Brunch with Battutah
Muswak seller
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 16 May 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
A muswak seller in Jubail, Saudi Arabia waves me and my camera away. A twig from the tree, Salvadora persica Linn commonly known as ‘Muswak,’ is used as a natural toothbrush. Muswak contains antibacterial agents and the twig is chewed and rubbed against the teeth. Tomorrow we'll see a closeup of the seller.
@isabel: Thank you, Isabel.
Rhys from Darlington, United Kingdom
nice shot, did you have to bribe him, or did he just give-in to have his photo taken?
16 May 2008 5:24am
@Rhys: I took this image as he was telling me to go away and not take his photo. I had to be fast about it. Luckily he didn't get violent. Thanks, Rhys.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
A very interesting face and a great portrait. I love that you caught him waving you away and can't wait for tomorrow's post. Interesting facts about the muswak. Is that why their teeth are so white..
16 May 2008 5:53am
@Marion: Could be the muswak. Thank you, Marion.
Observing from Chester, United Kingdom
Good shot, your info makes clear the waving hand. Better be careful....!
16 May 2008 6:36am
@Observing: Thanks, Mike.
@Helma: Thank you, Helma.
@Alun Lambert: Thank you, Alun.
Koushiro~光子郎 from Singapore, Singapore
Very nice! I like his expression and the movement of the hand, really looks like he's telling you to go away...
16 May 2008 9:05am
@Koushiro~光子郎: Very much so. thank you, Koushiro.
Shaahin from Tehran, Iran
Hi Michael, I'm back after a month ;)
Nice shot, I like it,
In Persian, we say "MESVAAK" for toothbrush ;)
I have one of this twig some years ago ;)
16 May 2008 9:24am
@Shaahin: Thank you for the added information.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Hmm, a close-up tomorrow after he waved you away? What will you show after that: Michael on the run? Funny shot! :-D
16 May 2008 9:36am
@MadScientist: Thank you, MS.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
He changed his mind after he saw it, didn't he? and who wouldn't, you're a fabulous photographer ;) can't wait to see tomorrow's lol
16 May 2008 10:36am
@Lorraine: You're right. He changed his mind. LOL. Actually, I just beat it out of there with the pic. Thanks, Lorraine.
givethemhell from Germany
I can understand that some people do not want to be photographed. This should be respected, I think.
16 May 2008 11:15am
@givethemhell: I guess I have paparazzi instincts. Thanks, Eva.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
Wow, but I'm glad you got this photo anyway. And that you have paparazzi instincts doesn't hurt much... ha! Excellent photo. And this toothbruch stick thing is something I've learned today.
16 May 2008 12:03pm
@Viewfinder: Thanks, VF. Your comment is uplifting.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Great portrait! Love the story that goes with it!
16 May 2008 12:17pm
@Betty: Thanks so much, Betty.
Wizened Eye from United States
Well caught. Nicely composed and perfectly shot. I enjoyed a longer stroll through your recent pictures this morning. And thanks for your comments on my site. Comments from one of your skill and eye are greatly appreciated. Shoot on!
16 May 2008 12:27pm
@Wizened Eye: That's an uplifting comment. Thank you.
vu@granby - Wolfgang from Granby, Québec, Canada
Nice candid shot and interesting write-up!
16 May 2008 12:31pm
@vu@granby - Wolfgang: Many thanks, Wolfgang.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
Good portrait, is he telling you off
16 May 2008 12:50pm
@Peter Miller: He is. Thank you, Peter.
@malahat: Thank you, Malahat.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
The clarity, colour and composition in this portrait are fantastic Michael. I found the info very interesting too.
16 May 2008 2:03pm
@MaryB: That's very kind. Thank you, Mary.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
A terrific, dynamic image, Michael! The clarity and detail is brilliant!
16 May 2008 2:17pm
@Ron: Thanks so much, Ron.
@Calusarus: Thanks so much, Calusarus.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Wonderful portrait Michael! I'm glad you didn't let him stop you!!!
16 May 2008 5:19pm
@Craig: Thank you, Craig.
@Ina: Thank you, Ina.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
I, like MS, wonder what kind of close-up you'll have of him after he "shoo-ed" you away. Unless I'm thinking about the order wrong. Perhaps you got the close-up first before you captured this shot? And hopefully he won't be demonstrating how to use the muswak. ;-)
But your composition is good showing the piles of what's been cut, what he's cutting it with, and his placement.
16 May 2008 7:41pm
@Steven: Thank you, Steven. The closeup is of the same shot as today. There was barely time for that shot.
Rags from Plano, United States
I hope he did not get violent with you. I like the image. I also cannot wait to see tomorrows image.
16 May 2008 8:09pm
@Rags: No violence at least. thank you, Rags.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Very nice capture. He seems chasing you away!
16 May 2008 8:23pm
@standley: Yes, that is it. thank you, Standley.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
Almost a "grip and grin" eh?!! Excellent candid, never-the-less, Michael!!
16 May 2008 8:37pm
@amy: You summed it up well. Thank you, Amy.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Une photo prise sur le vif... mais je n'ai pas compris, mon anglais a des lacunes (to wave away ?) : est-ce un geste amical pour te faire signe de venir ou est-ce qu'il veut que tu partes ?
16 May 2008 8:51pm
@Evelyne Dubos: " To wave away" n'est pas un geste amical mais un signe qu'il veut que je partis. Merci, Evelyne.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
If only you could have captured him entirely, cap and feet, too! It would have been a real tableau! I like the old and new in this composition! The man - appearance, garb,his job (oh! so old!) - and the very modern watch he wears on his wrist. Even in his world time needs be measured!
18 May 2008 5:27am
@Japanalia: Unfortunately I didn't have time to compose well since the seller was an unwilling subject. Many thanks for your comment, Gabriela.
Sandrine from Cincinnati, United States
Great shot! I like the colors and how brave you are... I have a hard time taking pictures of strangers! I wish I was braver!
18 May 2008 7:32pm
@Sandrine: I just act brave for the time it takes to snap the shot. Thank you, Sandrine.
Oswegan from United States
A nice portrait. He doesn't look too pleased about it.
19 May 2008 2:20pm
@Oswegan: He wasn't. many thanks, O.
Pentax Optio A30
1/100 second
F/3.4
ISO 100
55 mm (35mm equiv.)