What Did He Want, a photo from Belize, North

Photographer's Note

Belize is the smallest country in Central America — about 200 miles by 50 miles — Belize is also the only English-speaking territory in the region, a legacy of its colonial past. The land that's now Belize was once part of the vast Maya empire. Belize was granted independence on September 21, 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation because of its longstanding territorial dispute with the British colony, claiming that Belize belonged to Guatemala. About 1,500 British troops remained in Belize to deter any possible incursions for some time.

Offshore, the Belize Barrier Reef is second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef in size and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city itself originated as a logging camp and export center for mahogany in the 1600’s. After the Maya who were the original inhabitants, came British and Scottish Pirates who used the area’s many creeks and mangrove swamps as natural hiding out areas and a base from which to loot passing Spanish ships laden with treasure.
It is said that the wonderful brick buildings found in the city are the result of the movement of mahogany back to the British Isles and to keep the lightweight ships well balanced in the ocean, bricks were loaded on the vessels for their return to Belize.

I got off the ship and got on a small three cart mobile vehicle and as I sat down, this strange looking fellow walked by me, I took his picture and was going try and communicate with him and the vehicle that was towing our cart went quickly and so did he. I guessed he was made up like that for tourists,but have no idea for what purpose he served. Scary fellow.

danos, pajaran, Fis2, Royaldevon, snunney, pierrefonds, jhm, ikeharel, lucasgalodoido, ChrisJ, fritzi007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danos (110395) 2016-10-06 23:30

Hello Roger,
nice the view as the presentation of this native from Belize,with his painting and his cloths to make it unique.Excellent the light and the colour management of the scene.

Regards,Danos

Fis2 (149876) 2016-10-07 0:37

Witaj Roger!
Next picture from your archive.
Good shot, nice portrait.
Good framing and colors.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (69569) 2016-10-07 1:20

Hello Roger,

I loved reading your notes as well as scrutinising the photograph, each was really interesting! I have learned a lot of unknown history!

I like how you have chosen such a fine close-up.
The figure fills the screen, with still some space into which he can move.
The details of his face painting are great. And, it is surprising how difficult it is to judge his expression, the paint determines what we see!
You obviously took this without much preparation, yet it is a first rate shot.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

snunney (130967) 2016-10-07 2:03

Hello Roger,
A strangely dressed individual, but I would imagine your surmising is correct; it's all part of the tourist 'experience'. Whatever, an excellent capture, well framed with very good colours and sharpness.

pierrefonds (98818) 2016-10-07 4:55

Hi Roger,

You have captured well the smiling exppression of the man. the point of view is showing the details of is festive costume. The light has a good effect on the colours. Have a nice dya.

Pierre

Silvio1953 (199288) 2016-10-07 5:14

Ciao Roger, fantastic portrait, fine details, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good wek end, ciao Silvio

jhm (197857) 2016-10-07 5:49

Hello Roger,,

Sometimes be people of an other planet, this is their own choice.
You choose a very well angle.
Sharpness and clarity are perfect made.
Technical a very well picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

No_One (4) 2016-10-07 6:58

Hi Roger
He is rather unnerving looking. Even his eyes don't look human. Very cool capture in passing and even more so that he left the viewer wondering what his purpose is.
Cheers
Noel

Sergiom (117241) 2016-10-07 7:10

Bonjour Roger,

Mettons qu'il ne passera pas incognito dans les rues d'une ville. Le portrait est magnifique et le sourire engageant. Superbe rendu des couleurs.

Amicalement

Serge

Cricri (176) 2016-10-07 7:25

Hi Roger
WOW il ferait presque peur....même avec son sourire, drôle de personnage! excellent portrait
belle journée
cricri

lucasgalodoido (26792) 2016-10-07 16:24

Olá Roger,
interessante retrato dessa figura mesmo, toda colorida e enfeitada, uma pena o foco não estar 100% nele, parece que foi pro cavalo, uma pena.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas

BennyV (31046) 2016-10-08 7:05

Close encounter of a strange kind. A pity you didn't have time to find out more about this interesting character.

Benny

ChrisJ (156575) 2016-10-09 4:12

Hello Roger,

The painted man has a striking resemblance to indigenous Australians painted up in traditional style. Strong warm cold color contrasts between the red and blue. Tfs!

http://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/aboriginal_facepainting2.jpg

fritzi007 (14698) 2016-10-13 14:28

Hallo Roger,
hat wirklich ein bisschen von Australien, zumindest sieht der Bewohner so aus, interessanter Kommentar, gut gemacht!

Viele Grüße
Wolfgang