Street Cleaner Photo

Photographer’s Note

I am not sure if they are municipal workers, or if they are hired by someone else, but you can see women like this throughout Taipei, picking up garbage and recycling, sweeping the streets and sidewalks and just generally tidying up. I think my favorite thing about them is their hats. I love hte contrast of the oldfashioned Asian style hat coupled with the modern, kind of high tech reflective safety material.

This woman thought I was nuts. I am sure it is not every day that a westerner takes her photo. I am sure when I slid over so that the yellow car was in the background, she was even more convinced of my need for a mental health professional. I am certain she has no understanding of the TE scavenger hunt. Once I showed her the photo I took, she did seem quite pleased.

This is my yellow car entry for the scavenger hunt. Two more to go, in the next three days. I don't know if I can do it :(

eleparc, Midnight_sun, omritoppol, Porteplume has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Midnight_sun (1939) 2004-04-27 8:35

Don't give up yet! There's still time... I like the hat she has to wear, i think they'd strike if they had to wear them in England. I'd like to see her other hand and possibly the rest of the sweep. You've done well in combining her with car for the SH, well done.

ianmcall (1213) 2004-04-27 9:31

There are many apparent differences between Taiwan and the mainland. Here teh women would still be using their traditional woven hats, likely of bamboo, and often with a clan or minority identity like a strip of blue cloth or something similar. This one appears manufactured with reflective tape for the road workers; tres modern!

She has a lovely expression and the yellow and orange on her go well with the car. And is that ever an ugly sweater! Some things don't change,like the typical fashion sense of old Chinese women.

cloverstar (0) 2004-04-27 10:36

I like the way you not only got the yellow car, but included the cleaner too, accompanied with a good note to read.
Nice detective work, Darren.

gringofil (0) 2004-04-27 10:38

Nice to see something different from you, Darren. Sometimes I wonder what the older generation thinks about us foreign people living in their country...don't know about Taiwan, but here in China some of these older folks think we're crazy about wanting to live here (they think that living in the West is so much better). Anyway, nice shot. I like the DOF here, because I can still get a nice look at the yellow car in the background. This is one hard working lady...wonder how long she has been doing this job. My only nit to pick here is with her other hand...I wish it was in the shot, but that just might be me. Interesting and glad that you're escaping the temples and parks to capture a different aspect & mood of life in Taipei.

manny (21378) 2004-04-27 10:40

It is a good shot but far from your better ones. The yellow tone of her face is probably a reflection of the reflectorized uniform? It is a bit distracting. The blue flower pot on the left is also distracting so a tight cropping in the left is called for. The yellow car is a good balance.

maciekda (19587) 2004-04-27 11:23

good shot, with an interesting person and cool background - this yellow car looks great there, nice compo too - maybe seeing her other hand would help a bit - don't be lazy - sometimes it is good to squat qith your camera ;)
good stuff, i see you are having fun with your new toy ;)

avigur_11 (21271) 2004-04-27 11:41

Wonderful, Darren. I like the way you added a human touch to the yelow car. People who doen't have any idea about the TE scavenger hunt, might find your story very strange and un-explianable. Nice yellow shot, she looks quite happy about you taking her picture, I am sure that you made her day, same as she made yours.

omritoppol (826) 2004-04-27 14:03

I also was attracted to the hat. A very original yellow car shot, and a good note to explain it. Well done

eleparc (24059) 2004-04-28 4:44

You probably made her day;-)) becoming a celebrity what??? this guy must be a loony! lol

nice entry for the scavenger hunt!
points later

Porteplume (3255) 2004-05-09 7:18

The picture would have been better without the yellow car... But of course you would have missed a scavenger hunt posting! :o)
The lady is well portraited though, even if we miss a bit more light on her eyes. Very succesful effort in combinating both the hunting element with the TE targets.