Old Market III Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another shot of Phsar Chas, the old market in Siem Reap. This was taken in the butcher's section of the market. An amazing place. Get there early enough and you can see them transporting the whole pigs in on moped...and than in a few minutes you basically have this.

Phsar Chas is a Southeast Asia version of the souq's in Morrocco, the Sahara and middle east. If you like markets than you will find this one quite interesting.

Old Market I
Old Market II

note: to answer grantlp's comment: there was an ~ 10 inch thick wooden pole about 3 mm from the left side of the photo which prevented me from including more of the woman. It would have been nice though but I worked with what I had.

robertosalguero, leo61, plimrn, richwm trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

gravatar (1546) 2007-06-02 22:28

Both grotesque and beautiful. Rich colors and well composed. TFS

Ladycat (248) 2007-06-02 23:13

Thanks for sharing. I also enjoy taking photos in the market and daily life. I am always curious what the locals are cooking in their homes.

robertosalguero (110) 2007-06-02 23:26

John I like several factors regarding this picture. The lack of sanitation by keeping meat exposed to the elements and regrigeration, the diet of the people of this country and the grotesque scene with the heads on the foreground. It is a well composed picture with excellent cultural implications. Having lived in a country similar to Cambodia, in several ways, I realize how different conditions are in other parts of the world and the contrasts in culture we find everywhere. Thanks John.

Roberto

grantlp (2104) 2007-06-03 0:03

Hi John,
Yes, a very interesting image which I'm sure will get some reaction.....especially with the pig's heads in the foreground. I think you've captured the scene well, but I think a little more of the lady (with feet on counter), should have been included in your image. Anyway, a good shot.
Cheers Grant

Amator (101) 2007-06-03 0:09 [Comment]

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PeterC (2242) 2007-06-03 0:32

John,
Excellent shot of daily life in Cambodia. I love the tones of the meat here. Its a shame about the pole but still a great image.

Cheers
Peter

jjcordier (25004) 2007-06-03 0:39

Cet étal de boucher est bien sanguinolant...c'est une belle scène de la vie de tous les jours que tu nous présentes, bien composée (la présence discrète de la commerçante, même coupée, est bien vue) et très colorée. Cette accumulation de viande rouge nous donnerait presque envie de devenir végétariens.....
Amicalement
JJ

leo61 (43448) 2007-06-03 3:45

Hi John!
Great shot from the market.Nice color of the meat and good composition with a part of the seller.
Regards,Leo

delkoo (34564) 2007-06-03 4:26

hi john
red, blood, meats, very impressive one , i love the two pig's heads on the foreground as well as the frail woman lost in a bloody universe.
very well seen
didier

oanna (1196) 2007-06-03 8:06

hello john,first thing that attracted my eyes were those bunches of sausages:)a market overloaded with meat,good colors and light.we can see the woman`s feet on the table,most important than see her completely.

TFS,oana:)

partha (13657) 2007-06-03 8:11

Hi John ,
Excellent framing , the inclusion of the girl along requires more but u have already give the reasons for it. Anyway a well taken shot.
Partha

plimrn (19688) 2007-06-03 23:28

Hi John,`
I've been collecting market scenes for awhile now and I must say that yours is unique. Thank you for adding your photo to my collection.

The framing is outstanding. I'm having trouble de3termining if the girl is real or not; the size makes it seem that it is some kind oif mannequin but the detail of her fingers makes her seem real. I guess from your note that she is real.
HLJ, Pat

InasiaJones (20621) 2007-06-05 20:24

HI John,

I’ve been there a couple of time, mostly in the afternoon, so the odours were probably stronger than in the morning... I have to say that the view is more pleasing in the morning, when the meat is plentyfull and of a good colour. After my first visit, I wasn’t very keen to eat meat, so I lost a lot of weight, going for the greens...

I really appreciate this shot, because I didn’t take any of this market. You had excellent light condition, because the way I remember it, it was mostly dark, very dark... I know it’s a good composition, when we know how narrow are the aisles. To shoot it at an angle provides the best solution and you did it expertly.

Well done!

André

richwm (1209) 2007-06-06 6:13

Hi John,

Terrific capture of this traditional food market. 1/13th second? If this was taken hand-held as I suspect then you have a very steady hand!

The edge of the counter does a good job of leading you into the frame and along the array of meat cuts. Excellent colours and detail. The woman with her feet on the counter is an essential addition to this picture, though as others have added, it's a pity the wooden pole was in the way and you weren't able to include more of her.

One of your best photos yet in my opinion, great work and a good accompanying note!

Regards,

Rich

wadd99 (220) 2007-06-14 17:30

Hi John

Very nice interesting colorful photo. I just wish that you did not crop out to much of the lady on the left.. You are a good photographer and have good photos on your port so I'll be more critical.. The right have corner is dead space.. This could have been an awesome shot. Keep up your great work..

mphotographies (1976) 2007-07-12 20:28

Hey John,

I had to visit Old Market's I & II to be able to catch up with your story. This image has the right exposure compared to the other two. Details are in place in most parts, I know those strong lightings can be very tricky.

I tried taking photos of these wet markets here in Hong Kong, most vendors are unwilling (imagine the ones with butcher knifes waving 'no picture la' to you!) but some are OK as long as you buy.

Best Regards

Jom

ribeiroantonio (21957) 2007-08-12 5:24

For me, this is much better than the other one. I really like this squared presentation which shows very well the butcher counter. And, the many interesting things that complement the picture, such as the graffiti on bottom, the scales, the green strings tying the sausages and the best of all, the smiling pig heads. They are simply terrific. Well done.
Antonio

Lee30 (78) 2007-08-27 21:27

Pretty common scene in many countries around the world.