Brush Seller, a photo from Herat, West

Photographer's Note

The streets of Herat are lined with small shops selling household goods and in this area nearly all of the stores were just selling brushes. I spotted this guy on a small side street (OK I'll admit that one of my companions spotted him first) and asked to take his picture. Not only was he happy with this, he also sat naturally for me rather than posing.

This is one of my personal favourite photos from my trip. I hope you like it too.

isabela_sor, pierreb, elihesamian, riclopes, don_narayan, Bien, tjanze, sleon, arturo, Tue, fireflyz, cherryripe, Albrecht, andante, fijiphil, Mistral, dbessinger, prezntime, cldphoto, jmauer, HIRAKZ, thaprem, touristdidi, arturski, CLODO, verswe, mehrdad-t heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

isabela_sor (47748) 2005-12-14 13:49

Interesting subject and beautifully composed shot.Excellent brightly composition with that perspective made of brushes
Regards,Isabela

jemaflor (147224) 2005-12-14 13:53

Hi Jonathan,
Well seen, good angle for a good composition, perfect sharpness and light on the face and good title too.

maurazos (0) 2005-12-14 14:06

It's great to see the man surrounded by the product he sells. You just need one more brush to the left to make a full frame around him. Regards.

pierreb (110) 2005-12-14 14:09

Great photo, you are very lucky to have traveled in all these countries.Thank you for sharing.

xavshot (69835) 2005-12-14 14:12

Elle est très belle cette photo Jonathan. La Compo est réussie et les couleurs sont extras
Bravo, j'aime beaucoup
Xavier

elihesamian (26149) 2005-12-14 14:20

Hi Jonathan,
A very nice daily life shot you posted,great result,fine brush and great elements here for photography,a nice portrait,too,excellent controlled the light and shadows and you reached a great sharpness,too,lively and nicely done,Jonathan,I like it,
Best
M

ancevski (3358) 2005-12-14 14:32

Excellent!

Regards, Dragan.

jafadabret (56501) 2005-12-14 14:44

Jonathan, j'aime la composition et la couleur de cette photo. Le vendeur est encadré par ces balais qui retiennent bien la lumière. L'ensemble est agréable à voir.
Jacques

bboss (3578) 2005-12-14 15:24

Hi Jonathan,
yes this ones excellent, you composed it really well, nicely balanced and great detail with perfect exposure.
I have always found it really weird that in Asian markets all the shops selling the same things group together. I mean how many shops that only sell brooms can there possibly be, how can they continue to make profit, and what advantage is there to being next to several more shops also selling...brooms???
cheers, David

colinbrenchley (6431) 2005-12-14 15:31

Jonathan. Nice picture and the framing really makes this one.
Regards Colin

anesugur (18789) 2005-12-14 15:47

Hi Jonathan
Excellent work.
Perfect light, colors and composition.I like it very much.
Very well done. Uğur

weswang (18247) 2005-12-14 16:43

Hi Jonathan, You have well made use of the “window” to show the brush salesman in his natural pose. Good use of light and good details of the portrait. A very well taken picture.

AmiBe (6042) 2005-12-14 18:03

Hi Jonathan,
yeeeaaahhh, I like very much this portrait !
Excellent natural framing, and the light on these brush is excellent.
For sure, one of your best from your trip.
Very well done

richtersl (3546) 2005-12-14 18:52

What a unique frame you created here with those brooms! Very well seen!!!

don_narayan (2014) 2005-12-14 19:25

Hi Jonathan. excellent image, such a brilliant framing of the man amongst the brooms. really, a fantastic job. I think it is one of your best from Afghanista.

Narayan

banyanman (7797) 2005-12-14 20:17

Very well composed, Jonathan, with just the right exposure and DOF. You don't appear to have used a fill-flash, but the light on the face is fine. Cheers . . . David

clarehambly (106) 2005-12-14 20:20

Hi Jonathan,
It's beautiful! Great textures. One question: did you have to do any PP work to get the right balance between the light on the brushes and the darkness of the interior?
Regards,
Clare

sheilaz413 (275) 2005-12-14 21:55

Beautiful portrait! I love the texture of the brushes - it gives the picture a very soft, gentle feel. The young man for a beautiful subject as well. Great lighting as well. Wonderful!

Cormac (26565) 2005-12-14 22:41

Wow! This is a very professional shot - looks like it could be in a magazine. The collection of brooms is very eye catching, and the man looking out from a gap in the brooms is great composition. I agree with you - this is maybe my favourite from your series on Afghanistan. Superb!

Bien (4745) 2005-12-15 1:38

Hi Jonathan, Simply brilliant shot! (so no we don't like it, we love it!) The composition with those brooms has something very sophisticated and funny and happy at the same time. The friendly and natural expression on the guy’s face is a great asset. Masterly done! Sabine

cengiz (3593) 2005-12-15 2:17

good angle and sharpness congragulations jonathan
warm regards cengiz

tjanze (5674) 2005-12-15 3:29

Hi Jonathan!
Beautiful shot.I like the angle of view and framing with brushes.

rosaline (0) 2005-12-15 4:42

Jonathan
This is an excellent composition and one of the best in your gallery. I think the large number of brooms add the dramatic impact. The warm colour has refected a lot of light to the general scene and the vendor is very well lit because of the reflected lighting. Great stuff.
Aubrey

riclopes (35577) 2005-12-15 5:16

I love it Jonathan!
What a very nice composition you got with the seller in between all those broom hairs set. Very good sharpness, bright colours and dephness. A really pleasant one! Congratulations for the fantastic capture!
Thanks a lot for sharing,
Have a nice evening,
Ricardo

mamcg (7079) 2005-12-15 9:06

I like it too as these brooms are imported from neighbouring Iran.

PixelTerror (0) 2005-12-15 9:35

Hi Jonathan,
Very effective this view of the young guy in the middle of all these brushes, I like the resulting overall warm atmosphere and it must have been a bit tricky to sharpen such a detailed shot !
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

sleon (9402) 2005-12-15 12:05

HI Jonathan
I like it very much. The portrait is very simply treated, the young man looking natural and at ease and nicely framed by these huge brushes. The sunlight on the brushes adds a final highlight which really lifts the image.
Susanna

Stepan (27210) 2005-12-15 12:40

Really beautiful and inspired shot...
The way you defined the frame is really good with all the brushes around the guy.
I understand you like it : you are right !
Stéphane

coco (30439) 2005-12-15 17:43

Hi Jonathan.
Very good portrait. You managed the light in a very good way, and the composition is wonderful.

Really a great shot.

Regards.

bnallama (3763) 2005-12-18 12:50

Yes very nice framing witht he man surrounded by all the brooms. Bala

gebala (0) 2005-12-18 15:00

hello Jonathan:) do u know this photo is great? exellent composition, exellent ligting, exellent subject:) I just love it:) rgs

pmthanh (676) 2005-12-19 9:53

Hello Jonathan!
Very nice composition and colour. TFS

Thanh.

MiKa2000 (2432) 2005-12-19 14:50

Un grand moment que celui-ci. C'est la perfection !
Une lecture douce et matinale.
bravo

siaocien (6) 2005-12-19 20:11

Very attractive daily life shot. I like the way that guy look at the len- Natural.

pridel (233) 2005-12-20 17:38

Hi Jonathan
I like the photograph for the harmony of the colors and the very relaxed attitude of the young man. his glance is detached superbly well from the compo.
congrats
Pascal

arturo (31) 2005-12-22 7:52

Hi Jonathan,

i like how the brushes appear in the background and foreground...all perfectly, "terribly" sharp...I'm also amazed by the perfect light amd shadow control...in fact it is a very well balanced and stunning photograph...cheers, artur

ayobami (1353) 2005-12-22 11:58

Stunning image! What a great capture and wonderful details of these brooms! Great light as well bouncing off of them!

Tue (92470) 2005-12-24 4:14

Hej Jonathan,
Very well seen this guy between all his brushes. Very nice colours and a good composition too! Well done!
Merry Christmas!
Hilsner,
Lars

fireflyz (2097) 2005-12-29 19:40

Hi Jonathan,
I've been missing lot of your photos! This one is really a fantastic DL photo. I like how the merchant boy is naturally framed in his brushes. Nice image quality as usual.
Happy New Year!!!
Skye

capthaddock (28790) 2006-01-06 9:51

Hi Jonathan - indeed this is an outstanding portrait, the brushed make a very unique frame, I also like the different lighting on them

cherryripe (21033) 2006-01-11 5:19

Hi Jonathan
Excellent portrait with the guy framed by the brushes. Nice sharp details and light balance.
Regards Nikki

Albrecht (11283) 2006-01-11 5:31

Hi Jonathan
What a wonderful picture. Great use of the natural light and a very good compo. Well captured.
Greetings Albrecht

tcht (7565) 2006-01-11 6:05

Hello Jonathan,
Very great capture. Lighting is excellent and the details are great, too. Very sharp nature of this picture makes it very pleasant to the viewer...excellent!
Greetings,
Cheukhin Tsang

scarletvirago (0) 2006-01-31 9:54 [Comment]

Show Comment

sburel (220) 2006-01-31 9:58

Excellent composion and the subject is perfect.

Cheers,

Sebastien

andante (7092) 2006-02-20 17:40

Jonathan, great portrait of the man and his job. Thanks for sharing this beautiful composition with us. Enrique

asival (5307) 2006-02-25 5:37

Hi Jonathan

Nicely captured and well framed

Assi

Nikofan (1090) 2006-03-02 20:36

Beautiful composition and nice light.
You managed it well!
Congratulations!

Bernard

cessy (13647) 2006-03-14 10:28

very nice portrait, excellent framing

Luciedls (164) 2006-03-16 17:17

Jonathan
Tout a déjà été dit sur ta merveilleuse photo. Encore bravo ! Je la mets dans mes favorites.

alekw_ (6) 2006-03-16 17:19

Very nice photo

muratd (5073) 2006-03-16 18:08

Very good looking and best compos. Su good pic. Thank you Wilson

Dieselhunk (9) 2006-03-31 0:23

wow nice compo! Congratz!!! --- Josh

Mistral (15416) 2006-04-02 16:36

Another masterpiece with broomes as a frame!
The welcoming attitude of the guy adds charme to the image.
Well done (of course!)
A smile
Luca

mice (10) 2006-04-07 11:29

Presiosa.
Misterio y realidad de juntan.
Felicidades

elan2004 (437) 2006-04-08 16:04

Wonderful photo Jonathan, great framing with the brushes, a master stroke.
Well done,
john

lucinka (9976) 2006-05-08 5:14

Jonathan, this is very well seen and captured scene from Afghanistan!! Beautiful daily life photo with beautiful light and such a well chosen composition. That man is so well placed among those brushes. Really very well seen. Lucie

recepyuksel (18640) 2006-05-08 6:02

great compo with grooms and seler....
best regards

gsimon (387) 2006-06-06 14:13

Amazing picture
Its perfect in every way..lighting focus and composition
TFS
Greg

s10001in (0) 2006-06-15 3:55

Jonathan,
You really got great collection of shots.
Just amazing.
This is master piece.

Very well done
Sharp & beautiful.
TFS,
Shailendra

joelgrant (77) 2006-07-28 9:04

I really like this photo. Great detail and well composed.
Great choice of border. It really makes you focus on the photograph.

lu_muratori (618) 2006-08-06 23:31

Hi Jonathan, what a gourgeous portrait, good job!
Great composition and use of the light,
Luci

keribar (43841) 2006-08-07 0:18

Hello Jonathan,

You're right its a favorite photo, and I would have given a star if I had any left.
Fine composition amid the brushes, and excellent light all over. You are inspiring me to post a similar one taken in Edirne. Keep looking !

Best regards - Izzet

prezntime (3946) 2006-08-14 8:19

Hello Jonathan.
This is a very fine portrait. The texture of the brushes adds some much weight to the shot. The repeated shapes of the brushes also give the portrait great definition. Good framing and POV.
Regards,
Chris

cldphoto (180) 2006-09-09 8:04

I'll add my voice - this is a great shot. The highlight is on the product, but the seller is not lost in the shadows.

ewiczek (374) 2006-09-30 12:28

wonderfull photo

jmauer (4) 2006-09-30 13:01

Hi Jonathan
beautifull frame around a very well lit face.
I like this picture a lot.
Johnny

rbcy1974 (20758) 2006-10-19 3:30

Hello Johnatan
Really a masterpiece, very nice way to capture the repetitive pattern of the brushes, excellent scene, very natural.
Id love to go to Afghanistan, how did you deal with safety issues?
Regards
Daniel

aidil98 (94) 2006-10-21 11:33

Hi Jonathan!
This picture is excellent! Good capture, frame is well and composition is amazing!
Thanks for sharing this photo!

-Lidia-

focusart (141) 2006-11-19 14:46

Excellent!
I like this photo...
Alain

Benedict (7076) 2006-11-19 15:06

brushes and brooms....oh they are captured so clearly, so sharp!lighting, superb! bravo!!
the seller's natural look, a bonus! deserves 10 green smileys!
benedict

DLM (6479) 2006-11-19 15:07

Stunning Jonathan, wonderful colour light composition and texture,TFS
Dave.

A310 (418) 2006-11-27 20:18

Such an awsome picture. I love it.Congratulations

pari_ali (433) 2006-12-10 12:45

I like the framing of the picture with all the brushes around the seller. Makes a great POV. A well deserved favourite
regards
Pari

pinakie_slg (861) 2007-01-12 5:32

amazingly wonderful

Eatlovepray (17) 2007-02-21 21:50 [Comment]

Show Comment

thaprem (2566) 2007-04-11 7:05

Jonathan,
A perfectly composed one here...
So much of fine light & balance...
The brooms make an interesting pattern.
Cheers,
Prem.

touristdidi (8583) 2007-08-09 21:22 [Comment]

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Jacobp (798) 2007-11-25 0:30 [Comment]

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florijianu (0) 2008-02-22 4:11 [Comment]

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cgale (62) 2008-03-10 8:58

Well done! I'm not normally a fan of digital frames on photos - but the black frame you placed on this photo really off-sets the subject and hues of this composition really well. Nice job - all around!

tanthainium (24) 2008-05-20 9:33

Such a beautiful shot and i love your natural frame too.

arturski (4465) 2008-06-21 7:25

Hej Jonathan!
It is a great composition, fantastic photo.
Regards
Artur

Footprints (68) 2008-09-06 0:14 [Comment]

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kiks (12805) 2009-06-26 6:33

Master work this image. Such a simpel scene but using such a gooed composition and exposure turn into something special. I wish i could shoot like this.
Best regards
Kiks

CLODO (45116) 2009-09-07 9:25

Hi Jonathan
good frontground (the brushes) making a frame for the portrait.
Kind regards from
CLODO

allgambits (129) 2010-08-26 0:40