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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Four: The Workplace -- essence of a culture > Weaver, Tunis, Tunisia, 2008
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06-NOV-2008

Weaver, Tunis, Tunisia, 2008

While walking through the narrow streets of the ancient Tunis medina, we noticed a door ajar, and loom within. A weaver was working at it. We pointed to our cameras and nodded. He nodded back. We entered the small room, and I immediately began to work with my 24mm wideangle lens, which emphasized the size of the loom in relationship to the weaver. As he reached forward to draw the moveable part of the loom towards him, I made this image of strength, determination, and skill. We can even see the creases in his forehead as he strains to reach out and grasp the loom.

Leica D-Lux 4
1/80s f/2.0 at 5.1mm iso800 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis03-Dec-2008 06:01
Well said, Jenene -- the loom is an ancient machine, and obviously requires considerable effort to operate. He seems to be utterly absorbed in the process. He becomes part and parcel of the machine itself here as he thrusts himself into his work. That's what intrigued me so, and why I made and posted this image. Thanks for noting it.
JSWaters03-Dec-2008 02:38
I'm really struck by what I view as a kind of reversal here. Instead of man tapping into his brain and using a machine to lessen his burden, here he provides the strength to power the complicated workings of the loom. (Not discounting it was man's brainpower that invented the machine to begin with!)
Jenene
Phil Douglis29-Nov-2008 05:11
The camera is always ready, Alina. I carry it in my hand, secured by a wrist-strap and hand-strap, at all times when traveling. It takes just an instant to start making images. I travel light -- I do not use heavy DSLRs, but rather very flexible, light weight, compact zooms. This camera, for example, is tiny. But it has a magnificent f/2.0 widangle lens for such shooting as this. Beginning next year, I will also be using my first DSLR, but it is the Panasonic G1, the revolutionary mini-DSLR that weighs no more than a compact camera. That, too, will always be at hand as I travel.
Alina29-Nov-2008 01:56
Fantastic capture. That’s good that you had your camera ready :)
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