Haircut on the ghats Photo

Photographer’s Note

Coiffeurs et barbiers se côtoient sur les ghats de Bénarès, chaque corporation ayant un rôle social sensiblement différent. On s’adresse au coiffeur pour se faire couper les cheveux, se faire raser ou tailler la barbe. Pour des motifs esthétiques
En revanche, on fait généralement appel au barbier pour des motifs religieux ou coutumiers. Ainsi lorsque le crâne des enfants est par tradition rasé à plusieurs reprises avant leur adolescence ou lorsque les fils se font raser crâne et barbe avant la cérémonie de crémation, en particulier le fils ainé chargé d’allumer le bûcher, en signe de deuil de leur père, ne laissant subsister qu’une petite mèche.
Voir Barber on the ghats

Hairdressers and barbers work on the same ghats in Varanasi with specific social roles.
One goes to the hairdresser for a haircut... for esthetic reasons !
The barber takes care of customs or religious issues e.g. when sons, and especially the one in charge to light the pyre, shave their hair before the cremation ceremony, in mourning of their father.
See Barber on the ghats

macondo, mjdundee has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

coco (27598) 2009-06-22 23:53

Hi Patrick.

The light is the main point of this photo where the subject and/or scene is very good too.
The composition show us all what is important: the action, the people and the face of the hairdresser... and everything with that nice light.

Well done.

BennyV (4510) 2009-06-23 5:55

Bonjour Patrick,

This is my kind of shot. At least once during every trip I visit a barber like this. And it usually is a quality experience I really miss back home.

In the shot I like the green colour of the chair and the expression of the barber, though I'd rather not have the other man in, as he ruins the mirror view, imho.

Benny

macondo (12985) 2009-06-23 6:44

Hello Patrick.
An excellent daily life shot. The colours are bright and the composition full of interest, including the reflection in the mirror! I think you have captured marvellously the look of intense concentration on the face of the barber, and the wide angle lens has made his hand seem enormous. Good idea to include the man on the left, checking himself out. Superb capture.
Regards,
Andrew

Wanda1 (10886) 2009-06-23 7:13

Hi Patrick,
I always enjoy shots of barbers or hairdressers I think they make for great daily life subjects.
I love the bright green chair matching the door an dthe shelf forming a unification of elements in the scene, and he has a great look of concentration. It is also like two different scenes in one as the other guy looking in the mirror is on the yellow wall and facing away and the barber and his customer are in the blue section, this makes for an interesting composition.
Regards
Wanda

mjdundee (3468) 2009-06-23 13:07

Salut Patrick,
This is really what you can do better than anyone else - people that never recognize your camera and your compo comes always in perfect light and rich colours. You have here even managed not to appear in the mirror which - I guess was a bit tricky. Great reportage image and excellent note.
Thank you for sharing.
Thomas

hyasar (7277) 2009-06-24 4:11

Hi Patrick,

very nice barber view. However, you unfortunately missed hall of fame kind shot. I mean that if you waited for one or two more minutes the man across the mirror would have gone then you'd have a chance to capture face of shaving man. all other things are very good in this photo.

warm regards,
Hakan

ilvao (2248) 2009-07-16 13:09

BONJOUR PATRICK
BELLE SCENE de concentration!
CE SONT LES MEILLEURS EN RASAGE ET JE TESTE DANS CHAQUE PAYS.
Toujours tes merveilleuses couleurs naturelles
et tes instants de vie.
Bravo
Pour le retour, rien n'est moins sûr mais c'est sympa :-)
Olivier