Comments on: mustafah abdulaziz – chile https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/ burn is an online feature for emerging photographers worldwide. burn is curated by magnum photographer david alan harvey. Sat, 18 Jun 2016 08:48:41 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.4 By: eduardo sepulveda https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-28775 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:44:45 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-28775 In reply to Akaky.

Mustafah,

really great essay. I lived 3 childhood years in Tierra del Fuego… i keep in mind exactly the same image of the man sitting and drinking after tough work and solitude… the sprite bottle and the wine ‘bota’ behind. Terrific.

Akaky,
Huasos are ‘cowboys’ from central part of chile. In patagonia they are supossed to be called ‘ovejeros’ intending to make the difference with argentina, but since they look and wear the same are mostly called gauchos, like in southern Brazil as well… Mount saddle on horses is the argentinian way too-different from huasos.

cheers, eduardo

]]>
By: chris bickford https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26536 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:32:16 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26536 beautiful work on your site by the way. I love the one with the guitarist and the cigarette smoker. fantastic light.

]]>
By: chris bickford https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26535 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:11:51 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26535 Hey Mustafah–sorry about the spelling, typing too late at night. Local contrast and “clarity” are both basically sharpening functions. If you haven’t used them on this image, then maybe what I am seeing is over-sharpening. I don’t want to tell you something you may already know, but for the benefit of anyone else out there who wants to know how “sharpening” works in Photoshop, it’s like this: The computer basically amplifies contrast between two edges by making the lighter side lighter and the darker side darker. Depending on the “radius” of this effect, you can get either a very fine edge, or a wider edge that gives the illusion of greater overall contrast and gives the image some “Pop”…but, if it’s overdone, it gives the photo a strange, almost embossed look. The quickest solution would be just to dial down the sharpening, although you would lose a bit of the pop that way. A slightly more complex solution would be to dial down the intensity and widen the radius of the effect…

]]>
By: Akaky https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26531 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:40:48 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26531 AKAKY: Huasos.

AKAKY IRL: Come again?

AKAKY: Huasos. Chilean cowboys are called huasos, not gauchos.

AKAKY IRL: If you say so. Why are you telling me this like I give a rat’s ass one way or the other what Chilean cowboys are called?

AKAKY: Because Mustafah is calling them gauchos and they’re not gauchos, they’re huasos.

AKAKY IRL: [Pause]

AKAKY: [Pause}

AKAKy IRL: [Pause]

AKAKY: [Pause]

AKAKY IRL: [Pause.]

AKAKY: Those are some pretty pregnant pauses.

AKAKY IRL: It’s what happens if you don’t use a rubber. In any case, I hesitate to point this out to you, dude, but pedanticism is one of your least attractive qualities. No one cares what Chilean cowboys are called.

AKAKY: But it’s just as easy to get these things right as it is to get them wrong.

AKAKY IRL: Guy, listen to me: NO…ONE…GIVES…A…SHIT…WHAT,,,YOU…CALL THEM! So knock it off and leave the man alone.

AKAKY: Okay, I guess you’re right. It’s a great picture, though.

AKAKY IRL: No argument there, guy; it’s a great picture, no two ways about it.

]]>
By: mustafah https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26530 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:54:23 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26530 Chris, I enjoyed looking at your “Surf/Life.”

I don’t know what a Gaussian blur layer is, or what you mean by the clarity setting? Is this something in Photoshop?

And my name is spelled “Mustafah”, thanks.

]]>
By: chris bickford https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26495 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:35:26 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26495 Hey Mustapha–fanstastic image. I don’t think it is over-processed necessarily (I’m all about processing), but I do think that the local contrast setting (or possibly the “clarity” setting) is too high. If you widen the radius of that setting and take the intensity down a little bit, I think the photo will look more natural. Alternatively you can put a light Gaussian blur layer over the whole thing to even out the jagged look of the local contrast. I think if you did so you would invite fewer comments about your “processing”. Angelo used plenty of dodging, burning, and vignetting in his essay and it didn’t inspire a lot of commentary, because it looked natural. The setting you have it on now is just too extreme and detracts, I think, from the overall intensity of the photo. But my philosophy with processing is to take it over the edge and then back it down a notch, so all you have to do is back it down a notch and it will be a killer photo…Otherwise, mood, gesture, composition, are very strong…

]]>
By: Kevin https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26456 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:09:37 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26456 Nice image. Note that when a gaucho crosses the border into Chile, they become a ‘huaso.’

]]>
By: alfred https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26433 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:24:53 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26433 Very impressive; you`ve got an eye, no doubt. Your book looks cool too! Good luck on your journey, and take care!

]]>
By: bobblack https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26346 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:41:50 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26346 In reply to mustafah.

ps. Mustafah:

man, you gotta get this image (or any from the series) sold to a publisher for the next Roberto Bolaño book…maybe the next collection of Stort Stories that gets dipped into English….im mean, i think this series is right out of Bolaño’s world :))))….ok, gotta run now, bed and medicine and a book are calling…

b

]]>
By: bobblack https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26345 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:36:20 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26345 In reply to bobblack.

L :)))…i havent forgotten…i meant that bigger isnt always better (look at giacomelli’s magic)…but in the case of ‘invisible’ it absolutely will be….big big…OR small small (remember, i sad small-small:postcards size) too :))

crawing to bed…

hugs
b

]]>
By: mustafah https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26344 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:31:28 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26344 I find most of my inspiration comes from music and painting, as well as from different areas of photography. The work from South America was born from my fascination with Eugène Delacroix and how his work used such brights and darks, in pivotal moments, to create a focused sensation of epic character. This tapped into how I seek to photograph: propel the nature of the subject into a realm where they exist as something we can relate, admire while retaining the factual basis of the story being documented.

I’m drawn to high contrasts, deep and rich tonal ranges, and so this comes through most prominently in this photograph, where haste did not allow me to create an image with a wider latitude. What I take from the critique here, and in other forums, is that a balance must be maintained that is so consistent and prominent in one’s work that the very notion of criticizing for dark edges becomes secondary to the power of the photograph. This is what I am striving for.

I believe Bob said it best one: we’re all ’emerging’ and on that note, I take all words into consideration and weigh them against my own desires, my own vision and ultimately, my own work. By doing this, I think I can continue to drive myself to be the best I can possibly be.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to discuss my photograph. I am truly humbled.

]]>
By: Patricia Lay-Dorsey https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26343 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:25:23 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26343 Mustafah, this photo has it all–dramatic lighting, a sense of grandeur, touches of humanity in the expression on Sebastian’s face, and intriguing hints of the untold stories of these cowboys who ride the rough mountains, plains and plateaux of Patagonia. I am now going to explore the essay on your website. I can’t wait!

Hope to see much MUCH more of your work here on Burn.

Patricia

]]>
By: jared iorio https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26342 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:23:26 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26342 Speaking of intent, hopefully we can get Mustafa to weigh in again.

The story is set up as documentary on the site (and I can tell he is somewhat trained in PJ judging by the caption writing on some of his singles). He mentions he “was more concerned with capturing this moment of complete solitude” than anything else. Not mood, not feeling…. but moment. I think the processing does create the mood, the feeling, but I lose the moment, it feels constructed.

What does intent matter though? A large majority of the responses here indicate that the mood and feeling come through, even if it was a Moment that the photographer intended to catch.

]]>
By: Lassal https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26340 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:56:33 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26340 In reply to bobblack.

BOB …
you now gave me THE argument for a big print … the INTEND!
For this one project … it feels so necessary. Remember?
Invisible …

Another time …

Now cure that flu so that you are all there for us when Bones goes online!

Love you Bob,
L

]]>
By: bobblack https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26339 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:45:24 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26339 In reply to bobblack.

joe :))

just so you know, im terribly long winded ;))), but i never mean anything personal..really, im a real white-hat guy (ask Lassal!)…i have to learn to SHUT UP, cause i tend to be way overly protective…it’s the oldest brother syndrome in a family of divorce ;))…anyway, for me, it’s all about intent…but, i wont jump in again…its fair and great to have this discussion and im sure Mustafah will jump in, he’s a very very intelligent guy (and good photog)…

lassal :)))…yea, it’s always tough…those damn taste buds….u got that right :))…but i say, steal the giacomelli and then give ur friend a print ;))))….by the way, i’ve had the incredibly pleasure to see a real giacomelli print…god damn was it fucking amazing…11×14, that’s all, and the most sublime pic in the world…(remember we were chatting big vs. small)…ok, running…got some scanning to do before the day is out…

see u both soon :))

b

]]>
By: Lassal https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26337 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:39:08 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26337 In reply to bobblack.

Shoot, Joe, couldn’t we switch to German for a while? I’d love to play a little more thoroughly :))

]]>
By: Joe https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26336 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:32:36 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26336 In reply to bobblack.

Don’t be silly Lassal, i had hoped you might have made it seem more appealing for other people to come out an play :-)

]]>
By: Lassal https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26334 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:28:02 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26334 In reply to bobblack.

Guess I kinda got in the way here :))

]]>
By: Joe https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26333 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:20:51 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26333 In reply to bobblack.

i enjoyed reading that Bob, Thank You.

you threw a new word into the equation that makes me rethink things a bit: ‘intent’ that changes everything, actually.

it’s a different judge and jury than the one i’ve let myself feel constrained to: ‘reality or visual truth’ i appreciate better where you’re coming from Bob and i’ll admit it makes sense! :-)

i hope this wasn’t a horrible conversation for anyone to spectate, it puts a few more things in perspective at least for me. and if we’re not going to talk about this stuff here, then where?
..

]]>
By: Lassal https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/01/patagonia-cowboy-by-mustafah-abdulaziz/#comment-26332 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:19:54 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=648#comment-26332 In reply to bobblack.

hmmm again…

BOB
I cannot speak for Joe here, but I in fact love a lot of what would be called “overly noticeable processing”. I was telling you that I was about to STEAL this Giacomelli book from the bookstore the other day – unfortunately the bookstore is run by a friend and so I could not get me to do that to him :))
The point for me at least is, that the whole image has to have a balance. Wheter with “overly noticeable processing” or not. All the parts have to work together in some magic kind of harmony. Normally, if you dodge or burn or … it is to create this harmony because maybe in real life there was something not “perfect” for the image. Like with salt & pepper & spices in general with food … some like more salt than others, but … in general there is a point where salt gets too much and starts spoiling the rest.
I have seen many beautifully balanced photographs from mustafah (also at http://blog.wearemjr.com/) but the very one chosen for burn is a little too unbalanced and “salty” for me. I would just have loved to taste more of the original ingredients :)

So I thing we are on the same page. Only that you are talking about processing in general (Joe also?) and I am talking about this specific photograph …

Even though you were answering to Joe and not to me :))

]]>