Still miss the shoe maker Photo

Photographer’s Note

I wasn't sure why I was taking this seemingly pointless shot but upon reflection, it was subconscious.

17 years after leaving the town, I had returned to Murree, where I had spent the first 10 years of my life. Back in those days, this door was not locked; there was a shoemaker and his brother and I remember numerous trips to them with my dad having the caps of my school shoes fixed, or replacing the inlays. For some odd reason the memories of the visits to the shoemaker are clear as day.

Turning the corner onto this side road, I anticipated to see someone there but no one. Looking at this picture again, I realise how much I still miss the shoe maker

everlasting, pabau, mamcg, jean11-3, ashehzad, atif_ge, holmertz, macondo, alftrek, skippy007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

everlasting (10894) 2009-04-14 4:03

Nice story Kamran and the bare wall and locked door bares witness to your dissapointment. (I do have a shoemaker in my Jojawar series and I will post that later just for you:)

pabau (486) 2009-04-14 4:04

Bonjour Kamran
Trip from nostalgia to reality often is a wound. But there is some smoothness in these wounds : that's nostalgia.
Pscal

jean11-3 (2799) 2009-04-14 5:00

Hello Kamran, this is almost an abstract with its shapes, colours and textures.I like it.
It can be quite disappointing to revisit places where we have spent our childhood;your story is interesting.
Tfs, regards Jean.

daddo (11263) 2009-04-14 6:35

Salam Kamran. Buddha was right- attachment of any sort brings disappointment and grief. But how can one erase memories ? easier said than don. It is an emotive shot which with the strong light and colour, plus the crumbling masonry,speaks of time passing and absences. Regards. Klaudio.

partha (13655) 2009-04-14 7:16

Well spotted shot. Great colour tone and well colour balance. The shadow gives a nice look.
Regards.
Partha

SteveH (3857) 2009-04-14 15:33

Hi Kamran, As I've come to expect, you've put a bit of thought into this presentation. On the image, for me, it looks a bit busy and I wonder if composing it to lose some of the other elements would have improved it - say the far left hand downpipe and the concrete block on the right? cheers, Steve

delpeoples (5380) 2009-04-15 2:09

Hi Kamran, your photo tells of times gone by. It is a very nostalgic and - in a way - sad story. I like the tones and the exposure here and would love to see a close-up of this very interesting old door that hides so many stories behind it. Great work, and thanks for sharing a part of your childhood with us, Lisa.

holmertz (9284) 2009-04-15 11:32

Hello Kamran,
So much that can be seen in a wall and a closed door. Without your note I would have thought "nice colours, especially on the right side with all those shades of greenish and yellow and a touch of blue, fine texture of the bricks, and very fine patterns formed by the doors".
With your little story, there's so much more. Actually, I am reminded of a trip I did a couple of years ago, returning for the first time in 35 years to the village where I grew up. So sad, shocking and bewildering, and a lot of closed doors and overgrown gardens.
Kindest regards,
Gert

tomescuc (2823) 2009-04-16 14:56

As usual, the story complements and add so much to your images. I agree with Holmertz, nice colors and details, but the STORY really makes the whole thing here. You should blow it up and have the words typed next to each one of your images.
best regards,
Cristian

aadilj (17950) 2009-04-16 22:49

This one is a delight. it pulsates with vibrant energy and is a classic. I'll sure rate this as your best so far kamran.

macondo (12973) 2009-04-20 5:31

Hi Kamran.
Your great story gives the shot extra meaning, although the scene itself speaks so strongly of utter finality. The sharpness and the glary light really make it stark and uncompromising. I agree with Steve about cropping the left of the two downpipes, and maybe some off the right. I'm trying to imagine the place echoing with voices and the sounds of shoes being repaired.
Regards,
Andrew

wolf38 (12493) 2009-04-20 10:17

Hello Kamran. An interesting photo and the suitable story to it. However also without story the photo has quality. The locked door lets think about which hides itself behind it. And finally the golden light gives a special value to this subtle photo. Best regards, Wolfgang.

alftrek (2703) 2009-04-26 18:19

Hello Kamran,
Reading your note I can sense the special meaning and memories you have for this place. The ruggedness of shot is very powerful even by itself, and I would not necessary agree with some suggestion to crop out the downpipes which is a common scene in a place like this. It actually adds to the rugged character of this place. The colour is so rich and intense, so is the sharpness and the details. Good work, Kamran

It was a pity that you could not make it yesterday. Hope to see you another time.

Regards
Alfred

skippy007 (6799) 2009-04-27 5:55

Hello Kamran, Having just returned from the country of my birth I know exactly what you are talking about, this image of this derelict building conveys that message well, with the shoemaker gone comes a little disappointment but it seems nothing remains the same. Bravo
Santo

sacavem (8058) 2009-06-08 7:34

Olá Kamran,

A beautiful scenery well composed with good clarity and light management …The sharpness is excellent, I like the subject.

TFS and greetings,
Filipe