too darn hot, a photo from Ha Noi, Red River Delta

Photographer's Note

Hanoi, finally.

HANOI is one of the sweetest capitals of the world, especially its old center, with its narrow streets, is very enjoyable, although sometimes heavily cognested, especially since there are now even cars trying to make their way in the maze of the old town too, and yes, pollution results in terrible fog, but still: I LOVE HANOI.

I love the people, the restaurants and coffee shops, the street vendors from the surrounding countryside still making their way onto the streets. The mix of tourists, expats and locals, the buzz they create and then the serenity of Hoan Kiem lake and the pedestrianized area around it.

---

THIS PICTURE of a street vendor was shot from a fourth or fifth floor coffee shop on the north side of Hoan Kiem Lake. This is smack dab in the middle of the city, but with this scorching heat, high noon, there are not many people about.

Me all sweaty, one of the few patrons venturing outside, while the others remain air-conditioned inside.

holmertz, johnjmoe, jhm, jimmyjimmy, mehrdad-t, jean113, Fis2, drt100, jemaflor, dragonslayero, PaulVDV, alvaraalto, CLODO, fotka, burmaman has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (93698) 2019-10-21 5:38

Hello Benny,
It seems very likely that the title is correct, although the minimalism of the photo is more important than the temperature of that day. It's interesting to learn that Hanoi can also be too darn hot sometimes. I never experienced that in April or November. Saigon seems to be pretty hot any time of the year.
Regards,
Gert

jhm (204107) 2019-10-21 6:11

Dag Benny,

Het blijkt of de zon loodrecht op de man, en zijn lading schijnt.
Niet veel op de foto, maar een aangenaam contrast beeld.
Goed gevonden, bedankt.

Prettige dag verder,
John.

Gerrit (59968) 2019-10-21 6:16

Dag Benny,
je ziet de man lijden ondanks zijn hoed. Goed om de ruimte om hem heen leeg te laten, alleen maar asfalt.
groet, Gerrit

Sergiom (117241) 2019-10-21 6:22

Bonjour Benny,

On se demande où il s'en va ou bien d'òu il vient mais c'est vrai qu'il semble sortir une sorte de chaleur du sol. Magnifique construction d'image.

Amicalement

Serge

mesutilgim (0) 2019-10-21 6:30

Hello Benny,
This is what I often use to say : "the beauty of simpicity".
Very simple but taken with good pov ad layout, perfect graphical effect.
Good sharpness and nice framing. Good and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

jimmyjimmy (5564) 2019-10-21 8:07

Hello Benny

A unique view from above of this vendor walking on a sea of asphalt. The heat is on for sure. I like your POV. The sewer cover gives us a hint on the asphalt.

JImmy

mehrdad-t (4710) 2019-10-21 8:09

Hello,
Very nice and Original Picture.
Thanks for Sharing,
Mehrdad

abmdsudi (89493) 2019-10-21 8:18

Hi Benny
Different.....
Like the POV and spot on at the third! The diagonal pole makes for a very interesting and artistically composed image. Looks like she has that super stretch of pavement all to herself and love the aerial aspect to this. Shadows the bonus and speck of red is another point. Excellent street shot showing your skills at work, Congrats
Best regards

CMJC (4777) 2019-10-21 10:26 [Comment]

Show Comment

pajaran (103807) 2019-10-21 10:32

Pozdrav.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano. Dobar snimak iz kafica, lepa fotografija.
Zelim vam sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja.

Greeting.
An interesting look and a moment, good text ...
Beautifully shown. Nice shot from the cafes, nice photo.
I wish you all the best in the new week that has begun.

jean113 (22677) 2019-10-21 10:34

Hello Benny, a good point of view looking down on the street vendor, and as you describe it is mid-day, as the shadow tells us.
The tiny touches of red catch the eye. The person is in silhouette, so we cannot tell the gender.
Interesting notes.
Kind regards, Jean.

Fis2 (156902) 2019-10-21 13:00

Witaj Benny!
Excellent composition and framing.
The picture makes impression.
Good colors, sharpness and light.
Curious work.
Good night.
Krzysztof

lousat (130723) 2019-10-21 15:08

Hi Benny,so there is a great pollution and smog there too as i can read in your note,and with warm temperatures,the mix is terrific! Maybe you love Hanoi because you aren't there 365 days per year..ehhee.. The pic is amazing,a minimalistic composition truly beautiful with the decentralized vendor,alone with only his shadows,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

drt100 (4038) 2019-10-21 15:38

these stickmen - women are all over Asia. Hard hard work. This is what they do. The motor bike is replacing them. There is an Asian charm seeing them, they carry heavy loads, they must have tough shoulders, they must have strong legs, they must know their lot in life. I have not researched their employment rules, limitations, or rates for products carried or vending items to be sold. I doubt I could lsat a week doing this. David

Tue (83130) 2019-10-21 22:26

Hallo Benny,
Een simpele, maar fantastische compositie van het lege asfalt met deze persoon goed aan de rechterkant geplaatst. De brandende zon zorgde voor een mooi schaduwspel rondom hem.
Lars

ifege (33765) 2019-10-21 23:07

Hi Benny
A beautiful minimalist photo of the vendor.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (136390) 2019-10-21 23:46

Salut Benny,
Intéressante présentation de ce portage traditionnel à la palanche, on ressent l'impression de chaleur avec ce soleil et les ombres au sol, bon effet avec ces cercles, paniers, chapeau et plaque sur le sol.

dragonslayero (3592) 2019-10-22 9:23

Hello Benny

The most refined and best photos don't need to be the ones with the most striking colours, the most dramatic scene etc.
You show this perfectly with this photo.
Well composed and minimalistic.
It takes both the eye for the moment and skills with the camera to capture such a simple scene in such an artistic good way.
Thanks for sharing.

OJJ

jtovey375 (620) 2019-10-22 11:05

Nicely "weighted" composition. Your pictures of Vietnam make me want to go there even more.

PaulVDV (55603) 2019-10-22 12:23

Hallo Benny,
Ik herinner me dat ik Hanoi in maart-april niet echt te warm vond maar er wel zweette ...
Aan de schaduwen te zien, lijkt de zon loodrecht boven de man te staan.
Heel goede compositie!
Vele groeten, Paul

alvaraalto (42410) 2019-10-23 5:56

Dag Benny,
Als ik de tekst goed heb gelezen heb je heel wat moeite moeten doen en het flink warm gemaakt om dit plein zo leeg te krijgen met alleen deze menselijke weegschaal die de hitte trotseert. 😊
Maar het resultaat is een geweldige foto.
Groet Rob

CLODO (45094) 2019-11-03 1:29

Hi Benny

Typical South East picture but the high sun seems to press on this lonely person and to add weight to its double heavy load.
Good off centered framing.
Have a nice sunday
CLODO

kasianowak (15984) 2019-12-03 10:52

Hi Benny
Browsing through your great portfolio of images from Vietnam, a destination very high on my travel wish list, realising you have been there more than once (or more than twice?).
I love the graphic qualities of this photo. I wonder how easy (or difficult) it was to capture a single person surrounded by ample space in a busy city such as Hanoi.
Best wishes
Kasia

fotka (7641) 2019-12-24 5:03

Hello Benny,
Sometime simplicity made masterpiece and this picture can be in this category. Wonderful diagonal composition on plain gray background. Interesting info about Hanoi.
Best regards and Merry Christmas to you.
Zbigniew

burmaman (1082) 2020-10-21 1:15

Hello Benny!
Unusual for a city in Vietnam to have only one person in this big space. You placed him perfect in your minimalistic composition.
Regards,Ronny