Thursday 22 July 2010: Portrait
For the next few days, Scorpionkiss and I will be spending our mornings in Mu'iz Street, one of my favourite streets in all of Cairo.
There is something overwhelming about this place, with it's cobblestone streets, shop sellers tossing buckets of water onto the ground watching it trickle between the stones. They say it's to cool the air, but really, all it does is make it feel more humid than it already is.
And it struck me today, walking through these hot, humid streets, the sun merciless this morning, how I truly live in two worlds.
Last night, I sat in a fancy Turkish restaurant in a newly opened hotel in Garden City with valet parking and gourmet courses of minuscule portions, covered with sterling silver plate covers.
And this morning, I was walking in one of the oldest neighbourhoods of this city, taking pictures of a man who offered to shine Scorpionkiss' shoes. Of course we thanked him and said no, particularly seeing as he was wearing his converse sneakers.
And there will never be any way to reconcile between those two worlds.
Older shots from Mu'iz Street:
Street scene
Prayer
And more prayer
Comments
Wonderful.
~ Blob
very nice. Look at his intense expressions. Maybe its due to the heat
~ zahrashah
You can tell by the scowl on his face how hot the sun must be. Fine capture.
~ loneygirl
Interesting about your description of being in the two worlds. What strikes me after reading that is your obvious non-judgmental way of shooting your pictures. It shows through in your photographs which I think is what makes them stand out so strongly.
The way this picture is taken with the washed out feeling of color makes me feel just how hot it must be. Makes me want to know where this fellow has been and where he is going.
Fabulous capture. What an intriguing life you have chosen.
~ BethanneElion
I like the immediacy of this shot...he really is asking the viewer if they'd like their shoes shined. And there is just that touch of anxiety/pleading about his look that jars slightly with his otherwise handsome looks. Good capture.
~ Barrioboy
You can see the years of the life on those streets -- grooves worn into that beautfiul face. What an excellent portrait!
~ besideherself
so often we don't think too much about the world we inhabit but you always manage to see the stark contrasts and how they sit side by side.
~ tadpole
Beautifully expressive. I think it isn't that you're just non-judgmental; you're deeply compassionate without any sentimentality. We all do live in multiple worlds if we are conscious. I love that about you. And I am grateful for anybody who spells minuscule correctly.
~ kendallishere
I love this shot, you say '...there will never be any way to reconcile between those two worlds' what your are is a bridge between the worlds which is a unique position to be in... lynn
~ Roylance
It's such a bold portrait habibti, I always smile when you shoot this way, really "in your face", and i've seen you shoot with so much aggression and strength before, and i'm always in awe...xxxxx
~ Scorpionkiss
Thank you for your comment.
What I've captured is not every corner stuff, but pretty common during the long Shanghai summer when the sun is high and the weather is scorching.
In Asia women are very proud of their pale, white and smooth skin, no matter what's their social status or position so any way to shelter from sun rays is allowed: from welder style visors, to fancy and more graceful shawl or more commonly with an ever present umbrella.
~ lukeit
another great street portrait! love the tones
~ IngunnInOslo
Living in the east is just like this. There are several times, I 've mentioned how completely different, almost contradictory worlds coexist here side by side.
In Delhi too, as in the rest of India, one always runs the risk of being run over by traffic. When you're driving you have to be cautious about other's who conveniently ignore traffic rules as well. It is a test in alertness. Unfortunately cycling is often limited to the sections of society who can't afford cars or motorbikes, though we have a cycling club here and are gradually trying to change the perception. So motorists don't have sufficient respect for cyclists who are obliged to compromise their space. Even the weather isn't cyclist-friendly. But those of who enjoy riding, can't be bogged down by reasons like these. :)
~ farsidehues
Beautiful image. I love the tones in this one.
Your words are wonderful too.
~ jones
Lovely, intense shot - it feels very alive and immediate. A handsome and interesting face.
~ Net
Beautiful blip indeed. Captivating
~ whiskeyglass
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