Like in the old days...IV, a photo from Evora, South

Photographer's Note

In the old days, till the 60s and 70s of the 20th century, most part of the people in the Alentejo had no lands of their own. In this region, we could find mainly the big properties and most part of the locals worked in agriculture, for the big land owners. In the cold winter days or in the very hot summer, days were spent working in the fields. The fields were wide and so, people usually worked in big groups. Lunch was usually brought from home in these clay pots, every worker or couple had their own. Early in the morning they were put by the fire and one of the workers kept an eye on them, to make sure every one had their lunch ready by lunch time.
This scene was very familiar to me during my childhood but today it's very rare. I took this photo during a re-enactment of one of those lunches, that took place in Aguiar.

bukitgolfb301, pajaran, PaulVDV, dkmurphys, papagolf21, Royaldevon, heimann2, jhm, BennyV, CLODO, ikeharel, ricardomattos, COSTANTINO ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

PaulVDV (62886) 2016-09-15 23:00

Hello Ana,
The smoke makes the upper part of the picture looking a bit impressionist.
An interesting note on the former habits in the Alentejo.
Excellent composition and depth.
Best regards, Paul

jemaflor (147104) 2016-09-15 23:15

Hi Ana,
Interesting tradition well photographed, good depth with this lines but very photogenic result also with the effect of the heat and the blur effect for the view, tfs.

dkmurphys (79209) 2016-09-15 23:41

Hi Ana,
Interesting note and quite a catchy image. I like the traditional way of cooking, the best choice for a clean food. Well seen.

Daniel

papagolf21 (152607) 2016-09-15 23:55

Bonjour, chère Ana,
J'aime beaucoup cette prise de vue par son sujet et par ce qu'elle raconte. Un grand merci pour la note et la qualité photographique dans son ensemble.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Royaldevon (85932) 2016-09-16 1:15

Hello Ana,

Thank you for this interesting tit-bit of history. It is interesting to know how things used to be and this re-enactment must have stirred the memories of many people.

You have composed the photograph with care. The line of pots on the burning embers makes a most unusual guide line, leading to the strongly positioned, focal figure. I love how the hot air from the fires is disfiguring her outline.

The line of pots creates a good separation line, too. Everything on the right is grey and charred, whilst all on the left is sandy or green!

Thank you for sharing this,
Bev :-)

holmertz (102672) 2016-09-16 2:00

Hello Ana,
This is an interesting photo showing an aspect of life not so long ago. The pots form a fine diagonal of brown and black and the woman animates the scene. It's amusing to see how well she fits the shape of the photo when bending forward at a straight angle. It's easy to feel a nostalgia for older days and ways of life that have been lost, but in most cases it's a relief that society and daily life has in most cases improved incredibly much. I would not like to live as in the 1950's.
Kind regards,
Gert

heimann2 (2067) 2016-09-16 3:30

Hi Ana,
a very nice presentation and interesting note of this mostly lost tradition.
The upper part looks like a painting because of the hot air and the smoke.
thanks
Pierre

gervaso (28177) 2016-09-16 4:03

Olá, Ana!

A fumaça criou um efeito bem interessante na foto, fazendo com que pareça até uma pintura! Os vasos formando uma linha na diagonal deixa a foto bem atraente! Belíssimo trabalho!

Sergiom (117241) 2016-09-16 6:00

BOnjour Ana,

J'ai comme l'impression que ce qu'il y a dans les pots doit sentir bien bon et que plusieurs doivent tourner autour pour goûter. Beau point de vue qui doit tenir au chaud et belle ligne de fuite.

Amicalement

Serge

GyurMaster (24818) 2016-09-16 11:29

Dear Ana,

Using the heat as a tool for creating an impressionist effect was indeed a good idea. The position of the pots create a nice line leading my eyes towards the centre of the image.

Excellent result!
best wishes,
Gy.

macjake (98454) 2016-09-16 12:30

Hi Ana
I'm so glad I chose to click on this one, because from the gallery page you can't really tell the woman is blurred because of the heat. Here you can.

It looks like an oil painting, its quite unique. Wonderful post for TE!
Cheers
Craig

BennyV (34748) 2016-09-17 2:15

The cracking effect created by the hot air rising up, makes this strange, fascinating, appealing, special... Great timing and composition do the rest. A beautiful piece of work, Ana. Thanks for sharing & have a fine weekend.

Benny

CLODO (45116) 2016-09-17 2:29

Hi Ana

perfect framing with the row of pots, the bent person filling the void space and the heat creating some distorsion and a kind od oil painting

Cheers
CLODO

ikeharel (113319) 2016-09-17 8:35

Ola Ana,
The heat waves coming from the boiling clay pots is very notable, and added a special texture to the scene.
Its fine contrast of subjects, to see the elegant lady, well dressed for that occasion - checking upon the traditional cooking utensils.
Taken a nice moment, marvelous outcome.
Bom fim de semana,
Ike

ricardomattos (17460) 2016-09-28 8:56

Oi Ana,

Muito interessante a sua nota e a sua foto . Uma aula de história aqui. Gostei do efeito do calor na imagem fazendo dela uma verdadeira pintura. Lindo !!

Parabéns e abração

Ricardo

COSTANTINO (116452) 2016-10-06 12:29

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day tomorrow
I like photos of this kind showing
traditional details of the past
according to your useful notes this
scene is very familiar to you during
childhood bringing memories from the
past
regards
Costantino