The Maple Block Man, a photo from British Columbia, Western

Photographer's Note

The purpose of this photo is to show what this man does for business. He cuts up maple blocks for a company in Memphis. He makes wooden blocks for the Gibsons guitar company. This man has been doing this for a number of years now. Besides blocks he also sells wooden chunks of wood for local craftsmen and wood turners as well. This is a horizontal bandsaw that has a 30hp gas motor that powers the blade to cut through logs.
This is my friend Matske. He used to go into the forest to bring in logs for his work. But lately a few natives have been bringing them in for him. The only good way to tell if the block is worth buying is if the block has the kind of grain that Metkse is looking for. And if there are the slightest imperfestions in the block...its chucked into the scrap bin . In the winter months I take these scrap pieces home and stack it for next years firewood. There is nothing like a nice open fire on a cold winter evening with nice hot burning maple.

singuanti has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

singuanti (15250) 2005-06-05 22:29

Hi Paul. Nice hot of your friend. Good POV to show everything clearly. Also the great note helps us appreciate what we're looking at. I see all of his digits still accounted for so he must be good and safe! Nice one Paul.

john_c (24666) 2005-06-05 23:26

A fascinating daily life shot, Paul. I like the way that your friend is positioned on the right and the shavings/residue are spraying from the machine on the left. Good colour and action to lend dynamism to the shot. An excellent note brings it all together. This is very informative. A first class capture. Regards.

weswang (18247) 2005-06-06 10:26

Hi Paul, A nice shot of the man in work scene. A very nice and deep image. The image is clear from the foreground subjects to distanced background subjects. A nice portrait to your concentrated working friend. Well done.

danielswalsh (13597) 2005-06-06 20:48

Nice shot Paul;

This shot really reminds me of home. In reading the note- it really does sound like a nice existence... sounds like a job where you can really enjoy life. Maybe it's all the talk of the maple buring in the fireplace, which is obviously not a common practice in Singapore- hahaha.

Nice shot Paul,
~ Dan