Kabul

Photographer's Note

Another picture from the Jad-e Maiwand in 1972. This street, running through the old part of Kabul, was the main business hub before the wars. In the 1990's, during the civil war between the Mujahideen groups that had defeated the Soviet army, most of this street was destroyed.
But in the early 70's it was the most exciting part of the city, performing an endlessly fascinating spectacle of life for a young traveller like me.

This was scanned from an Agfa Color slide.

Gerrit, Corpus, UlfE, bukitgolfb301, ellelloo, erhan1958, Angshu, saxo042, ourania, CLODO, PaulVDV trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Gerrit (62042) 2010-05-13 1:25

Hi Gert,
wonderful exotic and peaceful streetscene.
Excellent composition. Maybe the whites are a bit to bright (the handcar and the shirt of the man watching you).
regards, Gerrit

Zbychu (0) 2010-05-13 1:25

Nice colors !
Of the rugs :^))

jasmis (58653) 2010-05-13 1:39

Another priceless document from exotic country.
Regards my dear friend.

weetrees (159) 2010-05-13 1:59

I just love these old shots of yours
depth and clarity just not seen on the digital images.

A real old school feel about it and a moment in time captured for all to see
Regards
John

wolf38 (30) 2010-05-13 2:01

Hi Gert. Old and yet to date. The issue of Afghanistan is more interested than ever. Your Photo In this respect a good contribution to TE. I would like to know what it looks like there today. Regards, Wolfgang.

JanH (864) 2010-05-13 3:27

Hello Gert,
Nice scene from the past. Good idea to scan your slights and to share it with hopefully a lot of people.
Maybe because of the cars but also because of the colours and exposure there is indeed an atmosphere from decennia in the past.

Regards,Jan

Glint (6171) 2010-05-13 9:48

hello Gert,
what an eye catching vibrantly red carpet. The contrast between itscolour and the grey road is very marked. A good diagnal line helps the composition.
Bev

siamesa (28231) 2010-05-13 16:42

Boa noite Gert

Amazing and interesting scene . This red carpet makes all the difference.
Abraços
maria

macondo (20449) 2010-05-13 22:20

Hi Gert.
These old photos of Kabul must cause you the most poignant nostalgia, considering the immense changes that have been brought about by various wars that never end. I would have passed through the country in 1977 on an overland journey to Europe, but my companions became very ill in India and we had to fly immediately to Britain for their medical care. I had many friends who did complete the overland journey and they brought back photos like this, though. One always wonders what became of the people in the photos of long ago. I wonder, for instance, if a young Harmid Karzai is perhaps in the background somewhere. He has gone from being the 'darling' of the USA to the devil now.
I believe the cars in this photo are from the Soviet Union.
Anyway, thanks for these shots from a more peaceful time with smiling faces safe in the street.
Regards,
Andrew

UlfE (14641) 2010-05-13 23:12

Hej Gert,

A wonderful and very vidvid street scene from Kabul in 1972. The diagonal line is great and makes the picture very attractive. I could agree with Gerrit that the white is a bit too bright and perhaps it could be a little bit sharper. I decreased constrast and increased sharpness and this looks better at least on my monitor See WS. I am well aware that this might not be the case on your monitor. TFS and have a nice day!

Hälsningar

Ulf

[workshop] [compare]

JanD (0) 2010-05-14 2:30

Howdy Holmertz!
Superb scene. Good shot. Fine scan. Very fine colors. Perfect contrast and sharpness. Good quality.
Regards.

prabut (3548) 2010-05-14 6:14

Hi Gert
Great document showing how to complete this country long ago. Vendors have a very nice carpets. Great colors and perfect execution.
Best regards
Slawomir

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2010-05-14 14:35

Hi my dear Gert

So wonderful documentary shot again! Calm atmosphere.
Perfect framework / good composition and splendid vivid colorful description as usual.
Red carpet is attractive and the main thema in this work.
Blessing on your great masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing and have a good weekend!
Best regards,
Takero

ellelloo (6572) 2010-05-16 5:39

Hej Gert,
A wonderful street view from Kabul 38 years ago. You have captured the scene with several interesting details, where the red carpets are the main eye-catchers. A good composition, pleasant colours and peaceful atmosphere at those old times. A fine scan from an old slide.
Hälsningar,
Lasse

Disabled_A (0) 2010-05-17 23:57

Hej Gert,
some people travel to the Past in Time machines, some people travel to the Past in their memories... and some people travel to the Past via photos :) What you offer for us to see (this photo and many others which you scan) is sort of invitation to take a little trip to the Past - an illustrated trip, with an interesting explanation of the "guide".
LOL I notice a bunch of brooms near the seller! curiously, such brooms are still very popular in Russia and are sold in some markets or by village residents :)
varma hälsningar,
Elena
PS. special thanks for the email!

Angshu (56760) 2010-05-20 9:26

Hello Gert
Another golden oldie...they are selling those carpets on the street? I don't think the street would have changed much except perhaps a few buildings might have been converted to rubble. Good diagonal composition which provides good depth!
Best Regards
Angshu

saxo042 (38078) 2010-05-21 8:15

Hej Gert,
The red carpet here looks like it could be a real magic carpet. The surroundings here convey a feeling of "One Thousand and One Nights". A slight pity that the wagon is not quite complete, but this is just a minor niggle...
Hälsningar
Gunnar

ourania (51103) 2014-06-26 2:53

Hello Gert,
how fine and precious these pictures are today. What might have been a casual and spontaneous capture at the moment, now is a powerful documentary image, full of nostalgia (after the horrific events that intervened) even for viewers who have never experienced daily life in Afghanistan. I like very much the thoroughness and naturalness of this scene. Very interesting information, fine sense of movement and a friendly smile in the foreground. The gentleman looks proud of his carpets and is trying to look his best for your lens. The knowledge of what followed is heartbreaking. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

CLODO (45116) 2014-06-26 4:25

Hi Gert

Thank you for publishing this oldie, discovering how was the life in this city before the many wars.
Cheers
CLODO

jmdias (115046) 2016-04-03 13:44

gert

another fascinated image from the past. the cart and the carpet created a nice contrast and the presence of the vendor watching the camera is very interesting.

hugs

jorge

PaulVDV (62846) 2022-04-21 14:25

Hello Gert,
The carpets look inviting to linger for a while.
No idea whether at the time it would have been allowed as a foreigner to sit on it.
Maybe if you have a chat with one of the men first.
The street scene obviously looks very appealing to a visitor from the west.
You've probably said it before, but I don't remember. Was contact with the local population easy in Afghanistan? Did you have many language problems there?
Best regards, Paul