Name your Poison, a photo from Hareri Hizb, South

Photographer's Note

Koromi is a thousand year old village in the high mountains near Harar (within sight of the birthplace of Haile Selasie). The guide books all mention needing a 4-wheel-drive to get up the dirt road to Koromi. After asking around a little bit, it is the classic African experience that a taxi driver will take you there in his tatty, 30 year old, 2-wheel-drive-if-you-are-lucky - or in this case, a three-wheeled tuk-tuk which had no problems with the alleged 4WD road.

Koromi is beautifully situated, but not yet highly geared towards tourism. We spent a wonderful few hours wandering round the village and being invited in to various private homes for some very salty tea, and other local refreshments. The gent in my photo is relaxing with some khat - a mildly narcotic, chewable leaf which tends to take the place of alcohol in more predominantly muslim parts of Ethiopia.

pajaran, abmdsudi, ktanska, Gigidusud, clic, kordinator, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (103762) 2016-12-31 4:41

Hello Iain,
This is the second time in less than a week that khat has featured in a photo on TE. It is addictive! This photo is technically much better than mine, maybe also more seductive because of the way the man is watching the leaves almost with affection. I like how the light is falling on part of his head and the wonderfully captured texture of his skin.
Kind regards and a Happy New Year,
Gert

No_One (4) 2016-12-31 4:51

Hi Iain
Your post shows that the note is jus as important as the photo and in this case both are great. Beautiful portrait and great note for context. Happy new year to you and yours!
Cheers
Noel

Sergiom (117241) 2016-12-31 6:20

Bonjour Iain

J'aime beaucoup ce portrait. La construction de l'image est parfaite avec une mise au point fait sur le nez du personnage car ses yeux sont un peu dans la brume � cause de ce qu'il m鈉he.

Amicalement

Serge

GyurMaster (25067) 2016-12-31 11:08

Hello Iain,

The drug is addictive and your photo is very suggestive. It has a very strong atmosphere.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

Tue (93606) 2016-12-31 11:11

Hello Iain,
Beautiful portrait of this man. The sharpness is excellent and I like the slight blur on the little green leaf, which stands out so well against the background. The sidelight is very pleasant too and you handled it very well.
Lars

abmdsudi (95869) 2016-12-31 23:55

Hi Iain
He looks so absorbed in his world focusing on that 'thing' and it is very obvious that this is unposed. I love his expression, however I feel that, the lighting is a bit too harsh with hard shadows thus lacking some detail on his facial landscape. Lovely disposition! you've got him spot on in the frame, precisely clicked of an interesting man. Excellent. Wishing a you and yours the very best for 2017
Best regards

ktanska (45126) 2017-01-01 6:27

Hi Iain,
You have perfect on this sky and sidelight gives excellent contrasty result. His stare a that little leaf shows passion. No doubt it's addictive.
Kari

Cricri (176) 2017-01-02 7:27

Hi Iain
Un portrait rare de voir ici sur TE, l'expression douce et calme de son visage donner par la drogue qu'il tient dans sa main, bonne lumi鑢e et d閠ails sont bien rendu
I wish you a Happy New Year!
cricri

Gigidusud (21679) 2017-01-02 12:59

Hello Lain,
Un portrait bien r閡ssi de cet homme tr鑣 absorb� par ses feuilles � m鈉her. Une sc鑞e bien captur閑.
Happy New Year 2017!
Gigi

clic (76) 2017-01-02 13:54

Hello Iain Fabulous portrait of a robust man whispering sweet talks to the tiny herb. Your inclined cropping reinforces the evident state of complete relaxation he feels in this stunning love story with a plant! Cheers. Happy new year.

kordinator (8738) 2017-01-03 0:43

Dear lain
Very beautiful hportrait photography.
mpression on the face of a man.
Nice sharp and clear details.
I wish you a great light.
Have a happy New Year!

Royaldevon (86598) 2017-01-06 11:41

Hello Iain,

This is a fine photograph. Portrait seems an inappropriate word as it is a candid capture recording a moment in the gent's daily life, rather than a posed shot.
It's good to be able to see his features and skin textures. The face is tilted perfectly, to give a diagonal composition across the frame.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)
P.S. Ibiza is well worth a visit especially if you don't want clubs. The old town is quite amazing and there are lots of remote, extremely beautiful beaches.

delpeoples (60342) 2017-01-10 2:23

Ciao Iain

Wow, another cracker. I can account for every pore, every bead of sweat and every hair on that man's face and hair. I like the grain and slight blur of his hand. A compelling photo, with exquisite lighting.

Cheers
Lisa