Sometimes a picture is more than just pixels to critique and analyze, and I'm well aware this is not a DPC-worthy challenge entry. These guys were so good to me when I was in Iraq. The first day I was there, I stopped by and bought the travel mug, (says "Seattle's Best - Iraq" and is my favorite souvenir) and I would take that in every morning to get my coffee. This picture was taken the last day I was there - I had to take a quick snap (yes, it's a snapshot taken with the onboard flash at the fully automatic setting) because the place was packed as usual. I took the picture over to the photo place and had copies made for each of these guys.
This shop is open from 6 am to midnight every day and is always busy. The gentlemen who work here (and they're all guys, no gals) are from Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Bangladesh. I miss them.
This entry, then, is a nod to photography as a way to keep memories. I think here at DPC we sometimes forget that aspect of it.
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Very moved by your account. Particularly as I am aware of the conditions these "guest workers" live in; particularly because this sort of thing happens everywhere; particularly because it has been happening for centuries everywhere; particularly because many of us are descendants of "guest workers." (Where is my soapbox?) So good you made friends with them.
Deb, I gave this a 6, cause, well, I saw what this was about and it seemed more of a tribute than a portrait, per se.....(Thereby negating my own weird DNMC policy). It's a fine shot and I'm glad these guys were your port in the storm.
Oh that is SO TRUE! Thank you for reminding me that sometimes the most precious memories are captured in. . .the dpc-forbidden. . .snapshot!
I wonder how many of them I have tossed aside because the lighting wasn't perfect, or there was a distracting element in the background. But looking back at some of the best and even famous photographs from days gone by, they are just that: snapshots, and some of them sell for big bucks too!
Thanks for sharing your memory with us! It warmed my heart today. So, are you out of Iraq now??????? Whew! I'll be glad when you're back home with your kitties!
You got some pretty harsh and totally non-constructive comments there. And I am surprised at who made them. I think you shoulda put a big ole cinnamon bun as the background, used special lighting to reflect off of that, and also had fountains of coffee flying overhead to turn your "snapshot" into a breakfast masterpiece! hehe
you know how it goes - commenting is a strange art form. But what you have here is a memory of something that is unique to you and will be treasured for many years down the road.
I love this for some reason - I think it's the discomfort and various expressions - like "should I smile?" - "is this what i'm supposed to do?" sorta thing. An awkward posed moment that tells a story - whether we as the viewer like the story isn't important.
family snapshot not for challenge. bad lighting. advanced editing? shirts blend together. lots of character in the faces - too bad you didn't take better advantage.
Simple but effective idea. I think you should have aimed a little higher to get rid of the counter. Furthermore, the 2nd guy ont right is a little ill-lit. 5
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