The Coppersmiths
Damascus, Syria 2010…in the Hammadiya Souk
The coppersmith’s souk is on a dark alley: small workshops where sweating men hammer out copper utensils. The lack of light contrasts with the flame of the forge. Atmosphere galore, as we used to say, but the camera can’t manage the difference between the extreme dark and light the way the eye can. The result: badly underexposed photos.
Sometimes a flaw can be an asset. The light on the man’s muscular arm says this man works hard for a living. His craggy features say he is from a Mediterranean culture. (they say that to me, anyway) I like the way his prominent nose is highlighted. It’s key. No other shape of nose could possibly add so much to the story.
Coppersmith and Forge
This photo had a good exposure, but I darkened it to give it the ‘socialist realism’ look. I couldn’t get it the way I wanted it and used Alien Skin’s Snap Art 3 to add a blocky, paint brushed look to the man. I also had to tone down the forge. The eye goes to the whitest and brightest. You must be sure that the subject meets that criterion.
As one of my photography teachers used to say, “I could sit and look at these for hours.” Thank you, Mr. Abtey. I remember your class with pleasure.
Socialist Realism was a type of art used during Stalin’s time. The purpose was to glorify workers. Men and women are portrayed larger than life, and in heroic poses. I like it not for the politics, no way!, but for the simple, graphic qualities that portray life in those times.