Femeninity Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Walking down the streets of AL Hodeida I came across this sign. I liked it so much, that I stayed around for a bit trying to capure it as a backdrop against passersbyes; sadly there were a lot of guys who asked me to take their pictures, so I obliged until I saw her coming my way.

The sign is for some cookie brand. The lady on the sign is one of the only yemenite female faces that I saw during my stay in Yemen.

Women are almost non-existant on the streets. They usually go acompanied by a male member of their family, and they have their entire face covered by a black veil. I have seen some women with more colourful coverings, but they are usually older ladies. Women seem to work seldomly, and the entire service economy is male oriented: phone booths, restaurants, sheesha shops, haircutters, etc.

Funny thing is that as far as I understand, Islam does not require women to cover themselves like this.

Dpbours, Brian, euryan trouve(nt) cette note utile

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Dpbours (220) 2008-01-11 10:01

Hi Daniel,

Very interesting point of view with that commercial behind the woman! I like how the woman is put in the foreground as the main character of the family. And in the same way you put this woman in the foreground.
A good note added to it as well. Funny to read that the sign is actually one of the few unvealed faces you saw there. Must also be an interesting location to go to.

Greetings! Dennis

Brian (1) 2008-01-11 21:35

Hello Daniel,
Love the eye contact through the veil. Contrasting between the veiled woman and the advertised woman are amazing. Still the bright orange modern kitchen against her holding her modern purse intrigues me as an American. I'm confused as to what life is really like in Yemen...

Take care,
Brian

scalerman (25783) 2008-01-11 23:01

D: missed this one in the fray of uploads on TE these days. Great juxtaposition here - I think perhaps you waited for a spell for this one to fall into place. As you know, the sign itself looks like something from the American '50's, but it comes together for my eyes. regards, c

m_s_s (1649) 2008-01-13 1:42

Funny, i've just uploaded a photo and text about women...
nice shot, a moment of patience worked well ;)
regards

euryan (8349) 2008-01-18 14:27

This is an awesome photo Daniel. I shocked that it only has 8 points. I love the angle and the composition, but the best part is how the woman's eyes are looking straight into the camera. Her stylish purse is also an interesting contrast with her dark clothing. Great shot!
Regards,
Ryan