11 6:59

Hello Dear Gert
amazing portrait,yes
i look color tones black and white
i like light and contrast
great documantry shot from 1972
thanks for sharing
best regards
Ozhan

ninaL (19452) 2009-07-11 11:24

Nostalgic and great scene.
I would like to see a little his eyes...
But I like this fotka.
Best regards. Grazyna.

Kielia (8397) 2009-07-11 11:27

Hej Gert,
looking at this fantastic photo I am asking myself what has become of this country. A great document of a time very long ago. It makes me sick thinking about the future of this region. Thanks for reminding that there had been better times.
Warm regards
Harriet

stevesaba (3730) 2009-07-11 11:34

Hi Gert!
Wow, nice addition to some of your other archival photos. This one has a great feel! Nice work, regards,
Steve

bukitgolfb301 (4576) 2009-07-11 12:21

Hello my dear Gert

What a amazing and interesting image !
Complete and precious documentary record.
This photo is still vivid crossing over time of 37years.
Congratulation on your good job !
Thanks for sharing and best regards,

Takero

fanni (8733) 2009-07-11 12:28

Hej Gert,
I would say: it is a creative, a bit sad, kind, warm, musical moment. The man is thinking about his music?.. about his life?.. Who knows?
Excellent artistic portrait (even though we can't see the man's face) and a very good documentary shot. We must remember the past without which we won't have the future...
Kindest regards,
Elena

emka (21217) 2009-07-11 14:15

Hi Gert,
Splendid documentary photo. I am so envious you travelled and saw so much! And your drawer is really exceptionary. Nice portrait of the musiciam and interesting instrument he is playing. great!

Regards

Malgorzata

saxo042 (15514) 2009-07-12 5:28

Hej Gert,
A very artistic photo and very interesting, considering the age of it!
Hælsningar
Gunnar

mafegan (4133) 2009-07-12 5:32

Hello Gert
Now you are posting your B&W negatives and I appreciate being able to view them. A very sensitive photo from a very different Afghanistan. How fortunate you have been to have experienced this country in different times. Cheers, Marlene

hispic (7399) 2009-07-12 20:00

Hello Gert,
What a strong and attractive photo, among a lot of superficial digital photos. The noise of grains and details in shadow omitted bring excellent effects to the image. I really like this series a lot.
Regards, Hisashi

martin_b (362) 2009-07-13 11:09

hi gert,
very strong documentry. what a privilege to visit afghanistan before chaos and war came over....

ps: love this old analog-scan charm!

greets martin

worldcitizen (2249) 2009-07-13 16:23

Hello Gert,
This is a beautiful historical photo - a poignant moment, frozen in time through your lens. I can almost hear the music, just as I can see this man tenderly strumming his instrument. Thanks for sharing this one.

coco (27786) 2009-07-16 12:43

Hi Gert.

I envy you. Really this is the kind of photography I would love doing.

Thanks for sharing this unique lesson.
Carlos.

kschanna (2634) 2009-07-17 22:08

Hello Gert,

Its like a time machine. You're pictures allow me to see the Afghanistan that I have read so much about which is great. That Afghanistan is full of history culture and heritage. The B&W rendition adds such a great drama to the scene. Thanks for sharing
Kamran

adores (15473) 2009-07-19 16:15

Hi Gert!
Another old one! This is a real treasure! I like the noise, the b&w and especially the moment, probably not so easy to find there at this moment. The details of the instrument, his happy expression - really good!

cobra112 (11400) 2009-07-20 15:31

This is an intesnive and interesting BW work. I like tha amazing light and good contrast. TFS.

Roberto

Asiulus (1066) 2009-08-12 2:26

Hej Gert. I really like your glimpses into the past. Combined with an excellent note they make a full, complete story. Best regards, Joanna

christian_v (801) 2009-08-23 10:03

Good and old memories
thank you
cheers
christian

rigoletto (26172) 2009-10-10 5:24

...and this is the complimentary gem for the other photo, the reason why those men were all gathered...

coming from the times, when the street musicians were not banned, as a pretext for islamic rules.

the sharp focus showing the details of the instrument, his concentration on his act and the strong contrast of black and white surrounded with the old grains... a top notch capture.
best regards,
deniz

Vasa (5432) 2009-10-12 6:22

Your great witness form Kabul, Gert. The picture that you keep in pockets more than 30 years. Superb thematic picture for my small collection of instruments in the world. The real b/w is telling something. Many thanks, friend,

Branko