Himachal chai wallah... Photo

Photographer’s Note

A Himachal Pradeshi tea vendor sits in his tiny shop... This is the customary hat amongst Himachal Pradesh's men. The fly was along for the ride.

Another version in the workshop... preference?

Nobody has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rbassin (4267) 2006-12-19 14:50

Bonsoir Caleb,
Un portrait qui me plait beaucoup pour les raisons suivantes:
Cadrage
Couleurs et luminosité
Le cadre de vie qui est bien visible à l'arrière.
Roland

thea0211 (1355) 2006-12-19 15:11

hi caleb,
good portrait: love the colors, lighting, but most of all the look on his face ... he doesn't look like he enjoys being a model ... but you did a very good job!
tfs
t
seen the workshop a bit later ... well the second one (WS) for the activity he's engaged in ... the first one is the best portrait, though

VeeJayCee (2410) 2006-12-19 16:48

Hi Caleb. Both versions are very worthy. The posted image informally posed with superb composition, sharpness and colour in his natural surroundings. The WS version is shows him at work in his daily life, unposed and entirely natural as if you weren't there. The WS has more atmosphere perhaps. I like each equally for different reasons and both are excellent.

Vincent_R (155) 2006-12-19 16:51

very nice portrait with vibrant colours and shadows in his face.
I prefere your workshop image though, becouse that one is non-posed and shows his activities.

bebep (2087) 2006-12-19 19:38

hi caleb,

I prefer the the close-up and also the workshop, they are both fabulous, why do you not sent everybody?

aadilj (17950) 2006-12-19 23:52

Your portraits are always so expressive and well controlled that its difficult to comment on them in a way one would want to. This man for instance stares right into the soul. The colours are subtle yet vibrant.

SamB (1948) 2006-12-20 0:08

Hello, Caleb--
i'm just not sure... probably i would lean towards the workshop, but it's really really close.
On the close-up: the composition is great, i really like the counterpoint of the pan at the right against the contrasting angle of his arm, and all that leads into his face, which is very expressive and interesting. The squint of his eyes really catches me.
On the Workshop: The way that he is leaning into his work provides a really strong composition. It's nice to be able to actually see him working, to see the tea flowing. Also, the sign at the top right adds a lot of atmosphere, i just really like to see the (Tamil?) writing.
i don't know that they can really be compared... they show such different sides of the situation, one being just the story of the man, the other being the story of the man's work. They both, however, are very strong pieces.
Thanks!
sam

Wanda1 (11015) 2006-12-20 1:27

Hi Caleb,
I think that both have their own good points. The portrait is showing his proud and strong expression and really defines his hat and features. Whilst the workshop version we see him going about his daily life and can see a bit more of his stall, giving us more of an impression of the scene where he spends his days. Did you have some of his chai?
Regards
Wanda

DarkoG (2284) 2006-12-20 2:27

Good portrait. Excellent sharpnes reveal each, even smallest wrinkle on his face and his clothes. good compo.

Regards Darko

GLEM (2998) 2006-12-20 4:25

bonjour Caleb,
joli portrait avec un jeu de couleur très réussi. L'expression est vraiment captée, avec un petit pincement de la bouche :)
Peut-être qu'un flou plus prononcé en arrière plan serait bien.
TFS

everlasting (10940) 2006-12-21 4:22

And now you take me back to my home, Caleb. Do you know that I lived for almost ten years in the Parvati Valley which is next to the Manali valley. This man could have been my neighbour. And for all this tiem 1975 - 1984 I did not have a camera, you can also imagine the shots I could have got. Anyway the pictures are in my mind and the people in my memory and once in a while I see a delight like this and the memories are as vivid as yesterday.
In answer to your questions, I like both images, but maybe prefer this. He looks like a proud man which I am sure he is and I am sure he believes that his chai shop sells the best chai and parathas around. (I notice the paratha tava pan in the background, so know he does breakfast)
Thanks Caleb.