...to let go Photo

Photographer’s Note

A shop owner in Phsar Chas, the old market, in Siem Reap. From what I took away from our conversation he was barely alive when the Pol Pot Regime ended. His family he hadn't seen for decades. He always thought good thoughts though, that they died quickly before the worst came to Cambodia. He has in his hand a KR (Khmer Rouge) dollar. They were printed and ready for circulation but never used. It seemed this was his last link to that time.

...The man had four different bills under the counter and I asked if he would sell them.
...He pulled them out slowly and said I was at the right place at the right time.
***Why is that I asked?
...The man took a while to look at them, flipping them over and over and said he had been asked that question hundreds of times over the last two decades, but today, for the first time since he had them, he was ready to let them go.
...He handed me the money without looking up, as if he did he would change his mind.
***I handed him the money for the dollars and handed two of the KR dollars back.
...He looked up at me.
***I pointed to my camera.
...He smiled and shook his head yes.
***I snapped a few photos as he picked up the bills and looked at them, flipping them over and over again.

As for the photo, it may be too overdone (I won't be able to tell until I'm on a better monitor). The original was color that was converted to B&W. Let me know what you think.

Note: I have a photo of the KR bills in the workshop as well as the original color version.

John

Dpbours, devimeuxbe, ViktorVaughn, CliffW, gunbud, shevchenko trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Furachan (0) 2007-06-03 21:05

Hello ohn, congratulations o a plendid portrait. Everything works here for me, from the high contrast BW tones to the actual framing and composition. Love the slight motion blur in the one hand. Fine nte too.
Best,
Francis

Dpbours (220) 2007-06-04 5:42

Hi John,

I love your picture of the meat section in the market! But I really like the story that goes with this shot!!!! The movement in his hands and the note, turning the bill. It really fits the story. I can just imagine how slow this whole conversation must have progressed... Just the feeling when he looks at you and slowly says 'you are here.... at the right place.... and .... at the right time....'. I can just see it happen, looking at this shot. Great!

Cheers, Dennis

devimeuxbe (56188) 2007-06-04 11:35

Hi John
This iis a great portrait. The light and the sharpness are top. The face of this old man is fascinating.
Excellent
Bertrand

ViktorVaughn (1517) 2007-06-04 23:58

This is one of your most powerful photos you've posted so far John. The story to go with it is absolutely chilling. You were quite lucky indeed, though I am sure it was partly from having a friendly conversation with him first before asking about purchasing the money.

The comments are spot on so far, the blur of the hands indicating the money being passed onto you (how I interpret it) as well as the great detail on his face, stubble and glasses. You've placed him perfectly, and the b&w is beautiful. I maybe would have liked to see the top of his head get cut off, but this is a minor gripe on one of the better photos i've seen on this site in awhile.

Regards,
Dave

P.S. I must ask, if I can buy the Khmer dollars from you :P j/k

CliffW (2310) 2007-06-05 1:43

Hi John, this is nice. Really nice. Apologies for not seeing it sooner. I sometimes have to do TE in doses spread out over a few days due to time and life and such.

This works as more than a portrait... at least with the visible action of the hands and he intent eye on what he's doing, as if he explaining.

Having said that, I don't read notes before I write a critique. I just got it in my head that an effective photograph explains itself. Now having read your note, I understand that the explanation he was giving may have been to himself. Maybe letting something go, something more than the physical object. Thanks for posting this. My favorite people in the world, as a people, Cambodians.

Floydian (30970) 2007-06-05 4:50

Hi John,
A very powerful photo, strong b&w in an excellent exposure. Detail and sharpness is spot on, i really like this one. The way you controlled the light here was not easy i think, but you did a splendid job here...perfect..!!!
Regards, Henk

lyneka (40) 2007-06-05 23:29

Great portrait.
I like the attached story.

** lyn **

gunbud (28073) 2007-06-06 21:17

Hi John,
Wonderful story to go with this excellent capture of the gentlemen's expression filled with new found wisdom. I love how the image goes from dark to full light which is symbolic of this man's past and his present.
Regards, Tom

jmcl (14061) 2007-06-09 17:43

Hi John,

This is a tremendous image .. the exposure and tone are great .. his expression is so evocative even before the note ..

take care,

John

shevchenko (10016) 2007-06-14 4:37

Hi John,
May be you're polite and friendly, so this old man be willing to exchange his KR dollar with your US dollar, too much he thinking about and disappointed with modern life. Worth to collecting the KR bills with attacking pictures.
Ally