Bike Repair Shop Photo

Photographer’s Note

February, 2006, Seremban, Malaysia

Some time back I received a comment about how distracting motorbikes were in some of my Malaysian photographs taken over the years. In fact, looking through my collection on my computer, few shots do not feature a motorbike. Whether or not I intend to depict them, motorbikes are an integral part of life here.

Equally as ubiquitous, and no less important, are the bike repair shops throughout KL and the provincial capitals, like this one. On what was otherwise a very quiet (main) street through the old part of Seremban, this bike shop was basically spilling out onto the "five-foot-way". There weren't too many bikes awaiting repair inside so these two were working and chatting along at a casual pace.

Perspiring like crazy in the muggy, overcast afternoon humidity, I asked these two guys if I could take their portraits. They obliged, wary but not perturbed by my intrusion and I took a few frames and then left them to their important work to seek out some air-con and a drink...

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20mm, Tri-X

Ramy, mark88, eleparc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Luko (13890) 2006-04-12 14:43

hey Mike I looooove that one, compositionally it's a favorite! the reading flows easily through the picture, good vignetting too.
I don't know why it reminds me one of my images I shot in a Malaysian Iban longhouse... they are modern Ibans, in fact, just the dog that transformed into a Honda..

toni_al (15430) 2006-04-12 17:18

Salut Mike
Joli cadrage avec un bel effet du grand angle, bon choix du N&B
Toni

Ramy (771) 2006-04-12 17:47

Hi Mike,
This is a great shot of this workshop. Great idea to take a picture of this place since you love motobikes so much. I bet you have been to Pangkor, because its nothing other than motobikes! lol
Regards, Ramy.

lewiz (1293) 2006-04-12 21:05

Hi Mike,
Great shot. I love the contrasty photo and it's nice to see not everybody is shooting digital these days ;)
Well captured daily-life scene.
Nice work. Lewis.

kclai (2267) 2006-04-12 21:46

Hey Mike
Cool image, man.
The B&W effect played well with this two guys portraiting for you.
The angle is cool, too, tilt and up-to-down shot. Very "art" shot.
Cheers.
Eric Lai

eleparc (24059) 2006-04-13 8:03

there is such a good atmosphere in this shot Mike! and as always this inimitable b&w shots of yours!
Cheers
Eric

zig (2450) 2006-04-14 13:53

You are really good at B&W shot.
The rgiht and left sides in dark shades and centre in brighter tone, they are nicely drawn in the photo. Gee, how lovely!

Furachan (0) 2006-04-15 7:23

Well I must say, Mike-san, this image has the kind of no-nonsense, no need to show off quality about it that we don't see too often. I fully concur with our friend Luko...very intelligent use of the extra wide.
Your note is excellent, actually, reads like a novel or better still, a top notch personal journal.
My hat off to you,
Francis

keanfan (696) 2006-04-16 11:17

Very good shot of a daily scene in Malaysia. You've really managed to freeze the expressions very well, and well done it is! :)

Homerhomer (4005) 2006-04-16 22:13

think it reminds Luko of one of his images, because the image is very much in his style, actually I would be the least bit surprised if this image was his -;)

One of those daily life oridinary scenes ordinarily captured into an extraordinary picture.

You have done some great shots lately Mike.
Peter

kajspice (4534) 2006-07-09 9:49

I think the point of view gives the spark you wanted here...I imagine this may have been a little dull without this element..I remember seeing this some time ago, and remembered it to be Luko's too...

...perhaps I just remember the conversation...

I don't know if it vignetting in the three corners, or just the light, however, I feel it works well here...