Mexican Street Pharmacy, a photo from Sinaloa, Northwest

Photographer's Note

Ok, back to my travelogue of our Mexican Vacation!

This scene was captured at the market in El Fuerte. Our guide Rodrigo explained that this man was the "natural pharmacist" and these herbs, sticks, barks and roots are homeopathic cures and remedies. I think his title should actually be "Shaman", he had lots of things that could cure your ills. I wish I had him close by right now because Nyquil and aspirin and cough drops sure aren't doing it for me - been sick for a couple days now...

Anyway, it was interesting to note this man doesn't get the business he once did - the modern remedies and drugs advertised on television are much more popular with Mexicans these days. I hate to watch the commercials for drugs - they end them with all the possible side effects and I wonder why I would want to take that chance?

Have a good weekend, I'm going back to bed to try to kick this cough!

phwall, baba_flies, westcoastgirl1, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Jeppo (17645) 2010-01-23 1:33

Hi Reed,

nice shot from this market (markets are also places I don't want to miss when I'm travelling....they are so full of humanity, colours and curiosities...I also have a theme about it in my gallery)

I like the POV going from the spicies to the 3 old men
I also like their expressions...they don't seem to notice you...so they are looking quite concentrated on something or someone else...

tfs
silvio

Disabled_A (0) 2010-01-23 1:56

Hello Reed,
very colourful, interesting photo :) I like the vertical version which shows not only the herbs and the seller but also the people in the BG :)
Very nice natural clours, good composition.
Greetings from Moscow,
Elena

jasmis (58653) 2010-01-23 2:30

OK. I like your Mexican Vacation!
Splendid photo with special atmosphere achieved.
Regards.

BennyV (32926) 2010-01-23 2:54

Good to see you uploading more from your Mexico trip, Reed. Good wide angle here to capture both the men and their goods.

Benny

smarcell (19965) 2010-01-23 3:09

An excellent street photo, where you included the subject and the scene around, with a good use of the wide anglelens.
Regards Stefano

Glint (6171) 2010-01-23 12:35

Hello Reed,
excellent and interesting street shot. Nice light shows the age and experience lines etched on the 'doctor's' face.The vertical format gives us plenty to peruse. I like the range of herbs and roots and thing and try to guess what they might be and do. The guys in the white shirts and hats look like cool dudes.
Hope you're feeling better.
Bev

phwall (6787) 2010-01-23 16:15

Hi Reed,
I'll bet some of those weeds and leaves could make you feel real good.
It's a great shot, lots of detail and the three "Amigos" look fantastic, the faces have so much character in them.
Love the light too, the areas of full sun and shade really gives the image a lot of contrast.
It's a top shot, compliments, well done.
Cheers
Pete

gunbud (34066) 2010-01-23 18:52

Hi Reed,
Very sharp focus in this very well managed light.
Love the expressions on the men's well linned faces.
Nicd sharpness and true colors to this fine vertical presentation.
Regards, Tom

baba_flies (8829) 2010-01-24 3:27

Hello Reed! When I travel I always visit a market no matter how early I have to get up. It can be a farmer's market in Vermont or a floating market in Thailand. This is a great shot and I love the cowboys, old men with all the signs of life but beautiful at the same time. Rough boys with a good heart I suppose. I can see them sing about love and romance, about broken hearts :)))) These herbs, hm, I wonder if they help but when I see my good friend who does - besides his "normal" work in his doctor's office - TCM I know from him that he is successful with his needles and herbs. I always try herbs when I am sick although they have stuff in it too and need someone that understands what your taking. It does not always mean that it is healthier I guess. How is your health now? I hope you are getting better any day. All the best, have a good Sunday, Barbara.

westcoastgirl1 (666) 2010-01-25 12:58

Hi Reed

Get yourself well. Fantastic candid shot here. Great expressions captured. Good natural lighting too.

Take care, Tosca

delpeoples (60340) 2010-01-26 22:27

Hi Reed, I don't even want to think about the creepy crawlies, eyes of newt, balls of frog etc that are no doubt contained in those pots. But the composition is fascinating and really well put-together. I love that craggy old Shaman, what a face, the vertical was a great choice and captured the scene in a very unique way. Nice work, thanks for sharing and for your Note. Warm regards, Lisa

Waylim (25436) 2010-01-26 23:11

Hi Reed,
I love this type of shot, full and rich in cultural and custom. I believe in natural medicine, at least I think most of them are not harmful to our body, even if it's not as effective, perhaps because of where I grew up has something to do with it. Anyway, a very good shot, showing all kinds of exotic roots and leaves. The people seems a bit carious as to why you're there :) I wonder if you can be a man with out a hat there?
Way

ktanska (41918) 2010-01-27 3:23

Hi Reed,
Well arranged market scene where the salesman and guys in the background form a trio. Good exposure despite the hard contrasts. Interesting merchandise, those herbs look even less processed than in Moroccan pharmacy I visited two years ago.
Kari

ninaL (21348) 2010-01-28 5:26

Excellent scene, POV and expressions.
Very mexican mood.
Maybe, too much blue for my taste ;))). In anyway, interesting document.
Best regards. Grazyna.

batalay (41261) 2010-01-28 11:02

Hello Reed,

I like the busy scene of herbs and other remedies, and especially your short essay explaining how a timeless tradition is disappearing. It would be interesting to compare the chemistry of some of these remedies with those created by Chinese physicians of the past. Good composition and resolution.

Warm regards,

Bulent

fabianoleite (13575) 2010-02-23 17:08

I like typical photos of people and their activities. This one is very representative, and well balanced. Very good capture of the expressions and great framing, too. Congratulations!

cdmonson (5294) 2010-06-17 15:06

Hi Reed:

Most photographers on this site show some improvement as they go, but you may take the cake for most improved. Your original shots were pretty good, but this kind of stuff is fantastic. I only wish I could take people pictures like this. :)

Everything's right on here--the choice of the wide angle, the light, the locations of the three caballeros here, the way the scene is so perfectly composed without appearing deliberate. Fantastic. If I were to be really nitpicky, I'd say I'm not a big fan of the woman's arm at the left of the frame. But there's nothing to be done about that, and it's the only thing I don't like. Everything else is great.

Clark