The Fish Market, Ciutadella, a photo from Menorca, Balearics

Photographer's Note

Why are the British so squeamish about their food? In Britain, we appear to have become so accustomed to buying meat, poultry and fish in pre-packed plastic wrappings from our huge supermarkets that so many of us feel squeamish and upset to see these products in their native state.

Here is the fish market in Ciutadella, a large fishing port in Menorca, brimming over with the freshest seafood. I have uploaded a couple of workshop pictures here and here of the articles for sale - not the sorts of things which we in Britain are used to seeing in our shops!

As usual, shot in RAW and converted and edited in PSE9.

Crispilandia, RhodieIke, macondo, delpeoples trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Crispilandia (842) 2011-06-23 8:51

Hi Jhon,

You've really managed to capture the essence of these fish fresh fish markets. In its "natural" state, you would cut in front of you so you can check product quality and the taste is much more authentic. I like these warm colors colors surrounding the counter. Although fish and gives more repair seen eating but I guess people here are more used by the markets that exist.

I hope you take good memories of Spain:)

Best REgards
Cris

PS. My English has many errors if I write a lot, sorry

holmertz (26982) 2011-06-23 11:34

Hello John,
Fish markets are really among the most interesting places to visit when "far away". They are colourful, offer unusual views and have a nice smell. Here you have captured some interaction between a saleswoman and her customer while showing us a nice display of fish of various kinds, most of them unknown to me. The colours and light are very good, maybe mainly because the lack of direct sun.
Kind regards,
Gert

saxo042 (31802) 2011-06-23 12:29

Hi John,
An interesting picture, in many ways. I read your note here and I believe that we are not that squeamish in Gothenburg. This is a big fishing harbour and we are used to buy our fish this way. I get the impression that the big salmon quite close is "made in Norway" where most of our salmons come from. But I would definitely try many of these fishes that are on sale here, I like fish! So, a very fine picture with a dominating pink colour, even in the clothes of the customer!
Kind regards
Gunnar

williewhistler (7317) 2011-06-23 14:30

Hello John,this lay out certainly dwarfes our puny local fish stall,there sure is a fine selection of species here.
The ambient light beneath the canopy has helped bring out the detail and colours.
Good timing on your part to catch the inter action between the two ladies.
Best regards Les.

RhodieIke (9207) 2011-06-23 15:23

Wew, whats that smell? HI John super photo of this fish scene that you have captured so well, we can smell them, Cheers Iain.

macondo (17951) 2011-06-24 1:34

Hi John.
A return to your holiday, eh.
BTW, I am glad to see your previous shot attracted quite a lot more attention subsequent to my comment. I must have shaken them up a bit.
Anyway, this one is a big change, and not one for the vegans in our midst. You made a good point about the squeamishness. Although I think if more people visited abattoirs we might have a lot more vegetarians; the packaging today removes almost totally the idea that it is part of a once-living thing we are buying.
I have also found that fish and other animal products are much more naturally presented in Mediterranean countries. I like the way this one seems to zoom in on the pink flesh of that large salmon or whatever it is, immediately placing the humans on a background level. Your composition has a strong perspective view along the front edge of the stall and has the benefit of a customer to fill the space and convey the commercial/social interaction involved. Sharp as a tack and well exposed.
Regards,
Andrew

SnapRJW (18792) 2011-06-24 2:34

Hi John - This shot, and the two which accompany it, make a nice little story. What catches my eye here is the colour, a variety of pinks and oranges with the fresh fish and walls working in harmony. The large fish (salmon?) looks so delicious and certainly forms the focus around which everything else revolves. It is a shame that face of the lady in the BG is not fully visible but this is a minor detail. Good sharp and interesting DL shot. Take care Rosemary

PS Did you buy any fish?

MJR (3173) 2011-06-26 4:16

John
Another gem that I have been too preocupied to have treated fairly.. ( I missing the GP to be typing and catchnig up even now !! )
I like this for the very different colours and content from that we are used to, all part of your holiday expereince I guess.
You have a neat compositon, and your old steam camera is dealing with the exposure issues well ! Its all in the person behind the settings of course !
It would be nothing without the shopper in the scene, so timing has played its part too.
I think I might have cut a bit of roofscape off the top; no doubt part of your viewing experience, but not especially adding to ours ! But maybe its whiteness helps balance the front cloth...
Hmmnn, decisions decisions...

kind regards
Martin

delpeoples (45018) 2011-06-28 20:00

Hi Jhn

I apologise if it looks like I'm ignoring your latest lovely UK shots. But I couldn't go past this fishmarket shot. I have a thing about markets, whenever you visit a country (especially a European one) it's where you really see the daily life of a country. And you've illustrated that here. (And on top of that I love fish). I'm glad you included the vendors and also the lady buying her fish. Great colour, good light and the dquare framing is a winner, emphasising well the fish in the FG.

Thanks for sharing, have a lovely evening
Lisa

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (13149)
Genre: Lieux
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2011-05-17
Categories: Vie quotidienne, Nourriture
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP AF, HOYA 67mm HMC SUPER UV(0)
Exposition: f/11, 1/60 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Versions: version originale, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2011-06-23 7:29