Jalan Sehala Photo

Photographer’s Note

February 2006, Jalan Dato Abdul Rahman (Wilkinson Street), Seremban, Malaysia

A representative from a telecommunications company repairs a public payphone in the old town centre of Seremban.

It seemed like this was the only thing in the old town receiving any attention at all that day. The volume of cars on the road suggested that Seremban is a bustling provincial city-- except that most of the bustling is occurring in the new satellite towns rather than the old centre.

By comparison, old Seremban is rather dead. Real estate prices are climbing in the suburbs whilst they fall in the centre; the cost of restoring too expensive and the lack of customers crippling. It would seem all the arrows are pointing outwards, the one-way street (jalan sehala) to progress bypassing this area.

--
20mm, Tri-X

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Critiques | Translate

dcawker (5667) 2006-05-27 18:03

Hi Mike. I like this shot and the fellow's expression is priceless. I'm not sure why but it feels like you caught him doing something nefarious! Well done. Regards, Doug

Furachan (0) 2006-05-27 18:43

G'day Mike! Nice to see yu posting again. This one works very well for me, the felow glancing back toward you is key here, of course, as is the woman walking away. Incredible how much you manage to convey out of a situation almost completely devoid of drama in the sleepy center of a provincial malaysian town.
That's pretty close to "art" in my bok...
Cheers,
Francis

Robbienight (613) 2006-05-27 18:45

Good choice of B&W, well done.
Contrasts and composition are excellent, and I like the beautiful perspection created by the street gallery with the woman walking.

markoci (3917) 2006-05-27 21:18

a successful wide angle shot, resulting in some pleasant lines all over the frame.. despite being an ordinary streetshot, whe whole image is very geometrical..

i'm not quite sure about the guy looking straight into the camera though, i kinda wish he was focusing on his work, perhaps a profile shot..

i'm curious about a lack of focus on the sign on top left. doesn't bother me, just wonder if there's a (technical?) explanation, since everything else is super sharp...

vapours (7913) 2006-05-27 21:49

Hey Mike,

Great post with a great story behind your shot, and although only minor, what stands out for this shot in me is the fact he has to use a bit of broken concrete to do his job properly which I think you may hint at in your note. A great look from his well, the look of 'what am I doing this for?'.

jinju (14265) 2006-05-28 6:10

Hey Mike,

this is quite good. I like the tones of the b/w, obviously good as it was shot on tri-x. Theres a great grit to the shot thanks to that. I like the geometry mentioned by Mark, and like Mark I think Id prefer if the guy wasnt looking into the lens. The corner sharpness doesnt bother me at all.

AnimeshRay (8886) 2006-05-29 2:00

Excellent composition with your extreme wide...rather striking black and white...crisp and contrasty...just the type I love about street photography. Your timing is superb...I am struck by the man turning to make eye contact with you in a way that neatly balances the nubile famininity of the young woman walking away! Excellent note.

PeterC (2242) 2006-06-06 22:56

Mike,
Great daily life shot here. Love the angle and the way you connect the man with the strong line of his van. I kind of agree with mark about the guy profile i think would have been perfect but then it not always possible.
Cheers
Peter