Charcoal workers, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

Çatalca, Turkey.

The classical production of charcoal consists of an extensive manual work.

First, a hill-shaped mass of oak branches is formed. Secondly, it is covered with green leaves and earth. Then, the center is burnt and the fire spreads slowly to other parts.

Charcoal workers maintain that the fire with limited oxygene inside the hill continues for about a week, during which oak branches turn into charcoal at a temperature of 250 to 300 degrees celcius.

In so doing, they often have to climb over this delicate hill with ladders to keep its form and fill-out its cavities.

Converted into b&w, cropped, increased brightness, contrast and sharpness, applied gradual toning.

SnapRJW, chrislo, InasiaJones has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (32271) 2013-02-15 8:21

Merhaba Erdem
Une image très forte !
Un beau n&b de ce mineur à l'assaut du tas de charbon, sous les rayons de soleil qui l'illuminent
Une image presque mystique
Bon WE, bien amicalement
Patrick

Sergiom (39259) 2013-02-15 8:26

Bonjour Erdem

Les rayons du soleil donnent toute une allure à cette photo surtout avec le personnage illuminé par les rayons. Toute une photo. Le noir et blanc est parfait.

Amicalement

Serge

SnapRJW (18752) 2013-02-15 8:55

Hello Erdem - You are such a stranger these days but what a pleasure it is to see you posting and what a fine shot. A marvellous B&W image with fine PP - the rays of light and smoke rising from the charcoal are just so well managed. An unusual and fine piece of work. Take care and warmest regards Rosemary

serp2000 (29206) 2013-02-15 9:08

Merhaba, Erdem,
This is excellent journalist photo work! I like this interesting report and high quality of the photography. Well done!
Serghei

lousat (57674) 2013-02-15 10:11

HI Erdem,this is a top class pic! What a original way to take this man at work,fantastic backlight to take the ray of sun in the smoke,very well done,it's nice to see something to different and really beautiful,i like it! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

olive224 (1227) 2013-02-15 10:54

Hi
It's a real masterpiece you deliver here ;)
I love the light rays and the posture of the guy
Very well framed too and great B&W conversion
Very well done ;)
TFS
CHeers
olivier

leo61 (0) 2013-02-15 11:06

Good and intersting backlightshot.
Love the good visible sunrays and B&W works well here.
Leo

batalay (32860) 2013-02-15 12:26

Dear Erdem Bey,

What a majestic and inspiring shot with the sunburst effect that works well in B&W. This is one of the best photos I've seen in a week. I had no idea about the process that you've described.

Saygi ve sevgilerimle,

Bülent

chrislo (2173) 2013-02-15 14:10

Merhaba Erdem,
What a great black and white photograph ! The low angle view provides high impact on the subject. I love how the sun rays are coming through the leaves and floods the scene, as if the worker was bleesed with heavenly light. The picture was not easy with the light from behind, but you really managed a great backlit effect. Congratulations.
Kind regards,
Christian

mesutilgim (67982) 2013-02-15 14:15

Selam Erdem kardeşim,
Hala muhafaza edilebilen eski "zanaat" lardan biri bu mangal kömürü.
Çok güzel bir ışık ve bakış açısı yakalamışsın.
Tebrikler
Selam ve sevgiler
MESUT ILGIM

joso (2405) 2013-02-16 0:18

hi Erdem,
very good use of BW, perfectly put in scene with a very good POV
very well managed difficult conditions against the sun,
well composed
excellent!
regards
jános

InasiaJones (29343) 2013-02-16 0:33

Hi Erdem,

It looks like an heroic shot, some kind of a poster to promote achievement in life, overcoming fear.

The position of your subject, the dynamic action and the rays of light all gather to create an epic shot. Excellent capture.

André

sandpiper (6007) 2013-02-16 3:21

Hi Erdem

amazing light and composition, B&W is perfect for this shot, great work

Chris

korbee (6299) 2013-02-18 13:38

could go right into a newspaper,the subject and the b&w all makes it a classic journalistic photo,good work Erdem.
the rays os light in the forrest are exiting.

jan

yaya13baut (3344) 2013-02-26 10:04

hi Erdem,
this is a great street picture, with and incredible light management and a fine B&W turn.
congrats.
Yannis

rigoletto (30478) 2013-02-26 12:27

Herşeyiyle muhteşem bir fotoğraf.
Tebrikler,
Deniz

willperrett (2955) 2013-03-01 1:05

Hello Erdem
This is a fine photograph. The monochrome choice is entirely appropriate, and emphasizes the quality of the light. The exposure must have been quite tricky, but you've got it spot on. It actually reminds me a bit of the work of Robert Frank, of whom you have probably heard. Mind you, he was American! Great shot: it's in my favourites.
Regards
Will

Waylim (22357) 2013-04-22 17:44

Hi Erdem,

This looks like a job that is so bad for the health. It doesn't even look like he wore a mask. The photo is great though, I love the black and white presentation, work superbly here. Very artistic composition with the rays of light through the tree.

Way