Communist Grandfather Photo

Photographer’s Note

this was taken near the Tigris river in a cafe on 'ABU NAWAS' street probably the most loved and known street in the persian gulf, it like the champs elizzee in france but without the clotheing stores.

my father and I were sitting with him while he told us about the birth of communisim in Iraq and how his colleouges, mostly Iraqi jews, rasied the issue of human diginity in the times of monarchy and british colonilisim in the area.
I rememebr he said when they started protesting and leading a march in front of the british emabassy in Iraq, some british soliders started firing at the crowds and since the embassy was right next to Iraq's red light district they wouldnt have been alive if it werent for the prostitutes that came out and started taking the wounded and hiding the protestors, him included, in there brothels, they even stepped in front of the soldiers guns to stop them from firing!! he said he stayed 5 days in hiding there and was well fed and taken care of along with his comrades, he never forgot their gratitude. he said prosititues saved his life that day and since then he has been in four wars but never saw the courge of those woman repaeated even on the battlefield and the front lines full of men!

TRUE STORY :)

siolaw, rjb874, manub, gary91, paura, brevbrev14, meyerd, sayat, adores, anducina, Emiel_Skyfreak, Yar, KevRyan, lappino, Davids, saylan-cb, gunbud, shelli01 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rjb874 (595) 2006-12-27 0:02

I did a workshop, hope you like!

[workshop] [compare]

aadilj (17950) 2006-12-27 0:14

That is the most piercing glare I have come across in many years. The lines of his face, the receding hairline on a prominent forehead are all so dramitically captured. An interesting and amazing b/w composition thats been cropped and composed very well. TFS Robert a great piece of work.

[2]

manub (920) 2006-12-27 0:43

absolutely beautiful and meaningful portrait, the b&w is an excellent choice. I really like the way the old man =doesn't= look at the camera.
Well, ok the nose is a bit blury, but it's for sure a masterwork. The note and story linked to it also make the difference.
Great photograph.

[2]

partha (13667) 2006-12-27 0:53

Hi robert,
Nice representation of the human face. It has a lot of stories in his face.
Suparb shot.
Regards.
partha

nursez (1903) 2006-12-27 2:32

Hi Robert,
beautiful portrait,I like the expression on his face,thankyou.

gary91 (15321) 2006-12-27 3:34

Hello Robert,
Wonderful portrait. The b&w enhances all the marks this man has on his face. The light he has in his eyes is extraordinary and it seems that we can read both sadness and proudness. The story you tell us in your note is fantastic.
A great image of an extraordinary man. Great work.
Best regards, Christian

[2] +

paura (39258) 2006-12-27 4:14

Robert,
Very nice portrait and note. You are an expert in portraits. The compositions and lighting are wonderful here.

Very well done.

Paulo

brevbrev14 (372) 2006-12-27 6:12

Hi Robert!
i like a lot to see the sign of the life in a face!
here you captured perfectly a story of a life!
Very VERY GOOD WORK!
this portrait is superb!
ciao!
Valeria

cuneyt-sb (6559) 2006-12-27 7:44

Hi Robert
Communism is such a intresting ideas of life, we would talk a lot about it, anyway , ur picture is ver good and B\W is good choise
Well done
regards

meyerd (1498) 2006-12-27 9:17

Robert,
this is awesome. I don't mean the picture alone but before all the story you tell about it.
It tells us something of universal importance: you tell us about "civil courage". It is always rare. But it is of vital importance to the notion of ethics and dignity. I am looking up to this man you picture. Great, Robert

[2] +

sayat (2944) 2006-12-27 12:38

Very nice shot Dear Robert. Impressive expression in the eyes very well captured. B&W works great.
Sayat

adores (15755) 2006-12-27 17:57

Impressive photo Robert!
Seems every wrinkle has a story to tell!

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2007-01-03 14:06

Hi there Robert,

Strong portrait, a face with a past and a fine choice for black and white. Very tight frame, which is okay I think.
The sharpness on the beard and hair is nice and strong, very fine. Presentation is also fine.
What I like less is that the nose is out of focus and maybe the eyes also slightly..atleast less strong sharpness as on the beard for example..And I find that a disappointing point in this photo. Sorry. Maybe it works for others.

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anducina (8133) 2007-01-13 7:09

Excellent and impressive portrait, very good framing. Those eyes have seen a lot of things, bad and good.

TFS,

Andreea

mdetay (4348) 2007-01-14 4:36

Hi Robert,
Great shot and great composition.
Well done. Real dream!
Cheers from Hong Kong.
Michel

tibervince (781) 2007-01-16 5:58

Hi Robert,
wow... this is an impressive portrait... I just love the expression... the B&W conversion works prefectly. Thanks!!
Vince

KevRyan (22418) 2007-01-17 16:25

A fine piece of work - the intention and execution of the image are a little at odds - yes i am sorry it is that 'problem' with the nose - how well most of us who make close up images of people meet this one again and again - but it is a fine work to show us the man in image and words - a very interesting story....fantastic expression.....

best wishes Kev

Davids (1034) 2007-03-29 8:51

One of the best photos on TE for me.
I would normaly give one smiley (yes I'm one of those people . . . ) because of the nose, but without a doubt you deserve two, because your note is a masterpiece too.
Whatelse can I say? his eyes, his hair, his skin; all perfect. the effect of the DOF tell me how short this moment was. But whatI like most is that this moment of thoughtfullness that you captured is truly exceptional.

saylan-cb (12726) 2007-04-11 15:51

Hi Robert
Great portrait and note.The compositions and lighting are wonderful here.
I like this photo.
TFS/Regards

pburraco (861) 2007-05-03 16:30

I like a lot this picture.

gunbud (28161) 2007-06-11 22:07

Hi Robert,
Wonderful portrait of this man whos striking eyes have seen so much as he now stares blankly in the distance. Wonderful details to his craggy face and a thought provoking story.
Regards, Tom

shelli01 (1) 2008-02-20 20:28

oh my, he has seen a lot in his life. this is really a great closeup, and leaving it this color is a good choice.