Brunch with Battutah
Muswak seller II
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 17 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. See yesterday's photo for a view of muswak.
@e.: Many thanks, e.
Rags from Plano, United States
at last i get to see him up close and personal. I like the motion in the image.
17 May 2008 5:29am
@Rags: Thank you, Rags.
annora from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
i like the close up better.can see more of his expression.and yeah the movement of his hand.i like it.i have gotten quite a few shots like that.haha.=P
17 May 2008 6:00am
@annora: I agree. Close is almost always better. Thank you, Annora.
Rhys from Darlington, United Kingdom
ah yes, I prefer this one (not that yesterdays was bad) this has more character to it, even though I dont know him, I feel this is 'more him' somehow.
17 May 2008 6:41am
@Rhys: I agree completely. I posted yesterday's to also show muswak but this one is more powerful. Thanks, Rhys.
@saeed: Thank you, Saeed.
@dpm: Thank you, dpm.
Observing from Chester, United Kingdom
This close-up definitely has more impact than the previous image. "Go on clear off..!!"
17 May 2008 9:35am
@Observing: I agree. Closer is almost always more powerful. Thanks, Mike.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
It's a masterpiece of emotion and colours, I understand your desire to post it anyway...I don't post when I'm asked not to, but darned sometimes I waver, it's hard, but you have to respect the individual. But I draw the line at traumatic survivors, I will not invade and post their pain for the world to see. It's theirs and theirs alone...and he doesn't look too much in pain lol ;)
17 May 2008 10:18am
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. I went to journalism school and there we were taught that we should assume we have access to anyone for questioning or photos and that has stayed with me. However I certainly understand your scruples about posting on a personal blog people who have undergone trauma.
@ManuelaR: Thank you, Manuela.
@givethemhell: I agree. thank you, Eva.
@mosleh: Many thanks, Mosleh.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
I'm amazed that you managed to get two photos of him... and they are excellent! Wonderful portrait, his facial expression tells the whole story!
17 May 2008 11:14am
@Betty: Many thanks, Betty. This is actually the same photo as yesterday but cropped tighter.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
I understand that some people NEEd to tell their story, it's the only way they can go on, reporters are very much needed, but there is indeed a thin line...
17 May 2008 11:57am
@Lorraine: Reporters are trained to go in questioning and snapping shots whether people want you there or not. Nothing is sacred to them. They may feel for a victim but they don't let that get in the way of a job they have to do. It is up to the editor to decide whether a story and photos should be run or not. Some news agencies won't run images they deem too gory, others will. As for a personal blog, I would probably not post an image I think would harm a subject. However in the case of this muswak seller, he himself or no one he knows will see the image and it is in no way detrimental to him. So I run it.
Wizened Eye from United States
I think I like this cropped version better than its parent (although both are interesting and wonderful). In yesterday's portrait it is hard to tell if his waving you away is hostile or good-natured, but I guess that's just because of the size we can view on aminus3. Here he seems friendlier, warmer. Of course if I'd just seen this version, the milieu would be missing. It's really a great shot.
17 May 2008 12:22pm
@Wizened Eye: I prefer this one too. Many thanks, Judy.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
I'm not sure why it is that when we post an image that is in any way similar to another shot we have taken that people are compelled to tell which image they like best. I suppose it is human nature to make comparisons and judgments. I know I am guilty of it. To me yesterday's shot stands on its own. It tells more of a story about the overall picture of what is going on. It shows this fellow sitting and trimming the Muswak. Your commentary completes the story. Today's shot, which is also excellent by the way, gives us a closer glimpse of this fellow. Both shots are excellent to me!!! Well done Michael!
17 May 2008 12:30pm
@Craig: Thanks, Craig. I think you are right in saying it is human nature to make comparisons. I prefer this shot to yesterday's but both images have their merits and shortcomings. However if I had to choose only one image alone, I would choose this one. For his age, I think this fellow is interesting and attractive despite the cut and bruise.
Helma from Tehran, Iran
another nice portrait !! very good close up and well done ! thanks.
17 May 2008 12:45pm
@Helma: Many thanks, Helma.
Koushiro~光子郎 from Singapore, Singapore
Haha that look really is priceless! Hold it... Did you take two shots of him waving his hand at you? oO
17 May 2008 1:15pm
@Koushiro~光子郎: No just one. This is a closer crop of yesterday's. Thank you, Koushiro.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
Such a dynamic and powerful portrait, Michael. The experiences of life are etched into this man's face ...
17 May 2008 1:25pm
@Ron: I agree. He has a great face. Many thanks, Ron.
MJ from Delaware, United States
Great shot... I love the action... and I see you listened really well
17 May 2008 1:54pm
@MJ: I did indeed. Thank you, MJ.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
his expression, the hand movement : a great action portrait.
17 May 2008 2:03pm
@Calusarus: Thank you, Calusarus.
@--**HoMo** --: Thank you very much.
ceanothe from france, France
Bravo ! le geste est parfaitement saisi. Merci du partage.
17 May 2008 3:01pm
@ceanothe: Merci beaucoup.
alex centrella from California, United States
both images are nice captures, you really got the emotion of this man .
17 May 2008 3:43pm
@alex centrella: Thank you very much, Alex.
yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece
a very beautiful portrait - I like the moving hand and the colors
17 May 2008 7:09pm
@yiannis krikis: Thank you very much, Yiannis.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Excellent enlargement of your yesterday's post! Well done Michael.
17 May 2008 8:41pm
@standley: Thank you, Standley.
vu@granby - Wolfgang from Granby, Québec, Canada
Good character shot. He shoos you away, but he doesn't seem to be really angry...
17 May 2008 9:51pm
@vu@granby - Wolfgang: Perhaps not. But it would be very interesting to know what is really going through his mind. Thank you, Wolfgang.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Just seconding Wolfgang... he doesn't seem too angry, although he's waving you away. Maybe you could have cooled him down by buying some of his muswaks... :-)
17 May 2008 10:52pm
@MadScientist: Possibly. thank you, MS.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Je préfère celle-ci, elle a plus d'impact et l'on ressent mieux son geste d'agacement. Cela m'est arrivé dernièrement au Pérou, sur un marché où un marchand de bétail mécontent que je le prenne en photo m'a envoyé... des crottes de chèvres !!!! Véridique !! 0-))
17 May 2008 11:54pm
@Evelyne Dubos: Intéressant ! Merci, Evelyne.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
I love it .......... the lines in his face speak volumes. I like this, after yesterday's shot.
18 May 2008 3:22am
@Judy: Thanks so much, Judy.
givethemhell from Germany
I am reading all these interesting comments and can see that the portrait taken against the man's wish has opened quite a discussion.
You have studied journalism, Michael. I know that journalists believe they can snap photos of everything and everyone. But to me, this is an ethical question. There is such a thing as human rights and personal dignity. A human face belongs to the person who owns it, to nobody else. Taking photos against a person's wish means stepping over a fine line and forcing oneself onto someone to exploit him.
This simply should not be done, although the old man takes it in good humour. He is a merchant, probably does not want to cause a row, he might lose business. What else could he do ...
18 May 2008 5:03am
@givethemhell: Thank you for your view, Eva. Photos would be pretty dull if we only took them of people who 100% wanted them taken. Even members of one's family are often not willing subjects.
@Marie: Merci, Marie.
Luis A. De Jesus R. from Mexico City, Mexico
Excellent work. The action makes the shot.
20 May 2008 12:51am
@Luis A. De Jesus R.: Thank you, Luis.
@Arash: Thank you, Arash.
Valérie from France
Such a beautiful capture! J aime beaucoup l'expression de cet homme et l'émotion qui se dégage de ce portrait. Bravo!
21 May 2008 8:37pm
@Valérie: Merci, Valérie.
@martie: Thank you, Martie.
Pentax Optio A30
1/100 second
F/3.4
ISO 100
55 mm (35mm equiv.)