Market Veteran Photo

Photographer’s Note

There's little I can say about this woman that isn't already written in her expression, in her pose, in the contrast between her skeptical attitude and her cheerfully colourful clothing.

This photo was taken in the market in Merida, a wild labyrinthine souk made up of stalls selling fresh foods, pornographic comics, shoes upon shoes upon shoes, live birds, jewellery, cooking utensils, bootleg CDs and DVDs, and just about everything else you can possibly imagine.

The place was ripe with the odours of fresh fish, fried meat, and human sweat, and yet it didn't stink. It was, strangely, a comforting kind of smell, much as I imagine the smell of some ape's own troupe must be to him, or a wild dog's own pack would smell to her.

In the north we cosmeticize it, cover it with a layer of perfume and seal it up in packaging, but beneath the veneer the same odour is there, of homo sapiens in our troupes, packs, tribes, villages, and cities. I wasn't a native of this particular place or culture, but I was still one of the family and the fragrance welcomed me in all the same.

kajspice has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Paolo (40703) 2006-04-02 13:35

Hi Lee, excellent portrait of that old woman. the attitude of her is fantastic.
good focus, light and colours and an amazing composition with a beautiful background.
thanks, ciao

MiguelP (14324) 2006-04-02 13:40

Malcom Lowry "Under the volcano" Why this photo reminds me to this book I read long time ago? There´s a down to earth way of life in mexican gesture that I recognize in this photo. "Y tu mamá también" the wonderful movie of Alfonso Cuarón. Very well done, Lee.

designsoul (21394) 2006-04-03 19:50

Ciao, Lee, a wonderful composition, with a superb subject... the woman's glance and body posture are crying out to be captured! A very nice tilt as well. There is only one objection from me, and that is that I believe it would have been more interesting to focus on her and leave the bg in blur with your shallow dof.
Good night from Ottawa,
sasa

zig (2450) 2006-04-07 9:30

Hi sato!
This is sort of her characteristic shot. You are good at pulling people's characters. hehe. You haven't uploaded many photos so far, been busy?

arindam_thokder (3946) 2006-04-13 18:16

Hello Lee,

These are again your brand picture, going deep into the character and frame it in the picture. You missed the critical focus here and the focus is more in the BG...Auto focus problem or the Subject was really moving? Nice composition.

Arindam

kajspice (4534) 2006-04-18 6:33

Hi Lee.

Reading what Arindam saud, I choose to ignore the technical imperfections...in fact, I prefer the ruggedness which you present so well...wether it is intentional or not. I think this ruggedness especially suits this picture. Again, I think the colours here are superb and realistic.

charming and full of character....its been a pleasure...

kaj

roamermark (1588) 2006-05-12 14:21

This is my kind of shot. I am drawn to portraits the most it seems as they give me more info about a place by the expression of the subjects face. I like the tilt as it adds an interesting perspective to a low key portrait.

Nicely done
Mark