August 2013
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The story behind it
01/08/2013
"Women and aubergines"Markets make part of my travelling. This market, in the city of Suva in the Fiji Islands, is another one that made me smile. The organisation produce is incredible. The exceptional cleanness is unusual, where strong smells and slippery floors are common. I visit the place several times, and every time the amount of photographic substance differs. In the vegetables part, ground floor, most of the sellers are women. On the 1st floor, it is more of a men's place. All enjoy being photographed, and astonishingly kids are incredibly difficult to photograph.
I respect all attitudes and preferences, not pressuring anyone. I learn about how the best curries I've ever had are cooked. The aubergines shine beautifully.
Comment
Technical issues
01/08/2013
As in many markets, this was a dark place, with great contrasts between the out and the indoors. I had ISO at 800. My aim was getting the shine and light reflections in the aubergines, in the context of the women sellers. My 24mm wide-angle helped in exploding the relative size of the aubergines. I tilted my camera slightly down.Lighting was not particularly difficult, having used matrix metering and pure natural light. The main light source is from the background, where I accepted burnt whites. These help leave intact some shades of passing customers and sellers. It also helped simplifying the confusing background.
Critial review
01/08/2013
This is a conventional photograph of people, with the good use of a wide-angle lens. These people are photographed in their work environment, showing the results of their structured work and stamina. The photograph favours the visual presence of the produce, aubergines in this case. Their extraordinarily organised placement is complemented by the presence of the women behind the table. This is also a photograph that makes use of attractive reflections in the aubergines, forming aligned lines, also showing their nice purple colours. On last thing - the faces of the three women, behind the table, all different. One looks to the camera, the others to a customer. Interaction and openness among all. I don't mind showing that I am there, in the market. On the contrary.
Where you should place it
01/08/2013
I'd say this photograph better fits a travel context. Though its visual content is attractive, I see it more on a magazine or travel book. But, it also could be on a wall of an Asian restaurant, printed large. Good vegetables, with good colours, and smiling faces mean good food!
