Color of Oman Photo

Photographer’s Note

Back to Oman for this shot. This is a photo that I was very iffy about posting for months. It is more a memory for me rather than a good photo for TE. I did read a critique the other day (sorry, but I don't remember who posted it) on another members posting that really made my decision to post it. It was a critique basically saying how the member is posting bad photos that are solely for the intention of getting points and pleasing the TE crowd. Reading that, I thought of this photo and how I want it in my portfolio and really don't care about how it is received. It's the memory that counts...

Anyway, this was taken somewhere in the souq of Muttrah. It was one of those 110° F days with 95% humidity and just stiffling hot outside. Walking around the souq I came upon a shop selling any kind of textile imaginable. After a little bit of haggling (albeit, fun and not anything seroius) I bought a fez off the shop owner - not this man but another, this man was just one of the owners friends or workers (I'm not sure which but probably both) - and was about to leave when this man came out of the back with an ice cold water and handed it to me with a big smile. It wasn't anything big but just a gesture of kindness that was much appreciated by me and made my day a little bit better. Just a little gesture like that actually raised my appreciation of the Omani people and created a really good memory of the trip. It is one of many experiences that made my trip to Oman a really enjoyable and educational experience on the the people and culture of the Arabian peninsula.

I thought about cropping and all the usual PP but figured I would just frame and leave the memory as is.
Thanks,
John

ViktorVaughn, robertosalguero, holmertz, japiey, cessy, shevchenko, mphotographies, scobert has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (110) 2007-07-13 0:35

A nice portrait of this man. The background is very good and colourful. The pattern of the blankets and other stuff look very nice. Good saturation of colours and sharpness to present this image. Nice work John.

Roberto

holmertz (10115) 2007-07-13 1:42

Hello John,
I like this photo, even though the shopkeeper has a slightly stiff posture. But we get an interesting glimpse of his life with all the goods he's selling well exposed. I guess there are no artistic ambitions with this picture, but then there's enough of that already at TE.
Regards,
Gert

Bluejeans (33423) 2007-07-13 5:38

Ola John bonito retrato deste comerciante , muito bonitas as cores dos tecidos , bom enquadramento da foto , parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

cessy (13647) 2007-07-13 5:44

Hallo John
glad you decided to post it, it is a very nice portrait, love the colors around him contrast with him who only wore simple white dress. ah those bags and ornamentation are so lovely, I might not be able to resist to buy some thing there :)
thank you for sharing

japiey (9531) 2007-07-13 5:45

Hello John.

You are right...
Every image is a memory...the walkback to where we laid our hearts for that moment...

This is a well taken image, very fine in colour balancing and light management..
I really think now, why did u hesitate to post this earlier?
See, we learn from images...not only just see it..
Have a great day, dear friend.
jean paul

Dpbours (220) 2007-07-13 18:46

Hi John,

I took a long look to get an opinion on this one. The whole composition is nice, but it was the guy that did not entirely convince me. The background is wonderful, but the guy is just little inspiring. Also, the whites are a bit burned, which draws away the attention from the background...
I think it could have been better if you worked on the whites in this shot, to get it a bit more balanced and a little, little extra saturation to have the background jumping out more. But hey, that's just my feeling. Enough people who like it the way it is ;-)

Have a good weekend!
Dennis

poulinp (4464) 2007-07-14 8:03

Hmm, great composition. Indeed, the colors are beautiful and have a big place in the picture.

the white man is well detached from all this color. Good shot.

shevchenko (10192) 2007-07-15 22:16

Hi John,
Good composition to keep it in memory if you have not purchase any souvenir during the journey to Oman, unique local braid rug/mat in traditioanl patterns, thanks for sharing with me, who never travel to Oman.
Ally

mphotographies (1976) 2007-07-15 23:15

Hey John,

Did you buy anything from him? He seems unwilling to have his shot taken. A contrast between the strong colours and patterns of the background and the vendor. He seems 'lifeless' in which he's suppose to be happy surrounded with colourful 'items' he has to sell. Quite interesting though, making this an ironic image.

Best Regards,

Jom

saigon (5541) 2007-07-16 2:39

hello JOHN.
beautiful colours!
good composition
exellent portrait!
aldo.

ViktorVaughn (1517) 2007-07-17 20:13

I'm with you when it comes to posting photos. As long as you're happy with it, and it reminds you of a certain time, who cares. I like the expression on his face, one of curiosity but also a smile.

The colours and detail of his surroundings are what make this photo.

Regards

scobert (5333) 2007-07-20 16:39

Hello John,
This photograph is better than you think. I think that it is a very good photo and it does a good job of telling a story of the merchant and his beautiful fabrics. The photo is not dramatic but it gives us a lot of information about this culture. Your composition is excellent with no extraneous clutter in it (one of my pet peeves). I have been in the desert southwest in 118 degree heat (Bakersfield, CA) but 110 degrees with 95% humidity. That is close to the breaking point of human endurance. Well done!
Stan

ikthus (20) 2007-12-21 22:41 [Comment]

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