Chef, Muar, Malaysia, 2007 by Phil Douglis

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01-SEP-2007

Chef, Muar, Malaysia, 2007

Enthusiastic, proud, and generous, this street side chef was so happy we were photographing him in action that he offered everyone in our group of photographers a complimentary dish of spicy Malay food. The food, however, does not make the picture. It is the man who makes this photograph expressive. We can feel his warmth and spontaneity as he reaches for that plate of nourishment. He spent a lot of time posing for the camera. I tried to make my picture between those poses, when he reacted instead of acted.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/25s f/3.2 at 10.7mm iso100 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	01-Sep-2007 14:43:50
Make	Leica
Model	V-LUX 1
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	10.7 mm
Exposure Time	1/25 sec
Aperture	f/3.2
ISO Equivalent	100
Exposure Bias	-0.66
White Balance
Metering Mode	multi spot (3)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program	program (2)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		04-Jul-2008 20:05
You bring to this image a personal context, Celia -- you met the man, he fed you, and he graciously allowed you to photograph him as well. So you really know how warm and generous he is, and that this image reinforces and validates that context. And that is one of the functions of expressive photography -- it can not only can inform us, stir our imagination and emotion, but it can also validate previously existing feelings and knowledge. Thanks for your comment, Celia, and I think your image of his is wonderful as well. It tells an entirely different story -- it brings the world to him and puts him into the context of that world.

Cecilia Lim		04-Jul-2008 19:36
My image of this man http://www.pbase.com/image/98078309) tells quite a different story. The warm colours in your image very much reflect the warmth of his hospitality and generosity. I particularly like how he is able to continue working with his hands around the kitchen even though his gaze is focused on something else. It shows how comfortable and fluent he is in his environment. He cooks the same dish day-in, day-out and he has mastered the control of his kitchen with great confidence!

Phil Douglis		27-Oct-2007 19:27
Thanks, Tim, for this comment. I love shooting people reacting because reactions are spontaneous and genuine. I don't enjoy shooting people who acting, because more often than not, such images are self-conscious and imply pretense. Pictures of people that make them look as if they are having their pictures taken, don't usually work for me. Even when I am making a posed portrait, I am looking for subtle reactions in spontaneous body language and expression that define my subjects, rather than describe them.

Tim May		27-Oct-2007 16:41
I love your phrase "reacted instead of acted" What a wonderfully apt way to describe the difference we are trying for in our portrait images.

Phil Douglis		08-Oct-2007 18:47
His expression and body language are telling us who he is, and how he feels. Thanks, Tricia, for your comment.

flowsnow		08-Oct-2007 11:13
Agree, I think he is most happy to have you guys patronising his stall, an honour. Look at his expression.

Phil Douglis		28-Sep-2007 19:21
You are right, Sandi -- the energy and enthusiasm of this man definitely enhanced the meal. He could have served us dry noodles, and they would have tasted delicious.

Phil Douglis		28-Sep-2007 19:20
Thanks, Dogus, for finding the typo. You are right, the food does NOT make the picture. I've corrected it. Phil

Sandi Whitteker		28-Sep-2007 17:44
Making me hungry! This kind of person serving makes the meal more enjoyable. V

Guest		28-Sep-2007 05:10
I can read the excitement and hospitality on his face. And his hand is ready for serving. It is good that you captured the pose while he was not acting or it would have been pretentious. Mop-holding-Chinese-woman in one of the next images and this chief presents the two extreme (or, well, different) human values.

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