The Barber of Istanbul, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

The politeness and interest of this ambushed barber and his equally ambushed customer with me peering through their window demonstrates yet again the willingness of people to participate in the madness of the visiting street photographer in istanbul.

Of course I already had a candid image in the bag before they became aware of me - but there is still a nice element of spontaneity and humour about this one because of the half finished state of the man's shaved face.

I love the proud smile of the man in the chair with his peal earring and the seeming disinterest - almost deference to our relationship of the barber himself.

mikeyeats, berek, broglia, saxo042 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mikeyeats (136) 2009-03-02 14:38

Kev,
I like this one, the barber, in my view, seems to have a slightly reproachful look on his face as if to say you are interrupting a master at work.
The shavee seems almost proud to be having his photo taken, but having forgotten that the job is only half done. He looks as if he might be the local lathario.
A good people picture
Mike

berek (50518) 2009-03-02 20:19

Hi Kev,
he he its interesting daily life view. good idea and composition. greetings from Istanbul.
Burak

mar14 (97) 2009-03-02 21:07

Very humorous photo! I don't know if I could look that relaxed if I had a blade near my face!
Really nice capture maintaining a natural color. Good work staying out of the mirrors too!

Cheers,

Michael

stego (24132) 2009-03-03 11:29

Hi Kev,

Although they are aware of you, it still has a very candid appearance. It's a great portrait of a piece of life that probably won't last much longer - that kind of barbershop is already very rare in Portugal, having been replaced by the uncharacteristic, "modern looking" (or should I say very politically incorrectly "feminised"? :-) unisex hair dressers parlours.

I agree with you that the expressions of those two are more than enough to render the image great.

Regards, Josй.

broglia (3604) 2009-03-03 12:59

This has a wonderful feel Kev. The smiling, almost "Jeeves" type character and his sombre looking man servant brandishing the razor. Love the eye contact too. And the workshop also adds to the humour - I'd be interested to know how it was done.

Excellent, Roberto

saxo042 (38078) 2009-03-20 2:19

Hi Kev,
Very good portraits of these gentlemen. There are many details and colours to study here and this is really a very pleasant picture. Someone has done a WS here and in my opinion completely ruined the photo. I canґt really understand the reason for making such a dreadful WS...
Kind regards
Gunnar