Payless Shoe Store, Congo, a photo from Katanga, South

Photographer's Note

In the TE spirit of "Learning about the world through photography," I submit this snap. No, it won't elicit a "Wow" in terms of technical quality, but it does illustrate part of how much of the world lives - buying second-hand items in "stores" like this.

Dave

kkaynm, iGirl, postvikram, quantabeh, meralbulut2003, modzi, nivaldo heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

mnphoto (224) 2004-07-22 11:11

Very powerfull image . You might consider getting rid of the shadow in the bottom right corner

richtersl (3546) 2004-07-22 11:53

Interesting photo. It's really odd how the mens and womens shoes are mixed together and how you only see one shoe from a pair. I wonder how they pair them up later? It's not a "wow" photo in terms of technique, but it is a "wow" photo in terms of how people live in that part of the world -- very much "TrekEarth".

jiherka (4552) 2004-07-22 15:07

Splendide picture... the composition and the idea are nice. Thinking that our old shoes can be use again is good and make also to think about our consumer society.
well done David.

kkaynm (92) 2004-07-22 16:25

that is amazing - very TE. thanks for the eye opener. i'll never look at my many shoes in my closet the same.

kaychambers (1198) 2004-07-24 11:44

David,

You never told me you had a meeting with Imelda Marcos on your travels!

I cannot spot a pair. Was this a pick and mix?

Top imagery.

Best regards,

Vic, Singapore. 24th July 2004

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-07-25 9:21

great image, thanks for sharing this strange way of buying second hand items, I havent seen this before, very good capture for an eye opener

well done

aimeric (265) 2004-09-18 17:16

i like ... reminds me so much of the place

... and the spectacles, with and without lenses ...

... and the sets of teeth to ... 'try and carry' ...

. nice meaningful shot, thanks

scalerman (26900) 2005-01-01 16:51

a good picture is one that's different and tells a story. this is a classic TE addition.

ccooper (840) 2005-09-17 14:45

David,
Having just read "The Poisonwood Bible" (about the Congo), this photo brings it to life. I am amazed that there are no matching shoes whatsoever. We in America take so much for granted. This is truly the essence of trekearth, from the photos of children hunting through landfills for food to this simple shoe photo, I am again touched by this website. Thanks for sharing!

aralda (1240) 2005-11-12 12:59

Hi Dave,
The fact that these shows are arranged in rows like that on the ground... that grabs your attention right away. I didn't even notice at first that there were no matching shoes. It's really stunning: not a single pair, and yet they're all arranged in these rows, with so much care.
Raluca

jone (3231) 2006-04-28 13:09 [Comment]

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iGirl (1223) 2006-05-09 15:18

Wow, that is so interesting! A very good view of life in another land. I think I do see some pairs... the red shoes with the white and pink stripes, for example. It's like a big Goodwill store only not so well organized.
Thanks for sharing!
Erin

postvikram (1199) 2006-05-31 7:57

Hello David ,

Its an unbelieveable fact..I have never seen anything like this before.Thanks for showing us.

I dont see an identical pair for most of them. Maybe for display only one is shown and the other is given when one chooses it.

There is one ladies' footwear at the left center corner of the picture. It still has the Show room look with that leather shapeholder.
Nice one - Vikram

sarahnatalie (697) 2006-08-06 23:01

I love this photo. I find myself coming back to it again and again. It is so telling and I love the title you've given it! Thanks for sharing this one.

kevinos (7517) 2006-09-13 7:16

Yes, as a social document, that records an aspect of life, this works very well. We have a thriving second hand shoe and clothing market here too. My maid is always raining my closet to contribute to it (and to her relatives). Ours are never as big as this one though. I had a pair of shoe stolen once, which taught me never to wear expensive foreign shoes, they are just too tempting and end up like these. I see that there is only one shoe of each pair on show, just like here. This stops people from stealing them. Technically, it could do with being a bit sharper, unsharp mask would do that and the whites are a bit burned out, but a great social document and enjoyable picture.

Facsi (212) 2006-10-04 7:32

Hi David!
Good shot - intersting theme.
I made workshop if You don't mind. Hope you like it.
Bye, Gabor

[workshop] [compare]

dbp (2) 2006-10-21 15:11 [Comment]

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river_14 (166) 2007-01-11 6:00

Hi David,
Can I have my pair of addidas shoes? :) this is a very interesting photo. aside from looking for a size that would fit to your foot, you need also to look and match your shoes that you want.

nivaldo (15417) 2007-02-11 23:45 [Comment]

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rinoacq (145) 2007-06-05 11:41

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