Do you like fish?, a photo from Banjul, West

Photographer's Note

Selling dried fish in the market in Banjul, the largest in the Gambia. I was impressed by the girl's face, slightly hopeful but already with the belief that no tourist will buy never to his shop infested by the flies.
Albert Market is in Banjul on Liberation Avenue and is the capital's main urban market. It was named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. It is essentially an emporium that is pungent, lively and bustling with a large selection of vividly designed fabrics, carved wooden masks and fresh produce which is packed to the brim. All this is laid out within a labyrinth of alleys and hundreds of rickety stalls and purpose built shops. It is open from 8am to 7pm.
The market used to be called the Colonial Engineer’s Yard and later re-named the Liberated African Yard. It stood on what used to be called Wellington St. which was later re-named Liberation Avenue.Really there are 3 distinct markets here.
The wholesale and retail market, that sells everything the local people could possible want, from clothes to hardware.
The produce market, selling fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and dried goods.
The tourist market and craft stalls, catering for the tourist trade, the size of it makes it impressive and there is plenty of choice.
You may get frustrated by the crowds and the jostling before you have seen it all, but you are only moments away from the river or the African heritage centre for a few moments to recover.
If you are visiting Banjul, the market is a must but don't just visit for the market, Serrekunda is just as good if not better.
The river bank is only a few metres away behind Albert Market and this is a different world. Pirogues cut across the river, the large ferry boats come and go and a whole mini community lives on the foreshore in make-shift dwellings.

TI PIACE IL PESCE?

Venditrice di pesce essiccato nel mercato di Banjul,il piu' grande del Gambia. Sono rimasto colpito dal volto della ragazza,leggermente speranzoso ma gia' con la convinzione che nessun turista acquistera' mai al suo negozietto infestato di mosche.

PaulVDV, tyro, jjcordier, gildasjan, cornejo, ikeharel, krzychu30, holmertz, jacquest, Indrasish, ourania, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, worldcitizen, kato, delpeoples, timecapturer, bayno, bukitgolfb301, tedesse, Graal, rogerl, nikkitta, PiotrF, PiotrF, adores, AROBN54, fritzi007, fritzi007, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

carlo62 (81265) 2013-06-15 15:20

Ciao Luciano
siamo vicini stasera (stanotte), prima ancora di leggere la tua nota, mi ero accorto di questo viso fantastico, due occhi straordinari ed una pelle bellissima.
Bello scatto, hai colto un momento veramente bello e lo hai fermato per sempre.
Bravo
Buona domenica
Carlo

PaulVDV (62770) 2013-06-15 17:16

Ciao Luciano,
It's also happened to me that market traders or shop keepers where no tourist ever buys something, still keep believing that I might be the exception.
A very nice, clear and sharp portrait of this sweet lady and a beautiful market scene.
Best regards, Paul

tyro (30513) 2013-06-15 18:01

Ciao caro Luciano,

Yes, I do like fish! I love fish! And seeing this lovely girl selling dried fish here, I think I might well have bought some from her too - at least to help her, if not actually to eat it.

A delightful photograph with lovely pleasing composition, wonderful clarity and excellent colours and light.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-06-15 19:19

thanks for sharing a pic from a country that i dont know much about.great note.the pic itself is very nice with the girl looking into the camera and holding the fish.the surrounding elements are revealed enough to give a feel of the place.
regards
dwaipayan

jcpix (14030) 2013-06-15 20:54

Hi Luciano,

No thanks! :) I don't care for fish, but I do enjoy a great photo like this! It's bright an colorful, but also tells a story...you've done a nice job portraying the daily life aspect with this shot. I think your notes have also added a lot of interest to what we're seeing, making the entire image even more effective. I feel like I'm able to get a idea of the sights, sounds, and smells (for better or worse :)) from this photo. Love the result. Hope you're having a good weekend.

Best wishes from the U.S.,

Jason

berek (50518) 2013-06-15 22:09

Hi Luciano
I love fish. I love all seafood products. An interesting photographs. i like this daily life view with your note.
Have a nice Sunday
Burak

jjcordier (79299) 2013-06-15 22:25

Luciano
Belle image de cette scène de marché aux poissons. La vendeuse est très spontanée et souriante.Une photo de qualité.
Amicalement
JJ

SWEETFREEDOM (24623) 2013-06-15 22:36

Ciao Luciano,
Bel ritratto. Ottimi colori e nitidezza.
Ciao
Alessandro

gildasjan (43826) 2013-06-15 23:23

Bonjour Luciano
Le regard de cette femme semble très détendu.Une belle prise de vue avec la netteté là où il faut.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
Gildas

cornejo (61504) 2013-06-16 0:52

Ciao Luciano, molto buono ritratto di questo bel venditore di pesce secco. Molto buon tiro, buona nitidezza, luce e colore. Lavoro eccellente e interessante perfettamente fatto, complimenti amico mio. Grazie per la condivisione.

Buongiorno e felice inizio di settimana.
Cordiali saluti dal sud della Spagna.
Angel.

ikeharel (112395) 2013-06-16 1:06

Offered a snake, Luciano, not sure if I'd try...
Nice taken the moment, face expression and a bit of the surrounding's. Good light management.
Buona domenica,
Ike

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-06-16 1:23

Hello Luciano,
so,I´m not the only fish fan here?:)
but seriously,it´s magnificent shot,that combines in itself well portrait with documentary photography.I like this combination a lot,as it enable us to learn about different cultures and countries.
Also the qualitity of the image is flawless-it´s clear,sharp and has wonderful,vibrant colors.And of course what´s most important while photographing people-timing!
Magnificent composition my friend!

Have a nice sunday
Krzysztof

holmertz (101930) 2013-06-16 1:46

Hello Luciano,
I think your interpretation of the woman's face is quite correct. Tourists usually come to places like this for "photo shopping", not fish shopping. The environment is rather chaotic and the light should have been a bit difficult, but you have lifted the woman out of the chaos very cleverly and given her a perfect exposure.
Kind regards,
Gert

mjw364 (1466) 2013-06-16 1:52

Ciao Luciano

Well she's the prettiest fish seller I have ever seen! Very engaging eyes. Maybe I would buy the fish in exchange for a kiss!

TFS

Mike

ktanska (44446) 2013-06-16 2:06

Hi Luciano,
Lovely portrait of this fish merchant and dried fish. You got perfect exposure on her, overexposed spots in the background don't matter. Good tight framing.
Kari

Romano46 (18472) 2013-06-16 2:15

Ciao Luciano
non avevo dubbi che eri più interessato alla venditrice che al pesce, tanto più che nopn avresti saputo cosa fartene senza una buona padella e qualche condimento.
Il soggetto è ben estrapolato dal contesto un po' confuso che la circonda che sei riuscito molto bene a neutralizzare e il sorriso della ragaza che traspare anche dallo sguardo vale certo più del pesce che ha in mano.
Un altro bel documento del tuo viaggio nel Gambia .
Ciao e buona domenica
Romano

siudzi (34141) 2013-06-16 4:14

Hi Luciano,
This is superb picture of this colorful and attractive scene taken at the market. This girl looks really nice and she is proud of presenting such a great stuff. Perfectly executed as always. Excellent work! TFS.

Best,
Gosia

jacquest (19269) 2013-06-16 5:03

Hello Luciano,

This is very good portrait and a pleasant composition. You have captured the smile of the seller very well. The colors are very nice and the sharpness is excellent.

Best regards

Jacques

Indrasish (2943) 2013-06-16 5:37

Hi Luciano,
Yes yes!! Yam yam! I like fish.. Great daily life shot here.. Very eye catchy.. Well done.. Good sharpness, color and clarity too.. Good focus on subject..
Thanks for sharing..
Regards,
Indrasish..

Sergiom (117241) 2013-06-16 6:19

Ciao Luciano

Le poisson devrait faire l'affaire pour le souper, surtout lorsqu'il est présenté par une aussi belle vendeuse au sourire magnifique. Un regard qui nous hante.

Bon dimanche

Serge

Nicou (193806) 2013-06-16 7:59

Hello

Oui j'adore le poisson c'est très bon quelle scène et image quelle compo et captage sueprbe vue et iamge fantastique de cette vendeuse de poissons splendide.
Bravo et amitié
NMicou

mesutilgim (0) 2013-06-16 8:29

Hello Luciano,
Nice market sceneery from Gambia. The photographic qualities are just top but your notes are brillianst ! Almost a scientific paper !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

papagolf21 (152605) 2013-06-16 8:39

Bonjour, cher Luciano,
Si je comprends bien, le poisson n'attend plus qu'à être cuit pour la dégustation.
Très bonne mise en image de cette vendeuse itinérante, du moins, je le suppose.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ourania (51103) 2013-06-16 8:42

Ciao Luciano,
hai catturato ed inquadrato questa scena in modo veramente effetivo e interessante. Il gesto della bella venditrice che propone il pesce e' esaltato dalla tua ottima inquadratura. E' impressionante cone lei spicca contro un ambiente pieno di motivi e dettagli che non distragono ma arricchiscono la composizione. Quello che e' assolutamente accattivante e' il suo sguardo fisso ed intenso che aspettera' una risposta per sempre. Colori e nitidezza sono stupendi. Complimenti e grazie!
tanti saluti e buona serata,
Ourania

jmdias (114196) 2013-06-16 9:35

Luciano

nice framing with a personage natural and well positioned. excellent details.

hugs

jorge

pierrefonds (113512) 2013-06-16 10:19

Bonsoir Luciano,

Tu as bien saisi l'action de la vendeuse qui te présente un poisson. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs du poisson et de l'expression de la vendeuse. La bonne luminosité donne de belles teintes aux couleurs de l'image. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

pajaran (114821) 2013-06-16 10:52

Dobro vece.
Vrlo interesantan i dobra tekst ...
Lep pogled na prodavca i susenu ribu ...
Dobar snimak, kontrast, lepe boje.
Ja volim da jedem ribu, nadam se da je susena riba ukusna za jelo.
Prijatno vece i sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good evening.
Very interesting and good text ...
Nice view of the seller and dried fish ...
Good picture, contrast, beautiful colors.
I like to eat fish, I hope it's tasty dried fish to eat.
Good evening and all the best.
Paja.

Fis2 (169635) 2013-06-16 11:19

Witaj Luciano!
Interesting reportorial shot!
Good portrait!
Fine colors and sharpness.
I like this daily life shot!
Nice evening
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (220495) 2013-06-16 12:21

Ciao Luciano, mi piace il pesce ed anche la ragazza, hai colto una gran bella espressione, scatto di gran qualità come tuo solito, bravo, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85606) 2013-06-16 12:26

Ciao Luciano,

Your notes describe a very vibrant market place and this girl's clothes continue that theme. It really is a lovely portrait of one who is intensely surveying you, with a fervent hope that you will become a customer. Your narrow dof keeps her sharp amongst the other details of the market.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-06-16 12:32

Hi Luciano,

The young lady from Gambia certainly must have sold that fish to you.She does not seem to be interested in any other buyer. The light and details are very good.Very well done.TFS.

Regards
Farhat

dkmurphys (79209) 2013-06-16 13:14

Ciao Luciano,
Yes I do, my favorite meat is fish. Very nice capture, is amazing how different and simple their life is.
Have a good night.

Daniel

kato (11630) 2013-06-16 19:48

Hi Luciano,

You're capturing well a woman seller of this fish market by a good composition, a good focus and excellent tone/clarity, so it's impressive her charming face and traditional skirt with colorful/bright design. It's interesting in long/white dried fish which she has in the hand, too.

Kind regards,
mikio

emka (157280) 2013-06-16 23:50

Ciao Luciano, Yes, I would like a fish but I would prefer something fresh, not dried. I visited such markets with dry fish in Myanmar and fortunately we still do not register the smells.
Nice smile of the girl.

WArm regrad
Malgo

delpeoples (60342) 2013-06-17 4:29

Caro Luciano

hehehehe siiii veramente mi piace il pesce. Adoro questo tipo di foto: la presenza umana e anche il cibo! Il contatto degli occhi é veramente stupendo e mi piacciono molto la resa cromatica e toni delle pelle. Il cornice bianco ha finite l'opus perfettemente. Una foto di grande qualitá, come sempre.

Bella giornata e complimenti
Lisa

timecapturer (49288) 2013-06-17 5:43

Hi Luciano
a shot full of character and such beautiful detail. A glimpse of another world that has both impact and compelling appeal. Wonderful!

Have a good week - Brian.

bayno (18348) 2013-06-17 10:47

Ciao Luciano, finalmente qualche ritratto....ha un viso stupendo questa ragazza...anche se un pò in carne ;) perfetto il focus e piacevoli colori...anche l'atmosfera del mercato carica di vita è molto piacevole...ottimo scatto...
buona serata,
Valter

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2013-06-17 11:23

Hi Cioa dear Luciano, how are you?

Sorry for my late reply due to busy work here.
This is very very attractive portrait.
So clera and sharp image via so wonderful color touch and lights.
Thanks a lot and have a good night! Takero

chrisvek (7003) 2013-06-18 6:33

Hello Luciano

Very interesting capture with amazing expression and excellent POV.Amazing framing and details.Very good job.

All the best
Chris

abmdsudi (95869) 2013-06-18 9:58

Hi Luciano
Excellent daily shot and the beautiful vendor's smile really makes the shot work. Indeed a lively local slice of life. Well done. TFS
Best regards

olive224 (2719) 2013-06-18 11:33

Hi luciano
Awesome portrait shot here ;)
Amazing light and beautiful face expression
Even if the subject is centered in the image, it works !!

I really like it ;)
CHeers
Olivier

tedesse (25147) 2013-06-18 11:50

Hello Luciano!
Beautiful girl, traded dried fish. Great view from the largest market offering dried fish in Banjul. An interesting note.
Regards
Tadeusz

Miguel82 (47110) 2013-06-18 12:08

Of course yes!
This is dried fish, excellent report from this market of Banjul, very sharp photo with excellent colors
Brillant picture Luciano
Regards

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-06-18 17:46

Ciao Luciano!
Lovely portrait! The surroundings are very attractive too!
I specially enjoyed the light, colors and composition!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Graal (103040) 2013-06-18 22:55

Ciao Luciano,
nice portrait of seller and reportage about the daily life - in one. Pleasant smile of woman. Good shot. Interesting note.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

rogerl (1632) 2013-06-19 6:21

Luciano, while the central focus of the shot is obviously the very interesting-looking woman and her fish, I'm also struck by the rest of the image, and what it shows us of the market as a whole. There are several people in the shot, perhaps a wood carving at left, and a whole lot of dirt. Very cluttered background, but it really works for me. Others have also commented on her expression and the moment you chose to snap the image; they are indeed perfect. Thanks.

Roger

nikkitta (17070) 2013-06-19 12:02

Ciao Luciano

Of course dried fish because of the heat, but with such smile , almost irresistible
Very nice and perfect scene to add at the informative note

Great frame and quire agree with you, go , sometimes only few steps of where the tourist stay and another and true world is discover

Congrats
Enjoying your trip to Africa
Maria

dale54 (17750) 2013-06-19 13:31

luciano hello.. wonderfull,colorfull capture here,her face is so clear!with a smile and colorfull dress! dale

Urs (14082) 2013-06-20 0:36

Hi Luciano

Fantastic candid shot of the shy smiling girl and her dried fish. Perhaps I would buy the fish from her, wash carefully and use bit by bit with fried veggies or in soups. Excellent light management, as still all the details in her face can be seen despite the dark skin. Good photo job

Warm regards
Urs

eldancer1 (36343) 2013-06-21 7:39

Very nice capture of this fish vendor! Dried fish is very common in countries where electricity are not available for refrigeration. Nicely posed with good lighting and sharp details. Well done, tfs.

macjake (98260) 2013-06-21 22:15

Hi Luciano
to answer your question straight out...NO.
I'm not a fish lover, I hardly ever eat it.
but going to a fish market to collect photos...i'll do that every time!
a beautiful lady, love the colorful attire and the culture shown here.
nice shot as always
cheers
craig

ciakgiak (30) 2013-06-24 10:35

Ciao Luciano,
una vera meraviglia questo ritratto, luce, colori e qualità sono al top, e che bel soggetto :)
Un caro saluto
Giorgio

PiotrF (54246) 2013-06-26 14:24

Ciao Luciano,
Do you like fish? yes yes yes
Also like good photos.
Good sharpness, color and clarity too..
regards
Piotr

adores (46979) 2013-06-26 17:53

Hi Luciano!
These markets are always wonderful places. A very good portrait here! You framed her really well - I like her expression as she holds the fish.

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-06-30 3:29

Hello Luciano - I missed many of your Gambia shots while I was away and it's difficult to know where to begin with my comments. I love this one for the way the woman is leaning into the shot and towards your camera giving immediacy and creating a relationship with the viewer. You have managed to capture the beauty of her dusky skin really well. Super! Warm regards Rosemary

jemaflor (146206) 2013-07-01 4:56

Salut Luciano,
Une scène de marché bien prise avec une excellente netteté et gestion de la luminosité, le portrait de la vendeuse est réussi avec ce visage souriant.

AROBN54 (11475) 2013-07-30 20:05

Ciao, Luciano!
Always I have been been fond of portraits and this is just awesome. Even with a strong backlight, you have managed the light perfectly. Well composed, great expression, wonderful sharpness and detail. And such a pleasant expression. Your note is soooo good, too. Wow. Many thanks and kindest wishes,
Shelly

claudeD (47754) 2013-08-02 11:43

Hello Luciano,

Very fine picture from Gambia showing this very interesting daily life scenery. Very fine portrait shot with perfect sharpness. Very well done.TFS.

Wit h regards from Luxembourg

JC

CLODO (45116) 2013-08-11 5:27

bonjour Luciano

La marchande est fière de te montrer le résultat de la pêche. bon cadrage au moment décisif.
Amicalement
CLODO

drweizy (536) 2014-02-12 7:18

sunny day, tfs

fritzi007 (14698) 2014-05-30 13:51

Hello Luciano,
unbelievable how beautiful you portray life in Gambia, really a masterpiece, very fine quality!
Thanks for sharing,
Cheers,
Wolfgang

mcmtanyel (67555) 2018-04-14 19:16

Hello Luciano,
Nice grab from the market. As for me, I like fish but I wouldn't know what to do with dried fish. So I would pass on this one...
Regards,
MT

COSTANTINO (115451) 2019-12-27 22:55

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
I like visiting your gallery because
everybody can see old forgotten
photos like this one
with originality beautiful colors and beauty,,,
welldone
regards
Costantino