photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty One: The Marketplace -- crossroads of a community. > Slumber in the Market, Chinatown, Yangon, Myanmar, 2005
previous | next
07-FEB-2005

Slumber in the Market, Chinatown, Yangon, Myanmar, 2005

Customers were few at this vendor's stall in Yangon's Chinatown. There was enough time for these women to get some obviously needed rest. Once again, it is the incongruity of the situation that makes it a worthwhile picture situation. A sense of place comes through in the detail – only in Burma do women paint their faces with Thanaka, a yellow paste that softens the skin and blocks the rays of the sun. I also like the fact that the sleeping woman clutches her purse under her arm – another incongruity. You never know when someone might need change!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
1/125s f/3.7 at 20.0mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis11-Apr-2005 17:53
You read this image brilliantly, Jen, seeing things in it that I never recognized until now. I agree with you about the woman's purse. I took the pragmatic view, seeing the purse in its commercial sense. You saw it from a woman's viewpoint -- she needs to have that purse on her person, yet she is still trusting enough in others to fall into a deep sleep. You are also right about the other woman, who is sleepy yet still alert, watching and waiting, even with her eyes closed. Yes, this image does have a lot of information in it, but the marketplace itself is overflowing with possibilities, isn't it?
Jennifer Zhou11-Apr-2005 10:08
As for the purse under her arm, Phil thinks that's may for when somebody needs change. For Jen, that implies she doesn't feel secure to put her purse anywhere else, but at the same time, she feels secure enough to fall in sleep in the market.

Also when looking closely, the woman clutching the purse seems fall in a very deep sleep----she relaxes all parts of her body, and you show that by even include one of her feet. On the contrary, another woman seems just closed her eyes but is still aware of the surroundings----her hands are still not totally relaxed~ But we never know~ Even this is a picture contains a lot of information, you did an excellent job to abstracte it.

Jen
Phil Douglis04-Mar-2005 21:08
Thanks, Marek. I did not associate the flow of limbs with the great impressionists, but I see what you are implying. I was able to bring the basket back to its original colors as well.
Guest 04-Mar-2005 17:12
My favourite of your recent portraits. It is very impressionistic, reminding me of Degas or Gaugin, with their elegant flow of limbs contrasting with the geometrical patterns, and making the scene appear to drift between 2 and 3d. My only slight criticism is that the burnout on the basket is a little distracting and leads the eye out of the image -- perhaps you could selectively hold it back a little.

Phil Douglis01-Mar-2005 02:08
You have a number of images such as this in your own galleries, Mo. I knew you would get a chuckle out of it. I smile every time I look at it. These are such wonderful people. They work hard. They deserve a break.
monique jansen28-Feb-2005 13:26
Yes, markets can be exhausting business! One of my favorites in this gallery as well, because of its theme and sense of humor, your trademark diagonals (lol) etc.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment