Smoking kills Photo

Photographer’s Note

Men selling fresh tobacco in a market street in Korça, eastern Albania.

This was on my first day in Albania, having just walked across the border from Macedonia by Lake Ohrid a few hours earlier. Although there were modern buildings in Korça, lots of new cars and Internet cafés with high-speed connections, the town looked rather traditional, just like I expected Albania to be. Only when arriving in the capital Tirana the next day did I feel that I truly got back into mainstream, modern Europe.

As far as I know, Enver Hoxha, the former dictator, once went to school in Korça. Today the town is mainly famous for several museums and a brewery making the most widely sold beer in Albania, Birra Korça, a fairly ordinary light lager. For the short-time visitor the very crowded and colourful market area would be the most interesting sight.

Vasa, Buin, swiatopelk777, Gerrit, fanni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

boa (1386) 2009-10-19 11:25

Hej Gert,
I think Albania is an interesting country, unfortunately, I had to short time there. I will probably go there again, so I can see Tirana and the southern parts. Interesting market, I have never seen tobacco being sold like this before. The three men in the background gives more depth to your photo. Very sharp and good colors.
Hälsningar
Boa

saxo042 (15790) 2009-10-19 12:45

Hej Gert,
I just wonder if these guys have the proper warning texts attached to their goods, but they don´t really look like they are too anxious about the health of the customers. But I guess the customers are the ones making their decisions here!
Hälsningar
Gunnar

Waylim (10873) 2009-10-19 22:47

Gert,
Very nice daily life shot, people sell tobacco on the street like this in laos also. I guess they were not as concern with the fact that smoking kills, because most people there die of other illnesses before cancer would get to them. As a child, I used to rolls them into cigarettes to sell without filter.
Thanks
Way

emka (21662) 2009-10-19 23:43

Hi Gert,

the man in the backgroud sell the tobacco and already use it. They kill themselves and want to kill others:)
Interesting scene from the market.

regards

Malgorzata

Vasa (5676) 2009-10-20 2:22

Great witness from the street in Korca. Your pictures from Albania are the best in that gallery. I am following them with big interest. Many thanks Gert. Warm regards,

Branko

nirvana73 (8690) 2009-10-20 3:20

Hello Gert
you are right
smoking kills
very nice daily scene too
thanks for sharing
best regards
Ozhan

Buin (37782) 2009-10-20 9:26

Good evening, Gert!
An interesting contribution with an "eyecatching" title! ;-)
It's always again interesting to see one's daily life in comparison with other countries. This truly is a very special kind of trade... There's a lot of nicotine in this photo!
Greetings from sunny but cool Germany!
Frank

jasmis (50530) 2009-10-20 22:13

Fine street life report photo.
Important note.
Regards.

mafegan (4251) 2009-10-20 22:44

Hi Gert
The message obviously hasn't got to Korca. Another of your such interesting street scenes - and reminding me that I must be on the lookout on my next journey. Thanks again for sharing, Marlene

swiatopelk777 (8620) 2009-10-22 5:22

Hi Gert!
Very interesting men, interesting scene. Good colors. Original image.
Greetings from Warszawa!

Gerrit (35811) 2009-10-22 16:19

Intriguing photo.
You have a nice series of Albania

Glint (3042) 2009-10-23 2:50

hello gert,
this is intersting for me as I have never seen tobacco sold loose quite like this.
A well balnced composition with the sun shade in the backgrouind at about the thirds mark.
regards,
Bev

fanni (8737) 2009-11-04 13:47

Hello Gert,
while I've been away you've posted such interesting photos! As soon as possible I hope to catch up with every thing I've missed here...
Very good, interesting photo showing a bit of the local life (as so many which you take). I can't guess whether you took this photo while walking (without stopping to aim the camera) or you aimed carefully... whatever it is, this appears a very interesting composition - with these guys not paying any attention at the photographer and obviously being attracted by something else :)
Kindest regards,
Elena