Saturday 24 July 2010: an affinity to hold
I've mentioned before how in Cairo, there is an affinity to hold on to everything. We don't throw things away, and if we do, we're more likely to give them to the Roba Bikya men* than toss them in the garbage.
Cars might be the exception. They don't go to the Roba Bikya men, but there are a lot of hand-me-downs driving through the streets of Cairo, that you wonder how they can possibly still work. I spotted these two little gems in a side street in downtown Cairo, and I'm sure they've both seen better days.
*The expression Roba Bikya comes from the Italian Roba Vecchia, which literally means old clothes. There are men in Cairo who wander the streets calling out Roba Bekya, and if anyone has anything they would like to throw away, they give it to them.
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Edit: I just noticed that the license plate on the car on the right in Arabic - fa'el - actually means do or act.
Comments
I live this image . So well done
~ johndorkings
Great shot! I love old Mercedes. Lots of atmosphere in this too. Great Blip :)
~ ColinParte
Habibti, this just took my breath away!!Processed as no one but you can, and composed with so much strength, it's just viscerel, it ripples with tension, the light streaming in front the top and showering the older covered car, while the new one gleams in the shade...Just so stunning in originality and quality, another I wish I had taken, when I was looking one day and you towards this!!!xxxxxxx
~ Scorpionkiss
you know what, there is a very old abandoned rusty car I see everyday when I am going back home from work (on the same road) and I always think I will take its picture one of these days but I end up getting my blips from somewhere else. By looking at your picture, I think, I should finally take a picture as yours has turned out to be spectacular :)
~ zahrashah
Stunning image. Bisected by the line between light and dark -- perfect. And I am trying to imagine keeping a Skoda running anywhere, never mind Cairo! Lots to love about this shot. Keep going back to look at it. Really feels more like a portrait than a street shot...
~ besideherself
This is a perfect B&W image. It looks positive and negative, new and old, light and dark...so many contrasts. Amazing.
~ Babaodo
Perfect, an instant favourite - one of the best Mono images I have ever seen, the subject, light, composition, juxtaposition of old and modern, utterly wonderful - well done.
~ Blob
the old car reminds me of the one in the movie "christine" - don't spend to long with this car....!
~ tadpole
I looked at your photo before getting my coffee this morning but did not read the caption until now. I may do that with pictures more often. My imagination went wild from dark and ominous thoughts to deep curiosity. I love how you have used the dark to your advantage here. Very mysterious with the old door behind the cars.
Then reading the caption I am completely charmed. Brilliant and very well done.
~ BethanneElion
Well this is a favorite, just absolutely beautiful, the light and composition... stunning.
Thank you for your comments, it was a departure form my usual, but as you said there was still an element of me... lynn
~ Roylance
it is indeed stunning.. i like how i am draw to the pattern on the blanket.. great shot
~ Once
love the light and the shadows..excellent in black and white
~ waffiboy
WOW! I love it! just perfect!
~ IngunnInOslo
This is stunning! I like that you captured it in B&W and the light streaming down on just the one car is great! Well done!
~ loneygirl
like old greek statues. the one to the left almost like some venus of milo. you have presented cars as i've never seen them before. lifted them up from being scrap metal to become these elevated statues. street art at its best.
and that lighting. wow. wow. wow.....
- grete
~ meandmax
Superb light and contrast. Great find, and even better capture!
~ raheny_eye
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