Secret Police Photo

Photographer’s Note

I really didnt think of it much at the time of taking this picture but now that I look back at it, I am certain that this man belonged to one of the many intelligence organisations whose men roam the streets of Islamabad, sometimes to get a whiff of the public mood, sometime for other clandestine purposes.

The fact that he was standing on the roadside - with not much space to park the car - selling only a few kilos of peaches on the back of his bike and the fact that apart from not having shaved for a couple of days, his appearance looked quite groomed, dont add up.

Anyway, I bought a kilo of the overpriced peaches he was selling and in return this picture.

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By mistake, I selected Australis as the Country.

JanD, holmertz, skippy007, macondo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

JanD (14707) 2009-08-10 10:37

Howdy Kamran!
Good portrait. Very good capture. Nice light and contrast, very nice colors.
Regards.

alftrek (2783) 2009-08-10 17:24

Hi Kamran,
You have a pretty reasonable deduction and assessement of this man, perhaps he is a secret police after all targeting the Taliban movement. On the other hand, he could be a high paying employee selling produce from his own backyard.

You have got a very sharp photo, but I think it is a bit too dark especially where his dark hair blend in with the dark tree trunk behind him. The f/stop of 1.4 gave you a very shallow DOF and supposely a better exposure without the need for infill flash light, but the latter was offset by the high shutter speed of 1/2500 sec. I ve done a simple WS to brighten up a bit.
Hope it is ok.

tfs
Alfred

[workshop] [compare]

aadilj (17950) 2009-08-11 4:36

That sure proves that you are a better sleuth kamran!!! Atleast he's not in one of those black suits which we often see in hollywood movies...sometimes they stick out like a peach in a basket of grapes and are yet called secret service agents!!!

eversmile (6017) 2009-08-12 5:24

Hi Kamran!

I like very much this portrait. That's strange you mention he could be a secret police officer because your picture makes him appear so naive! Actually I prefer your original version than the WS, for the deeper contrasts and saturation that adds more mystery. You found a strong POV with the peaches in front; it is very chaming. Well done!
Regards
Marine

holmertz (9564) 2009-08-13 13:31

Hello Kamran,
Poor guy, he must have spoilt his career. First he finds himself such a great cover, then he ruins it all by letting himself get posted on the internet. Apart from that it's a nice shot with the peaches adding some fine colours. As usual I like your splendid note.
Kind regards,
Gert

skippy007 (6967) 2009-08-13 17:28

Hello Kamran, Maybe his overpriced merchandise pays for his grooming, whatever the reason it makes for an interesting story. You momentarily confuse me with where it was taken but it very well could have been in Melbourne somewhere. Nice sharp image.
Cheers
Santo

berek (28865) 2009-08-14 12:45

Hi Kamran,
nice portrait. your note is interesting my friend. is he secret police ? thanks for your sharing .
Greetings.
Burak

delpeoples (5858) 2009-08-14 17:15

Hi Kamran, your eye for detail here is impressive and your suspicions about this man ahow how much it is that you study your subject. I would not have noticed a thing. The fact that there are undercover people of this ilk in this country is scary but a necessary evil I suppose. The image itself is excellent, shade being overcome with expert metering. I like the shallow DOF in the FG peaches too (maybe because they were so overpriced :) Have a great weekend, TFS, Lisa.

macondo (13073) 2009-08-15 18:44

Hi Kamran.

Islamabad in Victoria? I though something was wrong when I saw Australia above the thumbnail! But it's impossible to correct it, isn't it. One of the little failings of the system.

Anyway, it's yet another fine portrait shot, with the fellow's eye whites and whiskers providing nice little highlights, and the peaches a splash of colour in the foreground. Your note is interesting! Perhaps they were overpriced because he didn't really want to sell any, or had no idea of the market price. Good work.

Regards,
Andrew